Bucket List Items

Our 2020 has a big bucket list this year. It is good to have something to look forward to and work towards. This last week we checked off 2 activities and 1 project is in the works.

Family:

• Breckenridge Ice Sculptures - Each year there is an international competition for carving a 20 ton cube of snow into a sculpture. Teams literally come from around the world. We met friends. The boys favorite was called Greed by Mexico. A man with his pants unbuttoned laying in a huge glass indulging in marshmallows. We liked the one with from India with the person surrounded by snakes choosing be good and evil. There were quite a few that were spectacular.
  
• Monet Exhibit - The Denver Art Museum had a Monet exhibit. Underfoot saw the exhibit with his class. We saw the exhibit. The works were beautiful. While people waited, there was an art room that you could paint your own works of art. Hurricane could have stayed in the art room the entire time.
  
• New Scout Troop - Hurricane has decided he would like to pursue his Eagle rank. So as a family we will support him. We all joined a troop. Underfoot joined as well so he can go on camp outs and still earn merit badges. Sweetheart will help as an Assistant Scoutmaster. I will help on the Committee as the Advancement Chair. Hurricane completed his Scout rank.
  
• Donuts with Dad - Breakfast at the school with Dad is one of the community events the school.
  

Sweetheart:

• Belgian Fence - We have decided to put fruit trees in our backyard. The method Sweetheart has researched and wanted to build a Belgian Fence. He has spent the last few Saturdays preparing the soil. Bare root trees will be delivered in early March. We will plant cherry and stone fruit trees.
  

Wendy:

• PVA Changes - This past year I have been the PVA President. PVA is parent volunteer association instead of PTA or PTO. Part of the perimeters this year were to simplify and set boundaries. As a PVA board, we have decided change the PVA set up for the coming school year.

Underfoot:

• Planning Court of Honor - Underfoot will have his Court of Honor on March 7. He has created a program. You are invited to come. Please let us know so we can get you the details.
• Released from Sling - Underfoot broke upper humerus the day after Christmas. He has been wearing a sling for the past 4 weeks. We went to the doctor, and his arm is healing well. He was released from the sling so he may now play the piano and cello. He will need to do some physical therapy of swimming.
  

Hurricane:

• Battle of the Books - This is a competition when students read 10 books chosen by the library then compete against other schools. Last night was the first battle. Hurricane was the spokesperson to give his teams answers. They won their battle.

Be Well.

 

***** 

 Breckinridge Ice Sculptures - Tornado - France

Breckinridge Ice Sculptures - India - Good vs. Evil

Breckinridge Ice Sculptures - Two Faced - Wisconsin

Breckinridge Ice Sculptures - Two Faced - Wisconsin

  Breckinridge Ice Sculptures - Nature - Ecuador

 Monet Exhibit - Hurricane Painting

  Monet Exhibit - Underfoot Drawing

  Monet Exhibit

 Sunrise

Early Morning Temple

Happy New Year!

Hello again....

We gave up writing last year. Good things happened last year like:

• Underfoot stuck to his guns and timeline to complete his Eagle rank.

• Sweetheart and I went on a weekend together that wasn't for buying a house or surgery for the first time since Underfoot was born.
  

• Hurricane earned his Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light awards. 

• Underfoot started cello lessons.
• Sweetheart and I went on Trek. 

• I got to see one of my dearest friends each season of the year.
• Underfoot was cleared from his one year concussion protocol after completing physical therapy.
• Sweetheart remade the deck, and we had a beautiful garden. If you can, check out golden raspberries. Totally worth it.
  

• The 15th Annual Pie Party happened.
  

Our lives continue with work, scouting, church youth activities, volunteer service at church and school, and making our yard beautiful.

We have some goals for this year.

• Sweetheart is in the process of building a Belgium fence with cherry and stone fruit trees. The trees should be ready by March.
• Hurricane joined a Scout troop. He wants to earn the Eagle rank as well. He said since his Dad and brother are he wants to be one as well. If you are a merit badge counselor, he is looking for you.
• Underfoot wants to learn balance or better said I want him to learn balance. He broke his arm riding on a hover board. He has been charged with planning our family's backpacking trip this coming summer. We are thinking about the Sierras.
• I am working on being vulnerable. I took some baby steps last year. A friend sent me this post with this saying: "My toxic trait? I face everything on my own and don't admit I need help because I'd rather struggle than burden other people with my problems." I started thinking about what it said. I am closed off and hard to get to know. So my goal is to be more open.

