One-day vacay(ish)

We always cherish the times we can get away from everything and just enjoy being a family.  This year was supposed to be a Destin year.  I'm so missing the beach!  The sand and the waves and the sounds and the fun and the love.  It makes me super sad that we aren't getting a family vacay this summer, the summer before baby girl first's senior year!  I'm so thankful for baby boys life and I know God knew all and has us in His hands and it will all work out somehow but it still hurts.  It's been a hard summer and in just a few weeks we will be enrolling all my sunshines except baby baby girl in school.  Currently we are running into Dallas about once every two weeks or so.  v   bklkn,lohhy6hhm m (walked away to check on dinner and baby baby girl hijacked my blog, again!  LOL)  So this one day Marmie invited us to her apartment to swim!  She had sandwich stuff for lunch too.  So we got up and left early that day, one of Glenn's off days too!  First we went by the clinic bc Glenn had a check up (please keep him in your prayers too, his sugars, BP and cholesterol were high), afterwards we ran by Sams where there was a big blowup ring toss on sale.  $6 and we got 5 rings of varying sizes from the smallest which was about Kalani size to the biggest which was probably just a bit bigger than a tire float and a center (which we haven't used) so we would have floats to play with.  Then after that we were all hungry bc Glenn was fasting before the doc so we ran to McDonalds for some breakfast.  Of course this thrilled the babies!  :)  We try to visit my Papa in his nursing home on sundays but Kirsten wasn't feeling well at lunch that day and so we went straight home instead, so we ran by there to say hello before heading to my mom's.  He just enjoys seeing Kalani so much and she was so happy and running all over and gave him kisses.  Meme said he was still talking about it that afternoon!  And then we made it to mom's!  We got into her apartment and all started getting dressed for the pool, I put my plastic waterproof cover thing that Kirsten had given me for my bday and I hadn't had a chance to try yet on my phone in hopes of getting cool pics which I did!  :)  You should've seen the teens and me blowing up the floats, oh I forgot to mention that they look like donuts!  LOL  Then off to the pool!  We all love to swim or rather play in the water.  I got some really cool pics.  Kirsten hadn't been swimming since Kayson wasn't able to yet so she was excited to get in the water, she played with Kayson, gave him a ride under water on her back and held Kalani and talked with Marmie.  Chris swam and floated and joked around some with Cayden and carried Kalani and took selfies with his mama.  Cayden was all over the pool and even fell through one of the bigger floats trying to get in it, all I saw was feet, LOL!  Keegan learned how to doggy paddle, he was so excited and did real well.  Kayson didn't let his neck brace slow him down!  This was his first swim since his stroke.  He actually swam from one person to another, he floated with the donuts, he is our little fish.  It was so great to see him so active and happy.  To see them all happy and enjoying each other and not fighting.  Just having fun, just being a family, laughing together.  These are the reasons we cherish our vacay/holiday times so much.  Just to strengthen our relationships, just to love and cherish one another.  To make memories!  Kalani loved the water too!  In the deeper end, like 4 ft, there was a ledge or seat along the edge and she loved running (slow run, its water!) along it.  I don't know if she was so sure about going under, she didn't cry though.  Oh but she was attached to her daddy!  Towards the end he was ready to get out and relax a bit and she didn't want to sit out of the water with him but she didn't want to be in the water with me either, she fussed bc she wanted her daddy in the water with her!  lol.  She floated a bit with the smallest float, actually holding onto it for a little.  Then she started trying to crawl out of it and that was the end of that!  LOL  Then we had lunch at Marmie's and watched some netflix and got some naps.  Then it was dinner time and we hadn't yet been to the new Chick-Fil-A bc we just couldn't seem to get us all together at the same time to go and we wanted to go the first time as a family so thats where we had dinner.  Its really nice and all brand new.  We took selfies and ate and laughed some more, Keegan took Kalani to the play area, it was so nice.  Then we headed home and finished the night off with a family movie!  Oh how I love these precious babies sooooo much!  I am so thankful for this brief time to slow down and just be as a family, even if it was just one day.  We all needed this day, together!

Kayson Strong as an Eagle ~ follow ups

Thursday
6-28-18
I didn't sleep well last night and was up early to take Chris to practice.  Glenn was sleeping as much as he could since he worked till 3 am!  We had apple sandwiches for breakfast.  Those are so great, just apple slices and PB.  YUM!  Then we headed into Dallas with baby boy.  This is a day trip this time, no overnight.  We left with time to get there but then GPS took us a different way bc of construction and we were a bit late but still got there and was able to see the doc.  She was happy with his physical progress.  We are all so very thankful for how far he has come!  She did tell us that the behaviors we are concerned about and have started seeing are consistent with traumatic brain injuries.  He may need some counseling.  She wants to see him again in a few months.  Then we went next door to Jimmy Johns for lunch.  I love their sandwiches so much.  :)  Baby boy always has one with cheese, thats all, just cheese.  lol  Then, we headed home.  I'm so tired!  When we got home, Kirsten had cleaned Kayson's room for him and organized some of his things on a shelf I had just got cleared for him, he was so excited!

