A new tag!

Thanks for the tag Talli! I hope Pete runs into you and Jeremy while he's in L.A. He said you were running in a marathon--good for you! So this was the picture I came up with based on the tagging instructions I'll post below. It's a photo (a blurry one) of Madeline in 2005 on our trip to San Antonio. Madeline would have been 3, around the same age as Tyler now. Only then, Tyler was a large basketball in my belly (I'm so glad it wasn't one of the pregnant photos of me because I was huge and fat, even more so than now, although I had a better excuse then!) These were the days when Madeline would only wear dresses, but apparently she was tired of touring the Spanish missions in this photo. Despite this photo, it was one of my favorite family trips that we've taken. The river walk in San Antonio is a really fun place to be. I'll post a few of all the kids from the same trip just for fun!

It's photo tag; here are the rules:
1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same
I tag Janie, Heather W., Andrea and Jami.

Photo taken on the bridge above the river walk.

Kids dancing at a restaurant on the river walk.

Kids swimming at the resort hotel we stayed in . . . if I could remember the name, I'd totally recommend it!

My kids were so little! Fun to reminisce.

Another funny Tyler moment!

This morning, my kids were running late, which necessitated me driving them to school. Since I get out the house so little these days, Tyler and I went on a short drive. I was listening to a mixed CD I made, and a song by Madeleine Peyroux came on. Tyler said, "Mom, can we please listen to a boy song now." To which I replied, "Yeah, after this song is over . . . I like it." Then Tyler said, "But mom, this song is inappropriate (in his own pronunciation--it's a hard word)." I laughed, saying "Really, why?" To which Tyler said "It says a bad word. It says . . . (pause as he tries to think of a really bad word) FART. You know, I tooted, I farted, I got electrocuted." Though I'm thankful that's as bad of a word as he could come up with, I couldn't help but think, "Why does my 3 year old say those kind of things and when did he learn to manipulate so well?" Thankfully, by the time we finished our conversation, a "boy song" came on (Pink Floyd), which apparently was appropriate. Good thing he didn't notice the one bad word in that song!

Tyler's Talk

Today I ventured to church for all of 15 minutes to hear Tyler's first primary talk. He had been given the assignment to talk about family, so Pete helped prepare a talk and they practiced several times. Tyler was adorable--he's only 3 1/2, but has an amazing vocabulary and a cute little voice. Unfortunately, with all the primary kids oohing and aahing, Tyler only got in . . . "My name is Tyler Fisher" and "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." That microphone can be so distracting and makes such funny noises. When the kids starting giggling (because he's so cute, of course), Tyler clammed up. Pete had the bright idea of asking Madeline to come up to the stand and help him finish. She did a great job! After the kids came home from church (since I ducked out after the "talk"), I asked Tyler why he didn't say his talk like we practiced and he said "because I was too embarrassed." Poor kid. We sure start them early in the church . . . first public speaking assignment, age 3! Maybe next time, at age 4, he won't be so embarrassed!

Latest News Brief

*Pete has been Superdad for the last few weeks. He stayed home to help with the kids and house while I am recovering from surgery. He's back to work this week and looking forward to performing "Irish tunes" with some friends from work at a St. Patrick's day party. They are singing several songs from "Once" and one from U2, plus some of Pete's funny Irish songs. It's gonna be awesome with guitar, base and a violin, plus female background vocalists--I hope I can make it to the party!
*I have been feeling better and better every day. My biggest issue now is just being tired! I had a doctor appointment Tuesday, sat in the car while Pete ran errands (first time I've been out in two weeks), and stayed up later to listen to Pete's "band" practice. Wednesday, I woke up, then went back to sleep for 4 hours--deep sleep! That's a little scary with a 3 year old running about!
*Jake was just cast as Paul Bunyon in his 5th grade "opera". His big singing solo is "Missing one blue ox . . . " Should be stellar. He's also chosen to play Lacrosse this spring.
*Mitch is Mr. Cub Scout and continues to be the peacemaker in our family. He's been a great help with Tyler while I've been recovering. Plus baseball starts soon.
*Madeline had to give up her dance class since the studio changed locations and I can't drive yet! She's still dancing around the house and excited to play soccer and with friends more often.
*Tyler has gotten to do all sorts of fun activities with many of my friends and family who've been helping out. He's played 'inside' at McDonald's, a real treat apparently! We've also watched lots of Scoobie Doo--pretty awesome!

Post-Surgery Post!

I am one week and 2 days past my surgery and feeling pretty good. I have really appreciated all of the friends and family, both near and far, wishing me well and helping in all manner of ways. I did really well in the first few days after surgery, to the point where I started to wonder how I could possibly rest for two whole weeks. Sunday, all of that changed. We're (meaning me and my doc) not quite sure why, but Sunday afternoon I ended up in the ER with excruciating bladder spasms! I felt like I was in labor, only without the minutes of rest between contractions. After a shot of morphine, a CT scan, etc., it was decided that I should stay overnight for observation, since there was no internal bleeding or problems that they could see. I did great the rest of the night, but the following morning, after the nurse removed the catheter and IV, the bladder spasms started again and wouldn't dissipate. All the meds used to stop the bladder spasms stopped all other systems and I ended up leaving the hospital with my stomach as swollen as an 8 month pregnant belly. I don't think I could have left the hospital if I weren't married to a Urologist, since my problems are Pete's area of expertise. Anyhow, at home, I was still in pain, so Pete and my doc decided I was doing better with a catheter. That catheter stayed in until Thursday morning--that day I finally started feeling better. But Friday morning, I awoke with more bladder spasms, which we quickly shot down with Lortab and muscle relaxants. You can imagine how doped up I was--I was not very functional, but by Friday afternoon, I was feeling better again, and I've been doing well today. CRAZINESS!! I'll never take good health for granted! I really appreciate friends and family who stepped in to help me with my kids and me. I'll always appreciate the many kindnesses directed toward myself and my family in the last week. Wow!

Anyhow, I have my almost 2 week appointment on Tuesday, and if all goes well, I can start driving again then. The way I feel now, it's hard to imagine that I'm ready to drive yet, but I'm hoping the fog I'm in will lift soon. It's kind of funny at times--I'll start to say something, or even try to think of something to write, but the words don't come or my mind drifts elsewhere. I have felt very blessed and loved and that makes this situation much easier to get through. I will admit, this may be my first and last surgery. At least if I can help it!