Life // An Update

Right now I'm nestled in bed with Violet. She's asleep, worn out from playing in the snow earlier with her dad, constructing snowman, chasing dogs around, mini snowball fights-that sort of thing. The humidifier is on, engulfing the room in eucalyptus because this mama is sick, going on 10 days. Headache, cough, congestion, sneezing, and overall a feeling of weakness. This last month has been an adjustment, and one I'm afraid my body is just not used to.

My parents moved to California. My dad took up a teaching/researching position at a University there for 6 months, my mom went along because of course she did! When deciding how they were going to do this, inevitably my little brother was the main source of concern. For those of you reading who may not know, my brother is physically and mentally disabled. He was born with about 1/3 of his brain, many months FAR too early and has severe limitations. He requires around the clock care any 2 year old would need, but also needs regular bouts of medication, someone with knowledge about how to use a g-tube (feeding tube directly into his stomach) to feed and medicate him,  entertainment, and if I'm honest, people strong enough to lift and carry him when the elevators and lifts are not working in the house.

I knew we would take over care of Isaac even before the question left my parents mouths. I'm not sure why, but I KNEW it was what we were going to do. We told them we would discuss it but there wasn't any REAL question in my mind we wouldn't take part guardianship of him while they left to take this opportunity in California. And of course we did. We also took on the responsibility of 3 dogs, 2 birds, and occasionally, a bearded dragon.

They left around the beginning of January, right over the Christmas holidays. Which meant BESIDES everything which usually goes on during the holidays we had to clean out their house (so our things would fit, but also because the house in general needed a basic de-junking), I also had to box up my house with an active and somewhat mouthy 3 year old, move it in our little Nissan, basically on my own since ya know, Cristian holds a job, and try and have things set up so it was a somewhat comfortable transition for all of us.

It wasn't a comfortable transition. I'd be lying if I told you otherwise.

The day before my parents moved, my younger sister was watching Isaac while my parents, myself and Violet attended church. We came home and discovered he had a large amount of fluid built up in his elbow which was obviously uncomfortable for him to be on. (He has 1 good arm to scoot around on, which is how he navigates through the house). A quick trip to the emergency room revealed burtitis. I still don't really know what that is, but in my mind I equate it with tendonitis.
This has meant having fluid drained, ibuprofen, and lots of wrapping to try and get the rest of the fluid to absorb back into his body. (A month later, and there has been no visible improvement).

During this, with all the wrapping and unwrapping, and compression sleeves, and at one point a handmade prosthetic he developed a pressure wound in his elbow pit. An open sore, black around the edges, inflamed, painful, and at risk of causing infection to his whole arm. Isaac does not heal well, so weekly we take him to wound care specialists who are doing everything they can to get this thing to go away. They also want us to keep him off it which isn't even a possibility because the wheelchair he has now is not fit for his body and keeping him in that chair would ultimately cause more pressure wounds on different parts of his body.

About a week into this transition he bit me while I was lifting him out of his chair. He tore 2 chucks of flesh out of my breast which did not heal easily and had to be monitored carefully because human bite marks are very likely to give you an infection.
A week after this happened I had a severe allergic reaction to Violet's detangler which I ultimately had to go to the doctor for and get a prescription because my entire face was red, scaly, itchy and disgusting, and the last part of this month I've been sick.

Violet has not had an easy time either. She misses her grandparents, she was punched in the face at school, she's struggling because she no longer has my full attention through out the day, she is overly aggressive with the animals in this house, she isn't sleeping well or in her room (we continually find her sleeping downstairs on the couch), she is acting out, and is peeing her bed almost every night though she's been potty trained for years.

Cristian has had to get up 1 hour earlier to give Isaac his 5/6 o'clock meds before heading to the gym, had to deal with a hysterical crying wife on more then just a few occasions, taken on a huge load of physical labor to help me with my little brother, and still has his regular job that he works so hard at.

I can't believe we volunteered for this.
It's been hard.
It's been chaotic.
It's been humbling.
And honestly I don't know how we're doing it.
I don't know how I am doing it.

