Life Is An Adventure: December 2011

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Our Final Day with Mr. Elf Riker

Monday, December 26, 2011

Electronics

Tonight as we all sat in the living room, I noticed something rather sad - something that I noticed yesterday amidst all of the fellowship of family - The undeniable presence of electronics. Whether it is cell phones, computers/laptops, PSP's, DS', Kindle/Nook's, iTouch's - ANYTHING. It all takes away from quality family time. The kind of family time where you interact and communicate. The kind where you have fun and make memories. Not the time together where you merely acknowledge ones presence. . .

Now, as I mentioned earlier, I noticed this with us - we are guilty of this too - as I sit here and type on our computer, my 4 year old daughter is playing an iTouch that was gifted to us from a VERY kind neighbor and Daddy is playing on my Kindle Fire. Earlier, Hannah and Daddy were playing Connect 4, while Little Robert played KidZui on the computer, Wesley played something on the iTouch, and I played around on my new Kindle Fire. We were all in the same room, but we were all so involved in our own little world that we could have cared less what the other was doing. . .

I am realizing more and more just how common electronics are now - "No Cell Phone" signs that are present at Mass and the reminders before times of worship/quiet times to turn the off all electronics. I really have to stop and think what will happen in 10 years when my kids are teenagers. Will we only communicate via text message or other electronic device? Will we interact? Now, I know that we will, but regardless, what will the temptation in *this* area be. The thought of what *could* be truly terrifies me. I do think that one positive for us, is that we only switched from dial up about a year ago and still do not have WiFi!

So, for now, I will remain aware of this. I will not let us become consumed by this electronic era. We will still play games as a family and not watch TV and play on the computer 24/7. We will read physical books, as well as eBooks. I will try to find that healthy balance that is required of everything. . .

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Mr. Elf Riker

Even though there are only 2 more nights of hiding for Mr. Elf Riker, I wanted to give an update as to his latest antics. (I will just add the last two to this post) In case you do not remember, click here to see his first 35 days of excitement!

Day 36

Day 36 (away)

Day 37

Day 37 (away)

Day 38 with their Magical Elf Garden treats!

Day 38 (away)

Day 38

Day 39

Day 39 (away)

Day 40

Day 41

Day 42 - BAD Elf

Day 42 (away)

Day 42

Day 43

Day 43 (away)

Day 44

Day 44 (away)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Bump In The Road. . .

There has been quite a lot going on in our life lately. I have made public Hannah's issue, but I have not spoken a lot about myself lately and I think that it is time as I could use the prayers. . .

As many of you know, I had a hysterectomy in March of this year and since then, it has been one issue after another. Shortly after the surgery, I was diagnosed with illioinguinal and genitofemoral neuralgia. We began a series of nerve blocks, but those only lasted for a short while. The fact that they worked, however, showed us that this diagnosis was indeed correct. The problem was that they were not lasting longer than 48 hours.

After so long, the first pain doc threw up his hands, telling me that he had nothing more to offer me since I was not open to the peripheral nerve stimulator. He was closely followed by the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions that turned out to be quacks or out of options. I finally found one that is completely committed to helping with this pain. I am far to young to be dealing with pain like this and he fully understands this.

At our most recent appointment, we had a heart to heart. He told me that it was getting to the point where he was thinking that the PNS was my only option. Of course, I began to cry and he decided to perform a physical exam at this point. Upon doing so, he felt a mass of sorts in that lower right quadrant, where I hurt the most and quickly said that he wants me to see a general surgeon.

I saw the surgeon 2 weeks ago and once again, he is an incredible man. He gave me tissues as I cried and listened to my entire story. He asked questions and told me that he too is committed to getting rid of this pain. After he finished taking a history, asking questions, and performing an exam, we came up with a plan beginning with the least invasive and progressing from there. . .

The first thing he wanted done was a colonoscopy to see if there was any inflammation inside pressing on the nerve. That was performed last week and came back normal. After that, he wanted to perform a laparscopic surgery to look for any stitches/staples that should have dissolved but have not and to remove as much scar tissue as he can.

This will take place next Thursday, December 29 at 10am.

I am terribly anxious about this as the last surgery that I had was the hysterectomy and that was meant to be simple but turned into anything but. . .I am also very anxious about the pain as any little thing exemplifies my already significant pain to an unbearable level. I know that all will be well, but I am human and I worry. . .

I am trying to remain very positive that this will end the pain. That this will provide a simple answer to all that has been going on and causing these issues. I am also trying to remain positive that this will all go as planned. That there will not be a single complication that will add to the recovery.

So, if you do not mind, I would greatly appreciate prayers, and not only for me, but for my kiddos and hubby as these are not just 'my' issues, but 'our' issues. . . Thank you in advance. xoxoxo

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Let There Be Light!

My husband has so put so much time into decorating the house for Christmas - Every year, he puts SO much into making the house look incredible and this year is no exception. I am so proud of him. . . and can not wait to see what the neighbors think during our Christmas light contest/Luminaries this Saturday!

So, while we do not have pictures of the inside or backyard yet, I will go ahead and show off the front:

Monday, December 12, 2011

Mr. Elf Riker

This year, we began a new tradition of implementing the Elf on a Shelf book. The first night, November 11, the kiddos sat nicely around Daddy as he read them the story explaining how he works --> Every night, after the kiddos are in bed, Mr Elf magically flies to the North Pole to report to Santa about how Robert, Hannah, and Wesley have behaved. The next morning he returns before they wake up and hides in a new spot that they must find (I think Daddy is having a GREAT time with this one)! So, it encourages GOOD choices and is fun. . . all at once!