Open House

In order to give us time to welcome John home and to adjust to life as a family of 3 (or 6 including fur babies) we decided to have an open house for people to stop by and meet John.

Our Mothers organized enough sweets to give everyone a sugar high on top of the baby fever.  We had a great turnout and John did so great meeting his great grandparents, great aunt and uncle, cousins, aunts, uncles, and family friends.

Month 2

Now that you are all caught up on June...

• Summer Time Fun
• Bonnaroo 2011
• Bandaids and Birthdays
• 1 Year Cancerservary

Let's start on July!  And I can think of no better way to start than by celebrating our 2nd Anniversary.

I can't believe it's been 2 years.  It truly went by fast.  We've been through a lot in 2 years, and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

I love this man

We decided to go on our trip to Saint Louis over the long 4th of July weekend.  We had a lot of fun.  St. Louis has a 3 day festival under the arch with airshows, concerts, and fireworks.  All free.  The first day we checked in, which took way too long.  The hotel was horrible.  I won't go into it, but I highly recommend NOT staying at the Millennium Hotel.  We then wondered down to the festival and checked out the Steve Miller Band concert.  I must say, there are highly underrated.

We missed out on fireworks because Dan was only 2 weeks out of knee surgery.  So, we ended up spending a lot of time in the hotel room resting Dan's knee.  I could think of worse ways to spend our anniversary though. :)

Sunday we headed out on St. Louis's wonderful public transportation and headed to the zoo.  We had so much fun.  We walked around for hours.  Then we headed to the Science Center and Planetarium.  Nothing like a couple of science geeks playing with all the kids toys.  The best part, it was all free (besides that bus/train rides).  Yup.  We will be going back.

Monday we checked out, but then headed down to the Budweiser Brewery for a free tour.  Again, we had a great time.  We got to see the Clydesdales, and everything from the brewery to the packaging plant.  At the end, they have a taste bar.

Tour Bus

Beautiful!  The horses and pup.

We wanted to stay for the beer school, but we needed to head home to get the dogs and so Dan could meet his new nephew.

You don't think I'd forget about our new family member do you?!?  Meet baby H!  He looks just like my brother and is just as sweet as can be.  I forget how small newborns are.

1 Year Cancerversary!

I wish I could explain how excited I was to celebrate Dan's 1st Cancerversary.  

We had so many people come to help us celebrate.

I think Dan and I were both touched by how many people came over to spend their Saturday with us. 

 We had sooo much food, family and friends. 

Plus it was the first real use of our half grass backyard. 

I can't wait for next year. 

Bandaids and Birthdays

We didn't have long after returning home from Bonnaroo to adjust to life with responsibilites before we were onto our next adventure.

Dan tore his medial meniscus (the Parrot's Beak pictured above) and we quickly scheduled his surgery for June 17th, so he would have time to recover before the Warrior Dash.  Unfortunately that was Father's Day weekend and we had planned on Dan's 1 Year Cancerversary, so we had to shuffle some things around.  Next years goal is no surgeries.

Who says men with shaved legs aren't sexy?

The surgery didn't take too long at all.  I was impressed.  Dan was in recovery and ready to head home in just under an hour.  The bad news was he was on bedrest for 3 days and could only get up to use the bathroom.  I moved our mattress downstairs and the dogs thought we were having a party.  But, by Monday Dan was at PT and was up walking and very slowly doing the stairs.  I don't know who was happier that he could shower, me or him.

Fortunately, Dan recovered just in time to help celebrate Penny's 1st birthday!  I made her a beef flavored cake and she and Daisy both got left over Texas Roadhouse to celebrate.  Daisy even sang to Penny.  Her favorite song is "Happy Birthday" because that means she's getting some good food to eat.

Penny wants to know if it can be her day every day

My helpers taste testing the PB frosting

So I may have been more excited about it than Penny was, but Daisy sure knew what was going on.

 

I did learn that it's much harder to take a mattress up the stairs than it is to guide it on a gentle fall down the stairs.  We got some funny looks from the pizza guy when Dan was sitting on a bed in the living room half dressed.  We might not have thought that through.

Family Dinner on a Packed Day??

Dan and I eat dinner together, as a family every night, except the occasional girls/guys night out, but we are still eating at the same time, and we share with each other what we ate.  I didn’t realize this until last night.  Apparently it’s an unwritten rule of mine, and even I didn’t know about.  So, what happens when you have 2 healthy eaters, with packed schedules, only leaving time to eat together at 10:30pm??



Roasted chicken on the Grill

You eat a home cooked meal of roasted chicken breasts and mixed vegetables at 10:30pm, as a family, at the dinner table.  Sure, stopping by a McDonald’s or a Subway would’ve been easier, and I would’ve been in a better mood.  But, we have goals.  We have plans.  And by golly, we will meet those goals, or we will at least know we did our best.  (We aren’t a bit stubborn.  J)



Dan throwing a head kick at Jason Chambers

So, to my wonderful husband:  Thank you for putting up with me being in a bad mood.  I’m willing to sacrifice being a little moody for you to do your best Saturday.  I can not wait to watch you compete.  And, you look sexy in your new Jeep.

