A New Experience with Peter

So I never came home from the hospital with a newborn.  But last night I couldn't help but wonder if I now had a better idea of what that might feel like.  After a day at the hospital, the staff sent me home with my son whose leg was all bandaged up and useless, an electric ice pack contraption and a list of instructions saying "good luck."  And I had this glazed over look in my eye with this great sense of " I am not sure I can do this - what if I mess up?!"

Currently we are 12 hours in and we seem to be surviving thus far.  I am keeping the ice contraption running, Peter is able to get around a bit with the crutches and I have yet to miss a dose of the ever important pain meds. Peter is asleep at the moment so not sure exactly what will occur when he wakes. Can I just say Peter and I are not particularly touchy feely. He does not like being hugged and whether for right or wrong I do not push the issue.  And though I interact with him daily, it wasn't until I tried to help my woosy, hobbling "baby boy" into the house that I realized just how tall and muscular he was.  It actually was a bit comical.

So for those of you who like details, here is a brief summary.  We went to the hospital at noon yesterday for a surgery scheduled at 2:07.  Peter didn't head to OR until about 2:20 and I think it was closer to 3 before I was notified that they had started.  I saw the doctor around 4:30.  He said that the meniscus was not torn but he had definitely blown out the ACL and they successfully repaired it. The fact that the Meniscus was not torn will hopeful make recovery a little easier. I saw Peter around 6. He was pretty miserable but wanted to make sure we were still going to pick up Chinese on the way home.  It had been a long time since he had eaten. His blood pressure was a bit high so we had to wait a little longer to be released.  By 7:30 we were on our way home.  

I confess I was in denial because I kept talking like I would be back at work today (Thursday.) That is until I saw him, the ice contraption (needed for the next 48 hours) and the list of instructions.  So I am home today and we will see about tomorrow.  Peter is not a talker and certainly doesn't express his feelings. However I could tell he was a bit anxious prior to surgery.  I am so proud of him though.  He handled the needles (he hates needles) and being told what to do by the hospital staff pretty well(he doesn't handle being told what to do very well either.)  The revealing moment was when I secretly attempted to take his picture in the hospital bed to send to mom, he caught me and made sure that didn't happen.  He said "I don't want anyone to see me weak." I found that statement revealing.  So as he was trying to get in the house he said "mom I am so weak" and I knew that was big for him to admit it. Peter's weakness is going to be pretty evident as he goes to school and rehab etc.  My prayer is God will use this in his life.

So as a consolation gift I ordered Cable TV so he can watch football at home.  I am always trying to save money and our brains from too much technology input so we tend to have limited "viewing" options.  But due to Peter's love for football, his lame leg, and well for my own selfish reasons we are bringing in Cable at least for football season.  So at least we have the Cable TV installation to look forward to today.

Thanks for your many prayers and your interest in us and our journey.  

Peter ....

I apologize for the delayed update.  It has taken two weeks to get the MRI done and have a follow up appointment.  

Today we met with doctor number two.  (FYI I am told that the doctors we have been dealing with are some of the best sports medicine doctors around.  A nurse told me that today's doctor -the surgeon - works with the Atlanta Falcons.) Dr. V told us that Peter does have a torn ACL as well as a torn meniscus. The double whammy to Peter's knee makes surgery a little more urgent than I had anticipate.  We left the doctor's office with surgery scheduled for Wednesday September 21.  It is an out patient surgery that will put Peter out of school for just a few days (hopefully.)  Surgery will be followed by use of a brace and physical therapy. Thus far my state subsidized insurance for Peter has covered the expenses.  Due to the nature of the injury and based on past experience I am hopeful that it will continue to cover the majority of Peter's medical costs. 

This is certainly not what I would have wished for but I have already seen God using this. Peter was removed from his PE class and put in a Comparative Religions class.  The teacher of that class is one I had been praying all summer that Peter could have (based on recommendations of others.) I confess this has an impact on my life and schedule that I would not have asked for.  But I am choosing to trust that God will use this for both Peter's good and my own.

