Your body is a beautiful manifestation powered by spirit. ~Mike Dolan,

Chapter 45 OMG Somehow, every year I have certain expectations. I am going to do better. I am going to focus on where I am going. Things will be amazing. And every year, specifically the last three, have yelled "plot twist" right in my face. So what do you do, you redirect. April 25th, I turned 45. I am approximately half way through my life, so I suppose a mid life crisis is due. At that time, I had been struggling with anemia for a year. My levels were pretty low. I was managing it (not well) with oral vitamins, iron injections and birth control. It was suggested that I get a hysterectomy. I honestly thought that was the stupidest thing I had ever heard. I really feel (even as I type this) that we should have better ways of correcting health than the old--I don't know what to do, so lets just get rid of it---theory. So I put it off as long as I could. During this time I was offered another job, that I just could not refuse. I was asked to be the athletic trainer for Gillette's professional indoor football team, the Mustangs. Working both jobs, with super low iron, just didn't work. I was able to schedule the hysterectomy for June and would be back to full work duties by the time I needed to be back for fall season at Campbell County High School. The surgery went well. I healed quickly. I hadn't felt that good in a long time! I truely felt amazing. I was on track to get fit and have an amazing year at CCHS. I was so sure this was going to be my year, that I told my boss there was no way I was going to need any leave this year. I was so super wrong. I so totally cannot tell the future. A few weeks after my surgery I found out that I had uterine cancer. The type of cancer affects one in a million women. I was that one in a million. Fortunately, the treatment was a hysterectomy. So while I did everything a bit backwards, I was good to go. I did have to see an oncologist in Rapid City every so often to make sure it didn't spread or come back, but I was still healthy. I still felt great. I still had not ever had a mamogram, so I felt this was the time to start. And down another rabbit hole I go! I went in for the mamogram. There were some unclear/suspicious spots on the mamogram, so I went to ultrasound. Again the same thing. Apparently I have dence tissue and so they cannot see or make sence of much. I was referred to biopsy. The hospital in Gillette only has the ability to do two biopsies at one time. I needed four and to be honest, I think the doc would have done more! So I drove myself to Sheridan, had four biopsies and 20 samples removed, drove the hour and fourty five minutes back and went to work for the rest of the day. I would later find out that every sample came back as cancer. I was told to find a surgeon. Gillette does have good doctors, even though I am aware that everyone has a problem with someone. However, Gillette does not have a breast surgeon. I needed to decide where to go. All of my options were out of state, Montana, Colorado were the ones recomended. I have spent so much time in out of state hospitals, that I just was not interested in the same experiences I previously had. So I chose Mayo Clinic. I just felt I would have so much more freedom there, with knowing the people, family, friends etc. Mayo took my case, but was full, so it still took a bit of time to get a plan. Mayo actually suggested that I go to Denver so that I could get seen quickly. I was so frustrated! Not being able to get in when I wanted. Not being able to get a plan. I felt like I had been trying to work towards being healthy. I felt great, but felt like everyone was telling me that I should not be feeling great. Talk about a buzzkill! But like I said, I chose Mayo for a reason and knowing people that know people is helpful. So thankful for my sister in law! I was diagnosed with stage three invasive carsinoma. I spent nearly three weeks during the month of September in Minnesota getting tested and eventually getting a plan.

Hope and faith flower from the cheerful seeds of the old year to the sprouting garden of the new year's dawn. ~Terri Guillemets, "Annuals," 2004

