Recovery going well

The surgery on Thursday went great.  The hospital I was at was fantastic.  The staff was great so much so that I sent John home to buy milk for the kids breakfast (we had run out the night before), and let them know PE had been cancelled.  He got back to the hospital while I was in surgery.  I was back in my recovery room by 10 and slept till 11.  They discharged me at 11:30.  Came home and slept.  I went off the pain meds Friday night.  Went to church today and even went for a quick spin behind the wheel.  The final product is much nicer than the expanders were.  I feel NORMAL!  Finally.  Now I will enjoy Christmas with my family.

I'll be gone for awhile

With surgery Thursday, and Christmas right around the corner and school work not being done unless I sit on them  I won't be posting anything.  I have nothing interesting to post anyways.

Long time no blog

I have not updated in awhile because I have actually been feeling really well.  I had my last expansion the day before Thanksgiving.  I have my exchange surgery set for December 17th.  It is outpatient.
Life for now has returned to normal.  The kids are schooling again and we should wrap up week 15 right before Christmas.  The Christmas Tree is up and the house mostly decorated.  Life is about as normal as it can be right now.  I'm looking forward to putting all this behind me.

Yesterday

The infusion went well.  They preloaded me double time on the benydryl.  Took 3 1/2 hours for the iron.  I managed to finish Catherine, Called Birdy It was light enough reading that even in a benydryl haze I could read it.    Came home and crashed for over two hours.  Woke up and hosted a den meeting for Ian's den.  Luckily the leader had it all planned out and all I had to do was execute.  A fabulous tortellini soup was delivered for dinner.  The family watched Merry Madagascar (lame) and the Biggest Loser.  Jammie time and a chapter of Ginger Pye.  Tuesday's are a write off for me these days.  One last infusion next week, hopefully I start to feel the perky it's supposed to give me.  I have an expansion appointment today.  Praying it doesn't force me back onto the pain meds.

Iron Drip

Today I get to sit in a recliner and receive this

into here

unfortunately I forgot to swing by the library and pick up a book so I will be grabbing something off the core 6 shelf.

A trip to the oncologist who is now my hematologist

I am cancer free.  I avoided or survived take your pick, but you won't find me wearing pink anytime soon :)
However we have finally addressed my anemia problem.  Basically right now my red cells suck.  I spent 3 and half hours on an iron iv today.  They tossed a little Benydryl and steroids in to make it fun and to stop the reaction I had, which was similar to me standing in a grassy field.  Nasal congestion, snot and a bit of wheeze.  Nothing alarming and nothing a second cocktail of Benydryl couldn't handle.   I will go back for the next two weeks for another iron drip.  Then back to the doctor right before Christmas to see if this worked.  I had a nice chat with a man battling pancreatic cancer.  Just so you know we are all in this fight against cancer together doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, whether you are in the middle of your cancer battle or avoiding the battle by eliminating the risk.  Pretty humbling to sit in there today JUST getting an Iron drip when a few months down the road it could have been a chemo drip.  Praising God for dodging this bullet.
In other exciting news I CAN DRIVE again!  Woohoo.  Celebrated with driving to a pack meeting for Ian's pack.
And in other news I cancelled my expansion for tomorrow and will get another one next Wednesday.  I just need some time off.  Only 1/2 a pain pill at night to take the edge off the sensations, and soreness.  I can see the last few pages of this chapter in my life and it feels good DANG IT!

Recovery isn't just all physical

I am struggling with my recovery.  The physical recovery is going fairly well.  Incisions are healed, feeling is returning, and scabs are falling off.  The muscle soreness is almost tolerable during the day but not at night.  I am struggling with the mental recovery.  3 weeks now I have had to let others serve me.  Now I don't say serve with an air about me, I say it because that is what others are doing for me.  But the downside to that is I'm tired of being a patient.  I want to be whole, off pain meds, able to sleep at night, able to drive to the store or anywhere else I want to go.  I want to cook for my family.  Please do not get me wrong, the people who have stepped up and taken care of us through rides, meals, visits, and errands have BLESSED us tremendously and I am not ungrateful.  I am just at the point in my recovery where I can do most things for myself but the few things that i can not do have an impact on my independence.  My goal this week is to get out of the house more (lets hope the weather cooperates).  I plan on canceling my plastic surgery appointment this week because I want to go on a 24 hour campout with my family.  I am able to go and it is within guidelines so don't go telling me to take it easy.  I can sit in camp chair and visit and go on a short hike.  I also have an oncology appointment tomorrow but I may have to cancel that as well due to the fact that I have bit of a sinusy thing going on.  No fever, no cough but man I would hate to be the one to cause a cancer patient illness.  I will evaluate my health before 5 pm and make the call then.
Just keeping it real.

Fill 'er up

Wednesday started the expansion part of my reconstruction.  I had 70ccs of saline injected into both expanders.  Needless to say I am back to the pain pills.  I am sore again and moving slow.  I was also back to the recliner but managed a two hour stint in the bed this morning so I think I will attempt the bed tonight.  John and Avery are headed out for a little father/daughter camping this weekend so I will have the bed to myself :)  Don't worry about us we have enough neighbors helping out if we need anything.
Life in general is going well.  I just would really like to be able to function normally.  I have a friend coming over and I am going to ask her to drive me to the grocery store since I still can not drive due to the pain meds.  I have stopped them today so we will see if I can make it on just Tylenol for the weekend.  Should be fine.

Clean and Clear

so says the pathology report :)

Drain Free

Yesterday I had another shampoo :)  A sweet friend came by to visit and she french braided my hair.  I then got jeans and a shirt on while another sweet friend brought her two little girls over to hang with my kids so I could go to the doctor.  Claire and Hannah were thrilled to have little ones in the house, Avery notsomuch!  Dr S pulled all four drains!  He also removed the tape from the incisions.  Good thing my boobs are numb or he might have had to surgically remove me from the ceiling.  I was feeling so good being drain free that dh and I stopped at the new McD''s and had fries and hot fudge sundae.  Came home and took a nice long nap.  Dinner was delivered, eaten and we all headed out to RLG.  Yes I went too!  It was just down the street so if I tanked John could drive me home. I made it the whole two hours sitting there slightly stoned :)  It felt good to be out.  I also slept in bed last night!  Bliss.  Today I am laying low in bed just because.  I feel good but don't want to overdo it.  I have plans to shower in a little bit.  Recovery is happening.
Ian asked me last night if I was considered a breast cancer survivor, John answered appropriately, your mom is a breast cancer avoider!  I'll take that for now.

