whirlwind.

As promised, an update on why I hardly have time or photos to post.....

Really, have I slept at all? I don't think I have much, I have been both busy and excited...resulting in a very challenging sleep pattern.

The girls all began school this week and are really loving it! Avery is at a friend's house tonight, her first sleep over since moving, very big thing in the life of a 5th grader. I'm so proud of her making new friends so quickly and adjusting so well. Poor girl having to move SO many times at such a young age, I really hope she can stay in this school district for a long time, ideally graduation. :o)

News in my life is that I was recently promoted, so that's been super exciting! I am so thrilled because I love the team I work with, adore the atmosphere, and thoroughly enjoy the new tasks.

We hosted something special and the planning and event itself kept me hopping. It turned out perfectly. I only wish I had been able to take pictures to share on here. Just have to take my word for it, it was amazing. Candy for the eye to be sure.

I'm really working to build clientele in the new area, and then I will hopefully be able to share pictures with you all again. I miss shooting SOOOO much! My photography took a back seat all summer to my surgery and recovery, but now I feel ready to jump back in!

the dark side of self portrait

It's SPC time..... here I go again with the narcissism. Not really, this time it's all about someone else.

The theme for July is "The Seven Deadly Sins." Kind of dark and creepy, not my style so much, but I can roll with it. I gave it some thought and what I came up with was "envy."



Not that I sit around wishing to be someone else, but given the chance to switch faces and/or bodies with someone else, it would certainly be Kate Beckinsale. There really isn't a single thing about her that isn't exactly perfect (her nose especially causes the green to rise in me a bit).

On to a more personal note. I'm DRIVING again!!!! My back is still stiff and sore at times, but I have made huge improvements and I can drive (sometimes it requires a Tylenol), I am narcotic-free, the physical therapist has added weights to my workout, I am able to lean back in chairs now, and a few other boring things that are milestones for me. :o) I'm quite excited about this and I will most likely be moving back to my favorite city at the end of this week! Austin, I miss you!

I have a music musing to share as well. I just purchased this song on iTunes and love it. The song is "I Don't Believe You" by Pink. She really has a strong voice, this song compliments it perfectly.

leaps and bounds

I am beyond excited, beyond thrilled... really I am just super grateful and extremely giddy! I have finally turned some kind of corner! I feel so much better this week!!!

My pain has subsided and is more what I would call "discomfort." I am not pain free, but it's so tolerable that I am just pushing ahead with movement and exercises at physical therapy and home. Today I got in a pool, though I am not yet strong enough to swim, I could finally hold my girls and that felt wonderful, I've missed picking them up.



As evident by my picture, I can now move enough to lay on my stomach, which was a feat a couple weeks ago. Riding in cars is finally not like facing a gauntlet. I just feel like life is going to be okay again, I have a refreshed outlook and I think for the first time since my surgery, I might see that this was a good choice. :o)

I still have lots of swelling and a mysteriously gross pot belly to get rid of, but I'm working hard to tackle those as well.

Thank you all for the outpouring of love and prayers, they have meant so much to me and I know have aided in my making it through this, because there were days (you can ask my mom) I thought maybe I'd rather just die than keep dealing with the pain and the recovery. It's not over, but this week has been the best yet and I just have a great feeling that I will keep getting better and better and return to Austin and Anthro.... oh I just can't wait, I miss life!!!

brighter times

This week I have been out of the house a few times! It feels bittersweet, because it's so nice to get out, but I do have to take it in small doses because I get sore fast and I get tired very quickly.

All that taken into account wasn't enough to keep me from planning a little picnic with the girls at the park. Sandwiches, sunshine, playtime, and pictures! What more could I ask for?!

Started with food...



Masyn was ready to eat...



...but Evy was ready to play!









After eating and playing and mama snapping several pictures, it was time to pack up and go. I can't wait to be stronger and get on the swings with them. I am definitely on the mend here, thanks for all the prayers and comments!! Still a long way to go, but I begin physical therapy on Tuesday and I think this will help me a great deal. Yay!!

epiphany

Today I found a corner. No, I haven't fully recovered and I am not feeling all that great... not the corner I have been aching to turn. This corner is based on a choice. This morning it hit me like a load of bricks... I can't sit around waiting to feel better and longing for the days when I am 100%. I have to choose to be happy each day with the tiny steps I am taking. My focus has to change and today I decided that I will no longer be wrapped up in self pity, but I will be grateful for each new day and each time I get up and walk outside.

There could be so many more terrible things going on and this is such a temporary place in my life where things are hurting. I can't let it bring me down, I have to think about making the most of every day, seizing every chance to push myself a little more, enjoying the naps that my body tells me I need.

So, no more feeling sorry for myself and missing my old energetic self... no more looking at my clothes and shoes and being sad that I am stuck in bed in pj's... I am getting dressed as much as possible and doing as much as I am physically able! I will get better in time, but for now attitude is everything and I am going to make mine a positive one!!

a log roll

Yes, that's what they call it when I lay down in bed. So it seems very fitting that my mom lost a tree last week to wind and I snapped a picture because it reminded me of my own back laying on the bed. I tried to capture my back for you all with my timer and it didn't work out that well. I will try again another time.

Here is my last diptych for May's SPC theme.



I am improving little by little. Now I am able to sit up for 30 minutes or so. Currently I am most annoyed by some congestion causing my ears to sound like I am wearing ear plugs. My headaches are still present, but they do take longer to build so I am able to get up and around a little more. I haven't had internet access since the tree fell because it landed on my mom's water well, so we moved to my grandma's house which is not set up for internet. :o(

I'm posting from my mom's today as we have come to get more clothes and a few other things we needed. I am shamefully addicted to my computer because this is what I went to do first when we got here.

So if you want to get in touch with me texting is the only way really. :o( I don't know when we will be back here again and have wireless. I miss you all and I look forward to answering emails and comments as soon as we move back here!