We have started the first full week of the new year. Are you ready? Are any of us ready for what 2021 has to bring our way? I am hoping you were able to celebrate Romjul. It is a time between Christmas and new years celebrated by Scandinavians. It is a time of relaxation. A time to hang out in your P.J.s, hang out with those you love and eat all those holiday leftovers (extra ham, lefse and rosettes). This time is great for meditation to give your mind and body rest. I personally call this my restart button. While I truely need Romjul at the end of the year, I also do my own mini version of this once a week. This past year we may have needed all the Romjul we could get! Worldly natural disasters, a pandemic, too much T.V. watching, murder hornets, meth gators, UFO's, riots, looting, zoom meetings, mask wearing, kerfews, lockdowns, a poorly run election. UFFDA!! At this point, so many just want to push the pause button on life. Unfortunately, life does not have a pause button. People still have bills to pay, jobs to do, food to grow, health to nurish, people to help. Amazingly enough this pours out in a wide variety based on each individual's needs, values, what they have to give and their ability. Because it looks different for everyone and not the same, it has caused the ugly to show, which greatly surprised me. I do not know one person (yet) that has passed of Covid19. However, 2019 I attended 3 funerals. My friends and family have lost spouses, parents and those closest to them. They still need cancer treatments, emergency surgery and to deliver their babies in a safe environment. But the stress of this year has led fewer people to be available ( or sometimes just lack of common sence) and more people to retreat away from society. It makes me truely sad. As we are all grieving an ending, we also celebrate each new beggining. Every end is the beggining of something new. 2020 I grieved deeply for every ending. Not coming home to all three of my children, to not camping with CJ, not 4 wheeling with CJ, not going on roadtrips with CJ. I miss his laughter and his crazy jokes that only he got. I miss not buying birthday and christmas presents but buying orchids and mailing out donations to those who need more than us. I grieve those early morning walks with CJ so we could let the rest of the family sleep just a bit longer. And sometimes bringing back donuts. I yearn for those long nightly snuggles. So now I look towards new begginings. A new 2021. I read that Nostradomis predicted 2021 will be worse than 2020. However, 2020 was not my worst year. We were blessed. So as I look towards 2021 I plan to listen to the news less. I plan to help my neighbor and focus on what I can contribute to my community. I will embrace my family and all their up comming milestones. We are not promised extra time, extra days and life does not have a pause button. 2021 is a good time to embrace all that is truely important.

The longest walk home that any parent will ever take is the one after their child has "run" ahead of them

The Willow Tree I was recently contacted about planting a tree for CJ at Hillcrest Elementary School. I was again extremely touched by what this community continues to do for us. Again I have no words. So I asked my family what trees they thought might be appropriate. I thought of many trees. Maybe a traditional Wyoming pine, as they engage all the senses. Maybe an apple tree. I did suggest a crabapple tree for their beauty. I do not eat crabapples, but I do love their blossoms in the Spring. Ike, right away, suggested a redwood tree, big and strong. He felt we needed something unique to Wyoming. You really don't see redwoods here in Wyoming! Zoey wanted, of course, a lemon tree. Also unique choice. It was a wonderful conversation that took place with happy thoughts. My husband suggested the weeping willow. I am not a great person with symbolism. I often miss it. But this is why I feel it may be an appropriate choice~~ not just because it is weeping with us. Jesus clung to the branches of a willow tree to rise up as he carried his cross to Golgotha. This has associated it with pain and tears. But from the willow also comes asprin for its fever reducing qualities. It is associated with water. So was CJ. Well he preferred milk, but you get the point. It is a very powerful symbol of survival because it has the ability to survive in even the most challenging of situations. The willow tree has great adapability to any situation. Other trees cannot endure the pressures that a willow can, they break and snap. The willow tree does not easily break. In the event that it does, the branches grow back again giving the tree a crooked and scarred look which actually contributes to its overall magnificent. CJ had so many scars and yet was beautiful. CJ was always adapable. He may have preferred things is way, but he was great with change (usually less anxious than I was). He loved the wind blowing across his face and would put his hand up in the air to feel it with a giant smile on his face. The willow might be weeping. I might be weeping. But CJ is strong, adaptable, beautiful and teaching me how to regrow after the storm. It sucks. Its painful, but if a willow can do it and he can do it, so can I.

...as healing as a mommy kiss... ~Terri Guillemets

UFFDA! I am looking at this blog (as I really have not in quite some time) and I am looking at the title Soost Family Adventures. I wonder, have we actually been on any adventures lately? Why, yes we have!! We seem to be traveling often these days. Right after Christmas Zoey played hockey in Denver with Team Wyoming. She played great, but the overall score unfortunately, did not reflect that. We were able to travel to Denver as a whole family, which was great. As a Christmas treat we were able to take Ike and Zoey to their first NHL game, the Avalanch VS Wild. The Wild won of course! I was surprised to see the large amount of Minnesota fans there and they brought their Minnesota nice with them. They would come up to us as though they new us and start striking up random conversation. It was great! Next up on our list of travels was Mankato MN. My youngest brother got married and is expanding his family. It was a quick trip. We did not have much time we could take off from work, but we wanted to be there to celebrate with them both. The winter wedding was gorgeous. I got to spend some much needed time with my brothers, their significant others and Chris & Zoey even got to sneak in a basketball game coached by my sister in law and two of our nieces played. Then back on the road we went. Ike did not make the trip to MN this time. He found himself a job, flipping burgers at McDonald's. So proud of that kid, even if he purposely does not do things "My Way". More adventures await as we have more traveling for hockey, church, snowboarding and whatnot.

