Lessons Learned

It was an interesting weekend to say the least.  I was running like crazy Friday trying to get everything done, including Stryd's skateboard park birthday cake.  More on that later - but it turned out pretty cute.  Saturday morning I woke up with the most excruciating pain I had ever felt, and I dialated to a 7 when having Stryd before getting an epidural.  It was the kind of pain that had me shaking uncontrollably and dry heaving.  Here is was Stryd's 8th birthday and he is the first one awake ready to open presents at 7 a.m. and he hears me moaning and puking in the bathroom.  Dale finally convinced me to go to the ER around nine, promising Stryd we would open presents as soon as I got back.  Ends up I was trying to pass a nine millimeter kidney stone.  It was too big to pass so they took me in Tuesday for a procedure to blast it into smaller pieces I can pass.  While it's been a miserable and drug hazed weekend I can say I learned a few things along the way.

1.  Stryder had the patience of a saint waiting to open presents at 1 p.m.  It helped there was a skateboard in the pile.
2.  After three doses of morphine and two other pain killers in the ER and lots of tears Dale has decided I would make a miserably sad drunk.
3.  You hear some hysterical conversations coming from behind the curtains from other patients in the ER.  Dale and I could hardly contain our laughter from the guy who basically showed up to get a note from the doctor saying he couldn't go to work as a greeter at Walmart because his foot hurt.  They gave him ibuprofen.
4.  They term kidney stone should be changed to kidney shards - it seems far more appropriate.
5.  When I measure 9mm in the optical world it seems so small......not any more.
6.  It's easier to have warm, fuzzy feelings at church when you've got narcotics in your system.
7.  I am sure there are dozens of conversations I won't remember over the last few days in my Percocet haze.  If I said something inappropriate or offensive I'm using the drugs as an excuse, even though subconsciounsly I probably meant every word of it.
8.  After the procedure yesterday the doctor used the word "obliterated".  I couldn't decide if he was talking about me in general or just the kidney stone because honestly, I have felt obliterated all weekend.

Glad to get this one in the rearview mirror.

Top Ten Reasons

Dale posted this on the Gibb Family website and it was too classic to pass up.  The top ten reasons the Steelers will win the Superbowl.

Number 10...Troy Polamolu's hair. Stryder loves to watch him run around with his hair flowing behind.

Number 9...Big Ben has repented of his sins and the Lord is going to reward him.

Number 8...Aaron Rodgers is going to melt down...at least two picks, maybe three.

Number 7...James Harrison will deliver a hit so violent on Aaron Rodgers that his eyes will actually pop out of his head...Harrison will be suspended next year, but well worth it.

Number 6...Because I believe in them...and they wouldn't dare let me down.

Number 5...Because of the Terrible Towels.

Number 4...Mike Wallace's 80 yard TD catch.

Number 3...Hines Ward. The guy is a guarantee on third down, and who doesn't love his infectious smile.

Number 2...Defense baby!!

And the number 1 reason the Steelers will win the Super Bowl...Coach Mike Tomlin, he is a phenomenal motivator.   And every time Joy sees him on TV she states that she would, "do him".

It's all true.  Can't deny any of it.

GO STEELERS!

The Gym

The gym......it's a love/hate relationship.  Lately it's been tough to get there when I don't have to be accountable to the trainer.  I know when I go I feel better, but sometimes I need more motivation.

Today I met with my trainer, Damian.  We've been working together for a few months now.  His style is different than the other two trainers I've had, and different isn't necessarily bad, I just have to get used to it and he has to figure out what motivates me.  Today he put me through a strength training/cardio session that was so hard.  I honestly had to take a minute and really breathe so my breakfast didn't end up on the gym floor.

He had grouped together five different exercises and I was on my third go around on the last excercise.  I was exhausted I didn't think I was going to be able to finish.  About half way through he said, "Last one."  I knew there were still at least six left so I said, "Is my form really getting that bad."  He replied, "No I just don't want you to hurt yourself."

Good thing I have a sense of humor.

Winter Camping

We scored a great Black Friday deal on a new Coleman six man tent.  Because it said six on the packaging Stryder was convinced we needed a new baby in our family to meet the requirements.  I told him God doesn't hear that prayer anymore so he should stop asking.

