TYSON.......
IS.......
OBSESSED.......
WITH THE.....
CAT!
IS.......
OBSESSED.......
WITH THE.....
CAT!(P.S. and it's driving me a little crazy)
Pictures courtesy of Tyson.....and the ones on my cell phone.......and the videos as well.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
BIKES! Praise the powers that be!
Ok, so we have struggled with biking. We have tried. Bike after bike and summer after summer we have really tried hard to get the kiddos to learn. Tyson struggles with some things and biking really threw him into an anxiety attack. The harder we tried, the worse it became. We don't give up though, so we bought the new bikes, and got them out into the blasted summer heat and onto the high school parking lot. Well, they did it!!!! Two of them without training wheels and Bray of course with. They have had so much fun this summer and especially now that the fall weather is kicking in. Mike and I are happy too because that means we can ride more often as well. Now onto the other anxiety boosting topic in our family.....shoe tying. 
My Boys
Tyson and Brayden keep me on my toes, but they are fun and always have something to show me........
Tyson loves to catch these little guys, or any bug for that matter.
Lego creations. They are happen on a daily basis at this house.
Oh, and where did that Kit-Kat bar go?......Oh, there it is.
Tyson loves to catch these little guys, or any bug for that matter.
Lego creations. They are happen on a daily basis at this house.
Oh, and where did that Kit-Kat bar go?......Oh, there it is. Brought to you by Brayden.
Fourth of July (yeah, I know.....I'm a little late)
In all the history of this blog (since 2007), I have never been so bad at posting. I was looking through the pictures on my camera and I saw so many things that needed to be documented that I decided it was time to reunite and mend my relarionship with my blog so we can indeed move on with the family history. This is all baout our 4th of July and I am going to let the pictures tell the story.....
We made sugar cookies (thanks to the Boutiful Basket cookie set). Kids loved it and I loved not having to acutally bake them :)
We made sugar cookies (thanks to the Boutiful Basket cookie set). Kids loved it and I loved not having to acutally bake them :)
Off to Cedar City early int he morning. Mike and I had a Shakespeare show that day, so we spent time with family and started things off with a parade.
I love that my kids have pride in America.
Anna and Brynlee playing.
Woo hoo! The band!
Ty and Anna were so brave! They both tried the climbing wall.
Cute kids.
We went to Beth and Chad's place in Hurricane to do some fireworks and watch the city fireworks.
This is what we saw after the city fireworks were over. Oops.Thursday, August 4, 2011
Goodbye Summer :(
Summer is almost over. Boo. I'll miss it. It's been nice. Not too exciting, not too dull, just nice. Mike started meetings this week so we've been getting up earlier and I am really tired. I'm not looking forward to losing even more sleep hours once school begins, but we've got to make the big money somehow.....haha.
Anyway, I wanted to post a few things that we've accomplished this summer. It may not sound like much to most of you, but a lot of it is HUGE to us.
-Brayden is potty trained. This is even more of a celebration than usual since he is my LAST child to potty train. Praise Buddha.
- Tyson and Anna can ride bikes. Anna was ok at this but it has been 4 1/2 years and 3 bikes later that Tyson has finally figured out that riding a bike will most likely not kill him and he might actually have a little fun doing it. Really, this is big!
- Ty goes under the water in a swimming pool AND jumps off the diving board.
- I have a SUPAF staff. This is 3 1/2 years in the making. I still think I must be dreaming.
- Anna is a superb reader and keeps pushing herself forward.
- Tyson is advancing so quickly in piano that they are skipping a whole level. The little genius.
Ok, so we didn't vacation in the Bahamas, save an endangered species, or cure cancer, but in our little world, we might as well have done that. One thing still to conquer: shoe lace tying. I know, I know. Baby steps :)
Anyway, I wanted to post a few things that we've accomplished this summer. It may not sound like much to most of you, but a lot of it is HUGE to us.
-Brayden is potty trained. This is even more of a celebration than usual since he is my LAST child to potty train. Praise Buddha.
- Tyson and Anna can ride bikes. Anna was ok at this but it has been 4 1/2 years and 3 bikes later that Tyson has finally figured out that riding a bike will most likely not kill him and he might actually have a little fun doing it. Really, this is big!
- Ty goes under the water in a swimming pool AND jumps off the diving board.
- I have a SUPAF staff. This is 3 1/2 years in the making. I still think I must be dreaming.
- Anna is a superb reader and keeps pushing herself forward.
- Tyson is advancing so quickly in piano that they are skipping a whole level. The little genius.
