3 years later...

I just have to start off this post by saying that it makes me feel comforted (blogging friends) that I'm not the only one that has slacked in this department lately... that being said, I have no excuse other than the busy-ness of life... Also, this is a super old post that I'm JUST now finishing. Eeek!

June 18th marked the three year anniversary of Matt's surgery. Every year that it comes around there is some strange feeling that comes over us. I started to draft a blog post that day, but I clearly got distracted, and in hind sight the timing is much better now...

We've tried to make our annual trip to Seattle as exciting (and budget friendly) as possible every year. Two years ago we stayed at a hotel right by SAFECO field and visited the aquarium with Madelyn. Quite frankly, I don't remember what last year's trip entailed, but this year we were lucky enough to get a place (for cheap) at the Camlin in downtown Seattle, which is the same place we stayed the week before surgery three years ago.  

It was very surreal and yet every time strange feelings crept over us we were distracted by our munchkins. We stayed on the eight floor and Matt swears it was the same exact room that we stayed in last time. It could have been; my memory is not worth trusting so I'll give it to him. This year, however, we had an extra child and a FOUR year old. So crazy. 

Our trip was quick. We left home Thursday morning and stopped in Lacey to meet my cousin's newest little bundle, Amarisa, followed by another pit stop in Renton to visit Uncle Josh, Aunt Krista and cousin Jude.  We made it to the hotel in time to get in a quick swim and then we stayed up late gazing out the window at the city life and Matt finished an assignment that was due by midnight while I braved the streets with two children in a stroller to get us a sacred piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Tradition. It was totally worth it, even if we would have been mugged. Thankfully we weren't and the cheesecake was a decadent reward. 

And no we didn't share any with the kids. I don't think they would have truly appreciated it. 

Don't judge. 

Here's a few phone pics of our trip as well as the AMAZING results from Matt's appointment!!!

These construction pictures are hard to appreciate unless you were there, but essentially there was a giant hole in the middle of downtown Seattle that was a real-life Bob the Builder scene. Every digger, dumper and excavator you could imagine right below our noses. We stood and gazed forever while Matt had his MRI and then we brought Daddy back to watch the phenomena for a while before we headed back to the hotel. The kids were totally mesmerized! (And so was I, quite frankly...)

Unfortunately our "super quick" trip home turned into a miserable 10 hour drive after we were rear-ended just south of Seattle. We spent 4+ hours going from place to place trying to find a body shop and a rental car before we put our kids back in the car and listened to them scream for the following 6 hours through rush hour traffic... It was awesome... about as awesome as it sounds.  Needless to say, we are STILL in a rental car 4 weeks later...

Alright, that's all for my little tangent! Cars can be replaced, we were all fine (just super sore). Back to the real business... Matt's appointment went SO well. We took both kids (for the first time ever) and they were excellent, courtesy of lollipops and a stroller. Dr. Nussbaum couldn't believe how big Madi is (neither can we) and the best news is that the MRI didn't show ANY remaining tumor! As far as Dr. Nussbaum could tell the only thing left is scar tissue and the tumor has slowly shrunk, probably due to lack of blood supply, over the last three years! We were both shocked and so overwhelmed. Dr. Nussbaum would like Matt to continue with annual screenings until his 5 year mark and then he can space it out to every few years. 

Here's a little walk down memory lane, because quite frankly that's what it feels like every time we hit the Emerald city...

In the ICU after 14 hours of surgery...

Attempting to get in some steps in the hospital (I think around 5 days post-op)...

Starting off the 4th of July Fun Run with a walker... ending the day in a wheel chair watching the parade.

In some ways three years feels like it's taken ten years, but then we look at our kids and can't believe how fast three years has gone by...

I have nothing but gratitude in my heart. 

The Ultimate Bounce...

The excitement in our house got turned up a bit this weekend when we decided to inflate this beast at my parents' house for an evening full of fun...

Essentially it resulted in this...

But with a super cool story to go along with it...

I think?!?!

First of all, you're probably wondering where we found ourselves in the predicament with a 60 foot bounce castle, allow me to explain...

