Knee Surgery

Tomorrow I have Knee Surgery. I posted about a month and a half ago that I hurt it running. Well after a few weeks of it not getting better I made an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. He did an MRI and confirmed my fears. I have torn cartilage on the outside of my knee, I also torn the meniscus on the inside of my knee. 

He told me that it would not get better but I did not have to have surgery right away if I didn't want to. So I told him I would think about it again in the fall. 

 I tired to go on with life, We went to the zoo and I tired to walk all day on it. When I came home I was in so much pain I could barely walk. We then went to the park and I couldn't do anything with the kids.

 So I scheduled surgery. My surgery is tomorrow at 2pm. I am supposed to be at the hospital at 11. I have decided I will leave my house at 11 and get to the hospital about 11:20. 

I am super nervous. I have had this surgery done twice before to remove tissue from my knee, but I was in high school and didn't have a business and two small kids to take care of.

  For a week to 10 days he does not want me lifting or carrying kids. So for a week I'm "off" work. This will be interesting for me. I am going to try my hardest to rest and do what he wants me to do because I want it to heal properly. I would like to be back to running a 5k by the end of summer.

   I am also nervous because of everything that happened with my step mom a few months ago. I am grateful that Chris and my dad will be at the hospital with me. I just hope everything goes smooth and the pain will go away after the surgery.

Children's Museum

Today Alyssa, Colin and I took Grandpa to the Children's Museum in Edwardsville. It is a nice big house that is divided into three rooms. Each room has a different theme, dress up, kitchen/store, and exploring.
Alyssa and Colin really enjoyed playing in the different rooms and watching the other kids there play.
Colin was obsessed with the ball area and spent most of his time there.
Alyssa ran around and tried everything out a few times.
After playing for awhile we went to Red Robin for lunch. Both Colin and Alyssa got a milkshake and loved it.

It has been so much fun having my dad in town and getting to watch him interact with the kids. They have enjoyed playing and reading stories with him. He is leaving on Thursday and I know that the kids are really going to miss him.

Having dad in town has also been a great excuse to take some much needed time off work and get to enjoy my kids and the things to do in and around St. Louis.

Lake

On Friday we left at noon to head to the Lake of the Ozarks. For two days Alyssa had been talking about swimming and going on the boat. She kept asking why we were going down there and we told her because we wanted to.
We got down there about 4 o clock after a stop at central dairy for ice cream. Right away Alyssa was ready to go swimming. So while Chris and Grandpa got things cleaned up I got the kids into their swimsuits and sunscreened up for the water.
  We got into the water and it was a little on the chilly side, but both kids were thrilled to be in the water. We swam for about 45 minutes then got out and headed to dinner at a new restaurant close by. The restaurant had just opened and was running on the slow side. The kids for being tired and hungry did FANTASTIC. They sat and listened to the live music never once complaining. When the food came they ate it and then enjoyed more music.
    On Saturday morning we all got up and ate breakfast out on the porch. We then got the boat out. The boat started right up and we were excited to take it for a ride. However soon after the ride started the boat started to smoke and then smoke more and then we had to turn the boat off and be turned off and we had to be towed back to the dock.
   Chris and Grandpa looked at it and decided that the coolant was low and so they added some more and hoped that it wouldn't overheat again. Later on Saturday Chris got the wave runner out and took it for a nice long ride. When he got back he asked if I wanted to go and I passed since the lake was getting really busy.
    On Sunday morning we got the wave runner out again and I was going to take Alyssa for a ride. Well we got her on it and it died. We decided it needed more gas. So after a gas run we tried again and I was able to take Alyssa for a ride around the cove. For the whole ride she kept looking up at me with the biggest smile on her face.
Then Colin wanted a turn. So we took a small spin between our dock and the neighbors dock.He loved it and was saying "Ohh and wee" the whole time.
Later in the day Chris went to take Alyssa out and it died again. We added more gas and thought all was good. He took her for another ride around the cove.
During nap on Sunday Chris and I decided to take the wave runner out together. We went down the lake a little ways and the wave runner died. It took many starts and stops to make it home, we made it but it was an adventure.
On Monday we swam one more time and put everything away. Soon after lunch was over we headed for home. During the drive home Alyssa talked about all the things we would do the next time we went.

