Blessings in Disguise

I have to admit that May this year has not been my favorite month.  It might actually be one of the worst months I've had, but I think as I reflect back on it, I'll find that a lot of good came out of this month, too.

Brandon ruptured his Achilles tendon in April.  There was a partial tear at the beginning of the month and just as we thought he was getting better, it finished tearing a few weeks later. So after a week of checking with doctors and verifying that yes his foot does not move and bend the way it should, we scheduled the surgery for May 2.  Most of the hassle was finding the right medical facility that accepted our insurance. I'm just grateful we got the insurance when we did so that we don't have to stress as much on the financial side of surgery.  Don't get me wrong, there's still stress in that area, it's just lessened some. :)

Surgery day came and I'd like to think I didn't look as freaked out and worried as I was. But I had something happy to look out at while I waited. I think it helped some. All hospitals should have happy flowers for friends and family of patients to look at.

This was Brandon's first major surgery.  The only other thing he's had even remotely like this was getting his wisdom teeth out.  He has a very strange reaction to the drugs they give people about to have surgery (he did this with the wisdom teeth too): he talked incessantly. Now I know that doesn't sound much different from how he is normally but believe me, there was a difference.  There's a filter in your brain between the things you're thinking and the things you say.  His filter was gone.  Afterward, he remembers thinking about a story but didn't realize he told the nurses the story while they were trying to get him ready.  I remember him trying to talk with the nurse and anesthesiologist  while they were giving him the nerve block in his leg.  It was pretty funny listening to him.  The nurses thought he was very entertaining.  His mom told me the story of when he got his wisdom teeth out, the same thing happened there, too.  The only problem is that it's kinda hard to talk (and you really shouldn't) after doing surgery IN YOUR MOUTH.  Did that stop him? Nope. Not one bit.  I think it's cute...and just a little silly. 

So the surgery went well and he came home drugged up and in a cast. We had some really great friends watching Kayla for us while we were at the hospital and they dropped her off when we were done.  She was really sweet with Brandon.  I think she understood that he had a hurt foot and was really tired. So she came up on bed with him and just sat there with him and played on her Kindle.

  
Sometimes Kayla really surprises me with her intuitiveness and empathetic nature.  This wasn't the first time she's done something like this.  I've noticed that when we're out, she likes to tell us the emotional state of all the kids (and sometimes adults) that she notices. I love that about her.

So Brandon had to be in the cast, using crutches to get around, but mostly keeping it elevated for 2 weeks.  He couldn't watch Kayla during this time since it was so hard for him to get around, so I had to find friends who could watch her.  And did my friends rally! I saw such an outpouring of love and generosity from them, I'm still feeling touched weeks later.

There were so many moments of service and love, I can't possibly go into detail of all of them, but I'll relate a couple experiences that really stood out to me. The first was the Sunday right after the surgery.  That night, our friend (who happens to be the Bishop in our Ward) came over to visit with us and see how everything went with the surgery.  Before he left, he asked if we would like to take the Sacrament, a very special ordinance we weren't able to get that day because we stayed home from church. I was truly touched; I hadn't expected that offer from him. We were at church the week before and took the Sacrament, so he didn't offer because we hadn't had it in a while. But it was something we missed and I'm grateful he took the time to give us that ordinance at home.  Sometimes we take advantage of the things we do every week or everyday.  Sometimes the repetition makes us lose sight of the significance or importance of the action.   I'm grateful to get a reminder now and again that the daily or weekly rituals are important and essential for my well-being. 

The other amazing thing that happened during this time was a service project at our house. Specifically, our back yard.  At the beginning of the year, we decided to put a garden in our backyard.  We made a list of things we wanted to plant and what we needed to get the soil ready.  In the spring, it was tilled and plans were made for where specific plants would grow best.  But after the injury we knew we'd have to cut back on those plans, but we still wanted a garden.  Everything was set up, we just needed to decide which plants to get.  We kept it simple.  We've got green peas, carrots, onions, and lettuce.  What really helped was a neighbor who doesn't have a yard wanted a garden so we're sharing our large space with him, too.  The amazing thing was that after the surgery, a bunch of our friends and neighbors came over and weeded our garden and the jungle that has become the back fence area.  They also created what Brandon has lovingly called "Strawberry Hill." It's pretty awesome.  One of our friends bought strawberries for us and planted them on our hill.  She also gave us starts for cucumbers and a pumpkin.  We have the best friends ever! It's so much easier to work outside when there are friends to help and other kids to play with your kid so you aren't constantly needing to watch them.  We had so much fun that night! And Brandon was there supervising everything. I know it made him so happy and grateful to everyone that took time out of their busy lives to come help us.

I found this video as I was trying to find a picture of the garden (couldn't find one so that'll be on another post).  Kayla loves her princess dress that Brandon's aunt gave her for Christmas.  At the time, it was too long for her to walk in.  So I decided to try it on her again to see how it fit.  As you can see, it fits and she's been calling herself a princess. I love it!

