Thanksgiving in pictures

We have so much to be thankful for!

As you can see we had a very nice Thanksgiving. The food was awesome as usual! The kids were out of school all week and what a nice break they had. Brian's Grandmother Jane was down visiting all week so the kids took turns staying over to see her. Logan had wrestling camp 2 full days and while he learned alot he was worn slap out each day.

Having the older ones home was helpful for me with the little boys and it allowed Brian to focus more on work during the most critical week of the year. My recovery is going awesome. I feel really well and am able to pretty much be back to somewhat a normal life. While I am limited on heavy lift, pushing and pulling I can do the things I need to do pretty easily. The girls and I made a pecan pie , pumpkin cream pie and a German chocolate cake to take over on Thanksgiving.

The doctor cleared me last Wednesday to get back to walking as exercise. So on Thursday morning I was happy to go out with my ipod and walk the neighborhood. I took it slow and stayed away from the steep hills. Exercising has become apart of my life now and the 2 weeks without it was really bringing me down. It's not just good for my body but for my mental health as well.

I did not go out to the stores on Black Friday but instead shopped online. Brian and I sat in our jammies with our laptops and shopped the deals posted on Dealnews.com (the company Brian has worked for 12 years now). We put a large dent in our Christmas shopping all from the comfort of home. Not only were the prices great the free shipping made it super sweet.  The website handled the large amount of traffic well and the coverage of the deals was top notch. I feel very proud that we have been apart of the company from the ground up.

Of course on Friday we also watched the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs Auburn) and it was a painful game to endure. Congrats goes to all our Auburn family and friends on the win. What a game!

Over the weekend we started decorating for Christmas. The tree is up, the front door decorated but I plan to finish up tomorrow when I have less people underfoot. With everyone home we stayed busy just keeping on top of dishes and laundry. Brian did get the carpet upstairs cleaned and they look so much better. 

I am happy tomorrow life will go back to normal and we can move forward with Christmas. I love this time of year! But I have noticed since the weightloss and surgery I have never been so cold in all my life. I see flannel in my near future!

1 week down

A week has passed since I had my partial hysterectomy and abdominoplasty  surgery done. These pictures are from yesterday when I was heading to the Doctor. It felt nice to be able to put clothes ,jewelry and makeup on but boy was just getting ready exhausting!

I honestly can't tell you what the pain from the hysterectomy feels like because the tummy tuck pain has been intense! But I am so very thankful to be able to have it done. After the 6 c section and losing 120 pounds I had a serious problem with my abdominal skin. The before and after pictures are amazing already.

I am forced to take the sideline of life for the next 6-8 weeks. It's not my nature to just sit around. I am usually doing 2 things at once. I do certain chores every single day sometimes several times a day. Things that keep the family running smooth that no one usually notices. Sweeping, dishes, washing counters, picking up after people, gathering and washing laundry and cooking. All these things are in my usually daily task. So it is hard to turn off the desire to do those thing but when you need help just making your way to the bathroom so its impossible to do chores right now.

Today I was able to get a real shower. It was exhausting and I needed help but it felt nice. I now understand the need for soap on a rope because I kept dropping it and Brian had to get it for me each time. This is a slow process but I am doing really well. My scar looks great an is healing well. I am resting alot and taking my medicine. The kids are home all next week and I look forward to the company.

I love this picture! Molly caught Hudson mid laugh in this photo. It's so him. I laugh each time I look at it.

On the mend

After having surgery on Wednesday and coming home from the hospital on Friday things are settling down alittle. We are finding a new routine around changing bandages,taking meds, helping me get up and down and fetching me drink or food. The boredom is sinking in alittle but I remind myself how important it is to rest and recover now. I am sure will have plenty of time to blog in the weeks to come.

 Thanks to my Sister in law Kristi for the yummy meal last night. The Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Oriental slaw and homemde mac n cheese was so good. Everyone loved it here and I even had alittle bit of slaw for breakfast today. I know I am weird but I love that stuff. My family has been so very helpful this week and I am really greatful. It helps put my mind as ease so I can heal . I love you all.

Molly Ann turns 11

Molly will be 11 on Thursday! We celebrated on Sunday with a bowling party and Monday night with a dinner at the house with the grandparents. Molly got some awesome gifts and had a blast with her people.

Happy birthday to Molly! Mommy loves you so much! I had surgery on Wednesday and wanted Molly's birthday to be special ,lucky for her it's turned into a week long celebration. She has a shopping trip planned with Maw on her birthday.

Beautiful Girl

At 13 years old your life is consumed with friends, texting, homework and cheerleading. Your like me that you could shop everyday. You like your multiple bracelets and your silly glasses. Most days are spent wearing blue jeans and you wear a tank top under everything! You are funny, kind, you always  love and support those close to you. You love music and I smile when I hear you sing. We often belt out a song together and sometimes Logan will even join in. Macy, my wish for you is that you always do your best, laugh often even at yourself, and always remember we love you and are proud of you!

A snipit of life

Living life in fast forward pretty much wraps up how things are around here. I do love my large family and I am blessed with the life long dream of having a bunch of kids.

We have the teenagers, Logan and Macy. Both smart kids both into sports and school clubs like Freshman Class President and Middle school Historian and Photographer. There are lots of invites for birthday parties and going places with friends. I try to get their attention long enough every few days to discuss school work, test scores , homework,upcoming projects and basically touch base on how things at school is going.Remembering who as practice or games , when and what time can be a full time job. There are times I am in the car most the afternoon. Both kids have chores which seems unheard of in this day and age. They still manage to have plenty of time for facebook ,texting and video games. Sometimes it dawns on me how big they are now and how quickly the years are passing.

Then we have the Middles, Molly and Parker. They are at the age where they need alot of help with school work still. There are papers to be signed and homework to go over. The school still wants the parents to come help with events and encourages interaction with the teachers. Both kids are good students but sometimes struggle with mastering new skills. In the afternoon playing outside is still important along with an after school snack. They both enjoy spending time with friends and watching their favorite tv shows. Parker is in the doesn't think he should have to bathe EVERY SINGLE DAY!! stage and Molly likes to takes a 45 minute shower. They have chores but have to be reminded constantly. I remember these days from when Logan and Macy were in this stage.

And lastly the Littles, Collin and Hudson. I refer to them as my little bosses. They are both home with me this year. They get along pretty well and do well entertaining each other. Collin helps alot with Hudson during the day. Both boys like the same tv shows, they like playing with trucks and cars. Both boys make sure there are no meals skipped around here. Breakfast must be eaten within 15 minutes of waking up no matter the time.They can't read a clock they have a knack for knowing when the clock strikes 12 it's lunch time! The Littles are usually in the car for the pick up of the bigger kids from practice, sometimes it takes some bribery with M&M's to get them to go willingly. They look forward to the big school bus pulling up in front of the house to bring home new people to play with by afternoon they are tired of each other . These simple days are numbered and pass quickly. Next year Collin will head off to school and life as we know it will change once again.

Somedays are so busy they are a blur. The noise level and chaos could push some people to run from the house screaming. This is our crazy life right now and I know in just one year from now things will be so different. I try to take a moment to soak it in. I love my kids, I love how they are all unique and special. When I dreamed for a large family so many years ago I didn't have clue what all that would involve. In my mind I just saw some Kodak moment of a pretty family picture with a Mom and Dad surrounded by kids of all ages, smiling happily at the camera.  Boy was I wrong but I wouldn't change it for the world!