One week post op

7 days ago I had my bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction surgery.  Dr L found no surprises during the mastectomy and all tissue was sent to the path lab.  Dr. S was able to place the expanders with no real problems other than my skin was a little tight.  I spent 3 nights in the hospital.  I was only supposed to be there 2 but my hemoglobin tanked and they started talking blood transfusion.  My first draw preop had me anemic I believe at a 9, thursday morning draw had me at 7.2.  Surgeon wasn't concerned as I wasn't exhibiting any other symptoms.  They redrew immediately and it had gone down to a 7.  Plan to redraw in the afternoon was made as well as an increase to the pain medication.  There was some misunderstanding in my drug induced state that I could continue the pain pump and still be eligible for release.  I had no concept of time in my stoned state but I knew getting home was key so I did not hit the pain pump after early Thursday morning.  Then they realized I was under pain medicated and uped the dosage.  Thing is the nurses were not allowed to wake me every four hours to give me pain meds.  I had to request them.  Again I was time retarded and couldn't remember if it was 5 minutes or hours ago that I had had meds.  I ended up hurling Thursday night from dinner (food was awful) and was glad that I stayed that night.  My nurse and I came to an uderstanding that she would check on me and make us much noise as possible in order for me to wake and "request" meds.  Anyways I got home friday and lived in the recliner for several days.  I have good days, horrible days and tolerable days.  I just wish they built on one another.  Yesterday was a great day, today was awful.  Not all of it is pain related it's emotional and mental as well.  I see my plastic surgeon on Wednesday to discuss what is next and have everything evaluated.  My inlaws were here for a week and just left today.  My church small group is having a lady  come and clean our house for us tomorrow.  Dinners are coming for the next two weeks at least.  We are well cared for.

11 and a half hours to go

Surgery is tomorrow at 10 am.  I am going to attempt sleep.  John will be updating via email and facebook and SL.
(Diana could you pass the updates along to Lorri?)
The kids are all crashed in our room tonight.  I'm half packed and half don't really give a rip.  Laundry is almost complete.
Apparently I'm not even awake enough to put together a unified paragraph :)

One week

The house is coming together.  Just three more rooms to tackle and then I can turn it over.  School is functioning.
Appointments are almost completed.  Deductible met, out of pocket almost met.
Still freaking out.

Plastic Surgeon

I met with the plastic surgeon today.  Preop visit.  We went over what to expect etc.  I will be in the hospital two days post surgery which means I won't get out till Thursday.   I will come home with at least three tubes coming out of my chest hooked up to drain bulbs or pain pump.  I will be on antibiotics and unable to shower for two weeks.  With that statement alone I am ready to call the whole thing off!  I have hospital preop on Wednesday and then I get to lay low and stay germ free until surgery day.  8 days and counting.

Amazing Grace by Il Divo

enjoy this video and rendition of Amazing Grace this Sunday
Amazing Grace

Tomorrow when I wake up

John and Ian will have left all ready for camping with the scouts.
I will have to make my own cup of coffee.
I will dress in BSA tan and attend BALOO training (gotta get it out of the way while I can still raise my arms and pitch a tent)
I will still hate pink even though it is Avery's favorite color.
I will be 10 days from surgery.
I will continue to be held in His hand.

First Week Of School Pictures

We have started week 7 of school.  However I did take pictures our first week but just downloaded them out of the camera.  All five of my students.

Here are my two youngest students.  They answer to "littles" although they are not so little anymore.  Neil and Avery are doing Core 1 this year.  World History part 1.

Ian flies solo with his own core.  The perk of being the middle child.  He is working on Core 4 part II of American History.  Currently entrenched in the Civil War era.

Claire and Hannah are working on Core 6 World History in depth Part I.  They work with the littles alot.   Yes Claire is now taller than me, wears a larger shoe size and borrows my pants and shirts!

Heading towards a train wreck

Now that a surgery date is set I feel like I'm headed towards a train wreck.  All this time I have moved along with a surgery day sometime in the future.  Now that it is set I am hurtling towards it.  I have a lot to do and set up so that others can take over my household.  Turning over my dirty laundry for instance is a real test of faith.  I mean really do you want your friends to know that you should really have run a bleach load oh a few months ago but you have learned to live with dingy underwear and socks.  I'm all for people bringing meals and entertaining kids but turning over the bowels of my home might be more than I can think about.  Maybe John should set that up while I am loopy on pain meds :)  I have set up rides for the kids since that will be one thing I can not do for several weeks.  Now I am off to find shirts (cheap) that I can slip on like a jacket since raising my arms won't be easy either for awhile.

Picked a plastic surgeon

I picked a plastic surgeon today.  I interviewed one yesterday and one today and John and I decided on Dr C.S. (Not the same Dr. S as my oncologist)  Quite a few things I liked about him and only one that I did not like and that was his location.  His office is about 20 minutes from home whereas the other was 5 minutes.  Not a big deal unless you have incisions across your chest.  But he will operate out of the nearby hospital.  I have given my general surgeons office to schedule at will.  They need to coordinate a full day in the OR, anesthesia, Dr L, Dr. C.S. and nursing staff.  They will pick a day and I will show up.  Looks like at least one night in the hospital maybe two.


UPDATE
Looks like October 20th is the day the surgeons aligned.

