A Little Under the Weather

Just wanted to let you all know that yes, I realize that I have not posted in a while. Just wanted to explain myself:

The last night of my class reunion I ended up leaving about an hour & a half early because I just didn't feel right. Well, I ended up puking all night (sorry to be so blunt!) & getting no sleep. (And no, it wasn't because I had too much to drink either.) Anyway, I spent all day Sunday & Monday in bed & half of Tuesday until my husband Paul drug my butt out of bed & to the doctor.

After a series of tests, it was determined that I had a HUGE (2 cm - yes, you are reading that right - 2 cm) kidney stone that was actually lodged in my ureter (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) & blocking any waste from being removed from my left kidney. So, I ended up being transfered to a bigger hospital under the care of a wonderful doctor. It was decided Tuesday evening that I was going to have surgery on Wednesday afternoon to remove the boulder (as the doctor called it).

Well, wouldn't you know it. In the middle of the night Tuesday, I spiked a high fever so the nurse ended up calling the doctor & he decided to take me down for emergency surgery early Wednesday morning. There was so much infection & my left kidney had completely shut down so the doctor ended up putting a stent in so the infection could drain for a few days before removing the stone.

So, I am at home now. Doing okay - just very sore. The new plan is to go back to the hospital next Tuesday for surgery to blast the boulder & remove it. I will then have a follow up appointment a few days later to have the stent removed.

Not really how I wanted to spend this last week, but it could have ended much worse. My doctor told me it was a good thing Paul talked me into coming into the office because if I would have waited a day or two, I could have ended up with major kidney problems & a body full of infection. Now that would not have been good!!!

Class Reunion a Success

My 20th Class Reunion weekend was very enjoyable & quite a success, I might say. It was so great seeing & visiting with everyone. Friday night was spent socializing on the deck of local winery. Saturday morning Paul participated in the golf scramble while I hosted a tour of the high school we attended. That night was the final event of the reunion at the Elks Club. The food was fantastic & of course, the atmosphere was just magnificent. It was so much fun seeing so many of my classmates. It was overwhelmingly decided that a 25th Class Reunion was a must. So, looks like I will once again be organizing & tracking down classmates in about 4 years. (Honestly, I can't wait! It was just an awesome time seeing everyone!)

Paul & I taking time out for a picture together!

Cheerleading 101

My friend Jimmie flew in yesterday to attend our 20th class reunion this weekend. Zoe & I had the pleasure of picking him up from the airport. Even though Jimmie & I talk often, it had been 10 years (our last reunion) since I had seen him. And, it was like we had never skipped a beat. We have a great time together - laughing, laughing, & more laughing. Our personalities compliment each other. In fact, if we were together more often, we'd probably get in TROUBLE!!!!

Before dropping Jimmie off at his mom's house in our hometown, he conducted a cheer clinic for the junior high school cheerleaders (& Zoe!!!) in my small town. You see, Jimmie owns Storm Cheer, a cheer/tumbling/dance facility in Houston. Cheering is his specialty, & I can see why.

Jimmie demonstrating a move.

Madalyn & Ashley going through the motions.

Learning chants - look who joined in on the fun!!!

Zoe is a little ahead of Shaina in the cheer!!!

Having the time of her life!!!

Showing off her handstand.

And her bridge kick-over.

As she gets ready to kick over.

(Notice the tongue sticking out - True concentration!)

Look Mom - No hands!

Just like the big girls!

Miss Thang!!!

Reviewing a chant.

Stunting - Don't worry, they didn't drop him!

After three hours of hard work!

The girls (& of course, Zoe) had a great time. A few of them stopped by the house last night & the cheer clinic is all they could talk about & do (meaning cheer after cheer after cheer, after....you get the idea!). Of course, Zoe was right in the middle of them doing her thing!

Now that Zoe's gotten a taste of "real" cheerleading, she is pumped. We saw an advertisement for a cheerleading camp next Tuesday for her age at a local college so I signed her up. As you can imagine, Zoe is soooo excited. She cannot wait to attend her first real cheer camp. (Just hope it's as good as Jimmie's!)