Your wings were ready, but my heart was not.

I don’t post on here as much as I should anymore. However, I noticed that the last post was from last spring after we went to a couple of funerals. This year has experienced much heartache and loss. It’s strange, I knew this year was going to bring about a LOT of change. I just didn’t didn’t realize the entire scope of it. My job was at a turning point. I didn’t know which way it would go as I had several options I wanted to pursue. We were working at a much quicker pace on the house. We still had a few setbacks, but we got new windows installed, added a small wall, taped, textured, painted the entire basement and got new carpet. Both boys got new beds. Positive change was being made. I took a job as head athletic trainer for Campbell County High School, which I felt was a great fit for me and I was (and am still) super excited about! CJ came to work with me on several occasions, just as Ike and Zoey did when they were younger. It made CJ feel big and added some excitement to the day to hang out with the high school kids. As the year comes to a close and I reflect on the year, the changes made were not the ones I anticipated. They were not happy or positive changes. I now have too much time on my hands with out any direction. When most children leave the nest it is an expected one, that can come with planning and expectations. I didn’t get that. So now my house is much cleaner, I can make hair appointments, get manicures and I have way too much time to think about “What now?”.

Sometimes, even after someone dies, you want to send them a postcard.

I have not blogged in such a long time! I have decided to try it again and see how it goes. I can tell you, that this past month of May has been a bit overwhelming and completely busy. We are getting around to finishing the basement. Before and after pics will be posted when the final touches are done. We added a wall, fixed some dry wall, took out the popcorn ceiling and retextured since it had been painted over too many times. The first week of May the Rec Center was closed for cleaning. So I took that time to get the laundry room, spare space and family room painted. It is coming along. Chris's Grandma Bessie passed away in Minnesota. The kids missed a few days of school. We drove to MN for the burrial. It was good to see family, but Chris and I no longer have any grandmothers. And grandmas are the best! We miss her. When we arrived home from our MN trip, I was told it would be my Grandpa's turn to go next. I was very much not ready, no one ever is. He passed 4 days after his 95th birthday. He is definately one of the best people I have ever known. He inspiried me in so many ways, and to hear how he inspired others as well was breath taking. I let the school know that my kids would be leaving again. This trip actually let them out for the summer nearly a week early. Isaac just finished 10th grade and will be a Junior next year. Zoey just finished 8th grade and junior high. She will join Isaac at Thunder Basin High School as a Freshman next year. Cole just finsihed Kindergarten at Hillcrest. Let's start this summer vacation with a road trip! We drove seperately because while we had things to take care of in Wyoming, we also didn't want to see how many times the whole family could drive back and fourth either. Grandpa's funeral was Thursday May 23, but we also already had Cole's Mayo appointment scheduled for Friday May 31. We were also already planning to celebrate our nieces grad parties. Chris and Isaac were the lucky ones to go back and forth. Zoey, Cole and I stayed in MN. It was a busy time for everyone, with end of school and graduations and whatnot. But we had a great trip. Cole's Mayo appointments were wonderful. Obviously, he does not like getting his labs and we always have some difficulty. But the labs came back great. He has been staying healthy and doing very well. Congrats to my nieces Autumn & Alli! They have just hit a major milestone, graduated high school and are joining the adult world. Very proud of both of them. Thank you to everyone for letting us to stay with you, for feeding us, for hugs and for all your prayers. After being gone for nearly a month, its my turn to join the adult world and get back to life and reorganizing for the summer.

Giant Overview!

