Weekend - Sunday only

and a busy Sunday!

Cora was back at dance bright and early Sunday morning...  the Juniors are hitting things super hard...  feeling a little behind with the competition dances, so Sunday was a hard day.  She was at dance from 9 til about 2.  

Meanwhile at home, Kayson went and shot at Farm Club... then got home and Ryan and him mowed the lawn one last time for the year and just got things cleaned up.  I did a bunch of stuff around the house - cleaned, re arranged, laundry, and just seemed to be non stop.  

Sunday late afternoon was the start of Beggar's Night!  I had talked Kayson into having some friends over for Beggar's Night a couple months ago... and he went for it.  All the boys dressed as blow up dinosaurs, and I tell you what - it was the funniest thing ever.  I had such a good time watching and listening to those kids... they are good kids, and that makes me happy. 

Cora was dressed as a green M&M and met up with her dance friend, CiCi, who, too was an M&M (purple!)  They had a good time trick or treating in another neighborhood... was thankful that CiCi's mom was in charge of them!  

It was a nice day and evening...  I was thankful to see the smiles again on my kids' faces.  I feel like there's been a lot lately and a lot of worrying on my end, so it was nice.  I still worry about Kayson (and sis too), but Kayson is just had a tough age, and I just hate seeing him so hot and cold with me.  I just continue to pray that he will realize that I'm here for the good and here to be his Mom through everything. 

Weekend - Saturday only

We had a busy weekend actually...  busy with just stuff. 

Saturday - Ryan, Kayson and Matt headed over to Iowa City in the morning...  what a beautiful day for a game.  and this was Matt's first time at an Iowa game, so that was nice. 

While the boys were at the game...  I always like to keep Cora busy with something to do.  So, her and I, along with her little friend, Brooklyn went to the pumpkin patch near by.  Again, probably the most perfect day for it.  We had such a nice time... and I think it was good for Cora to get out and not think about her arm and be with a friend. Brooklyn is a very nice girl. 

It was a fun three hours or so!  Once we got home, we just relaxed that night... we were pooped!  The boys got home about 8:00, so we all just relaxed!

Cast removal!

Friday afternoon, Cora finally got her cast off!!!  Now, it's been a long 6 plus weeks...  it went fast, but also was long...  with lots of emotions, anticipations, questions, worries and also - getting comfortable with that cast!!  So when you get comfortable with something, and you've had that 'protection' or 'security blanket' for a long time, it's going to mess with your head and you will be nervous to remove that protection.  Well that was definitely the case for Cora.  
Friday - all day - she was so quiet and nervous.  I felt so bad for her...  plus it was a no school day, and she literally just paced around all day.  

Finally around 3:00 was the appointment.  Once the cast was removed, she cried and cried, like hard.  It hurt my heart.  She was scared her arm would look bad, she was scared to move it, etc.  It was so hard to see her like that. 

We talked quickly with the doctor, and we were on our way.  She luckily had dance to go to, to kind of get her mind off of it...  she wore her sling just because she was so upset.  

Her arm/elbow area is so sore - very tight.  Those muscles haven't moved in a long time... so she is having a hard time straightening her arm, and just moving it in general.  I never thought it would be this hard.  Each day has gotten a little better, but she's still so hesitant.  So...  each day, we do some exercises and hope one day she wakes up and she's just all better!  ha. 

Kayson - Passing out :(

This morning, I got a phone call from the school nurse saying that Kayson passed out in class. I rushed there to pick him up...  

Story - he was standing with a group of kids for class (working on something), he said that he started to not feel well, like his stomach hurt.  He went to the teacher to ask for a pass to the nurse, and he doesn't remember anything after that.  He passed out.  He unfortunately hit his head/eyebrow on something... unsure if it was a desk, wall, floor...  but he's got a red bump.  

His blood pressure was low... which is normal...  and he was pale/gray according to the nurse.  He went through the sweating/hot stage, to being cold.  He had his color back when I arrived at school. 

When we got home, he just chilled...  seemed ok.  I was hovering over him... and he gave me no indication that something worse was wrong or anything else was going to happen.  He wasn't hungry...  just tired.  So Kayson rested for a while. 

The rest of the day went on...  he was ok...  not too talkative, but a little sassy.  So I'm guessing he's ok.  ha. 

I did call the doctor, and talked to my sister...  both said, he didn't need to be seen, unless this happens again.  They both gave me the impression that this is common unfortunately... so we just need to keep on top of things and make sure he's eating ok and drinking.  (so easy to do with a teen right?!?!?)

Kayson 8th grade Fall Conferences

Well, as Kayson grows up... he definitely is against having parent/teacher conferences.  It's funny... he gets pretty worked up about having them and continues to give me a hard time for setting these up.  Yes, I know that I can just email those main teachers and get the scoop, but honestly, talking to them in person (or over video) AND have Kayson involved, is much better for me as a parent.  

Social Studies - Ms. Battles-Brown:  She was very kind, and explained that Kayson is doing just fine.  She said he's a good student, but needs to give a little more if he wants to push that grade up to an A.  She said that he just gives 'just enough'...  which I get.  So hopefully he will push a little harder on some things, and get that grade to an A.  

