This week has been one of the busiest weeks work-wise that I’ve had in a long time.
I’m transitioning out of one of my freelance roles so I’ve spent the week trying to get all of my loose ends tied up. On top of that I have a small surgery next week so I’m trying to get all of next week’s work done in addition to this week’s work.
Doing all of this has made me super-productive. Maybe that’s a sign that I should be adding some projects to my list 🙂
Anyway, I didn’t have enough brainpower left to write a post on anything else than my life.
Here’s what’s been going on the past few weeks.
School
School for us started in early August. This is Kailyn’s fourth week of first grade and Ava’s third week of Kindergarten.
For the last year I’ve been stressing over Ava going to Kindergarten. She is so Mommy-attached that I thought I’d be in class with her all day.
The first day of school ended up being super hard – at first. When I took her to class she didn’t want me to leave. Every time I tried to leave she would stand up and hug my leg. After about 15 min. I finally snuck away.
When I went to pick her up from school she was ecstatic. After asking how her day went she exclaimed “It was the best!”
So she likes school but small problems have been popping up. She won’t drink anything at school – like nothing. I pack her lunch every day and she won’t drink her juice box. She’s also been super shy and struggled to make friends the first two weeks.
It seems like she’s turned the corner this week though and keeps talking about the friends she played with at recess.
She actually really enjoys school and is always excited to go so I think I need to stop sweating the small stuff.
Kailyn on the other hand doesn’t have any of the shyness issues. She’s confident, independent, and outgoing and isn’t afraid to ask for help or permission to do something.
She also walks Ava to class everyday which makes me feel better!
Sports
Besides school I’ve been letting the girls try different sports.
They did T-Ball over the summer which just wrapped up. This week they have cheerleading camp and will be cheering at a High School football game tonight. I’m super excited to watch.
They are both loving cheerleading!
I don’t ever want to force my girls to do activities they don’t enjoy so I’ve been giving them the option to try different things out so they can each find their favorites.
For instance, they both passed on soccer. Kailyn enjoyed T-Ball much more than Ava did and they’re both loving cheerleading.
We’ll figure it all out as we go.
Surgery
The one thing that has really been on my mind lately, is surgery. Well, I don’t know that you’d even consider it surgery – it’s an outpatient procedure.
In early April I had a Pap test that came back abnormal. In July I had to have a biopsy done and the doctor found four spots on my cervix. I just found out a few weeks ago that one of those came back as severe pre-cancer.
I have to get it cut out on Tuesday.
The thing is, I’ve went through all this before. I had the exact same thing happen eight years ago. After they found the pre-cancer they required me to get Paps every three months for a year, then every six months for a year, and then I went down to one a year.
I’ve not had a Pap done in two years until April.
How unbelievably dumb is that? Who knows how long this has been sitting in my cervix?
The good news is that it takes years for the pre-cancer to turn into real cancer. My doctor assures me that I’ll be just fine once they remove the spot.
{A picture of me and Ava. Illustrated by Ava. Every picture she draws is of me and her, which I love!}
Anyway, I expect to be offline for at least Tuesday and Wednesday. (I remember not feeling well for two days last time. Since I’m a little older now I fear I might be down for longer than I think.)
So, that’s why I’ve worked ahead this week. I have blog posts scheduled ahead for next week as well. But if I don’t answer your comments or emails you know why.
I’ll be just fine. I’m just beating myself up for waiting two years to get tested. Don’t do that, please. Get your yearly exams every year!!!
Animals
Other noteworthy news – we’ve went from one animal to nine to since we’ve been in this house. And we haven’t been here too long! My mini farm is coming along quite nicely. 🙂
We now have my baby Martin – the rat terrier, Jamie’s new coonhound – Chief, Kailyn and Ava’s new rabbits – Hoppers and Buster, and the five cats that were left here when we moved in.
As far as the cats goes the only one who’s tame is the Momma (named milky.) We named all of the kittens too, but my goodness, those things are wild as can be and are downright mean. You can’t touch them. They’ve made themselves a home in the dilapidated shed that is right beside the dog kennels.
Now all nine animals live among each other in that little corner!
I don’t know what we’re going to do about the cat problem. I guess for now they’re keeping the rodent population under control.