So I am not great at keeping up with this blog! Sorry:( We finally made it to Cole's Mayo appointments in January. We made it family trip this time. He had x-rays of his hand and knee and blood work. Things did not go as we had hoped. With Optic Nerve Hypoplasia things can change at any time. While most kids have reduced hormone function, CJ's at this time was off the charts. His x-ray showed that of a four or five year old. We were unable to have an MRI while we were in MN, so we went back to Gillette and had our MRI done here. Because this was unusual (but not weird or unheard of), he wanted to double check and make sure that CJ did not have any tumors or strange brain growths contributing to his high hormone levels. The MRI came back fabulous and we got him on some new super expensive medicine. June was a pretty big month for us. We got to have some family over. It was a short stay, but we did grill, have a fire, play some games, glow sticks, hang out and camp in the living room! Best spot in the house, right Amy:) Half the crew stopped in again on their way back to Minnesota after visiting Yellowstone. However, most of us were in Minnesota. My nephew graduated high school and we (me, Ike, Zoey & CJ) went back for the party. While we were back we did two full days at Mayo for CJ. He had an EEG, fasting blood work, x-rays, OT eval and appointments with neurology and endocrinology. This time went much better. He is still (and probably always will be) at high risk for seizure. However, the one episode he had has been resolved with his shunt, so the neurologist agreed to take him off of his seizure medicine. Its a powerful drug so we are slowly weening him off. Not much more to go! We went over his MRI and it was beautiful:) He is still improving after having the shunt put in. The enlarged ventricles are still shrinking to normal size and the brain is growing properly. His blood work all came back normal, which is amazingly super. So while that news seems small when you write it, it means nothing new has arisen and the medicine we have him on is working! So we partied the rest of the weekend with Kyle. (Even though we accidentally missed county shoot). When we got back from Minnesota the kids got ready for 4-H camp. Isaac and Zoey both went this time. They have such a blast canoeing, shooting, crafts, dance, counselor pranks, creating t-shirts and campfires. When they got back from that it was laundry time as we got ready for another trip to MN!!

"Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day in the year." Ralph Waldo Emerson

A new year and a clean page. This year has been a good one. We have all been working hard and I foresee many positive changes in our future. In reflection of this year there was only 1 ER visit. Yup. Just one all year and 0 hospital stays. That alone, in my book, is a successful year! The kids are growing by leaps and bounds. Its hard to keep any of them in their clothes for long. I scrunch CJ into his snug footies while Isaac and Zoey wear short pants:) We have survived soccer, basketball, baseball, softball and hunting seasons this year. Isaac becoming an official big game hunter was definatly a high light! As for me, with healthy kiddos, I have been able to work regularly and focus on my continuing education. I wanted to make sure that nothing lapsed this year as it had during our frequent travels to Denver. Not only was everything done early, but I also got a few more letters after my name (Corrective Exercise Specialist). I also made the very positive decision to be self employed again. This has created so much less stress in my life, that I don't think I could ever go back to being a regular employee again. I have been able to reevaluate and simplify some of my business practices, which has been keeping me busy:) In addition to providing massage and personal training here in Gillette, I still plan on having a great web presence on the internet as well. Its a slow go as I am still in the process of finding my voice, my true nitch and overcoming a few fears. But, at this point in my life my kids have to come first. Always. And if I can have a mobile career that I can effectively do where ever I am, that to me is a score. I have considered this for a while, but now that I spend so much time out of state its almost a necessity! This upcoming year is going to be big!I require a lot of forward motion for this family. I have another certification I want to get ASAP. Isaac will be starting junior high this fall and Zoey will be ready for Mallo Camp. So don't be afraid to support Soost Outdoor Fit Biz at www.soost.biz. It doesn't matter if you need a full program, just some snacks or you refer me to a friend. It all helps:) By the way, if you visit the website, please give me some feed back! Its hard for me to know whats helpful/interesting vs what's not. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

No Winter Is Too Cold When You Have Enough Love

I would really like to be posting about CJ's Mayo visit but once again it did not happen. We are supposed to see the endocrinologist every six months to monitor for proper growth and make sure that all of his hormones are functioning the way that they should. But Mayo was too busy to get him in the last two times I was in MN so I had scheduled an appointment for December. They scheduled him in for blood work and an x-ray. However, there was very poor weather between here and Minnesota. We had a snow advisory, Minnesota had fog and there was ice all the way in between! Hopefully we will get to go in January, but of course that will be about a year since his last appointment! He is still progressing though. His sitting is doing quite well. Not independent for long periods of time but little to no support. He drinks well from a straw. I have been taking him swimming lately and he completely loves that! In the mean time Zoey has turned 10! Yup. Double didgets. We had her party at the roller rink. We had a mustache/undercover detective theme. It was cute and fun:) We had the mustaches and hats to match. Hopefully more news soon! But who knows.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Do You Know How Loved You Are