As you think of us over the next months I appreciate your prayers:

• For the doctor's as they repair Peter's knee September 21st (time yet determined.)
• For Peter to be cooperative and serious about the physical therapy that will follow surgery.
• That the surgery and time away from school will not hinder Peter's grades and ability to graduate in May. (He put himself in a pickle and has tough classes this year that he has to pass.)
• For Peter and my relationship through this process.
• For my attitude about the "inconvenience" and change of plans that have had to be made.
• God's working in Peter's heart through this.
• God's provision for the medical expenses.

Thank you for your expressed concerns and prayers.  As I said, this wasn't on my wish list but I trust God to use this and chose to be grateful for it.

Peter

Peter, Peter, Peter . . . .

I could tell you how he has all these hard classes he HAS to pass this year to graduate (because he failed 3 of 4 during the Spring semester).  Or I could tell you about how he was going to get a job all summer and doesn't understand why people didn't know he was at home waiting to be hired.  (His application attempts were few and weak.)  I could tell you that he is driving with a learners permit and has grande plans to have a car and a licence when he turns 18 in October.  Yet he doesn't have a job and well no one here is going to hand him a car or pay for his insurance.  I could lament over how he has no friends I ever see and how he rarely leaves the house.  But what has prompted me to write is this . . . 

During PE on Thursday while playing football in the gym Peter injured his knee. (He is not playing football for the school due to poor grades.)  Peter wouldn't talk about it even though I could see something was wrong.  I learned the details Friday when the school nurse called suggesting I pick him up. She thought he should get off it because the knee was pretty swollen.  Later that day we ended up at a Sports Medicine Emergency Care.  I went in thinking he would tell us it was sprained and all would be well by Monday because that is what happened about this time last year.  However after examining Peter and hearing his story, the doctor is predicting that it is a torn ACL. Torn ACLs require surgery to repair. Peter just wanted to know if he could drive home (Answer was NO) and I just wanted to lay down on the exam room floor and cry. He is to have an MRI this week and we are to follow up with another doctor. There are lots of reasons why this all feels like a bad thing.  But after my high carb meal at Cook Out, cleaning house, Pandora Hymns station, and conversations with Jesus I am feeling less overwhelmed and more hopeful.  I am choosing to trust God will use this for Peter's good and no doubt mine as well. None the less if you think of it this week, I appreciate your prayers.  

My Classroom

A year ago I transitioned to working at First Baptist Day School full time.  For over two years prior I had worked there part time in addition to my special needs preschool job. I had been working as a one-on-one aid in the summer and head of After school Program in the school year.  So last year I was doing both of those roles in addition to assisting a teacher in a 3 year old class whenever I wasn't needed with the other.  It was fun but a bit disjointed.  This summer when that 3 year old teacher moved into a different role, I was given the position of the lead teacher for that class. So now I am in one role all day.  This summer I lead her kids in our summer program while prepping the room to receive a new batch of 3 year old's August 1st.  The former teacher had been in the room a long time and there was a lot of "unearthing" and "rearranging" needed.  The room felt busy and I had a specific vision for a calmer room setting.  Through the help of friends and co-workers along with some good thrift store finds and craft store coupons, I was able to create a learning space in which I am delighted to spend most of my day.  Want to see????

Inspired by a picture on Pinterest and helped by friends (Thanks Nydia) my door into the classroom
was turned into a Caravan Camper.  The flags have the names of the children.  The plan is to decorate
according to season.  Someone recently referred to my room as "the retirement home "
(because of the camper and peaceful interior.)

So the tinfoil was an afterthought developed when the hole I cut out of the paper was bigger than
the square window.  Just goes to show that sometimes acting out of necessity can make things better.

The pennant banner is our birthday calendar.  Each one represents a month and has the names
of children who have birthday's that month.  My bulletin board boarder and
circle time calendar all came from the Dollar Tree or Target $1 bins. This
area (just below out of sight) is known as "the gathering spot."
It is home of dancing, yoga, stories, and circle time.

I love my circle time chair.  A $15 thrift store fine with about $15 of paint.  Pillows were given to me by Gwen.
I snagged the easel for $5 at a yard sale to learn it is an expensive Pottery Barn easel.  In the basket are my
 Dollar Tree rugs that we use for Yoga and circle time.

The "manipulative" shelf was being thrown out by my mom's neighbor. I love this little
manipulative/writing/science corner.  Its a favorite with the kids.  The hornets nest was left
from the previous teacher and I brought in my Aloe plant that was not thriving at my house.

