Back Surgery

On August 4, 2016 Jim had his second back surgery. It was a little more involved than the first time around. This time they are fusing the L4 L5 bones with rods and screws and a bone graft (from bone harvested from his own hip).

Trying to find peace before the surgery I went to the gym for a couple hours and then took a walk in the beautiful sunshine.

We got to the hospital and began the longest wait ever. Of course Jim's anxiety was rising with every minute they were late.

Then they took him  away and hours later they brought him back...a little more "holey" but hopefully better. It has been 3 months since this day (yes...I'm a bit behind) and I am glad neither of us remembers how scared we were.

And a new normal for us has begun. Jim has been home a lot. He went from working 10 hour days to being at work for zero hours two weeks after surgery and starting at two hour increments building his strength back up. Here we are three months after surgery and he is working 6 hours a day. 

With the rest of his time he has been reconnecting with us. He snuggles with little Bug at nap time and enjoys every minute. He texts Jo and visits with Kevin and I. Even Abby has been the beneficiary of some long chats about gardening.

Mostly he has been a good patient and he  is trying to be patient with me. He has LOVED getting to know this little Bug. I appreciate his efforts with that,

It makes me happy that he has found a way to stay positive about this set back. Instead of feeling like he has lost a year of his life, he is choosing to see it as a relationship he has gained.

Our neighbors have also pitched in with the yard work. It has been good for Jim to be on the receiving end of some charity. Three mowers and two trimmers got our little yard done in no time. We do have some great friends/neighbors here!!

Our Crazy, Wonderful Life

Our lives right now are filled with playing and snuggles and laughter. It is the biggest blessing.

As you can see from the mean-muggin pup in the background, not all of us like it when I play with the boys.

Michael got to play at the Kroger company picnic. He had such a good time!!

He even let a girl he didn't know paint a turtle mask on his face!!

Ethan got a new toy. He loves it. He can reach for the toys and he loves the added stimulus. 

His imagination never fails to amaze me.

Inevitably the dollies end up picking his nose.....

As well as their own....He is SUCH a little boy!! Boogers and farts are hilarious.

Snuggling on Rackie's bed. Nothing sweeter!!

He gets so excited when he wants you to pick him up. His little body tenses up and then he waves his arms and kicks his legs. He is so loved.

More of Ethan

He is getting bigger and bigger.

I still fell like the luckiest grandma in the whole world.

He still likes his binki for nap time.

And he LOVES Darla. Darla isn't too fond of sharing my time with this little guy. But I think secretly she likes him a lot.

This little fuzzy duck is the most fun!!

Patiently waiting for my time.

He has found his ears. It's so cute!!

He's so smiley and content. He's the best baby!

Always asking to share my lap. Sorry dog...it's taken!!

But I think she likes him....

Goodwin Reunion

This year we had the Goodwin Family Reunion in Pingree. Quite a few of us were able to attend. 

The Watt family did most of the work it seems (as usual). I wonder if that's an oldest child thing. Aunt Pam helped to get us all there. She is so sweet.

We reconnected and made new bonds. I think grandma and grandpa and Mom and even Aunt Chris would be pleased.

Of course any excuse to hang with these people is ok by me!

Kim loved holding on to Ethan. She is such a good auntie!!

We were missing Travis and his crew, our hubbies and Jo but we still had a good time!!

My little boy!! He has my heart!!

The Flood

About a year to the day from when we had the wood floors installed (Memorial Day 2015) we discovered there had been a leak from the waterline to the fridge. We had a solid month of NO flooring. It was awful. Before they ripped out my relatively new floor we had almost two weeks of GIANT fans and a dehumidifier. But I can't find my pics of the chaos so you'll just have to imagine.

The sound of them tearing up my floor was heart wrenching.

Most of the damage was contained to the kitchen/pantry and the hall to the front door. But since we were in chaos we decided to replace the family room carpet.

Here are just a few of the fans that we had running. Let me tell you....it was LOUD!! It wore on our nerves really fast.

My Heather sent me this snapchat. She gets me.

But now that it's all back together it looks like normal and the hell it seemed to be is a vague memory. Thank goodness!!

And Again

Our life seems so normal. We love having the Readers here. We love the bonds that are being strengthened. Michael is growing and changing so fast. I went to check on him during his nap and couldn't see him anywhere.

Then I looked under the blankets and found his sweaty, sleeping body. I love this little boy.

My Darla. Takes every chance she can to get snuggles in.

Ah sidewalk chalk. Both a blessing and a curse!!

He watches us so closely. We have to do poop patrol (obviously) frequently and he thinks it might be fun to help out...for now. Give him a few years and he probably won't be so excited for it!!

Michael LOVES Bridger and Cylie. They are probably his favorite people. And they seem to like him too. Which works out well for everyone!!

This is my uncle Bryce. Probably my favorite uncle. He and my Mom were very much alike. We got to go to Jodi's (his daughter) wedding this summer. But then the next time we saw him (not long after) it was for Aunt Chris's funeral. She was such a beautiful, loving woman. She left a huge hole in the lives of so many.

I get to hang with this girl a whole lot now that I live in Utah. Definitely a BIG perk!!

I love snapchats of my family. They make me happy!

Have I told you she isn't allowed on the couch.

Michael wanted to help his dad with some homework. Looks like it's working!!