It's so good to be back home. Seeing my girls and Jake for the first time in 3 weeks on Thursday was awesome. I cried - what else would you expect from me - Mrs. Emotional!!!!
The rest of the family finally made it home tonight. My sister-in-law, Ashley, and I cooked supper for our entire family tonight. Ryan, Ashley, and Brock moved here while we were in Minnesota! So this was our first "family meal" with everyone living in a 10 mile radius of each other. It was so fun coordinating the meal with Ashley.
What made tonight so special was how much fun we had. Not every family wants to live so close to each other, but I think God knew that we would need each other to lean on during this time. We don't plan on eating EVERY MEAL together, but it was really fun eating, laughing, and watching the kids entertain us all. Ryan & Ashley may not want to stay here too long if Brock keeps learning tricks from Addi - but it's so precious right now.
I just really love my family - and I'm so proud of my family. Today was also my parents 34th wedding anniversary!!! I'm so proud of my mom and dad - not just because they are my parents, but because of who they are to other people. They are so well respected in this community. I'm proud of my sister! She does her own thing in her own time and has no regrets at all!! And I'm so proud of Ryan and Ashley. Ryan is going to be a coach and I'm so happy that he'll get a chance to learn how here under a coach he admires and respects so much. And it's fun to have Ashley around, too! She's such a good mom and I love the way she loves my little brother. And I'm proud of Jake. He is around my family so much and he never complains! He rolls with the punches and takes part in the Bufe querkiness (not sure of the spelling here, but you get it!)
There's not much new and exciting to report - other than I have a wonderful family and it's great to have everyone back at home where they belong!!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Next Day
Wow - what a difference 36 hours makes. One, Lori is much better. Two, I'm overwhelmed at the kind words of encouragement that have been sent my direction.
First, Lori is having much less pain. They drained over 10 lbs. of fluid off her abdomen yesterday afternoon. She came back to the room in noticeably less pain. Her eyes said it all. It was such a huge relief for mom and I to see her move comfortably from the transport bed into her own hospital bed.
When this journey started in mid-March, a dear friend in Abernathy told me that this would be a roller coaster. Well, I'm not a HUGE fan of them to begin with, but I don't mind riding them. But this emotional roller coaster is worse than any amusment park ride. At least with a ride, you know it will end. And you know roughly when it will end. Not with this emotional ride. You think you've gone as low as you can go, then you have a sudden incline. Unfortunately, the incline aren't very high right now. And they haven't seemed to last very long.
Though I don't enjoy this ride right now, I'm not ready for it to end yet. This is a roller coaster ride that I want to last for years and years to come. I'm just hoping that the ride becomes more of a Mini Mine Train (Six Flags) and less of The Rattler (Fiesta Texas).
Once again, I know that our family is not the only one to endure the horror of cancer. A) there are many positive outcomes with this disease. God is still in control and still in the business of performing miracles. But B) cancer sometimes wins and how do you deal with it if your family ends up on side B? We are still praying for and believing in option A. However, even with that option, there are still many ups and downs along the path.
Throughout this, I don't want to have blinders on. I don't want to focus only on our pain and the misery or joy that we are experiencing. There are many more around me daily who are experiencing their own joys or heartaches. Just because our experience is one way, doesn't mean someone else's is the same.
I know you can't experience something like this and not let it change you. I just want it to change me for the better. I want to be more aware of what those around me are going through and feeling. I don't want to become a negative person just because things around me aren't positive right now.
As a family, even though this has been a horrible thing, we try to find the blessings in each day. Some days, it's very hard to see. But on others, they come shining through brightly. When I wrote yesterday morning, the last 24 hours had been very hard to find any blessings in. Then yesterday afternoon things started looking up. Besides the blessing of Lori feeling better came the blessing of a chance to really re-connect with friends that I hadn't talked to in years.
Praying for continued good days and blessings!
First, Lori is having much less pain. They drained over 10 lbs. of fluid off her abdomen yesterday afternoon. She came back to the room in noticeably less pain. Her eyes said it all. It was such a huge relief for mom and I to see her move comfortably from the transport bed into her own hospital bed.
When this journey started in mid-March, a dear friend in Abernathy told me that this would be a roller coaster. Well, I'm not a HUGE fan of them to begin with, but I don't mind riding them. But this emotional roller coaster is worse than any amusment park ride. At least with a ride, you know it will end. And you know roughly when it will end. Not with this emotional ride. You think you've gone as low as you can go, then you have a sudden incline. Unfortunately, the incline aren't very high right now. And they haven't seemed to last very long.
Though I don't enjoy this ride right now, I'm not ready for it to end yet. This is a roller coaster ride that I want to last for years and years to come. I'm just hoping that the ride becomes more of a Mini Mine Train (Six Flags) and less of The Rattler (Fiesta Texas).