Monday
7-2-18
Dallas again, I didn't sleep well again, this seems to be a recurring issue.  :( This time it'll be an overnight trip.  We made a Starbucks stop.  yum!  This time we made good time and made it to the hosp a bit early so we grabbed some lunch.  Then we saw his surgery doc.  His appt went good, his incisions look good.  Kayson did almost cry once when the doc said he couldn't have a bath till friday, he was hoping he could have a bath tonight with one of his bath bombs and his doc caught his tears and asked why, then asked if he didn't like showers so we told him that Kayson usually has baths and isn't fond of showers so he said Kayson could sit in a bath as long as he didn't soak his neck yet and baby boy was excited about that!  He wants to see Kayson again in 6 weeks.  Then we checked in at our hotel.  We tried a new hamburger place for dinner and then found a rolled ice cream place.  That was neat!  Kayson got his bath with his bath bomb.  This one was a bday one and left sprinkles in the tub, lol and his prize was a little plastic donut.  Then we rested before bedtime.

Tuesday
7-3-18
Up early to get breakfast and check out of hotel and get to his neurology appt on time.  He called Kayson miraculous!  However he does want him evaluated by a psychiatrist.  We told him some more about all our family has been through in Kayson's young life before the stroke and he seemed a little in shock.  He did say we had a strong marriage.  He wants to see Kayson again in Jan.  So far not a month has gone by that we have haven't been to dallas.  Its seems to be averaging about twice a month.  whew.  Its a lot.  Then we headed home.  We actually got home in time for lunch and it was already made, pizza, yum!  Marmie had spent the night with the other kids and brought the pizza.  Yay, Marmie!  :)  Then we had a nap with baby girl.  After Glenn and I had our date night.  Dinner and a movie.

Kayson Strong as an Eagle ~ surgery day 9 ~ HOME!!!

Tuesday
6-12-18

It's going home day!!!  Boy, cleaning the room, bc since they run on volunteers, RMH asks the families to clean their room before they leave, makes me feel like I need a nap!  lol  Before we left Dallas, we ran by the big Kroger close to RMH, they remind me a bit of Brookshires Fresh in Tyler.  They have fresh bread and pretzels, an olive bar, sushi bar, salad bar and even a Starbucks!  :)  Baby boy found Incredibles 2 goldfish, he is so excited to see the new movie when it comes out soon!  Then we came HOME!!!  YAY!!!  Rain!  Where did that come from?  lol  Oh and a big yay, Kayson hasn't had any pain meds since before we left the hospital yesterday!  PTL!  Meme came by to see baby boy.  Then Aunt Sherrie came by and brought baby boy some chocolate milk, he sure loves his chocolate milk!  And this part of the journey starts to come to a close.  Baby boy's surgery is done and a success and we are home and healing can continue and for all this we are so thankful!  There's still more parts of the journey to come but surgery felt like such a huge hurdle and the relief that it is over is immense.

Kayson Strong as an Eagle ~ surgery day 8 ~ angiogram

So, it was a bit of a rough night, not sure why, baby boy wasn't sleeping well but said he wasn't in pain but kept fussing so his daddy ended up getting in bed with him.  He rested better after that.  I wonder if he was nervous about his collar being off??? We arrived at the hospital, got all checked in, saw his nurse from he other angiogram, she recognized him and asked about baby girl.  :)  The anesthesiologist came in and spoke with us and said they were going to try different anesthesia, give extra fluids and nausea meds to try to keep us out of the ER this time!  I am so thankful that they listen to our concerns and work so hard to keep baby boy comfortable!  Then they took him back.  We went and got some lunch and when we returned to the waiting area, the doc came out and said he did great and there was NO pinching!!!!  BIG NEWS!!!!  Surgery was good and worked and oh, PTL, just praise!  Bc of the diff anesthesia, he woke sooner so they had us come back but he still had a few hours to lay still yet.  That was long, lol.  He rested for a bit, then complained of a headache, then he had to pee, he asked "how much was it?" after he peed in the urinal, lol!  Also asked, "Will I have to be still forever?!?"  Oh, this boy!  :)  Then he was bored, I tried to distract him by playing Disney music on his iPad.  He complained more about a headache, they ordered him some motrin but he's not supposed to have that right now bc it can hinder the healing/fusion of the bone so then they ordered him some oxy.  Then he asked, "What's squeezing me?" lol, it was the blood pressure cuff, you would think he would know this by now, lol!  He was feeling better and able to eat a popsicle and then he was able to be discharged.  We got to RMH and he was walking so much steadier and looking so much better than he did after the other angiogram!  He was hungry so we got a light snack then rested before dinner.  After dinner we did another movie in the family area.  Smurfs this time.  Then Glenn and baby boy rested in the room and prepared for bed while I went to the house family meeting.  They do one every monday and say its mandatory that at least one member from each family attend.  I almost hate attending them though bc the night manager speaks to us like we are all little children incapable of following the rules.  oh-well.  sigh.  When I returned to our room, baby boy wanted me to lay with him while he fell asleep and I ended up falling asleep too.  I'm so thankful he didn't throw up at all this time!  No ER visit, PTL!!!  No extra night in the hospital, we can head home tomorrow! Just so thankful!!!!

