Back to Normal

Things are getting back to normal. The 4 day surgery and recovery process felt like an eternity. Brokeback is recovering very nicely. I think he is doing better now this time than he did with his prior surgery 2 months ago.

I went to get the kids from my mother's yesterday morning. I saw them everyday, but they spent their nights, etc. with my parents. I was all set for a big reunion, especially with H, who is such a mama's boy and loves me best. He walked around the corner to see who was at the door, looked at me and turned around and went back into the bedroom where my dad was. So much for our reunion.

Today we (and when I say we, I mean me) are cleaning and trying to get back into our normal swing of things. Yesterday I got the kids a t-ball set that they played with for awhile, and we blew bubbles. Today we hope to go feed the ducks with Ron and interview a babysitter. I will post pics of the kids in t-ball action ASAP.

We are home!

SO glad to be back at our house. We got home around 1:00. Brokeback is doing as well as can be expected. He immediately hopped in bed, as he never got more than about 2 hours of sleep straight last night, even with an Ambien. It made his blood pressure go down so much he wasn't able to take any more pain meds for 8 hours straight. He dealt with it well, in my opinion.

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers! We are feeling good about the surgery.

Surgery is Over

Brokeback's surgery was successful yesterday! It was more invasive than they thought it would be, taking twice as long as they thought it would due to the scar tissue from the last time. The nerves were very compressed. He should feel much better, but recovery has been truly terrible. He is in a great deal of pain, all of the time. This should lessen tremendously by day 3. Today is day 2, though, and it is really rough. I have never been through anything like this in my life.

Please pray for Brokeback today. He really needs the prayers!

Surgery tomorrow!

Brokeback goes in for his spine decompression surgery tomorrow morning, we think at 6. I will be with him of course. We will stay overnight in the hospital for one or two nights. Ron is of course hoping for one! From what I understand they are going to cut about an inch of bone spur from his spine in order to decompress the nerves and get rid of the pain that is going down his left leg. He is pretty nervous about the recovery. They will have to go back through the scar tissue from the last surgery, and that isn't going to be fun.

Please pray for him as he goes through this!

I just want ONE picture of the kids together

And it is ALWAYS difficult. I made such an effort. They are both looking cute and clean, this is after a nap, and while they were waiting for the hunt to begin. Too much to ask, I guess.

H, could you scoot over? I can't see your sister. And stop jerking the grass out of your basket.

That is definitely not the face I was hoping for.

H: "Is that a speck of dirt on the floor? Why is she touching my shirt?"

H: "I'm outta here." Syd: "Whatever. Nothing new. I tried."

Easter Egg Hunt at Grand Court

WHAT FUN AND FROLIC! Here we are at Granny's place taking part in an easter egg hunt!

New friends.

I found my spot! I think these were the only eggs he picked up.

Fake smile.

Enjoying the cookies. I enjoyed some of these myself. I ate a couple or three. Really good.

H's favorite part of the visit.

Peeping Tom

While the children were taking a bath Saturday night we found a man outside of the window. I can't tell you how thrilled Syd and H-Dubya were. They would scream and bang on the glass.

He looks like a real psycho with those crazy eyes. This is why we have an alarm system. I hope he didn't poison the pool filter.

I am rejoining the working world!

Yes, indeedy. I have accepted a part-time job with the Lubbock County Agrilife Extension office. I bet most of you didn't know that I was interested in and had a working knowledge of the farming industry here in Buttocks County. Well, I don't. I am going to be the 4-H program assistant. No, I wasn't a member in high school. And thank goodness that wasn't a pre-requisite. I will sort through the two shelves and and two filing cabinets of curriculum that 4-H has, categorize it, and then make contact with surrounding school districts and offer up our curriculum and services. I will also be in charge of the volunteers and such for the Master Gardners Association, which I know very little about. It is going to be alot of fun, really. I like the folks I will be working with and I must say that continuing to work in education and get some adult time sounds good.

The best part about my part-time job is that we will be able to swing another year of my staying home with the kids. I will work 20 hours a week. While the kids are in Mother's Day Out and one day from 1-5. I will get a babysitter for the 1-5 shift. I need to go ahead and get after that instead of posting 5 different topics here on the ole' blog. Anyway, it was looking like we wouldn't be able to stay home another year, but we are going to give it a shot along with the working part-time thing. Of course, things may change again, but I thought I would at least let everyone know I am getting back into the working world!

I hate laundry.

If I could choose one household chore to never do again, this would be it. I have load upon load all the time. And I HATE putting the laundry up. I am in charge of laundry for our family of four. There are a few loads that need to be both done and put up this very minute, but I am blogging instead. They will most likely not be done today.

