My Vow as a Blogger...& back surgery!

So, I vowed I would be blogging more in 2011! So, January is nearly over and it has FLOWN by!!!! We have been a tad preoccupied with life.

Travis had a diagnostic procedure just before Christmas. He had to go off of all his pain medication and they injected dye into 3 spots on his spine to see just what his pain was, where it was coming from, and what they could do to help him get better. Besides it being HIGHLY PAINFUL, Travis was very thankful they did this procedure!!! We found out the first part of January that Travis would indeed be having back surgery. He had a ruptured disc and cracked vertebrae, which we already knew. So, last week they put him under and cleaned up the area where the ruptured disc was and placed a few screws and a rod to stabilize the 2 vertebrae that now had no disc in between them. Also, they took some cadaver bones (ewww) and some stem cells from his own hip and placed those with the screws and rod and now the 2 vertebrae will be able to fuse together and he should ultimately be able to live a pain free life! After all his healing is said and done he should be able to do most things people "our age" do...with the exception of sky diving and bull riding...DARN! He has to cross those off his bucket list! hahaha

Through the whole process God has been so faithful. He has been our comforter, our protector, and our healer. As I look at Travis on the couch and struggling to get up and down, I am thankful God gave him to me and that I get to spend more time with him. I was so nervous something would go wrong with his procedure. Last Monday was one of the longest days I can recall. Waiting, waiting, waiting! But, at last he was out and in recovery. He sent the nurse out to tell me he loved me and I am beautiful. What a doll! Love him so much! And now, this week as we are in the beginning phase of recovery, we are praising God for all things. He is so good!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So, here we are 2011! I don't think I've blogged much in the last 4 months or so. This year I would like to try to post at least once a month...we'll see how that goes. I love getting on here and reading everybody else's updates and seeing photos! I'll do better for you...I HOPE! :)

Summer

Well, even though it seems we haven't done much, this summer is flying by!! Swim lessons for the boys, a trip to Kansas to see my Grannie and my Mom, a trip to Travis' cousin's for the 4th of July, Vacation Bible School, and filling our days with swimming and playing at the local parks and pools with friends! We now have 3 independent swimmers. They still need more work, but I think all of them would be able to get to the edge of the pool if they fell in. The boys took lessons and Ashlynn just taught herself! What a fish, I think it was the motivation of keeping up with her brothers. She can't be left behind you know!

The kids are already bugging me to use their new school books, so we are going to start easing back into a school routine soon...YES, it's official that we are homeschooling at least one more year!

Here are some photos and videos from our summer fun, if they all won't load on one blog, I'll add more! :)

With Great Grannie in Kansas!

On the train with Tim!

Someone had a birthday and is now 4!

Watching fireworks! I love their smiles and

the sparkle of amazement and surprise in their eyes!

Growing

Here lately I have been observing the kids. They seem to be growing so much. And, well, they are!!! Kalib just turned 8, Ashlynn will be 4 in just a few short weeks(YES, SHE'S MY BABY, AND SHE'S GOING TO BE 4!!!!), and Ethan is well on his way to 7! I can't believe it.

I have always liked to just watch them. Watch them play, and laugh, and even fight sometimes! It is neat to see how they interact with each other and watch these little people solve their world's problems. Here lately as I watch Kalib though, I can't help but see this man inside him coming out. He is becoming more and more responsible. More and more we can see his temperament changing into that of a young adult. And even when I cut his hair I am beginning to have to shave his "chops" that are attempting to grow in! hahaha! I gave him some deodorant to get him in the practice of that before he really starts to smell! AHHHHH- where has the time gone? In the blink of an eye my sweet, sweet babies are beginning to turn into young adults before my eyes.

I am thankful I can hold them for a little while longer- Not much if the boys continue to eat how they are playing catch up to their 6'3" Daddy!

Thank you Lord for my 3 little blessings I get to watch grow, change and love you more with each passing day!

Sad Today

I just need to get some random thoughts out.

OK, so we are a military family, used to leaving and used to having others we grow close to leave. But tonight I am shaken. I am trying to see what God is doing here and really praying that he gives me some answers soon.

I found out today one of my very best friends here in TX is more than likely going to be moving within a few short months. Worse yet, she isn't part of a military family so I was TOTALLY blindsided by this one! Even worse, our kids are VERY good friends and our husbands are friends too!! They go to our church and she is what helped me pull through my first year of home schooling. Even still worse, one of my other very good friends moved last week! :( I don't think I ever get used to saying good bye to friends. There's a little piece of me that gets so sad after someone special to me leaves.

I guess I can focus on the good that I may get to have a few more months with her. But, still my heart is heavy tonight.

A sad realization...

I had a sad realization last night. I was on our babysitter's facebook page seeing if she was available to watch the kids so Travis and I could have a date night. My eyes fell upon her birthday- she was born when I was in High School. Talk about feeling old! I laughed so hard I cried- or maybe they were tears of sadness because I had one of those pivotal "ah-ha" moments...I AM GETTING OLD!!! My 10 yr class reunion is this year, I am just 2 years and 2 days shy of 30. hmph! When did I grow up? And why didn't I get a vote? ;)

Thinking, thinking...

I've been thinking a lot today. Mostly about family. Mainly my Grandpa Pete. Today is his Birthday, and also his and my Grannie's Anniversary. He passed away almost 9 years ago now. It hardly seems possible that he's been gone so long. Back in February, I wrote a blog about my Grannie and her 80th Birthday. I shared how special she is to me. Well, today I am reminded just how special he was to me too...I guess is to me. I can't even begin to put into words how much I miss him.

My Grandpa and Grannie really stepped up to the plate and helped out when my parents divorced when I was just a baby. As a result, they would care for us when Dad had to work early. When I started school, every single day, my Grandpa Pete would hold my hand and walk me across Highway 40 in good 'ol Granby, Co, just so he would make sure I was safe. Then again, every afternoon, he would come back across the highway, take my hand, and lead me safely back to the station or the house. I remember when I began to think I was too old to have him hold my hand and help me cross the street. You know when you're young and you're all worried about what the "cool" kids at school would say. Now, as an adult and him being gone, I would give anything to take his hand and cross that street with him. Funny how life changes?

Now, years after he's been gone, and years after my Grannie finally had to sell the station in Granby, I sit here and think of how different life is. I wonder how things could have changed "if only"...If only he wouldn't have gotten sick and they could have finished their life together. If only he was still with my Grannie to hold her hand when she was going through the many trials she's faced: cancer, selling the station, having to move. If only...I guess we can't live life in the "if only's"...But some days I think it would help if life had a rewind button. Then maybe I wouldn't have to miss so many people I love. Then maybe my heart wouldn't be sad on a day that used to be so full of celebration.

I miss you Grandpa Pete, I love you!