Well, kind of. There’s a flying squirrel in the attic. (And the attic is finished so this isn’t good at all.) We called a guy who traps pests and he no-showed on us and then wouldn’t answer our phone calls.
Now my brother is attempting to catch the thing!
What’s been going on in your life the past few weeks?
wow you have a mini farm:P, for surgery I’m sure everything will go well…for work well being busy make us super productive…for your girls don’t worry shyness will pass with time:P I noticed during my year as nanny, little girl shy at the beginning now superfriendly:P
I hope the shyness passes. I was really shy in elementary – well probably all the way up to about 10th grade. I don’t want my girls to be that way 🙁 At least Kailyn isn’t a bit shy.
Ava will be ok! I’m wondering why she won’t drink?? I love the animal minagerie. My favorites are the bunnies. Take care of yourself!
My theory that she doesn’t drink is because she doesn’t want to ask the teacher if she can use the bathroom. If she doesn’t drink anything she won’t have to pee! They’ve even have had cheerleading practice for two hours after school everyday this week so I’ve been sending her an extra juice box for her snack before cheerleading – she won’t drink that either!! Then as soon as she gets in the car she’s digging in her lunchbox because she’s dying of thirst.
It’s like the weirdest, most frustrating thing lol
It’s great that you’re getting your girls involved with some sports and activities. School has been going great for my little one so far, I pack his lunch each day and he’s obsessed with drinks so he always drinks his juice of milk, but I have to worry about him handing off his food to his friends. I actually had the same procedure done at the end of June. I waited about a year and a half to get tested so that’s no good. I’m a worrier so I was freaking out about the surgery but thankful that is was caught ahead of time. I went to sleep for the procedure and I was down for about an hour so it wasn’t that bad at all and recovery was quick and easy. I’m sure everything will be fine.
I’m glad that school has been going great for your son 🙂 Ava really likes school I just hope she comes out of the shyness. When I took her to Kindergarten registration she wouldn’t talk to anyone or answer the test questions. They had to mark on her paper “shy”
Why do we wait so long to get our tests? I’m hoping the surgery is no big deal again. I actually don’t remember it being painful at all last time. It was more like an emotional thing. I was 21 the first time I had it and I just worried so much – how do I get severe pre-cancer at 21? And now it’s back again, eight years later.
I’m not going to have much of a cervix left! I’m super happy that everything went well with your surgery.
My son started school this week and this mama was so nervous. He doesn’t eat his lunch so that had me worried. He seem to love it just to anxious to ear I guess. Let see how next week will turn out. I love how your older girl is walking Ava to her class. Such a great sister. Will be sending positive vibes your way next week. You will be fine! 🙂
Yeah Ava ate her lunch the first day of school but everyday after for that first week all she would eat is a yogurt and gummies! Now she’s eating much better, just not drinking. Hopefully your son will start eating more at lunch too. My kids are SOO hungry when they get home.
School is back in here as well. We are finishing up the second week. In addition to the three I already have in school, my oldest nephew is living with us also which adds an addition 20 minute commute and he plays football which keeps me out later then usual.
Trying to figure out a balance is exhausting and has resulted in me utilizing my weekends to organize my week. So I’m not enjoying much of it. I am looking forward to the extra day this weekend however!
Good luck with the surgery!
Yes – I do the same! Every Sunday I try to prepare for the week. Just getting my house super clean, all the laundry done, school lunch stuff separated out it makes a HUGE difference.
I’m glad that cheerleading is only one week. Because even though I do want my girls to be able to try activities, spending an extra 2 hours per day on extra curricular gets old really, really fast!
Have fun on your three day weekend 🙂
My girls are actually out of school the entire next week due to the county fair. (All the schools in the area don’t have any school the entire fair week – it’s pretty awesome.) I’m looking forward to sleeping in a couple days.
I am so glad you are taking care of yourself. Whew, those moments can be scary, but being on top of it makes a huge difference.