Except with help from the Heavenly Father I believe in.
Throughout all the trails and hard things we've been confronted with this first month I have been constantly amazed by the amount of love and support I have been shown by neighbors, friends, my own siblings, and the 2 most important people in my life, Cristian and Violet.

There's a neighbor up the street who has plowed our walk ways and driveway EVERY single time it has snowed. Another friend set up a play date schedule for Violet so on Wednesdays I have 2 full hours to myself without Violet and without Isaac, and Violet gets to have some much needed fun with friends, my younger sister comes and watches Isaac on Sundays so I can go with my daughter to church, and another sister watches Violet every Wednesday morning so I can make it to the gym FOR SURE at least once a week. My best friend has let me watch her daughter (who is close to Violets age) every Monday, which may seem like another "extra" to add to the load of what I have going on but as much as it help her, it helps me because Violet is about a billion times easier to handle when she has someone to play with that isn't her mom, and on top of all this Cristian has on more then one occasion dropped everything (even work) to come and help me when I truly need it.

I've learned so much through this experience already.
I can do hard things. Anyone can do hard things with the right support system.
I'm more capable then I give myself credit for, but I also need to ask for help sometimes and that isn't something to feel ashamed of. Sometimes it takes strength to admit you can't do it all.
My husband, oh gosh I am so glad we found each other. I can't believe how much he has stepped up and really been my partner through this so far. Our relationship is being strengthened through this new chapter in our lives.
My relationships with my siblings is getting so much better, and I love them all so much, and appreciate everything they do, especially for my spitfire child.

Though it's been one of the most challenging things I've taken on, I'm looking forward to learning more and making this experience one we can look back on and be proud we worked through together as a family.

A Photo Update

I think it's safe to say I've been a little lacking with photos, and updates, and posts for the last little while. I've definitely slowed down, or sped up depending on the way you look at things but I promise a longer post giving a real update on what we've been doing. I guess I've been really into sunsets lately, or maybe it just seems that way because around that time is when I get a break from the chaos that is now our every day life and take the dogs (and myself) out for a walk for some fresh air and quiet. Longer post coming soon...

Review// 2015

2015 Resolutions in Review:

Try A New Sport/Exercise: I don't think we ever tried a new sport, but we did both get memberships to Sports Academy, and joined a 90 day Transformation.

Take More Family Photos: We took lots of photos of Violet, but ultimately we could have done better in the family photo department, this one may have to carry over to this year (2016)

Be Present: Ongoing

Be Creative: This one will carry over, or be omitted because I think "creative" is perhaps to vague.

Go To Sleep Earlier: Nope, did not accomplish this one in the slightest-2016 I'm coming for you!

Spend More Time Outside: Yes!

Laugh Everyday: Not including the 2 weeks where I was changing medications, the answer to this is, happily, YES.

Eat More Veggies: YES,

Drink More Water: NO, this one will be carried over as well.



Check out the sidebar for our goals in 2016

Snowman

Violet is a snow bunny. She would play in the snow all day if I let her. I never really liked winter until Cristian and Violet. Here's the first snowman we've ever made together. I'd be okay with a few more snow storms like the one we experiences this last week.

4 Year Anniversary// Park City, Gorgoza Park

Ya know, for some reason I never remember Park City is only about 15-20 minutes away from SLC. It's so close, I honestly don't know why we haven't ventured there more often because it's gorgeous down there, and being out of the inversion in the valley, the air was so refreshing and clear. As per tradition when our anniversary comes around we like try something neither one of us has done before, or go somewhere new. Having our anniversary land when there's bound to be tons of snow and freezing temperatures is always a challenge, but we manage. Park City wasn't necessarily "new", but extreme tubing in Gorgoza Park was! We decided to give it a shot and are so glad we did.

Haha, we are notorious for looking at the opposite side of where the camera lens is. Whatevs.