Once again, I know that our family is not the only one to endure the horror of cancer. A) there are many positive outcomes with this disease. God is still in control and still in the business of performing miracles. But B) cancer sometimes wins and how do you deal with it if your family ends up on side B? We are still praying for and believing in option A. However, even with that option, there are still many ups and downs along the path.
Throughout this, I don't want to have blinders on. I don't want to focus only on our pain and the misery or joy that we are experiencing. There are many more around me daily who are experiencing their own joys or heartaches. Just because our experience is one way, doesn't mean someone else's is the same.
I know you can't experience something like this and not let it change you. I just want it to change me for the better. I want to be more aware of what those around me are going through and feeling. I don't want to become a negative person just because things around me aren't positive right now.
As a family, even though this has been a horrible thing, we try to find the blessings in each day. Some days, it's very hard to see. But on others, they come shining through brightly. When I wrote yesterday morning, the last 24 hours had been very hard to find any blessings in. Then yesterday afternoon things started looking up. Besides the blessing of Lori feeling better came the blessing of a chance to really re-connect with friends that I hadn't talked to in years.
Praying for continued good days and blessings!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Just my thoughts
I don't know if anyone reads this anymore - facebook has taken over. And really, I just haven't had time since mid-March to do anything.
Like I said, I don't know if anyone will see this or not, but it's a place for me to put down my thoughts where my mom and sister probably won't see them.
This nightmare began March 18th. There were good times in there, though, where life wasn't consumed by the face that Lori has cancer. We all thought that there would be a quick resolution to the cancer by way of a transplant. Two weeks ago, that dream was shot down. The cancer had spread to a lymph node next to the liver. The doctors are all very quick to say that it was a very small spot and that it's treatable, BUT there is no cure. Once cancer cells are in the lymph system, the outlook isn't good. They are planning to fight this as best they can, though. The plan is to control and contain the cancer and attempt to keep it from spreading.
So all that sounds doable. But once again, Lori doesn't do things the easy way. Not that she chooses to do things the hard way, that's just the way things work for Lori. We are now 13 days from surgery and back in the hospital. She's experiencing some complications from surgery. Their is a small blockage in the small intestine. My sister just can't catch a break. And she's in so much pain. I know it's hard to experience the pain, but it's awfully hard to watch her go through the pain. I just don't want her life to be spent in pain. Hopefully this will take care of the unbearable pain.
Then there's my parents. I have tried to put myself in their shoes. What if this were one of my daughters. I can't imagine. I would want to die in their place - or die with them. I couldn't do it. So I know they are hurting. There are times when they are ok - but the look in their eyes will never be the same again. I'll never forget as long as I live the look - or rather lack of one - in my mom's eyes as they wheeled her back from the pre-op area July 13th. My mother will never be "my mother" again. She is forever changed. She was going to have the awesome opportunity to save her daughter's life and that opportunity was taken from her. I don't know how you endure something like this without it changing you, but at the same time, I'm selfish when I say that I want my children to experience the fun-loving nana that they've known since they were born. I don't want to have to explain why things have changed so much.
But overall, I know that we are not the only family to have ever gone through this. My biggest question is, "How?". How do you go on? How do you keep living life so positively? How do you explain things to your young children? How do you care for your sister who's in pain? How do you comfort your parents? How? Those and many more are the questions that I don't have answers to right now - and may never has the answers for.
I also know God says He will never give us more than we can handle. But I have to admit, that I'm wondering how much more any of us can take.
Like I said, I don't know if anyone will see this or not, but it's a place for me to put down my thoughts where my mom and sister probably won't see them.
This nightmare began March 18th. There were good times in there, though, where life wasn't consumed by the face that Lori has cancer. We all thought that there would be a quick resolution to the cancer by way of a transplant. Two weeks ago, that dream was shot down. The cancer had spread to a lymph node next to the liver. The doctors are all very quick to say that it was a very small spot and that it's treatable, BUT there is no cure. Once cancer cells are in the lymph system, the outlook isn't good. They are planning to fight this as best they can, though. The plan is to control and contain the cancer and attempt to keep it from spreading.
So all that sounds doable. But once again, Lori doesn't do things the easy way. Not that she chooses to do things the hard way, that's just the way things work for Lori. We are now 13 days from surgery and back in the hospital. She's experiencing some complications from surgery. Their is a small blockage in the small intestine. My sister just can't catch a break. And she's in so much pain. I know it's hard to experience the pain, but it's awfully hard to watch her go through the pain. I just don't want her life to be spent in pain. Hopefully this will take care of the unbearable pain.
