A Weekend In Review: Picture Edition

The super cool thing, if you like kinda gross stuff, was that I got to watch hubby's eye surgery. It wasn't graphic, at all, but it was a little painful to watch just because well, they're doing a bunch of stuff that you would think should never be done to an eye. They came in before surgery and marked his eye with a pen, which was super weird and awesome all at the same time.

See the blue pen mark?

The surgery was definitely a little more than we anticipated. We knew the recovery time would be different but originally those conversations focused on how long it would take for optimal vision and there was a brief mention of more discomfort than Lasik. But nothing like the day of surgery when we go back to get prepped. This time the nurse explains in detail how painful it will be and all the post-op care. Nothing like Lasik. Nothing.

 

1 day post-op: the swelling had gone down significantly but they are still super swollen.

 

I was responsible for most all of the post-op care. Which included administering three different kinds of medication every hour. Which is way more fun when you've got to walk upstairs to do that.

 

I only got to take this picture because he couldn't see me do it!

 

But I shouldn't complain that I ran up the stairs like 274 times this weekend. I really needed the exercise, I didn't make it to the gym once last week. Not once! I haven't been that bad about working out in a long, long time. I might miss a random day here or there but I usually get in at least 4 days. And I can tell a difference. I know that sounds crazy but I feel like I've gained 10 pounds. Of course, I've been eating like crap and eating a lot too so that doesn't help...I have my gym bag and I'm ready to get back at it today.

 

The rest of the weekend you can see by the pictures. Not trying to be a sloppy blogger..okay, maybe I am. But what can I say about them that you can't figure out on your own? I got to celebrate my sister's graduation and honor my mother and grandmother for Mother's day.

 

 

My sister gave me a "Stole of Gratitude" - she gave this really sweet speech about how I encouraged her and motived her and how my support and guidance helped her through school. It was really touching and meant a lot to me - so I cried. Typical. But here it is, her day, and she's making it about me. Because that's just how awesome my sisters are.

 

If you ever think I look young, you just have to look at my genetics. Maybe it's just me but I don't see two woman that look like they will be 60 and 80 on their next birthdays...but it's a trade off because I also got the short and squat gene from them too. So thanks and thanks for that Mom!

Mayhem

Mark this one down as the busiest month I've had in a while - apparently May is the month. For everything!

We started with a bang when M2 had tubes put in. That was really nerve-wracking. I don't know why, I was just really scared about her going under. I know the anesthesia mortality rate from this procedure is extremely rare - 1:250,000 (yes, I actually looked it up) but still it's kinda hard to turn her over and just trust it will all be okay. Well, I guess it's not that hard because hubby had no problems with it - no fear whatsoever. But I just kept thinking, what's if she's that one?  Because that one belongs to somebody.  So I said a lot of prayers and asked for a lot of prayers and within 20 minutes she was back in my arms and all was well.

And she couldn't have been more proud. She was telling anyone that happened to walk by that she got tubes. I guess at 4, that's some pretty exciting stuff. Especially because she's got tubes and big sister doesn't. She thought that was way cool.

Then we knocked out our first wedding of the month. The girls got to be in the wedding so that was especially cute. There was the dispute afterwards about who got to throw the most pedals but at least they saved it for after the wedding and not during the ceremony. Honestly, I'm shocked they didn't stop mid-aisle with a "that's not fair!" since that seems to be our favorite phrase these days. Yeah, it's not fair that I don't look like Sofia Vergara but you don't see me crying about it, do ya?

We've got our second surgery tomorrow. Husband's getting his eyes done. He wasn't a candidate for lasik so they'll actually have to cut it. It's more uncomfortable and the recovery is a little longer but I think it will be worth it. I don't know though...ask me after I've listened to him whine all day and I may change my mind.

This weekend my little sister will graduate with her bachelors degree! I'm so proud of her. She didn't go down the traditional road and it's taken her a while to get there but she kicked butt! She's graduating cum laude. AND she's already been accepted into a graduate program. She was thisclose to going to OU and I thought I might be able to win her over to our side but she made a different decision. Dang, still outnumbered! For now...

