Last night I walked to the mailbox to drop in a letter going out and so enjoyed the cooler, dryer weather of the evening. I decided to check and see what the temp was when I got home, 86 (feels like 88) and 75% humidity. Hmmm, I guess I'm acclimating more than I thought.
On my walk, we use the community mail boxes so we don't have it right in front of our home, I pondered on an oddity of Texas that is at the forefront of my mind right now. My brother and his wife are looking at settling down to open an optometry practice and Texas is one of the states they are considering, which is such a funny thing to me. Roaches, the giant repulsive creatures that are not afraid to show themselves, are everywhere here and I have found that at night they tend to be on the sidewalks and not in the street. I guess they like having the cover of grass so close to them. In turn I have learned to walk in the street rather than on the sidewalk to prevent a heart attack on my part. I began to wonder why the roaches in California stay underground and do not show themselves to the general population. I don't remember taking walks at night wondering what creatures may be in my path that I might want to avoid. I don't mind the toads, the snakes I've seen are only small but the roaches, oh how they disgust me.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Beautiful Music
I was scrolling through my blog and realized that I missed the piano recital. Saturday, May 30th (5 days after Alex's accident) Alex and Trevor had their first piano recital. They have been taking piano for about 2 1/2 months and it was so fun to watch them perform. They both were recognized for their hard work and Alex managed to play both sides with her right hand. I am so tickled that the children are learning to play the piano, it is such a wonderful talent to have and I love to listen to them play. The same night they both played at church for the ward talent show.
Way to go kids!
It's not all fun and games.
Alexandra has to do her physical therapy exercises 5 times a day and even though she has been strong throughout most of this trial the home exercises do not seem to be a strong point.
I usually try to put the more positive things in here, the things I want for our family to remember for the years to come, but I think that it is important for us as we look back, to remember that the trials in this life, even the miracles, are not without natural strain.
The other day Alexandra was, oh let's say, less than charming as she got angry with me for pushing her too hard. Her fingers hurt, she wants them to work now, she is frustrated with the activities she cannot do with her siblings, frustrated by the time she has to put in doing what should be such a simple task. She is a strong girl but lets face it, this stinks. I know that we are learning and growing so much that when we look back we will be able to clearly see how this experience has benefited our whole family. I think it is also important to accept that sometimes it is hard, that we feel weak and tired, and we cannot control all that is before us. This is what humbles us and when our children's children read our journals they will be able to see that we are still people with weaknesses that have witnessed the great things that our lives offered us despite our shortcomings.
I usually try to put the more positive things in here, the things I want for our family to remember for the years to come, but I think that it is important for us as we look back, to remember that the trials in this life, even the miracles, are not without natural strain.
The other day Alexandra was, oh let's say, less than charming as she got angry with me for pushing her too hard. Her fingers hurt, she wants them to work now, she is frustrated with the activities she cannot do with her siblings, frustrated by the time she has to put in doing what should be such a simple task. She is a strong girl but lets face it, this stinks. I know that we are learning and growing so much that when we look back we will be able to clearly see how this experience has benefited our whole family. I think it is also important to accept that sometimes it is hard, that we feel weak and tired, and we cannot control all that is before us. This is what humbles us and when our children's children read our journals they will be able to see that we are still people with weaknesses that have witnessed the great things that our lives offered us despite our shortcomings.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Back to Baby Steps
Today and yesterday have been exciting for our family in healing from Alexandra's injury. Yesterday she had her post-op appointment that kept us at the office for three hours. Our sweet daughter was such a trooper while we were in the hospital on Memorial Day awaiting surgery that came at 2:30am on Tuesday morning. She had a strength about her that was so much deeper than anything you'd find here on earth. During this appointment, however, she had too much time to ponder on the more miserable parts of that hospital stay, primarily the pain of having her bandages removed again and again throughout the day. When the surgeons assistant began removing the splint that covered her hand for the last week fear began to set in and by the time the surgeon came in to remove the covering on the stitched side she was not well. I felt terrible that I was not more prepared for this as she had been so strong before. I was so thankful to the surgeon, giving her enough time to emotionally recover before proceeding. He then required her to look at her injury, telling her that she must face what is in front of her. He pushed her to curl her fingers, something she thought she couldn't do because of the pain she initially felt. I was so excited when she got her hand in a cupping shape, I could have leapt for joy! She later commented on the joy she felt when Dr. Levaro showed her that she could do more than she thought.