Then there's my parents. I have tried to put myself in their shoes. What if this were one of my daughters. I can't imagine. I would want to die in their place - or die with them. I couldn't do it. So I know they are hurting. There are times when they are ok - but the look in their eyes will never be the same again. I'll never forget as long as I live the look - or rather lack of one - in my mom's eyes as they wheeled her back from the pre-op area July 13th. My mother will never be "my mother" again. She is forever changed. She was going to have the awesome opportunity to save her daughter's life and that opportunity was taken from her. I don't know how you endure something like this without it changing you, but at the same time, I'm selfish when I say that I want my children to experience the fun-loving nana that they've known since they were born. I don't want to have to explain why things have changed so much.
But overall, I know that we are not the only family to have ever gone through this. My biggest question is, "How?". How do you go on? How do you keep living life so positively? How do you explain things to your young children? How do you care for your sister who's in pain? How do you comfort your parents? How? Those and many more are the questions that I don't have answers to right now - and may never has the answers for.
I also know God says He will never give us more than we can handle. But I have to admit, that I'm wondering how much more any of us can take.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Lori
For the few of you still reading my blog (it's been too long since my last update)....
Lori is well - as well as she can be. She was diagnosed with Cholangial Carcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer) this week. We are very fortunate that we found it very early on. The plan is for her and my parents to go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. It should be pretty soon; they are excited to have a young, otherwise healthy patient to test their "protocol" out on. Actually, they have a very good success rate. So we are optimistic about this.
Please keep Lori, my mom and dad, in your prayers. A website has been set up for anyone to log on to and get updates or leave messages for Lori or any of the family. www.carepages.com/loribufe You will have to register to become a member, then you can view her page.
Thanks for all the concern that has been shown and the prayers that have been offered.
Lori is well - as well as she can be. She was diagnosed with Cholangial Carcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer) this week. We are very fortunate that we found it very early on. The plan is for her and my parents to go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. It should be pretty soon; they are excited to have a young, otherwise healthy patient to test their "protocol" out on. Actually, they have a very good success rate. So we are optimistic about this.
Please keep Lori, my mom and dad, in your prayers. A website has been set up for anyone to log on to and get updates or leave messages for Lori or any of the family. www.carepages.com/loribufe You will have to register to become a member, then you can view her page.
Thanks for all the concern that has been shown and the prayers that have been offered.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year
Wow - hard to believe it's 2009. Now that we don't write near as many checks thanks to debit cards, I'm sure it will be mid-July before I'm used to writing the date with '09.
We have had a wonderful Christmas vacation this year (not that other year's weren't, this one was just really good). Jake's mom and dad came in the Tuesday before Christmas and stayed until Saturday. We had a great visit with them and they got to spend their first Christmas Day with the girls.
Christmas Day was full!!! We started with Santa at home with Grandma and Grandpa Liess. Then after lunch, we went to my mom and dad's house. The Liess' joined us, so we had a full living room. This was my nephew's first Christmas and he was so cute!
After all the presents had been opened, there was no way you could convince me that the economy is sluggish! We had presents EVERYWHERE. And I can happily say it wasn't Jake & I that did all the shopping. We did a great job of sticking to our "budget". But both of our parents went above and beyond for our entire family - not just the girls. So yes, I enjoyed my Christmas gifts, too.
This week has been so nice to be able to chill out and not have a schedule. Jake did have to go back to work this week (he was off all last week), but has today and tomorrow plus the weekend off.
I do not like New Year's Resolutions, so I'm not going to bore anyone with the list of things that I know I will fail at. Though I know there are areas of life that can be improved upon, I really love the life I have!
We have had a wonderful Christmas vacation this year (not that other year's weren't, this one was just really good). Jake's mom and dad came in the Tuesday before Christmas and stayed until Saturday. We had a great visit with them and they got to spend their first Christmas Day with the girls.
Christmas Day was full!!! We started with Santa at home with Grandma and Grandpa Liess. Then after lunch, we went to my mom and dad's house. The Liess' joined us, so we had a full living room. This was my nephew's first Christmas and he was so cute!
After all the presents had been opened, there was no way you could convince me that the economy is sluggish! We had presents EVERYWHERE. And I can happily say it wasn't Jake & I that did all the shopping. We did a great job of sticking to our "budget". But both of our parents went above and beyond for our entire family - not just the girls. So yes, I enjoyed my Christmas gifts, too.
This week has been so nice to be able to chill out and not have a schedule. Jake did have to go back to work this week (he was off all last week), but has today and tomorrow plus the weekend off.
