Mommy

 Hello!  I am writing again for Caden... this post seems to be about some major things developing in my life.  First off, I was shocked to receive a phone call last Monday from our building principal.  She shared with me that there was a "miscommunication" and the two current job share teams will be allowed to continue job sharing with their current schedule (full days on/off) instead of the new requirement for teams which is to teach 5 days a week, half days.  Heather rescinded her resignation, I declined my leave of absence request, and once again, team Sullivan/Klay is back!  I posted the above quote a few weeks ago when the "you know what" hit the fan.  In hindsight, God had me all along.

My surgery... I had my surgery two weeks ago today.  I was mentally and physically prepared for it.  The soccer injury took place on March 9th, so the bruising and swelling from the dislocation had healed. At the same time, if/when I took off my brace, my knee would hyperextend and buckle.  It was a disgusting feeling and of course I knew that surgery would be the only way to fix it.

 I had surgery at St. Joe's hospital.  My ortho surgeon was Dr. Berg, he is amazing!  The surgery was about 2 hours long.  The above picture is what my knee looked like prior to surgery.  The surgery was a success- the nurses and doctors were all wonderful to work with.  Even with a nausea patch behind my ear and nausea meds, I woke up and was throwing up for the rest of the day/evening.  It is a common side effect from anesthesia, but it was unpleasant to say the least.

To our surprise, I ended up with a screw in my knee.  The surgeon removed part of my hamstring (I have pictures of the entire surgery, ewww!)  He placed the hamstring muscle where my ACL was but needed to use a screw to attach it since my bone was soft.  We do not have osteoporosis in my family and with my activity level, this came as a surprise.  He speculates it could be from the injury but to be on the safe side, I now am taking Vitamin D supplements.  The screw added in some extra pain/recovery but it is something they can easily remove if it continues to be problematic in the future.

 This is what my knee looked like for the first week- it had lots of compression, my ice/water line to the cooler (constant icing), and my hip to ankle brace.

In the past week, I have now started Physical Therapy and Chris removed my stitches (he specialized in wound care, so he enjoys this type of thing).  I did not enjoy it, but the 4 puncture sites along with the big scar down the face of my knee all look healthy and are healing well!

 Since Chris and I decided we wanted to stay married, he is not my Physical Therapist.  He really doesn't even treat patients with his administrative responsibilities, so I see one of his PT's who specializes in sports rehab and is also an athletic trainer.  This little kneehab unit is a perk for having such a smart team of rehab therapists.  It fires my quad with these little electro vibrations.  Apparently it worked for Adrian Peterson, so I figured why not.  I am carted to PT 2-3 times a week (I am not driving yet) and then do my PT exercises 3 times a DAY at home.  It is like a full time job doing this rehab.  I am hopeful it will get me back to my usual routines more quickly!

 I have learned to let some things go... I can't be the most active Mom right now, but Cooper and I still have fun in our afternoons together (4K in the mornings allows me to go to appointments and PT when he is at school).  Here we are, per Cooper's request making silly faces.

 Afternoon cuddles are the best.  Caden joins us when he gets home from school too! Now, don't think that I am in bed all day.  I was the first week, last week I was more mobile, but my knee swells like a basketball anytime I am up for more than 2 hours.  I am almost always connected to my ice machine yet.  I have read about 12 magazines, keep up with emails/Facebook/Pinterest via laptop, and I can do "small" little things around the house, like throw dishes in the dishwasher or switch laundry.  Everything for housework is REALLY hard and the full flights of stairs is a major pain.

 I have felt the love... Chris takes excellent care of me.  He has learned the ins and outs of my dresser.  The first week he was able to stay home for 2 days but then would check in with me during the day.  He brought Jimmy John's (yikes, I needed a shower) and he must think I am starving because he brings me a tray of breakfast with enough food for the day.

To this amazing husband, I love you.  Thank you for taking such good care of me, the boys, Liberty, the housework, errands, and more.  I wouldn't be able to heal if it weren't for his support!

Beautiful flowers from the Kindergarten team brightens my kitchen and my spirits!  I have also enjoyed visits and meals from friends, neighbors and family.  I am blessed.

In other random news... our favorite crabapple tree blossomed.  It is our favorite tree and per tradition, we took a picture of the boys in front of it.  If I had the energy, I would find a picture from when the tree was first planted.  The tree was a gift from my aunt Lynda (who passed away over a year ago) and she gave it to us as a housewarming gift in Chris' Dad's honor (he passed away 13 years ago).  It is a very special tree.

While I relaxed at home, Chris and the boys went to Lois' resort for "dock day."  There are 6 docks at the resort, so it is an all-day event.  The kids had fun playing and their aunt Jill brought a pinata for some added excitement.

