13 Things

On Facebook there was a challenge that when some body gave you a number, you had to share that number of things about yourself that people might not know about yourself.  I got the number 13.  It took me a long time to come up with 13 things about myself that I thought was both unique, and was willing to share with the world.  I learned a lot about myself doing this so it's an interesting process.

1. I love elephants! I think they are beautiful!
2. My favorite color is purple. Just NEVER pair it with gold! ... Purple is very closely followed by crimson/red as my second favorite color.
3. I hate conflict of any sort! I will avoid it almost at all cost. However, if I am riled enough to cause or get in the middle of conflict, watch out! I don't back down easily!
4. Politically, I look and research my options and vote for the person/idea I most agree and relate with. I tend to lean toward republican even though I was raised in a democrat house.  However I HATE discussing politics with people.  I feel it's almost too personal, and I feel that I believe what I believe and it's my own business.  Very rarely will I discuss politics with others outside of my circle of friends and family, and I rarely discuss it with them as well.
5. I truly care about other people and how they are feeling. Often times this means I will do anything to help them and help them feel better. I hate to tell people "no" even when I'm inconvenienced.
6. I've known how to spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious since third grade.
7. I'm a reader. I love to read. But once I've started reading a book the first time, I'm absorbed in it. Every spare moment I have, I'm reading that book until it's finished. I will also not read a series of books until all of them have been written and released. Then I will sit and read them all. I have to know how things end!
8. The above being said, I will re-read a book I enjoyed multiple times, but I'm not as obsessed after that first read. Many times I'll immediately re-read a book/series after finishing, but slower the second time, and catch the smaller details I missed the first time through.
9. I like my coffee hidden in chocolate and with some fruity flavor. My favorite is black cherry mochas. Yummmmmmm!
10. I love my children unconditionally and irrevocably. But I refuse to stop and do everything for them.  They need to learn how to problem solve and figure things out for themselves, therefore, I will not make them the center of my world. That may sound harsh, but this explains what I mean exactly: http://themetzfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-my-kids-are-not-center-of-my-world.html?m=1
11. My favorite number is 9.
12. I love to play cards. I'm excited that Natalie is finally getting to the age she can learn rummy and cribbage.
13. I worried too much in doing this about offending people (see #3 & 5 for reasons why). But this is me and take me as I am... (I wish it were easier to have that motto in life...)

Alexis's Summer

I know this post is long over due!  But I want to get the story down so that I can remember the events later on.  It is an important event in Alexis's life.

Memorial Day weekend, Peter and I had our tradition of having fresh lobster for dinner!  Yum and yay!  So delicious.  The girls have both tried lobster before, but neither are crazy about it, so we don't get them their own, we share a few bites of ours.  So the night we had the lobsters for dinner, we gave some to each of them.  Alexis said she liked it and came back for a few more bites.  Right after dinner, she started complaining of a sore throat.  At first we wrote it off as a kid complaint and didn't take it too seriously.  After awhile of her complaining about it though, and her saying the pain was getting worse, we thought that maybe she was having a slight allergic reaction to the lobster, so we gave her some Benadryl and put her to bed.  She couldn't sleep and, at this point, was sobbing.  So Peter and I were worried that maybe it was a more severe allergic reaction, or maybe a piece of shell got lodged into her throat, so we took her to the United General emergency room.  After waiting hours, we finally got to see the Dr. and she looked with a flashlight in Alexis's throat and said she didn't see anything that concerned her and that it was just probably an allergic reaction and we did the right thing of giving Alexis the Benadryl.  She had the nurse give Alexis a dose of Tylenol and then sent us home.  That was Saturday night.

