Surgery

  When you've been through something like this and your family steps in to take it all on you start to realize just how blessed you are in the family department.  

I had surgery for Endometriosis.  I'm already so happy I did.  It's already paid off.  I don't know how many times I told my Mom that I wished I wasn't a girl when I was younger.  Today I feel much better about being a girl.  Less pain is always a good thing. 

I had surgery in Utah.  I spent a week before surgery enjoying family.  Audrey got to play with and get to know cousins she never has before.  My sister-in-law had a beautiful baby that I got to take pictures of.  Dad took us to Zootopia. I had another bake off with my sisters.  We made cheesecakes and I forgot to take pictures.  Mom got the most votes.  I'm starting to think that I may never win, but I love doing it anyway.  I spent a day with my Dad and brothers working on a video and we had a party for my niece's birthday.  

The day before surgery was eventful to say the least.  It was my birthday and I had a consultation and pre-op at the hospital.  I found out that unlike my paperwork said that I was already supposed to be fasting, so the dinner my Mom was working on and the cake my brother-in-law had made were no longer mine for eating.  Oh and the two enemas weren't a fabulous experience either.  On top of that Audrey had something going on with textures at dinner and threw everything up.  The bright spot of the day was that while I was up at my appointment my GPS stopped working and I only had two percent battery and my Dad stopped just short of the temple doors to talk me through getting home.    When I got home my sisters brought me a basket of DVDs, treats, and an outfit for after surgery.  Despite all the crazy, it really was a good day.  

The day of surgery I got a blessing from my Dad.  I was so grateful because it brought instant peace and comfort.  Then we drove up to the hospital together and he sat with me the entire time. With travel and everything we were away from home almost the entire day.  I have and angel Father.  In the mean time my sisters were taking care of Audrey which was such a blessing for me, and Jenn had dinner ready when we got home.  

I was in a lot of pain for quite a few days.  I had moved over to Jenn's house after surgery.  She was the best care giver ever.  I felt like I was staying at a 5 star hotel with meals included.  She made delicious food, took care of Audrey, got me everything I needed, watched movies and shows with me into the night, made yummy desserts, and just talked.  I am more grateful for her than words can tell.  I love her and her family and everything they did to make us feel at home.  

Poor Charlotte had to share her Mom, her toys, her baby sister, and her Daddy with Audrey.  We turned her life upside down  They played well sometimes and sometimes they didn't.  I think these pictures show it well.  Over all Audrey can't stop talking about Charlotte.  She asks about her all the time.  When I started feeling a better I had to take a few photos to document my time there.  To be continued....    

She Gets Me

 She's pretty much the best thing that's ever happened to me, aside from her Daddy.  We went in search of a field of Blue Bonnets to take pictures in.  It's kind of a Texas thing.  Apparently it's illegal it mow or pick them, which I don't think is working out for them because we didn't find any.  Maybe next year I'll get more ambitious and travel an hour to find some.  It might be worth it.  

Audrey has been into drawing lately.  Any type of paper she finds she asks if she can draw on.  Then after a week of it sitting around I usually throw away said drawing. It's like she knows to check the trash now.  Since then I've changed my methods a little.  It involves shoving it so deep in the trash that she can't tell what it is anymore.  Don't get me wrong, I love her art and I even keep a lot of it, I just don't keep all of it.  Her most recent favorite was a pink "We'll mow your lawn for you" flyer.  I think they made it pink on purpose.  It made it into the trash a couple times and then I'd find it again kicking around the house.  She may have a little of her Dad in her.  He sometimes has a hard time parting with things too.  

 I feel so so blessed to have this little munchkin.  She's pretty much the best thing that's ever happened to me, aside from her Daddy.  She makes me laugh, she teaches me a lot, and she's the best person to be silly with.  She get's me.  I think every Mother should have a daughter she can be herself with.  She know's me better than most.  

 Self Portrait

Mansions and Beaches

 Continuing on with the adventuring.  The next day we went to one of the historic old mansions in Galveston.  It was pretty fabulous.  It's crazy to think how much money these people had way back went.  Indoor plumbing was unheard of and they had these beautiful bathrooms.   I'm not sure I could live in such a fancy place.  After our tour of the mansion we went to the beach.  

I think I forgot how much I love it there.  We'll be going back very soon.  Audrey couldn't stop telling me how much she loved the water and the sand.  Yesterday she told me that when she grows up she wants to live right next to the beach.  Beach Bum.  A few minutes later she started singing the foolish man built his house upon the sand.  It must have clicked because she came running back asking if her house was going to wash away if she lived by the beach.  Maybe so little one, maybe so.  

After spending the day at the beach we ate some delicious sea food, at least everyone but me.  I had a really good burger.  Even Audrey turned to the dark side.  I think she's a fish lover.  Paul's pretty happy about it. 

The next day we spent the day at the Rodeo.  It was amazing.  I may never miss the rodeo again...it was that awesome.  Audrey loved the livestock show and I loved watching the Bull riding, Muttin Busting, Barrel Racing, and listening to Brad Paisley.

It was one of the best reunions we've had.  Let's do it again soon!   

Paul's Family

Goodness it's been a long month.  I disappeared for a good reason so you all have to put up with my back posts.  Last month Paul's parents and siblings came to visit and we had a little reunion.  It was so good to have them all here.  We went on a lot of adventures and did a lot of things that they couldn't do back at home.  

We stayed up at night playing games with Grant, Nicole, and Karl.  We ate yummy food and we might have squeezed in a few desserts here and there.  

Our first stop was to the Fire Museum in Downtown.  It's a very small, very old building. The fire fighters there were all volunteers and they worked very long hours.  I love old places and old things so this was totally right up my alley. 

Audrey loved the kids play place and being with her cousins.  The only bad part of this day was my allergies.  The pollen was so bad that I couldn't leave the car when we went to the park later in the afternoon.  Netflix was a life saver.  

We also took some family photos and ate some yummy pizza.  I decided that letting the dough proof overnight makes the best pizza I have ever had.  Yum!