Even though you might not agree with the nature of their captivity, we still bring you "The Dance of the River Otters." Enjoy.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Auntie Allie
My sis Al came to town for a couple of days. For that short time, we lived the lives of happy vegans (pronounced "vej-ans"). We had a fun time: she even helped me mix some mud and put a layer on the bench. Thanks for comin out Al!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Heat
RECORD BREAKING HEAT THIS WEEK! It will be 100 degrees tomorrow, which is crazy hot for us with the high humidity. The air feels so thick and it's almost hard to breathe.
Monday, July 18, 2011
So Grateful!
I've been organizing my files, and found some notes from my doctor's appointments last year.
In addition to the back injury I had, my wrist was also hurt. I was having a hard time putting weight on it. I had had an MRI, and was waiting for the results. My notes were asking if my ligament was torn,, whether or not I should have surgery, which motions I should avoid, etc.
When I had been waiting to go in to get my MRI, I talked with a man in the waiting room for an hour. He had been a music director and frequent "guest preacher" in his church congregation in Washington. He had been in an unhappy marriage. He and a high school girlfriend had gotten in touch, divorced their spouses and were living together in Michigan. He felt that he needed to start life somewhere new where those in the congregation did not know him, since he felt that it would not be acceptable to them what he was doing. He was not attending church, and I encouraged him to make sure to attend somewhere, even though he wasn't "in charge" of the services anymore. His girlfriend was getting an MRI on her heart, I think. He had her as a great blessing, but he also had some big problems. I felt the same way.
When he'd asked me about my wrist I'd started crying. :) Before the MRI, I had only had pain when I tried to put my body weight on it during yoga. After the MRI, my wrist was swollen and stiff (from the dye injection), and afterwards, the pain was evident on a daily basis, even with normal activities.
One doctor diagnosed me with a scaphoid-lunate ligament tear, and said there was no good surgery, nor cure, and I would just have to hope the pain would go away. He said that the wrist would be unstable my whole life, and I might have problems as I aged which would require bone removal or other surgeries to manage the pain. It was also suggested that I had a TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) perforation, a triangular shaped Cartilage in the wrist, which tends to cause pain, and that I could have surgery on that as well if the pain did not subside.
A second doctor's opinion was that the ligament was intact and stable, but needed rest to recover. This was very hopeful! I chose to believe this guy, and let the wrist rest and brace it for several weeks.
It took several months, but I am SO grateful that both my back and my wrist are better!
Just looking at those notes and remembering all the pain and stress of it reminds me how grateful I am now to be healthy, and able to take care of my kids, exercise, clean, cook, etc without pain!
I just need to remember that on days when I am feeling like my problems are great, because they are much easier now than they were a year ago!
In addition to the back injury I had, my wrist was also hurt. I was having a hard time putting weight on it. I had had an MRI, and was waiting for the results. My notes were asking if my ligament was torn,, whether or not I should have surgery, which motions I should avoid, etc.
When I had been waiting to go in to get my MRI, I talked with a man in the waiting room for an hour. He had been a music director and frequent "guest preacher" in his church congregation in Washington. He had been in an unhappy marriage. He and a high school girlfriend had gotten in touch, divorced their spouses and were living together in Michigan. He felt that he needed to start life somewhere new where those in the congregation did not know him, since he felt that it would not be acceptable to them what he was doing. He was not attending church, and I encouraged him to make sure to attend somewhere, even though he wasn't "in charge" of the services anymore. His girlfriend was getting an MRI on her heart, I think. He had her as a great blessing, but he also had some big problems. I felt the same way.
When he'd asked me about my wrist I'd started crying. :) Before the MRI, I had only had pain when I tried to put my body weight on it during yoga. After the MRI, my wrist was swollen and stiff (from the dye injection), and afterwards, the pain was evident on a daily basis, even with normal activities.
Not only could I not put any body weight on my right wrist, but when I cut vegetables or even pushed a stroller, it would hurt the rest of the day. I remember that holding a pot (even if was empty) with one hand was impossible.
A second doctor's opinion was that the ligament was intact and stable, but needed rest to recover. This was very hopeful! I chose to believe this guy, and let the wrist rest and brace it for several weeks.
It took several months, but I am SO grateful that both my back and my wrist are better!