2 down one to go and our decision if you hadn't guessed

With the whirl wind feel-like-an-80-year-old woman 2/3 behind me I will give a little update.  At the dentist she tried to upsell me.  Bleck leave me and my mouth alone.  So I listened and declined any further treatment.  I have "cavities" she has wanted to fill since 2007 and they haven't gotten any worse.  I don't have pain and really never believed I had 10 cavities then anyways.  The ones  I let her do I have had to have one redone and now I have sensitivity.  In 6 months or a year I will find a new dentist.  Appointment with the surgeon went well.  We told him of our decision and we talked about what it involved and his part in it.  We got his opinion on a few things and concurred with his advice.  He thinks we can get the surgery completed way before Thanksgiving.  More like in the next couple of weeks.  I am scheduling two appointments with plastic surgeons.  I am hoping to have this done this week since we are technically off school.  John went with me to the appointment and we just feel great about Dr L doing the surgery.  He has a great bedside manner.  He spent so long with us that when we left the waiting room was a little full opps:)  But he never rushed us.
Story of my life though as we are dropping our 3 littlest off at a friends house for her to watch during my appointment (two bigs were headed off to choir and piano) the oncologists office calls (second call from them today) Turns out they want me to have a breast mri and it was never ordered.  She will call me back after she asks Dr S if he still wants to see me in the am.  Calls me back while I am in the waiting room (luckily it was just John myself and the receptionist) yes he does want me to have the mri and won't see me tomorrow.  I ask her again because in our last meeting he felt I was too small chested to have an mri that would be worth anything and since I am having the bilateral mastectomy is it really necessary?  Oh she says let me go talk to him again.  In the meantime the receptionist is giggling because under my breath I muttered MRI them after they are cut off, and they are too small to fit in the machine.  Office calls back "Now Dr S remembers why he didn't order an MRI" translation Right I remember those tiny breasts causing that poor young woman grief I'll see her tomorrow.
So there you have it.  Our final decision: Bilateral Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.

Feeling like an 80 year old

In a span of about 23 hours I will have three doctors appointments.  Granted one is the dentist but still!  Good thing the kids have the week off school.   I will update tomorrow after the oncologists visit.  The only news I have had in the past week or so is lab results stating my vitamin D levels were low.  So I have been supplementing every day.  I got out in the sunshine Friday and Saturday as well with the kids.

Several Tear Free Days

I've managed several tear free days.  Friday my sister came and watched the kids while John and I escaped.  We went to a local restaurant we hadn't been to before.  It was very uncrowded for a Friday night.  We enjoyed great conversation and had a marvelous time.  I got to play with my food as I ordered Alaskan Snow Crab legs.  Very yummy but rich.  We then walked the mall to ease our full stomachs.  We were home by 9:30.  Saturday we had a busy day of getting two of the kids to various training, birthday parties and sleepovers.  At one point we only had two kids at home!  Ian is officially certified in Basic Aid Training.  He will earn his Readyman Activity Badge for Webelos.  Claire beefed up her LIT training for AWANA.  The older girls then headed for a party up the street, and Ian headed out for a sleepover.   I was too busy to cry on Saturday.  Sunday I finally allowed myself hugs from those that care at church.  I got a little weepy but I did ok.  Besides I had 34 K'ers to teach the virtue of wisdom to!
Today we hit the books.  We have been making our way through some incomplete work. Everyone is caught up in Bible, Math, Handwriting (except Avery), and the boys are almost caught up in Spelling.  We have quite a bit of History to wade through and science for the littles but slowly I feel human again.  It helps that my laptop stays downstairs now as my sister gave me her old PC to use for my homeschooling software.  Less distraction.  We should be caught up in 2 weeks when we will use our 7th week for any incomplete work.  The kids are motivated to get it done as they will have a free week if they do.
Next doc appointment is with my surgeon on Monday.

It's tough being a woman in the tight fist of fear

This summer I had the awesome pleasure of doing a bible study with a group of ladies mostly from our church who mostly homeschool.  We were in all seasons of life.  Quite a few were sending their baby boys off to college, some were expanding their families, and others were comfy raising a broad age range of kids.  We had a commonality, we were women who were resting in the word for 9 week period.  Taking time out of our summer to come together for fellowship and study.  The study that we did was Beth Moore's Esther  It's Tough Being a Woman.  Over the course of nine weeks we dove into the book of Esther. Examining a book of the Bible that did not mention God but had God all over it.  Beth came up with 7 scenarios to "It's tough being a woman...".  One of those was ......in the tight fist of fear.  Here I am 10 days into my diagnosis sitting in that tight fist of fear.  I do not handle unknowns well.  And frankly the unknown of when will my cells start to betray me and go cancerous has me fearful.  BUT and this is a huge but at the end of the study Beth provides "turn arounds" to each scenario.  For being held in the tight fist of fear she provides the verses Deuteronomy 33:29 and Nehemiah 4:6-14  She goes on to say that when we are held in the tight fist of fear God is holding onto us so tightly that we are engraved upon his hands.  God is holding me tightly, while I cry, panic, question, and mourn.  Fear is losing its grip on me because my God is bigger and stronger.  I still have moments of fear and doubt and anger but I am quickly reminded of who holds my life in His hands.  It is so not easy to get a diagnosis that leads to something radical but with my God and the support of our family and friends we can get through this.
Tonight we updated our Real Life Group (our church small group) on my situation.  Tonight I was surrounded by a body of believers ready and willing to serve my family in tangible ways, prayer, conversation, loving on us.  This is what it means to be in the body of Christ.  This summer during Avery's surgery and brief one nighter in the hospital the ladies of the aforementioned bible study and our RLG provided meals for our family so that we could focus on taking care of Avery.  When I had my lumpectomy/biopsy surgery they again stepped up and provided meals so that John wouldn't have to worry about it.  They provided childcare as well.  During this trial all ready they have provided me with emotional support, referrals, shoulders to cry on, ears to bend, and cheesecake :).  They have cried with me, prayed over me and supported me.  When the time comes for surgery rest assured they will once again take care of our physical and spiritual needs.
I hate being the one with meals being provided, seems we have been on the receiving end of these two great groups for the past two months especially.  But when I am healthy again it will be my season of giving.  For now I feel the love as I rest in His hands free from the tight fist of fear.  It's still tough being a woman.

Thank you to my RLG (especially the poor men in the group who probably know more than they ever wanted to) your prayers over me tonight were balm to my hurting heart.  Yours tears as you wept with me and your laughter as we joked about picking out a new rack were just what I needed.  Not even sure if anyone in my group reads this but know that I love each one of you.
For such a time as this ........For such a time as this.

