We had our friends take some new photos of Lucy.  It has been a while since we have taken any.  There has been some time, some healing and the injections done in December.  Lucy is finally feeling more like herself since doubling up on her folic acid.  I was so pleased to see these pictures when they were sent over.  Her smile and expressions show how happy and confident she is feeling.  I had the thought; this is what we had hoped for.  We wanted her to be happy as well as the progression stopping and the reconstruction that took place.  I am confident we made the right choice going forward with the surgeries.  On a whim we brought Jack with us to take photos and thought if he cooperates great if not no big deal.  I love the pictures of her with Jack, she truly loves him and find such joy in his companionship.

I sent these photos onto Dr. Siebert and he thought she looked so good.  He also said he would like to do another surgery.  There are some minor things that he feels like he could improve for her and do better on.  My stomach sank a little reading that he wanted to do another surgery.  Not only was I mentally thinking the last one was it for a while I just know the financial side of it.  We aren't in a position to pay for another surgery right now and insurance will be very tricky with our new changes.  I feel bad that I worry so much about the logistics of making it happen.  I wish we were millionaires that could just say no big deal and pay out of pocket for surgery after surgery for her until she is happy.  I had told Lucy I sent the pictures to Dr. Siebert but almost didn't want to tell her his response.  I didn't want her to become self-conscious about the changes he would want to make.  I decided to let her read the email.  She shrugged her shoulders and later told me that she thought it was interesting that he said that.  She said a few weeks ago she started having thoughts about doing another surgery.  Thoughts to be open to doing another one if needed.  She was mentally done after her last surgery, and we all agreed to take a break.  The email made sense of those thoughts she had been having.  We are going up to see Dr. Siebert in a few weeks and we will discuss this all with him.  We will have to find a way to make this happen if necessary.  Navigating insurance another time and being flexible if the timeline doesn't go as planned.  If there is anything I have learned through this all is if it is meant to happen there will be a way.  I have to have faith that it will all work out.             

 

Ice Skating

The youth in our ward were having an ice-skating activity.  Nolan and I decided we would tag along.  Nolan has never been ice skating and has been asking to go.  We had a great turn out and lots of youth were able to come.  I am glad we decided to tag along because the rink didn't even count how many were in our group.  Nolan was thankful for the little push things that he could use while he skated.  He did try to do it without it and skated by the wall for a little while.  I am proud of all the kids for skating, they all did a great job.  We don't go skating very often, usually just with the youth when they go.  Garrett did a really good job although he always says he doesn't like things like roller or ice skating.  Nolan loves to be around the big kids and thankfully the deacons let Nolan hang out with them.  Nolan ended up with a pretty big blister on the inside of his foot.  Hopefully it heals quickly.  We had such a fun time skating!    

 

Nolan is enjoying another session of basketball with the YMCA.  He has so much fun with JJ as his coach and some friends from church on his team. 

I went out to be with my dad one Sunday.  He had reached out to us letting us know he was planning on bearing his testimony at church.  I decided to go sit with him and listen to his testimony.  I am glad I went out to support him and spend time with him.  After their sacrament meeting I went over to the cemetery and saw Mom.  She was all covered in snow.  It was so deep you could barely see the top of the popcorn tin lid that my dad made as a temporary marker. 

Jack chewed up a pair of JJ's glasses. JJ was so mad! He got mad at Jack and put him in his create for a while.  Jack knew he was in big trouble, and it took him a little while to figure out if we were friends again.  He got in the car to pick up kids and he went and sat in the back. 

He decided to be JJ's friend again and sat right by him hoping he would share his snack with him. 

 

Snow

For several days there was a lot of talk about this snowstorm heading our way.  We haven't had a big storm in a while and certainly haven't had much snow here this year.  We were all excited to have some snow to play in.  I headed to the store for groceries, and we were ready to be home and enjoy it.  The snowstorm was expected to come Wednesday and then there would be a break and then more snow on Thursday.  School was called off Tuesday evening, so we all enjoyed sleeping in.  JJ closed the office, and we were all able to be home together.  The kids were so excited to play in the snow.  They hurried and did some chores and got ready so they could go out.  It was still snowing so much as they played.  Jack loves to the snow and had so much fun running around in it.  It was almost too deep for him.  The boys worked hard on making little snow forts in the front yard.  Garrett had wanted to earn some money and asked me to post on Facebook that he would be shoveling driveways.  He had a big response to it and as soon as the snow started to let up Wednesday afternoon, he headed out with JJ to start shoveling.  Many had asked for him to shovel both Wednesday and Thursday.  Thursday brought more snow, and it was windy so there were some big snow drifts.  There was more snow, but it was lighter and fluffy.  Garrett recruited Lucy to help with some driveways on Thursday.  It took them several hours both days to clear all the driveways.  Garrett ended up making several hundred dollars over the two days.  He was thankful for Lucy's help, and she was glad to make a little bit of money too.  Friday was another no school day and we enjoyed more playing in the snow.  JJ took the boys down to the neighborhood hill for a little bit of sledding.  They had a fun time, and I am thankful JJ took them down.  We enjoyed lots of yummy soup, hot chocolate, movies, games, puzzles, warming by the fire and snuggling under blankets.  We even got stuff to make popcorn balls with the kids.  When we explained we made these while in Utah and Grandma Butcher was famous for making them the kids wanted to have some.  We called them popcorn snowballs and the kids enjoyed them.  After being away from the kids over the weekend we were thankful for these days at home together.  We enjoyed the relaxing days and time together. We ended up with over a foot of snow and it doesn't seem like it is going anywhere anytime soon.