My Heart Aches

I have been wanting to post about this ever since I first read about it but just haven't been able to bring myself to do it, mostly because I become so emotional and every time I think I'll just sit and do it I read more and my heart just swells and I have to wait a little longer.

Just over a month ago I was introduced to The Nie Nie Dialogues via a friends blog. It is a blog that belongs to a young mother and wife by the name of Stephanie Nielson. In August she and her husband were involved in a plane crash. The flight instructor Doug Kinneard passed away, Christian, her husband sustained burns to 30% of his body while Stephanie sustained burns to over 80% of her body. Over the past two months Stephanie has been in a chemical coma and this past Saturday the doctors started to slowly wake her. Christian was released with physical therapy to continue but most importantly he was able to be reunited with his children for the first since the accident.

Go to the Arizona Republic to read more about this amazing journey and family. As well Stephanie's sister Courtenay has kept the blogging world up to date on how the recovery and family are doing on her own blog C Jane Run.

I think what has touched my heart the most is watching how her sisters have stepped in without any hesitation. She has three sisters.....the sister named above took the 3 oldest children, another sister took the youngest and another has been by her side in the hospital. Both Stephanie and Christian come from large families and they've all stepped up to the plate and done amazing things over the last couple of months but there is something to be said about sisters (sister-in-laws are included in this sisterhood). I have had similar experiences with my own sisters and this has reminded me of them and how lucky I am to have them in my life.

Coming from a religious background this family does not fear but has faith and prayer. Like them I know that none of us are alone and that He does answer prayers and showers us with little miracles daily.

It Was A Good Day Because......

1. Eli told me I am very very very very very smart!!!

2. Hearing and seeing the shock on Eli's face when he learned that in grade 4 there is no special helper or show and tell was priceless!!

3. Out of nowhere Adrianna and Eli voiced that they know they are very smart because they know its very very very important to listen to their parents and that's not good at all that some children don't!!!

4. I was able sit in a Scholastic Book Fair meeting this morning, which reminded me of how blessed I am to be able to be so involved in my children's school!!

5. The work for my client is now completed and mailed off!!!

6. I realized just how much I've gotten to know my sister-in-law over the past year and how much I enjoy our conversations!!

7. Watching my husband reminded me that he comes home from work everyday always willing to help in anyway that he can!!!

Welcoming Two New Pets

Innocently I asked the kids if they'd like to check out the pet store after I was done picking up some items at Michael's (maybe not so innocently - really my thank you for being so patient in a craft store!). REALLY I never knew it bring the outcome that it did!!

I LOVE going into a pet store with Eli (he wants to be a veterinarian). It's so fun to watch him with the animals he is so tender and loving to them! As always as soon as he sees the chinchillas he looks at me with those big brown eyes almost pleading to let him have one as a pet. He knows the answer but MUST try to persuade me EVERY time. Then he moves onto the guinea pigs, mice, gerbils, cats, dogs and fish. I'm sure you've figured it out - pretty much every living animal in the store!

Particularly he decided that he MUST have a pet TODAY. Just a few of our conversations:

1. Eli you don't have enough money to buy a fish tank and if we get one you'd have to use all your money and then owe dad and I. Answer: uuhhh you can't have ALL my money because that means you'd be richer than me!

2. We need talk to dad about this too. Answer: Okay, lets go home NOW.

Now dad is home and a part of the conversation too:

3. Why don't you wait until Christmas or your birthday? Answer: I REALLY want a pet NOW, I can't wait (he's so dramatic).

4. With the money you have you can buy the fish and we'll loan you the money for the fish tank. This means that you'll have to pay us back as you earn money. Answer: Okay. So can we go now?!

Needless to say we were off to the pet store 7:00 at night to get Eli a fish and fish tank. Don't worry Adrianna was involved too (just in case you were wondering). For her 8th birthday she asked for and got a fish and fish tank but her fish died a year later and she didn't want to get a new one but NOW with all the excitement of fish and new PETS she decided it was time to buy herself a new fish. BUT you know what the funniest thing was? He wouldn't carry the fish (in a cup)that is until it was placed in a bag! His words 'it freaks me out'. What a guy!!

So here they are! Top picture is of Eli's new fish tank (as you can see we're not talking a HUGE loan by any means) with his new PET fish named Optimus Prime. Below picture is of Adrianna's old fish tank with her new PET fish not yet named!

So I wonder if we should charge him interest?!!!

An Afternoon At The Pumpkin Patch

Today the kids had a professional development day (aka NO school) so we headed off to Laity Pumpkin Patch.

This is our third year in a row and I'm surprised the kids haven't gotten bored of seeing the same thing year after year after year BUT on the other hand how much more exciting can it get than picking out your VERY own pumpkin each year? How I would have LOVED to have done that as a child.

Having FUN!!!!

