Random Thoughts

So, I know that there is one more baby out there for our family.  I honestly get sick sometimes when I think about that.  I feel like I have my hands FULL!  Claire is giving me a run for my money, I have Ava starting to walk, and Grant who isn't potty trained, but thinking that naps aren't that great.  According to our normal scheduling it would be time for us to be thinking about having another baby.  I never wanted my kids to be that far apart.  I wanted them to be friends, and have others to play with.  I also have to admit that I am loving all the clothes I am fitting into.  Is that selfish or what??  I have lost all my baby weight and it feels good!!  I can excercise without wanting to die, and I am quite happy.  I don't have a husband around very often, and I won't for 3 years.  So here is my question, am I being selfish??  Should I just give in and get this over with, or should I wait??  I am not getting any younger that is for sure, and is it fair to my kids to have a baby now when I am stretched so thin?  I just feel like I am being pulled in a million different ways and I don't know if I can cope with another little baby to take care of right now.  I want to be a good mom, but doesn't that mean taking care of myself too?  I guess I still have a lot of thinking and praying to do, but for now I will stick with the thought that our family is just right!

Achalasia

So let me start off by telling you that I did not take any pictures of myself in the hospital.  I brought the camera, and I did think about it, but I didn't want people seeing me in that state.  I have to say first that my doctor was amazing, and the University of Utah hospital is a fantastic place.  It was very nice and I was well taken care of.  My only gripe is that they took my water, but I will explain that later.

Chad and I went down the day before my surgery and had a lovely dinner of mashed potatoes (OK that is what I had because I was on the liquid diet).  Then we were able to sit in the hot tub and just relax.  It was nice.  I can honestly say that I was not nervous, until I got into the preop room and they told me I couldn't wear anything under my gown.  Yes I was a little worried because I knew that they would knock me out, and I was naked!!  Oh well, I don't remember a thing once they rolled me into the operating room.  Apparently there were a lot of doctors/students in the room.  I think I was visited by 5 different people after my surgery.  I know that is rare and everything, but I didn't know that it would be a show.  My favorite part was when one of the doctors thanked me for being skinny (I thanked him for telling me I was skinny!).  I have to say having Achalasia should make anyone skinny!!  According to the doctor the surgery was a success.  I was very tired after the medicine started wearing off, and had to wait 6 hours in recovery for a room to become available.  In the recovery area they were letting me have ice chips and water.  I was sooo thirsty that once they got me to my room I begged them for some water.  The one nurse brought me some ice chips, and then my main nurse came and took them away from me.  I cried.  I was a mess.  Then they explained to me that I couldn't drink anything for up to 8 hours after surgery.  I calmed down, and was so grateful when they finally brought me something.  I stayed one night in the hospital, and I was flipping out around 9 so I called Chad to come back.  He was so kind to leave his nice bed at the hotel and stay with me until 5 in the morning.  I just didn't feel right.  My mom said it was the anesthesia.  I don't want that ever again. 

I left the hospital with 5 little holes in my body, and I am happy to say I walked out of there all by myself.  A little slow, and Chad helped me, but no wheelchair.  I went home to rest and after about a week my scars didn't hurt very much, and I was back to normal.  Except for the liquid diet.  A week after surgery the doctor said I could move to soft foods, and now I am able to try almost anything.  I will always have the problem of things getting stuck, and I noticed that yesterday after eating bread for the first time that it got stuck.  I guess there are worse things to not be able to eat because bread isn't that good for me anyway.  I am feeling great, and looking forward to a hamburger on the 4th of July.

Owen and a Camera

 So Owen loves taking my camera and taking random pictures.  Usually I will just delete them, but this time there a few good ones. 

Miniature Golfing

Each year our ward has a BBQ and then we get to go miniature golfing.  I was so sad that Chad didn't get to come this year because he had to work.  I was a little apprehensive about taking 4 kids by myself.  My good friend Anjie told me that she would help me, so we headed out.  It is so amazing at how much difference a year makes.  I remember Grant last year just wandering around grabbing balls, but this year he tried really hard to golf.  It was so much fun to watch.  Ava just crawled around and put things in her mouth.  The kids all had a lot of fun, and look forward to going again.  I think I can wait another year till I take them.

So I'm not sure what is in her mouth, but she is quite happy about it.  I think by the time you get your 4th child there aren't many things you worry about.

Kids Bowl Free

So Claire brought home a little postcard from school that was telling me that kids can bowl 2 free games all summer long.  I set it aside thinking that it was to good to be true.  As summer loomed closer I was trying to figure out what cheap things I can do with my kids.  My friend Emma reminded me about the website, so I signed up.  We went to the bowling alley fully expecting to have to fork out some more dough.  We did have to buy a $10 shoe pass good for the whole summer for 3 of us, but otherwise it was free.  We bought a family pass for $25 more (which we split with our friends), and we were good to go.  It has been so much fun.  The kids are actually getting quite good especially Claire.  The last time we went we both got a 97.  I was worried she was going to beat me.  Yes we had bumpers too, how sad is that!!  We have really enjoyed going bowling, and all the friends who have come with us.

Owen's Preschool Graduation

My sweet Owen is off to Kindergarten!  I can't believe it.  He was very excited for his preschool graduation.  He missed his program last year because his mom decided to have a baby.  The nerve of her.  Seriously it was a pain since his mom is the teacher!!  His program was so great.  All the kids did a great job, and I am so proud of them.  Good luck in Kindergarten Owen!!

 Owen and his friend Lukas.

Awww, Owen with his teacher MOM!!  Isn't he cute

Owen's Preschool Field Trip

Owen was so excited for his end of the year field trip this year.  The class went to visit the Life Flight Helicopter at the new hospital, and then they went to the park for some bug activities since they just finished a unit studying bugs.  Unfortunately the weather was terrible.  It was raining, and cold.  We still went to the park, and it was a short picnic.

 Owen and some of his preschool buddies.

Owen with his spider cookie.