I do not like New Year's Resolutions, so I'm not going to bore anyone with the list of things that I know I will fail at. Though I know there are areas of life that can be improved upon, I really love the life I have!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
New Slideshow
Ok, so I finally decided it was time to update my slideshow on the sidebar. I tried to do this once back in the early fall, but couldn't get it to work with the pictures I wanted. Well, same problem this time around, only now I have access to the pictures I wanted to use back then! Oh, well. Enjoy these that are from last spring and maybe I'll figure out how to use the ones I want to that are more current.
My feeble attempts at understanding and using the world wide web...
My feeble attempts at understanding and using the world wide web...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Our Christmas Card to You
I'm cheating this year - and my pocketbook is thankful!!!
Merry Christmas everyone from the Liess Family!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Time Flies
Oh, my word! Where did November go?!?!?! It seems like we were just celebrating Halloween, now it's Thanksgiving and Dec. 1st is less than a week away.
November has been another busy month - though with more normal busy-ness. We have settled into a more normal routine. My schedule has let up a bit - which I'm loving. I still have all my private lessons, but I'm still done by 6:00 most evenings instead of 9:00 or later! It's great to be home in the evenings and actually cook supper. Which is good, because my favorite place to get food on the go closed in A-town. That was a sad day. No more Triple P - but that only means something to those of you who live here. No more good ice (we aren't big enough to have a SONIC like the rest of the world)!
We are ready for a break! I'm so glad that this morning was the last morning to have to get Tae up and ready for school for a few days. She needs a break so badly. We had a holiday Labor Day and have not had a day off from school since. I love the State Legislature! They are the ones who have put us in this predicament - but I'll leave the rest of that soap box for another day.
I am so ready to put my tree up. Several of you have already done so. I need to clean house before I do that! So, enjoy Thanksgiving and, for those of you that haven't decorated yet - have fun doing that, too!
November has been another busy month - though with more normal busy-ness. We have settled into a more normal routine. My schedule has let up a bit - which I'm loving. I still have all my private lessons, but I'm still done by 6:00 most evenings instead of 9:00 or later! It's great to be home in the evenings and actually cook supper. Which is good, because my favorite place to get food on the go closed in A-town. That was a sad day. No more Triple P - but that only means something to those of you who live here. No more good ice (we aren't big enough to have a SONIC like the rest of the world)!
We are ready for a break! I'm so glad that this morning was the last morning to have to get Tae up and ready for school for a few days. She needs a break so badly. We had a holiday Labor Day and have not had a day off from school since. I love the State Legislature! They are the ones who have put us in this predicament - but I'll leave the rest of that soap box for another day.
I am so ready to put my tree up. Several of you have already done so. I need to clean house before I do that! So, enjoy Thanksgiving and, for those of you that haven't decorated yet - have fun doing that, too!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Haunted House
It's one thing after another here right now! We finished contest two weeks ago and I basically took last week off. Didn't do anything I didn't have to do.
Now, here we are, at Halloween. Our church is hosting the 5th quarter after the football game this week. So naturally, there's got to be something "Halloweeny" about the 5th quarter. So here we go with a haunted house. I'm tired, and I'm not even the one doing most of the work. Our poor preacher, is a haunted house guru - and a maze guru. He's done the maze this week and worked very hard to get people to help with this. It's going to be fun, but I'll be glad when it's over.
I'm ready for the holiday season. I know, some of you may be booing me! But I am. I didn't get a chance to decorate for Halloween (life was just too crazy) but I'm really getting ready for the Holidays. And this year, they are going to be even more fun with my nephew, Brock, around. And Addi is finally getting to the point that she's noticing and paying attention to what's going on. It's like she went from no talking, to completing full sentences!
Happy Halloween - I promise to put up pictures of "Sharpay" and my little lady bug this weekend!
Now, here we are, at Halloween. Our church is hosting the 5th quarter after the football game this week. So naturally, there's got to be something "Halloweeny" about the 5th quarter. So here we go with a haunted house. I'm tired, and I'm not even the one doing most of the work. Our poor preacher, is a haunted house guru - and a maze guru. He's done the maze this week and worked very hard to get people to help with this. It's going to be fun, but I'll be glad when it's over.
I'm ready for the holiday season. I know, some of you may be booing me! But I am. I didn't get a chance to decorate for Halloween (life was just too crazy) but I'm really getting ready for the Holidays. And this year, they are going to be even more fun with my nephew, Brock, around. And Addi is finally getting to the point that she's noticing and paying attention to what's going on. It's like she went from no talking, to completing full sentences!
Happy Halloween - I promise to put up pictures of "Sharpay" and my little lady bug this weekend!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Contest is OVER!!! Life goes on...
Saturday was our big contest day. The twirlers did awesome - they made it to state for the 17th year in a row. And I have 4 girls make it to state as soloists. So the twirling portion of the day was great. Then our band also competed that evening and made straight ones. They also did a fabulous job and it was so much fun to work with them. They are great kids.