So those first two weeks were kind of stressful, and I'm very happy that they're over. But looking back, a lot of good things have happened during that time, too.  I'm glad I'm thinking back and writing this blog.  It helps me forget all the stressful things that happened and helps me remember the good things in life.

Things got a lot better at home once Brandon got his boot on.  He still has a hard time getting around but he doesn't have to go around on crutches anymore. It doesn't take him several trips just to get a plate of food and a drink. Yay!

And just because I can, I'm throwing in a video that I think is very pertinent to what I've been talking about in this post: the ability (or lack) of walking and getting around the house.  Kayla came up with this all on her own and the whole time she was doing this I imagined C.S.Lewis watching his kids play and maybe that's how he came up with some of his fantastical creatures.

This video also makes me realize how big my feet are...

Since we couldn't go up to Idaho to visit family, they decided to come down to visit us for Memorial weekend. We had a lot of fun together (per the norm) and we tried to cram as much fun in as we could in 3 days.  Saturday Lonnie and I got mani-pedies (a much needed relaxing activity) at a place really close to home for a reasonable price.  Always a nice discovery.  Though I don't think I'll ever get a manicure again unless it's for a very special event.  The paint started chipping within hours of getting it done.  At first I was upset with the nail place, but then I realized that it was going to happen regardless.  I have a very active kid.  I have a home that is in constant need of cleaning. I also have a family that needs feeding.  It's really impractical to go around NOT doing anything with your hands just because there's some paint on it.  The nice thing that came out of it was that Kayla saw my painted nails and wanted hers done, too.  She's such a girly girl and I love it! Now I need to go out and buy more nail polish...

  

In addition to the amazing paint job I did on Kayla's fingers, you can also see here the awesome goatee Brandon's been growing since he first got the injury in April. Very impressive, Brandon! I've also been surprised at how much it doesn't bother me.  I honestly thought it would, but once it got to the soft stage (after the prickly stage which was thankfully short), I haven't had much of a problem with it. Learning something new all the time.

Recently, Brandon has found a website about cooking and grilling that he has become fascinated with.  It goes into the detailed science of the particular thing the guy is cooking. Brandon's learned a lot of interesting things, and we've experimented on some of his findings. Like boiled eggs.  We now know exactly what to do if we want a hard boiled egg to come off the shell easy and without the giant hole at the base. We also know how to make steak pinwheels. A really yummy one with scallions, ginger, and teriyaki sauce. We tried it out for the first time during Memorial weekend, and I think it will become a new grilling favorite during the summer.

And there you have it! So yummy! That extra piece on the side wasn't big enough to roll up so they cooked it flat...and it wasn't as juicy and tender as the pinwheel...a very interesting discovery. 

As these two cuties are getting older, they're having more fun together.  It also requires a little less monitoring on the mommy's part each time they play together.  We don't have to worry as much about hair pulling and tackles.  They're having conversations with each other,  "cooking" together, and generally being the two most adorable playmates ever!

The most exciting part about Memorial weekend was Memorial Day.  We met up with Lonnie's sister and went to Hogle Zoo together. It was hot, and Brandon was having a harder time getting around (thank you Hogle Zoo for having so many places to sit down at almost every exhibit), but we sure had fun.  There were new things to see and Kayla wanted to see it all.

They had a new lion exhibit and I loved that they placed the observation glass in a place that all of us (including the lions) could be out of the sun.  She loved the elephants and the seals.  She had a lot of fun in the splash pad.  But I think her absolute favorite place was the carousel. 

We have friends that have a zoo pass and we've already scheduled a time to go back.  We can't wait.  We have lots of fun plans for this summer.  Hopefully Brandon will keep getting better so he can keep up with Kayla!

Reflecting back on this last month or so, I've seen the Divine Hand in my life blessing my family. I have seen Him work through others to bless my family. I am humbled when I accept help from others.  And I am humbled when I have to ask for help.  I hate doing it all the time, and this period has really taxed me in that area.  I hope I can someday repay the kindness that was shown to me and my family.  Lately I keep coming back to a scripture I read when I was pregnant with Kayla and was worried about how to be a good mother and raising this child that God has entrusted me with. It's in the Book of Mormon, Alma 34:3 

And as ye have desired of my beloved brother that he should make known unto you what ye should do, because of your afflictions; and he hath spoken somewhat unto you to prepare your minds; yea, and he hath exhorted you unto faith and to patience—

Faith and Patience. Those have been the two things I've felt like I really need to learn.  And just when I think I've got it figured out, something happens and I have to start again the learning process.  This has been really good for me. I know I've become a better person since that day 3 years ago.  I've come to put my trust in the Lord, and I know He will take care of me.  If I keep doing the things He would want me to do, everything I've been worrying about will work themselves out. It scares me, but I can have the faith that's needed to get through the trials in my life.  And I don't have to go through it alone. I have my amazing husband who is the best spouse anyone could ask for. I have my sweet little girl who is sometimes the cause of my trials but is such a blessing to me. I have close friends and family. I have seen and felt their love. And I have my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Father in Heaven. I have felt Their love. I am never alone, and that brings me the greatest joy. I am truly blessed.