Back from Second Oncologist

This visit went MUCH better.  The office setting and staff were friendly, smiley, and very courteous.  Dr. S himself was easy to talk to and just a different personality type.  Instant ease when he walked in the room.  He had slightly different information but end result is the same.  Sometime in the near future I will have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction done.  We realize this seems "radical" when I don't have "cancer" all ready.  But given the chances of what I have turning into cancer is high and that any lump found would have to be removed until clear margins are gained, it really seems to be a no brainer.  However we have time to think it over, talk to our surgeon, and get some lab results back before we travel down this final path.  The good news is is that this doctor is willing to serve us whether we choose vigilant observation or surgery.  He examined me and had some blood work drawn.  So that is where we stand.  Not everyone is going to agree with our decisions but please know that we are prayerfully considering the two options, what this means to our family and how it will affect my health in the long run.  We ask that you respect our decision knowing it wasn't made half assed.

Saw the oncologist and will see another next week

The oncologist appointment did not go well. We left with more questions and our heads spinning. We are going to see a different oncologist. If I am going to see this person often and they will be a part of my team I need to like them. I did not like the one I saw. Neither John nor I felt comfortable with him. I have an appointment on Tuesday with another oncologist in another group. My surgeon is aware of our change. Yesterday plain ole sucked. Today is better but I still have crying spells. Apparently I do have cancer just stage 0 .......... depends on who you talk to or what you read as to whether this is cancer or a marker. Questions, semantics unkowns.

Biopsy Results

Family members, I realize you will be reading this for the first time. We haven't called because we don't have all the info yet and I was still "processing" and couldn't really talk about it. So please do not be upset, alarmed by what you read. I will know more tomorrow night and we might call then.

Monday I went to see Dr. L for my post op appointment. He checked my incision and promptly told me to get dressed so we could talk. Not a good sign. My incision is healing nicely and most of the soreness is gone. He came back in. He told me he received the biopsy results on Friday but didn't want to ruin my weekend. In the mass that he removed, which was mostly fibrous cystic material, the pathology team found 2mm of Lobular Carcinoma in-situ (LCIS). It sounds like breast cancer but in reality it is a tumor marker. Here is a good quick blurb on what it means. I don't have all the details and don't remember most of what Dr. L told me as I was shocked they found something. I boo hooed for about 36 hours and am now just resting in HIM awaiting tomorrows appointment with the oncologist. Yeah how do you like that I don't have cancer but I now have an oncologist! Threw me for a loop too. Dr L will see me again in 3 weeks to review everything. He really is a nice guy and I found out Monday he goes to our church. John believes his wife used to help in a Sunday school class. I am o.k. with this news now but needed time to process it all before I shared.

Getting settled

Our routine is settling out, soon to be rocked by the addition of extra curricular activities. I am back in the groove of things after having a lumpectomy last Friday. All looks well so far and I go to see my surgeon for the final report on Monday. I'm a little sore but functioning, even took a walk with the dog this morning because it was cool (only 79) and the kids hadn't woken up yet. Next time I need to bring some tunes.

Our roof is finished and windows and gutters go up Friday.

I received the nicest surprise the other day, John answered the door with me assuming it was our contractor, turns out it was the florist delivering a beautiful get well bouquet from my dear friend Diana.

I have pictures to share but still need to upload them until then all is well.

School has started

We officially started school this past Monday. Now mind you we were doing bits and pieces of week 1 last week, getting a feel for the new books and some new curriculum. Looks like we will wrap up the week today a whole two days early. A good thing since I will not be functioning on Friday due to surgery.

So far the week has gone really well. The kids are enjoying world history (Ian is doing American History, just the way it worked out this year). I bought Mystery of History Vol 1 and it is a big hit here. We do 3 lessons a week with an activity for each. Time consuming? YES! But you can ask my 6 year old what Jubal did in c.5000BC and he will answer "taught music". Pretty cool eh? I have pictures of their play-dough Adam and Eve's too that I need to upload and share. And really did you know that one batch of homemade play-dough will occupy children for hours on end? Day after day? It has. I will add the recipe from Sonlight below.

Claire is using Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra this year. So far no tears over math. Now I realize it's early in the year but she is doing math on her own accord! She also grades it, watches the problems she missed done right on the computer and corrects it. She then reports to me what she did wrong and whether or not she understands why she got it wrong. I heart Teaching Textbooks.....seriously you can love curriculum :)

Speaking of curriculum and love.......

We use Sonlight as our main curriculum. Awesome company, awesome curriculum. This company is very customer oriented. A few examples. I had a book that was falling apart after minimal use and emailed them. It was a known binding issue that still wasn't fixed so they gave me a coupon towards a future purchase since sending a new book wouldn't resolve the binding issue. My daughter Avery was diagnosed with MHE about two years back and I was scared and posting prayer requests on their customer forums. The President of Sonlight sent me a personal handwritten card saying she was praying for my girl and lifting our issue before the Lord. Those are only two examples of how this company is awesome. I have made oodles of friends through their forums, some I have met in real life. In fact I had coffee with one last night as she passed through town, another showed us around Altoona, PA and fed us dinner, another fed us dinner and invited us to church when we passed through Mississippe recently. Amazing group of people. All that to say if you are a homeschooling mom or considering homeschooling or just want to check out a list of great books. Here is a little blurb about them and

* My children are getting a great education and loving it ... at least most of the time! Sonlight is a literature-based curriculum, so we read tons of great books out loud together. The kids devour plenty of books on their own, too. We stay away from boring textbooks and really engage in what we're learning. * That time spent reading together on the couch is creating some great memories--we learn so much about each other as we discuss the events, ideas and characters we discover. * With the Instructor's Guides Sonlight provides (http://www.sonlight.com/ig.html), we can just open up the guide and do school every day without me spending much time planning. That gives us even more time to hang out ... and keep up with the laundry. * Sonlight prepares my kids to engage with the world around them. We study lots of different cultures and don't just focus on US history. My kids know that not everyone is like us, and they're learning to care about those around them with an intelligent and Christ-centered love. * Sonlight offers the best risk-free offer of anyone. You can take a whole year to use 18-weeks of a curriculum package or Instructor's Guide. If you don't love it, send it all back (used books and all) and receive a full refund of every penny you paid. Go to http://www.sonlight.com/love.html for more on this stress-free offer. * I get all the help I need from Sonlight's online forums, their curriculum advisors (who can help me choose which products will fit my family best) and their customer relations team. Granted, I'd love it if they also sent a personal chef to my house occasionally ... but I guess they can't do everything. I should also mention that on top of that, Sonlight has a Rewards Program I enjoy. If you decide to purchase from Sonlight, enter my Rewards ID when you register an account on their site and you'll get $5 off your first order ($50 or more). I'll get points that I can redeem at another time. My Rewards ID: TH20192205 Or just use this link: http://www.sonlight.com/rewards/TH20192205 Check out http://www.sonlight.com/why-sonlight.html for some great articles about Sonlight that may help. I particularly appreciated "27 Reasons NOT to Buy Sonlight," "You can teach your children--with confidence--from your first day" and "How Literature-Rich Homeschooling Awakens Your Child's Natural Passion for Learning."

