More Pictures

Maid of the Mist
From the Maid of the Mist

Visiting with Richard's Dad

Richard's Mom and Dad

Richard's new "used" car

Pictures

Whitney, Cousin Alex and Uncle Ray, Jayna- It was really nice that there was this swing set at the nursing home.
Whitney feeding animals at the Olentangy Indian Caverns

Walking through the caverns

Jayna at the ward campout

Enjoying gem mining

Random thoughts- August 22

I just wanted to jot a few things before time goes on and I don't get my thoughts down. A lot of my random thoughts could probably be a blog post in and of themself, but I'm not going to dedicate that much time to it right now.

1. We just got back from a quick trip to Columbus. Richard's parents live there. His Dad has had a tough medical journey the past few years and is kind of tired of it all- ready to move on. Recently they discovered cancer by his esophogus and have decided not to treat it. From what I understand, they estimated him to live from a few weeks to a few months. So we wanted to go down so Richard could see his Dad. The timing worked out well, he already had a week off scheduled. We went out to eat one night- there is a place down the street from the nursing home that he could just ride his scooter too, and brought in McDonalds another night. Uncle Ray, Aunt Shawna and cousin Alex were there too. The whole experience has made me think a lot about something we talked about in OT classes- making the disabled's lived in world as large as possible. Richard's Dad can no longer transfer from his scooter to a car- therefore he can seldom get out. He was so excited to go to K-Mart on a nursing home field trip- and this is someone who normally would not be excited about going to K-Mart, but if it's your only chance to get out (he can be lifted into the van and stay on his scooter) you look forward to it. Once they were there, they really only had about 45 minutes to shop. He was happy to get an Icee and have a smoke break. It made me think- what happens if you have treatment on the day of the scheduled trip and can't go, what if you aren't able to go because the # of patients in wheelchairs/scooters is very limited... How small does your world become. A year or two ago- he was living his own life, but now is so dependent on what is available through the nursing home and everyone elses's schedule- how hard that must be. Once I have my OTA degree I'm qualified to be an activities director, something I've thought about.

While we were there we went to the Olentangy Indian Caverns- everyone really enjoyed it. The caverns and history of it were vey cool. We also enjoyed gem mining (even me- I love a treasure hunt!), there were animals out to pet- I loved it that they were just free roaming- there was a bully goat that ended up eating the bag that Jayna was feeding him from, and Jayna also enjoyed the playground. Nice little day.

2. Fair memories- past and present- We took the kids to the county fair and had a good time. It had been a few years since we had gone- Jayna didn't even remember going- so it was time to go. The fair reminds me of being a kid- having animals at the fair we would be there basically everyday of the fair- my Dad would give us $20 or so to spend during the week- a taste of freedom- then I also met my sweet hubby at the fair- so some really good memories. My goat and chicken did okay, but our lambs always placed lousily! We didn't ride rides because we have Darien Lake passes and it seemed silly to pay so much to ride there, but we enjoyed yummy fair food (gyro, sausage sandwich, corn dogs, nachos, fried cheescake!), watching shows (sea lion, duck races, acrobats) and playing games. Andrew and Whitney came home with a total of 4 goldfish (which are suprisingly still alive), and Jayna a light up sword which she has managed to torture everyone with. Jayna enjoyed seeing the animals and Whitney really hoped to be able to bottle feed a baby calf , but it was by raffle and she wasn't picked. She is a true animal lover- it is so natural in her (unlike me), she did enjoy petting the rescued greyhound.

3. School starts soon for everyone- I had great plans that over the summer I would come up with how to make things feel more balanced than last year, but.... not much has been accomplished. I hope to rely more on God this year, and pray that I don't stress out so much.

Just read- Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser- a must read for parents of teens and educators

And so it goes...

Camp Ashead

Finishing touch for the chocolate covered marshmallows!
Camp Ashead sign

Boys will be Boys!! Andrew and Richard enjoyed using the magnifying glasses to try to start a fire!
Jayna showing off her sand art creation!