Be Well,

Wendy, Sweetheart, Underfoot, and Hurricane

Week 9: Post Op and On Our Own

Sunday Sweetheart attended a training for Trek. The meeting was long and hopefully informational. We have yet to talk about what he learned.

Monday Sweetheart took the boys to allergy shots before school. We have been doing shots for almost 14 months. Underfoot and Sweetheart both have been on maintenance for almost 1 month. Hurricane has struggled the mostly because his arms are so small with the shots. We are happy to report as of last Monday he is now on maintenance. Yippee for the small joys in life. Now 4 more years of shots and they should be good to go! That evening Sweetheart took the boys swimming for family home evening. They all came back so happy and enthusiastic. It was the right amount of energy release.

Tuesday there was Scouts at our house. Before my surgery, I started teaching the Cooking merit badge. I told the Scouts that I had about 25 minutes before I was done for the evening. One of the boys laughed at my statement. I then had to explain to him that I had my stomach cut. We had a good time after that. The boys need to do their cooking at home, camping, and on a trail and they will be done.

Underfoot really wants a birthday party by his birthday. We made a Star Wars Minute to Win It Birthday party plan. Hopefully he will be happy with what is to come because his Dad is going to run the birthday party. Underfoot originally asked for a Millennium Falcon cake then surgery came. Now he’d like an orange ombré cake with white frosting to represent the planet Hoth. He will provide the appropriate Lego figures. That most likely won’t happen either. He will most like get a store bought cake with the promise of a different cake later. All first world problems.

Lucas’s team participated in Battle of the Books elimination battle.

They won in sudden death. They will continue on to the next elimination battle on Monday. Lucas was super excited. 

My 2 week post op appointment went well. I am healing according to plan. The itchiness is par for the course. I’m to continue walking and increase my time walking. Other things to continue are 5 pound carrying limit, resting in the afternoon, and limit my up and down the stairs. My driving privileges have been restored. The one that is funny to me is to do light cooking. That doesn’t mean fat-free or low calorie. The Nurse Practitioner used the example of not cooking with cast iron. Funny thing is that is what we cook with. I can do the food preparation, but the boys need to do the cooking.

After the appointment, we went to Costco then on a date to get something to eat.

The restaurant was next to the grocery store so we went there. We stopped at the allergy shots place to thank Maggie who has been so kind to Hurricane in his shots process. The time went quickly and it was time to pick up the boys from school to go to the emergency orthodontist appointment because Hurricane’s mouth appliance broke. I was physically done by the end and paid for it with low energy the next 3 days.

It was a good first week on our own. We had help with food in the evenings that Sweetheart was super grateful for the help. Someone came and changed my bed which meant the world. One day and thing at a time. Sweetheart, Underfoot, and Hurricane are being superheroes. On Saturday Hurricane started to complain to Sweetheart about his throat. We’ll see where that goes. 

Be Well.

*****

 Hurricane and I messing around

Hurricane Selfie

Come Follow Me Points

 Collage of Favorite Pictures of Sweetheart and I

Orthodontist Waiting Schedule

Week 8: Battle of the Books Wins and Post Op Recovery

On Sunday, the men went to church, and I stayed home. I couldn't sit upright let alone sit through the whole meeting. I even took a nap. Shaulan came from Arizona on Sunday night to help us for the week. Shaulan is my roommate from college. Her husband and in-laws made this possible for us to have her come for the week. We are all grateful.

After going over the week's schedule, the men and Shaulan were on their way for a productive week. With no school on Monday Underfoot went to a movie birthday party. Since it was the Lego Movie 2, Hurricane REALLY wanted to see it as well. Shaulan took Hurricane to the same movie at the same time that Underfoot went. Afterward they got burgers. Sweetheart got Underfoot to his cello lesson that evening.

Sweetheart is making a lot of sacrifices to make my healing go as well as possible. Some of my restrictions currently are I can lift no more than 5 pounds. That excludes a gallon of milk. Until I go to my 2 week post appointment, I am not allowed to drive, cook, or clean. I am to walk around the block each day and not do stairs very much. Some of the restrictions will continue after the 2 week post op like no lifting more than 5 pounds until 8 weeks post op. Sweetheart is doing more than he normally does. He's a hero.