So check them out. Now that play dough recipe

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1/2 cup salt

1T oil

2 tsp cream of tarter

1 package any flavor kool aid

Mix all together in a sauce pan and heat stirring until mixture forms a ball. Pull out onto wax paper and knead it. Let cool and then let the kids go at it. Stores nicely in a ziploc bag for a few weeks

A missed milestone

I guess I was in denial...... My oldest turned 13 a few weeks ago. Truth be told we had headed out on her birthday for our driving trip to Florida. I will share a few pics of my beautiful newly minted teen for your enjoyment. The ones where she has makeup and fancy hair are immediately following musical performances of the Music Man. She doesn't wear makeup otherwise! Lest you think I am a negligent mom we did celebrate once we got to Florida!

Hospital review with pictures

Avery is doing extremely well. She hasn't had any motrin since last night and is still going strong even after Sunday School. I had posted pics on facebook mainly because I only had my phone with me and that was the easiest way to do it. But some people wanted to see them here. :)Let me just say that Dell Children's Hospital Austin is amazing, wonderful and the best place for a kid to be taken care of at. Kudos to the staff, volunteers, fishing derby volunteers and all others involved in our short stay.

These were all before surgery.

The next set is after surgery.

A little fishing while waiting for discharge......what you never got to fish while waiting for discharge?? Obviously you weren't at Dell :)

Yep she caught a catfish, two actually

A princess carriage. She is wearing clothes I swear.

Her fishing trophy and pole/tackle they gave her.

All Done

Avery is out of surgery. I just spent some time with her in recovery and now John is back there with her. One parent at a time until she gets a room. We might be here for a few hours as rooms are full upstairs, or so the story goes. Dr P said surgery went great, under an hour. When she got in there she noticed Avery had a huge case of bursitis due to the hamstring snapping over the tumor repeatedly for over two years. The tendons of the hamstring I believe are a three cord and they had divided two on one side and one on the other of the bump which she believes allieviated some of the pain. Future surgery is likely as the angulation of her leg is very much an issue. We wait on that though and see how her leg reacts to the bump being gone. I didn't take my camera with me to recovery but I will. Sweetie looks so cute all drugged up in her hospital get up. She ate a popsicle, drank some juice and gave me hugs and kisses. Her incision is sutured, steri stripped, covered in a plastic bandage, wrapped in an ace bandage and a knee immobilizer on top. We have the immobilizer unstrapped for now to let a little ice penetrate for swelling. She is on some happy drugs but they are making her a little teary faced. Plus other kids are waking up unhappy and she can see other kids being wheeled by unconcious. She is being a trooper though. I'm very proud of her.

Avery is in surgery

Avery and I arrived at the hospital right on time.... a little bleary eyed. I drained the rest of my coffee and we headed in to register and pay up. They processed us quickly and before we knew it she was back in pre op watching the Disney Channel, a rare treat since her parents are too cheap to pay for anything other than basic cable. She changed into some cute little jammies. Dr P came in and marked the right leg YES. Before I knew it she was being walked to the OR. I had to give her up to the nurses at the stop sign. She looked back once a little timidly and then turned a corner. I wish I could have captured that moment with a picture. I choked back my tears, proceeded to the waiting room where I await John. Going to watch a little Beth Moore Esther until he arrives. Pictures are on facebook. I don't have the cable to upload them here. I could email them to myself later.

In the morning

Avery has surgery in the morning. She is peacefully sleeping on the crib mattress in our room. I don't want her to wake up and hit the pantry for something to eat first thing in the morning. Her and I will head out around 6am arrive at the hospital at 6:30 for check in and PAYMENT! Dr. P is scheduled to start the surgery at 8am. John will drop the other 3 off at a friends house at 7:30 and join me in the waiting room. He will stick around until she is coherant and we are debriefed by the Doc. He will then pick up the kids, go home and get some work done, receive a dinner cooked by another wonderful friend and then bring all the kids back to the hospital to see Avery. She should be released Friday morning. You can follow updates here or friend me on facebook where more updates will happen as well as pictures.

Avery isn't the only one

Avery won't be the only one going under the knife in August! I had a recheck for a breast lump with my general surgeon. He would feel better if it comes out. So out it will come at the end of August. Vacation first then Avery's surgery, recovery and then mine. The doc really doesn't think it is anything serious but he doesn't want to be at all wrong. I can respect that. And to think I just got done scheduling school Looks like we will miss a week or two in August. Maybe I just shouldn't even start till September! :(

Of warts, moles and surgery dates

I took two kids to the dermatologist yesterday. Ian had warts on his foot that I wanted taken care of and the ped wouldn't do it. Hannah has had a mole on the back of her neck forever and it was looking fugly. The derm was great. She gave Ian the option of freezing or beetle juice, he opted for immediate pain with little pain afterword and had them frozen. We go back in two weeks to have them checked. Hannah's mole appears to be nothing to be concerned about. We will have it rechecked in two months.

Avery's surgery has been scheduled for August 6. 8 am which means we will need to be at the hospital at 6:30. She will be released the next morning. I will stay the whole time with her (during the surgery though you might find me sneaking across the street for a starbucks, pager in hand of course) and spend the night as well. John and the others (minus Ian who will be living large with the grandparents) will come and visit during the day.

Avery will have surgery

Avery had her 6 month check at the orthopedic yesterday. The good news is that her bone tumor (benign) has moved off the growth plate making her available for surgery. Dr. P said "it's time". The plan is to schedule it sometime in August. The surgery itself will last about 1 1/2 hours, performed by Dr. P. Avery will stay overnight at the children's hospital for pain management and be released the following day. She will be in a knee immobilizer for two weeks while the incision heals. After that its back to normal. We are hoping once this one is removed the pain she has been experiencing over the last few weeks will cease and that her leg will stop compensating. We will keep you posted on when her surgery is scheduled.