And of course there's Mother's Day. For once I think my Mom will actually get to just relax instead of running around trying to host.  Just because she has no other choice - she sprained one ankle and broke the other in two places. It was a pretty bad injury and the three screws she recently had inserted support that claim. So we'll finally get her to sit still and just hang out. Not the way I really wanted but...hey, at least she won't be working her tail off like she normally does.

Then one of our dearest friends - the closest I've ever had to a brother - is having a baby.  Okay, technically he's not having the baby - but you get it. We're driving about 3 hours to celebrate and then turning back around right after and coming home. Just because we have no free time to stay the entire weekend.  It really stinks that some of the people we like the most live so far away!

Of course we'll squeeze in a little anniversary celebration in there somewhere. I'm not sure we'll do anything big - I don't think we have the time. And it seems like the longer we're married the less elaborate the celebration. Not that it isn't special but when your life is filled with homework, cooking, cleaning, laundry and three different sports practices a week it's a celebration just to survive.

We're ending the month with a family vacation. Taking the girls to Disneyland!  So pumped! Seriously, out of all the cool things happening this month, that's what I'm most excited about. They are going to love it!

It's seriously a huge undertaking to try to plan this thing though. There's just SO much. I've been working on mapping out our daily itineraries but the amount of things to see and do are overwhelming. And yes, I'm making itineraries. That's my husband rubbing off on me. Well, okay, maybe not because I don't think I would do it for any other vacation but this one...I just want to make sure we get to do all of it.  I really want it to be as magical and special as possible.

So yeah, busy month. Expensive month. Those little tubes? $750. After insurance. Yikes! And one of the prescriptions for the eye surgery (which we'll need to get refilled) was $85. After insurance. Not to mention the surgery alone...Then of course, everything else - dresses/shoes/cute hair things for wedding, gifts, eating out, driving all over the state, and vacation. All I hear is cha-ching.

So yeah, this month the Mitchell family is happy, busy and broke!

Don't Take Him Just Because You Can

Finally checked my cell phone messages yesterday - there were fifteen. Obviously, leaving me a message is not real effective...One of the messages was some random lady. I couldn't really make out what she was saying but she was giving some directive - almost like she was leaving instructions for her daughter. Something about you need to do something. Kinda bossy, a little demanding.  I thought it was funny that she didn't notice my outgoing greeting and didn't realize she called the wrong number.

I had been waiting all day for a call so later that evening I picked up my phone and noticed a missed call from an unfamiliar number. Thinking this was the call I was waiting for, I called it back. I don't usually do that. I'm just not that eager to call people I don't know; I figure if they want to talk they'll call me back.

A woman answered the phone and I identified myself, said I had missed a call.  There was a slight pause and then she said something - really fast and hateful. Like she literally spit it out.  I asked her to repeat herself and she said something about "I needed to leave." She sounded older and her voice was very gruff. I realized  it was the same woman from the message. I told her I thought she had the wrong number. I was so confused. I literally thought she was so pissed at whoever she meant to call that she didn't even realize what name I had given her. Then she said "Oh, no I don't!" and hung up on me.

It happened so fast, I hadn't really processed it. Then it hit me - she was telling me to leave someone alone. Her someone. Oh no.

So I called her back. I was going to nicely explain that I was not the person she was looking for and there was definitely a mistake. I'm not saying he's not screwing around, but he's not screwing around with me. Because I make it a general practice to only do that with people who live out of state.

She didn't answer.  I guess she spent all her courage in the first conversation. And as long as she stops calling and leaves me alone, I'm okay with that.

My Husband Is Courting Another Woman... And I'm Okay With It

For several weeks now I've watched as my husband has giddily read texts, exchanged IM messages and carried on phone conversations with another woman. He's laughed out loud to jokes I don't get, arranged his schedule to make time for her, and has met her for dinner multiple times.

I've watched him grow excited and enthusiastic. This robot man who rarely shows emotion...wait, does seriousness count as an emotion? Okay, I didn't think so...so this robot man is walking around expressive and animated. He's...happy.