I received an email about an annual fundraiser and what do you know, Chris is a celebrity.  There he is in the bottom right in the picture modeling his golf stance at last year's event.

Mother's Day~ It was a sweet day with my favorite boys.  I was 6 days post-op, so this was the first time I had showered (I wasn't allowed up to that point) and it was my first day to get out of the house.  We went to church and then to brunch at the golf course.  It was a great outing with my loves.

Caden painted a jar this wonderful blue color.  he made the giant tissue flower in class with his teacher.  It was very sweet of him.  Here is the card he made me at school....

 I love how he always draws himself with big ears, rake hands and wow, I have huge hair :)  The 5 things he loves about me.... "we get Mommy days, we get cuddles, we get to play with Mommy, we snowmobile with Mom, we get to go to Florida with Mom."  Of course, his phonetic spelling made it all the sweeter.  The Mommy days got me as at this point, I still didn't know of the exciting news about our job share continuing.

Cooper made a special card and he planted a small viola for me too.  Here are his two cards...

I love that he thinks I am best at working (ha), smart because I know when his bus arrives back home from 4K, and I look prettiest with my tall boots on, hahaha!  It's so funny to hear what they think about life/Mom!

And an added bonus, he wrote... "I like my Mom because she goes barefooting with me in the water."  I see lots of water, wipeout!?!?

This final card came with beautiful stacking bracelets with small charms that describe me. Caden wrote the words, Cooper did sign his name and added a little illustration (must be me lying down).

Happy 8th birthday Bennett!  We had a busy Saturday with soccer and then two birthday parties.  We went to Bennett's party in the cities for bowling, laser tag, and arcade games.  We can't believe he is 8!

 Future guitar player!

Chris had just as much fun as the kids!

And finally, a soccer update!  The boys received their soccer pictures back and I was shocked when I compared Caden's soccer from last year to this year's picture.  Chris thinks it appears he went through puberty already.  He definitely has filled out into a young boy.  He is still so handsome.  

Caden plays U-8 soccer with a coach who has playing experience (yay, since this is the first time I haven't coached).  They had their 3rd game on Saturday.  Caden has been playing more offensive minded; he scored 1 goal and 1 assist the first game, scored 2 goals last week, none this week (it is all about the goals at this age!)  He says he likes soccer, but mostly he hangs out and then just finished the job when the ball is near him.

Cooper is in his second season of soccer.  He played in the fall and has returned for the spring season.  He is a natural and can play all positions.  He scored 5 goals in Saturday's game, and he has scored two goals in both his first and second games.  He is very proud when he scores.

 So, there you have it... our latest and lengthy update.  As you can see there has been plenty of excitement and things to celebrate these past two weeks.  We are thankful for everyone's support and prayers this past month.  We look forward to sharing more progress in the weeks ahead.  Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

A blur...

This past week has been a blur.  I am writing for Caden today.  If you missed it, Caden wrote the Captiva update a few hours ago (see older post to see our awesome vacation pics!)  I have been on an emotional rollercoaster.  Heather posted these pictures on her blog and now I am a puddle once again.  We met 6+years ago through our maternity nurse (shhh). We knew we would love to have balance, but didn't know each other well.  We have worked so hard to make our classroom the best that it can be, in the names of our career and families.  We joke that we talk more to each other than our husbands, but sadly, that is true.  We work so well together, it feels like a divorce. She also posted this picture of Caden and Finley.. two chunky monkeys who were both born a month early, and were blessed to have Moms who were able to find each other.  Where am I now with my decision???? No where, my brain and heart are battling each other over this decision.

I mean, is it strange to think I might not come up with ridiculously cute owl mugs complete with flavor packets for Teacher's Appreciation week!?!?  Truthfully, if I were to go back full-time, many things would need to change around here.  My Pinterest Days would be over...

Thanks to my ACL surgery, I no longer will play soccer anyhow, but I have become part of SAMMY'S, a ministry group for Moms and I love it.  I am a small group leader for Sammy's as well.  We had a painting party this week, here is my peacock.  Yikes, I actually did this, it wasn't easy, my palms were sweaty, it would have been way more fun with wine (it was at our church, we should've broken into the communion wine), but nonetheless, it was a great outlet and I worry that with full time teaching, would I have time for "me time?"

At our church, I teach 4K Sunday School, as well as serve on the Church Council (3 year term) as an education rep. If I teach full-time, will I want to teach on Sundays too?!?!?  Here are the boys leading church last Sunday.  Cooper's class led call to worship (Father/Son/Holy Spirit) complete with the sign of the cross.  They were adorable.

