Latest News - Catching Up

So here's the latest from our house...

1. I had a follow up with my surgeon who I am convinced is the best doctor on the planet. We're considering late spring next year for my surgery. He's answered every question we've thrown at him and after a second opinion, much prayer and thought, we are going to do a he suggests - a double hip replacement with the left side first and the right 2 weeks afterward. We would like to hire a full time nanny for at least 3 months, especially to help with the driving. How do you go about doing that?

2. Summer is looming and we are actually excited for the welcome break from a busy busy schedule. Morgan toured the 3rd grade classrooms in her school and has decided that another year in her school might be just fine with her. I have heard many good things about the 3rd grade team so I believe that is our plan of action for now.

3. Nathan and the kids have been really enjoying the Wii Fit. Someday I will join them. Next year perhaps?

4. We booked our flights to Alberta in August and we are beyond excited!

5. We visited our pool for the first time this past weekend and I think we are going to be spending a great deal of time there
That's about it.. just a quick post for now....

The Big Surprise

I surprised Morgan this weekend with an overnight trip to Houston to watch the Senior Women at the US Classic at the Visa Championships. We really enjoyed watching the higher level gymnastics. Morgan had no clue and was very confused when I picked her up from school at lunchtime.
I took this video shortly after..

You can't take us anywhere...

This is what happens when you decide to buy new trash cans at Lowe's with all of the kids.

Beware the fruits of evil

This cute little patoot has some personality! Melody frequently talks about the time the tornado sirens went off. "Is there a tomato coming Mommy?"

It's ok baby. Mommy will protect you from the nasty tomatoes. I promise.

Happy Birthday Mom!

This is a picture of the world's most amazing mom. Here is a list of things which make her amazing:

1. She has a testimony of Jesus Christ and is not afraid to share it.

2. She has made many sacrifices for her family and does not even bat an eyelash.

3. She sat by my beside in the hospital for what probably adds up to months of her life while her family was split into different households for weeks at a time.

4. She has never once told me that I was incapable of trying anything, even with my physical challenges. I remember her speech over and over - "Rebecca knows her own limits and can set them herself. Don't set them for her." I appreciate it so much and it has strengthened me.

5. She loves my family. She has been there for every important event. She has been there within hours, if not minutes of the birth of my three children.

6. She is an advocate of continuing education and leads by example. She earned her Bachelor and Masters degrees while raising 5 children and now works as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Make no mistake. She was always at the top of her class.

7. She has a great sense of humor. Her laughter is contagious.

8. She is not judgemental. She lets me make my own decisions and is sometimes even overly vague with her opinions as to not offend me.

9. She is talented. That woman can sew. The girls at gymnastics wish she was their grandma. My wedding dress was exactly what I wanted. I had custom made formals in high school. Priceless.

10. She's compassionate. She will listen to me and offer advice when I need it and is always understanding.

.... and there are so many more - too many to list.

I love you mom.

Want some cheese with your whine?

It's time to come clean. If you're not into reading "Debbie Downer" posts you might want to skip this one.

I'm not feeling great. My hips are hurting. That's not going to get better until surgery. When will that be, you ask? This side of never. I have no idea how to have surgery and be out of commission for three months. Not only that, but my oldest daughter is extremely emotional/anxious/attached right now and I don't think surgery would help that much. I don't want to miss her competitions. I don't want to miss the family gathering in Alberta in August... there is simply no good time.

I just started cymbalta. Some days I think it's helping. Some days I don't. I won't get in to the battle with the insurance just to get the prescription.

My weight is not dropping. I lost 4.5 pounds in two weeks and it came back after a weekend of not so great choices. I dropped out of Biggest Loser. I'm embarassed that I can't control that. What good is a tummy tuck if you can't keep your weight down?

My poor kids deserve a better mom. They need someone who can get on the floor and play with them. They need someone who isn't cranky and loses her temper easily. (especially when Daddy is traveling).

I'm sure that I will feel better tomorrow. I just needed a venue to vent. I'll count my blessings in the next one since there are many more of those than I can name...

Spppuuurrrrssssss

GO SPURS GO!! <--click here for scores/highlights
I'm so proud of this team for pulling out Game 7. What a game!
No negative Spurs comments welcome on this post.... I don't need ya to rain on my parade... I'm still having that after game feeling :)

Jungle Jam (video works this time)

Morgan performed in her school talent show last night and did a great job!
She picked her music and choreographed her routine.

Puzzling

This is Melody's latest craze and YES she did all of these all by herself. She won't let me pick them up right now either...

You know your husband loves his kids....

.......when he sits and designs "Mii's" with his middle daughter for over half an hour because "she wants to."

Oh.. and Mel always wants her pic taken when the camera is out. She wants you all to see her "big girl bed". Behold the wonder of it......

There were 3 in the bed....

Why is MY bed so much more fun???

Mr. Picassohead

Thanks Sarah for this cute idea.

This is why i love Saturday morning...

Morgan is reading to her sisters in the "clubhouse" with a flashlight while they have some snacks. The best part is that in order to make the clubhouse they had to clean the living room, upstairs toy room, and their bedrooms. Ah sweet child labor.

Honda Reliability!

This is not my car but it looks just like it...

I love my car. I really do. I don't care if it's a minivan. It's how I roll. I can get in, I can move around without hurting much. We can transport more kids than we have! It's been reliable. It's pretty good on gas. It broke down for the first time tonight... not bad for a 2003 and we're crossing our fingers for just a simple battery problem. Luckily we had some really great helpers. The husband of one of the other gym moms is a mechanic and got us on our way while Ron, one of our good friends and husband to my good friend Lori (who is always saving my bacon) helped Nathan with the dirty man-work in the garage. Tomorrow we'll know if it's the battery or the alternator. Good times... good times...