Good News Abounds

So last night was my first real outing since my knee surgery a week & a half ago. Little K & her classmates sang 3 verses of "Jesus Loves Me" at the conclusion of the 5 pm mass. (I didn't know there was more than 1 verse.) Then our principal announced that St. Rose School will open 6th grade starting this fall with 7th & 8th grades opening the subsequent years. The congregation erupted into applause! Trent hugged me in excitement & my eyes swelled with tears. We have worked & prayed long & hard to make this happen. God is good.

Next, this morning, I bathed all by myself. Zero help from my hubby for the first time in ~ 2 weeks! My 4-year-old daughter & I now have something else in common: bathing without supervision! (Come on. That's funny!)

I'm also celebrating that we finished the 10th & final shot today. Trent's been giving me one shot a day in the stomach to prevent blood clots. (Don't they make a pill for that?) Little K said she was sad they were over because she really enjoys seeing other people gets shots! I'm either raising masochist or a doctor! Little K said she didn't want to be either of those when she grows up. She wants to be an artist.

My next doctor appointment is Tuesday, when the rehab begins. Wish me luck

activities for kids; fun kids activities; Houston, family, children, educational activities

Restaurant Review for Families

We recently tried the new Ranchero King Buffet on 5900 North Freeway (south of Gallery Furniture) and were pleasantly surprised. The interior was decorated much nicer than competing buffets. The lack of platic seating was impressive. The hunters lodge theme was a good change. I couldn't believe how many buffet stations they had either. You can only see three in this photo, but they also have a taqueria station and salad bar. Fresh food is brought out every 30 minutes so you avoid the food dried out by heat lamps that's common at other buffets.

I was hesitant to try fish from a buffet but the manager highly recommended it. I tried the cilantro salmon and was pleased. The corn bread was also delicious. The assortment of vegetable options and meat options was super. I think this would be a great place to take families so everyone gets their favorite. The pricing is competitive with other buffets in town, or so I'm told by my husband

Kids will especially like the dessert bar (see photo at left), that has everything from soft-serve ice cream and cookies to cinnamon-sugar churros. With no extra charge, try a few to pick a new after-meal favorite.

Until the next nap time...

Surgery Update & the Lessons Before Me

Sorry about my delay in blogging. I've been a bit "under the weather" after the "day surgery" last Thursday. Here is the gist of it:

When my doctor got inside my knee, he saw that my knee joint is small & the replacement ligament was longer than needed. So instead of putting 4 small incisions in my knee, he put 2 small, 1 medium and 1 long one. He had to move further down my leg, put the large incision there, put in the screw into my tibia, attach the ligament and then wrap the extra ligament around the screw so it would be the right length. Disgusting, right?

Any ways, the additional work and cutting made the pain more than even the doctor expected. In order to continue the pain meds, I had to stay in the hospital longer and the recovery will be extended. Instead of one week on 2 crutches, I’ll have 6 weeks on 2 crutches. That doesn’t take into account rehab for 10-12 months, starting next week. Ugh.

My recovery is slow but steady. I have not yet made it upstairs to our bedroom but instead sleep and work from a sleeper sofa downstairs. Bathing is interesting to say the least since I can't get soap in the incisions and climbing into the shower is difficult when you can't bend or straighten your knee more than 5 degrees on your own.

All this complaining to the side, I continue which lesson(s) come with this situation.

• Is the reminder that my husband Trent is loyal and caring beyond belief? Did I need that reminder?
• Is it that I'm fortunate to have friends and family (from my 4-year-old daughter to neighbors, parents & fellow volunteers) who are willing to help even when this independent soul wants to do it all on my own? I have even reconnected to old friends lost long ago by connecting with them on FaceBook during my sleeper-sofa stay.
• Maybe it's that crying doesn't improve a situation, but it just feels better sometimes.
• Looking ahead to rehab, I wonder if my lesson will be tied to the difficult rehab, rehab, rehab that lies ahead. I'm a really hard worker but won't be surprised to find another lesson there.
• Patience? I thought I learned that one already. Did I mention I have a 4-year-old daughter? I also seem to recall that my recovery from child birth was no walk in the park but patience played a big part.

