Blogging Again

It dawned on me today that I haven't updated my blog in a while. When I logged on and reviewed my last post it was March, 2009. Wow, that was a long time ago. I guess I need to do a better job at sticking with things. That's always been a life long challenge of mine. Too much has gone on over the last 18 months for me to go into detail so I will start from now.

Bradley & Aidan both started back to school on August 17th. Bradley started 7th grade and Aidan started Kindergarten. As usual Bradley didn't want me to take his picture but I did anyway. We have to get one every first day of school. He has to get up at 6:30 to leave by 7 so it was early in the morning.

Seems that he is really enjoying school so far. He likes the social aspect more than anything. He is anxiously awaiting wrestling season to begin. He still thinks girls are gross and he has names for all the girls in his grade. Arin & I were telling him that if he picks on a girl that means he likes her and visa versa. He didn't seem to agree with me. Let's hope his non interest lasts for a long time.

Aidan of course was ready & willing for his picture. That kid is such a HAM!!! He was very nervous and didn't know how he was going to make it thru the day without a nap. Ha! That's my baby. His teacher is Mrs. King. He told us all summer that his teacher would be Mrs. King and I said we will see at open house. And, to our disbelief, his teacher is Mrs. King!!! Maybe I need to have Aidan pick me some lottery numbers. Aidan was more excited about the new shoes he got for school and eating school lunch. Typical Mitchell if you ask me.

I guess I didn't load the first day of school pics yet so this one from his birthday will have to do. He did turn 5 on August 12th. I can't believe he is 5. And to be totally honest he is the funniest kid I have ever met in my life. Who would of thought his rocky start to life would create such an amazing little boy!!!

Lyla, aka Ju JUu has started going to the babysitter for 2 days a week while I work. Seems she loves it there and the very first day we went to meet the sitter & her family Lyla walked in her house like she knew everyone there. This is very odd for her because she is usually climbing up Arin's leg or hiding from stranger. But, not at Misty's house. There are several other kids there so it is serious play time for her. Thankfully we have a wonderful sitter who takes pics of Lyla in her finest moments.

I think this has to be one of the best pictures of her, ever. Just love those baby blues. And, trust me they get her whatever she wants. There are so many benefits to being the baby & being a girl!! Especially when you are Daddy's girl.

I started working for a CPA back in the winter. I only work 2 days a week when it isn't tax season. This has been a tremendous blessing to have the summer days to spend with the kids at the pool. I have to admit I hated the pool closing. We spent 3 or 4 days a week at our city pool. My kids loved it there because it has a beach like entry and I can just sit in the shallow water with Lyla while she plays. Aidan has no fear and did have to be rescued one day when he got in the water a little over his head. Bradley has perfected his front flip and really looks good. He loves going to the pool but only if his friends are with him. Then I don't see or hear from him for quite sometime. My goal for the summer was to have fun and that we did. Not only did we swim our days away but we went to Bama, and floated down the Illinois River. I have those pics too but again need to load them.

That's about all I can get in for today. Hopefully I can keep my commitment to myself and update my blog on a more regular basis...

I can drive!

As of yesterday afternoon I can drive. I can't tell you how excited I was to hear those words. I went to see Dr. Ponder for my 6 week check up. He said I no longer needed a walker or cane. I also got to see the xrays with the new metal hip joint. It was kind of neat. I am still kind of sore and feel like it is really tight. Hopefully, I will be pain free soon enough. It has been such a long time I can't imagine life without my hip hurting. I hope that I can get a little more motivated and get exercising.

Lyla is trying to walk. She would rather crawl around but when Arin and I sit on opposite sides of the room she walks from one of us to the other. She loves to take things out and put them back. For example, she dumps her snacks and then picks them up one by one. Her allergies have been bothering her these days and she seems to always have a runny nose. Even though I love Spring I can't wait for summer to arrive so these allergy problems go away.

Aidan is going to 3 year old preschool. He seems to be doing very well. He is learning his alphabet and tells me what letters look like and what sounds they make. He has learned the letters P and V. He gets very excited when we talk about going to Pre K. Since we live right around the corner from the elementary school we see his big boy school all the time. They just passed the vote which will allow us to have all day K5! Too bad he doesn't start K5 in August.

