Florida was amazing!! I am so grateful to my in-laws for making it happen. It was really fun to just have time with my oldest two. JJ and Bethany and I were in Vero Beach at my in-laws for about a week and the weather was perfect. We spent ages at the pool and the beach - one day Bethany was literally in the ocean for four hours straight!! It was really relaxing and fun. My brother-in-law, Bob, and niece, Lucy were there as well. It was great to actually spend time with them - I feel like usually when we have seen them it is rushed or crazy because I am chasing other kids or we are running around doing stuff. Lucy is seven now and fun to be around! We got ice cream on the boardwalk almost every night, went on an airboat ride (saw 25 alligators - my favorite was the baby that Lucy spotted), JJ and I got up early and saw the shuttle launch over the beach, Bethany and I got pedicures (her first), saw dolphins and manatees in the river in my in-laws backyard and read a ton of books. And the last day I got up and walked the beach - ALONE!! AMAZING!! (wish I had thought of doing it sooner :)) So funny - until I had five kids I dreaded doing anything alone - now going for a walk by myself is heaven - on a quiet morning beach - beyond heaven!!
So after this incredible trip reality had to set in - but still - it is good to be home. I missed my munchkins!! Didn't really miss the reality of an eternally messy house, toilets overflowing and exploding diapers Not exploding like leaked all over - exploding like fell a part and I didn't realize it until I took off Timothy's sleeper and discovered the diaper had tore and those itty bits of stuff that cling to everything and are miserable to pick up were all over my couch - oh well the couch cover needed washing anyway (thanks to Timothy and Jordan both finding the black marker yesterday :))!! At least Sonny fixes my washing maching!!
Yesterday we met with our ENT about the results of Jordan's CT Scan. Even if it is my daughter we are talking about - in an abstract way it was pretty cool to see the images. The not so cool part is that her sinuses are pretty full. We have tried all the non-surgical techniques over the last three years - esp this year - antibiotics, maintainence antibiotics, neti pot (HAH - that was a joke), nasal spray, prevacid, more antibiotics. If we want to "solve" it or try to - we are pretty much left with surgery where he will remove part of the bone to allow the sinuses to drain better. Jordan is such a different kid when her sinuses are clear - which is happening less and less often - this past winter courses of antibiotics barely touched her infections! The day after she spent the night puking she was actually the most coherent I have heard her - apparently puking out your nose clears your sinuses!!
We aren't fully back to reality yet - everyone is home today - which I love - esp since the weather is gorgeous for early April in MN! I guess true reality is on Mon when all are back in school!!