I've been working for an organization called Friends of the Family for the last few months.  Essentially it's a community progress team that supports children and families in the "greater" Stayton area. In this case, we were collaborating with Reading For All and the Stayton Public Library to host an annual event called Grow Into Reading. Lots of free books were given out, kids signed up for the summer reading program at their local library, picked out a book bag, participated in different crafts/activities hosted by local churches, preschools, and other businesses and finally earned a bounce through this giant bounce castle and a free hot dog! It was a wonderful success that hosted more than 400 people last Saturday afternoon. Whew. What a day!!!

And, because the bounce house couldn't be returned until Monday when the rental facility opened again, we were left with trying this bad-boy out one. last. time. 

We invited some friends and of course the cousins over to Nana and Papa's house and barbqued while we watched the kiddos completely exhaust themselves in the castle. It was glorious. So glorious that we were dying to get our own legs bouncing and after hassling Matt for the entire evening, we finally kicked the kids out of the castle and took our positions at the starting line (imagine a big inflatable obstacle course that ends with two giant slides).  The race was on.  Part way through the obstacle course we both got stuck and I was afraid my glasses were going to break. Our only rule was that we weren't allowed to tackle the other person to slow them down.  We both climbed the ladder to the slides and then launched ourselves out of the castle.  He-Man bounced once on the bottom of the slide and then continued flying through the air where he somehow managed to karate chop his left arm with his foot while landing on his wrist.  This was the unfortunate result...

He did beat me to the grass, which is probably a good thing because if this would have happened AND he would have lost I can only imagine how damaged his pride would be... The day was painful enough as it played out...

Needless to say, everyone watching heard a loud "popping" sound, similar to a 22 shot and Matt never stood up again...

My dad drove the car around. We loaded him up and headed to the emergency room.

Just another Sunday night, folks...

A few hours later we had an x-ray confirming the injury, a splint and sling, and a good dose of narcotics.  We were on our way home again...

The week has been spent with a little RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and I'm mourning the loss of my healthy partner.  As it turns out, Matt was really good at a lot of things that require two hands... like changing diapers, mowing the lawn, folding laundry, and the list goes on... You get the idea...

As I type (and may or may not be sipping on Starbucks), Matt is being stitched up with some new titanium accessories! We visited the orthopedic on Tuesday and he didn't hesitate to say surgery was a necessity.  So... we've spent the week attempting to keep little ones from bumping Daddy's arm and enjoying the Office every night with a little ice cream. Gotta bring some light to all this darkness, right?!?! :)

Our pre-op photo-op!

Although Matt certainly didn't anticipate spending his summer with his arm in a cast, I keep reminding him that I'm really thankful he broke his arm and not his neck. Seriously, peeps, gotta look at it on the bright side! Bounce Castles are D-angerous, so we'll take the broken arm and run while we're still alive... 

Thankfully, we've both been able to laugh about it this week... and so have a lot of other people! Some of my favorite comments include: 

The paramedic who walked into the ER, "Whoa, I was expecting you to be a lot smaller..."

And my personal fave:

We ran into one of Matt's physical therapists at the orthopedic office... 

Matt, "What happened?" 

John, "I dislocated my thumb." 

Matt, "Oh man, how'd you do that?" 

John, "Old man softball league...How 'bout you?" 

Matt (shrugs his shoulder and gestures to his arm), "Bounce House..."

NBD folks...

The half marathon will have to wait and so will the Century ride... This boy has bone that needs to heal and a little R&R in the sun calling his name. 

We appreciate all of your prayers for a quick and FULL recovery! Matt's also hoping to make it into work for at least a couple days this week as this is officially his last week of work at Stayton Middle School. He starts a new position for Albany School District this coming fall... Unfortunately this isn't exactly how he planned on ending his career in the North Santiam School District, but I guess ya just gotta roll with the punches... or bounces...

Maybe that was the problem, he needs to work on his tuck and roll?!?