I love being at the lake in a way it is like coming home for me. I remember spending every summer of my childhood there. Watching the joy and wonder on my kids faces as they experience the lake makes my heart swell.
They loved eating every meal outside, they loved being in the water(even if it was a little on the cold side), the boat and wave runner brought smiles to their faces.  I am so glad my husband loves the lake as much as I do. He does not complain about lack of phones, internet or TV. We are going back in three weeks and I am looking forward to it immensely.

Transportation Museum

Last Tuesday my dad came into town on Wednesday we went to the Transportation Museum in St. Louis. We decided this was a trip for just Grandpa, Mommy and Alyssa.
Once we got there Alyssa was in love at first sight. She saw a train before even entering the building. While there she got to ride a small train, play in a huge play area that had trains, dress up, kitchens, and houses to play in. In the play area Alyssa had us sit in the kitchen area, and she fixed us meals and even got the mop out to clean up a pretend mess that she made.
After playing for awhile we went and got to walk and look at many different trains from different eras. Alyssa could care less about the history but loved climbing on and through the trains. We would give her information about it and she would say "ok" and keep going.
After leaving the museum she decided that we needed to go get chips and salsa so I found a Mexican restaurant close by and we had some yummy lunch then headed for home.
  Alyssa loved getting some time with Grandpa and Mommy without Colin.

Side note: I sent Grandpa to Walmart bright and early Wednesday morning for a new SD card for my camera so that I could take pictures at the museum. I put it in the camera and then left the camera on the counter. I did get some pictures with my phone but haven't uploaded them to my computer.

Fun Weekend

It was a really good weekend. It was busy but I enjoyed every second of it.
On Friday night we went out to dinner and walked the mall. It was so nice not to be rushing or anything. We went there with no agenda, ended up at the play area and got library books then left.
On Saturday we went to the park nice and early. Played for an hour and then Chris ran a 5k and I walked a mile with the kids. We then went to swim. After swim it was naps and then I took Alyssa to a birthday party. She had a blast at the birthday party and I was so proud of how well she behaved.
We then came home and packed up the kids for Grandma and Grandpa's house for the night.
We dropped the kids off at their Grandparents and Chris and I went out to celebrate our anniversary.
This morning we picked the kids up at 8:30, came home cleaned and naps then went to the park for another party. The kids had a blast and fell asleep quickly tonight.
I love weekends that are busy but that you don't feel rushed or tired at the end of.
It is going to be a good busy week and I'm so looking forward to next weekend too.

8 Years Ago Today

8 years ago today I married my best friend and soul mate. We had been together for many years and engaged for 7 months.

Alyssa took this picture of us on Mother's Day

I can't tell you the exact moment I knew Chris was the one for me, but I do know that I knew by the time I went off to college that he was meant to be mine. At our wedding my Maid of Honor said that she knew that she hadn't found true love because she had never looked at a boy the way I looked at Chris. That is something that has stuck with me. I hope that I still look at Chris the same way today that I did so long ago. I can honestly say that there are times I still get butterflies in my stomach.
   In those 8 years we have moved 3 times, I have changed jobs 7 times, and Chris has changed jobs twice.
 We have been blessed with two amazing children and a dog.These two children have made our life and marriage so much fuller. Before kids we would spend hours on the couch in front of the TV. Now the TV is usually not on until 9 at night. Our time is spent taking walks, playing hide and go seek, and being a family.

  Tonight Chris asked me if someone would have told you 8 years ago that you would be where we are today what would you say? I told him that I would have said they were crazy. This was not the path I saw my life on but I'm so glad I'm on it now.
    I look forward to Chris coming home every night. I get excited for date nights. We don't have as many as we used to, but I love that we make it a point to have them.
   Chris is my rock. He has been by my side during the toughest times, but also the happiest times.
  This last year hasn't bought too many big changes, I have actually kept my same job, there are no more babies to plan for and Chris' job has been close to home. The biggest thing we took on this year was making ourselves healthy.
   I am so proud of the new healthier us. We are more active with and without the kids, we eat healthier and our weights are much better.We have also made church a part of our lives.  We have taken time to make sure that we can be the best for each other and the best for our kids.
   I can't believe that it has been 8 years. I have had so much joy in the last 8 years I can only imagine what is to come as we truly take shapes in our jobs and in raising our kids.
I love you Chris and Happy Anniversary!