Well, again I haven't blogged in a while. Its been a whirlwind and I have been waiting for some results to get back so I would actually have something to report. So here's what we've been up to. On October 10th we were recommended to visit with the Next Step Assessment team in Lander, WY. Chris, CJ and I drove down on the 9th so we would be there by 7:45a.m. check in. We saw PT/OT types at 8am, nutrition at 9, low vision specialist at 10, opthomology at 11 and psychology at noon. It was intensive and thurough. We just recently got the results back. Its always interesting to see what tricks and tips others have to figure CJ out:) They felt his vision was best starting outward and going in toward his midline. He showed attention to bright shiny objects. We do need to be aware of things that make vision easier or more difficult. Such as avoiding glare, keeping his back to the window when we want him to use his vision (sunlight can be overwhelming), using contrast such as putting his toys on a black background etc. This is basically what the Anchor Center already told us. As he should have enough vision to get around but won't know yet how he will be able to navigate things like uneven surfaces, curbs and whatnot until he is older, more mobile and can tell us what he sees. Nutritionally he is doing well. Trying to add beans, wild game, eggs--you know, all the stuff he doesn't like:) He's doing well though, eating a decent variety AND he's been ON the growth chart now for a while which is pretty cool. On the 16th, of course, my Isaac turned 12. This was the first time I didn't give him a party. I did get to help pick out school treats, but that was about it. He was old enough to hunt elk so he was up in the mountains with Chris and friends to celebrate. He's getting so big and I'm not ready!! On the 17th of October Zoey, CJ and I drove down to Denver. It was fun to travel with Zoey. We got to eat at IHOP, shop at Target, stay in a hotel and even visit the mall before we left (where I introduced her to Cinnabon:)) However, the reason we were there was to see CJ's neurologist. It was the first time we seen this one as our regular neurologist moved to (of all places)Minnesota. It was relatively uneventful as we did not have any MRI's or EEGs, just a doc app. But my big hope was to get him off his seizure medicine. Tricky stuff since he's still kinda high risk. As it turns out, even though his brain has made great improvements (the hipsarhythmia is gone)they still need that rhythm to be gone for 2 years before they will start weening him off the medicine. Bummed:( So in June we are going to retest and see what we can do. Appointments are still spreading out further and further, which I think is good. On the 26th of October the guys got back from hunting their elk. It was a good trip! And just in time to celebrate CJ's second birthday. He's also getting so big and growing fast. He's still not mobile, but far from an infant!! I made him celebration birthday cake with farm animals on it surrounded with a fence of kitkats. The first weekend in November I went to Minnesota for a sports medicine conference at Mayo clinic. It was a wonderful experience. The kids didn't have school due to conferences, so I brought them with. But this was the second time I had been in Minnesota and I couldn't get C.J. in to see his endocrinologist. It was kinda frustrating. At some point soon he will need to get in, have his bloodwork done, have a hand xray (new, but to double check his growth)and to get his meds renewed. I really need to work out a better schedule with his docs so its less frustrating for all of us. Well that leaves us with Thanksgiving, Zoey's birthday, Christmas program and Christmas to go. I'll update as I can, but hoping to settle down again for a while:)

Even when freshly washed and relieved of all obvious confections, children tend to be sticky. ~Fran Lebowitz

I know there are always questions about CJ and everyone kinda wants to know what's going on. I have tried to write this post before but it gets long and blah, blah, blah. But I'll do my best. Diagnosis: Septo Optic Dysplasia also known as Optic Nerve Hypoplasia What is it: Septo Optic Dysplasia is a rare spectrum condition that affects pituitary gland function, small optic nerves and midline abnormalities. What does this mean for CJ: It is a spectrum condition meaning that he could have several issues or nearly none at all. His pituitary gland does not produce enough vasopressin to control his sodium levels. We have to monitor his sodium closely. At this time while his thyroid is borderline, the rest of his pituitary is functioning well. A portion of the pathway for his spinal fluid closed off (midline abnormality). This required a shunt to reroute the fluid from his head to his belly. And his optic nerves are small. This in and of itself does not tell us how much he will or will not be able to see. All we know at this point is that he can see, but it won't be the sense he relies on. As he gets bigger he will be able to tell us what he sees. CJ is still working against alot of things. He is not mobile yet. But he didn't get enough tummy time from being in the hospital so much, he is on medicine that may make him dizzy and with limited vision his comfort zone is very small. We get 80% of our information regarding our surroundings from vision so he may be missing quite a bit. He does very well in physical therapy and occupational therapy and responds very well if you talk to him and let him know what's going on. With his sodium issue, past episode of seizure he is still at a high risk for more seizures. At this time we are doing our best to put him on his best path, but we will just have to wait and see how things unfold. He's a happy, fun kid. He's eating well and growing. He's awesome! I hope this helps some, but don't be afraid to ask me more questions.