Long Weekend

I was in much need of a weekend after last week.  I have been dealing with some back/hip pain with the re-alignment of my hips with the heel lift, which means, I didn't sleep well.  Plus, with the drastic change in the weather, I had a couple of days I didn't think I'd be able to walk.  But! After a couple of days of friends, family, sleep, and a ton of laughter, I feel recharged, and ready to take on this week.   That is, starting tomorrow of course.

Friday night, Dan got off work early for a department outing at the Pacers vs. Kings game.  The game was one of the worse games I've seen the Pacers play, but we got to sit in the AIT suite.  Free food, plus meeting Dan's co-workers, means a nice way to relax for the weekend.

Saturday, we had a bunch of friends over to celebrate March Birthdays.  We had 7 friends with birthdays this month!  So, to celebrate, we had a cookout.  Dan grilled some burgers, we ate cupcakes which turned into a cupcake fight, and at the end of the night, we had people sleeping in Daisy's room and on the couch.  Besides the friend's with kids having to leave early, we all had a great time.

And Sunday, after a lazy morning, I headed down to my parent's house.  My Grandpa moved from California where he's lived most his life.  He's now living with my parent's.  It was good to see him, and even though he tired out a little early, we are all excited to have him close by.

Love Letter

Late last year, my grandma passed away. She grew up in England and always remained a proper English lady. I loved that about her. She had an accent and told great stories of this far away place she once lived. Before she passed, she asked my Dad to e-mail us love letters that my grandpa had sent her when she moved from England to California after they were married, with my Uncle Terry. My grandpa is not outwardly affectionate, and today I wanted to share his letter.

10 March 45
My Darling Joyce,
It’s just eight P.M. here and noon where you are. I often compare the time and wonder what you are doing now. It seems so darn funny to have eaten supper and then stop and think that you haven’t even had lunch yet. Gee honey but I’m lonesome for you. I’ve been down to Mrs. A’s this afternoon but didn’t stay long. Cpl Butcher [Cpl Jess J. Butcher from Los Angeles, California] and his wife and baby are there now and I just sit back and take in the whole room. Here is what I saw, Butcher was sitting in my chair, his wife in yours, and the baby was in Mrs. A’s chair screeming her head off. Mrs. A was out in the kitchen getting tea and I was sitting on the settee by the window. Darling I got so darn nervous thinking that we used to be there together and that are in El Cajon, and I’m here alone. Does it make sense to you?
Anyway honey I just couldn’t stand the thoughts that were going through my mind. I guess I’m jelous of them. Gosh honey but it seems like years since I was with you in that same house.
I did so look forward to getting your first letter today and then when it didn’t arrive I felt all goffey like. I always feel the best in the morning because I say to myself that this is the day I’ll get that letter, then no letter ------------. I do hope you are getting on alright with my family, please tell me if you aren’t. I received Louise’s mail written on Feb 26th. Well my darling I’ll close here and go to bed thinking about you and about getting your letter tomorrow. Kiss Terry for me. Have some pictures taken of him.
All my love,
Steve
PS. If only I were with you now!

I'm not sure if I would've had the strength to go through what they did, but I am glad that this kind of love runs in my family.

Thursday Morning Thoughts

The first real rain of the year always makes me think of Spring.  I don’t know if I’m more excited because it’s not snow coming down, or if it’s because I know soon, my flowers will be sprouting.  Soon, I will see people seeding my back yard, and my husband, dad, FIL, and brothers putting up a fence.  And soon, I will be planting trees, flowers, and vegetables.

This morning, on my rainy drive into work, I didn’t think about all the above fun, exciting, Spring things to look forward to.  Today, instead, my non-caffeinated brain thought it would be better to think about Relay for Life.  Sure, this is the time of the year to start planning for it, but this year it will be different.

Last year my mom walked as a survivor, as I’m hoping she will again this year.  This year, my husband will join her.  To me, this morning, this brought on a wave of confusing emotions that I have not been able to shake.  I am very concerned at the alarming rate of increase in the number of people I know walking as survivors, but I am also very proud and excited to see them walk together.  “Survivor” is so much better than “Patient”.  I’m not sure how I will feel watching 2 people I love among the crowd of strangers brought together by such an ugly thing.

Dan and I don’t refer to him as a survivor.  I actually spend most of my time ignoring the elephant in the room.  I will refer to his cancer as “before you were sick,” or “before the surgery”.  I don’t know if I have properly dealt with things, or if this is my way of dealing with it.  This, in turn makes me wonder, if I’m not dealing with it, how am I helping my husband?  Am I being as supportive as he needs? 

All I know is that these thought processes should not be done before work, on a Thursday when I have to be here for 11hrs, especially before coffee, 5 days before his next Oncologist appointment.  But, I do know that we are going to have one hell of a 1 year cancer-free party this summer.  And, I would love it if every one of my readers could join us for Relay for Life this year in May. 

Maybe that is my way of coping. 

