Quotables

Today, Ethan had fillings done at the dentist. While under the influence of nitrous, he said he could feel something hurting. Dr. Stevens stopped and offered to numb the tooth. Ethan said he didn't want a shot because "the only thing worser than shots is Barbies". Dr. Stevens wants to put that one up on his wall. Also under nitrous, "this nose thing smells so good, I want to take it home".
Tonight, Alaina was dancing around at Jordan's riding lesson in her Mizzou cheerleader shirt, leftover from a dress-up day at school. The instructor asked her if she would be a cheerleader one day. Alaina said "No, I'm gonna be a teacher and a Mommy; I'm gonna have lots and lots of babies". How many babies will you have, the instructor asked. Alaina considered and announced "I'm gonna have ten babies!" Might be fun to quote her when she's about 25.

Happy Hallow-Post

Ok, that last post was a downer. So let's review Halloween. Alaina was dressed as a lovely Princess Ariel, Ethan was a Clone Trooper, but don't call him a Clone Trooper because he's actually Captain Rex all right? Cody was festive in a jester collar in Halloween print with tiny bells that when worn in the house quickly became too much.
Jordan decided that this was a good year to be too big for Halloween. Her friends invited her to walk around their neighborhoods but she just wasn't into it. Can't blame her at all. Something about ringing doorbells for candy when you're 5'8" is awkward.
We decided to take the little ones and Cody to Rocheport. We had never trick-or-treated there and this summer some friends told us it is a great time. And, officially, it is the kids' hometown! First we stopped by our neighbor Teresa's where we got wonderful fresh popcorn balls, then we hit the streets for about 1 1/2 hours. There were lots of kids out, and many fun decorations. Plus, the fact that most of the homes in Rocheport are from the 1850's or so added a spooky feel. With brimming buckets, we returned home to a huge pot of vegetable beef soup that I'd left warming on the stove.
Ethan's Favorite Stop: The house that gave out pop rocks
Alaina's Favorite Stop: The house that gave out bubble gum
Best Decor: House with lit decoration all over their big landscaped terrace and garage, a bonfire, spooky music and resident ghoul handing out treats.
Most Unique Treat: Mexican candies-one made of dehydrated mango, one of tamarind pulp, both coated with red chili powder. Tart and zippy! I have inherited these and must say I'm gaining fondness for them.

Class Party Highlights: Ethan- Mummy wrapping contest, treats made of apple slices spread with peanut butter for lips with tiny marshmallows between for teeth, mask decorating.
Alaina - Making a scarecrow face with her own photo inserted, Freeze Dance, Cupcakes!!!

Now to run the scary luminaries downstairs and dig out the cornucopia!!

Anniversary of Second Chances

One year ago today, I was unaware. One year ago yesterday, I awoke to a beautiful day, and a couple of hours later life itself was uncertain. One year ago Saturday, my previous self went about the business of getting kids to school, putting on Halloween parties, and getting a bit of nutrition in the kids before going trick-or-treating. It's easy to get hung up on the uncertainty of life and to replay those days over and over again. It's not as easy to just move on, and not let the reality of our mortal existence creep into daily life.
Sometimes I get stuck on a train of thought that reviews what I'm not able to do, or can't do easily, or what difficulties will come as I age with stainless steel running through me. Being grateful is a noble endeavor, but I'm not always noble. And sometimes I'm angry, at the arrogant fool who took our lives in his hands, at the fate of bad timing, for lost time and for pain.
By way of recognizing this as a year of accomplishments rather than a year of lost opportunity, I listed milestones one night. It helped me to see how far I've come in a relatively short time and gives me hope that I will continue to gain strength and comfort, and be able to run alongside my kids, play soccer with them and show them the world in the active way I wish to.
Here goes:
Survived the crash
Stayed awake enough to talk to the girls and get necessary calls made
Kept my leg
Got off the ventilator
One little, two little, three little surgeries, four little......
Saw my babies again
Got off morphine
Sat up in bed
Pulled self up
Stood for 20 excrutiating seconds
Moved from University Hospital to Rusk Rehab
Shower with lots of help
Wore my own clothes again
Used bedside latrine
Used a wheelchair
Used toilet :-)
Used walker
Used crutches
Walked 50 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet on crutches
Shower with little help
Mostly dressed myself
Put on my shoes
Sat in wheelchair for a whole meal
Got in and out of bed alone
Stood at a table for 1 min, 2 min, 3 min...
Went up stairs with crutches
Got in and out of the car
Visited Home
Went home
Ate with my family
Drove
Showered alone
Cooked a meal
Went to mailbox
Took Ethan to the bus
Went upstairs
Put kids to bed
Carried Lainey
1 crutch
Walking
Stationery bike
Real bike
Wounds closed
Released from physical therapy
Swam
Went to the park
Rode a horse
Rode Bree (who is no ordinary horse)

So I've come a long way, and I can surely come a bit more.