Angela and Jayna having a race!

Well, Jayna declared it to be "the second best day of my life" (being beaten out only by the day she was born), so I will call Camp Ashead a huge success this year. We've been doing Camp Ashead for years now- we probably started the year Andrew finished first grade- because I was inspired by fun activities that they did at the school's Camp Skeeter day.

Anyhow- Camp Ashead is a day of fun "campy" activities, but I have to say that I think a lot of the enjoyment comes from the fact that I really just try to play with the kids all day. Instead of sending them to blow bubbles, or draw with chalk I'm right there- the whole day- really trying to spend a lot of fun time with them-

Andrew and Whitney have outgrown it, so this year I put them to work helping with the activities. They did a great job and I was really proud of them. Since it would have been just Jayna playing, we did invite another little girl on the street to join us for a bit.

Activities of the day included- Making camp posters, sand art, bubble blowing, chalk drawing, slip and slide, water balloons, water race, making chocolate covered marshmallows, looking at nature with magnifying glasses,grilling out and making smores and ending the night sleeping in the tent. (Well Jayna, Richard and I).

I have to say I'm so glad I can have these experiences with my kids- hopefully they'll remember them as happy times.

And so it goes...

Tennis!

So, I got my brave on and signed up to take adult tennis lessons. It truly did require me to get my brave on- I've never had tennis lessons, not even in a gym class setting. Plus a bit self conscious about being overweight. I've had a racquet for years though, and have occassionally just enjoyed going and hitting the ball around. Oh funny thought and embarrassing- I took the racquet I've had for years and the instructor told me she thought it was a junior racquet! Thankfully I had taken Richard's with me also and could use that!

The first two lessons were cancelled due to rain and my ambition had dwindled by the time the 3rd lesson came around, but I made myself go and glad I did. There was only myself and one other mom and her teenage son, and we seemed to be about the same level,so it was really a non threatening group!

I was able to learn some skills and have really gotten much better, plus it was just kind of fun. Richard, Jayna and I went to play a little today. I hope to find some cheap racquets this summer. They have classes in the fall and I may sign up again, it would probably be a good stress relief once I'm back in school.

Just Read: You Have the Right to Remain Puzzled by Parnell Hall- an okay light read, but nothing spectacular.

And so it goes...

Too bad there's not a doctor in the fam! and more

So after Jayna had an awful winter with tons of sore throats and tonsils that are always huge, she had them removed on July 9th. I was hesitant about it- worried about the cost, and also the necessity of it, but in the end felt it was the right thing to do and that I shouldn't worry about it. She did much better on the morning of surgery than I expected- doing a dance in the bathroom as she changed into her gown and goofing off. As the nurse was taking her medical history and the nurse said you don't smoke- Jayna's like yes I smoke! Good for some comic relief. She got nervous for a bit- and I'm so thankful for Project Linus- they make blankets for kids having surgery or maybe in the hospital too- so the nurse let Jayna pick out a lovely fleece blanket that has like a knitted trim around it. It was perfect- something to snuggle up to ( I had asked her if she wanted to take a lovey with her, but she had said no) and also hide under as needed. There are so many great charity organizations and you don't appreciate them until you are on the other end. She came out of surgery rather quickly, and we were out the door about 3 hours after we had signed her in. I was so glad I could hold her as she was waking up from the anesthesia- she laid on me and fell asleep on me. It was sweet too seeing my husband be emotional about seeing her too. He said he felt more compassion for her than he knew he would. She recovered well- we had a little scare with some nosebleeds, but seems to thankfully be over that. I'm thankful for everyone's good wishes, my sister Mary who is a nurse who always gets questions and is willing to answer them, for Jayna's primary teachers who brought her over ice cream...