Chocolate Cake-In-A-Mug

Here's what you do:

1 coffee mug

4 Tbsp. flour (plain, not self-rising)

4 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. cocoa

1 egg

3 Tbsp. milk

3 Tbsp. oil

Small splash of vanilla

3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional

Add dry ingredients to mug, mix well with a fork. Add egg, mix thoroughly. Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well. Add chips if using. Put mug in microwave, and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts. Cake will rise over top of mug - do not be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, tip onto a plate if desired. EAT!!

Win A Quilt!

Quilt design by Lizzy Anne entitled 'spring up' made by Elizabeth Cranmer.

I came across this giveaway on a friends blog and of course had to enter (who doesn't like giveaways?)!! Crazy as it may seem but I'm giving you the info so that you can have a chance at winning this stunning quilt too. Just follow these simple steps.........

1. Receive one entry when you leave a comment on the following post Pigtails and Snails: Quilt Giveaway (click the link).

2. Receive 5 more entries when you post about the entry on your own blog.

3. AND you can receive 5 more entries for posting the banner in your sidebar on your blog (again, click on the above link).

See nothing to it! Oh yeah, the draw will go until 7pm MST on Friday October 17th.

Wish me luck!!!!!!!

Reconstruction - Phase I

Two weeks ago yesterday I went in for bilateral breast reconstruction with tissue expanders (isn't that a mouth full) so I guess this means I can official say reconstruction is underway!! It's still hard to believe that this time has come. I remember my first visit with my plastic surgeon a couple months after having the bilateral mastectomy thinking it was so far away but what do you know 16 months have come and gone just like that!

Surgery went very well. There was some difficulty with the right side, which we knew was going to be an issue because that's the side that had radiation treatment (radiation turns the muscle into concrete and so it's very difficult to separate the layers of muscle). There was also some extra stitching needed on the left side to keep the expander from sliding around my rib cage.

I have to admit I hate being knocked out, that whole feeling of being nowhere during surgery is odd to me and uncomforting plus the grogginess afterwards - YUCK. I remember coming to and slowly as I became more alert I also became more aware that I REALLY needed to go the washroom! Did you know there is no washroom in the recovery room?! As soon as my bed was rolled into my ward I was off the bed using the washroom (definitely an incentive to get a patient up and moving right away after surgery)!

My chest was very tight feeling but I was grateful to have a lot more movement with my arms (unlike the bilateral). Really the worst of it was the surgical drains (but I only had 2 this time), it makes healing and moving around very uncomfortable. When I attended my preadmin clinic I was told the drains would be removed before going home so I was very excited but that quickly left me when the morning after surgery my surgeon informed me they'd be going home with me.



What a surgical drain looks like (kind of looks like a hand grenade).




We were very lucky and thankful to have Les's mom spend a week with us cooking, cleaning, shopping, walking the kids to school, etc. It wasn't the easiest thing for her to do but without asking she rearranged care for her own mother (who lives with them) and headed down to give us a helping hand. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU it definitely made recovery a lot easier for all of us and it was definitely a lot less worry for Les.

Of course there is always a worst before the better but once I hit that hurdle there has been no looking back! The drains were finally removed 5 and 7 days after surgery, the chest started loosening up and the incision is healing beautifully. I still haven't tried driving on my own because I know I don't quite have the fast reflexes I may need but over the next couple days I should be able to get behind the wheel. My only complaint (if there should even be one) is that I still can't sleep on my side but this too will soon change and I can't wait!!

Soon it'll be time to continue on with Phase I.......being inflated with saline on a weekly basis. It'll be interesting to watch and feel the expanders grow and maybe a reminder of puberty way back when (mind you at a faster pace)?!

Embarrassingly I do have to admit that I had a day where I felt sorry for myself. Why do we do that (or maybe it's just me)? I quickly reminded myself that there are many others in the world suffering far more and for far worse reasons. We NEED to be grateful. I NEED to remember that I have felt far worse pain BUT most importantly I NEED to remember and be grateful for all my many blessings and for the fact that I'm still here living every day with my beautiful family!

He's The BEST!!

Back in April I was introduced to and fell in love with the book Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I have a tendency to buy my books but for some reason this time I had gotten a copy from our public library and instantly knew it was a 'must have' for my bookshelf.

Five months later I finally rented the PBS version of Jane Eyre and again fell in love with the book all over again AND had a hard time wanting to return the movie. Shortly after that I went in for reconstructive surgery (this is for another post) Les surprised me by buying me my very own copy of Jane Eyre!!! I was so excited but because of the drugs, surgery, etc. I couldn't focus on reading so again he surprised me by searching all over the internet until he found a way that he could download a free audio book chapter by chapter by chapter. So with eyes closed and resting I had the ipod plugged into my ears for hours as I silently listened to this beautiful tale once again (22 hours worth).

I definitely know I'm loved, cared for and thought of often but he's officially out done himself.......a box was delivered today......my very own PBS version of Jane Eyre!!! WOW!!! I told you he's the BEST!!!!

It makes wanting to attend the PAC meeting tonight not so important but I'm going so I guess that means tomorrow while he's working and the kids are at school I'll sit back with my box of bonbons and watch my movie because that's what we women do all day isn't it?!?!!