new blog

This blog will remain open for awhile, but will not have any new updates.  I have a new blog that is open to invited readers only.  If you want to continue reading, send me an email and I will get you added to the list and the new address.  You will have to sign in with a user name/password from now on in order to read it. 

going private

This blog is going private due to personal reasons.  If you send me an email to vathielen@q.com along with your name, I will add you to the list.  I plan to do this in the next 2 weeks. 

Jayden's leg x-rays

Jayden went in for a physical on Tuesday because he needed his last round of shots before Kindergarten.  The appointment took a good 1 1/2 hours by the time we got out of there.  Our new family doctor is very thorough and went through his entire medical history with me. 

If you recall, back in May of 2009, Jayden had his Mic-Key button removed.  While in surgery, the doctor measured the length of his legs because he had noticed quite the size difference.  I posted about that visit which you can read here and what the outcome and possibilities were.  You can also see a picture of his legs and the size difference along with the drawing from the doctor as he tried to explain what was happening.  We ended up being told to just watch his legs and make sure they stay the same length.

Over the last few years, Jayden has always had one leg that is wider or fatter than the other leg.  We've never noticed the length being different.  Until Tuesday.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing when our new family doctor pointed it out.  He had him laying on the exam table, shook him at the hips to loosen him up and pulled down on his legs. We got him as straight and relaxed as we could and then compared both legs.  It was clear that his kneecaps weren't lining up.  In fact, it looked like there was between 1/4 and 1/2 inch difference between the two.

Our doctor called down to Avera Children's and spoke with the surgeon who did the surgery.  Luckily he was actually there because he has retired, but happened to be on call that day.  He suggested we take x-rays of his legs to get the exact measurements of each leg from the hip down to the heel.  I asked if they had talked about how big of a difference would be concerning, but they didn't.  He said the surgeon suggested after the x-rays to consult him again if there is a difference and from there they would likely refer us on to Shriner's Hospital in Minneapolis. I guess there is a large team of providers that work together on this stuff.  Our doctor mentioned looking for a pediatric orthopedist in Sioux Falls and comparing options at that point.

So today we took Jayden in to the clinic and had the x-rays done.  We probably won't hear from the doctor until Monday sometime.  We're praying that there isn't a big difference in his legs.  However, we have noticed he shows a slight limp when he walks now that we hadn't really noticed in the past.

emotions

It's been a whirl wind of emotions lately.  I quickly became attached to the puppies in all their furriness and cuteness.  We kept them for 5 weeks and then took them back to the humane society to be spayed or neutered last Thursday.  5 of the 6 were adopted the next day.  Ninja is still there with mama.  I kind of felt what I imagine empty nest to feel like.  Crazy I know, especially since they were puppies.  But it's true.  I missed seeing them play in the yard, the sounds they make and their playful demeanor's in general.

Our neighbors adopted Kohl and kept her name.  I can see her bobbing around in the yard from time to time and they walk by our house everyday, so I can see her then too.  So cute!

Shaylee turned 14 yesterday.  Can you believe that?  My gosh, it seems like just yesterday she was born.  Seriously where does the time go?

foster pups

A big part of our life is fostering dogs from the Brookings Regional Humane Society until they can find a forever home.  We have adopted two dogs and one cat from there.  It brings joy to our family to have these animals in our home.  Our newest foster situation has been a momma dog and her six puppies.  We have had them for almost a month now.  They were so tiny when we got them and have grown so much.  Tomorrow they will go in for their first round of shots.

This is Kohl.  The kids named her.  She's got yummy food on her nose.

 Hershey, as in Hershey Kisses is one of my favorites.  She is so squishy, lovable, and snugly!

 Ninja is a sneak.  He likes to sneak up behind you and try to get in the back of your pants or onto your back.  He's kind of feisty.

 This one is Phin.  He does his own thing.

 Tiko is a ham.  He has really found his voice.  He loves frolicking in the yard.

 And Tootsie, as in Tootsie Roll, what can I say about her?  She's a real sweetie who will surely make somebody happy.