Now - the rest of life goes on! First order of business - my house :( I hate house cleaning, and then when I'm busy like I've been the two months, it really goes down the tube. Jake's done a great job keeping it livable. But now it's time to get the entire thing cleaned. Yuck, yuck, yuck. Oh, well. I will enjoy the clean house once it's done - it's just getting to that point.
In the midst of the last few weeks of craziness, Addi had her third birthday. It was a lot of fun. I'll get up some pics and post about that soon. It's just hard to believe that my babies are growing up so fast.
Stay warm - if you're in west texas. I think we're getting another taste of winter as I write!!!
Now - the rest of life goes on! First order of business - my house :( I hate house cleaning, and then when I'm busy like I've been the two months, it really goes down the tube. Jake's done a great job keeping it livable. But now it's time to get the entire thing cleaned. Yuck, yuck, yuck. Oh, well. I will enjoy the clean house once it's done - it's just getting to that point.
In the midst of the last few weeks of craziness, Addi had her third birthday. It was a lot of fun. I'll get up some pics and post about that soon. It's just hard to believe that my babies are growing up so fast.
Stay warm - if you're in west texas. I think we're getting another taste of winter as I write!!!
Monday, October 6, 2008
WTAC
OK, for the rest of the world out there that are not band geeks like me, WTAC is the West Texas Auxiliary Competition. Wow, long name. Basically it's a competition for the auxiliary's of marching band - drum majors, twirlers, flags, and drum lines. It's a fairly large competition held at Coronado every year.
Well, my girls did FABULOUS there! It was very exciting. Our prelim performance was good enough to advance to the finals where we placed first. We beat two other lines that are very good - Colorado City and Frenship High School. Yes, it was exciting for a little 2A school to beat a 4A school.
One of these days, I'm going to try and post a video of them. I'm so proud of these ladies - they have done a fabulous job this year.
Now - other things going on in life.....
my baby is about to turn 3. I'm having a hard time with it. I guess I'm just sad that my last baby is growing up. I'm not saying we're through with kids, but I'm just not sure that we're going to have another one. It may still happen in the future, but, who knows. So I'm having a hard time thinking about being through with babies. Tonight, we had to pull out more clothes from the shed. A) I get teary eyed from thinking of Taelor in those same clothes and B) I get teary eyed thinking Addi will be the last one to wear them. Isn't it funny how clothes can bring back so many memories. I think of the most random things that Taelor did when I see certain outfits. They are all good memories, but it's also sad to realize that time goes too quickly.
So, a very random post, but my life is pretty random right now!!!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Jake's Promotion!!
I have to brag on Jake. He got a promotion recently and we got the first reward (paycheck) from that promotion today!
I am so proud of Jake - and I don't say it often enough. As many of you know, he was working two jobs for several years so that I could stay home with our girls. It was tough working Dillard's and a paper route. And Dillard's was a dead end job. No where to go! So when this job in A-town opened up, we knew it was going to be a good thing.
And now, after being there just over a year, he's already received a promotion. He is the Fertilizer Manager. The company is planning some really big things here.
I always knew Jake could be successful if were ever given the chance. And this job was that chance. He needed a job where he could prove himself over time and work his way up. That's what he's doing.
So, praise God that He blessed Jake with this job! And Jake, way to go. I knew you could do it!!!
I am so proud of Jake - and I don't say it often enough. As many of you know, he was working two jobs for several years so that I could stay home with our girls. It was tough working Dillard's and a paper route. And Dillard's was a dead end job. No where to go! So when this job in A-town opened up, we knew it was going to be a good thing.
And now, after being there just over a year, he's already received a promotion. He is the Fertilizer Manager. The company is planning some really big things here.
I always knew Jake could be successful if were ever given the chance. And this job was that chance. He needed a job where he could prove himself over time and work his way up. That's what he's doing.
So, praise God that He blessed Jake with this job! And Jake, way to go. I knew you could do it!!!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Poor Tae
I want to start by saying - I'm not a bad mom. My children takes baths regularly, they go to bed at a decent time, and we brush our teeth. Probably not as "religiously" as Jake would like - he does it 4-5 times a day...but still.
Well, poor Tae had 8 cavities. We found them this summer. All of a sudden (on our NM trip) she started complaining about her bottom molars hurting. Well, I looked and didn't really see anything (not that you can always see cavities) but we bought some Oragel and continued on. By the time we got to Jake's parents in Farmington, I looked in the top of her mouth to find HUGE, GAPING holes in her teeth. So we went to Jake's dentist in Farmington - he wouldn't touch her. He didn't want to get started on the large amount of cavities there. So he sent us home with pain medication and some antibiotics.
