spring break

Originally the boys and I had planned on going to Texas for spring break. Well, plans changed. We were all disappointed. Brian came up with the idea to go to Mall of America for the weekend. I quickly reached out to Davis to see if he could take our dogs for the weekend. Once that was confirmed Brian booked us a hotel. We had never been. We were excited!

We left early Saturday morning. We ended up stopping at a gas station in Wisconsin and we found cheese! All kinds of cheese! 

The chocolate cheese fudge sample was surprisingly good. It was creamy and chocolatey and yummy.

We went straight to the mall and found all kinds of rides. It was awesome! 

Sunday morning we played miniature golf. Of course Brian won. There were a few holes we couldn't stop laughing. I think the people behind us were a little irritated since we were slow.

Then we did a mirror maze. In the picture below can you tell which one is the real boys? We played tag for a bit inside. It was crazy trying to find each other. I think I kept going in circles. 

I think this was the boys favorite ride, The Brain Surge. I went on it with Brian on Saturday and he spun it so fast I was sick. Probably the sickest I've felt on a ride. I didn't even attempt it on Sunday with them. I sat on a bench and relaxed. 

We had a fun filled weekend. But we knew once we got home there were tons of things to do to get the house ready to put on the market.

It's now Wednesday and we've cleaned carpet, cleaned out lights, pressure washed the front step (it was mossy looking), removed furniture out of the basement to declutter, put the trailer back in the garage, put a few large items in garage, both boys rooms are decluttered, made a trip to goodwill (it had 5 large trash bags plus ceiling fan and storage drawers), and now we're filling gaps in the wood floor in the kitchen. The list is still longer than what we've finished but it's a dent for sure. I'm really hoping by next week we can have it on the market. I'll keep you posted. 

birthday boy

Today is Brian's 49th birthday! Can you believe it? The boys were surprised to find out his age. (I try not to talk numbers too often.) I'm sure it's been a normal day. The life of an adult. But I did drop off balloons for him. He wasn't in the office but that's ok. He was still surprised. 

We had yummy Red Lobster for his birthday dinner! It was so good!! Mine was all that lobster! YUM!!

Both boys had grilled shrimp. Their favorite!

The boys bought him a new jacket since his other jackets are too big and we walk 4-5 times a week. I've always enjoyed our walks in Texas. I'm glad he's back to walking with me. 

OK so our candles are a little dorky. I never think about buying better ones so we make due. Obviously there's a 4 plus nine candles shaped in a 9. Yes...lame. But they light and blow out the same. 

Brian didn't have cake, it was more for the boys. I made a new kind. It's a mint chocolate poke cake with chocolate pudding then hot fudge then cool whip with mini chocolate chips. Everything tasted good as I was making it. ;) The boys loved it! I'll probably have a piece tomorrow. I'm still too full from dinner.

I'm so grateful for Brian. He truly is my best friend. He works hard everyday at a job he doesn't love to provide very well for us. He wants the best for us and spoils us most of the time. 

I love you Brian!! Always and forever!

boys

Saturday Mason had his last basketball game. It was probably his best game! He shot more, jumped for rebounds more, and even stole the ball a couple times. It was fun to watch him. He made 6 points and the first points were his. Kind of fun.

Saturday ended up being a very busy day. Carson auditioned for another play. We should hear back in a couple days if he gets a part. It's a murder mystery about Little Bo Peep and her sheep. 

We cleaned the chapel and I found out when we clean we go to DQ. I didn't know it was a thing but one thing is for sure, I didn't stop them. For 30 years I would get an M&M blizzard without chocolate syrup. But now I get M&M monster cookie and it's soo good! I'm loving the peanut butter lately. Shake things up every 30 years, it's a good thing. 

The boys then worked in the yard setting up an electric fence for Murray. It'll be so nice to let him stay outside and chew on leaves and branches while we come back inside. He loses his focus when he's told to go potty. Soon we can send him out. Can't wait!

We have big news... We're moving! Brian is changing companies and we're moving to Oregon. It will be such a big change. He'll start in April and the rest of us will move once the house sells. I'm hoping by July. The kids have all reacted so differently. We've told them all separate hoping to help with any anxiety. After only a day for two they've all come around and are excited. Whew! We showed the boys a few houses we've looked at online then they started looking up our current home and our old home in Texas. We all forgot what our home looked like in Texas. 

This is my current presidency. We've only been all together a few times. There's a chance this might be our last time together as well. I've truly enjoyed working with these ladies. There's Sarah M, Julia A, and Staci I. They are all so different but I have enjoyed all we've done together. I'm so grateful for social media, I just might be able to stay in touch with them once we move.

Yesterday and today I've been focused on selling items on an online yard sale site. We're hoping to downsize some before the move. The air hockey table it gone and about 5 more items I'm waiting on pick up. It's an exhausting process but a necessary one. 

a little more winter

Sunday was sunny with green grass everywhere.