Campground Fun

(Warning: Lots of pictures!)

My dad has a motorhome (AKA: a Camper Truck according to Zoe) & Zoe absolutely loves it. Therefore, you can imagine how excited Zoe was when Paw Paw called to say that he & my nephews, Caleb & Zack, were going to camp this week at the state ran campground close to our house. So, last night after dinner, Paul, Zoe, & I packed the lawn chairs, bug spray, Zoe's bicycle, & the camera & headed out for an evening of fun. And let me tell ya, Zoe loved every minute of it.

What we saw as soon as we got out of our car.

Isn't that sweet?

Fishing like there's no tomorrow.

Zack & Caleb waiting for a bite.

Fishing with a smile.

Crossing to the other side of the lake.

She'd had enough standing.

Concentrating so hard.

Caleb getting his pole all set up.

Helping Caleb look for a good spot.

Zoe decided to try the net.

Zack is trying to teach Zoe how to skip rocks.

Something must be funny.

Daddy & Paw Paw across the lake.

Zoe couldn't get enough of the worms! YUK!

Zoe & Paw Paw (with his eyes closed).

Watch out - Bicyclist on the loose.

Roasting marshmallows.

Finished product.

Cuddling up with Zack.

Caleb acting a fool!

And again!

Monkey Bar Lovin' Girl

We are very fortunate that we live about 2 blocks from the grade school that Zoe will attend. Not only is it a wonderful school, but the playground is awesome. A couple of times a week we walk down to play. Zoe has been practicing so hard to go across the monkey bars. She finally did it all by herself last night (at a different playground) so we had to go to the school's playground today to prove to her dad she could do it. She did not disappoint! We can honestly say that she is our Monkey Bar Lovin' Girl!!!!

Getting her big start....

Climbing the chains.....

Taylor & Madalyn just happened to be riding their bikes by.....

Holding herself up - just like at gymnastics on the bars.....

Twisting while hanging on.....

In Chinese Fashion

Zoe has been on a kick lately where she must use chopsticks to eat with. Every since she found the chopsticks last week in the "Chinese Box", the container which holds all of the treasures we bought while in China, she has used them. Too funny! I must admit though, she's pretty darn good at it. Here she is eating a cheese stuffed pretzel:

The Fever is Gone!!!!

As you know Zoe had a fever Wednesday morning after getting her kindergarten immunizations the night before. Well, her fever would come & go, but never stay gone. Finally Thursday night her fever broke for good. So, that meant her friend Avery could come over to play.

What a good time they had! They played outside on the play set for quite a while & then came in for a snack & something to drink. They then went to the basement & played in Zoe's play room. I didn't hear a peep out of them. They enjoyed each other's company while I got quite a bit accomplished around the house. Play dates need to happen more often - about the only time I get my chores completed!!!!

34 Days 'til Kindergarten

Well, kindergarten is getting closer & closer. Zoe is so excited she can hardly contain herself. She's been practicing her letters & numbers & writing all of the words she knows.

Last night Zoe had to get her shots & lab work done for kindergarten. She was great with the finger stick for the lead test. Likewise with the urinalysis, even though it took three tries before she had to pee!! However, when it came to getting the three shots, that was a different story. She cried & cried & screamed & screamed! In fact, I ended up having to basically hold her down so the nurse could stick her. Once it was completed, Zoe was back to her old self again.

This morning though Zoe woke up with a sore arm (normal) & a fever (also normal). Zoe is prone for high fevers so I am watching her today. So far the fever has not come down any & she is just basically laying around. Her sweet friend Avery was supposed to come over to play, but I postponed that to another day. It's a cloudy dreary day so what better way to spend it than by staying inside & watching TV? Just wish Zoe felt better.

Here's a few pictures of Zoe right before we left for the health clinic last night. You can see, she was her happy-go-lucky self!