On Sunday, Alexis seemed better, but was still complaining of a slight sore throat.  But that night, it got really sore again, but we just gave her some more Tylenol and she seemed ok.  But by Monday morning, she was crying again of a sore throat and was now throwing up.  Peter took a flashlight and looked in her throat and saw that it was swollen.  It being Memorial Day, I knew the Dr. office was closed, so I called the emergency room triage nurse at United General and explained what was happening, to see if we needed to come back in.  She refused to give me any advice and insisted that the only way they could help was if we were to come in.  So I called our regular Dr. office to see if maybe there was a Dr. or nurse on call.  There was a phone number for a triage nurse so I called that.  Turns out it was the number for Children's in Seattle.  So I talked to that nurse, who was super helpful, and after answering all her questions, she thought that she would be OK, but if things got worse to take her into the hospital.  On Tuesday, Alexis stayed home with my mother in law because she still was not feeling well.  I called the doctor that morning and Kathy took her in.  I got a call from Peter later saying that Alexis was being taken back into the hospital, Skagit Valley Hospital this time, and there was a strong possibility of surgery that day.  So I  left school and headed there.  They put Alexis on an IV for fluids, nausea and pain medicine, and did a test for strep throat.  When that came back negative, they looked at her throat and said her tonsils were swollen and it was probably tonsillitis.  So they gave her some aggressive antibiotics and steroids and sent us home.  They weren't recommending that she have the tonsils removed at this point because usually you get it once and treat it and it won't come back.  They said that if Alexis were to get it again, they would consider that option.

We had an appointment to come back in two days, when the swelling had a chance to go down, to make sure that was all it was and there wasn't some other underlying issue.  So we did and they said the swelling had gone down and things were much better.  The steroids were only a three day regimen, but the antibiotics were for the full week +.  The steroids ended on Thursday and Alexis was her normal, playful self, but by Saturday, (which happened to be her birthday), she was in tears and complaining of the sore throat again.  I looked in her throat and sure enough it was swelling up again.  So we just took her back to the ER.  This time, I was going to demand that they just take them out.  This time they did a CT scan and they were a bit shocked at the results.  They came back saying that normally, with tonsillitis there is one pocket of infection behind one side.  Sometimes there's two or three and/or sometimes there's an infection behind both sides of the tonsils.  Alexis, however, had nine pockets of infection on one side and eight on the other.  The doctor said he had never seen a case that bad before.  So (without my having to demand it) he said the plan was to remove the tonsils.  But they had the get the infection healed before they could do that.  So they sent her home with a longer regime of steroids and the aggressive antibiotics.  This time they seemed to do the job.

We learned a lot during the next month.  It turns out the adenoids were also affected so they were going to take those out as well.  Alexis had been complaining of headaches for awhile before this all had happened.  We had actually started seeing a neurologist about the headaches.  But it turns out that the adenoids had probably been swollen for awhile, and they were the cause of the headaches.  Alexis has always had stinky breath.  Sometimes worse than others.  Again, it turns out that the tonsils probably would flare up with a minor infection from time to time, but usually heal naturally, and when she'd have the really bad bad breath, would be the times when they were infected.  It's funny.  I've been to the doctor a couple times about the bad breath, and obviously, for the headaches, and never would the adenoids or tonsils be brought up as a possibility.  Even when the neurologist said that there wasn't a concern for the headaches on their end, nothing was said that the adenoids could be a possible problem.  It was just assumed it was food or allergy induced and we were to take a log when she'd complain of headaches.  Now that is a large possibility, but not once was there a mention of "Hmmmm, I wonder if the adenoids are a problem?"  Especially, when combined with the bad breath....  Sorry, just it just seems like part of this could have been avoided if they were to put all the complaints together and look at the entire picture, rather than just focusing on one individual complaint at a time.  But honestly, I wasn't looking at the bad breath and the headaches as being related either.... but then again, I'm not a trained doctor...

On July 10th, her surgery was scheduled.  She was such a trooper!  She was nervous for it, but was more anxious to have the sore throat be gone.  The swelling had gone down, but the sore throat was a constant during the month of June.  We went in, she had the surgery to have her adenoids and tonsils removed and were home two hours later.  She slept a lot the first two days, but that third day the pain really kicked in.  But she said it wasn't as bad as the times that she was in the hospital, and said the pain was worth it and tolerable if she didn't have to ever do that again!  Such a brave, strong, wonderful young lady!

