2011 Summer Memories

Wow!  As there are two weeks left of Summer 2011, I am realizing that a lot has happened in such a short amount of time.  It has definitely been an exhilarating ride!  It's had it's ups, and it's had it's downs.  To prove my point, follow along as I flashback.

When school let out the second week of June, the kids and I couldn't have been happier!  We were so ready for a break and in just a few days it was going to be Carter's 7th birthday.  Carter celebrated his birthday at home on his actual day because it was our 9th anniversary as well.  We just enjoyed being at home (with nothing that we HAD to do), enjoyed just spending family time together.

That Friday night, we had Matt's parents over for dinner.  While we were playing a board game in the kitchen, the kids were playing in the living room - just being kids!  Carter was doing his normal running across the living room and jumping on the couch to sit down.  However, this night it was a little different!  His left hand hit the couch and pushed his pinky out to the sit, thus breaking it.  We took him to the ER where they confirmed the break, set it, splint it, and told us to go see an orthopedic specialist the next Thursday to see if it would require a hard cast or surgery because the break was at the growth plate. This was not the plan of how we wanted to spend our summer, but God showed He had other plans.

 (The broken pinky)

 (Right after having his pinky "set" and wrapped in the splint)

(The x-ray of the break - hard to see the break from the pic)

We finally were able to get home in the middle of the night and rest for a few hours.  Then, we had to get up to get ready for Carter's birthday party at the skating rink.  Of course, since he broke his pinky, he was not allowed to skate - he could only play games.  He was a little disappointed (and was still hurting), but the Loritab he was on for pain helped to ease everything.  I still think he had a great party!  He had many friends and family there that helped to make it very special!

 (Daddy trying to help Carter have fun at his party!)

 (Giving the thumbs up that he was happy and having fun!)

Luckily, my boss (at the time) and his wife went to church with us.  She works at an orthopedic specialist's office.  When we saw them at church that Sunday, we were able to get Carter straight in to see the doctor on Monday.  This was truly a God thing, because when we got into his office on Monday morning, they took off his splint and found that Carter's index finger was pushed under his middle finger.  Not only was this a concern, but the splint had been on too tightly and was putting too much pressure on his index finger cutting off circulation since the past Friday night (3 days)!  We were terrified because it looked as if he was going to lose his finger!  Carter was in instant relief, however, and he was happy to have it off.

(This shows the damage from the circulation being cut off and how sunk in his skin was. This pic is directly after the splint came off in the orthopedic specialist's office. Come to find out it's what they call a pressure wound.)

 (One of the bad days of his pressure wound!)

This was the beginning of a long drawn out ordeal with Carter's injury.  Those of you who are close to us know the situation.  Others...well, here's the basics:  Circulation was cut off in that index finger.  The broken pinky was no longer a major concern.  Within two days, an infection set into Carter's finger and hand, so we took him to Children's Hospital in Little Rock. We started antibiotics, continued our weekly followups with the orthopedic specialist, and started therapy.  After three weeks of therapy and a month and a half after the injury, today Carter finished therapy.  He still doesn't have full strength back in his left hand, but the therapist is hopeful that it will return.  We go back to his orthopedic specialist on Monday.  (I still don't think we're completely finished with doctor visits for a while, but we'll see!)


In the process of everything going on with Carter's injury, God was closing and opening more doors for my family.  The week after Carter's injury, I was called for an interview with another local school district.  I had been very unhappy for a while at my current position and felt I needed a change - something to make me excited about teaching again!  However, I told Matt that God would definitely have to give me a sign that this new school district was where he wanted me.  And, oh my goodness, did God ever show me!  The job was the exact position I had always wanted to have, less stress, no TAKS pressure, etc.  After thoroughly debating the decision (because I hated leaving my drill team girls at my current school), I finally decided that this was a chance I couldn't pass up.  If I was going to be happier with this job, then it would make it better for my whole family.  I could be a "fun" mom and wife again instead of just someone who was working day and night stressed.  Within a month after taking the new job, I was able to move into my new classroom and start preparing this past weekend.  I'm super excited and know that God has great things in store for me and my family.

 (View of the front of my classroom)

 (My AWESOME desk!)

(Another view of the classroom)

One great thing that did come out of this summer, was our vacation!  It wasn't anything super extravagant (no Disney or anything super expensive), but it was great for us.  The kids had a ball and we spent a lot of valuable family time together which is all that matters anyways.

We went to Ft. Worth to the zoo on our first day.  The kids loved seeing the animals even though it was 107 degrees outside!

Then on the second day, we met up with our good friends, the Beerley's, at Grapevine Mills Mall.  There, we took all four of our kids to LegoLand.  I think this was our kids' favorite time of vacation.  They especially loved playing with their friends, and Matt and I were just as excited to see our friends!  Ha!  We feel truly blessed to have them in our lives.  Matt and I have never had such great friends who we feel completely close to and that we have so much in common with.  Again, it was all a part of God's plan!

 (Carter and his buddy, Andrew)

(Landry with sweet Anna)

Our third day of vacation began with Carter's eye appointment (which went perfectly), and it ended with us going to the Science Museum and driving back home.  Overall, the kids had a blast and said it was their favorite vacation ever!

(All three of my babies as we left to head home from vacation!)

Other great things that happened this summer were going to the Texas Rangers game against the Orioles on July 4th, and the kids making it on TV with the "Will Trade Parents for Season Tickets" sign.

 (Aren't they too cute?)

Then, after months of having a loose tooth, Carter lost his first tooth.  And, within a week of losing the first one, he lost his second one.  Now we just call him "Snaggle-Tooth," which he hates!  

 (Lost his first tooth!)

(Lost his second tooth!  You can see the permanent tooth already coming up from the first tooth he lost!)

Although this summer has pretty much come and gone, we had many memorable events.  I definitely believe God has shown us a lot just in this summer, and I'm exciting about the new chapter of life He's opening for our family.  I can't think of any way better to describe our summer except with some of the lyrics from the song that inspired the title of my blog:

The struggles makes me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has its own way of taking' its sweet time

No, life ain't always beautiful
But I know I'll be fine
Hey, life ain't always beautiful
But its a beautiful ride!

Love you all!

Crystal