My brain hurts

Ok yeah it's me.... I'm still here in body but my brain is gone. Today I took the first half of the bar exam... yeah I know--- why the heck are you blogging? Well, if I don't know it now I won't know it is my philosophy so we went out for a family dinner, went to go look at plants for our ever growing landscape plans and I have decided to spend my night relaxing and preparing myself for another torturous day. Here has been my life this last week--- kids to daycare-- me to the library for 7-8hours--- pick up the kids, go home have dinner, put the kids to bed, get Mike off to work, study for 2-3 more hours. Seriously-- no life! It was so nice today to get 1 day of the exam out of the way. I felt pretty confident with what I accomplished today but still--- it's not exactly my idea of a fun time. I just can't wait to have a glass of wine, relax on my deck and read a magazine--- that is all I want right now..... 24 more hours.... until no more studying EVER!!!

Speaking of landscaping here are some pics of where we are so far ( and a couple of the boys on a hot day)-- check it out!

35 years

On Friday we will be attending the 35th anniversary of Mike's parents 4th of July neighborhood block party. Interestingly enough, I have been to 13 of these events and low and behold there are certain traditions that have held true. Marilyn makes her rice hotdish, Harriet makes her potato salad ( that I crave all year), we have a horseshoe tournament ( that in the last 5 years I have made every excuse in the book not to participate because I am THAT bad), we eat 2 meals and most of all we visit. When I say visit.... there are between 30 and 50 people each year to hear all about who's doing what, where, with whom, and why. It's amazing when they bring out pictures how the people have changed but their idea of a celebration has stayed the same. When we first told Mike's parents that we were expecting Matthew-- one the things we wrote in the book we gave them was "I can't wait to play in the 4th of July tournaments"... I think we may have to wait another year and after 35 years I have a feeling, there will absolutely be a next year.

Through the years...

This weekend is a big weekend for Mike and I, here are the statistics....

On June 27th, 6 years ago, Mike proposed.

On June 28th, 5 years ago, we got married.

On June 29th, 13 years ago, we had our first date.

Boy how time flies!! How are we celebrating? The same way we did 5 years ago....

At a Twins game.... how romantic huh?

Random Thoughts

The words "I love you" from a friend really makes you smile.

A brother's teasing can bug you just as much at 33 as it did at 13.

Kids just like footy pajamas... nuff said.

I made cookies for the first time in a long time.... it didn't take as much time as I remembered.

I love KFC.

I need a pedicure... it's very important in the summertime.

Around 75 degrees in air temperature, the decision to turn on air conditioning becomes a stressful one.

Applesauce is really good... I understand why kids like it so much.

Why do gutters cost so much?

Cats are good at soothing an upset baby.

Cooper is getting old.

The elderly really do tend to gear their car decisions toward Buick's and Oldsmobile's.

My niece went horseback riding today on a horse named Wyoming. It would be fun to name horse.

Even with email as the main mode of communication the walk to the mailbox is still filled with anticipation.

Diva Weekend

Ahh Diva Weekend. This is one of those weekends that I long for each year. Why you may ask? Well just imagine this 6 of my best friends all congregated around the concept of talking, laughing and just being with each other. This year on the 9th annual weekend, we were able to enjoy what I would consider the ultimate Diva movie "Sex in the City" as well as a day of total fun. I remember looking down at my 2 rows of friends and thinking-- with how busy our lives are as career women, Mom's, wives, etc.... but we always make this weekend a priority and each year plan months in advance to ensure each member of this amazing group of women can attend-- without one of us there, it's not the same. Imagine these great women as some of your best friends and you will understand:

Becki- Becki can make you laugh at the drop of a hat with her quick wit, but it is her unmatchable devotion to the concept of friendship that really makes her special. She would do anything for anyone of us ( include stand out in 30 mph winds to light a grill so we can eat) without a thought.

Emily-- Emily can suprise you. She is so knowlegable about well just about anything hense her nickname of "Dr. Emily". She always seems to have a new adventure going on in her life. She can be the life of the party but can also be one of the best listeners I have ever met. She is never short of hugs or time just to lend an ear to a friend.

Dawn-- Ah Dawn, talk about adventure. She always has a story to share-- which makes her as a friend exciting. She is also never short on compliments-- genuine compliments I might add. Peple just love her the momemnt they meet her.

Sarah-- Even though Sroe ( Sarah Roe-- get it?) lives in Kansas City we still cherish her friendship as a Diva. She always seems to be laughing or smiling--- even through the worst of times. Her good nature seems to shine through in everything she does and she is a true testament to "never give up on what you want".

Kim-- ahh Kim, the glue that holds us together. I don't know what we would do without you. She has a heart of gold and a sensitivity that is so amazing -- it is unmatchable. She has a "genuine soul" that is so caring and compassionate that it shows in every aspect of her life-- including friendships.

Casey-- Casey's life is never short on drama, however her confident sense of self allows you to believe that she is one of the strongest women alive ( emotionally that is). She is never short of laughter and like Emily--- a true listener, she is ALWAYS there as a shoudler to cry on if need be. She truly doesn't have a mean bone in her body and believes in friendship as a truly special phenomena.