If yesterday was wonderful, today was amazing. (Dr. Levaro's favorite word he uses to describe the integrity of Alex's bones, arteries, ligaments etc.. and their rapid healing) Alexandra was pushed to bend her fingers at the joints and close her grip. Once she realized that she could press through the pain and actually accomplish the task set before her she would jump ahead of the therapists guidance and do it over and over. I loved watching her stare at her hand with such determination, biting on her tongue, as she pushed her fingers even farther, and then get giddy as her hand, fingers shaking, were curling more than ever. She is so excited to be made whole and is has no plans to take it slowly. Yesterday, as we waited for the surgeon I asked Alexandra what she saw as the best case scenario "That my hand will be totally healed when he takes this splint off. I know that is not realistic, but I really don't want to have a cast put back on." Well, the wound is still there but she has no cast and she is thrilled to begin the healing.
As I was telling Ken about her therapy I realized that we take so many things for granted. Even the slight movements of our hands are such great accomplishments. I am so thrilled to be able to walk up stairs to tuck my children in at night, or stand in the kitchen stirring up dinner, even to read to my children, and laugh when I am happy. So many little blessings that we think we are owed, become great treasures when we are without. Oh how thankful I am for this great miracle being played out before us. Thank you for all of your prayers, I know they are heard, and we certainly feel it in our home.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Memorial Day, a day filled with lessons of Love and Service
Much to our surprise this day turned out to be a wonderful example of love and service. Our spirits have been filled in ways we could have never imagined.
First we had the wonderful opportunity to enjoy breakfast provided by the Young Women for their girls camp fundraiser. Before the breakfast they had a flag ceremony that was wonderfully prepared and deeply moving. After the flag was raised, then lowered to half mast, Chris Farrell spoke on the importance of Memorial Day, the importance of remembering those who have given their lives to protect our freedoms. Satan is always trying to destroy those freedoms, to destroy what is good and it is important for us to teach our children, to raise them in goodness and service so that they may be great examples of good.
We then were treated to a delicious and filling breakfast provided by the Young Women and their leaders. Pancakes, eggs, fruit, bacon, orange juice, oh my! I loved how the leaders allowed the girls to so fully participate in their fundraiser.
Alexandra loved making all of those pancakes and shared with me later how generous our ward had been. I still cry, feeling such a great love and support for our youth from our ward family. When I asked her how that made her feel ... important. Oh how wonderful for her to know how important she really is to people whom she doesn't even know well. It was such a wonderful teaching opportunity, for her to know that even though she may not know everyone, that we all as the adults pray for, and have such a desire for, these wonderful youth to move through such a trying time in their lives with grace and strength.
Shortly after breakfast Alexandra had an accident in which her fingers on her left hand were badly crushed. Our day of work and movies turned into a day spent in hospitals awaiting surgery. The fear I originally had when I got the phone call was replaced by a sweet blanket of peace and hope when we said our first prayer, asking for understanding and a miracle. It is amazing how such and accident can bring so much spiritual learning. All that was done for our sweet daughter was clearly directed by God. The sweet reassurance we felt as we drove to meet her at the hospital; the powerfully direct priesthood blessing she received; the move to the Children's hospital directed by inspiration, which in turn caused her to have a hand specialist do her surgery rather than a general surgeon; the surgeons guided hand; and on and on. Our surgeon has commented to me twice that he 'amazed' by the integrity of the inter workings of her hand. He is surprised that the nerves were so well in tact. He is thrilled that she not only kept her two middle fingers but should have a full recovery. Clearly, the miracle we prayed for was granted to our little (big) girl.
What is deeply touching is the love and service shown to our Alexandra, and our family, for the second time today. We have had numerous dinner offers, and Grace and Trevor were well cared for as we focused our attention to our oldest daughter. The calls of concern, the prayers being offered, the quiet conversations of love and concern that never reach us directly. All of this is felt by our family and we find strength in the love we are shown. This goodness is clearly the work of the Lord's servents and it has been such a blessing to us to feel his hand in such abundance.
