Fun Weekend

We took the kids to the Mega Mall last weekend. It was a spur of the moment trip which was great! We all needed to get away for a little while. Everyone had a great time. The kids were able to ride on a lot of rides and stay up way too late. We didn't leave until 10pm! Sunday we spent the day at my parents' pool. It was a gorgeous day and it was great to be able to spend it at the pool. Hopefully we still have some more gorgeous days left this summer. They seem to be few and far between lately! Here are some pictures from our weekend:

Eye Update....

Today was a stressful day for me! A few weeks ago I got new glasses. When I got them I realized that my contacts were no longer up to prescription. I was told that my prescriptions would change for a while and that was okay. My eye needs to heal and as it heals the prescription will either get worse or better. I was upset that I couldn't see very well out of my contacts. I made an appointment with the Ophthalmologist in town and he was able to see me right away this morning. He checked my eyes and said that I am now developing a cataract in my eye. When I was in 3 weeks ago he could not see any signs of cataract but now he can. This means surgery to correct it. I was so bummed. I thought I would have at least 2 years before this happened. Now we are looking at surgery in a few months!! It is so discouraging to constantly have bad news. I could really use some GOOD KARMA!!

This afternoon I had another eye appointment in Minneapolis with the Retina specialist. My right eye's retina is healing well and looks really good. I have flashes in that eye and the doctor said that it is normal. I have some fluid around my retina that is pulling at it and causing the flashes. He said some flashes are normal but I still need to be aware of any changes and let him know right away. He then did laser surgery to correct the retina in the left eye. I think I asked every tech in the office if it was going to hurt. They reassured me that it doesn't hurt and that you just can't see for 10 minutes afterwards. They gave me two tylenol and two motrin...and that was all they would give me. I did ask for stronger things like something for the anxiety but they just laughed at me as if I was joking. No way...I was serious! My blood pressure was at 120/78 and I always run 90/70 or at the very highest 104/70. The doctor came in and I asked if it hurt and he said yes. That it is a very bright light and it doesn't feel good. He said at first it would be fine and then as he continues it would be very uncomfortable. GREAT...but at least he was honest with me. I was trying to be tough! TRYING! I wiggled my toes a lot and tried to just pray that it would end. He said he could stop if I needed him to but then he would have to start again. I just had him keep going so it would end faster. It was painful...very painful! He shined a very bright light in my eye and then shot it with laser beams several times for 10 minutes! He uses a pokey thing (nice technical term) to push on my eye to get to the spots it needs to. It feels like he is poking my eye out! He also uses this to look at my retina so I was use to that somewhat! My sister was able to sit in the room with me and it was great to have the support. I was glad when it was over!

My doctor and I talked about the cataract and he wants me to wait. I have to let my retinas heal some more before he will agree to it. I go back in a month and will ask him again at that time.

I am exhausted and my eyes are really tired. I am ready for this eye crap to be behind us. I am very discouraged and depressed. I really need something to go right soon! For now I am just going to go to bed and enjoy a good nights sleep! Tomorrow is a new day and I can see right now. Cloudy vision is still vision!

Last T-ball Game

B had his last T-ball game last night. It was a 7:15pm game time and those are always tough on the boys. They goof off more than they play. I think they all did pretty well last night though. It usually is only an hour long game but it went until 8:45pm. It got long! I am sad that T-ball is over for the summer. It makes it seem like the summer is now over too. Only a few more weeks and B will be starting 1st grade! The next sport that B would like to play is soccer. He really wants to try it out this fall. We are going to sign him up for Mankato United Soccer Team. Some of the neighborhood boys are playing too so it should be a fun fall!

Grandma Ruth's 90th Birthday Celebration!

This weekend was spent with Nick's family. His grandma turned 90 on Friday and there was a big party to help her celebrate. Relatives from all over the US made the journey to Mankato to be there for the party. It was a lot of fun and we were able to see a lot of family that we haven't seen in a long time. We spent the whole weekend at the lake and the weather was perfect. The kids played in the water both Friday and Saturday. B and E even went on the tube for the first time ever. I knew E would do it but was surprised when B said he would too. They both had a blast. Zak, Susan, Lydia and Helena also made the journey. It was great to see them and meet Helena. Lydia and Emma had a great time having tea parties at the lake. We hope to see everyone again very soon! Here are some great pictures from the weekend.