November Thanks

I know it has been forever since I've updated this. In fact it was a full year ago! I can't believe it. But it's time for the November of thanks, and that's something I like to go back and look back on later in the year. So I'm going to share them here too. And I'm going to try to do better at updating stories and snippets of my life here again, too. It is nice to go back through and look back at stories that might have slipped out of our memories!

Day 1 - A friend started me on this tradition of sharing the things I'm thankful every day in November. So in honor of that, I'm thankful for friends who are there through thick and thin. Friends that I can laugh, cry, vent and celebrate with. Friends that no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we can pick up like it was yesterday. Thank you too those that I am lucky enough to call a friend. 

Day 2 - I'm thankful to have a wonderful, loving, funny husband. A husband, that even after 13 years of being together, still walks beside me unconditionally and always tells me how beautiful I am. Thank you, Peter, for always loving me, even in my insane moments! I love you lots and lots and lots!

Day 3 - Today I'm thankful for that extra hour of sleep! After the last two week's craziness, I needed to sleep in one day!

Day 4 - Today I'm thankful for secretaries! I've worked almost full time in October and am booked nearly everyday in November thanks to secretaries calling me or finding me at their school to ask if I'm available on such and such date. December is empty, but even January is half booked. I've hardly had to log on to the online sub finder to find jobs. Love it!

Day 5 - I'm thankful for having the privilege to be a mom to my two wonderful, beautiful, intelligent daughters! Where else would I get the full on hugs, the pure joy and excitement just because I came home, the constant "I love you"s? Being a mother isn't always easy, but it's ALWAYS worth it! I love my girls!

Day 6 - Today I'm thankful for my first born, Natalie. She is such a loving, caring, intelligent, wonderful young lady. She taught me the importance and loveliness of a mother's love. Sometimes our relationship is more challenging than others, but I love you always and I forever will!

Day 7 - Today I'm thankful for my baby, Alexis! I thought I was an expert in the mother's love but when she was born she taught me that there is no such thing. A mother's love is different for each of her children. Alexis is constantly keeping me on my toes, she is funny, loving, genuine and whole heartedly a wonderful human being! She is my little sunshine!

Day 8 - Today I'm thankful for my mom. She is a wonderful lady and I can only hope I'm half the person she is when I grow up! I'm also thankful that she's a strong fighter and has beaten cancer three times now. I love my mommy so very much!

Day 9 - I'm thankful for the best sister anyone could ask for. We don't talk or get to see each other nearly enough for my liking, but I know that if I ever need her, she'll be there and vice versa. I love you kiddo!

Day 10 - Today I'm thankful that I have the wonderful family I have! I get to be myself and they love me in spite of that! They are a bunch of loving, crazy, hilarious people that I'm extremely proud and lucky to be a part of! Thank you too everyone I'm privileged to call family!

Day 11 - Thank you to all the Veterans out there who have fought and are fighting for our country! Thank you for my freedom! Thank you for my children's safe country! Thank you and your families for your sacrifices

Day 12 - Hahaha Alexis and I are at Subway before she goes to the dentist to get a tooth pulled. She pulls out our cookies and takes a bite of mine. When I gasp in protest, she looks at me and says, "I'm just testing it to make sure it's not poisoned! I could be saving your life, Mom! - I'm thankful for a sense of humor in anyone, especially when faced with a scary situation like having a tooth pulled.

Day 13 - Today I'm thankful I work somewhere where there's a steam room that I can sit in during my breaks on nights where I have a headache. It helps me relax and I swear it sweats the poisons out! Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Day 14 - Today I'm thankful for fantasy and child innocence. I'm thankful for the excitement that comes after the Tooth Fairy comes and responds to a note you left, or the pleasure of watching a sister's excitement. I'm thinking that Natalie is starting to suspect and figure things out which makes me sad, but I know she'll try to help keep her sister's fantasy world alive for a little bit longer.

Day 15 - Today I'm thankful for wonderful in-laws! They have put up with me for over 13 years, almost six of those living with them! They are wonderful people who have helped me so much over the years!

Day 16 - Today I'm thankful for coffee! I. can't. wake. up. Zzzzzzzzzz

Day 17 - Today I'm thankful to have a roof over my head. Our situation may often be chaotic, but at least we're warm, dry and safe. Unfortunately, that's more than many can say.