Monday we woke up to snow. Luckily we didn't get was predicted. They were thinking 3-5 inches. 

Today it's about all melted. I'm so glad. Although the feels like temp is in the single digits. By Friday it should be in the 50s but rainy. We have had such a bipolar winter. We're going to Texas for spring break and I can't wait for 70s. 

These past few weeks Brian and I have been able to walk the dogs together. Last night the feels like temp was 19. I told him I'd pass. He really didn't want to walk on the treadmill so he walked by himself. He ended up running 2.8 miles!! So cool!! He didn't want to walk that long so he decided to run a little, then he decided to keep running, around the next corner, up he next hill, then finally all the way home. I was shocked when he told me. He said at some point it wasn't super hard anymore. Yay!! Maybe he'll run with me? Maybe we can run a 5K together? I know...slow down. I don't want to frighten him. But maybe...

He remembered...sort of

Yesterday, March 9th, was our 27th anniversary. Brian took the day off to spend with me. (This was a first.) We were both so excited to spend a weekday together. On his drive home from Seminary he picked up some roses for me. Aren't they beautiful?! 

We attended the temple first thing. Brian was surprised how quiet it was during the day. We did an endowment session then a few sealings. That was my favorite. Kneeling across the alter from my best friend was wonderful. 

We want to PF Changs...man it was good! With Brian on his diet we don't go out to each much. It smelled soo good. The original plan was just to eat lettuce wraps. Well...we both ordered an entree. It was soo good! BUT we didn't eat any of it all gone. We took home three boxes for three different items. 

We arrived home before the boys. I was surprised we made such good time. We decided to walk the dogs since we both over ate. Around 5 we started getting ready to go to a play. Brian took an unusually long shower and when he got out he was confused. We didn't now which towel was his. He didn't know what day it was, or that he stayed home and we spent the day together. At first I thought he was joking but I quickly realized he was really confused. I started asking him questions but he didn't know the answers. There was always a pause as he would think, then he would say, "I don't know."

I'll be honest, I didn't know what to do or who to call. We had plans and we were both looking forward to going to the play. I told Brian to get dressed and I went and made a call. I called April F., her husband is an ER dr, hoping to talk with her husband. He wasn't home so I asked her what to do. She simple said, "It's his brain, you need to take him into the ER." She was right. 

Brian kept struggling getting dressed. I had to hand him his clothes and keep reminding him to get dressed. I didn't say anything to the boys since they were expecting us to be gone all evening anyway. We headed to the ER. There was such an amazing sunset last night. I snapped a picture as we walked into the hospital. 

We walked in and I told them my husband couldn't remember anything about the day. Within a minute or two he had a wristband on and we walked back to take vitals. He was put in a wheelchair and was whisked off to do a CAT scan then back to the room where 8-10 people were waiting to draw blood, start a EKG, check his speech and reflexes, and start an IV. It was a whirlwind of duties. They quickly determined it wasn't a stroke and all but one left as she slowed down to talk to us. 

Over the next few hours I determined that he lost about 10 months of time. He didn't remember Karlee's graduation, family vacations, Goeff's accident, or Carson's play from last week. Throughout the night he started remembering bits and pieces. By 10:30 he was remembering everything except from what happened after lunch. We both were feeling better he was remembering.

It was about 10 as we headed to his room. He ended up getting another CAT scan with a dye then an MRI before he was admitted for the night. I left around 11:30 to check on the boys and try to get some sleep. I was only able to talk with McKinzie and Bailee last night. I talked with the boys at breakfast, Mason didn't go to seminary this morning. They handled the news well. I'll probably go get them to come see Dad this afternoon. I texted all our siblings for prayers and talked with Julie before I arrived back to the hospital today.

This is how I found Brian. They were about to start an EEG. He also had an ECHO on his heart before I arrived. Brian isn't in any pain, never had dizziness, and is really hanging out, taking naps, and watching TV trying to pass the time. We've seen the general dr and the neurologist. 

The Dr feels strong that Brian has transient global amnesia. Here's the definition from the Mayo Clinic. Transient global amnesia is a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that can't be attributed to a more common neurological condition, such as epilepsy or stroke.

During an episode of transient global amnesia, your recall of recent events simply vanishes, so you can't remember where you are or how you got there. In addition, you may not remember anything about what's happening in the here and now. Consequently, you may keep repeating the same questions because you don't remember the answers you've just been given. You may also draw a blank when asked to remember things that happened a day, a month or even a year ago.

With transient global amnesia, you do remember who you are, and recognize the people you know well. But that doesn't make your memory loss less disturbing.

Fortunately, transient global amnesia is rare, seemingly harmless and unlikely to happen again. Episodes are usually short-lived, and afterward your memory is fine.

This is spot on!! It describes his episode to a T! We hope this is a once in a lifetime experience. 

Blood tests also showed he was low in B12, D, and folic acid. I'm sure that's due to his diet. He'll be taking supplements for awhile.