Science - Mr. Overmann: A very quick meeting - probably a total of 2 minutes, and I'm not exaggerating!!  Mr. Overmann got right to the point - he's a great kid, good student, good behavior.  All good.  He said that he participates well.  No concerns.  Again, thrilled.

Math/Algebra - Mr. Lansick:  Another quick meeting with his math teacher (and also his Advisory teacher). Mr. Lansick said something very similar to what was done in Social Studies - just needs to give a little more.  Kayson also needs to slow down and review his work before finishing.  Fair enough.  No big concerns.  

Health - Ms. Graber: Again, another nice teacher, nice meeting.  Ms. Graber had no worries about Kayson, and his grade right now is an A.  I would hope so in Health!  

So... overall, things are going well. I did talk with the English teacher and FCS teacher through email about two weeks ago.  Those two teachers were pleased with Kayson as well.  He's a good kid...  just a teenager that's hard to navigate at home. 

Weekend

We had a pretty chill weekend which was nice...  baseball is done, and dance just takes up Cora's time!

Saturday was an ok day.  Ryan headed to Grandma Janis' farm - helping Mike, Todd and Scott paint a few old buildings.  It was as free Saturday, and a nice day - so I told him to go.  Those guys worked hard!  

Cora got to spend some time with Hope and Aylah, so she was so happy.  Hope first took Cora to get her nails done, so sweet.  Then they went out to their house and played with Aylah.  Again, so sweet. 

I did a few errands, ran to the mall and looked around.  I tried to get Kayson to come with me, but he had no interest.  He went fishing a little with the neighbor...  then just came home and sat.  I was pretty disappointed in him...  Just all normal teen stuff, but he's just really being selfish lately and pretty disrespectful to me.  It hurts.  

I went out to Hope's a little later to see Aylah and hang for a bit, that was nice. 

Saturday night, the kids and I went out to Adams'.  Ian recently broke his collarbone , so he's been a little down... we just ordered some food and hung out.  Ryan ended up meeting us there, so that was nice too, but he was pooped. 

And Sunday was a long dance day for sis - 9:00 - 1:45, then again from 5 to 6:15!  She was so tired!!!

The rest of us did a few errands, and then just hung out at home.  Ryan rested a lot... so that was boring!  It was a quiet afternoon...  

Hard cast #4 (Last one!!)

Cora is a pro now at getting casts!!  

Today was her last cast -- #4!!  I still can't believe we've went through all of this and she's just been so darn brave...  still emotional, and a little mad, but so brave. 

She went with blue this time...  practically all the colors of the rainbow. 

The plan is for this to be on for two weeks... removal of October 28.  More to come!

Teen stuff... so difficult to navigate

Kayson is officially a teen...  nearing 14 years old, and it is showing.  I'm only writing this stuff down to keep track of things and my Momma thoughts.  I'm guessing I won't forget really how I have felt through all of this, but felt I needed to write it down.  That's good for the soul, right?

Kayson is a good kid, which we are very thankful for.  He has good friends (who have good parents), he likes to do normal kid stuff - sports, fishing, video games, and be on his phone the remaining time!  All normal, and all ok.  I don't feel like we have to worry about drugs or getting in trouble at school, or causing issues with friends, or even being peer pressured.  So I know we are lucky, and I thank God for that every day. 

The part of having a teen that's the hardest is - the lack of communication.  Again, all normal, but I don't have to like it.  Kayson spends a lot of time with friends... or on his phone...  limiting the time he spends with us.  This weekend (Saturday afternoon) - he was with his buddy all day/spent the night too...  which is great...  Sunday he was pretty much 'busy' all day - fishing, hanging with neighbors, etc.  Again, it's ok, but sometimes it triggers this Momma heart to be sad.  And Sunday I was sad.  I cried and cried... even explained to him that I wish he would spend more time with me.  His response was "I want to spend time with my friends."  Talk about a dagger to the heart.  

In addition, we got his grades for school...  not terrible, but he can do better.  We know that, he knows that.  He's just got to make it a priority.  Everything kind of domino-ed... as he went to bed, Ryan kind of 'chatted' with him, but him and Ryan butt heads.  Ryan is definitely not 'soft' with Kayson, which I don't expect him to be...  but again, navigating Kayson and teen life is hard... and not exactly sure what's the best way to talk with him.  

I then talked with Kayson and just explained that we love him so much and we just want to spend time with him.  We need him to be responsible and work hard at school.  We need him to talk with us. We just need him.  And of course, we cried and cried.  Kayson did not say much at all...  just tears fell and he looked at him.  That's the hardest part - he doesn't talk much, and I just want to know what he's thinking.  Maybe his thinking "you are so annoying Mom!!"  I don't know.  

Anyway...  just a little 'baby book' note to remember how life was in 2022!!  We love that boy so much and know he has so much potential!!  

I'm sure more to come on that kid. 

Alzheimer's Walk 2022

We all joined up in Fort Dodge Saturday morning to honor Mom and attempt to raise money and find a cure for this terrible disease.  It was a brisk morning, but we had a good time... a good 2 mile walk and lots of giggling and visiting.  It was a great hour or so. 

I love these people so much.