Kayson Strong as an Eagle ~ surgery day 7 ~ RMH day 2

Sunday 6-10-18
Baby boy slept all night.  YAY!  After breakfast, before it was tooooooo terribly hot and since we had to be careful about him sweating, we cut through the courtyard on our way back to our room and Kayson and his daddy played a game of connect four, a big wooden one in the courtyard.  Then Kayson got his first shower since surgery.  It was so nice to have to his extra collar pads.  After lunch there was an ice cream social with Bingo and prizes!  Kayson got lots of prizes, these squishy things and when I said, "oh, those look homemade" He said, "well, I love them, don't judge my squishies!"  LOL, grab a bubbles, those are so cool, you can catch them without popping them and they stick to everything for a bit, the floor, the wall, your head!  :)  He also got some spinners, an emoji one and some mini ones, they spin really well too.  He even got a bluetooth speaker!  and it lights.  Then he got to choose a quilt from RMH.  Its so pretty and I just love quilts and it has blue and orange, his two fav colors!  Its so kind that people make these with such love!  Then we had some rest time.  I tried to nap but my mind was spinning and my heart felt so broken from everything.  Thankful, blessed but overwhelmed and scared and wondering and broken.  Panic attacks were out in full force today.  I really hate those!  They make me feel certifiable and less of a person and like I can't handle life.  Some days, I just feel like all this is closing in around me and I'm drowning.  We've been through so much as a family, even before this with baby boy.  When is it enough?  When do we get a break and a rest from the pain?  After dinner, we did another movie in the family living room, Spooky Buddies, during which the babies at home facetimed us and Kayson wanted to show them his lego set all done so him and I walked back to the room and finished the phone call and Glenn finished the movie all by himself, lol.  Then off course baby boy was hungry!  :)  So we got a snack in the family kitchen, circus cookies!  I still love those so much!  They are so good and so fun!  lol.  Then back to the room for bed, big day tomorrow.  Baby boy decided to sleep with his collar off, which his daddy likes but still makes me nervous.

Kayson Strong as an Eagle ~ surgery day 6 ~ RMH day 1

Poor baby, I slept through med alarms!  Sigh, what kind of a mother does that?!?  Baby boy woke up in pain, I almost cried, I was so upset at myself and a little scared bc there wasn't a nurse to assure me he would be fine.  Got meds in him and sat with him as the pain eased and he was able to fall back to sleep for a few more hours.  I however did not rest well after that!  Then we all woke up in time for breakfast, PTL, Kayson was not in pain then and I had med alarms set!  We spent the morning just chillin' in the room and Kayson finished his lego set!  He was so excited.  Then lunch, it is a super blessing that RMH has volunteers provide meals!  Then some Wii, Mario and lego Batman in the playroom.  Kayson was sad though bc the playroom had a train table with wooden tracks but no trains!  Another weird thing in the playroom, theres all these plastic pineapples, like 6, and they are almost life size, like seriously who puts lifesize plastic pineapples in a playroom?!?  LOL!!!  On a different note, a part that's not so easy to type or put into words, especially for a Mama's heart but is part of his story and definitely could benefit from prayers!  Sometimes, since a little after getting home from Dallas, the first long stay, baby boy has started to say some things that breaks my heart and have some concerning behaviors.  This time, he got mad at a game, and started having an attitude so we returned the wii games and controllers to the front desk and went back to the room for a rest and as we were getting into the room, he declared he was going to take his lego set all apart and he wished he had never got it.  I thought I was going to end up giving it away if he was going to continue with those words but he took it back when I said as much.  Then though he was still upset bc he didn't want to rest but he looked tired and we were tired so we told him he was going to lay down and rest, he could watch something on his iPad but he needed to rest and he told me I should just throw him in the trash.  How is a parent supposed to react to that, I didn't even know what to say, it took my breath away a bit.  I'm sure he doesn't mean he really should be in the trash, I know he was acting out and tired and frustrated and mad but............it's still pretty scary.  He's only 7!  We talked about it and how it would hurt so much and he's not trash and he said no he wasn't trash and then he laid down with his iPad and rested.  He comes up to me regularly and tells me he's happy and asks for hugs and he's usually just so sweet.  Then there was dinner.  Again so thankful not to have figure out meals, such a blessing.  And we still have a tired boy.  We decided to do a movie in the family living area, baby boy picked Super Buddies.  He fell asleep before the end, I knew he was tired!  lol.  His daddy carried him to our room when it was over, he was nervous, he hadn't carried baby boy since the surgery.  Then we all crashed!!!  With prayers that there would be no more sleeping through the med alarms!