Post Publish Update:

The doctor came out about twenty minutes late and said that the surgery was successful, but that his arm was a lot worse than he anticipated.  Both ends were shard pretty badly and there is a piece missing altogether.  He was able to connect the two with a plate and screws and the wrist bones look good and he expects that it will heal with full function. He also tore lots of ligaments and muscle in his wrist that will take plenty of time to heal.  He will need to wear a sling for AT LEAST 6 weeks! 

We are SO thankful for Western Medicine and even more so for our ultimate Healer!  We got this verse texted to us from a friend earlier this morning; loved it.

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His loving kindness, To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your loving kindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You." Psalms 33:18

Thankful for His favor, even when I will be changing ALL of the poopy diapers. ;)

He Did It!!!

A year ago tomorrow I sat down to write about the completion of our first ever Sprint Triathlon.  It was Matt's first "competitive" event since his surgery and essentially the first athletic thing he was able to do in over two years! I'm so thankful I've documented these milestones; although it's not always often, it allows me to remember things better than I know I would have otherwise. When I read last year's post I was reminded of how far Matt had come last spring and as I think about last May in comparison to this May I am again left completely in awe of how hard he has worked.  (And how GREAT our God really is!)

It hasn't been easy, and just like last year, three mornings of swimming per week have turned into three mornings of swimming PLUS a bike ride in the evening or a three mile run and little by little Matt has gotten stronger and stronger. Last year he finished the swim and bike portion of this event and said, "Next year I'm going to do the whole thing." This year came around and sure enough, I was kicked off the team...

And although I was a little sad, I was even more proud! Not only did Matt finish the whole thing this year he RAN three miles in under 30 minutes! His swim time improved by over 3 minutes (sort of huge for swimming), and he completed all three events in one hour and thirty-seven minutes!

This video isn't all that exciting.  It's ten seconds of a thirty year old man running (with a happy family cheering in the background), but if you have any idea how long and hard this journey has been, you'll know how exciting it is! 

Three years of hard work and perseverance and this man can RUN again!

His next goal?

... a HALF MARATHON!

 

"It's not exactly a 'spectator' sport..." (Sorry Dad, I had to add this! ;)

 

 So thankful for and in love with this man! 

And because today wouldn't be complete without this guy stealing the show...

 

... and in case this guy's not enough of a motivator, there's plenty of inspirational videos out there! Believe me, we watch 'em all! =)

Happy "training" everyone!!!

Goodbye, Three!

Dear Madelyn, 

Today you turn FOUR years old. This birthday has been so very anticipated! You spent many hours daydreaming about what it would be like to be four and you even told me all of the things that four year olds can do that three year olds can't do. Mommy and daddy have teased you A LOT about staying three forever, but we knew this day would come.  We teased you so much over the last few months that you were crying in bed a few nights ago because you were nervous to turn four.  Daddy heard you crying and snuck in to reassure you that we are VERY proud of you and even though we get a little bit sad we love that you are growing into a beautiful, happy, healthy young lady.  

I hope you enjoy four as much as you did three.  You always tell us that you want to get older so that you can hold your baby brother better.  We think it is so sweet. You are the BEST big sister and it melts Mama's heart to watch you take care of Emmitt.  I hope that you and Emmitt always have a very special relationship with one another. I hope you always enjoy spending time together and playing with each other. I hope you have many, many days of playing outside, building forts and riding bikes together. I hope you always look out for Emmitt, even when he grows too big for you to hold him. 

I often tell you that my favorite job in the whole world is being your Mommy and it's very true. I feel like the luckiest Mama in the world. If I could choose any little girl in the whole wide world, it would be YOU. 

I love watching you grow up, and even though I have a little tiny cringe in my stomach and a lump in my throat when I think about how fast four years have gone by it mostly makes me happy. Happy that you have given Mommy and Daddy so many wonderful memories; happy that you absolutely love to live life, and happy that you soak up everything around you like a little sponge. 

I pray that as you continue on your journey you will keep learning about Jesus and how much he loves you even more than Mommy and Daddy do. 

I love you to the moon and back. I love you the mostest, and I love you more each day. 

Mama

Happy fourth birthday, Madelyn! You rock swim goggles like nobody's biz-ness!!!