Senioritis when you are the teacher??

That can't be good!  Here we are with 3 1/2 weeks left for the girls and about 2 weeks left for Ian.  The littles are in for the ride and doing bits here and there.  I just can't get motivated to finish this out.  I will order curriculum for next year next week but even that thought hasn't got me motivated.  I have a case of senioritis and I'm the teacher.  Egads!  Many other home school moms would say "well no one ever finishes the books in traditional school" but to me I have paid for 36 weeks of education.  I KNOW my kids get 52 weeks of education a year as they love to learn and read and explore but I just want to check off all the little boxes, yet I can't get out of my pjs!  So I proclaim today the get off your butt Traci day and do some school.  We did finish two read alouds yesterday.  Our family read aloud Swift Rivers, should be finished this week and we will move on to The Hobbit.  Over the summer during the extreme heat we will touch on some Language Arts that we missed and work on some writing of papers (our weakest subject).  Mapping skills will be worked on during vacation to Florida.  How to build a really big trash pile fire without getting burned will be a course study at the grandparents house.  Loving on Auntie and Uncle 101 will be a week long course as well.  Conversation with the Older Generations is an upper level course that will also take place with some fabulous teachers called Mimi and Papa.  How to be spoiled and love it will be taught by Papa and GrrGrr.  See educated 52 weeks a year :)

Sprained ankles-Bug bites-Good times

Last Monday I was with Claire at auditions for her choir's summer musical.  My cell rang (whoops) I jumped up to answer it outside not realizing my left foot had fallen asleep.  I rolled my ankle and heard a pop.  It hurt.  By the next day I could walk on it but each night it swelled and turned pretty colors.  I got back in the pool today and could actually use fins so I think the healing process is complete.  

The family discovered geocaching last week.  We took the kids out Sunday afternoon.  We found all the caches we set out for but came home with major bug bites.  Mosquitoes and we are thinking chiggers.  There is a lot of panty line scratching going on over here.  I have been using the burts bees bug bite stick on the itchiest ones for the kids and it seems  to help.  

Other than that we are having a great time.  School is wrapping up and life is good.  Can't complain (well other than the fact that I am behind on laundry again)

Wrapping up the school year.

We are trying to wrap up the last five weeks of school in a little over three weeks.  Everything is ending.  Hannah earned her bronze award in Girl Scouts, Claire, Neil and Avery are done with choir, Ian wraps up baseball this weekend and finished scouts graduating to Weblos Scout.  Been busy, the house has suffered.

What ever happened to spring cleaning

I realize I left spring cleaning in the dust.  The problem....I got a sewing machine and have been slowly playing with it ever since!  Besides Cindy in GA was so scared I was going to hit the floors next I didn't have the heart to tell her she was right.  so if you are up for it go tackle your floors.

Spring cleaning #5 kitchen

Today we are going to wipe down the cabinets.  Just a simple rag dampened will do most of it.  If you have wood consider oiling it too.  Our cabinets look glorious after being wiped and oiled.  Of course check your manufacturers recommendations before doing anything :)

Spring Cleaning #4 The fridge

I hope you enjoyed your break yesterday :) 

Today we are going to clean out the fridge and wipe it all down.  Toss all that expired or UFO's in there.  Make a list of staples you need to replenish and add it to next weeks shopping list. Your fridge will thank you for the little TLC you show it today.

Don't forget to work just a bit maintaining the work you did in the laundry room and on those counters.  Fold and put away the load in the dryer and start a new load.  Put the junk mail and other odd's and ends where they belong and give a quick wipe to those lovely counters.

Spring Cleaning #3 Kitchen

We are going to stay in the kitchen today.  I hope you enjoyed your Sunday break :)  In all actuality I never got to that troublesome countertop yesterday.  I did finish it up this morning but still need to wipe down all the counters and polish them.  Which brings me to a little PSA (public service announcement) If you have a carbon monoxide detector plugged in your kitchen you will want to unplug it and remove it from the area if you are going to be spraying any aerosol cleaners.  If you don't it will go off and loudly :0

Today being Monday we are going to talk about Menu Planning.  It pertains to spring cleaning.  I feel we often get in a dinner rut and start making excuses for eating out or convenience meals that are not the least bit healthy.  I totally cheat in the menu planning arena and let someone else do it for me.  Menus4moms.com provides a weekly dinner menu for 5 nights with included shopping list!  What can be easier than that?  She also goes by the premise of preparing ahead.  For example you will often see 5lbs of ground beef on the list.  Out of this she will have planned hamburgers and then the rest made up into meatballs, divided and frozen for a later meal.  Another site is SavingDinner.com  this one is a paid service.  We did it for awhile but the menus4moms site was more our tastebud.  So today your challenge is to make up a at least a dinner menu for the rest of the work week. Lauren is ahead of the game on this one as she got so inspired by her clean laundry area attached to her kitchen that she posted a weekly menu on her whiteboard.     Post your menus in comments for all to get ideas.  Our weekly menu is on the menus4moms site.  Beef Burgandy simplified is whats for dinner tonight. 

Spring Cleaning #2 The kitchen

Let's spend a few days in the kitchen.  The old adage The Kitchen is the heart of the home holds true in our house.  My hubby likes to go to bed with a clean kitchen.  Usually he is the one who makes it happen.  But as of late I am trying to bless him by making sure it is cleaned up before I go to bed.  Today in the kitchen we are just going to clean off the counters.  We have a junk counter in ours which just gets piled with JUNK.  I would take a picture but I'm too embarrassed.  So my goal for today is to put all that is on that counter into an empty laundry basket, wipe down the counters, get hubby to granite polish them, and then put those items that belong on the counters back up.  Then I will take my basket of junk and sort, purge, and put away.  

Join me in the kitchen and give those counters a treat.  I will take pics once I am done and post the results.