The week before Hurricane's good behavior ticket was picked to get a dress down day. Since last Friday was no school, he got to dress down on Tuesday. This is two times in the last 3 weeks that he's won that lottery. He has figured out a system that works for him. He saves his tickets until he has more than 10 than he puts them in for the drawing. The quantity helps gets his number picked.

Battle of the Books teams both won. The library changed their system this year for how to move forward to elimination battles. Instead of accumulated points, it is number of battles won. Hurricane's team had two wins and two losses. Underfoot's team had all wins and will move onto the elimination rounds. Hurricane is concerned now with when they will have a celebration. Since I'm the coach, I'm not sure when I will do it.

After a lot of help Shaulan, she left early Friday morning because of the weather on the East coast was cancelling flights. We are grateful she can to help.

Sweetheart had a hard week at work. That doesn't happen very often. By Friday, he had found a lot of resolution, but he was trying to balance the stress from work and home.

Be Well.

 *****

What Happens with Bed Rest

Week 7: Surgery

​Happy Birthday to me! Yippee!!!

We celebrated with a delicious meal of steak and roasted vegetables. Later that night I made a chocolate cake with ganache and raspberries.

Apparently the cake was yummy as well. I appreciated the phone calls and texts. It was a really lovely day.

We went about our normal activities for the week for the first part at least. Allergy shots, cello lessons, Scouts, Battle of the Books battle, and regular family activities were in our Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday evening I taught the cooking merit badge at our house. 

Hurricane's Battle of the Books team won! Kirk participated in the battle and was so excited. He was also the spokesman and did a really wonderful job. He was so happy but kept a very good face on until he got home. He was over the moon.

Hurricane has been asking for about 2 years to go and speak to the City Council about wanting to have chickens for our yard. During supper Hurricane brought the topic up again. Sweetheart looked up if there was a town meeting that night. There was. We wrote up a quick speech for him to say in front of the council. We arrived just before the meeting began. When it was time for public comment, Hurricane stood. He was too short for the podium and needed to be at the table on the side. He read what he had to say and asked if he could leave. Interestingly earlier in the evening the council had been speaking about chickens and if they should allow them.

​Sweetheart has been avoiding getting sick​ ​​for a while. He has been very stressed out and attempting to not get sick. ​Monday night he turned a corner and got better. It is as if everything is coming together and the stress is going down.

Wednesday morning bright and early Sweetheart and I left for the hospital.

The surgery time had changed from 1 pm to 8 am. We had to be at the hospital at 6 am. A lady from our congregation came to help the boys get up and to school. Sharon D went to the airport and picked up my Mom. I got checked in for an abdominal hysterectomy and repair work, and they did the last minute steps to make sure I was healthy enough to have trauma done to my body. The anesthesiologist was a ray of energy. The poor nurse trying to get the IV port started and missed both times and needed to get another nurse to get the IV port started. 

The surgery went well said the surgeon. Lots of stitches were done.

I learned I don't like the taste of sugar-free jello. 

I'm very grateful my Mom came. She was super supportive. After I left for surgery, Sweetheart took her to breakfast. The anesthesiologist would send Sweetheart texts to tell how the surgery was going. She stayed with me until I woke up. I guess I wake up like a grouchy teenager. That night Sweetheart stayed the night with me in the hospital.

Twice during my stay, they had me walk down the hall.

The first time I only made it to the first exit sign. I would burp and be embarrassed. The CNA helping me said the louder and bigger the burp the better. The second walk I walked to the fourth exit sign. I burped so loud once a nurse came into the hall to congratulate me on how loud the burp was. Those were my real accomplishments that day.

At one point the nurse came in around 4 am, Sweetheart said, "I have no idea how anyone gets better in a hospital." He rolled back over and fell asleep. I was released the next day after having 2 checks by doctors, blood drawn (she had to poke me 2x as well), and emptying my bladder without a catheter. Life got a lot better once the catheter came out. I peed so well I didn't have to have them teach me how to self catheterize. Hallelujah!


Jilli took care of my boys in such a marvelous manner. They were brought home by our carpool. She stepped in like she was the boss. She took Underfoot to Battle of the Books and got the boys home for piano. Underfoot's team won. They called via FaceTime. She helped the boys get ready for school. She and Underfoot got to go to the temple together.

They planted grapevines that we got in October from Pocatello. She left us in a very clean place. The three men took Jilli to the airport on Saturday afternoon. We are grateful for her time and energy.

Be Well.