Our neighbors have put a claim on Kohl, or at least she is their favorite and I'm pretty sure they are going to adopt her.  It will be fun if they do so we can see one of them grow up.  :)  In one more week they will be spayed or neutered and shortly after will be available for adoption.  

lack of blogging

I popped onto my blog several times in July with the idea of possibly putting down an update, then I got side tracked and lazy and just didn't.  Towards the end of the month, I thought to myself, why start now, let's just wait until August!  And here we are!  Stay tuned for updates.  I promise!  ;)

tidbits

• Mike and I rode 10.4 miles on our bikes last night.  Loved it.  Except for the fact that my butt felt like it got beat with a cement 2 x 4.  Bicycle butt...ain't it great?
• Jayden needs a haircut badly.  It's scheduled for tomorrow morning.
• Devin has not been lost at the pool anymore.  Joseph, Dalton, and Devin all go to the club during the week.  They love it there.  Lots to do.
• Joseph got himself into a bit of trouble and earned "kitchen duty" for a week.  Today has been a week.
• Ever since our first encounter with the earwig, we have now found them in our house on occassion and I react like it's a poisonous snake every time.  Yuck!
• My sister is home from Florida, although I haven't got to see her yet.  She is in Fargo.  We will be going to the lake on the 4th to see her and my nieces.  I'm so excited to see them.
• I bought some shorts and capris the other day in my now 5 sizes smaller size and realize they are still too big. 
• I no longer have to shop in the Plus Size clothes.  THAT feels awesome.  Not to mention, there is a much bigger selection when you are wearing normal sizes.  :)
• I have a 3 day weekend, then I work 2 days, then I have a 5 day weekend. 
• Shaylee and Shawndra played ball on Wednesday night.  I thought the heat was going to be bad, but there was a really nice breeze that made the evening really enjoyable.  I believe they each won one and lost one.

weight loss

I promised and now I will tell.  I have been working really hard to lose weight, but the last 4 months were really tough.  It was up and down every week.  One week I would lose 2 pounds, then next week I would gain 2 pounds.  I flirted with the same 5 pounds for 4 months!  And it wasn't because I had his a plateau, rather I was sabotaging myself.

I have had an addiction to food, specifically sweets and desserts for as long as I can remember.  When someone says they have a sweet tooth, I have sweet teeth.  Forget one tooth, it's my whole mouth.  So that makes weight loss very difficult for me.  I also have other health issues that make it 3x more difficult than a normal person to lose.  But back to the sweets.  There isn't anything that is too sweet.  I could easily eat half a cake pan of cake in one sitting if I wanted to.  Not that I did.  But I could.  Cookie dough is another favorite.  Anyhow, back to weight loss.

I have been eating healthy, focusing on my Good Health Guidelines and exercising.  I drink lots of water and eats lots of fruits and veggies.  But I also allow myself to have the occasional sweets, in moderation of course.  Now I find myself getting fuller faster and taking much smaller portion sizes.  Even my own kids are asking questions about what is good for them and what is not.

So as of today, I am very proud to say that I have lost a total of 35 pounds!  I am down at least 3 sizes in jeans/Capri's and down 1-2 sizes in t-shirts.  Even my swimsuit from last year (which I only wore 2 times) is 3 sizes bigger.  I feel great.  My self-esteem is much more positive and I don't hate shopping anymore!  I used to buy clothes that fit...not so much on if they were cute, but if I was lucky enough to find clothes that fit.  Now when I go shopping, I can try on many clothes and look in the mirror and buy clothes that I like that make me feel good, or clothes that I don't like, even if they fit!  What a feeling!

I still have a long ways to go, but man oh man, I'm on a roll and loving this!  I love being active and knowing that I'm fueling my body with healthy foods.  :)

earwig

The nasty, disgusting bug that pinched Shawndra last night, while sitting INSIDE on the couch.  I had never seen one of these, but after quite the conversation on Facebook, I learned it is an earwig.

And what a disgusting bug it is.  Two pincher things on the butt.  They're fairly fast.  Well since discovering this yucky creature, Mike has informed me that they are on our driveway and in our mailboxes too.  So completely grossed out.



biking

I have really kicked up my exercising in the last two weeks.  I'm back to feeling like I want to work out.  Even the days where I'm really tired, I head out, and I feel so good.  My new love is my bike.  It used to be the devil in disguise, but now I'm fully in love with it.  Maybe not the sore butt when I'm riding it, but the workout it's giving me and the desire to continue.

I have been riding 6 miles every night.  Tonight, I went 7.5 miles.  Maybe it doesn't sound like much, but it's enough to make my legs feel like Jell-o, my heart race and my breathing to increase.  I just love it.

My weight loss has been great.  I've been working on losing weight for 9 months now, fairly consistently.  I mean I've always "tried" to lose weight, but never got off the couch, but that's a whole nother story.  Sometime this week, I will share how much weight I have lost.  I still have a long ways to go, but I've come so far! 

I love biking!  Who would have thought!

Jayden says

After supper, Mike was looking at the radar and mentioned that we are in a tornado watch until 10pm.  Jayden says, "what?  a tomato?"