Now after describing these women I bet you are jealous? Yeah I would be too. I am truly lucky to know them and even more lucky to be a part of their lives. On Saturday, sitting in that movie theater looking at these women I can't help but pinch myself at how blessed I am to have them in my life. I love my divas!

I like food

I have never seen a child consume as much food as my little Nathan. Typically nothing goes to waste but in this case the yogurt was too much fun...

Hug your loved ones a little bit closer tonight.

So a year ago we got a call on a Sunday afternoon that one of Mike's college roomates, Adam Miller, had been in a pretty bad car accident that morning. This accident hit home particularly because not only was Adam a good friend, but he was also a police officer. Adam was driving home at 7am and fell asleep at the wheel after a long night of working... needless to say it could have just as easily been Mike in that driver seat on any given morning. We rushed to the trauma center at HCMC to show our support and were hit with the news that Adam may never walk again. Needless to say through many months of hard work and a drive to have a normal life with his wife Kelli and their son Ty, he is walking again. Over the past year they have shared their story on a caringbridge site and just so it never leaves my mind and enters yours today, here are Kelli's words-- a year after the accident:


Today marks the one year anniversary of Adam’s car accident. It has been a year of highs and lows, and has tested our faith, patience, love, and our will to keep it all together.
May 20, 2007 was one of the worst days of our lives. Some of you may not know this, but Adam had woken up just before his truck crashed, and he remembers the entire ordeal. He knew immediately there was something wrong with his legs. We are eternally grateful that there was a car driving behind him and they called 911 right away. Getting that visit from the police officer at my door was my worst nightmare, and the relief I felt when he told me Adam was alive was something I will never forget. The outpouring of support at the hospital that day was incredible. So many of Adam’s co-workers, friends, and our families came to the hospital as we waited for Adam to come out of surgery.
The first two weeks after Adam’s accident were probably the hardest for us. We were still in shock over what had just happened, and had no idea if Adam would regain feeling or movement below the waist. A glimmer of hope came in one of our darkest hours one week after Adam’s accident. That morning his doctor told him point blank he didn’t think he stood a chance at ever walking again. I remember how devastated we felt hearing that news. But it lit a fire within Adam; he spent that entire day trying to wiggle his toes, and by the end of the day he could do it. It was the first positive sign we had that he may be able to regain movement.
While staying at Sister Kenny Institute, Adam started regaining more and more feeling and movement in his legs. By the time he left 6 weeks later, he was able to lift his right leg off the bed, and transfer from the bed to the wheelchair with a slide board. He also started to stand with the aid of therapy equipment. The therapy he received at Sister Kenny was top notch and rigorous. Adam was extremely ambitious and looked forward to therapy every day.
After Sister Kenny, Adam spent 6 weeks at St. Gertrude’s and it was here that he made some tremendous accomplishments. By the time he left, he was able to walk with the help of a walker and transfer from a wheelchair to a car with the help of a slide board. During his time, Adam was able to return home for day trips due to the kindness of volunteers (friends, family, and co-workers) who built us a wheelchair ramp to our front door. Home visits were bittersweet. Adam so enjoyed being home, and it was hard taking him back to St. Gert’s at the end of the day.
In September, Adam transferred to the Courage Center for 6 weeks. The therapy he received there was incredible and he still goes there for out-patient therapy once a week. But by this time, the emotional toll on being gone from home for so long was evident in all of us. Adam was homesick and we missed him terribly. Adam made tremendous strides while at the Courage Center though. He passed his driving exam and was cleared to drive again. He could get in and out of a car completely unassisted, was walking with a walker and even began walking with a cane indoors and outdoors. Walking 5 months after a life-altering injury to the spine was a huge accomplishment and an answer to our prayers.
All in all, Adam endured 2 back surgeries, battled a staph infection that came back twice, and stayed at 4 different hospital/rehab facilities before returning home 5 months later in mid-October. For the first time in my life, I was actually happy to see the summer come to an end.Fall 2007 marked a new beginning for us. Adam was finally home and things started feeling normal again.
In January, two big things happened. First, Adam retired his wheelchair for good, and second, he returned to work. Although he wasn’t able to return to patrol yet, he was happy to be back and grateful for the opportunity to work in the office.
One year after his accident, Adam can walk up and down stairs, stand and bend at the knees, and pick things up off the floor from a standing position (yes I’ve been putting him to work cleaning the house). He even mowed the lawn the other day and ran on the treadmill in PT. These are all things most people take for granted everyday, but for someone with Adam’s injury, they have all been huge achievements and cause for celebration. He experiences varying degrees of back pain everyday, but it doesn’t hold him back. He looks forward to his PT sessions. They work him hard at the Courage Center, and he is extremely driven – hopeful that he will return to patrol some day.
As summer approaches, we have a lot to look forward to. We are expecting our 2nd child in July, and Adam is anxious to spend time outside, teaching Ty to fish, and do so many other things he missed out on last year (yes, even yard work!). He also can’t wait to take Trigger hunting again in the fall. We are thankful each and every day that Adam was given a second chance to walk.
Today marks the one year anniversary of Adam’s car accident, and we find it only fitting that we bid farewell to CaringBridge and close the book on this past year.
To all of you who have encouraged, loved, prayed, donated your time/energy/finances, and simply lent a shoulder to cry on:We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten!
Love, Adam, Kelli, Ty, and Trigger