The end of another spring break

 This blog is going to sound negative and truly I don't mean it to be, all things considered I made it through this week rather well but it was another spring break dud.  The only bright spot was my mom getting Walker and thankfully the weather was not terrible.  It was nice enough to get outside and not freeze to death and it didn't rain in epic proportions (like it usually does).  My week was spent  juggling work in between driving the boys to doctor appointments.  I was at doctor appointments three times this week.  The week was also spent managing medications.  Nick was diagnosed with influenza A and strep on Monday and was on two different meds and Jay's list of oral hygiene after his surgery consisted of two medications, one of which he took four times per day, then lots of gargling with salt water followed by another concoction the oral surgeon gave him, followed by squirting gel into his mouth to prevent dry sockets.  Two days after the surgery Jay was so swollen.  He looked like a chipmunk storing nuts in his cheek.  I took him back to the doctor (appt #3 for the week) just to be certain he did not have dry sockets.  The doctor assured us the swelling was normal and Jay was healing.  Needless to say Jay was in a super good mood.  And Nick was really cranky too.

The day before Jay's surgery a few of his friends came over to hang out.  It's rare that Jay's friend come to our house.  These pictures pretty much stink but any mother of a 17 year old boy knows you don't go out and start snapping pictures of your son and his friends.  Instead you stand at your kitchen window, praying they don't see you and snap pictures through a screen.  I wanted to document that our basketball hoop was being used.  Spending money on the concrete pad and basketball hoop was not part of our budget but it was worth every penny.  My boys use it all the time!

Walker and wisdom teeth

Meet Walker!  In October my mom starting talking about wanting a dog.  Kim and I were less than thrilled and to be quite honest every time mom brought it up, we avoided addressing it.  Kim and I live by "Whatever Sue wants, Sue gets," but this was pushing it.  Mom was really testing our new motto.  As time went on and we began a new year with a new beginning Mom needed Kim less and less and she was gaining back so much of her independence.  In fact as of today I would say mom has gained 85% of her life back from before her stroke.  The only thing that has changed is she's less active and needs some but very little assistance from Kim or I.  Mom knew that after her stroke she would not be traveling as much as she did and she would be at home more - Enter the dog idea.  Mom has always been in love with my Cole and Mike told her that if she got a vizsla we would watch the dog for her if and when she traveled.  By February Kim and I suddenly loved the idea of mom getting a dog.  Maybe it was a God thing, perhaps He was planting the seed.  We knew a dog would provide much needed companionship.  The rest is history except there is more.  Not only did my mom adopt Walker but my sister is adopting Callie, my Copper's mom.  We literally have a family of vizslas!  Walker is a testament to God's faithfulness and healing.  Never did I think my mom would truly want a dog (but trust me, she did) let alone handle a dog and on top of that fall in love with a dog!  God is good and dogs are awesome! 

On another note, this week has been Jay and Nick's spring breaks.  The weather has been wonderful which is why I can write this with a cheerful heart.  Sadly the boys have been sick or in recovery.  On Monday Nick was diagnosed with Influenza A and strep throat.  Thankfully it was short lived and 2 days later he was feeling better.  On Wednesday Jay had all four of his wisdom teeth removed.  He is doing well but it's not the most fun way to spend your spring break but as I told Jay he was not missing any school/homework, he is not working so he's not missing any pay and he might as well have it done on his parents dime.  

Today it was 70 degrees.  I was so thankful!.  It's been a long and cold winter.  Mike and I are anxious to tackle our summer yard projects which will be labor intensive but it seems like there is nothing Mike does in our house that is not labor intensive.  

I am ready for spring.  Nick is running track and playing on a basketball league one night per week in which Jay is coaching.  It should be interesting to say the least.  I have a love/hate relationship with track.  I love it because Nick LOVES it but I hate it because it takes a TON of time. I remind myself that eventually these days will be gone.  I try to soak them up as much as I can while they last! 

Spring is coming

It is Sunday, late afternoon as I write this.  The sun is shining and although you still need a coat (or at least I do) to be outside, there are hints that spring is on its way which is a very good thing, considering this has been a very long winter filled with a ton of snow and bitterly cold temperatures.  Usually around March is when I start questioning my sanity as to why I choose to live in a state that not only is terrible for taxes but has long and rotten winters.  I might be able to overlook the taxes if only the weather was enjoyable or vice versa, overlooking the weather if the taxes were great.  In any case I will still stay planted in Illinois until God makes it clear it's time for me to go - I might pray that is sooner than later but I digress.
Jay has lined up a job for the summer with a landscaper.  We all hope that provides income for him to take care of his truck all summer, give him spending cash and a little left over to save with.  Nick is running track and is itching to get back out on the water to fish.  Today as we were leaving church and there were snowflakes falling on us Nick asked if he could fish!  We told him that was a hard No!  Nick is happiest when he's busy and social.  He has the best of both worlds right now with track and our across the street neighbor, Mason, who he spends a ton of time with.  Mike and I also agree that spending money on the concrete pad and the basketball hoop was the best money we've ever spent.  Both boys enjoy shooting hoops together in the evenings.  It's been a blessing to hear them laugh together.  Mostly they argue but it's music to my ears when I hear them laughing while shooting hoops.  Mike is busy with his work.  I am grateful and as more time goes by I think we can really do this, we just might be able to make this work.  We have set a goal for Mike to retire in 9 years.  There are some hurdles we have to jump over in order to make that happen and honestly I have no idea how we will get over one big hurdle but I don't spend much time worrying about it.  What will happen, will happen.  As I've said before I know nothing and I'm so not in control of much of anything. I am doing well.  My sister and I honored dad and visited his grave on March 15, the one year anniversary of his death.  I have dusted myself off from the devastation and destruction of 2018.  I know that not all of it was devastation.  There were many blessings in the destruction, but it was still hard.  As I sit here today my life is different.  If this year has taught me anything it's that life is short and fragile.  I am hopeful for what this new season called spring will bring.  One thing I do know is that in a few short weeks my mom and sister are getting new family members - more to come on this so stay tuned.  Happy Spring!!

Our weekend in Galena

 This past weekend we traveled to Galena to celebrate mom and Leslie's birthdays.  Leslie's daughter in law and also Kim's good friend, Janet, went along.  We had such a nice and relaxing time filled with lots of laughter, good food, great cocktails and we even got in some hot tubbing.  Mom and Leslie loved it.

 On Saturday we went shopping and stopped in at a bar for some hot adult beverages.  It was the perfect break because it rained all day.  We were wet and cold, hence why I look like a drowned rat in some of these pictures.

 

Happy Birthday Mom

 We celebrated Mom's 68th birthday like we usually celebrate all things good in our family; good food, lots of laughter and plenty of cocktails.  This year was particularly special for us.  Mom's recovery has been amazing and we are so very thankful for her mobility, her speech, her good humor and her endless faith.  The past eight months have not been easy, especially for mom, but she is a woman of strength and character.  We look forward to this new year and everything God has planned for mom and us.

 I love these pictures of mom and Faith.  These joy filled pictures demonstrate what real, heart felt friendship looks like.  The laughter shared between mom and Faith is priceless.

I included this final picture of Cole and Kim.  It seems like I usually have a Cole picture in most of my blogs.  I promise Copper is around but she doesn't care about jumping on peoples laps like Cole does and certainly Copper is the more appropriate size to be a lap dog.  Cole, not so much, but clearly he doesn't care.  Anyway, Happy Birthday, mom.  I wish you bountiful blessings this year.  I love you!