Mrs W linked me to her laundry yesterday in comments feel free to link me to a photo of your accomplished counters. :)

Spring Cleaning #1 Laundry Room

I realize I have very little following here :) But I thought I would post my spring cleaning whims for the next week or so. I have no clue what has gotten into me. If you would like to join the insanity then follow along. I will post a little 1/2 hour job for the day to attempt cleaning up your home.
Today's area is the laundry room. For us here it is a busy room. The dog lives in here, and so does 7 people worth of laundry. The dirties actually live outside the laundry room in these
I picked them up at Costco awhile back. Darks go in one, lights the other. Towels and sheets got in the wicker basket shoved in the corner.
For organization in the laundry room I have cloth baskets for each kid arranged on the shelf/rack my husband built for me. It offers a place to toss all the folded clothes and hang up those items that need to be hung

Supplies go in the cabinets. I have a lot of cabinet space so the cabinet on the left also temporarily houses clothes that are too small for one child and waiting to be passed down to the next. Eventually they get transferred to buckets upstairs.

So today if you want to follow along on my little spring cleaning trip spruce up your laundry room.
Dig behind the washer and dryer for strays (oh my I had a lot of socks that had gone over.)
Wipe down the outside of the washer and dryer.
Put away all the clothes that are piling up.
When you have done all this start a load of towels. They are easy and quick to fold :)

Sick Day

With everyone needing the restroom and or a reclining position we cancelled school for today. But we did squeeze in a little science as our caterpillars hatched into butterflies today. We will resume school tomorrow as everyone is on the mend.

Good News from the Surgeon

Awhile back I detected a lump. Yeah one of those "lumps". My gyn checked it out couldn't find it. She told me to come in again the next time it flared up. I did (seems to cycle with my cycle). She was able to palpate it and sent me for a mammogram and ultra sound. Those both came back normal but just to be safe she referred me off to the general surgeon. He and I agreed for a wait and see approach. I go back in 3 months sooner if it flares. It seems to be fibrous cystic tissue that flares due to hormones. So good news today. Next doctors appointment will be Avery's orthopedic in June to see where her MHE is.

Good Friday

Rabbit Trails Anyone?

A fellow homeschool mom shared her rabbit trail story earlier and is sponsoring an event.

Our rabbit trail happened in Core 3 with my girls.  We came across an early governor of one of the fine states.  He shared our last name (even spelled right)  so we were off on  bunny trail trying to see if we were related some how.  My girls loved it because school stopped :)  Turns out he wasn't related directly but we sure did have fun reading some family history.

Better day

Yesterday we made great headway in getting caught back up in all subjects.  We are not "behind" as really you can't be behind if you homeschool :).  We are however behind my original calendar that I did last July.  But ya know life happens, spontaneous trips to Paris happen, 2 weeks on the road with 1 week of recovery happen.  And that is the joy of homeschooling.  The ability to take our time, enjoy life and each other without being tied to any school district schedule.  I have set a goal for myself.... I am not to order the girls next Core until we are in week 34 of the current core.  Theoretically that is 9 weeks away.  It will give me time to really cement which aspects of the curriculum I want to use and which ones I want to change.  I will fill you in on what we choose over the next few weeks.

School Work the good and the bad news

Somewhere along the road my kids pulled a school strike on me.  When it occurred I can't quite pin down.  But one by one they have all hit the wall.  So instead of starting week 26 we are completing all incomplete assignments.  The bad news is it means we will be schooling most likely through June.  The good news is we are actually getting a lot done.  Good news is Neil has finished K math, is reading rather well, and is catching up in LA.  The Bad news is I have to keep my eye on him as he ping pongs around doing stuff he knows he shouldn't be doing.  Good news is Avery is cute, bad news is I found a stash of math sheets and bible pages stuffed in her desk UNDONE!  Hello she is 4, where did she learn this trick?  Good news is Ian has caught up in some subjects but his 4 week long experiment is in jeopardy of being neglected too many days in a row (thats the bad news) Good news is Hannah is mostly caught up in her math bad news LA is tragically behind (mostly my fault)  Good news is Claire has caught up in Bible, History, Critical Thinking and Science.  Bad news Math is horrifically behind but we are trudging through it slooooooooooowly!

Work in progress

I am a work in progress.  Last night however while driving to pick up Claire from Awana I was blaring KLOVE.  I love driving by myself (for short distances) so I can crank the music and just belt out the lyrics and let the tears roll.  Last night a new song was played.  It was ALWAYS by Building 429.  I tried to find a video of it but was only successful in finding an "about" video.  I was given a word and was working on a post in my head.  I need more quiet time to hash out what HE wants me to write.  So it is a work in progress.

On the other side of a work in progress is my heart.  My heart still grieves for the loss my sister in love and her husband have experienced.  My heart overflows with love for my husband.  My heart shines with pride as my children bless me, it clouds with frustration when they drive me nuts.  I am a work in progress.  My heart is a work in progress.  May God use me in my uncompleteness........

Praying for Stellan

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Paris Day 3-Versailles and Eiffel Tower

Coming Soon details on

Day trip out to Versailles

Hotel stop

walk to Eiffel Tower.  We made it to the second level.  The top level was full and closed but honestly the view was great and it was cold at the second level I can't imagine what it was like farther up.

Headed north across the Seine and jumped on the metro to St Paul where we had dinner in front of Bastille Square

Headed home after that.  Dinner around here is late.

Paris Day 2- Notre Dame and Champs De Elysses

We started the day off with pastries and cafe creme's at a local cafe.  We took a casual stroll down to the metro and hopped on for a trip to Notre Dame.  We quickly found point zero, the point from which all distances in Paris are measured from.  

We entered Notre Dame and walked around marveling at all the chapels and detail.  After we toured the inside we used our museum passes for a free tour of the towers and bellfry's.  Can you say stairs?  But the views were amazing.

A quick tour of the archeological crypt and then 

we walked to the back of Notre Dame and across the bridge to Ille de St Louis.  We had a nice lunch at a little cafe overlooking Notre Dame.  Here John is contemplating what his seafood platter covered in cheese is going to taste like :)

After what seemed like an eternity getting our check we took a little walk along the left bank over to St Chapelle.  The stained glass here was amazing!  It didn't photograph well at all.  It is one of those have to see it in person kinda places.  A little further down the way was the Concergirie.  We got to see the cell Marie Antoinette was kept in.  Further walking led us to pont Neuf and then along the Seine to the Louvre where I picked up a Paris mug and a frap from starbucks and some postcard envelopes.  Since we were on a straight shot to the Arc De Triumph we decided to walk the entire Champs de Elysses.

 

 What fun!  We walked up more stairs to the top and were treated to amazing views of Paris.  We happened to be there when they rekindled the flame on the tomb of the unknown soldier.  