Just looking at those notes and remembering all the pain and stress of it reminds me how grateful I am now to be healthy, and able to take care of my kids, exercise, clean, cook, etc without pain!
I just need to remember that on days when I am feeling like my problems are great, because they are much easier now than they were a year ago!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Local Sightseeing
Some people say the "did Vegas" or they "did New York" as if to say that they did all the typical touristy things there. Well, yesterday, we "did Lansing!"
"What might there be to do in Lansing?" you might ask yourself.
Well - I'll tell you.
They have a lovely smallish zoo there called Potter Park Zoo. We started there and enjoyed walking the entire zoo (no stroller!) and most of the zoo was shaded, so we were able to stay pretty cool.
We headed then to the capital building and drove the "capital loop" to get a view of the downtown area.
While Aaron was snoozing in the car, we got a drive down the "Old River Trail" to see what there was to see.
We stopped at a great park there on Webster Rd with a huge slide structure. It had about 10 large slides on it, and ladders galore. The boys loved it.
From there I was directed by some lovely Lansing Mothers to try Hawk Island Park. We stopped at 2 libraries in town on the way. The Historical Museum and Library (where we saw some Civil War artifacts and a cool atrium), and the downtown branch library (where we played for an hour with puzzles and a train table).
Afterward, we picked up McDonalds, ate a picnic at Hawk Island Park, played in the Splash Pad, and ate ice cream on a bench overlooking the lake.
With Snow White playing there and back, we had a peaceful car ride and a full full day of fun together. I enjoyed Lansing quite a lot and plan to go see some more!
"What might there be to do in Lansing?" you might ask yourself.
Well - I'll tell you.
They have a lovely smallish zoo there called Potter Park Zoo. We started there and enjoyed walking the entire zoo (no stroller!) and most of the zoo was shaded, so we were able to stay pretty cool.
We headed then to the capital building and drove the "capital loop" to get a view of the downtown area.
While Aaron was snoozing in the car, we got a drive down the "Old River Trail" to see what there was to see.
We stopped at a great park there on Webster Rd with a huge slide structure. It had about 10 large slides on it, and ladders galore. The boys loved it.
From there I was directed by some lovely Lansing Mothers to try Hawk Island Park. We stopped at 2 libraries in town on the way. The Historical Museum and Library (where we saw some Civil War artifacts and a cool atrium), and the downtown branch library (where we played for an hour with puzzles and a train table).
Afterward, we picked up McDonalds, ate a picnic at Hawk Island Park, played in the Splash Pad, and ate ice cream on a bench overlooking the lake.
With Snow White playing there and back, we had a peaceful car ride and a full full day of fun together. I enjoyed Lansing quite a lot and plan to go see some more!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Timmy Talk
I realized today that I had several "Drafts" written but never completed or posted. So, here are two from 1 year ago, and another from Christmas. Better late than never. :)
Katie
4/10/10
Here is a little tidbit of what I hear all day long in a little whiney voice. We are working and working on the please and thank you's!
Katie
4/10/10
Here is a little tidbit of what I hear all day long in a little whiney voice. We are working and working on the please and thank you's!
(These are petitions by the way)
I see Timmy
I hold you (I want you to hold me)
I snuggle you
I see Daddy (I want to see Daddy)
I "Whos an Whos" (I want to watch Horton Hears a Who)
I "Yoya an Charyie" (I want to watch Charlie and Lola)
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I Cheeeese (I want cheese)
12/26/2010
I am enjoying my new pots and pans from my sister, my beautiful homemade necklace from my man, and I feel like I live in a relaxing spa now that I have an amazing aromatherapy humidifier in my home. I keep going up to my room, turning it on and breathing it in. Mmmmm. Anyone out there need an idea for a woman for a birthday, valentines, anniversary...etc. this is a great one!
12/26/2010
I am enjoying my new pots and pans from my sister, my beautiful homemade necklace from my man, and I feel like I live in a relaxing spa now that I have an amazing aromatherapy humidifier in my home. I keep going up to my room, turning it on and breathing it in. Mmmmm. Anyone out there need an idea for a woman for a birthday, valentines, anniversary...etc. this is a great one!
