Happiness and success

Doing what has to be done the best you can do it is what makes a person successful. Rarely does a person get control of their destiny completely. It's rare that you get to determine all the variables in life and so when you find yourself faced with having to do something unexpected accepting it as not what you would have chosen and deciding that you will manage it well anyway is the secret to happiness. Despite the sacrifices and unmet dreams required.

Spring

Jan 6th, 2012

Kyle had a right tympanoplasty this morning at Primary Children's Medical Center. The surgeon made a large incision behind his ear and laid the ear forward then repaired the ear drum. The surgeon said the bones looked ok and everything went well. It will be several months until we know if the repair is stable. We will have to repeat hearing testing to assess impact on hearing. We are not expecting hearing to return to that ear. Some may, but that would be a bonus, not the reason for the surgery.

Anyway, we won't know for several months. Meanwhile Kyle is patiently tolerating things. He was discharged from the hospital late this afternoon. His pain is well controlled and he is resting peacefully. He is even leaving the saucer cup protector in place. That can come off tomorrow unless he will keep it on (which would protect his ear).

On another front, the fistulagram results were sent to Dr Levitt in Cincinnati Ohio who said the tract is too narrow. The interventions required are so specialized that until the doctors here and the doctors in Ohio sorted things out I had a large amount of anxiety. The solution is to place a Chait button in the neo Malone to leave in place for several months. The doctors who can do this are in Salt Lake City at Primary's so on Monday Kyle will have one placed.

This does delay our return home by a day, but it's better than another trip out.

It's been a long day. I'm so very glad Alan has been here with me. Im also so grateful to Alan's SLC parents for help with Dimitri and to the Jones for letting us stay with them.

Spring

Too much Christmas!

It's 6:30pm Christmas day. It's been full of all the normal Christmas day festivities as well as church. Kyle has enjoyed the day but is now done! He Kenneled himself to get away from it all. Not a bad idea! Hope each of you enjoyed your day!

Love, Spring.

Dimitri peek a boo!

Merlin

To: Crystal Kunz <morninrun@gmail.com>
Subject: Merlin

Ok so since he is a service dog there are a few limits he has that other dogs wouldn't.  

Wait to pet him until he sits in front of you.

If he jumps or licks you ignore him and move away.

If he nibbles (he is still a puppy) give him a toy.

Trade his toys for the kids toys if he gets them.

No People food

No rough housing. Long slow gentle strokes only.

Playing fetch is fine. Playing keep away or tug of war is not.

No chasing or being chased by him.

Redirect rather than say "no" (strikingly similar to parenting).

Don't use his working commands unless he is working. These words are: come, sit, down, say, heel, bed

Can use: leave it, drop it, off, let's go, Merlin and kisses sound ( instead of come)

Of course no hitting, kicking, yelling etc.

Work with him all day every day. Keep him hooked to you via a 15 foot rope at all times! 

I think that's it. ;) 

Spring

Fwd: Pre teen Lauren

Now she expects breakfast and she is mad because her jacket is Diderot and she can't wear it!  Unbelievable!   How can I not be doing something wrong?  My parents say "she's just like you  used to be dear". Well thats awful and totally guilt provoking.  Takes disappointment of self to a whole new level.  

I hope I never say  that to my kids even if it's true. 

Welcome to 'ground hog day'!  

Spring 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Spring Bean <springcbean@gmail.com>
Date: December 19, 2011 7:00:23 AM MST
To: Capture The Magic Blog <sabean1.climber@blogger.com>
Subject: Pre teen Lauren

It's not even 7 am and she has been rude to me for 10 minutes.  I've heard "MOM!!!" four times. She almost swore when she was telling me to "leave (her) alone". I got a "why didn't you wake me earlier? You know I don't get ready on time?" and a " why are you still up here?" (while I'm journaling this).  I told her "I don't appreciate being talked to like this and I don't want her to wake the other kids".  She said "I don't care!!!"   All this accompanied by the slamming of doors times 5, stomping as loud as she can and throwing things around as she gets ready. Then the precious "how about you go? And help!".

Now why did I want to be a mom and get this kind of treatment before 7 am?  Hey, it's your Education and future. I've done mine.  And I hate getting up before 7:30 am!  This doesn't help my burnout... I don't think I'll survive teenagers. :(

Spring

A day in the life.

It all started at 7 am. Get up and ready for church. Two boys, two girls, one dog, one me. Eight medicines, five procedures, potty breaks times five, church bag, cooler, music for descant, prayer and scriptures. Put hubby to bed from a night shift, kennel the dog leave for church. Arrived five minutes early.

Made it through sacrament meeting and performance. Off to nursery, home for singing time music I forgot. Get diet coke! Back to singing time. Made it through church. Go home, eat Christmas goodies. Drink diet coke. Unpack cooler, clean up breakfast, prep dinner, make lunch, potty times three again (including dog). Change clothes, Send girls out to play and take boys to bed. Kyle plays, Dimitri sleeps I wish for sleep. More diet coke.

Lauren calls me frantically. The dog fell in the swamp! Emergency bath! What's Kyle doing???? Lauren changes clothes again... Kennel dog, iPad for Kyle, start Lauren on homework head to choir.

Play flute, sing, chat, laugh. Head home. Check on the dog, Kyle and Lauren. Dimitri's still sleeping- score! Unpack, clean up, tube feed Kyle, change yesterday's laundry. Get ready for christmas cooking. Wake up hubby. More diet coke. Dinner didn't cook fast enough for him. He eats cereal. Off to meeting then work all night. Bye.

Dimitris awake. Kyle and Dimitri help cook, then Merlin tries to help. That's it! Bach to the kennel! Dimitri buckled in high chair, Kyle put in front of the tv! Alan calls after his meeting as he drives to work. I love my Bluetooth! Cooking fudge, carmels, peppermint fudge. Yum yum! Train dog, supervise boys and girls who resist their responsibilities. Run the dog. Comfort the dog.

Serve dinner that's finally ready. Cook more and more. Think it will never end. Wish I had a second adult helping me.
Cook, clean laugh try to stay upright?

Package, wash, straighten, sweep, wash, long for the good old pre-child days (long story). Take the dog outside. Breathe some fresh air. Supervise girls doing their responsibilities. Eat dinner, train dog, referee the boys play time.

Clean up dishes, sweep, laundry, dog training, connect with the girls. Prep for friend goodie plates. Plan aheaad for tomorrow. Text a couple peoplle while working elsewhere. Emailed a person or two call hubby to say good night.

Five more medications, three more procedures, pjs times 4-5. Snuggled Kyle, Dimitri, lauren, Sierra, and Merlin!
I'm wiped out.
No faking asleep while journaling. Good nritse

Spring