Snow Day!

Today was declared a snow day and Isaiah doesn't have school! He doesn't even know it yet because he still resting his sweet little head. I say sweet because, well one he is sweet, and two I am having a nice peaceful morning in my office watching the snow fall doing various things. As Daniel was leaving for work around 5:45am I stirred and decided to say good-bye to him (something I don't get to do too often). He went outside and came back in and said it was snowing. I decided I should get up and check the Internet to see if Isaiah's school was cancelled then so I could go back to sleep if he didn't. I checked and he didn't. Yes! I love no school days. Well I went to go rest my pretty little head all ready for a cozy sleeping morning and guess what? I couldn't sleep! I decided to get up and do all those things I like to do without noise; reading, writing, blogging, thinking:) It has been a great morning. Now that I have done all those things I look forward to Isaiah waking up and seeing his excitement at the snow and his even more excitement that he has a FREE day. Although it's never a free day around here lately. With my gimp of a left leg he will have chores to do. All the things I have been waiting to get done that involve carrying things or pushing things (laundry and vacuuming), might just get done today:) Don't worry sisters who think I am so hard on Isaiah. He will get plenty of play time in first:) Hopefully I can post some pictures later. My computer was taken away along with my job (bitterness was implied here), so I am operating from Daniel's laptop. I can download pictures onto his laptop but I haven't decided if I want to mess with that yet. We'll see.

One other little story I wanted to share from yesterday. We were getting ready for school, and I say we because I seem to do a lot of the getting ready part. Anyway I saw a shadow walk past our front window. If any of you know me, you know that I scare easily. My heart jumped into my chest knowing that Daniel did not lock the front door when he left (something we discuss quite often). Being the wimp that I am I snuck over to the door to lock it only to see a little boy staring in at me through the window. I didn't recognize him so I called Isaiah over and told him a kid was at the door for him. He came and told me it was Gabe. I know Gabe. Apparently Gabe walks down from where his bus is supposed to pick him up so he can wait and ride with Isaiah every morning. I guess Gabe must have arrived early so he decided to walk down to our house to get Isaiah. I invited him in to wait while Isaiah was finishing brushing his teeth. He came in and looked around for a bit while he waited for Isaiah. As they were leaving Gave looked at me and said, "You have a really beautiful home." I told him thank you and sent them down to the bus stop. After they left I sat down and looked around pondering his comment. I have never viewed my home as a beautiful home. I do my best to keep it clean and tidy but I often find myself complaining about how old everything is and how brown everything is. This little boy completely humbled me. I have seen the outside of his house and it doesn't look much different form ours. It makes me wonder what it was that caused him to think our house was beautiful. Was it just the fact that it was clean and warm, or does this kid just have a knack for interior decorating? When I was younger I thought about being a mom A LOT. One of the things that I knew I wanted was for my kids' friends to feel comfortable in my home and I wanted my home to be the place they wanted to be. I figured if I could create that kind of an environment; one, my kids would be happy, and two, I could keep a close eye on them as they played with their friends:)

I don't know really know why I shared that story other than it has been on my mind since yesterday. It really caused me to reflect on all the things that I have been blessed with and that I really don't have a lot of room to complain. It's also caused me to think about what I can do to help others who are not in the same situation as I am. Isaiah has a lot of friends that I know could use a little more love and attention. I do try to make them feel welcomed and special when they are at our house but I'm always wondering if there is more that I can do.