I made out like a bandit at Christmas this year!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Aaron's Animals ...and a few other words
Sount = Elephant
Abdee = monkey
Boo-neigh = horse
Boo-neigh or Touw = cow
Gee-af = giraffe
Dodd or Ruff = dog
Tat or Neow = cat
Doose or Hont = Goose
Doat = Goat and Boat
Nil or Nilt= Milk
Wa-Wa = has been Timmy for months, but today he said "immy!"
My favorite one is SOUNT!
Boo-Neigh is a combination word of "moo" and "neigh." Makes total sense, right? Boo-neigh!
Me: Aaron! Say "horse."
Aaron: h.....Boo-neigh!
attempt #2
Me: Aaron! Say "horse."
Aaron: boo....uh.....houuusssss
Me: What does the cow say?
Aaron: Booooo!
Abdee = monkey
Boo-neigh = horse
Boo-neigh or Touw = cow
Gee-af = giraffe
Dodd or Ruff = dog
Tat or Neow = cat
Doose or Hont = Goose
Doat = Goat and Boat
Nil or Nilt= Milk
Wa-Wa = has been Timmy for months, but today he said "immy!"
My favorite one is SOUNT!
Boo-Neigh is a combination word of "moo" and "neigh." Makes total sense, right? Boo-neigh!
Me: Aaron! Say "horse."
Aaron: h.....Boo-neigh!
attempt #2
Me: Aaron! Say "horse."
Aaron: boo....uh.....houuusssss
Me: What does the cow say?
Aaron: Booooo!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
He's Home!
Hooray! Scott is home and we had a really fun Independance Day. We hosted a BBQ at our house, and it was really fun. Afterwards, the Kramers hosted a firework and water balloon party in the church parking lot.
Breeanna painted faces for the kids. My kids didn't enjoy having their face touched, so they were really excited when I told them that she could paint their hands. Timmy got a Dumbo elephant on one hand and Aaron a Lightening McQueen! They both got a smiley face on the other hand. They both were very upset when they rubbed their hands on their faces and it came off a bit.
They also LOVED the sparklers and poppers.
They got to stay up way past their bedtime, and were hopping all over Scott, who felt like it was 3 am, and was VERY tired. :) Felt like a real holiday today.
Breeanna painted faces for the kids. My kids didn't enjoy having their face touched, so they were really excited when I told them that she could paint their hands. Timmy got a Dumbo elephant on one hand and Aaron a Lightening McQueen! They both got a smiley face on the other hand. They both were very upset when they rubbed their hands on their faces and it came off a bit.
They also LOVED the sparklers and poppers.
They got to stay up way past their bedtime, and were hopping all over Scott, who felt like it was 3 am, and was VERY tired. :) Felt like a real holiday today.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Whoo-hoo
26 hours until Scott gets back! We're counting down!
We had a lovely time at the Rolling Hills Waterpark this morning. Aaron and Timmy loved the waterfall and fountain sprays. We were lucky enough to go with the Winders and Osbornes also, and Shana watched Timmy so that Aaron and I could do a slide too. At the end, we fell out of the tube, and got water in our faces. Aaron said "Aden!!" (Again!). We are now slightly burnt and nicely tired.
Yesterday, my lovely neighbor watched the boys for an hour and half so I could run some errands. Then we had our friends visit us for lunch and the afternoon, and then swam in their pool for an hour. Luckily Shana made us dinner, which was super-nice and made for a much more relaxed dinner/bedtime routine.
I went to bed at 8 pm and slept until 7 am!! So, I'm much more rested today than I have been all week. Man, I need to post desperate blog posts more often. :) I've had all sorts of help offers!
We had a lovely time at the Rolling Hills Waterpark this morning. Aaron and Timmy loved the waterfall and fountain sprays. We were lucky enough to go with the Winders and Osbornes also, and Shana watched Timmy so that Aaron and I could do a slide too. At the end, we fell out of the tube, and got water in our faces. Aaron said "Aden!!" (Again!). We are now slightly burnt and nicely tired.
Yesterday, my lovely neighbor watched the boys for an hour and half so I could run some errands. Then we had our friends visit us for lunch and the afternoon, and then swam in their pool for an hour. Luckily Shana made us dinner, which was super-nice and made for a much more relaxed dinner/bedtime routine.
I went to bed at 8 pm and slept until 7 am!! So, I'm much more rested today than I have been all week. Man, I need to post desperate blog posts more often. :) I've had all sorts of help offers!
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