Foot Surgery

On Friday, March 24, 2023 I had the Kidner procedure performed on my foot. I have had pain in my foot since the family reunion in 2021 when I sprained my ankle water skiing. I have an accessory navicular bone in my foot and when trauma hits the area it can cause chronic inflammation and unfortunately that was the case for me. The posterior tibial tendon was constantly inflamed no matter how much I would rehab or ice it. I would run on it then struggle to walk for a couple days and couldn't hike or go on long walks without pain. So, unfortunately the injury never healed and after 18 months of trying everything to heal it, the surgery was the best option. I decided to do it in March in hopes that the 8-10 weeks of recovery would be sufficient and I would be healed before the kids are out of school for the summer. 

I wasn't overly nervous for the procedure as I knew that is what I needed to do, mostly just very unexcited about the recovery waiting process.

The bone has gotten so large and the swelling so bad that it looks like I have two ankle bones.

Waiting for the surgery..

The surgery went well without any complications. 

I was pretty sleepy from the anesthesia the first couple days, but then have done well since. The pain, thankfully, hasn't been bad and I'm so ready to get going on the rehab process. 

This injury has been painful for me in many ways. The family reunion was a difficult one for our family and our extended family has been pretty broken since the reunion. To me this pain in my foot has felt like a physical reminder to me everyday of the pain I feel about our family. I yearn to have my brothers in my life and for healing to take place. For now, I pray that if I can heal this physical pain and move forward, maybe my heart can process and heal as well. Here is to a speedy recovery and me being back in running shoes before I know it!

Turning 40

On March 16th I entered a new decade and turned 40. I have been dreading this day for a couple years. I have not been very excited about turning 40 and everything that goes with it. I hear often from my friends, well, now that you're 40 everything goes downhill from here. Well, starting it off a week later with foot surgery wasn't helping my excitement, but for a couple days I tried to enjoy celebrating another year of life. 

My mom ordered a sign for me which was really nice. 

We had birthday donuts and went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch with Deacon, Ragnar, and my parents. By the time we finished the other kids were back from their youth camps for the week.

Ragnar bought me an outdoor loveseat which I have been wanting. 

I got a new phone and a pedicure from my mom/dad and sisters which I took the girls with me to do.

Saturday we went with a few friends to top golf to play and celebrate.

We had a fun time visiting and being together. 

Having a birthday on spring break is hard each year cause most everyone is always out of town.

My mom hosted a dinner with everyone when they were all back in town and it was a simple few days of celebration. I pray I can embrace the new decade and that I can still live many years enjoying what I love to do and that my body is strong and healthy.

Spring Break Plus Young Men and Young Women's Camp!

The three oldest children had the opportunity to attend Young Men and Young Women's camp during Spring break this year. Cavin went to a camping site up by Dallas with 30 other boys and had a blast.

He loved being out in the woods, having a tent, and having a real camping experience since that is not something our family typically does. 

There is a great group of young men in our ward. 

They rode bikes, fished, hiked, kayaked, climbed, and just enjoyed exploring with the boys for a few days. 

He had a great time and although it was a little chillier than expected, he loved it. 

Channing and Ella went off to Camp Cullen to "Glamp" as Cavin calls it ;) They had cabins that were heated and air conditioned and nice showers so it wasn't true outdoor camping, but they had a blast! Channing was a little nervous to be away from home without family for the first time, but did awesome and loved every minute!

We seriously have amazing youth in our ward. 

They did a lot of fun activities and Ella had to lead a devotional. She also co wrote a song called "Be The Spark" for the camp and it was very well done. So her and her friends sang it and taught it to the other campers. 

Channing out for a snipe hunt ;)

They had karaoke which my girls love!

Ella was a Youth Camp Leader so she got to be involved in a lot of the camp and planning. 

They had so many fun activities they could do. Archery, Ziplining, Shooting, Canoeing, swimming, workshops, dances, karaoke, and so much more. 

They both said the testimony meeting was one of their favorite parts, and I am so grateful. A day filled with great women/girls, focusing on Christ has got to be a great week!

Deacon had a different experience being the only child this week! He was so excited to have just me and Ragnar. I took him to my gyms kids camp with his friend, which he loved. He is as competitive as me ;)

He really wanted to go to a Rockets game so our friend was able to get us tickets and Deacon brought his friend Jonny.

The Rockets aren't great right now, but we started them on a winning streak, it was a close game against the Celtics and they actually won! It was so fun! 

Deacon was so excited because he didn't think they had a chance!

He got to go to 3 parties the week of spring break and also celebrate my birthday.

Went laser tagging, bowling, on the sky walk, and we went to the park almost every day!

It was hard work being an only child and he fell asleep several days in a row ;)

As much as I think he enjoyed his time with us, he was so glad to have his siblings come home!

Dancing the Night Away!

Ella and Cavin recently went to a church dance and had a great time. Ella was asked on a date since she is 16 and Cavin went with a bunch of friends. 

Ella's friend Christian asked her to join him and they had a nice time.

Looking good in blue!

Ella has a great group of friends so it is nice that she has people to be with. 

Ragnar and I helped chaperone Cavin's group and took them to the dance and that was fun. 

They are a silly group, but have fun together. 

I am grateful for great church activities and great friends to join in the fun!