Slight Set Back

Many people near me already know by now that I ruptured my Achilles tendon. I have had so much help and support from friends and family. I feel so blessed. I have told the story of how it happened almost too many times, but I'm gonna go it again:) About a month ago I was playing basketball at the OSU gym. I was trying out to get on a competitive team for the intramural league. Daniel was at the gym with me working out elsewhere. He came to the gym and I told him just one more game so he continued to work out. After that one more game Daniel wasn't back so I decided to play one more. Basically I was just transitioning from defense to offense. I turned and heard a loud "pop" and felt some pain in my heel area. It didn't hurt crazy bad so I thought that someone had just kicked me in the heel or someone had thrown something at me from the track above. It took me a few seconds to realize that I had done something to my Achilles tendon. The only reason I knew that for sure was it had happened to a family friend just weeks before and I had heard his story. I went to the on call doctor and squeezed both of my calves. It's called the Thompson Test. Basically the injured heel will not react when the calf is squeezed and that is an indication that the tendon is ruptured. He wrapped up my ankle, referred me to an Orthopedic, prescribed me pain medication, and told me to ice it until I saw the Ortho. Luckily I was able to get into the Ortho three days later. He verified that it was a complete rupture, about 3cm apart. He gave me several options and I chose surgery to repair it. Again luckily I was able to get in for surgery two days after that appointment. I am a major wimp when it comes to blood, needles, or the thought of someone cutting into me so I was very relieved I was going to get the surgery part out of the way. The surgery was an outpatient procedure, meaning I would leave that day. Daniel came with me to get me all checked in. He tends to use humor to ease tension. When I am nervous about things I just need it to be quiet. I knew he had meetings to go to and was planning on missing but it really was a waiting game once we got checked in. The surgeon was an hour and a half behind. Once the nurse put the IV in I politely told Daniel that I would be okay if he just went back to work and the surgeon would call him once I was in the recovery room. I think he was relieved. The anesthesiologist came in and let me know what he was going to be doing to put me out. He had to perform a nerve block and I had to be awake for that because if I started to hear ringing in my ears that meant he had hit something he should not have. He did give me something to calm me as they wheeled me into the waiting room but that never really kicked in for me. The nerve block was HORRIBLE. It felt like someone was grinding a rock into the back of my leg right into my nerve. He had to administer 30ccs of the medicine and it seemed like it was taking eternity. I felt like the biggest baby as I was squirming and clenching my pillow. Next thing I remember was a mask being put over my face and then lights out. I woke up in the recovery area wishing to go back to sleep. My leg was throbbing. My first thought was, "I am going to be so mad if that nerve block didn't work after all that pain." I told the anesthesiologist that my leg was throbbing and he told me that the surgery only took thirty minutes so the nerve block probably hadn't taken full effect yet. I basically had to lay there in the recovery room next to other patients recovering wondering what I was waiting for. My surgeon came in and told me that everything went fine and just as planned. A huge relief to me. He did verify that the tendon was completely ruptured but it had ruptured in the best way making it the easiest to repair. Basically the ends of each side were not all shredded but more like two stumps. The surgery happened on a Thursday and my mom couldn't come until Monday. Isaiah was such a good boy the whole week prior to my surgery and the day after. He got himself up and ready for school every day and made it out to the bus on his own. I also had a lot of help from friends providing rides and meals for us while I was down and out. Again I feel blessed. The nerve block was annoying and I wanted it to wear off so badly because it just felt weird. After two days it finally wore off and I wanted it back so badly. The pain was indescribable. I had to lay on the couch for four days straight with my leg elevated and I only got up to use the restroom or if I needed to get something and I was alone. The sensation of the blood rushing to my foot when I stood up was so painful, especially at night when the pain medication had worn off and I had to use the restroom. There were many nights that I would wake up and take some pain medication and then just sit there and wait for it to kick in before I attempted the walk to the bathroom. It actually feels weird thinking about that time now because I am in no pain now and really healing nicely. My stitches are out and I am in a walking boot but I can't walk on my foot yet. I have one more week until I can start putting 30% of my weight on my week, adding more weight each week for four weeks. By then I should be standing flat footed and putting all my weight down on my foot. I have to take this one stage at a time. It drives me crazy to sit around and not be able to do as much as I am use to. I've told myself that I will not complain because I know many others in my life that are dealing with much worse. This is only a bump in the road for me and has just caused me to have to slow down and have patience. It really has been a blessing for my family. Isaiah has learned so much about service and I have been able to see that he loves being able to help me. It has also caused me to swallow my pride and ask my husband for help from time to time. Not an easy task for me. I like to think I can do it all. I know most of you will think the pictures I attached are disgusting but I just had to post them. My leg is hairy, swollen, and just plain ugly but hey, it is what it is right? Enjoy...or not.This was right after I got my cast off. My legs have never been this hairy. It actually grossed Isaiah out the most.
My skin was also saggy and dry.