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SUCH A BLAST! We went on a Tuesday so lines were minimal, I imagine on the weekends the lines to get on the conveyer belt to travel to the different starting levels are insane. The weather was perfect, as was the snow for some fast tubing. We debated taking a video but were too worried about my phone flying off the selfiestick and getting stuck somewhere in the snow. We bagged that idea. After several hours of freezing fun we decided to head out and find some grub. Cristian surprised me by getting down on one knee and presenting THIS (see BELOW).

When we were engaged (and married) we used my great great grandmothers ring (now my ring which is 113 years old), and I absolutely ADORE that antique gold band and it holds more sentimental value then I can say. Cristian loves that ring too, but wanted me to have a ring from him, which he spent so much time researching and picking out. And let me tell you, my best friend did GOOD. It's the most sparkly thing I've eve seen, and I'm in love with the rose gold. It is 100% me and I can't believe it's mine all mine. I feel so loved when I look at it, and am SO lucky to have this guy in my life. And I mean...the sparkles lol.

After grabbing some lunch we shopped the outlet malls, stopped in SLC on the way home, and then made our way back home through a small storm. We wouldn't have been able to have had such a wonderful time without the help of my sisters chipping in and watching over my baby brother and Violet. So thankful for family, and so thankful for my best friend. I love you so much! Happy 4 Years and many more to come babe!

Snippets // What Fall Looks Like

Sneaking bits of ham which were supposed to go into some pineapple fried rice. She knows the good stuff come out in the late afternoons when we start prepping for dinner.

Yes, we haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, but I had a fun afternoon with one of my good friends making these rice filled snowmen. It was fun to pick out some cute buttons and plan a day to make more for homemade Christmas gifts. Thanks Nicole for the good idea and a fun time!

Don't really know where we are looking, the opposite side of where the camera window is apparently, but this was Cristian's first hockey game. I used to go to every game back in college, but after I met Cristian, for whatever reason I stopped going. Probably because we were too busy making out hahahah! Anywaaaaaay, this was the first one I had been to in about 4 years and it rekindled my love for the game. Its become a pretty regular thing, and when I say regular, we've gone to 3 games, in 3 consecutive weeks over the weekends. It's a plus Violet is pretty into the Zamboni. In fact, it's the highlight of the game for her and she has requested a pink toy Zamboni for Christmas. And get this- THEY EXIST. So thanks Playmobil (sp?) we will be purchasing an item from you soon for the Christmas holidays. She also told Cristian last night (USU vs BYU-we slayed by the way 12:3) she wants to be a hockey player when she grows up. So, there ya have it!

Her love of trucks has not dwindled in the slightest, to bad this one isn't the right size for you to ride in, right Vi? Doesn't stop her though, and I'm frequently woken in the morning to the sound of her pushing her truck all over the wood floors. Probably the most used toy she's ever been given, aside from a hockey puck which was given to her from some friends of Cristian and I about a week ago.

We celebrated my mom's birthday mid October. All of us girls got together to make Chicken Italian Pasta and then Victoria made these homemade donuts filled with different types of jam. They were really yummy, and as was so typical of my mom her favorite part of the whole thing was us working together in the kitchen to make a yummy meal. Love you mom!

These 4 have become a pack (and I just learned today my sister Victoria has just adopted a pitbull/german shepherd mix named Bastian, so the pack will grow a number in the coming weeks I'm sure). She can't get enough of these 3 and they are always so good and patient with her. Course I would be too if I was getting all the treats she secretly gives them. I love that she loves animals.

Speaking of animals, she declared she wanted to dress up as Piper for Halloween, my sister Talisa's puppy. (See orange dog in the photo above as a reference.). When her Halloween parade at school rolled around I, for some reason, thought were still in the beginning of October and had to whip of something quickly. It worked, and she was happy, and loved wearing face paint.

Pretty adorable if you ask me.

The last couple Halloweens I've raided Violet's dress up box. So, the bunny ears with a sparkly pink crown are curtesy of my daughter, and we shared the face paint. We trick-or-treated at Lee's with her grandparents (dressed up as hippies), cousin Steph (bandit, or burgler), and uncle Isaac (Mr. T) She even went through the spook alley this time, which she has refused to do ever previous time! Proud of my girl! We also went to her dad's work.