Ok, so we didn't vacation in the Bahamas, save an endangered species, or cure cancer, but in our little world, we might as well have done that. One thing still to conquer: shoe lace tying. I know, I know. Baby steps :)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The VNS
I have been looking at some blogs of other people who have a VNS implant to see what their experiences have been with it. I'm having problems with mine that are stumping my doctors, but after my research, I have found that there are quite a # of people out there who have experienced similar problems. When the VNS is on, it feels as if my throat is closing. I cannot talk well and it takes all my energy just to speak at a normal volume. If there is a lot of noise in the room, no one can hear me. I feel like I am straining to make even the slightest sound. The more it is turned up, the harder it is and the more it hurts. It feels like a shock. So, the other problem is that breathing is hard. It feels almost like I'm trying to catch my breath even though I've been doing nothing to cause that to happen. When I run or exercise, I can't breathe easily at all when it turns on. In fact, there are times when I feel like I'm going to pass out because I'm not getting enough oxygen. The positive to this is that I know it will only last 30 seconds. When it turns off, it's like nothing happened.
I've been seeing my Neuro and then also a Ear, Nose, and Throat dr. My Neuro adjusted a setting last week. It gave me some relief in that it doesn't hurt so much when it goes off. I feel like I can speak a little clearer, but at the same time, a weird little thing started happening where I sound like a robot when I talk. That's actually kind of entertaining. I can't breathe any easier and I still feel like I'm going to pass out when I run. They can adjust it down one more time. The ENT doc. did a scope on my vocal chords and said they are paralysed almost completely closed. He wants to do an x-ray to see if it was implanted properly. There is no real plan of action. We are playing everything by ear. All I do know is that if I continue with this, they've told me I will have permanent damage to my vocal chords. I think it's called Vocal Chord Disfunction.
The VNS does so well in controlling my seizures and quite honestly, I would give up talking if it means I don't have to have seizures all the time, but medically, the doctors can't let my throat close up like that. It's too much of a risk. They are worried about my breathing at night and, if it needs to be turned up again, the risk of it closing completely.
Where it effects me most is in teaching. It's hard to teach 50 kids at one time when they can't hear you. It's also already caused seemingly permanent damage to my singing voice. I can't sing high anymore. That also effects my job. I am considering quitting teaching and just going back to teaching private lessons. It's so funny that I can work through my seizures, but end up having to possible quit because of the side effects of the treatment. Seems a little wrong doesn't it?
Just FYI- I'm still really optimistic. I'm not giving up hope. I'm a pretty strong gal and can take it. When they tell me it has to be removed is when I will probably lose it. Going back to square one is going to be hard for me but I'm gearing up for it so that I won't be shocked if it happens. I'm just going to keep doing what I do. I can either be really upset about it or be really glad for what I do have.
I've been seeing my Neuro and then also a Ear, Nose, and Throat dr. My Neuro adjusted a setting last week. It gave me some relief in that it doesn't hurt so much when it goes off. I feel like I can speak a little clearer, but at the same time, a weird little thing started happening where I sound like a robot when I talk. That's actually kind of entertaining. I can't breathe any easier and I still feel like I'm going to pass out when I run. They can adjust it down one more time. The ENT doc. did a scope on my vocal chords and said they are paralysed almost completely closed. He wants to do an x-ray to see if it was implanted properly. There is no real plan of action. We are playing everything by ear. All I do know is that if I continue with this, they've told me I will have permanent damage to my vocal chords. I think it's called Vocal Chord Disfunction.
The VNS does so well in controlling my seizures and quite honestly, I would give up talking if it means I don't have to have seizures all the time, but medically, the doctors can't let my throat close up like that. It's too much of a risk. They are worried about my breathing at night and, if it needs to be turned up again, the risk of it closing completely.
Where it effects me most is in teaching. It's hard to teach 50 kids at one time when they can't hear you. It's also already caused seemingly permanent damage to my singing voice. I can't sing high anymore. That also effects my job. I am considering quitting teaching and just going back to teaching private lessons. It's so funny that I can work through my seizures, but end up having to possible quit because of the side effects of the treatment. Seems a little wrong doesn't it?
Just FYI- I'm still really optimistic. I'm not giving up hope. I'm a pretty strong gal and can take it. When they tell me it has to be removed is when I will probably lose it. Going back to square one is going to be hard for me but I'm gearing up for it so that I won't be shocked if it happens. I'm just going to keep doing what I do. I can either be really upset about it or be really glad for what I do have.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Post #400!
I am becoming a very poor blogger. I will be better now that life is back to a "kind of" routine. So, here goes.
THIS IS POST #400! It's not like I get a prize or anything, I just think it's cool that I've documented that much of our lives. This blog is as close to a journal as I've ever come to. I'm sure with the advancement of technology I will try other things along the way, but for now, I'm just glad to write my family story in such a way that it can be saved and passed down for years.