Family Emergency

I got a very scary phone call from Dan while I was trying to secretly shop at Target last night. His sister (who is just a pre-teen) hurt her leg somehow, and it had gotten so bad that she was having a difficult time walking. So, they went off to the Dr. to get it checked out. After several hours of x-rays and testing her knee and hip mobility, they came back with a diagnosis of a Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis.

The patient's left hip (arrow) shows that a slight shift of the head of the femur occurred through the growth plate.

(Courtesy of John Killian, MD, Birmingham, AL)

Like everyone other than orthopedic surgeons, I had no idea what this is. Apparently, the femoral head of her femur shifted off her femoral head growth plate. Ouch! They scheduled her for emergency surgery for this morning to put a screw in to hold her femoral head in place.

A screw is inserted to prevent any further slip of the femoral head through the growth plate.

(Courtesy of John Killian, MD, Birmingham, AL)

They have no idea what caused this, but Dan’s sister was such a trooper. Dan was able to take the first half day off from work, and I took the whole day off. We spent the morning waiting with his family while his sister had the surgery. We weren’t able to wait for his sister to wake up, but she did fantastic. She wasn’t nervous going in, she was in a great mood, and when I talked to her this evening, she was recovering quickly. She’ll stay tonight in the hospital, and she’ll be back in school Monday.  She won't be able to play basketball the rest of this season, but she should be able to next year, and she should be able to continue to cheer.  There is a small risk of her other femoral head slipping, but I hope not. 

The very odd part of this was Dan's sister was in the same OR prep room as Dan, and we went into the same office to hear the results of the surgery.  I hope next year we can go without anyone needing surgery, or else they will have to put a "New" plaque on these rooms.

A Texas Christmas

As probably every already knows, Dan and I were able to go to Texas during my year end vacation to visit my sister's family.  It was my Dad's gift to pay for us to go, and we had a great time.  I honestly wish we could've stayed longer.  I miss having so much time with my family.  I love being on the go and seeing my nieces and nephews.  Plus, I got some good time in with my parents and sisters. 

We got to Texas on Dec. 26th and opened gifts with my sister's family.  Afterwards Dan and I needed some quiet time so we went out on a date to Outback.  I ate like a horse, but it was fantastic to have a good meal after the 18hr drive.  We went to bed at 7pm and slept until 10.  We were exhausted!!

The next day we took a trip to downtown San Antonio and got to see the Alamo and the Riverwalk.  The Alamo was definately on my bucket list, but I didn't plan on ever being there to see it.  So, it was really neat to see the history and layout of the buildings.  The riverwalk was gorgeous.  We went on a boat tour around and learned about the buildings.  We left thinking we would be able go to back one night to see all the lights, and check out a restaurant and a bar, but we didn't have the energy or time.  Downtown San Antonio is really nice.  Its fairly clean, everything is in walking distance, and there's a lot of history.

Tuesday was my niece's baptism.  I got to start the day off with a little shopping with my mom and sisters while Dan went to the gym.  I found some really good deals at Target.  It felt good to have some girl time, and I always love to shop.  Afterwards, we got ready for the baptism, followed by dinner at CiCi's Pizza.  Definitely not the best pizza in the world, but its a good deal for a group.  They must tailor their pizzas to kids, because I don't know many adults who would go for mac and cheese pizza.  Blah.

Wednesday was our last full day there and we got to go to a Wildlife Park.  You drive around the park in your car and you get to feed the animals.  It was so much fun.  A majority of the animals would eat out of your hand, and a few would even stick their heads in the cars to get the food! 

My favorite animals were the zebra and bison.  The zebra are just like horses, just much prettier. And the bison have such long tongues, and are very gentle.  Dan's favorite were the Texas Longhorns.  Their breath smelled like rotten spinach and made me gag.  But, they are massive.  I couldn't believe how big their horns are.  The weirdest part was for lunch there, I ordered a grilled chicken salad, and they gave me chicken salad (like with the mayo and grapes) on top of a house salad with honey mustard.  Texans really don't know what health food is.  We did go to an awesome Mexican restaurant that night.  I ate so much I was stuffed!  They had borracho beans, which is my new favorite mexican dish.  I can't wait to try and make it.  They cook pinto beans in beer, and add in bacon, onion, and tomatoes.  Yum!

Dan and I ended our trip by spending Wednesday night in Austin with his old college roommate.  We had such a great time hanging out.  It felt like we were back in college.  I wish we could've stayed a couple nights in Austin to get to see the city and spend more time with his friends.

I must admit that I learned a lot about Texas while I was there.  There was so much diversity, and no, not just Latinos.  There were so many types of restaurants there.  Anything you could want to eat, they have.  Texans also love their IHOP.  Every 3rd billboard was an American Flag with nothing written.  There were several Obama is a socialist billboards.  But, everything is Texas branded.  Texans are very proud to be from Texas, and its neat to see.  Not many people are proud to be from Indiana.  It was funny to see a church commercial relating feeling lost in life to missing a deer hunting.  LOL.  Oh, Texans also don't have an accent that I noticed.  However, the people in Arkansas do.

Overall, we had a great time and are so excited to go back, but next time we are going to fly!  It is not worth the time it takes to drive.