So, here it is my end of summer post. As you can all see, I didn't post very much this summer. This has been a summer of emotions. Sometimes I was having lots of fun with the kids and enjoying being with them. Sometimes I was sad and totally stressed out because of my mother's health issues. I haven't told many people what has been going on in my life. I have kept my thoughts and emotions bottled up.
Let's begin with the last day of school. I knew it was going to be a long summer. We didn't have any vacations planned, that worried me a little bit. (I am quite use to packing the suburban and hauling the kids across the country to Seattle for a month. I love it when we do this!) However, seeing that we just finished the pool this last winter, we thought it would be fun to stay home and enjoy the backyard Paradise we created. I have to say, in regards to the back yard, it has been awesome! We have had so much fun in the pool this summer, playing and relaxing! It has been worth every penny!
My mother has had migraine headaches for 35 years and over the past six years, she has been dealing with seizures. The doctors at the Houston Medical Center discovered a lesion on her brain. Now, keep in mind she has had countless MRI's the past six years at regular hospitals and the doctors have never seen a lesion on her brain. It wasn't until she went to the Medical Center that they used a higher power MRI that they spotted it. On June 30th, my mother went in for surgery to have it removed from her brain, it was the size of a golf ball. They also removed the right hippocampus, near the lesion. The surgery lasted about 6 hours, and it was successful. The doctors said that it was a birth defect that she has had her entire life, and with it's removal she should never have another migraine or seizure.
After the surgery she was quite weak and dizzy from the pain medications. We kept telling her she needed to use her walker to aid in her steadiness. She refused, and fell. She cracked her hip, leg, tailbone and pelvis. Back to the hospital we went. We came home and then ended up in the hospital three more times. Let's just say the ambulance crew knows my parents personally now.
I am happy to report that Mom is improving (for now) and hopefully, we are almost past this trial and hopefully she and my father can move on to a happier more fuller life.
As all of this has been going on, my father's mother has been in the hospital in Salt Lake. She has been battling infections and is not doing well. She is 93. I have watched my father the past month and half deal with the two women in his life that he adores, both hospitalized. He has been strong and courageous. I admire him and these fine qualities.
As I posted before, Victoria made the high school volleyball team. The first week of two-a-days, I drove her up and back the high school ...8 times a day at 10.5 miles each way. I quickly blew through a tank of gas, wasn't getting any housework done, and was exhausted by the of the night. I decided, something had to change. I found a carpool and things have improved significantly.
I have been dreading this year of school for the past 15 years. All five of my kids at four different schools. That means more activities to attend and more homework and projects to keep track of. Victoria begins Seminary this year. Luckily for us, my dad has volunteered to drive her each morning to seminary and then take her up to the high school afterwards. (EVERY DAY! Yeah!) after school she will have practice until 5:00. Caitlin and Courtney are beginning school at the Junior High. They are in orchestra and are planning to try out for the volleyball team. Concerts and more games to attend. This is going to be one busy year.
School supplies, clothes, shoes and lunch foods are all purchased. The closets are full, the gas tank is full, and we are ready to roll. One little thing I must add...AFTER 15 YEARS OF MOTHERHOOD, LITTLE OLE' ME WILL FINALLY HAVE THE HOUSE TO MYSELF! Can you tell I am just a little excited? All of my kids will be going to school this year. What will I do with myself....let's see...read, shop, relax, run, daydream...and of course miss my kids. It's been a great 15 years and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.
.JPG)