Arin is coaching Bradleys baseball team and that got under way last week. We practice twice a week. Bradley is playing for the U12 team again and most of our kids from last year came back. Bradley really wants to play 2nd base but we will have to do lots of work. I think that watching him play baseball is my favorite. I am sure this baseball season will not be as enjoyable since Lyla will be running around the ball park. I may not get to watch much of the game.

Spring break is next week. We thought about going on a day trip to Eureaka Springs but I want to save that for when I can go hiking. I think we may take a day trip to Dallas and to Ikea. I have never been to an actual store and I love looking at the website. Maybe we can round the kids up and get an early start to the Ikea store. I am sure we can spend the day there just looking at everything.

It is getting close to bed time and Lyla is ready for her cup of milk. Aidan is ready to snuggle and Bradley needs some help finishing some of his work. Hopefully I can get some pics uploaded soon...

until next time...
dianne

It now has been 1 month

Yea, I made it thru the first month of my THR. For those of you not quite sure what THR is I am referring to Total Hip Replacement. Just a little easier to type. We have had a wonderful experience with others helping us out thru this tough time. I never realized how much brininging dinner was such a help to us. I didn't have to cook and it helped so much. I still can't drive and really haven't been bothered except when either myself or one of the kids have an appointment. I feel like I am getting around pretty well but did the ultimate THR no no last night. I am not supposed to bend over. Well, I was rocking Lyla and she dropped her cup. So, silly me just bent over at the waist and then I felt why I wasn't supposed to do that. I iced down last night and then keeping my butt in bed this morning before I head to PT.

The kids have been adjusting very well. I am sad that Lyla has now become a daddy's girl. She has been holding a grudge against me. Aidan on the other hand has been one to want to take care of me. When I got in the bed last night he said it is going to be okay mom, I am here. He gave me a kiss and snuggled close for bedtime. What a lover he is becoming. Bradley has really helped with my putting my walker in and out of the car and helping me put on my shoes and socks. He kindly told me yesterday that I needed to use my ped egg. Thanks Bradley for bringing my rough feet to my attention. I made sure to tell him that my feet are dry because I can't bend over. So, if he wants to put lotion on for me he is more than welcome. He didn't find that idea too exciting.

You would think that the THR would be all that is going on with us but Arin's school is in full swing and he is on the road to walk in May. Bradley got really sick over the weekend and got some bacterial infection. His fever got up to 104.8. He really scared me but we finally got it down with a cool rag on his head and motrin. Lyla had an upper respitory infection and sounded like darth vader. Aidan has really been the only one who has stayed healthy. I proabably shouldn't say that I may curse myself.

Bradley's basketball season is over and we finished in 3rd place. It was nice to have Arin as coach and all the kids wanted to know if he would coach next year. I just went ahead and said yes he will. Baseball season will be starting within the next week or two. The exciting thing about this spring is that Aidan will be playing Tball. He is very excited about playing baseball. I am just not sure how well he will do at paying attention.

I have PT today so I need to start getting ready. I even get to go to Target and pick up refils. I love going there since they have the electric wheel chair. I want to get some updated pictures on her soon so keep an eye out. Lyla has started to walk so maybe I should make sure the camera is charged.

love to all,
dianne

You may now call me the "Bionic Woman"

I am now 11 days post surgery. I have to admit having an entire hip replacement is very painful. More than I can put into words. The surgeon said my hip looked awful and it was deformed. He said there was also some dysplacia. We are still not sure about how AVN even started but there is a chance it was from my car accident or from pregnancy. Either way the pain that I had been struggling with for the past 3 years is gone. Now I am not going to say that I am running miles and miles but it is just a different pain.

I came home from the hospital on 31st and felt great. It did have a lot to do with all the drugs they were giving me but I was up and walking an doing my PT. The first 3 days at home were great. I felt great. I was in pain but it was being controlled thru meds. I was able to do my PT exercises at home 3 times a day and then going for walks up and down the driveway. Around 6-7 days post op I started having serious pains. Almost like a charley horse but it would take my breath away. I had blisters form around my incision and I was feeling that I had been hit with a baseball bat. Thankfully my Mom and Dad were here and able to drive me to the surgeon. He seems to think that I just over did it and needed to rest more than I was. So, after 2 days of serious bedrest I am feeling much better.