To anyone concerned about the stache, it's all part of a competition going on at his work for No Shave November. The last of that thing is being shaved off tonight and then the real game for beard bragging rights begins (except Cristian will win because OBVIOUSLY). Ugh. I love these guys.

Sand box and sunshine. Soaking it up, because the weather has turned much colder and darker the last couple of days. We'll take what we can get of this sporadic good weather and make it count while we can.

One of Violets (and I must admit, mine too) past times is watching Talisa feed her bearded dragon Rocky crickets! It's so fun watching him snatch them up, and its been fun to watch him grow bigger and bigger! The other night he was shedding the last of his skin and my mom, niece, myself and Violet were sitting around his tank just watching him running up and down his tree trying to scrape it off. Sounds gross, and it was, but also fascinating. Anyway, it's always a good time watching Rocky hunt.

These pictures are out of order, but I couldn't be bothered fixing it. Anyway, my people, my beautiful people. I am determined that next year we will pull off some kind of costuming as a family because that's a thing right? At least a couple's costume, because Violet can decide what she wants to be. Anyway, goals for next year!

Just goofing off, and Violet making a moustache out of string cheese.

We've been taking lots of strolls on over to the temple, this is the view we are graced with on the walk. This valley is beautiful, and this day was perfect!

The flowers were gorgeous, and so is she. We sat and sang some hymns and talked about Jesus and I love every minute of these little outings!

"Mom, I'm sick of you taking photos of me!"

Messing around, having some fun!

We also have been taking walks up the canyon. It's been beautiful up there.

If you've never been up there around October, go! You can see tons of Whoolly Bear caterpillars (that will turn into Tiger Moths) munching on leaves EVERYWHERE! So fun to walk around and spot them in the trees.

As far as everything else going on, we've (Cristian and I) have given ourselves an early Christmas present. Personal trainers and a 90 day transformation program which started on the 19th of October and will end on January 16th, right over the holidays, so we don't hunker down and hibernate with all the holiday pies, cookies, Christmas candy, gravy and potatoes and hot chocolate. It entails going to the gym 6 days a week for one on one training, and also group fitness classes (really fun!), a meal plan (this has been adapted because it's too expensive and our over all meals are not what is hurting us, just all the snacks in between and when Violet goes to bed), a calorie counting app (which has been useful, but the goal is to not have to count calories ever again because it is SO ANNOYING), and challenges against other participating members.

It's been really rough for me. I'm really competitive, and I will admit there have been times when it's been SO hard to see how well Cristian has been doing in comparison to myself. That being said-I AM SO PROUD OF MY HUSBAND. He is currently in 2nd place in the challenge

and if he keeps it up he could win some serious prizes. My fat is sluffing off much more slowly, but it's improving, and I feel stronger, less aching and tired, I can tell my flexibility and posture are improving (2 of my goals for this challenge), and I'm growing and learning to have a better head space about competition, especially when it involves my best friend.

We had our first challenge on Halloween, and while I didn't come in first, I also didn't come in last, and that I'm really proud of. Cristian could not participate because of work, but hopefully both of us can make it to the next one in 2 weeks! He would SLAY at those competitions.

Violet is still thoroughly enjoying preschool and also kids club which has been a lifesaver. It's so nice having a place where she is watched, and safe in the same facility we workout so we can get an hour or 2 in when it's convenient for us. She's a good sport, and while it's not ideal, it's been so helpful. It's also nice that I can get to a few classes while she's in preschool. Having a few more hours to myself during the day has been wonderful!

We made the decision to not move back into our current home after the 6 months we'll spend taking care of my parents house, which means we will be house hunting and job hunting. I'm nervous we don't have a secure plan yet for after those 6 months, but we'll take it day by day and do the best with what we have.

That was really long, but its what we've been up to the last little while. Hope all of your Halloween festivities were fun and everyone was safe! Cheers!