Alright guys this is a long one, but lot's of good things happening so read on!
I was heartbroken to hear about Brian in the hospital in April, as I am sure we all were. Here is a sweet story that Tanya shared on Instagram about her perspective:
And here is another update from Grandma and Grandpa as of May 10th:
"Tanya returned home to get the house set up for Brian's return; someone brought them a recliner. We are staying with Brian at an Airbnb here in Kansas City on a stream with an acre back yard/garden/honey bee colony. Very nice people. Brian has a follow-up appointment on Friday and we shall see if he is strong enough to begin the journey to Dallas.
Mom has been re-dressing the incision regularly (15 inches long) and Brian is doing better. The attached picture of the Shamrock gas station is actually a world famous BBQ joint, the best in KC they say. Brian ate a couple of small ribs from there, half a sweet potato and some chocolate ice cream without a problem, so the plumbing seems to be functioning properly. He nixed the idea of posting a poop-o-meter on the family blog.
Brian is doing a spot-on impersonation of John McCain after his six year incarceration in the Hanoi Hilton. He had slimmed down at the gym prior to the surgery, but going without food for days on end has taken a toll.
His employer, RVR Aviation, told him to come back when he is well (fortunately he is on salary and has insurance), the job interviewer (a Dallas-based Fractional Owner charter company) told him to reschedule when he is ready, and someone from the Simuflite Flight Training Center asked Tanya if he might be available to apply to work full time when he is healed. So it looks like he has some options. The renewal of the First Class FAA medical certificate required of commercial pilots can be complicated following this kind of surgery, so we shall see how things work out.
Of interesting note is that whereas Brian's blood Factor 8 deficiency usually hovers around 15 to 18% of normal, it was at 38% when they started prepping him for surgery. They infused him to 148% before cutting and kept it at 100%+ during the first few days of recovery. But the question is, can blood Factor 8 increase spontaneously? We expect that Collin will research this for us from obtuse medical tomes available only to those who have taken the Hippocratic Oath, or maybe Larissa will just ask Alexa. Maybe Brian is recovering from hemophilia."
We love you Brian and are keeping you in our prayers!
Photos in Vegas
April: Winning at volleyball, choirs, and potty training!
Another month and Luke is back in the game (don't tell his surgeon) his dad might have cleared him to play- the surgeon said in a week or two he can start lifting weights, and Luke says that basically means he can play volleyball. Now. They had the JV championship this week and cleaned house, beat every team... still undefeated.
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| Waiting at the doctor's. |
Cambrie had a hip hop performance for her school. I'd say performing in front of people is her favorite thing. But if you walk in our house and try to talk to her, you'd probably get no answer.
Our Roxy Belle turned six! She is such a sweet thing. We had a birthday party at the park with friends from school, soccer team, and church.
Madi tried out for a solo in the 7th grade girls choir (first time ever) and she got it! She told me that she overheard the choir teacher say to the pianist "woah Madi Johnston surprised me!"
Easter came and with that I only got a picture of my girls (Collin and Luke already left to church.) I didn't do matching dresses for the little ones this year- I wasn't feeling it. I told them to just go find something pink in their drawers.
Another month, some more Blake! Just the other day I was trying to get out the door to Luke's game. I found Blake in Madi's bathroom, on the counter, painting her nails. (Somebody left a chair in there.) The miracle is she didn't get it on her clothes or on the counter, just all over her fingers and toes!
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| Old lady walking her dog <3 |
Lisa and the kids stopped on their way to Hadley's graduation. I think I can be as tall as Ani if I wear heels and stand on a chair... I am so jealous of that height!
Cambrie's layout is getting better.
I was looking through old pics the other day and found this one! I know Luke will be excited to see this guy.
On Roxy's birthday I went back and found this one. She was turning two and was scared of the fire.
Leave it to me to pick the hardest glass tile to work with on the pool. I'm pretty sure the tile guy hates me. You can't cut little rectangles of tile so the only option is to get it perfect. He's been out there all week. :/
Blakely is working on going #2 in the potty. I would say it's going okay, but every time she goes she dry heaves and almost throws up. I've never seen a kid do that... so she can't even jump up and down with excitement about it because she's still gagging. Hopefully she will get over the fact that it's gross.
May: Wrapping up the school and sports!
May came with the end of soccer season for Rox. She had lots of goals and good defense with those little legs of hers.
Gators' hair grew back!
Grandma and Grandpa came to visit, and so did Chica. Gator spent all day sniffing her bum and trying to high center her. Basically like a pesky little brother. I'm pretty sure if Chica could roll her eyes it would look just like my teenagers.
Yearbooks came out and Roxy killed it! She styled it all on her own.
Collin built the wall (no not THAT wall) our retaining wall.
Madi had a choir solo that she rocked!
After Luke was moved up to Varsity volleyball to workout for next year, they won the state championship (side note Erik Davis' team lost the night before or we would have played HIS TEAM!!!) Since sophomores didn't play this year, they livened up the bench. This is gonna be a tough varsity team for Luke and the other soph's to follow next year. Fortunately they get two starting hitters back.
Maybe we'll get some water in this thing this week!
School is out in a couple weeks- finally she'll have someone to play with.
Lisa's Big News!
Valencia Kids
The end of the school year is upon us and we are inundated with end of the year activities and deadlines: some fun, some not so fun! The girls have finals this week and they are limping through to the last day of school. Ani is finishing her sophomore year and Tessa her freshman year. Tessa is continuing choir next year and Ani is starting the track team this year.
Noah and Mason have school until June 16th, but we're starting the summer fun with them already. Mason is finishing third grade and Noah is done with fourth. Noah has his end of the year cello concert tonight and both are looking forward to their Accelerated Reader's party. It's been a great school year for everyone but the summer festivities are always their favorite.
I've enjoyed substitute teaching this year again, and I am applying for full-time positions with an intern credential that will start in the fall. Wish me luck! The big news for our family, and news that will affect y'all, is my third attempt at finding my life and forever partner. We've decided to say "I Do" and it was made official last Wednesday night with a ring and formal proposal. Shaver Lake is the place, Friday June 9th at around 1PM. Jeremy's family will come up that day and enjoy the festivities with us. We are looking forward to getting sealed in the temple June 9, 2018 and of course every one of you is invited! All I have to say is hopefully the third one is the charm. I know you will all love him!
Army Life
Hadley and Kal
I guess some of the biggest news we've had in the last couple months is that I graduated from BYU, Sally turned one, and Kal is leaving for a month long training on Sunday (June 5th). It has definitely been a bit crazy around here. We moved into a new apartment a few minutes away from Wyview and had a few hiccups at the beginning but so far so good. We like our new ward (we are in a normal family ward again which is nice haha.)
I started working for VIPKID which is the online teaching program you may have heard about where you teach English to kids in China. I get bonuses for referrals so if you know of someone looking for part time work from home where you make your own hours and get to meet adorable Chinese children hit me up or click on this link to their site.
Sally is thinking about walking but mostly crawls around, chews on nerf gun darts, eats apples, and says "mama." For her birthday she was spoiled by lots of gifts from family and we spent the day in Salt Lake. I can't believe I have a one year old and she gets more fun every day.
Kal has been working his security job most of the time and preparing for his training. He will be in Fort Knox in Kentucky and like I said he leaves June 5th and will be back July 5th. To pass the time I have a few trips planned that I am super excited about. I will be in St. George filming a bike race, then we go to Valencia for a week, then I go to Chicago for a teaching conference then boom he's back. I'm sure it will fly by... hopefully. It will for sure be a good taste of what out life in the army will look like.
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