I still am not able to bend over, get dressed or do anything for myself but I can tell that the muscles are getting stronger. My kids have been so patient and understanding. I really don't know how we could have gone thru this without my folks being here. My mother is an amazing woman and she still continues to surprise me and motivate me. As usual my dad kept the humor level up for our event. I was so very sad to see them leave yesterday.

Arin will be off work this week. He is so gentle with me and helps me do anything I ask him to do. he even reminds me how not to hold my leg and such. I love having a nice big man to take care of me. I have no worries when he is taking care of me. I am so blessed.

well Aidan and I are dozing off so I need to put the laptop down. I will update when I go to the doctor on Monday. I have 16 staples which are getting removed....

thanks to all of you that have called, sent cards, brought meals and for those who have remembered us in your prayers. We love ya'll....

Dianne

the final countdown

Okay well here we are. I am less than 12 hours away from dropping my kids off at the sitters so I can have my hip replacement. I thought this would be a neat way for me to keep note of my surgery and day to day events after having a Total Hip Replacement. My surgery is scheduled tomorrow at 3 pm at the Bone and Joint Hospital. This is located on 10th and Dewey in downtown OKC. Arin is coming with me to hold my hand and to also make fun of my on the pain drugs. I am feeling very nervous about the surgery, the pain and the incision. However, I am really freaking out about my kiddos. As you all may know I am a control freak and if I don't have everything taken care of to the minute I am going to worry. We seem to have this week under control so hopefully the next 5 will go as smoothly. Since it is now midnight I can't have anything else to eat or drink. I will be fine thru the night but tomorrow morning will be rough. I did get Lyla's hair clips made so Arin will pull her bangs out of her eyes. I even made him the kind he likes instead of the big ole boutique bows that I prefer. We are all packed and ready to go. I did get everything in the house cleaned except for the inside of the fridge. That isn't a must so it can be put off. I can't find a dang straight back chair with arms and still need an elevated toilet seat. My father in law said I could just wear diapers.

well I am finally winding down and dozing off. I was so freaking nervous the past few hours and wound up eating an entire bag of chocolate covered pretzels. My goal is to update this blog on a daily or weekly basis so keep a look out for a new post. Hope everyone is doing great. Peace, Love and Happiness,
Dianne

Tamra tagged me in this one word only meme - I have to answer each question with only one word. Then I pass it along to others to do the same. Here it goes!

1. Where is your cell phone? diaper bag
2. Where is your significant other? Texas
3. Your hair color? Dark Brown
4. Your mother? Nana
5. Your father? Pappaw
6. Your favorite thing? crafting
7. Your dream last night?
8. Your dream/goal? Volvo
9. The room you're in? Living Room
10. Your hobby? beading
11. Your fear? snakes
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? debtfree
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? thin
15. One of your wish-list items? car
16. Where you grew up? Ohio
17. The last thing you did? rocked
18. What are you wearing? jammies
19. Your TV? Off
20. Your pet?dog
21. Your computer? Laptop
22. Your mood? tired
23. Missing someone? friends
24. Your car? Minivan
25. Something you're not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Old Navy
27. Your summer? fun
28. Love someone? hubby
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Last week


And now I get to tag someone else
Annie Emmertson
Holly Martineau

Go Pokes! Go Pokes! Go Pokes, Go!

Arin and I had a game with NO KIDS! It was so much fun to spend some time together. We ate lots of M&M's, peanuts and frozen strawberry lemonade!!Staci, Lolly and Beth "Pistols Firing"

Just like every Saturday we spent this past Saturday in Stillwater watching our beloved Cowboys. This game was so much fun due to us playing our first conference game and playing Texas A&M. Well we had no problem beating the football team but we couldn't touch the band. If you haven't ever seen their band than you are missing out. They were awesome. I tried to take some pictures but our camera is on the blitz. We are so glad to have a Saturday at home but will still be cheering on our Boys in Missouri.