1) A butter bear coffee from Biggby (caramel & butterscotch… yummmmm) – that one’s doneJ!
2) A video (Barbie’s A Mermaid Tale) & story with Emerson – in process.
3) Stop by Toys R Us to pick up some toys (Eme’s getting a little bored). My newest thing is Playmobil. They have several “take along houses” (great, portable play houses), lots of fun people (that bend in all the right places - nothing worse than a mom & dad who won’t sit down!), playsets, etc. I love them all!! I’m on the hunt today for the portable vet clinic, complete with “meows” & “lellos” (aka cats & dogs for those of you new to the site). I also love, love the suburban house with all the extensions – you can make a BIG doll house! I’m thinking that one goes on Santa’s list this yearJ.
4) Happy Hour at the lake house!! I’m leaving late this afternoon & driving up north for hummus, pita chips, salsa, tortillas & a margarita with the family. My brother & his wife are there for the weekend as are my parents & the boys (of course). I plan to drive back to the hospital late tonight.
5) A fierce game of UNO flash with the boys!! If you’ve never played this version of UNO, I recommend it – it’s a blastJ. With any luck I won’t be left with all the cards!!
6) Maybe a quick dip in the lake?!? The boys are having contests to see who can stand on a floating inner tube the longest – it’s a lot harder than it sounds. The record so far is 4 seconds. Should mom try to top that today?? We’ll see…
7) A beach bonfire?? With toasted coconut s’mores?? Yep – sounds like a great plan!
Its boat weekend at the cottage, which means today starts the Port Huron to Mackinaw sail boat race. It’s a beautiful spectacle to see all the big boats sailing past the cottage flying their huge, colorful sails. Unfortunately they start early so I’ve missed them this year. There’ve been lots of activities around town, though, & Papa took the boys to see all the boats at dock last night. Fun stuff!
Emerson’s bladder catheter fell out over night (don’t ask how… I have no idea). By the time we discovered it this morning, the hole had already started to close. As you may recall, they’ve been stretching the size of the hole with dilation surgeries in Omaha over the past 2 months. Well, today we are officially back to the size of the original catheter placed – 2 months ago!!!! Did we really go back that far? Will it really take that long to get us back to the point where the final surgery can be done?? I don’t know those answers. I just know it’s not good. I’m devastated & could literally cry. But, instead, I’m choosing to think about Playmobil toys, margaritas, and a bonfire with the boys. It’ll all work itself out, it always does – never on my time frame though, unfortunately.
Lastly, to answer a few reoccurring questions:
· Jim is not able, sadly, to switch places with me here at the hospital. He runs an automobile dealership & works 6 days a week. We rely heavily on the success of his business to help us financially through this difficult time. Does he have vacation time?? Not a lot, & what he does have he spends with all of us – i.e., 4th of July at the lake, the Make a Wish trip in February, occasional long weekends in Omaha.
· Jim is a partner in the company & is not, therefore, able to simply “find a new job” in Omaha. I wish… Our entire future, retirement, etc. is tied up in his business & we’re just not able, realistically, to let that go. In an ideal world none of that would matter. However, the reality is we need his income to pay the mortgage, put food on the table, save for college, etc. Our responsibilities are wide & include more than just Emerson at this time. It’s a personal choice we’ve made & one we feel is best, ultimately, for all involved. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. I feel blessed to have a partner in all this who accepts his role (as I’ve accepted mine)… it’s been very difficult on us both.
· The boys are doing great. I’m sorry if I don’t discuss them more, I just think everyone comes on here to read about Emerson, not them. If you want more brotherly updates, though, I can certainly obligeJ. We’re starting to think about school & fall activities (hard to believe)!! Collin is heading home to Colorado in the next week to get back on the ice in preparation for hockey try-outs late August. He’ll be a Pee Wee this year & will start checking for the first time. I’m really hoping he makes it through the year with all his teeth!! We’re considering sending Bradley to a new school this fall & he’s a little anxious about that. Collin & Bradley have been at different schools for the past 3 years. They’ve relied heavily on each other through all this & I’d like to have them together, again, at the same location. Bradley’s been working on his cursive writing & wants desperately to try the half-pipe (skateboarding). I’m hoping to redirect his athletic interest elsewhere!
· I’m working on compiling some pics from the lake & will create an album under the “Photo Album” tab this weekend (promise). I’ll let you know when it’s complete!
Hope you all have a wonderful day!!