Application

Well, I officially submitted my application for employment.  Its been awhile.
What I am feeling:  nervous, excited, just a little overwhelmed.
Its one of those times when things line up and the right things happen...I feel blessed

We need to go to Arizona

Today when Erin was getting ready she came to show me two shirts that she was considering.  She asked me which shirt I thought was cute.  I picked the one that matched the Sun dress she was going to wear to church.  She showed me the other shirt and the rest of the conversation went like this...

Erin, "But Mom, this shirt is better because it has these flowers on it right here".

Me, "Yes, its a cute shirt, but the other one matches your dress"

Erin, "But I like the one we got in Arizona. We need to go to Arizona to get some more cute shirts"

Me, "Erin, we didn't get that shirt in Arizona"

Erin, "Yes we did, just look at the tag, it says Arizona"

Me, "Arizona is the name of the company that makes clothes, including that shirt"

Erin not convinced, "Oh, well, we still need to go to Arizona"

Me, "Yes, we should go to Arizona"

After this Erin skipped away satisfied and put on the other shirt that matched her dress...

My Little Dancers

Both girls took dance this year.  I remember as a kid always wanting to take dance.  I think I did once, but the truth of the matter was that my parents had 8 kids and it just wasn't in the cards.  I was not deprived mind you, I had 10 years of violin lessons, and got to take community classes like gymnastics, or basket weaving (yes, I took this and it was fun), but dance is a yearly commitment and it can be expensive.  I decided that while my kids were young I would let them try a variety of things, and then let them focus with their talents.  This year's dance recital was so fun.  Both girls loved performing.  Erin's group actually won a competition for their age group at a dance competition earlier in the year.  They were the two youngest groups and they had no fear.  They got out there and loved every minute of it.  Best of all, both pairs of grandparents came and that made their night.

Who lives in a Zoo?

We visited the zoo recently, sometimes I'm not sure if I belong in or out.

Love Notes

Adam and I don't always get along.  Even though this is a struggle for us, I always know the true feelings of his heart.  Its the sweet, loving part of him that leaves me notes like this.  I found this one stuck to my computer.
I love you too Adam.

He's gonna have a locker

Today I went to Matthew's advancement ceremony from his elementary.  He received awards in academics, physical fitness, honor roll, and was selected as one of 5 kids in the grade to perform.  He played his own version of Axel F on the keyboard.  It was fun to hear the kids in the grade cheer for him.  He was a little nervous but still did a great job.  It wasn't until a few minutes ago that it sank in, that my oldest is going to Jr. High.  He will have a locker, roam the halls, flirt with girls, and all that new stuff.  My first born is growing up... I see glimpses of a more mature kid.  Not only do I love him, but I like who he is becoming too.

Back In Business

I took a little blog hiatus the past few weeks due to a unwanted reunion with back pain.  Its something that has been a part of my life since my early 20's due to some strong genetic influence and maybe some external influences as well.  I'm sure bungee jumping, 4 wheeling, and other high impact activities of my youth made their contribution to a couple of disc failures in my lower lumbar area (L4-L5 to be exact. This is low back just before your behind)  So sitting hurts the most.  Its been an issue off and on over the years but with a little extra rest, anti-inflammatory meds and on occasion some good pain medicine, it settles down and I forget about it.

I wish I could blame this last incident on a brawl with the nasty water aerobics lady at the pool over whether or not mothers could have small boys (0-5yrs) in the dressing room.  But alas it wasn't.  I wash trying to wash Brenna's hair after swimming lessons and she moved away from me and I leaned over to pull her back.  I felt it at that moment and knew that I was going to be sorry for awhile.  The next day I was sort of functional.  I call it the caveman walk.  Unfortunately it didn't stop there.

By day 3 it was bad.  So bad, I called and made an appointment with a M.D.   For those of who know me, it has to be bad for me to go to see a doc.  The last two times I made an appointment with a doc, I ended up with breathing treatments, and surgery to remove a grumpy appendix.  I'm not sure how I got Brenna and I dressed, into the car, and to the doctors office.  Really, its a little blurry.  All I know is that when I got there, I just stood in the waiting room and cried while little Brenna gently rubbed my arm.  It was really quiet in the waiting room as everyone glanced over at the lady who refused to sit, and cried.  Now, its not pretty when I cry.  My eyes get bloodshot red, my skin goes blotchy, and I couldn't move to get a tissue.  Got a good visual?  So they call my name, I cling to the wall with each step.  Again, no chatter in the busy office, just staring as I go by.  The assistant says to go directly to x-ray.  The tech says, climb up on the table and lay down.  I must have shot daggers at her with my eyes, because she quickly grabbed a step stool and offered to assist me.  I'm laying down.  Fine, okay now turn over onto your side...now the other side,  oh we have to do that one again.... Sobbing now.  She has learned and says "can I help you down?"  Somehow I get down, get dressed, and cling to the imaginary bar on the wall to the patient room.  Doc comes in...looks around to find me, I'm standing behind the door against the table for support on two sides.  Legs shaking, crying, and just a pure blubber mess.  Brenna was coloring Tinkerbell.  He asks a few questions and recognizes that if he even tries to touch me I would deck him.  He is smart and keeps it short, tells me what I already know about how messed up my back is, and then starts writing scripts for pain control.  He asks me how I got there.  I told him I drove...he shakes his head and says that he can only give a shot of Toradol right then because I will have to drive home.  I say, yes, yes, Toradol now would be good.  Now!

The next few days pretty much meshed together, I was on a great cocktail of muscle relaxers, narcotic pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory meds.  I was so out of it I missed my first physical therapy appointment.  I slept right through it.  So now, with a little PT, rest, and limited movement, I'm functioning again.

If you made it to the end of my tale (pun intended) I commend your endurance.  Hopefully, I'll be back in the saddle before no time.  Okay, maybe not the saddle, but you get the picture.  The irony of it all, is that water aerobics is one of the best methods of exercise for this. Nice.