"You Make Me Smile All Over My Face"

I have started to blog again. I haven't really known what to blog about recently so I took some time off. However, October is always a busy month for us and we really have a lot going on right now. CJ has a few appointments this month. One appointment will be a pretty intense day but mostly we are just doing follow up appointments to make sure that nothing is changing and that we are on the right path. I know some of you always hope for new or big news with these appointments but really they are kinda boring. I hope to keep everyone updated here on this blog. I also know that with his condition being rare and whatnot I will also post more about what his condition is and what it means for him. So with appointments, birthdays, hunting, and visitors I will have plenty to blog about. Please stay tuned.

Happy Happy Day!!!

Isaac is growing up so fast. It is remarkable and wonderful and crazy and a bit scary. He's not a teenager yet, but its going to come faster than I will be ready for. This year he really wanted an army birthday party. So I made camo cupcakes with army guys on top. We had his party yesterday so we would have all afternoon to play. We started with pizza. We had (including Ike) 6 fifth graders, and 2 third graders. We played all kinds of games and the kids had fun. Towards the end things got a little intense so we ended by having them all sit at the table and we played spoons. I found it interesting (and good) that they liked it better when I played with them. I will take it while I can get it! I am so proud of him. He is so amazing! Happy Birthday Ike:) In the mean time Chris, his Dad and his uncle left last week to hang out in the Big Horns and hunt Elk. Chris got one opening day and was able to pack it out the next day. He said that it was pretty cold and snowey up there. At least a foot or more deep so it limited where they could hunt. I really haven't heard much from him, but he will be back tomorrow. Pround of him too:) My month isn't slowing down just yet. We still have CJ's first birthday and his baptism on the same day. So trying to get everything coordinated for that. I am so exctied for this weekend. A celebration that we all made it to his birthday and finally getting baptized. This is not the first time we have had this scheduled so pray that nothing goes wrong and no surprise trips this time.

Give crayons. Adults are disturbingly impoverished of these magical dream sticks. ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com

Mondays are always busy! I don't have any scheduled hours at New Therapeutic Solutions so I cram everything else in that I can. Today I dropped the kids off at school at 8:30. I don't know if that is the right time or not, but its what happened. School times changed this year and has completely thrown me off schedule and now I can never remember the time they are actually supposed to be there. So it was just me and CJ for the day. We went to the bank (since it was closed Friday and Saturday due to the snow storm). Then we headed to the rec center. I got there good and early to feed him before dropping him off in the kids zone. I always feel so guilty about leaving him there right when its his feeding time. I don't think the girls really mind feeding him, but I worry that they will get busy with other kids and I feel kinda demanding for the services they provide. After my personal training client we went to the Celebration Station to see what we could find for Ike's birthday party. Yay!! They had army stuff! Ike will be so excited. Then we headed to CJ's accupuncture appointment. He always does so good there. He just lets her put those needles in. And it has been paying off too!! His hormone levels have almost tripled, so I have high hopes that we will not have to deal with them diminishing and having to add more meds to his list. My favorite part of the day--LUNCH!!I made a cheesey casadea (ok I have no idea how to spell that)but I put some ham in it and thought it was a hot ham and cheese sandwich even though I used a tortia. It looked like a ham and cheese sandwish. However, I added some of my newly made homemade salsa. The salsa was wonderful but I guess that means it was still just a casadea and not a true sandwich I guess. After feeding CJ we dropped some paper work off at Gillette Physical Therapy. Went to CJ's dietary appointment at the hospital. I have worked with Heidi in the past and she is great. I am so glad to have her help me with Cole's transition to regular foods. I am so scared to feed him anything that I don't really think I have tried to hard to get him used to things. After dietary we went to physical therapy. This Momma wants her baby sitting by his birthday! He worked really hard today. He is such a trooper. After that we went and picked the kids up from school and made a quick stop at the hockey store to see what Zoey is going to do for hockey this year. She is super excited. She chose volleyball last year over hockey and intensly missed it. Now off to all those never ending chores like supper and laundry and general cleaning--yay!