This is what inspired the theme.  I found this table top (without a base) at a ReStore a couple of
years ago along with two old school chairs.  I stored it in my shed waiting for "some day."  Nick, my parent's
 neighbor built the table base. I am so glad I bought it even not knowing what for.

I love my 3 posters from Cavallini Papers & Co.  They add just the right vintage flair.
 I added wood strips on top and bottom to give an old school feel. 

Nick's wife, Gwen has an amazing  fabric stash and had rolls of this polka dotted fabric.
And well it just so happened to match my crazy plum colored wall.  She made us these
fabulous curtains. It adds a little charm and just enough darkness at nap time.  This is
 the space where I hope to put a small sensory table.  I am working on getting one built.

The poster is a color wheel. Left door leads to bathroom.  The cabinet is the art station.  Above is
a bulletin board that serves as command central.  And the door with my hat and apron houses
my well organized and labeled craft/resource closet.  On the shelf, Pete the Cat is guarding our much
appreciated classroom IPad.  Pete moves each weekend.  He is kind of like Elf on the Shelf.
The kids enjoy looking to see where he is each Monday

This is my $10 table that I love.  I made the crate benches with the help of Pinterest, friends, and coupons.
 We use this table for all kinds of activities.  See the black rolling shelf?  It is for my circle time gear and
 it was $3 at a yard sale. Way above it is the ever so valuable visual timer.  The time is demonstrated
 by red.  When the red is gone, it beeps, and the kids all cheer.  Often I hear, "set the timer!"

This is the home living center (left side) and library (right). I was determined to replace
the plastic kitchen previously in my room.  Again with help and donations from Nick and Gwen, I got
a very fun vintage home living center that the kids love.  The chair in the library was $1 at a thrift store painted
with 50 cent jar of  Home Depot ooops paint.

The kitchen was a kids tool bench I bought for $1 at a thrift store.  Nick worked some carpentry magic, Stephen
painted it, and Gwen made the super cute curtain.  I painted this table hiding in my shed to create an Island/crib/
cash register stand. The storage bench was Gwen's discard and a favorite hang out.  

I love my classroom.  When people stop in and say, "oh how peaceful," I am like "yeah! That's what I was hoping for."  The best part of the room though is the staff and kids.  I work with a couple of great ladies who aid the peaceful vibe and keep things moving. And the kids are FABULOUS!!  The people truly are what make this room a great place to be.

So it happens.  I come and go.  The last few months have been busy, hot and I just haven't been motivated to blog. No good excuse.  But then it really is no big loss.  We all know I do this for me.  I am just grateful for those who humor me and look at my ramblings.  I do have a few things I would like to say and pictures to share so I am going to try to do some catch up in the coming weeks.  Today I am going to start by sharing pictures from dad's 80th birthday.  Dad turned 80 on July 6th and on the 3rd Mom and I surprised dad with a little cake party at the club house in their senior subdivision. We were all surprised by the turn out of 60 plus people.  Though we weren't sure when dad first arrived if he appreciated our efforts, he seemed to really enjoy the celebration.  As always mom was very thoughtful in her planning and did a great job putting this together. There were folks representing many aspects of dad's life including current and past neighbors, co workers from several jobs, friends from church, and other people who have been a part of our lives here in Gainesville.  Thanks Tammy for the great pictures that documented the event so well.

Hermie is Dead

Today I discovered that Hermie my hermit crab has "bit the dust," "kicked the bucket," "crossed over the rainbow bridge," "entered that big sand dune in the sky" etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if he died of a broken heart.  I told Peter in Hermie's presence, " I am not going to take you to the beach!' No hope of going to the beach may have been what brought his life to an end (or the fact I can't remember when I last cleaned his cage.)

I am pretty certain Hermie would want to be buried at sea.

So it looks like Hermie and I may be headed out on a beach trip after all.

Scary

Today I did the scariest thing I think I have ever done.

• Scarier than climbing to the top of the high ropes course
• Scarier than moving to Africa alone to live
• Scarier than driving in Uganda

Today I rode in the passenger seat while Peter drove my car around the neighbor! WHOOOAAA

He actually did well but I had to quit after about 20 minutes to get my heart rate to slow down!