We love our pastor- he is hilarious and carefree.  He relates so well to the kids because he is a big kid himself!

And here Caden is... he recited the ENTIRE Lord's Prayer by memory.  He practiced it well but what I learned about Caden is how fast he can memorize something.  Clearly, he gets that from me :)  I didn't have it in me to correct one verse... "Our Father, Who AREN"T in Heaven"... OK, that is too funny to fix.

Speaking of Caden... I can't tell you how awesome it was to get this in the mail this past week.  We received a "sunshine postcard" from his teacher.  This is something that most teachers dread taking time to do, but we know how much parents and kids love receiving them.  Caden's reading has taken off... he reads Magic Tree House chapter books with us (we take turns on each page), he reads books to us now (his favorite book to read to us is The Day the Crayons Quit), and I think reading has developmentally taken off.  He is now above grade level (oh wow, that is amazing to say).  I was worried this year as I know he doesn't love to read, it has been hard at times to motivate him, but he is doing it.  Yay for Caden.  Again, can I continue to support his learning if I am wrapped up full-time with my career?  Will I have the energy and patience for my boys after working with Kindergartners all day?

Last Sunday, we went to Jimmy's 3rd birthday.  It was awesome to see his excitement for his presents, Ninja Turtles, cupcakes, etc... They have a new park across the road from their house and it had everything a kid could love at a park plus more (Hello, Zip Line!)  Of course, I enjoyed cuddling with my goddaughter (yes, we were asked to be Ava's godparents last weekend... we are so honored and blessed).  Her baptism is next month!

Our boys are growing too fast.  Will I notice this when I am full-time, tired and stressed?  My Sundays will be so different as I don't stress if we are in the cities visiting family on Sunday afternoon when I don't teach on Mondays.

Today, Caden's school hosted a color run.  It was a 3 mile course and I even walked the entire thing.  I am reminded about my ACL injury when I do stupid things like play kickball with my left foot in the yard with the neighbors or attempt to run away from the color throwers on the run.  Yep, this surgery is needed.  Anyhow, Cooper was determined to run the entire route (all 3 miles of it, ha!)  He did run, quite a ways, and then poor Chris had to carry him for a bit.

 Cooper got nailed with every color....

 Caden ran off and on throughout the course and was ready for a full bottle of water at the end!

Caden's babysitter and future wife (so he says) and Trevor, his good buddy from class on the color run route.

Today was the last day of Sunday School this year.  We decided to do Minute to Win It games for a little fun.  Vaseline nose/cotton balls relay....

Cookie Nose (get a cookie, start it on your forehead, and wiggle it with your face to your mouth... OMG, these pictures crack me up!)

 Farmer Cooper had "dress like a farmer" day in 4K.  He is even cuter than Bachelor-Farmer Chris.  His outfit was hodge-podged together... GAP shirt, Chris' Country Jam cowboy hat, Disney Ship's Pirate scarf, and skinny jeans, LOL.  He looks cute and look how beautiful my flowering rhododendron bush is in the background.

Soccer started yesterday morning.  I feel terrible, I watched the games and took one lonely picture.  It is strange cheering from the sides.  Caden's coach played soccer growing up but hasn't coached.  Cooper's coach has no experience at all, AHHHH!  I am going to try to keep my mouth shut  because I do not want to be THAT parent.  I am fairly sure I will live vicariously through the boys this season. . This might be a looong season.  Caden's team got beat pretty bad, but he scored one goal and was on his way to the 2nd goal (they only had two goals in the game) but the opponent took the ball from his foot and scored for him.  We called it an assist.  Cooper scored a quick goal, his team won, and we were seriously amazed by his ability to play positions by instinct.  They are both so different but it is so fun to watch them play!

 

It was my last day of teaching this year on Friday.  I haven't hardly had time to think about my surgery tomorrow (Monday).  It is a big surgery.  Our students were so sweet on my last day.  I had lots of hugs, sweet notes from them and when I walked into the classroom, Heather had put this special book together with the class.  I also received sea salt truffles (yum) and an iTunes gift card.  It was so thoughtful!  Anyhow, back to my surgery...I am put all the way under, am intubated, and then will wake up with a hip to ankle brace and bandages all over my leg.  Please pray for my doctors, nurses and for strength and patience through all of this.  While I am "sitting on my couch" here are some suggestions by our students on what I should do....

Color with the boys

Tell the boys what to do (notice my big smile while I am laying on the couch, ha!)

Take a nap (will do!)

And my favorite... boss my kids AND husband around...check!  Most of all, I hope I can make a final decision about my career next year and move on.  God has always taken care of me (right Laurie Jo), so now I just need the patience and power to listen so that I can find closure and prepare for the next step. Wish me luck!