I've watched them as they get to know each other, create memories and build a relationship. And I'm okay with that.  I'm okay with all of it. In fact, I'm beyond okay with it...I'm happy about it.

And that's because it's totally not what you think- this new woman is his sister! She was adopted as an infant and just recently found her birth family. She lives close to us so they've been able to spend some time together. And it's such a good thing!

It's hard for me to understand what it would feel like being disconnected from my family. I don't know what it's like to feel out of place or to have a parent that isn't interested unless they need something. But I do understand, with certainty, that it would be difficult. 

He's close to my family but in a way, I almost think that's harder. You know, it's almost like a reminder of the way things should be but aren't.  So this sister is an opportunity to have that...family relationship. It's something that I think has been missing for a long time.

But every relationship, of every kind, is a process. It's not something automatic; it's built from mutual interest and shared experiences. It's phone calls, text messages, spending time together- all the things you do when you want to know someone. Most importantly, showing interest and attention.

So I'm not #1 right now. I know, I know. I totally agree - the world should revolve around me. I mean, please, how could it not, right? It is, after all, always about me.

For now, my husband's energy and focus is on someone else and for the first and probably last tim in my life, that's okay.  I'm gladly giving them their time and hoping they can have the kind of relationship he's always deserved.

Livin For The Weekends

So I sounded really pissy in my post last night. Not gonna lie, I woke up this morning still kinda pissy. It takes me a minute to get over complete stupidity...but enough about that -  who wants to hear someone whining and cryin, right?

Instead, I'll share with you some highlights from the crazy busy but completely fun weekend I had. Not because you care, but because it makes me happy.

 Birthday dinner in Bricktown.

Parade with my babies.
Don't know about the bucket on the head...they come by their silliness naturally.

 



Carnival fun. Can I just say my girls have NO fear?
They wanted to ride all the big rides. They amaze me.

 

Easter and the fun that goes with it...

Hubby, sister & family friend all turned 40 in the same week...love my old peeps!

Exhausted after a day at the zoo. I dozed off during M's reading time.
She was not pleased.
 



Blah

Don't you hate it when you're gorging on Reeses and one of those motivational and inspiring weight loss commercials comes on? Not one of the cheesey 'Take this pill and lose 20 pounds in a week' ones but one of the really emotional 'It was blood, sweat and tears' ones. A new and better me? Just one choice away?

I stop mid-chew....

Then I think for a minute and decide screw it.

And maybe I need to do a little more of that in my life. Just decide to screw it. Not care so much or work so hard. Give up and accept good enough...or whatever is right underneath that. Realize that a lot of stuff really doesn't matter. Most of it doesn't matter. And hasn't mattered to anyone...except me. 

I'm just tired of banging my head against the wall. It's like running up hill and never getting anywhere.  So defeating and frustrating.

Man, I'm cranky. 

I need to go to bed. Maybe a little sleep will reset my attitude...

Bottoms Up

I'm jumping on real quick-not because I have anything to say but because I've done good about blogging this week and I hate to mess it up.

Like I did with Lent. 

Yeah, I didn't make 40 days. And the real kicker is that it wasn't from lack of will power. It was worse...I just forgot.

At conference last week. Sprite. As a mixer.

Which just makes it even more horrible. Sorry Jesus, totally not thinking about that whole dying on the cross thing...I'm too busy over here mixin this DRINK.

I really wish I would have caved instead of having to admit to myself that something like that could so simply and easily slip my mind.

I didn't even realize it until Sunday night. And I was so disappointed with myself. So close. 

And so obviously human.

I'm not saying people aren't capable of properly observing Lent...but it's just another reminder of my weakness and the awesomeness of God and his perfect son.

I will never be perfect. I can't even come close. I don't even know what perfect looks like. And the fact that Jesus lead a perfect life- not without temptation- just..amazes me.

So I tried. And I failed. But I will try again. And again after that. Understanding clearly that I will never be perfect. But having peace the entire time because I also understand that I don't have to be...

Thankful for His mercy and grace and love. But most of all, for His forgiveness.