We survived the rest of our vacation, and came home to visit our dentist. He also would not touch them, so he sent us to a pediatric dentist. Well, they scheduled her for the work in Oct. Two months from the time we visited him. It was going to be a long wait. Well, they had an opening come up Sept. 11th that we were all too happy to take.
They put her under while they did it all. We knew she would probably have about 3 teeth pulled from our previous visit. Well, they ended up pulling seven (yes, 7) teeth, doing root canals and caps on 3, putting 2 spacers in and doing fillings on 2 teeth. Five of the pulled teeth were baby molars, and the other two were in the front. The permenant teeth above them are pushing through, and those baby teeth weren't budging. Thankfully, all the affected teeth are baby teeth, but the poor girl just has awful genes. Yes, we need to do more brushing (we are much more religious about it now). But apparently, Jake's family has awful teeth.
Hmm...Jake knew he was getting a diabetic, allergy, asthmatic woman when he married me. I didn't have a clue my children could also have AWFUL teeth. Now, my teeth aren't straight and pretty or anything, but they are healthy.
Well, back to Tae...once she came out of the anesthetic, she's done fine. But man, she was very violent waking up. But she has done GREAT since we've been home. We stayed home from school yesterday (we didn't get the 7+ inches that Lubbock got, so we still had school) but she's done better than I would have. Only took pain meds the first day and hasn't had anything since Thursday night.
That's been our week - hope yours hasn't been as eventful as Taelor's!
Well, poor Tae had 8 cavities. We found them this summer. All of a sudden (on our NM trip) she started complaining about her bottom molars hurting. Well, I looked and didn't really see anything (not that you can always see cavities) but we bought some Oragel and continued on. By the time we got to Jake's parents in Farmington, I looked in the top of her mouth to find HUGE, GAPING holes in her teeth. So we went to Jake's dentist in Farmington - he wouldn't touch her. He didn't want to get started on the large amount of cavities there. So he sent us home with pain medication and some antibiotics.
We survived the rest of our vacation, and came home to visit our dentist. He also would not touch them, so he sent us to a pediatric dentist. Well, they scheduled her for the work in Oct. Two months from the time we visited him. It was going to be a long wait. Well, they had an opening come up Sept. 11th that we were all too happy to take.
They put her under while they did it all. We knew she would probably have about 3 teeth pulled from our previous visit. Well, they ended up pulling seven (yes, 7) teeth, doing root canals and caps on 3, putting 2 spacers in and doing fillings on 2 teeth. Five of the pulled teeth were baby molars, and the other two were in the front. The permenant teeth above them are pushing through, and those baby teeth weren't budging. Thankfully, all the affected teeth are baby teeth, but the poor girl just has awful genes. Yes, we need to do more brushing (we are much more religious about it now). But apparently, Jake's family has awful teeth.
Hmm...Jake knew he was getting a diabetic, allergy, asthmatic woman when he married me. I didn't have a clue my children could also have AWFUL teeth. Now, my teeth aren't straight and pretty or anything, but they are healthy.
Well, back to Tae...once she came out of the anesthetic, she's done fine. But man, she was very violent waking up. But she has done GREAT since we've been home. We stayed home from school yesterday (we didn't get the 7+ inches that Lubbock got, so we still had school) but she's done better than I would have. Only took pain meds the first day and hasn't had anything since Thursday night.
That's been our week - hope yours hasn't been as eventful as Taelor's!
Monday, September 8, 2008
My gals!!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Bragging Rights....
And this time, it doesn't include my family!!!
Tonight was a really great night for me. Tuesdays are my night to teach my two A-town twirling lines. This year I have 5 on my Middle School Line and 6 on my High School Line. None of them will ever read this, but I just want whoever does read this to know how great my girls here are!!!
My first practice of the night was with my MS girls. We are getting ready for their "first" pep rally and football game next week. Yes, I love teaching them twirling, but I love the things that go with that a lot more. For example, we got our uniforms tonight. I can't tell you the look of awe in their faces as they pulled them out and tried them on. For these girls, this is the fanciest thing they'll ever wear until the Jr./Sr. Prom. Twirling uniforms are all about glitz and glamour. And they loved it. It was great to see them "feel" pretty. MS girls have a hard time accepting their bodies, so it was great to see them all "feel" pretty tonight. It's also amazing how effective the rest of practice was. They worked so hard.