The boys have been dying to try it out.  When I arrived home today I found my parking space in the garage had been replaced with the tent.  Tonight Dale and the boys are testing it out armed with mummy bags and blankets.  I am cozy in my bed.  I have no desire to try and undestand their need to camp out in a garage in twenty degree weather.  None whatsoever.

Stryder's New Idea

Stryder has such a fun imagination - he's always thinking.  Yesterday he told me he thought there would be a better way to have Halloween.  He suggested that a magic witch could fly from house to house on her broom, land on the roof, and then instead of going down the chimney she could magically "POOF" herself into the house.  Once there she could fill a trick or treat bag for each child (like a stocking) and leave it for them to find the next morning.

Having done the door to door thing in rain and snow I'm not opposed to it.  I'll have to see if he still feels that way in October.

Here Comes The Bride

My niece Kelsey is getting married!!!  She was a sweetheart and invited me to go with her dress shopping.  I was absolutely honored and excited to have that experience since I don't have any daughters.  She looked beautiful in so many of the dresses, but there was one that just stood out.  She narrowed it down to three and when she came out in my favorite the second time I honestly had that tear in the eye moment.  She was gorgeous!  It was fun to see her excitement and to see my sister have that tear in the eye moment too.  Loved being there and love my sweet niece for including me!  Can't wait for the wedding!!!

Snow Fun

The younger boys both got snowboards from Santa this year and we were all dying for a little snow so they could try them out.  Neither had done it before so we were hoping they picked it up quickly and enjoyed it.  They had a ball!  Caden was a natural and I think his ripstick experience helped him catch on so quickly.  Stryder wants to be a comedic actor and is constantly doing gag falls around the house, so for him this was just a new venue to express his comedic skills.  I will say he did pretty well when he didn't try to fall.  Even Dale gave it a try.  We'll leave it at that.

Fun to spend time with the cousins sledding!  Stryder can't hang out with those two girls enough!

Gibb Christmas Party

 I love seeing my husband with his siblings.  There are only four of the eleven in Utah now, so the family gatherings aren't quite as big as they used to be, but they are always fun.  I keep thinking I need to start a tape recorder when they get together and start telling stories of growing up and all the fun things they did together.  Those stories need to be passed on, they are classic.  I missed all the other Gibb's, but it was great to be with everyone here. 

The Gibb's do a boy/girl gift exchange each Christmas.  The throw it all in the middle and trade around game.  Dale decided to bring a waffle iron.  I told him it would be the dog gift, but after twenty years of marriage we needed and new waffle iron and he didn't care.  Nick didn't care either because he had first pick and he knew he wouldn't be stuck with it.  Surprisingly it wasn't the dog gift.......it was a weird year.

I went to lunch with the Gibb girls in November and was wearing a hat that my good friend crochets.  She's going to teach me how to make them.  Lara made a comment that she liked it and could never find hats that fit her comfortably.  Enough said.  I asked my friend if she would help me and she graciously made me three hats to give the Utah sisters.  Lara's reaction was priceless and it looked so dang cute on her.

Christmas 2010

Stryder's face sums it all up......Santa found him!  The boys decided to all sleep in one room on Christmas Eve after we watched The Christmas Story.  I love seeing my boys interacting together and creating those fun memories and traditions.  They all got up around 6:30 a.m. so it wasn't too brutal.  We headed downstairs to open presents and it was awesome to see their faces light up with each present.

The boys all asked for tied blankets for Christmas.  I purchased the fabric before Thanksgiving and was sure I could get them all done.  Then reality set in.  The Sunday before Christmas I asked my friend if she was for hire and she graciously accepted the job.  It took her just six hours to bind all three blankets.....I would still probably be thinking about it.  Best money I ever spent!  Ever!  I started tying them at seven one night and had the last one tied the next morning at nine.  It was really fun.  Don't know that I'm doing it again any time soon, but it was fun.

Dale got a megaphone/siren in his stocking.  The poor guy needs some help being heard around here.  He also got a new Steelers sweatshirt.  He wore it for a week straight before he decided he should wash it.

My favorite part of the day was just chillin' with the family playing with the boys' new K'nex sets.  We all pitched in to get them built.  Seriously fun!