My house usually looks okay. I really get it shining if we are going to have someone over. Every room, but the laundry room (and the top of my desk, if I am being honest)are spic and span. You would think that I would love laundry, as my mother does. She always has it done. If my kids spend the night over there, she sends the clothes home clean the next day. She picks up my grandmothers laundry every week, even if it is just a couple of things. She even helps with my sisters laundry. If Morgy is in her presence, she often asks if she has any darks to put in with hers. To get them on out that very second and she will pop them in with hers and Poppy's. She says all of this with excitment in her voice and a crazy look in her eye. Unfortunately, she is often disappointed because Morgy doesn't give a rip about laundry, either, and refuses to sort her darks on demand.

What is your least favorite chore?

I was gone for 20 minutes

I decided it might be nice for anyone who has to be near me today if I took a shower, did my hair and put my face on. This takes me about 20 minutes. Syd was of course in the bathroom with me, as she thinks my having even 20 minutes to myself is a terrible idea. H was nowhere to be found. During my final moments, I heard a loud CLANG. I went to investigate.


I put the plate with red paint on it into the trash. And closed the lid tight. Apparently someone saw me and waited for just the right moment to continue his "crafting". I wish I had been able to get a picture of his hands but that would have been impossible lest we get paint all over the camera. I wasn't aware until this escapade that he was able to open the trash can himself.


When passing by the playroom, I noticed this. What? Toilet paper doesn't belong in the playroom. I decided to investigate further.


Somehow the toilet paper made its way into the hall, as well.


This is what I found in the bathroom. There was no one there but the mess was. Not a square of toilet paper was left on the roll. He is up to his old tricks again.


Between the crafting and mess cleaning this morning, I am already a bit beat. Was it fun and exciting? Certainly. Does it effect my decision to only have 2 children? Amen.

Easter Craft

I had big plans for an Easter craft. I sadly forgot about it until this morning. We made little vases with flowers for Granny and Gigi. We will present them at Granny's house today when we go to the easter egg hunt. Here is the final product:


So beautiful. A perfect center piece for any table. Anyone wonder why I didn't do handprints for both kids?


Here was H and I's effort at a handprint. Nice.


In addition, here is an example as to why H isn't involved in too many crafts just yet. He somehow got a hold of the flower stems and threw them haphazardly all over the floor. Typical.

More Pics

After the eating and egg dying, Gigi and Granny were kind enough to watch a show with Syd before bed. Brokeback and Poppy, helpful as ever, quickly camped out on the recliners as soon as dinner was done.

Dying Eggs

Well, last night was a delight. My brisket was scrumptious, if you don't mind me tooting my own horn, as were the twice backed potatoes and apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream. I wish I had pictures of THAT. Tonight was the kick off of our Easter Weekend. Here are some pictures:

HAPPY EASTER!

Just wanted to stop in and say Happy Easter! Mom and I got the kids dressed up and took them to see the Easter Bunny today. They LOVED him! Hayden cried when we moved along.

Not much time, but we are going to dye eggs tonight so I will post those pics in a few days. I am cooking a brisket today and my parents and Granny are coming over tonight to eat and watch the kids. Tomorrow we will go to an easter egg hunt at Granny's retirement home. The kids are looking forward to all the festivities!

H-Dubya got a haircut....

And I LUUUUURRRRRVVVVEEEE it! Last time I was just sad. This time he had it done at the Fantastic Sams by Kohl's. Donna was his stylist. And my, my, he is looking soooooo handsome! I could just squeeze and hold him all day, I love it so much. Which of course, he would never allow. He is in busy mode. H actually put his head on my shoulder after I changed his diaper and put his clothes on today. It was a big deal. I looked in his mirror and he was just smiling and content. Here are his before and after pics:

Before, a tad scraggly but still cute:

After, can you believe it? Delightful Donna layered his hair! I didn't know this was an option for boys. I thought your hair just looked like this or didn't!

Pizza Party!

We had the Farley family, sans L, over last weekend. G brought her two sweet baby boys. Syd just loved C and played with him all night! P is the most precious baby. I wanted to share pics, I especially loved the one of Syd holding P. She was so proud!

Easter Egg Hunt!

Syd and H had their school egg hunt Thursday! Syd's class also had a little party. I subbed for a teacher in her class that day and I was thrilled to be a part of all the festivities!

I was really proud of H! He actually understood what was going on. He refused to carry his basket but we can work on that!

Here are some pictures:

Back Update

We went to see Brokeback's neurosurgeon yesterday. The news isn't too good. His last surgery was to clean up the ruptured disc and was to help with the pain in his back. It didn't due anything to help the terrible nerve pain that goes all the way down his left leg. He is going to have another back surgery on Thursday, March 27th. This is to decompress the nerves that don't have much room due to bone spurs. They also mentioned something about arthritis in his back.

It will take about 2 weeks to recover and be able to drive, etc. It will be 4-6 weeks total for a full recovery.

Please pray for the surgery to go well and for it to get rid of the leg pain. And pray for our spirits. We are really frustrated, tired, disheartened. It definitely puts a strain on the marriage.