After practice, one of the girls asked if she could interview me for an English paper. I said sure. One of the questions, though, really made me think. It was, "Why do you enjoy teaching twirling so much?" Well, my first response was that I love twirling. It's a passion of mine. But then as I thought deeper, more came out. I love teaching twirling because of the relationship that I get to have with each girl I teach. I hope and pray that in some small way, I can influence their lives. I want to show them that you can be a modest young lady (in all ways), and still be beautiful, smart, successful, and HAPPY. With twirling, modesty is sometimes a challenge. You all have probably seen twirling uniforms - it's like dancing in a bathing suit - a one piece, grant you, but still! I love teaching them how they can still be modest while performing in not much. And I hope it carries over into their every day life.
Enough with Jr. High - then my HS girls came. I have always been blessed with good HS lines. Every year is good. And I'm so proud of these girls, too. These ladies are great young people who have a lot of life going on. They are involved in many other school activities. But they are learning what it takes to be successful. Not necessarily a lot of time, but good use of the time you take.
I don't know why I feel so strongly about taking the time to brag about these girls, but I do. If you're a teacher, you know how good you feel about class after everyone participated in the discussion or you walk away feeling they really understood the concept you were trying to teach. That's how I feel tonight. We had a great practice, but there were also many great "life" moments. Yes, I'm a stay at home mom, but those are the things that keep me teaching - helping guide their lives!
Tonight was a really great night for me. Tuesdays are my night to teach my two A-town twirling lines. This year I have 5 on my Middle School Line and 6 on my High School Line. None of them will ever read this, but I just want whoever does read this to know how great my girls here are!!!
My first practice of the night was with my MS girls. We are getting ready for their "first" pep rally and football game next week. Yes, I love teaching them twirling, but I love the things that go with that a lot more. For example, we got our uniforms tonight. I can't tell you the look of awe in their faces as they pulled them out and tried them on. For these girls, this is the fanciest thing they'll ever wear until the Jr./Sr. Prom. Twirling uniforms are all about glitz and glamour. And they loved it. It was great to see them "feel" pretty. MS girls have a hard time accepting their bodies, so it was great to see them all "feel" pretty tonight. It's also amazing how effective the rest of practice was. They worked so hard.
After practice, one of the girls asked if she could interview me for an English paper. I said sure. One of the questions, though, really made me think. It was, "Why do you enjoy teaching twirling so much?" Well, my first response was that I love twirling. It's a passion of mine. But then as I thought deeper, more came out. I love teaching twirling because of the relationship that I get to have with each girl I teach. I hope and pray that in some small way, I can influence their lives. I want to show them that you can be a modest young lady (in all ways), and still be beautiful, smart, successful, and HAPPY. With twirling, modesty is sometimes a challenge. You all have probably seen twirling uniforms - it's like dancing in a bathing suit - a one piece, grant you, but still! I love teaching them how they can still be modest while performing in not much. And I hope it carries over into their every day life.
Enough with Jr. High - then my HS girls came. I have always been blessed with good HS lines. Every year is good. And I'm so proud of these girls, too. These ladies are great young people who have a lot of life going on. They are involved in many other school activities. But they are learning what it takes to be successful. Not necessarily a lot of time, but good use of the time you take.
I don't know why I feel so strongly about taking the time to brag about these girls, but I do. If you're a teacher, you know how good you feel about class after everyone participated in the discussion or you walk away feeling they really understood the concept you were trying to teach. That's how I feel tonight. We had a great practice, but there were also many great "life" moments. Yes, I'm a stay at home mom, but those are the things that keep me teaching - helping guide their lives!
Monday, August 25, 2008
1st Grade
Wow! How time flies and people change!
One year ago I was an emotional wreck. My baby began her first day of kindergarten. I was so excited for her, but devastated at the same time. I couldn't believe my little Tae was old enough to start school. Last year, it was all about me and my emotions. "My" baby was growing up, "my" baby was going to school, "my" baby was.....
Now first grade is here. It wasn't near as hard this year to send her off. I'm so proud of her and the young woman she is becoming. She is so polite, respectful, and courteous. She makes friends easily. I guess this year I'm figuring out (though I've really known it all along) that it's all about "her". She loves school, she has another great teacher, she has a good class, and, really a good grade full of kids. I'm very proud of how she handles herself.
Then there's the whole looks side of it all!!! I can't believe how much more mature Tae looks. But wow, I can't get over how much Addi has grown!! She was a BABY last year.
I guess I really don't have much to say. I'm just proud of my girls and I pray that we continue to raise them to be respectful, young ladies.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Wonderful Vacation
Vacation was a blast!!! We really had a good time. We stayed with Jake's family all week, but got to do a LOT of things that we wanted to.
We started out in Albuquerque at Jake's Grandpa's home. This is usually where we meet up with his parents. But this time, it was just a quick stop. We got to see Jake's Grandmother Liess and it was her first time to meet Addi. Wow, was she in for a treat!!!! Then we got to do the zoo before going on to Farmington.
