Humbling week

It has been a very humbling week for me.  My right hip started aching last Saturday, and it turned into excruciating pain down my whole leg on Sunday morning.  Austin had just left for a four day business trip, so I had to call a friend for help.  She dropped everything to come watch the kids while her mom came along to take me to the walk-in clinic, which sent me to the ER.  I was diagnosed with a large muscle spasm, and it took a double dose of Vicodin and Flexeril to get things calmed down.  My friend's mom graciously insisted on staying the night, which was a good call, because I was so loopy I just sat and did whatever I was told to do. 

The pain was pretty much gone by Monday morning so I sent our rent-a-grandma home in the late afternoon. I was still experiencing numbness in my lower right leg and foot, but I was able to get by.  I had a follow-up appointment at my regular doctor's office on Wednesday.  They suspected some remaining inflammation around my sciatic nerve and referred me for physical therapy.

Thursday was a really rough day.  Other parts of my leg/hip were starting to hurt because of the way I was compensating for a loss of range of motion in my ankle when walking.  I was exhausted physically and emotionally.  Austin had returned home late the night before and ended up coming home from work at noon to help me out.

Austin worked from home all day on Friday, too.  I had my PT appointment in the morning at the Waverly hospital across the street.  After an extensive examination I was put in traction for 15 minutes and went through a series of exercises.  The PT suspects a herniated disc is pinching a nerve root (but probably not the sciatic nerve), which is causing the numbness and loss of range of motion.  I have a long list of exercises/stretches to do at home and will have 2 weeks of PT before they re-evaluate.  Right now the best case scenario is that it eventually takes care of itself with the exercise routine.  Absolute worst case scenario is an MRI down the road to see if surgery is the best option.

All of this has come as quite a blow to my independent, control-freak self.  Asking for help is not easy because I feel guilty for inconveniencing people--especially since almost everyone I could ask lives out of town and either has a full-time job or little kids of their own to take care of.  It's going to take a lot of patience and grace to make it through this, but life goes on and we will survive!  Please keep us in your prayers.

Another storm

Has anyone ever recalled a summer in Iowa where every rainfall was measured in inches rather than hundredths or tenths?  We got another 2 inches during the third round of storms this week, and it's only Wednesday.  Last night's storm packed a pretty good punch with wind and lightning.  I woke up this morning to branches littering the yard and a huge chunk of one of our backyard maple trees draped across the neighbor's wooden fence.   Luckily, it's being supported by the hedge bushes and a large branch from the evergreen tree, so I don't think it did any major damage.  The chunk that cracked off is probably 10"-12" in diameter way high up, so it's going to take a professional tree-trimming service to get it removed.  We have a stump that needs to be ground out anyway.  It's still sad to see the hole left in a gorgeous tree that is 60+ years old.  I guess it kind of matches the other maple in the back that lost a huge chunk at some point.

 

Happy Birthday, Austin!

Saturday was Austin's birthday.  It was a very low-key event on a day with a weird schedule.  We celebrated with some Chinese take-out and a trip to the park.  Austin doesn't eat cake, and Emily only eats the frosting, so Emily & I found a candle to stick in a piece of banana bread and called it good.  I didn't make Austin wear the birthday crown for a picture.  Emily was distraught because there weren't lots of presents or a cake with sprinkles or grandparents there to sing "Happy Birthday."  I guess that's what happens when you get old. ;o)  With a little help from Grandma Lorenzen, Emily did made Austin a really cute birthday card.  Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Global Leadership Summit

On Thursday & Friday Grandma Lorenzen stayed with the kids while Austin & I attended The Global Leadership Summit put on by the Willow Creek Association.  Our church, Orchard Hill, was a premiere satellite location.  It was a great conference with great speakers and a nice two days away from the kids.  We both volunteered to help with the conference.  I had a lot fun working the Resource Center and checking out people who were purchasing books and other materials.  One big thing I learned is that I'm not used to sitting still in dark places for so long!

The kids had fun with Grandma.  Lincoln napped a lot, so Emily & Grandma built some fun stuff with blocks.

Fair week

The Bremer County Fair took place all this week.  I had been looking forward to it all summer.  We only live 2 blocks from the fairgrounds, and with free admission and lots of free activities, we were there almost every day. 

Monday's highlight was getting ice cream from the dairy promoters after supper.  Emily was so proud to hand over her dollar from Grandpa Lorenzen (which she carried there in her new school backpack) to get a tall vanilla cone with sprinkles.  She actually made it almost all the way to the cone part before we gave up and threw the rest of the soggy mess away.

On Tuesday we checked out the petting zoo.  Lincoln was awe-struck and preferred just to stand and watch.  Emily saw another little boy holding one of the chickens and was a little unprepared when he dumped it off in her hands.  After a good hand-washing we enjoyed a bag of mini-donuts and listened to music.

On Wednesday Grandma Lorenzen joined us for the free hamburger giveaway at supper time.  The kids returned again on Friday with Grandma to look at more animals.  We got by without having to go on any midway rides, although Emily asked several times.  Maybe next year. :o)

Quintessentially August

August to me means fresh tomatoes for BLT's, sweet corn, watermelon, fresh peaches and eventually, apples.  These are probably the biggest, prettiest tomatoes I've ever grown in my tomato pot on the deck.  They are big enough to completely cover a slice of toast.  I might eventually have more than one tomato plant in a real garden someday, but since I don't do any kind of canning/salsa, all I need are a few fresh ones for slicing and dicing.  And these will do nicely. :o)

Minivan pride

Whether you proudly drive a minivan or refuse to give in to the minivan you should read this post by my sister.  It was a fond trip down memory lane for me.  I almost started crying I was laughing so hard while watching the video.  It is reposted below.

July 2010 Videos

Kitchen explorer

Royal workout

Because even a princess has to exercise...