I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it. ~Lee Maynard

I have decided to start blogging again. With so many things racin in my head right now, its either good to just things get things out or with any luck it will be a stepping stone to bigger better things. We have officially entered the fabulous month of October! This month has always been a full party month with Isaac's birthday being on the 16th. Normally people come and go this month as their schedule allows. But now we also have Chris leaving for the Mountains for a good 10 days to hunt elk with Wayne and Uncle Keith. CJ's birthday is on the 26th. We are having a baptism for CJ also on the 26th and after we get all that squared away we have halloween. The kids are doing fabulous! Isaac gets to go duck hunting this year. I guess he kinda missed most of it. We were in MN one weekend and got a blizzard the following weekend. Not sure if its closed right now or if big game season has just taken over. He is getting good grades and loves going to gate to get that little extra challenge. However, I think learning the viola will be challenging as well. Soccer season has just ended. He really likes to play and its fun to see him play hard and actually take the ball from an opponent. He prefers defence, but is a great scorer on offence. He will have a break from sports for a while. Basketball is next on our list but that doesn't start until January. Zoey just plain has an interest in everything right now! She is learning so fast. She just ended her soccer season also. They had to keep her on defence because even though she can also score she is the quickest one to the ball and gets it right outta there! This week I will check to see if I can still get her signed up for hockey. They are starting a new league this year for parents just like us (yeah!) It is a house team that competes here in town. So its more than learn to play but we don't have to travel out of town for games. She also is doing much better in school this year. I just wish she wasn't growing up so stinkin fast. She was my little girl for so long and now she likes to cook her own meals and read her books and she is even kind of learning the piano. Not official lessons yet,but she knows some of the songs in the book we have. Work is good. I only work part time so people are having a hard time getting scheduled with me. I am almost always full. Plus right now is a busy time anyway for me with sports being in season like college cross country, gillette hockey and high school football. Plus the college basketball teams are getting ready for their season. So I am always on the fence wondering if I should be working more but then not really having more time to give, especially this month with Chris being gone so much and so many things going on. I would really like to find some more on line work. I have been reading about some online successes and wondering if I could make it work too. I don't have the same passion for on line work as I do for athletic training and massage, but I have the drive to work from home. Anything where I can make my own schedule and work around my kids schedule is perfect work for me at the momtent!

Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. ~Author Unknown

Last Thursday was supposed to be field day for the kids.  However, there was a wind warning and gusts up to 60 or 65 MPH so they rescheduled for Friday.  Isaac and Zoey of course competed at the same time so Chris and I split up and did our best to cheer each one on.  This year they had a new gym teacher and honestly I really liked this years field day much better.  They actually had quite a few field events plus the regular tug of war, Frisbee throwing and three legged race.  The kids did great and got Popsicles and ribbons when they were done.  The weather was so nice on Friday.  Perfect for field day.

Saturday the kids and Chris went fishing.  They caught a lot of Bass out at Brad's Ranch.  Later that night we went to Justin and Shawna's for supper.  It was good to hang out with good friends and just relax.

Monday the kids did not have school so they were stuck with me all day.  Zoey had a friend sleep over on Sunday night and Ike's friend from Idaho came to Gillette for the summer so our house was busy.  We took CJ in to get his sodium checked.  With his new doctors we are working at keeping his sodium a little lower than what we have in the past.  We are hoping that by using medication to reduce the amount he pees that he can drink less water and more formula. Obviously babies don't grow with water like flowers do.  So even though I like the idea of keeping him off medicine--if he is drinking more formula in theory he should grow more.  We will see.

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck

Well I guess a lot has happened since I last blogged.  Part of the reason is that my computer broke. Luckily we still had 7 days left on the warrenty.  Unfortunately, tho it was the power connection on the computer that was broken.  The company that fixed my computer said that I needed to back up the hard drive.  Well I didn't have power so that didn't sound easy to me.  I didn't know how much it would cost so I lollygaged taking it in.  But it is fixed and back and things are good.