First we had the wonderful opportunity to enjoy breakfast provided by the Young Women for their girls camp fundraiser. Before the breakfast they had a flag ceremony that was wonderfully prepared and deeply moving. After the flag was raised, then lowered to half mast, Chris Farrell spoke on the importance of Memorial Day, the importance of remembering those who have given their lives to protect our freedoms. Satan is always trying to destroy those freedoms, to destroy what is good and it is important for us to teach our children, to raise them in goodness and service so that they may be great examples of good.
We then were treated to a delicious and filling breakfast provided by the Young Women and their leaders. Pancakes, eggs, fruit, bacon, orange juice, oh my! I loved how the leaders allowed the girls to so fully participate in their fundraiser.
Alexandra loved making all of those pancakes and shared with me later how generous our ward had been. I still cry, feeling such a great love and support for our youth from our ward family. When I asked her how that made her feel ... important. Oh how wonderful for her to know how important she really is to people whom she doesn't even know well. It was such a wonderful teaching opportunity, for her to know that even though she may not know everyone, that we all as the adults pray for, and have such a desire for, these wonderful youth to move through such a trying time in their lives with grace and strength.
Shortly after breakfast Alexandra had an accident in which her fingers on her left hand were badly crushed. Our day of work and movies turned into a day spent in hospitals awaiting surgery. The fear I originally had when I got the phone call was replaced by a sweet blanket of peace and hope when we said our first prayer, asking for understanding and a miracle. It is amazing how such and accident can bring so much spiritual learning. All that was done for our sweet daughter was clearly directed by God. The sweet reassurance we felt as we drove to meet her at the hospital; the powerfully direct priesthood blessing she received; the move to the Children's hospital directed by inspiration, which in turn caused her to have a hand specialist do her surgery rather than a general surgeon; the surgeons guided hand; and on and on. Our surgeon has commented to me twice that he 'amazed' by the integrity of the inter workings of her hand. He is surprised that the nerves were so well in tact. He is thrilled that she not only kept her two middle fingers but should have a full recovery. Clearly, the miracle we prayed for was granted to our little (big) girl.
What is deeply touching is the love and service shown to our Alexandra, and our family, for the second time today. We have had numerous dinner offers, and Grace and Trevor were well cared for as we focused our attention to our oldest daughter. The calls of concern, the prayers being offered, the quiet conversations of love and concern that never reach us directly. All of this is felt by our family and we find strength in the love we are shown. This goodness is clearly the work of the Lord's servents and it has been such a blessing to us to feel his hand in such abundance.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Behold you little ones ...
I recently had a deeply spiritual experience that caused me to realize that I have such little understanding of what truly great beings my children are. I look at these wonderful, talented people and wonder what I must have done to be so blessed to be their mother. As little ones we think we can see who are children are, what their talents and gifts are, what they might offer this world. As I have seen my children grow I am realizing that my parenting is just guidance as they become someone much bigger than myself. My children often amaze me with their goodness, service, and deep understanding of a Father in heaven who loves them. I learn more than I teach, am blessed more than I can give, and have a much better understanding (although still small) of our Lords plan for us, through these, my glorious children. I am so grateful for this moment of spiritual understanding, I look at my children in a way of wonder and amazement more than ever now.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Our Little Ballerina
Grace had her recital today and it was so darling. She and I went early (1pm) for her to practice and do her hair and 'make-up' with all of the other girls.
By 2:30p she was all made up and went to sit and watch the other girls practicing. She was so darling, so nervous and already a bit tired. I could hardly get her to eat or drink anything because of her nerves and was so grateful that her teacher took her out of the auditorium to stretch and relax before their big number so she could laugh and giggle with the girls.
Ken's Mom, Dad & Stepmom, Sister Jessi and brother-in-law Chris, all joined our family to support our little Grace. She was so excited all day, asking if it was time to get ready yet. As soon as her dance was over she came and sat in my and Ken's lap, curled up in a little ball, to watch the rest of the dancers. Oh how fun this day was for us. Thank you Gracie for all of your hard work.
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