The definition said he would repeat questions. Oh man did he ever! When we were in an exam room there was a whiteboard with the date on it. It said March 9th. Every three minutes, I don't think I'm exaggerating, Brian would notice the date and say, "It's March 9th. It's our anniversary. Happy anniversary!!" The happy anniversary sounded like Frosty when he would say happy birthday everytime the magic hat was placed on his head. I'm serious! I would smile at Brian and say yes it is our anniversary and reply happy anniversary back to him. He would then ask where we were then why. I would tell him because he forgot. He would say, "I forgot our anniversary so you brought me to the hospital? We really need to do something different next year." So for the next 2 1/2 plus hours this was our conversation mixed in with trying to find out what he remembered. At one point I asked the nurse to erase the whiteboard. It didn't slow him down. He noticed the date on his watch and then I noticed there was a clock on the wall behind me with the date. I was useless...

He needs one more test before we can go home. Another scan of his chest. Then we should be able to go home and he'll have follow up appointments with the neurlogist for sure. 

Oh the memories we will have of our 27th anniversary. I know I will never forget this. Who know's about Brian. (hehe Is it too early to joke?)

 

An amazing cast!

Carson did a wonderful job! The entire cast did great! Probably the best cast he's worked with. Everyone knew their lines and projected very well.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum have their own handshake too!

 It was so fun to see CJ and Isaac together again. This is their second play where they are partners.

The crazy part of today is that CJ was on meds to get through the day. He started feeling awful after lunch yesterday and he didn't sleep too well last night. I gave him Advil, Sudafed, and cough drops to get through the play. It worked and now he's resting in the basement. Tomorrow might be the same but we're determined to make it through.

Awesome job CJ!! We are very proud of you!!

no school

No school for us today! Which was awesome! Mason had another appointment for his heart. Nothing serious but the Dr. gave us some options for us to think about. We'll let you know once we decide. Somehow I've programmed my kids that they get a treat after an appointment. Not a bad thing mind you. Mason decided to eat his donut from the paper bag. I guess he didn't want to get his hands sticky. 

Carson had earned a free meal from B Dubs from his AT math teacher and Mason wanted nothing to do with that place so two of us went out to lunch. It was nice. Carson really enjoyed the opportunity to watch TV while eating. 

He's been all stuffed up since last night. After lunch he went downhill. He slept most of the afternoon away. So much so I didn't wake him for the annual fiddle fest with our district. Carson was very disappointed not to be going. I told him he had to make a choice. A smart choice. Tomorrow is his play and we both decided that his play should be his priority. Many people are depending on him for two performances tomorrow and one on Sunday. He decided to miss tonight so he could rest better for tomorrow. I hope he feels better in the morning.

I don't think I've ever received a care package as an adult. McKinzie sent us some cookies! She ended up making four or five different kinds in one day. She also sent packages to Bailee and Karlee. I'm so glad she shared.

bits and pieces

Well...I'm still washing dishes by hand. It's been two weeks and the tech from Sears never relayed the information to LG about it being a manufacture defect. So now another tech needs to come out to verify it's true. I'm trying to be patient. It's hard.

Have I ever mentioned I love my view?! Everyday I love looking out my kitchen window. 

Brian has started making a mat for the homeless out of plastic bags. It's so cool! He learned about it online and I've been hoarding bags for months and months and he just run out. He did't get very far. I guess that means I need to go shopping more. (haha) He didn't think that that comment was very funny either. 

On my drive home on Dean. It was nice seeing blue sky.  It's been dreary here. 

It's her first day of soccer!! Isn't she the cutest?! McKinzie said she was very nervous to go to her first practice. Once her mom told her the coach was a friend of Daddy's, Brett P., then that was it. She was fine and no more nerves. I wish we lived closer to see her in a game. She's normally very feisty. I'm not sure it'll happen on the soccer fields. 

Thursday morning we woke up to a dusting of snow. It was very pretty but I was glad it was gone by mid morning. We're back to typical Chicago weather...cold. I'm hoping it won't last long. I'm really ready for spring.

These two enjoy the warm sun as well.

Stella isn't doing very well this week. Tuesday she ran 3 miles with me. Wednesday she was whimpering and didn't move much. She seems to be doing better but she doesn't go downstairs with me and she still whimpers at times. Maybe she's feeling her age. She'll be 10 in July. I guess no more runs with me. Only walks with Brian. 

Did you catch that?! I'm back to running this week! I didn't run for almost 3 weeks. (20 days to be exact.) That cold/flu really took it out of me. I ran Tuesday and Wednesday and then walked Thursday morning because my legs were so sore. I was surprised with how sore I became and how slow too. I was at a 9 minute mile. When I ran Tuesday it was almost a 10:30 mile. I was training for a half for April. I've decided to not push myself and possibly cause an injury and not run the half. Now I need to find another half for possibly May or June. I still want to do one.