Mother's Day

It was an awesome weekend in our household. Yesterday morning we got up and headed to the zoo. It was perfect weather for being outside. At the zoo we were able to pet the goats, ride the carousel, and see many animals outside playing. We then went to the party that was held for Cheri at the zoo. Alyssa loved playing with her cousins and enjoyed watching the fish in the floor to ceiling aquarium.
  We then rode the train, saw the elephants and left the zoo. We then got back in the car and the kids were asleep before we even got out of Forest Park. Unfortunately for them we had to stop about ten minutes later for a new laptop for me and they never went back to sleep.





   Then last night I went out to dinner with some friends.
This morning the kids got up and went and got me flowers and doughnuts. Alyssa was full of many "Happy Mother's Day" for me. While eating breakfast I got to open cards and gifts from the kids. They gave me 2 hour long massages at a local spa.
 We then got ready for church and then walked to church. After church we came home had lunch and had a family nap.
After everyone woke up we walked to the park and played for an hour. We came home to clean up the house and the kids played outside on the deck with water. It was so nice to listen to them out there playing while I was cleaning.
We then had a nice dinner Chris fixed for us out on the deck and then out for ice cream.
It was a great day.

It is weekends like this that help remind me how awesome my life really is. As I sat reflecting on the weekend I can't help but be in awe of all that I have.
I'm 28, I own my own successful business that allows me to be home with my kids. I have a house that I love in a nice and safe neighborhood. I have two amazing kids that bring my joy and the best husband I could ever ask for.
Without my husband I would not be who I am today. I don't think I would have had the courage to take the jump to opening my own business without him. I also wouldn't have the kids that I have without him. (Obviously) He knows me so well and makes sure I am taken care of financially, physically and emotionally on a daily basis. I can only hope he feels the same way about me.
I really do love my life and as we come upon our 8 year anniversary I enjoy looking at where we have come from and where we are going.  

Colin is sick again

Something is wrong with Colin. I took him to the doctor last Wednesday and the doctor gave him a clean bill of health.
He hasn't eaten well in over a week and a half, and he is super fussy and isn't sleeping well at night. We started drops in his ear today hoping that is it. If it isn't I don't know what to do. It is heartbreaking to see him so upset and we don't know what to do to make him feel better.
 

Play Date

On Friday morning I took Alyssa on her first official play date. We got together with one of the girls from the day care. Alyssa and M play great together and so we set up a time that Alyssa could see her house.
  Alyssa had a BLAST. From the second we walked in the door Alyssa and M went off to play. Not once did they have an argument or issue. They played for an hour and a half and I think they would have played longer if we would have let them.
  After we left I was going to take Alyssa to lunch. We were driving past Red Lobster and she said "Mommy I want shrimp" so we turned around and went to Red Lobster. She ate 2 biscuits, almost all her popcorn shrimp and all the oranges on her plate. She then ate almost all a huge cookie for dessert that I said she could have since she ate all her lunch.
   It is so much fun to see Alyssa grow and become even more of her own person. She is a smart little girl and it is fun to watch that brain expand.

Bump on the Head and other Daycare news

On Friday I was cleaning under the yellow daycare table. Alyssa came over to see what I was cleaning and she knocked the table over onto my head. I started to cry immediately and couldn't stop. Alyssa kept saying over and over "Stop crying mommy stop crying". She was worried and didn't know what to do so she started to act out. I was able to keep functioning until Chris got home about 45 minutes later. A neighbor then drove me to the hospital and then Jenni came and sat with me while Chris took care of everything at home.  
The hospital said I did not have a concussion, but I disagree. I had all the signs of a concussion including, extreme tiredness, fluid drainage from the ears, extreme headache and a super foggy head. I am feeling better tonight so hopefully I will feel even better tomorrow.
   In other news the day care should be getting its new Group home Licenses soon. (I should of had it over 2 weeks ago so we are hoping soon.) Also Jenni and I have started a business plan so that if an opportunity comes up for us to move to a new center sooner than later we are ready. A business plan takes a lot of work to do. We started on Wednesday and we are done with 2 of the 11 steps. We will keep working on it and then we can just tweak it as things change and then we will be ready when the time comes. It is exciting to see what the future can hold for us.
  The daycare is totally full and we do not have any kids on a waiting list right now. It feels good to know all the spots are full and good to see the group we have get along so well.
I'm so happy with where my life has gone in the last two years!