The pediatrician had recommended Andrew and Whitney both get screened for scoliosis- I had initially put it off when it was just Whitney- but when they said both of them I thought maybe I should look into it- I do have one sister that has mild scoliosis- Anyhow the x-rays came back ok for that, but Andrew has kyphosis - think hunchback- and is scheduled to see an orthopedic specialist later this month.

Summer has gone pretty well so far- actually better than I expected. I was nervous the older kids would be hiding out in their room- or texting or computer or ipods all day. We do have some of that, but not too too much. Each week they pull a card that has an activity that we'll do together during that week- so far we've gone to the book store (they each had a budget they could spend), and gone to pick strawberries, this week we are going bowling.

Just read- Glass Castle- by Jeannette Wells- good story
Reading now- The Shack- hmm, not so sure about it yet.

And so it goes....

June 24, 2009 reflections and updates

This is a picture of the kids at Darien Lake- we have season passes and actually plan on going later today. It's not far, so I don't feel like we have to spend the whole day to get our $'s worth. We have a mix of riders- Jayna and Whitney both like the rides like sleigh ride, the swings, scrambler- things like that, but they both also enjoy the rollercoasters - although Jayna hasn't tried them all yet. However, with the age difference, Whitney doesn't always want to ride with Jayna. Andrew is a straight roller coaster rider, so sometimes Whitney gets annoyed because he won't ride the what I'll call the medium rides with her. And their mom is hardly a rider at all- I'll do the log ride and the boat ride, the carousel- but I don't enjoy rollercoasters,and the many rides that are bound to make me sick. When their Dad comes- he can do about all of the rides- just doesn't enjoy the water area. (maybe if it was HOT) Jayna is a trooper riding rides by herself as I wait for her, but sometimes I feel bad- I mean I know it's more fun to ride With someone- but they have a lame mom- sorry!

Jayna at her year end gymnastic show. She did a great job. I'm proud of her. She was funny though- She would wave and smile at her Dad, then make faces or turn away from me. ( I think I did get a few waves) She can be a character. This year when she would get on the bus you seldom got a wave back- sometimes she would turn away from us, sometimes make a face and once in awhile a smile and a wave. One of her best friends from school is moving- it's a bummer. Buffalo wouldn't be so bad if people stayed here, but it seems like people are always moving out.

Andrew "graduated" from middle school yesterday. He kind of had a "whatever" attitude about the whole thing. He's a good kid, but I worry about him some. I was miserable at that age- and worry that he tends be somewhat the same- just not very happy, not making close friends, not getting involved in extra activities - he's been taking guitar lessons, but seems like he isn't enjoying it like he use to. I don't know how much is just normal teenagerishness, and at what point to be more concerned. Like I said I was miserable these years, on the other hand, Richard was loving life. Why isn't it possible for my kids to take any of my positive qualities (whatever that would be?) but they get the negative ones. Ugh!!

Unfortunately I have gained back a lot of the weight I lost. It's so frustrating. I try to not beat myself up over it- I realize it is very normal to do so and there are worse things than being fat, but it's not where I want to be. I try hard to not let my weight determine what I do- I remember being little and my Mom not wanting to swim with us because she didn't want to be in a swim suit. (that's my memory, who knows, in reality it could be different) So in cases like that I just try to suck it up (and suck it in), because I don't want my kids to miss out and I don't want my weight to determine what I do. I did sign up to take tennis lessons this summer. Although I'm heavier than I was as a teen, I think I feel more comfortable with my body and self than I did then (well, most days)

Thrilled to add back my reading section- yay for no college classes!!!

Just read- Still Alice- a great book, highly recommend it, about a women diagnosed with early onset alzheimers (fiction), Snow Flower and the Secret Fan- an okay read, interesting learning about the culture, but a bit too much guilt for me.

Reading Now- I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith- Maybe a third way done with this book and I would consider it a very delightful read- not thought provoking or deep so much, but just totally enjoyable.

and so it goes...