Happily Ever After...

This week we went over to play with one of our very favorite friends. The girls were happily playing in the basement, and the mommies were happily chatting in the family room. So we thought. Unbeknownst to the mommies, the girls had a BRILLIANT idea to give the kitty a bath. Actually, I think it was Aria's brilliant idea. Now, let me just say in her defense, that we have dogs who get bathed weekly, so the idea of bathing a cat to her was not naughty. Playing with water without permission, however, IS naughty at our house, and she knows it. The poor kitty had to be chased with paper towels in their feeble attempts to cover up their crime , ahem.... dry the poor fella. I'm sure he was NOT HAPPY. Later, the girls were playing hide and seek and found a room that was built as a tornado shelter so it was all concrete. The girls decided that room would be a wonderful Club House, so they grabbed pillows off the couch, and headed inside. Stay with me. The details are ...

I HATE, LOATHE, DESPISE shaving the dog. And truth be told, I really shouldn't be doing it. It's just when it's "that" time again, I shudder at the thought of plunking down $60 for A DOG'S HAIRCUT!! My haircuts don't cost any where near that much. (No, I don't go to Great Clips, but I have thought about it. Why do you ask?) I mean, how bad can a $12 haircut really be? Maybe I should try it, just once??? It's hair, right? It will grow eventually. Okay, maybe not. Ahhhh, but I digress..... You know it's going to be a bad day for BOTH of us when it's dog-shaving day. He whines, squirms and is generally uncooperative. I on the other hand, whine, squirm while covered in itchy dog hair, and well.... whine some more. And when it is FINALLY over, the dog and I aren't on speaking terms for at least a week. He can't believe I have shaved him bald. I feel compelled to, because, I NEVER want to EVER do it again, so my...

Mother's Day: Spoiled rotten with a new camera that I have yet to learn how to download photos to my computer. But I LOVE IT! My sweet hubby made eggs benedict for lunch, and filet mignon for dinner. My sons and daughter in law gave me precious cards that I love so much I want to buried with them. And I may frame them. THAT good. The week in review: Gianna had an oh-so-important meeting with A LOCAL Doctor for surgeries! Did I mention that HE IS LOCAL?!? And the bottom line after a ton of information is, THAT WE LOVE HIM!! We love him SO MUCH, that we actually have booked her next surgery already. November 8th. It wasn't booked for me with no chance to change it. We can easily work our life around that date, OR, change it if we need to. We have never had that option at Shriners. And because he is LOCAL , if Gianna should have a problem, or we need clarification, or we just want to schedule an office visit to discuss things, we don't have to wait 6 months and t...

My sweet friend Maegan took these awesome shots of the girls during their ballet recital. Gianna takes ballet and tap, so there are more pictures of her since she had two routines.  She had THE SWEETEST smile on her face almost the entire time.  Dancing to "The Charleston" just one week post-op from back surgery. She amazes me.  Doesn't she look like she's lovin' every minute?  Aria, normally my timid one, decided it was her time to shine. She told me she wasn't nervous, she was EXCITED.  I love to see her blossom as she grows.  She also had lots to smile about. She worked hard, and did a fabulous job! Way to go sweet girls!

It seems our special needs sweeties can dominate conversation. In real life. On my blog. Hey, when you have a wheelchair,  a g-tube  or 8 surgeries under your belt, let's face it... There is ALOT to talk about. So I thought I'd mix things up a bit and talk about my non-special needs sweet girls. First up is Sofia. With a "F" NOT a "PH" In keeping with the true Italian spelling. Because that is important when naming Chinese kids. HA! And we don't call her "Sofie" Nor will we ever. So please don't either, thankyouverymuch.  Sofia is joyful. (Unless she is crying.) Let's face it, we all like to get our way. Sofia is no exception. But those crying jags have become less and less. We are SO PROUD of her for learning to control her emotions.  Sofia LOVES to think of others. "Be careful Momma" "Don't fall Gianna" She will start folding a pile of laun...

 The flight attendant was wonderful on our flight to Philly.  She let Gianna be the junior attendant and collect the trash down the aisles and....  Say, "Thank you for flying with United. Have a nice evening." The attendant introduced Gianna, and told the whole flight she was having surgery in the morning. When we disembarked, she was a celebrity. Everyone wished her well for the surgery.  But before we got off, she was given one more surprise. She got to visit the cock pit. As my friend said, this pilot looks young. Like WAAAYYYY tooo young to be flying a plane. It may be past his bedtime even.  What a fun flight, all thanks to Katie the super-awesome attendant!  Alas, all good things come to an end. This may be the last Shriners photo for our girl. More on that later.  We have learned that a new DS game before surgery helps the pre-op jitters.  She is not worried about surgery. She has fai...

 Surgery number 8 is bright and early tomorrow morning. She and I are flying up to Philly this afternoon. She has her note and picture ready for her favorite doctor, and is nonchalant about the whole thing. Insisted on packing her bags, while mumbling, "This might not be comfortable after surgery.." to herself. Just barely six years old, and she has been around the surgery block long enough to know the drill. She isn't stressed or worried. She is EXCITED. Airplane ride, mommy and me snuggle time, and she is content. She is SWEETNESS magnified. Grace exemplified. My precious, precious brave girl. Prayers, as always, are greatly appreciated. Each surgery they use the same incision, so the skin integrity can weaken. Infection, skin splitting open,  are all complications that can happen as we get farther down the road. Also the airplane ride home is always a bit hairy. Trying to sit in a seat with people bumping your back 24 hours after surgery is not fun....