Once we got to Farmington, we continued the fun. Jake's mom and dad live across the street from a city park and the girls were in HEAVEN. I think they wore grandpa Bill out going to the park. We got to shop downtown Farmington, see some beautiful scenery downtown by the river, and Taelor loved seeing where grandma Cindy works.
On Wednesday, we went to Durango. I loved it. Some people aren't into the "tourism" thing, but I love it. We wanted to do the train, but it was booked. FYI - book your tickets in advance! But we did spend the day downtown and the evening at the Bar D Ranch. It's a chuckwagon dinner with entertainment after. That was a really fun thing to do with the entire family.
Then Thursday was just spent around the house. On Friday, our final day in Farmington, we went to the lake. Taelor got up early and went fishing with dad and grandpa. She even caught one! Then Addi, Cindy, and I met up with them later on. It was a great day at the lake. The weather was wonderful and the girls really had a good time on grandpa's boat.
Saturday we began our drive home. Again, we stopped in Albuquerque for the night and came on home Sunday. We were so glad to see our home and friends again. But we really had a great family vacation.
Now it's really time to get focused for school. As much as I might say I dread school starting, I really am looking forward to it. I love new beginnings and the start of school is just that. It's fresh and new and the possibilities are endless!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Vacation
It has been wonderful!!! Jake has really enjoyed being back at "home" for the first time in 8 years. A lot has changed in those years.
The girls are having a wonderful time, too. Across the street is a park and they are at it all the time!!!!!
I added a new (old) friend to my blogroll. Staci was one of the first girls we met in our youth group in Oklahoma. She really didn't know what to think of Jake & I, but she and her family quickly became some of our closest friends. She's great! I'm so glad that I can keep up with her through a blog now!
I'll post vacation pics and stuff later when we get home.
The girls are having a wonderful time, too. Across the street is a park and they are at it all the time!!!!!
I added a new (old) friend to my blogroll. Staci was one of the first girls we met in our youth group in Oklahoma. She really didn't know what to think of Jake & I, but she and her family quickly became some of our closest friends. She's great! I'm so glad that I can keep up with her through a blog now!
I'll post vacation pics and stuff later when we get home.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Just a few pics
One of the few pics they both look sweet in!
Vacation
I'm am so excited. We actually get to go on a vacation this summer! We leave tomorrow evening after Jake gets off work and will come home sometime next weekend.
I know that a lot of families normally take a summer vacation - we haven't had a chance to. At Dillard's, Jake wasn't allowed to take time off during the summer months (they have certain days "blacked out" for vacation time). So now that he has a job with real benefits, we are leaving town.
We are going to Albuquerque and Farmington (his hometown). Yes, we'll be spending a lot of time with the in-laws, but at least it's not in A-town. Jake's poor mom, Cindy, has been in Alb. all summer long taking care of her dad. Cindy and her other two sisters stay with him 24-7-365. Cindy's turn is always in the summer since she's a teacher. So, anyway, her turn in up on Saturday, so she's going to go home and check on her home before we arrive on Sunday. We're planning on taking the girls to the zoo and maybe check out Old Town in Alb. before we go on to Farmington.
Once we're in Farmington, I think we'll take it easy. We are planning on going to Durango, but we really have no firm plans for this trip - not even a firm return date! We're just going and doing what we want to when we want to! It'll be great.
The sad part is, once we return, there's not much left of summer. I don't offiicially start back with twirling until the 11th. But there are still things that need to be done before then. So, summer is basically over - how sad.
Enjoy your remaining few days of summer - how bout this crazy July weather?!??!
I know that a lot of families normally take a summer vacation - we haven't had a chance to. At Dillard's, Jake wasn't allowed to take time off during the summer months (they have certain days "blacked out" for vacation time). So now that he has a job with real benefits, we are leaving town.
We are going to Albuquerque and Farmington (his hometown). Yes, we'll be spending a lot of time with the in-laws, but at least it's not in A-town. Jake's poor mom, Cindy, has been in Alb. all summer long taking care of her dad. Cindy and her other two sisters stay with him 24-7-365. Cindy's turn is always in the summer since she's a teacher. So, anyway, her turn in up on Saturday, so she's going to go home and check on her home before we arrive on Sunday. We're planning on taking the girls to the zoo and maybe check out Old Town in Alb. before we go on to Farmington.
Once we're in Farmington, I think we'll take it easy. We are planning on going to Durango, but we really have no firm plans for this trip - not even a firm return date! We're just going and doing what we want to when we want to! It'll be great.
The sad part is, once we return, there's not much left of summer. I don't offiicially start back with twirling until the 11th. But there are still things that need to be done before then. So, summer is basically over - how sad.
Enjoy your remaining few days of summer - how bout this crazy July weather?!??!
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