We have been Shakespeare-ing for the last three weeks. The opening night for USF's "The Music Man" is tomorrow. It is a great show! We are glad to be part of it. There have been some frustrating moments due to a difficult rehearsal schedule and some leadership issues that are hopefully now resolved, but we vow to always do our best and bring to the table what we can to make the show a good one.
Because of our involvement in USF, we have been living (for the most part) in Cedar City with Mike's mom. She has been gracious enough to put up with us so we can save a few bucks in gas and enjoy the cooler weather. The kids did a session of swimming lessons up there and we did some fun things on our off time. Mike's brother, Matthew, his cousin, Lauren, and his mom all rotated watching the kids while we worked. Now the kids will go primarily to the USF daycare with we do shows and at nights will sometimes stay with Grandma. It works out well and the kids love it!
We are still not really settled in here. We moved in and before we really had a chance to get to know people really well, we started shows. It's hard on the kids and hard on us. We are used to knowing our neighbors and letting the kids have friends play. We don't know people well save the few students that live close. The kids are sick of each other and need some little friends. We did ask around at church today and Tyson met a boy his age that we might be able to play with. We just have to be very good about making play dates since we are gone half the time. I just really want them to be happy and to make friends.
To change the subject, Sophie (our cat), was NOT ok with us being gone. We had a girl down the street take care of her, but apparently the 45 min. of attention a day wasn't cutting it for the cat. She has been rather pissed off since we came home. She has actually attacked both Anna and Brayden and left bite marks on their legs. Little snot. She's calming down now but I think we'll have to think of some other option for Sophie if we do this again next year.
Lastly, we booked our flights to Ohio! We are going in October to visit Mike's Grandparents and other extended family. We are excited to go. We have no plans so far and we just hope to be able to let the kids get to know them. The last time we visited was when Anna had just turned one. A lot has changed since then!
I guess that's it for now. Sometime soon I will put pics of the new house on the blog and the upcoming 4th of July activities. We are all very patriotic at our house this year and are very glad to be able to celebrate tomorrow. In these times where it feels like the world around us falls apart little by little, I can still see God's hand in our lives. I pray that our nation will continue to be blessed.
THIS IS POST #400! It's not like I get a prize or anything, I just think it's cool that I've documented that much of our lives. This blog is as close to a journal as I've ever come to. I'm sure with the advancement of technology I will try other things along the way, but for now, I'm just glad to write my family story in such a way that it can be saved and passed down for years.
We have been Shakespeare-ing for the last three weeks. The opening night for USF's "The Music Man" is tomorrow. It is a great show! We are glad to be part of it. There have been some frustrating moments due to a difficult rehearsal schedule and some leadership issues that are hopefully now resolved, but we vow to always do our best and bring to the table what we can to make the show a good one.
Because of our involvement in USF, we have been living (for the most part) in Cedar City with Mike's mom. She has been gracious enough to put up with us so we can save a few bucks in gas and enjoy the cooler weather. The kids did a session of swimming lessons up there and we did some fun things on our off time. Mike's brother, Matthew, his cousin, Lauren, and his mom all rotated watching the kids while we worked. Now the kids will go primarily to the USF daycare with we do shows and at nights will sometimes stay with Grandma. It works out well and the kids love it!
We are still not really settled in here. We moved in and before we really had a chance to get to know people really well, we started shows. It's hard on the kids and hard on us. We are used to knowing our neighbors and letting the kids have friends play. We don't know people well save the few students that live close. The kids are sick of each other and need some little friends. We did ask around at church today and Tyson met a boy his age that we might be able to play with. We just have to be very good about making play dates since we are gone half the time. I just really want them to be happy and to make friends.
To change the subject, Sophie (our cat), was NOT ok with us being gone. We had a girl down the street take care of her, but apparently the 45 min. of attention a day wasn't cutting it for the cat. She has been rather pissed off since we came home. She has actually attacked both Anna and Brayden and left bite marks on their legs. Little snot. She's calming down now but I think we'll have to think of some other option for Sophie if we do this again next year.
Lastly, we booked our flights to Ohio! We are going in October to visit Mike's Grandparents and other extended family. We are excited to go. We have no plans so far and we just hope to be able to let the kids get to know them. The last time we visited was when Anna had just turned one. A lot has changed since then!
I guess that's it for now. Sometime soon I will put pics of the new house on the blog and the upcoming 4th of July activities. We are all very patriotic at our house this year and are very glad to be able to celebrate tomorrow. In these times where it feels like the world around us falls apart little by little, I can still see God's hand in our lives. I pray that our nation will continue to be blessed.
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