We didn’t get the usual post-mass family or kid pictures like we typically do. Instead, we opted for photos by the tree. They got off to a bit of a rocky start for the youngest Shecklet, but eventually we were able to get some real smiles out of her ❤️
The Shecklets are blessed to not only have grandparents who they know and love but also great grandparents. Their great grandpa, Papa Dale, died this morning after 91 well-lived years in this earth. We pray Jesus welcomes him to heaven with loving arms. We will miss him, but have great hope that we will see him again.
Time flies.
Usually I say that when referring to my kids and how fast they’re growing and changing. This time though, I’m saying it about me. Six months ago today, I was in the middle of a life-changing (life-saving) surgery. A lot has happened in a short amount of time and every day when I wake up, I’m thankful for the gift of continued recovery.
✅ walking
✅ normal vision
✅ driving
✅ biking
Next goal: paddle boarding
We celebrated with 6-month post-op ice cream cones tonight!
I’m going to file this under “Things I never imagined I’d hear my husband say.”
“That is applesauce, not mouthwash.”
Spoken to one of the Shecklets at lunch today.
One of the teachers at the kids’ school saw Shecklet #2’s invention and told him she’d like to have one for her house. Jake took the four kids to Menards to buy PVC pipe so #2 could make her one. The other Shecklets took advantage of the empty garage and rode their scooters and balance bike.
We have tried to have a normal week as a family. It went pretty well aside from #4 and #2’s medical care needs. A while back I had a conversation with one of Veronica’s cousins about what kinds of things people post. Somewhere he had heard or decided that opening a bottle of ketchup is something that is post worthy, otherwise posting about normal life can get boring. I feel like I am at that point. We didn’t open any bottles of ketchup this week, but a number of normal things happened.
We have asked #1 and #2 to use their alarm clock rather than relying on us to get them up which has resulted in a much more orderly morning routine. #3 felt a little left out of the 6 am alarm, so #1 and #2 now wake her up when they are awoken. #2 is a little reluctant to rely on a machine to make sure he gets up on time. It was interesting to see him think about the risks of this change. We didn’t tell him that we would get him up if the alarm clock didn’t work. I am hoping he figures that out on his own. I have been happy with how both #1 and #2 have taken ownership of this. On Saturday #2 had a basketball tournament, and the rest of us went to a birthday party. It was good to be out and see friends. #3 went to another birthday party in the evening.
Somewhere along the way, I caught a nasty bug. So I have quarantined myself in the basement bedroom, and my Mom came back to the house to help with the kids. She has continued to help Veronica by taking her places for exercise and therapy and encouraging her. It has been a good change of pace for Veronica to have someone to talk to other than me.
Veronica told me this morning that she can tell a difference in her energy this week as compared to previous weeks. I am glad she is starting to recognize these improvements. It has been disheartening to not be able to share the joy with her of all of the progress that I have seen because she has been in the thick of it.
