Easter 2023 โ๏ธ๐
Happy Easter! He is risen!
HBD Shecklet #2 – 15!
We have two kids solidly in their teens. Shecklet #2 turns 15 today. Yowzers! He has grown and changed SO much in the last year. Definitely looks more like a young man than an older boy. He’s our witty jokester who is adventurous, yet kind. He’s great with kids and isn’t afraid to hold a baby. His passion is skiing – mostly the terrain park – and he also enjoys mountain biking and ultimate frisbee. He’s a positive example at his high school and stays true to his values. He is active in his faith and has made good friends who support each other in it. His sights are set on pursuing a career in engineering and I have no doubt that he will do great!
Happy birthday Shecklet #2! We love you and are so proud of who you are becoming!
HBD Gma Patti! ๐
All of the grandkids were able to help Grandma Patti celebrate her birthday today! ๐๐
New snowboard ๐
February 2023
I have never owned my own brand new snowboard. Until now. Gave the new equipment a go after demo-ing a Solomon board a few weeks ago. I went with a basic K2 one and really like it!
Unfortunately, my second time out on it, I took a hard fall to my lower back and was done for the season. ๐ Until next year!
5 Year ANniversary
Today is the five year ANniversary (AN=acoustic neuroma) of my craniotomy/tumor eviction. Five years and there are still times when I experience moments of “did I really go through all of that?”
Five years post-op feels different. Life has obviously gone on, I am living my “new normal,” and yet in the last few weeks I have had emotions hit me that I thought I had already processed. It’s been a bit unsettling. However, instead of burying my feelings, I’ve been peeling back layers and riding the emotional waves as best I can. Thank you, therapy.
I know this anniversary is one that my husband is experiencing as well, just from a different perspective. He waited for hours in the hospital as the surgeons worked to remove the tumor from one of my cranial nerves. One surgery, two different experiences. I spent last night re-reading the blog posts that Jake wrote on the day of my surgery and the first few weeks of my recovery. They are a reminder to me of how he will do whatever he needs to do for his family and how he can always find a positive perspective – something that was a huge encouragement to me during the first year of my recovery.
I am not the same person I was when I was wheeled into the operating room 5 years ago. Physically, mentally, emotionally, I am different. I know people change over time, but the difference I feel is not something I can necessarily explain. Rather, I can feel the difference inside me – some of it is good and some I continue to work on refining. Again, thank you, therapy.
How do you honor the anniversary of a day that was not joy-filled? For me, it varies year to year. This year, Jake and I went to lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant. The phแป was delicious and the conversation was good for my heart. I process things by talking, and Jake is a very good listener.
This evening was filled with shuttling kids around and attending a school board meeting. (Because the world doesn’t stop for brain tumor surgery anniversaries.) I did make time earlier in the day to bake a chocolate vinegar cake (GF just for me). I know I’ve written about it before. It’s one frequently enjoyed by Jake’s extended family and one of my favorite desserts. I made it for this ANniversary back in 2019 and felt it was fitting to make it again this year. So maybe that’s the best way to remember the day – with cake.
Stay tuned…5 year post-op MRI is on Thursday. I’m praying for clear scans.
U of MN bball game
Jake and I took Shecklet #3 and Shecklet #4 to a Gopher Women’s basketball game this afternoon. The league the girls played in partnered with the Gophers to offer discounted tickets. The Gophers didn’t end up with a win, but it was still fun to be back in The Barn to watch the game. Afterwards, the girls got to go onto the court and have their picture taken with teammates who attended. We had friends capture a picture for us in our maroon and gold.
Winter bulletin board
I spent a few hours at the girls’ school updating another bulletin board today. Several teachers plan to have their kiddos color sweaters to help fill in the empty space. I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s complete.
2nd Snow Day of 2023!
Day 2 of school being cancelled for the girls and this time Shecklet #2’s district cancelled as well. Shecklet #1’s school won’t ever cancel due to weather since he’s online, but Wednesdays are not usually a heavy day for him, so he got to enjoy the snow along with his siblings.
I think the final total from this latest snowstorm ended up being around 14 inches.
The snow was perfect for packing, so naturally, Jake and the kids built a sledding track. And not just any sledding track, but one that has been talked about for years. They piled the snow up and over the back fence.
1st Snow Day of 2023!
We are expecting several inches and strong winds, so the girls’ school decided to declare a snow day. They were on break prior to Christmas when Shecklet #2’s school district did the same, so I’m guessing that’s part of the reason behind the cancellation. The boys on the other hand, both had to return to their classes.
After playing outside for a while, the girls came in an made fancy hot cocoa drinks.