*****

 Come Follow Me Points

 Underfoot enjoying my birthday supper.

Birthday Cake

 Birthday Cake

Week 6: Parties and Preparations

Our friend celebrates his birthday each year by hosting a Super Bowl party. This year they hosted an appetizer competition. Because I have been eating a special diet to lose some weight.

I made 3 different dishes to bring - deviled eggs (avocado and regular with homemade mayonnaise), harvest Cobb salad, and a pineapple boat.

When we arrived the host said, it wasn't a dish per family member just one per family. The boys got to play the card game, Dominion. I got to chat.

On Saturday after Sweetheart changed the oil and rotated the tires, the tires began to make a horrid noise. Sweetheart decided to have the tires changed. One year ago one of the tires was changed. Monday morning the other 3 tires were changed, and the noise went away. Hallelujah! 

Hurricane's Battle of the Books team lost their second non-elimination round. He didn't participate in the battle. He was really sad because the team lost by a lot of points lost.

When we moved to Colorado, we looked at which Middle School would be a good fit for our sons. Colorado has public, charter, and private schools. One of the schools is very prestigious charter schools that parents must have a birth certificate to get the child on the waiting list. We put both boys on the list and have been waiting. We received notification that there was a parent orientation meeting while Underfoot would test to see where his placement would be placed. Underfoot is very happy at the school where he attends. We decided he needed to try just so he would know he's at the right place. After the testing and orientation, we decided if he is offered a place we will keep him where he is.

The Blue and Gold Pack Meeting was immediately after the orientation meeting. Hurricane had worked really hard to complete his Bear requirements and did complete the requirements. When we arrived at the Blue and Gold, we were informed that they didn't buy any awards. I took Hurricane aside and told him. He said he promised to not cry. That night Sweetheart and I served the food as the families came through the line. They had bought a big Costco cake for the dessert. No one wanted to take home the leftovers. I walked around to the other groups in the building and gave away the cake. We are hoping in the award will come next month.

 On Thursday I had a bunch of doctors' appointments. The appointments were in preparation for the surgery this coming week. I also got my annual mammogram done that day. Sweetheart accompanied me to one of the appointments to ask the surgeon the questions needed. Over the past nine and half years, we have done what we could to naturally bring more children to our family. My health requires that I have a hysterectomy and multiple other repairs in the area. The surgery should take 3 1/2 hours. A regular hysterectomy takes one and half. We have been making preparations since mid-January when we scheduled the surgery. 

Sweetheart attended our HOA meeting. He's ready to be done serving on the board was his comment when he returned home. I attended part of the book club. We had read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It wasn't my favorite book.

When we moved to Colorado, I was going to turn 40 years old. I wanted to have A Favorite Things Birthday party. But when we moved, I didn't have the friendship circle that I didn't in Arizona. This year I decided to have a birthday party for myself. Those who came brought 4 gifts and left with 4 gifts. We did it as a luncheon where everyone brought their favorite salad or appetizer. The party was a lot of fun. It helped me learn better who different people are. 

Immediately after the birthday party, I finished helping Sweetheart and Underfoot get packed for the Boy Scout Klonderee. They left from our house at 3:30 pm. They went to the mountains 2 hours away. Sweetheart wanted to have a good supper so he made he and Underfoot a sous vide steak with mashed potatoes. They arrived with a temperature of 15 degrees. The temperature throughout the evening. Underfoot slept well because he took 3 sleeping bags. Sweetheart slept in the car. At 4 am, he turned the car on to warm up.

The boys participated in sledding, ice hockey, and rappelling the next day. Sweetheart said that one of the leaders put the chilled water in a cooler over night. In the morning, it was the only water not frozen in the surrounding camps.

While they were away, Hurricane and I had a quiet evening at home. We even fell asleep early which isn't normally the case. The next day Hurricane and I went to breakfast on a date and then to a piano recital his teacher had arranged with other teachers. He was nervous and said if he had gone first he wouldn't have been nervous. He did a good job. 

We attended stake conference that evening before falling into bed exhausted that evening.

Be Well.​

*****

 Kirk's Treat Creation

 Underfoot's shoulder blades don't attach properly. 

He has a set of exercises to help him strengthen the muscles around it. 

His Dad had the same struggle.

 This dress hasn't fit in about 4 years.

I'm happy to put it back on again.

Klonderee 2019 - Temperature -4 Degrees

 Klonderee 2019 - Temperature -4 Degrees