I know really gross shot but I had to show it:)
I guess I was a bit naive because I was really surprised at how swollen my entire leg and foot was.

My foot reminded me of the feet of the people on WALL-E:)

As you can see I have already lost a lot of my muscle in my calf.



Look at that WALL-E foot!

Okay now I shaved. I can't tell you how good that felt. My skin was a little tender to the touch but getting rid of that hair was fabulous! I have never had skinny calves so it is weird to see my let this way. One of my older sisters has really slender legs and I love the look of them. It's kind of fun to see what my leg would look like slender. Is that just totally weird and vain? Yes.

This is the most recent shot of my leg. I think the swelling is starting to go down. I can't express how happy I am to be on the mend!

Just one last shot to show my lopsided legs. I can't decide what I am going to do. Should I build the muscle back in the left one or loose the muscle in the right one and go for the slender look? I kid. Totally want the muscle back!

So there you have it. I'm an unemployed gimp. If it wasn't for all the love and support I have around me I would probably be going crazy....not to say I don't have my days, but seriously thank you to everyone near and far that have brought meals, helped with Isaiah, provided activities for me to do while I am out, or just called to give me company. You are all so great!

Blue and Gold Banquet

Isaiah had his first Blue and Gold Banquet tonight. All the cub scouts had to make their own cake. Isaiah wanted to do Sponge Bob. I think he did a pretty good job (with only a little help with brainstorming on how to put him together from his mom).
Isaiah walking in for the flag ceremony. He always has his hands in his pockets!

He received the "silliest cartoon character award."

All the boys with their awards and prizes.

There were some pretty cool and creative cakes.


The boys had learned a cub scout song they were performing for us. Isaiah always has to check with his friend Gavin to make sure it's "cool" for him to do the hand motions. It's funny to watch those two when they have to perform.

They had a fun craft activity as well.

The boys were trying to construct an archway using sugar cubes and frosting. Some worked, most did not. :)

Overall it was a nice and enjoyable night!

Happy Belated Valentine's....

.....From Mr. Brownie Man....


......and Isaiah....

....and Daniel and I!



Hope your Valentine's are as great as mine!

This post will be quite wordy and long. I usually don't post without pictures but I have a long story to tell. I have to admit that when I see blogs with long stories I usually scan through them and then move on to the next when so don't feel guilty if you do that with mine. :)