Yes, I think I'll probably have a few rounds with all these tests and I wonder why. I'll get back to you on that. :-)
As my PaPa recommended, I've canceled almost every commitment that isn't absolutely necessary. It feels odd to slow down this much. I'm used to having days filled with meetings, commitments, carpool, calls and more. Maybe that's my lesson. Or maybe it's to enjoy the quiet times I have with my family. Little K enjoys snuggle time with me each morning before school and in the evenings before bed time. We do nothing but cuddle and watch a little TV. As a mother, I'm wondering how I let that precious time slip away from me BS -- that's "before surgery" and yes, the acronym is intentional!
I've found myself even asking my husband to cuddle with me on this old sleeper-sofa. We watch the 10 pm news, hold hands and then he heads upstairs to bed. With my leg in my constant motion machine, I head off to sleep with warm thoughts of family.
Until the next nap time...

Two Free Giveaways (Time Sensitive)

Thanks to Sandra for sharing these great giveaways.

First is the Barbie give away. Just visit http://barbiepinkticketparty.com/?npn=true, fill out a few fields with your contact information and you win either a Barbie doll or Barbie furniture. It's that simple.

The second offer is two free passes to Studio Movie grill. They are good through 1/31/2010. Visit http://smgwidget.com/part_signup/fbads.php?utm_campaign=20100110_facebook_display_&utm_medium=display&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=moms&utm_term= and fill in the fields.

Until the next nap time...

Parenting on One Leg

So my New Year started out with a bang. I learned this week that I did indeed tear my ACL and meniscus in my left knee, requiring surgery next Thursday. Darn. The real complication is in parenting when you're walking on a crutch and planning for little mobility right after surgery. If I thought it was hard to keep up with our 4-year-old before, I need to brace myself.

Little K thinks it's so fun to race her Mommy down the stairs. Guess who wins? Luckily, Little K then turns to tell me that I'm also a winner. Too funny. Little does she know, I'm already planning for enough rehab that I'll be able to out-run her in a few months. That's when my best tickling comes in.

Trent has picked up many of my regular chores like getting our daughter dressed in the morning and often fixing breakfast since it takes me longer to hobble around, getting my own self dressed. The slow down has been a bit frustrating for me but I'm trying to stay positive. I really believe that makes a difference in recovery, not to mention it's an easier outlook. (Yes, I'm already looking toward recovery.) Still, I'm learning how to depend on others, which has been challenging for this independent soul.

This morning, we attended the Heights Chamber of Commerce breakfast and listened to Steven P. Lufburrow of Goodwill Industries of Houston. He shared the story of Goodwill's ups, downs and returning ups to the business crowd, which all appreciated. The big gusto came when Steve shared the tale of Goodwill's receptionist, who has no arms. She answers phone calls with her feet and writes notes with a large pen that stretches from her foot to her shoulder. This woman can even drive and fish. (You should have heard the fishing story!) The point was: If this receptionist can tackle her work every day with a positive attitude, what can I do? Without the impediments that she faces daily, I should look around every day and be grateful... and I am.

A special thanks to Terry Jeanes for her "healing hug" and to Glenda Clerc for her cheerful words this morning. And, of course, much thanks to my husband, who regularly reminds me that "we can do this... together." I am so grateful.

Until the next nap time...

We are on our way back from Breckenridge & what a great adventure it was! Little K took private ski lessons with Nico for 3 days. While she knows how to turn, she prefers to barrel down the mountain, shouting "Weee!" She takes after her father's adventurous spirit in skiing.

I on the other hand use a more cautious approach, which does not explain why I'm returning with a blown-out left knee. The doc in Breck said I have a torn ACL, MCL & meniscus. Ouch! So it seems our 2010 will begin with physical therapy, orthoscopic surgery & 3-6 months of rehab. I plan on it being a ploy to get my family to pick up everything off the floor. Hee. Hee.

Here's to an awesome 2010, no matter how you've started it. Until the next nap time...


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