Wordless Wednesday

Ten on Tuesday

10 on Tuesday

1. Tonight I met some friends for dinner and a movie. It was a much needed break from the house and I enjoyed it. Cabin fever has definitely set in!

2. If you haven't seen the movie Grown Ups, you should. It was full of laughs :0

3. I have the best friends in the world. I really do!

4. Olivia got two care packages in the mail yesterday full of all sorts of new goodies! She was so excited and wanted to play with everything right away!

5. When she woke up this morning, before I could even get her out of bed, she was asking to playing with her new box of toys! Thanks again Heather and Courtney!!!!

6. My mind is spinning lately with decorating ideas for both kids' rooms as well as birthday party planning. Sometimes I am so indecisive and drive myself nuts!

7. Jacob just got over his first illness of the summer. Hoping and praying it is not a precursor of whats to come this Fall (fingers, and toes crossed)!!!!

8. We went on our first family outing last weekend since the surgery and it was great! We went over to a friend's house that live on some land and the kids got to see horses. Poor Livvy was so excited just to be riding in the car and going somewhere!

9. Sooooo, I have decided I just might get brave tomorrow and take both kids to Home Depot! I have not ventured out alone with her in the cast yet. But I figured Home Depot would be more low key than the mall and I really want to get some paint!

10. Oops, it 12:01 and technically not Tuesday anymore so I better hit post...NOW!

Oldie but Goodie

This weekend Jacob and I played together on his Lite Brite.

I remember playing with a slightly older version as a kid. But glad to know this updated version of an "oldie" is still a "goodie"!

Yes, that is chocolate ice cream on his face and I found it fitting to leave it there since after all, we were making an ice cream cone!!!

The Difference a Week Makes

We have been home one week today. Wow, what a difference a week makes!! Granted, it has been a rather long week but we have survived. I have learned how to maneuver a 50 pound casted kid and have the back pains to prove it :) It hasn't been without frustrations, tears or trial and error, but I feel like we are finally settling in to our "new normal".

And I have smiles to prove it!

Happy Friday y'all!

not so Wordless Wednesday: Girls Trip

This was our 10th year to go on an annual Girls Getaway Weekend!

We have known each other even longer than that.

The hat ladies!

After 10 years, we finally got smart and ordered matching koozies. Aren't they cute?

We did a lot of this...

And it was fabulous. Relaxing. Rejuvenating. And exactly what I needed.

Thanks girls for another great trip!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Today marks one week since the surgery. Seems like a lot longer to me.
2. With that being said, don't think I have what it takes to be a nurse. It takes a special type of person and I am not it :)
3. Olivia is adjusting as well as can be expected, I guess. We are dealing with mood swings, crankiness, frustrations, and sleepless nights but each day does seem to get a teensy weensy bit better.
4. I know I have said it before but we are blessed beyond belief! We had so many praying, calling, supporting, emailing, etc. throughout the surgery and hospital stay. I don't know if I have ever felt more loved. From balloons to flowers to goodie baskets when we arrived home. No gesture was a small one and brought a smile to all our faces.
5. Switching topics, now that I am home bound (pretty much) I am getting all caught up on DVR'd shows. It's the little things.....
6. Jacob is going to VBS this week in the mornings. I have 2 sweet friends that are graciously taking and picking him up for me. Thanks Tera and Shelley!!!
7. In a lot of ways I feel like I have a new baby again. Someone who is helpless and totally dependent on you. All the while trying to entertain the older sibling and not isolate either one. Which is why #6 has been such a HUGE help this week!!!
8. I am a little embarrassed to admit it, but we finally got a flat screen TV. I know, I know....no comments needed on that one.
9. Tonight is our monthly Bunco night and I am soooooo ready! A break from the house is just what this momma needs.
10. My girls trip a few weeks ago was wonderful and relaxing. Pics to come soon....

A few pictures

Last picture taken before the surgery. The anesthesiologist took a surgical glove and made it into a silly face balloon for her. She loved it! She had just been given her "liquid courage" and was feeling good.