There have been a few changes around here in the Dewey home. I posted previously that my mom had recently retired from her Office Administrator job of 24 years. Well they offered me the promotion about a year ago. It came with quite a hefty raise but the catch was I would need to work in the office. They still promised to be flexible with my hours since I wanted to be at home when Isaiah left for school and came home. At this time Daniel was commuting to McMinnville which is about 15 minutes away from my work. Problem solved right. Just move to Forest Grove and Daniel's commute would be much shorter. Well it wasn't that easy. Daniel was supposed to be working on a site in Corvallis but it was delayed and the start up date was unknown at the time. Due to the economy they had to make some changes. So Hoffman put Daniel in McMinnville. We were sort of in limbo at the time because it could have gone either way. They could have kept him in McMinnville until the project was done (two or three years), or they would move him to Corvallis whenever or if ever the project got started. I decided at that time to turn down the offer because there were too many unknowns. I didn't want to take Isaiah out of school, start him in a new one, and then a few months later get word from Hoffman that they were moving Daniel to the Corvallis job. I stressed and stressed over what to do for months. When I finally made the decision I felt at peace so I know I made the right decision. It was still hard for me though because professionally it would have been a great opportunity to expand my skills and my knowledge, and I'm not going to lie, it was hard to turn down that raise. That offer came to me in May of 2009 and sure enough by September Hoffman moved Daniel to Corvallis to work on the site he is currently working on. Now let's fast forward to September 2010, two months away from my moms retirement. My boss called me again and asked if I would meet him for lunch. I was really nervous that he was going to tell me that I was going to be out of a job, basically I was almost sure he was firing me. Much to my surprise he again was offering me the office administrator position that would soon be opening up. The offer went up even higher and at this point we are getting closer to Daniel's job here being finished. Professionally I was very excited but we still had the uncertainty of where we would be next. There is a huge chance that Daniel could get put on a job starting in Hillsboro but there is just no way to know until that time gets closer. I told my boss I would think it over and talk to Daniel about it. Daniel's job here won't be finished until May or June and they wanted me up there as soon as possible. That would mean I would have to commute three hours each day (sorta ruled that one out right away), or Isaiah and I would have to move up there until Daniel could join us in May, that is IF Hoffman moved him to Hillsboro. The offer they gave me was almost too good to pass up and that was why I was having such a hard time making a decision. Daniel of course did not want us to be apart but he also didn't want to tell me that I shouldn't take it because he knew how badly I wanted to. I finally made my decision that I would take the job but that I couldn't be up there until May or June when Daniel was done here. I didn't feel it was right to be put in that position to choose between what's best for my family or advancing professionally. Since my mom's retirement they have been in complete chaos and were in need of someone right away. The guy they had hired a couple years ago to replace my mom couldn't do all the things she was doing. She was an amazing employee and they were lucky to have her there. Once I made my decision I knew they were going to have to hire someone else to at least come in and do the billing and other odds and ends. I figured that would hold them over until I could come in May or June. I even offered to drive up a couple days a week and help out. Well five days after I gave them my answer I got a call from my boss. He said that they had hired someone to do the billing, posting, and basically take over my mom's position. I didn't quite understand what he was saying because I do the posting along with other things he said the new employee would be doing. He basically told me that I had until the end of the month, (this was Jan.). I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. They had given me no reason to believe that if I didn't take this promotion I would lose my job. It just felt weird and wrong to one day be given a huge promotion and then the next be laid off. I went through a long series of emotions all in about five minutes. At first I was shocked, then I was mad, then I felt sad, and then I felt betrayed. After all those emotions passed I felt a big gushing of warmth go through my body. I felt relief and peace that this was what was supposed to happen. For days after this news I tried so hard to be mad at the way they went about letting me go, but I kept getting these feelings of peace. I knew if they would have told me ahead of time that if I didn't take the promotion I would lose my job, I would have done anything to make it work out of fear of not having a job. I have literally had a job my whole life. When I was younger my dad owned some apartment complexes and my sister's and I were in charge of mowing the lawns and cleaning out the units when tenants moved out, (worst job ever, but definitely fun with my sisters), Then my dad opened two Hogi Yogi's (sandwich and frozen yogurt shop) that I worked at all through high school again alongside my sister's. We had a blast. OK now I am getting off course due to reminiscing. Basically as of February 1st I have been unemployed. I can't stand that word. It's been a very humbling experience for me. I have worked for 12 years at that place and I honestly thought I was irreplaceable at the clinic. I've learned a lot already, mainly to trust in the Lord and what his plan is for me and my family. I don't know what is in store for me right now but I do know that losing my job was something that had to happen for whatever it is Heavenly Father has in store for me. I couldn't be happier. I've never experienced motherhood without a job and so far I am loving it. I know this was a long way of saying, "I got fired." but what can I say, it's the woman's version of a story. :) Stay tuned for another fun little story about another happening.

5 Years!

Wow five years gone by! I always love to look through my wedding pictures on my anniversary. It truly was one of my most favorite days I have ever had. So many friends and family came to celebrate with us and I was so happy to be marrying the man across from me at the alter. The best word I can come up with to describe how I felt on that day is "magical." I know that may sound silly but it's the truth. Since then Daniel and I have learned so much about ourselves and each other. It hasn't always been easy but I wouldn't change anything.
Due to a recent injury I had we were unable to do our normal activities which would involve physical activity of some kind followed by dinner and a movie. I told Daniel early on in our marriage that every five years is renegotiating time:) We decided to renegotiate at one of our favorite places to eat. It's at Nye Beach in Newport. It's only a 45 minute drive from our house and the drive was very pleasant with just the two of us. Our renegotiating really just involved reminiscing of the past and hopes for the future, he knows and I know that good or bad we are in this for the long haul.
We ate at The Chowder Bowl. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Newport Beach. You will not be disappointed.

I may look pregnant in this picture but sadly I am not. Since I am on crutches I carry everything in my sweatshirt pouch. I'm a Kangaroo.

Happy Anniversary Daniel and thank you mom for watching Isaiah so we could enjoy the evening together!