Day 18 - I'm thankful for music. Music does so much for us, we can dance to it when we're happy, it lifts us when we're sad, soothes us when we're angry, calms us when we're nervous, distracts us when we're scared, relaxes us when we're annoyed, etc. Music is a wonderful thing!

Day 19 - This is one I've been working on for awhile. I'm very thankful for Peter's employer, Pacific Power Batteries, especially the owner, Steve Ahmann. Peter loves his job, and enjoys going to work every day. But more than that, they are a company that takes care of their employees, as well as their family. That is a special, unique, wonderful company to work for! Steve has done so much for our family, that I am beyond words to express how thankful I am. Thank you so much for taking care of Peter, as well as my family!

Day 20 - I'm thankful I have a reliable, safe car. A car that I KNOW will start every time, a car that will get me from point A to point B without any problems, a car that gets an average of 41.3 mpg. I love my car!

Day 21 - Today I'm double thankful.
       1. I'm thankful for Children's Tylenol that is helping my baby keep her body temperature level so she can be a bit more comfortable while being sick. The switch between extreme shivers to sweating and back again is no fun.  
       2. I'm also getting to help install flooring in the addition. I'm getting to play with power tools! So fun!

Day 22 - Today's thankful moment is not one I'm always thankful for, but today I am. I'm thankful that I'm not committed to a full time job where I would have to call in when I have a sick kid. It is nice to have that flexibility so I can sit up all night and comfort a sick child and not have to worry about work the next day. There's no way I'd be able to function today after two nights of hardly any sleep. In fact, my bed is calling for another nap...

Day 23 - Today I'm thankful for Don Hower and the Cougar Marching Band! If it weren't for the CMB, my husband and I wouldn't be, I wouldn't have the wonderful memories of GAME DAY!, the tunnel, or cold night practices! Today, Don is putting on his last home half time show and is retiring. Congratulations, Don! I'm proud to say I'm a CMB alum and am very thankful for the time that I was fortunate enough to have you as a part of my life.

I missed yesterday. Well I didn't really, I had one all typed up, but I was annoyed and it was sarcastic and snarky, but that's not what this is about so I deleted it. Instead here is one that has the same meaning, just without the snarkiness Day 24 - I'm thankful that we have the freedom of speech. I'm thankful that we're allowed to voice our views on politics, religion, economics, etc. without the fear of persecution.

Day 25 - I'm thankful for the girls' teachers, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Georgio. They are wonderful, loving, intelligent ladies who I admire very much! Thank you for keeping my girls challenged and for sustaining their interest in their education.

Day 26 - I'm thankful for hugs. They can help in so many situations. Comfort when you're sad or angry, can celebrate with you, soothes when you're ill. I love hugs!

Day 27 - I'm thankful that I've been entrusted to be our parent group's treasurer. I'm really enjoying this responsibility and am enjoying that I'm able to play a more active role in my children's school in this way. I love that I'm a fixture at the school now, how almost all the students know who I am and are excited when they see me! Thank you, Samish Elementary Parent Group for trusting me enough to partake in this role, it means a lot to me!

Day 28 - Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and friends! I hope you all have a wonderful peaceful day! Today I'm thankful for the food on our table. Not just today but every day. It's not usually the fancy, gourmet food, but it fills us up and keeps us going.

Day 29 - Today I'm thankful that the girls both have something they love: skating. I'm thankful for all of their coaches, Dale, Caroline and Toby. They are excellent at challenging my girls and that is so needed! Both of my girls have high self esteem, are confident, and (most of the time) well mannered, and a lot of that, especially the first two, is due to their skating! So thank you! -- And honestly, I'm VERY thankful that they've chosen the same extra curricular to love. My schedule is hectic enough without having to do two different things every week.

Last day; Day 30 - Today I'm thankful that I'm me. I'm not where I'd thought I'd be in life at 30+, but I'm (mostly) happy with where I am. I'm proud to be me and without that, none of my other thankful moments would mean anything!