Eating her first popsicle after surgery. This was about all she ate while in the hospital.

Lots of balloons to brighten up the room! This is how she spent most of her time.....watching Dora. I think we saw the same episode at least 100 times!
Going on a wagon ride
Last day.....feeling good enough to play babies!
Finally home and in her new beanbag reading books.
She was finally all smiles last night for a bit. She is still pretty grumpy most of the time and prefers to not be messed with a lot. However we are doing our best to make her smile :)

Heartfelt Thanks

We are home from the hospital. Yeah!!!!!! It was a long week but we made it. My bed last night has never felt so good. Overall our experience was okay. With the exception of one really bad night, our stay in the hospital was about as good as can be expected. I just wanted to say thank you to anyone and everyone that prayed for us, sent good thoughts, sent an email, text, made a phone call, etc etc. I may not have gotten back to you but do know that I got it and I appreciate it. We even have friends signed up to bring us meals for the next several weeks! We certainly could not have made it without the support and strength from all of you so please accept our heartfelt thanks. We are truly blessed!

Quick Surgery Update

We survived surgery and the first day/night in the hospital. Overall, things are going fairly well. She battled a fever last night and has a low grade temp today so we are keeping a close eye on that. Her right foot is swollen but that is also common with surgery so just watching it for now. Dr. G. has already been by this morning and plans to come back around this afternoon. I was nervous about not being at Texas Children's but so far have been impressed with the hospital staff and the nurses. It is nice to be in a small place and have the nurse pop right in when you call for them. We are so blessed and Olivia has has so many people praying for her and checking on her. We even had a friend surprise us here yesterday that came just to sit with us during the surgery. What a nice gesture!! Today she is very irritable and doesn't want to be messed with so I am taking an extra dose of my patience pill. I am so proud of my little girl and the brave soul that she is! She has already undergone more than I have in my lifetime and she is a fighter! God Bless you Olivia!!!!

Tomorrow is the big day

Tomorrow mooring Olivia is having her first surgery. We have been blessed with a great doctor, wonderful friends and supportive family members who are all praying for our little girl. I feel very much at peace going into this and can feel the comfort of the prayers surrounding us. Please continue to pray tomorrow as we get through the procedure and into recovery. Your kindness is very much appreciated!

Ten on Thursday

1. Doesn't quite have the same ring to it that Ten on TUESDAY does, but I missed this week's post so better late than never!
2. I feel a bit scattered at the moment! Perhaps it is because I was gone for 5 days, came home yesterday and am leaving again in the morning....?!
3. I literally unpacked one suitcase and shifted things to another this afternoon. However, it will all be worth it because this weekend is my annual Girls Getaway weekend!
4. Me and five friends are headed here and I cannot wait! I am certainly in need of some down time and looking forward to relaxing since next week will be a very stressful one.
5. We go Monday for Olivia's pre-op appointment and then will report bright and early on Tuesday for the surgery.
6. We did get cleared from Genetics to have the surgery, however Craig and I are going to have to give blood as well now. They want to do a further analysis to hopefully get to the root of all this. So, several more weeks before all that is resolved. Bummer
7. Craig is keeping the kids this weekend while I am away. Not sure what all they have planned but I know they will have fun "Daddy time"
8. Thanks honey, for doing this!
9. Take a minute to watch this video of my friend Heather. She is an inspiration to me!
10. If you are my friend on Facebook, then check out our 4th of July pictures! We had a wonderful time and I so enjoyed the time with my sister and niece and nephew!!!!

almost Wordless Wednesday

We had a wonderful time. Now we are home and I am busy making these.....

More to come later..........!

And We're Off....

Well as soon as I get done packing and loading the car (in the rain) with 4 kids...might I add! Thanks to Hurricane Alex, it is raining here but we are heading to the hill country for the 4th. Where hopefully, it is dry! The lake, watermelon, family reunion and fireworks await us! See you all when we get back.......! Happy 4th of July!