Dinner at the Cafe Bosquet where we ordered Escargot.  An evening walk to the eiffel tower with crepe in hand.  It was too late to go up the tower so we tabled it till the next day.

Paris Day 1- The Louvre

We landed in Paris, waited in a huge mass of people to have our passports checked, grabbed our bags and headed to the RER (trains) unfortunately the path to the trains was being blocked and pushed back by Police oh and wait armed military join in to block our path.  Time to use our limited French.  Ok really no French par le vous angles?  We ended up finding our way and bought tickets.  We found our lovely little hotel very easily.  We quickly got a quick shower and were on our way to the Louvre.  I had a nice chocolate croissant in front of the Louvre.  Inside I discovered a Starbucks but didn't partake until a later day.  After several language barriers we bought Paris Museum Passes and entered the Louvre.  SO MUCH TO SEE!  There was the Mona Lisa

Really a disappointment.  Its size was small compared to what you would think it would be.  Like the glare in my photo?  So many people viewing it I didn't feel like jockeying for a center position so I shot from the side.  It is impressive but small.  There are a ton of paintings and sculptures we took pics of but I won't bore you with those until I see you in person :)  Here is a silly one of me and some thing or other from ancient Iraq.  Hey I had to do something funny because my feet were KILLING me!  I don't care what the French think I should have worn tennis shoes!


Here is John in front of some Babylonian sculptures.  Pretty impressive.  

After the Louvre we walked all the way back to our hotel.  We came back to our room and changed our shoes and headed to Cafe du March for dinner.  After dinner we grabbed a crepe 

on Rue Cler and walked to the Eiffel Tower.  It was evening and we just walked around enjoying the light show and marveling at the enormity of the tower.  We headed back to the hotel once more removed our shoes off our aching feet and tucked them into bed, groaning like 80 year old men at how our bodies ached from all the walking.

Oh La La

Day 2 in Paris, France.  We made it to the top of Notre Dame and the Arc de Triumphe (picture above)  We attempted the top of the Eiffel but it got too late so we will do it tomorrow.  I just today got internet access (grandparents the cell is not working).  

We are having a great time.  Crepes every night as we walk to the Eiffel Tower.  Du Cafe creme si vous plaiz in the morning.  

We are taking the train to Versailles in the morning.

PS my feet hurt!

PPS I ate a snail perdon an escargot :)

Nine

Happy Birthday Ian!

3500

yards swum by me this morning.  Often when we talk to the relatives they will ask if I am swimming still.  Truth be told I am probably the programs best money maker!  I have been averaging once a week.  Yes I said once.  I'm pathetic.  But in an effort to make myself a little less pathetic in the exercise department I was breaking into the master workout on those meager once a weeks.  This morning I joined the big dogs, the morning masters (can you believe they are morning people?)  I am here to tell you I completed the workout and survived!  3500 yards swam in a little over an hour.  Its my second swim of the week.  I might go tomorrow morning if I can move my arms.  I did come home and sleep another hour before the kids woke up.

Busy

Baseball season is upon us again.  Translation we are busy!  With 2-3 practices a week and usually a game or two a week we are at the field a lot.  He played in a tournament this weekend.  They won 2 lost 2 and placed 3rd or 4th.  Couple baseball with scouts, choir and church activities and we do not have an open day on our calendar until May.  However John and I get a break from the craziness and we are escaping to Paris, France.  The inlaws are coming here to watch the kids while we play.  Should be a refreshing time for John and I.  And before you think I am cruel to leave my inlaws with our crazy schedule it will be spring break and most activities are called off.

Six

  

Happy Birthday Neil

10U AAA

Congratulations to my oldest boy.  He tried out for AAA spring ball this past Saturday and made the cut.  I'm sure he will post updates on his blog :)

Love is...

... letting your mom come watch your brothers five kids so he can whisk his wife off to Paris for some RnR all the while you are on bed rest baking 3 sweet green beans

... coming to watch your 5 grandchildren (and dog) without a single hesitation so your son can whisk his wife off to Paris for some RnR even though you have a daughter on bed rest and a mom with many doctors appointments

... whisking your wife off to Paris and arranging for mom to come stay with the kids AFTER checking with sister on bed rest to make sure she wouldn't mind giving up mom for a week.

... family

Saturday Summary

Yesterday I did manage most of my list.  The laundry is surprisingly under control (don't tell the kids)  The one thing I did not get to was the homeschool room book shelves and closet.  In reality I cleaned the closet last week but it needs some tweaking and I need to do the shelves in the supply closet downstairs.

Today Claire and I did a cookie booth in the am then headed home and rounded up everyone else.  We explored a nearby new to us park which was a lot of fun.  Then we took a loooooooooooong drive.  We finished off the evening with a walk and then a family viewing of  Enchanted.

Tomorrow is shaping up to be another beautiful day here in Central Texas.

Another Friday

Managed another swim today.  When I showed up at the pool it was set in LONG COURSE!  Yikes!

I did 2100 meters fairly easily in an hour.  When I swim on Tuesday nights I do the Master workout with a swim buddy.  It kicks my butt but it is helping me ease into masters.

In store for today.  A beautiful weather day!  

•swim

•make a hot breakfast

•Finish up the week of school.  

•Get laundry back under control (again)

• do some crafty projects from our Hands and Hearts kits.  

•clean up the bookshelves in the school room and the homeschool supply closet.

lets see how I do

Friday

It's Friday.  How did I celebrate the end of the week?  I actually got up this am at 5, donned my swimsuit, parka and bright orange crocs.  I then nuked some water for tea, kissed my husband grudgingly goodbye, laughed at my littlest crashed on the crib mattress at the foot of our bed and blury-eyed headed out the door.  I climbed into the truck and blinked-the temp read 32 degrees!  What on earth was I doing leaving my warm very comfy bed behind?  

The workout went well about 28oo yards.  Coach complimented me on my kick and critiqued my head position in freestyle.  I really need to move up to the masters group but honestly that group is hard core and rather intimidating!  

Tonight I get to coach the final practice of Bible Quiz for AWANA.  Dine on pizza and root beer floats like I was 10 years old again.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Eleven

Happy Birthday to my sweet Hannah.  Little sister, big sister, Girl Scout, animal lover.