I CAN SEE!!

Who knew that such a basic pleasure would be so amazing!! I have always taken being able to see for granted. I just wake up and it is just a thing that God has given us. After my retina detachment I realized how precious site is and how important it is to take care of the one set of eyes that we are given. It has been a month and a half since my surgery. Two weeks ago the doctor said I could get fitted for contacts. I went in on Tuesday June 30 and had my first fitting. I was very discouraged because I have halos around my eye. I can't see very well out of it at all. The technicians always ask me to read the letters on the wall and I can't. HOW FRUSTRATING!! I just figured that this would go away as my eye heals or when I had the right prescription. After last week I was really discouraged because the halos were worse and I couldn't see with my new prescription at all :( Then I wondered if I did the exam wrong...1 or 2, 2 or 3, 3 or 4 or 5. I hate that! What if I chose wrong? I went back to the doctor today and he put a new contact in that wasn't as high of power. I could tell immediately that I could see better! The halos decreased dramatically!! WAHOO!! I was so excited!! It is amazing to be able to see out of my eye after a month and a half of not seeing a dang thing!! Now I just have to watch the halos. The doctor said that is a sign of cataracts forming on my eye. Yep...I turned 75 not 30! Geez...cataract surgery is in my near future. Right now I am thinking positive and just enjoying being able to see out of two eyes. Just remember to go to your Ophthalmologist for your annual check-up! Wish I had been better about that!

4th of July Weekend!

What a wonderful weekend we had. It was jam packed filled but it was a lot of fun. Friday we took the kids to their first Moondog's game. They had a blast! We went with Auntie Alli and some of our friends. It was a great way to start all the festivities of the weekend.

Saturday we spent the day at the lake. It wasn't as beautiful as we had hoped for. It seems that every time Nick and I invite friends to the lake it rains, is cloudy or is cold. We made the most of our day though. We had some friends come out for the afternoon along with my sister Patsy, Sean, Alli and my mom. We were able to go on a lot of boat rides and all the kids had a blast. Saturday night we watched the fireworks on the lake. It is so amazing to be sitting on the boat and watching the fireworks. I wish I could get a picture of all the boats that are out with us. There is over 100 boats at the minimum watching the fireworks. It is such a great site. This year the people that put it on also had WWII Planes fly over before the fireworks. It was an amazing site and the kids had a blast watching the planes. It was a late night but the kids all fell asleep on the boat during the fireworks and then again on our ride back to town.

Sunday we spent the day at the pool. It was a gorgeous day to be outside and poolside! B is quite the swimmer and loves the pool. E fell in last year so we are still working past her fears. C thinks water is the best thing ever. He would sleep in the pool if he could.

Now we are getting back to work. This coming weekend we will be celebrating Grandma Ruth's 90th birthday at the lake. It will be so much fun to see all the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends!

Eye update...

I had an eye appointment yesterday. I had been seeing a blurry spot in my eye and I was really nervous. I also started having flashes in my eye. The last few days I was worried that something was really wrong I would have to have surgery again. My sister, Patsy, took me to my appointment in Minneapolis. I am so thankful to have such great family to help with my appointments and the daycare kids. When we got to the appointment the receptionist said that I wasn't scheduled. I was annoyed. She made the appointment 3 weeks earlier. She said that my doctor is on vacation but they could get me in to see another doctor. I told her that was fine and that I didn't want to have to drive home and come back. We didn't have to wait very long at all this appointment. The doctor I saw was great and he was just as nice as my doctor. He told me the blurry spot I am seeing is the actual buckle that is in my eye. The few flashes I am seeing are normal while my eye heals. I was so relieved! I was suppose to have laser surgery to correct the retina in my left eye. The doctor said they would do that in a month when I see my doctor. I was a little disappointment because I had been psyching myself up for it all day. Now I get to stress about it for a month. The best news was that I could get fitted for new contacts! I can't wait to be able to see better!! I called the clinic in Mankato as soon as we left the office. The receptionist was able to get me in Tuesday. Only a few more days until I can see! I can't wait!! After my appointment Patsy and I went shopping and out for supper. It was great to have time with her. I guess the best thing that has come out of all of this is that I have been able to spend a lot more time with my sisters!