As for the school thing, I have a shy momma’s girl, too. She’s now in 4th grade. Every year has become easier and this is the first truly relaxed beginning to a school year. Mine used to refuse to eat because she didn’t like how loud the cafeteria was. She would eat a little bit, but she was starving most of the day. I’m sure that just made things worse for her. I had to start loading her up on breakfast foods and have her finish her lunch as soon as she got in the car after school. We started setting some goals and talking about what to eat first. She learned that her sandwich would make her feel the best so she ate that first. Now she eats everything I send and still complains of being hungry. I don’t know where the skinny child puts all of this food! It sounds like your daughter is doing very well adjusting to school. I bet she’ll be a pro in no time.
I’m glad to hear that you have a relaxed school year this time 🙂 Ava also does the same thing with food. She’s getting better but in the beginning she would only eat her Yogurt and Gushers! (And she refuses to try the school lunch even though I know there are plenty of things she would like.) I’ve been trying to feed both girls a good breakfast before school but Ava has now been refusing to eat breakfast half of the mornings.
She’s super strong willed and stubborn at home and super shy at school. I can’t win lol
Oh my gosh, you have been busy! Good luck on your surgery – I had some of the same things as you with the abnormal Pap, but luckily (so far) I haven’t had to go in for surgery. Wishing you a speedy and easy recovery! 🙂 Also, your girls and your pet menagerie are adorable! 🙂
Thank you, Melissa. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I think it’s just harder mentally and emotionally than it is physically. I’ll be glad to have it over with.
Wow, sounds like you have been super productive. That’s great! Enjoy your down time next week. Best wishes for a safe procedure and speedy recovery.
For us, school starts on Tuesday. I am not looking forward to it. My youngest hates school and lets everyone know about it every day. Kids sure do give us a lot of stuff to worry about!
Please video your brother trying to catch the flying squirrel I can’t even begin to picture this!
~ C
I hope your son ends up liking school better this year.
I probably will video tape my brother trying to catch the flying squirrel. Although, I’m not sure the end product will be family-friendly enough to post on here, knowing him lol
I actually recorded Jamie trying to catch a bat in the basement a couple years ago. I thought the girls would want to see it. It’s a pretty darn funny video but he and I were both freaking out so much that the language got a little kid-inappropriate.
I still watch the bat video all time though. It’s a classic 🙂
Beep. Beep. BEEEEEEP !!!
Praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!!!
Thank you Lisa!
Hi Alexa,
Just wanted to let you know that I said a prayer for you at church today 🙂 Praying you’ll have peace in your mind and heart and a successful surgery. Also, you better get your girls in 4H so they can show all those animals at the county fair…..especially the flying squirrel..Lol!
Thank you so much Carrie. It’s definitely appreciated!
I do plan on putting my girls in 4H 🙂 It will probably be next year. We’ve got it narrowed down to either chickens, lop eared rabbits, or goats. (I’m hoping they want the goats…lol) Their current rabbits are a test in responsibility. They both beg for animals so we’ll see how well each of them can take care of their current rabbits before getting anything else.
It is always good to choose the kind of sports your girls like because that’s what they enjoy, they’re likely to do well. Yes, school has started for a lot of people. It reminds me of my school years. 🙂
Cheers and take care, Alexa.
Thanks Sam!
School doesn’t start for our kids until next week, Sept. 8. I can’t wait to get back into routine and have some alone time to write. Here in Canada the government decided yearly pap tests weren’t necessary and now we can only have them every 3 years, unless there is a problem. That makes me nervous. But these are the same people who put taxes on tampons and pads, as if they were a luxury item and not a necessity. Hope you pamper yourself after the surgery. We will all patiently wait for your blogs when you are feeling better.
Yeah I hear you on the routine. I feel like our routine (as far as my working hours) is pretty solid right now that school is back in session. (Although they are both off the entire week due to the county fair.)
I cannot believe that you’re only allowed to get Paps every three years. My doctors preach “catch it early and there’s nothing to worry about” I guess on the bright side it does take years for cervical precancer to turn into cancer. I just figured it would be something the government would want to be super proactive about. I would think the benefits of having yearly Paps would outweigh the costs.
And taxing tampons? That’s crazy.
Hope your surgery goes okay. prayers and well wishes for you. I have to go in and get checked for breast cancer this week too actually. 🙂
Thank you. And prayers sent your way! I hope everything checks out okay.
Wow, you have had a lot going on! Rest easy and take care of yourself