I see my last post suggested we had a baptism date for CJ.  Um, yeah, that didn't happen.  Grandparents made it out the weekend of April 6.  However, that Wednesday before I took CJ in for his shots.  He was cranky on Thursday, which I expected and then on Friday he was vomiting all day.  I finally took him to the ER for fluids. We spent the night, but the antinausa meds they gave him didn't work.  He was still vomiting the next day.  He had a seizure.  They decided to get a CT scan and before they could take him down there they needed to intubate him.  We flew to Denver, where they decided to put in a shunt.  Apparently a canal closed up creating a blockage and the fluid in his head backed up.  The shunt re routes the extra fluid from his head to his tummy.  It was a stressfull weekend.  But everything went extremely well.  Recovery time from the surgery was minimal and getting off the vent was the biggest issue.  Even with that it was our shortest Denver stay so far.  He truely is amazing!:)

This past month we had quite a few Dr. appointments.  We used Pilots for Christ to get us to our follow up appointments in Denver.  The surgery is successful and everything looks great.  He is on medicince to reduce his chance of having more seizures but I hope just adding the shunt will help too.  He had his 6month check up here in town and is doing well.  Then we had appointments at Mayo.  Some doctors were worried that there may be more underlying conditions and if I was going to be transfered anywhere else I wanted to go to Mayo to be in Minnesota.  I couldn't go at the time but with the connection of doctors they got us in for consultations.  We used Pilots for Christ again.  Our flight out was a bit bumpy.  It was right before all the storms hit between here and Minnesota.  It was quite a weekend.  Very overwhelming.  I got to eat supper with Grandpa one night.  That was great.  Friday we had appointments all day.  We did lay to rest that there is anything else going on.  It was the oppinion at Mayo that he has the proper diagnosis and that we are on the proper track for his care and that was good to know. They did want to run some blood work that for him will be routine.  So we tried to get that done on Saturday.  The nurses couldn't get it so we left.  Because it took so long I didn't make it to Grandpa Ed's burial but I did make it to lunch.  Later that night I got to see my niece Libby at her dance recital and she was awesome! It was a late night, but the next day I got to meet my college besties for breakfast. How wonderful! Spent some of the afternoon with my brothers.  Monday came way too early, but we had to get back in time to try and retake the bloodwork.  We got it done and went to our last appointment.  During that appointment we got called out, saying that the results were not right and needed to be rested. Eventually we were directed to go to the ER at St. Mary's.  If the results didn't come back normal they wanted to admidt us to the ICU.  In the mean time we were talking back and forth with the pilot.  He was having difficulty getting to Rochester due to the storms. I didn't know what to tell him. I wanted him to get there soon, but if we were going to be admitted then I didn't want him to waste his time and fuel.Well as it turns out, it was just a difficult test to get.  The abnormal numbers were not Cole's issues but had to due with the finiky test.  All worked out in the end.  But our short day turned into all day, with no lunch. ---eehhh. 

In the mean time Isaac and Zoey are in sports and 4-H and getting started with musical instruments.  Isaac is in baseball and really enjoying it.  He plays for the Rangers this year.  Zoey has started fast pitch softball.  They use the pitching machine.  She really enjoys it also.  This is our first year in 4-H.  Things are much different here than in Minnesota but 4-H nonetheless!  We are working on demonstrations for our next club meeting. For fair this year Isaac is going to take shooting sports (which includes air riffle, .22 and shotgun this year) and gardening.  Zoey is going to take horticulture, vet science and knitting.  So we have not had a lack of things to do lately.  Zoey has had an interest in the piano so I have been working with her on that a little bit.  I hope by the fall we will be a little more scheduled that lessons might fit in better. But for now she is stuck with me.  Next year Isaac will be old enough to start band and they have chosen their instruments.  Isaac has chosen the viola.  I am so excited!! I am sure my ears will hurt for a  while, but that's ok.

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck

We have moved on to Zoey playing volleyball.  She is on the pink team and the team name is The Pink Panda's.  We will see.

I am finally making Cole more of the family.  More than just on our health insurance.  We finally have a baptism date set.  Saturday April 6 at 5pm.  Right now that is all I know, but hope to make plans for an actual welcoming for Cole with family and friends to see him and hold him without worry.  I am pretty excited.  I also have a picture on the wall with the rest of my kids.  All three are now together. Slowly,but surly.

If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it. ~Toni Morrison

Life has been busy.  Happily busy.  CJ has been out of the hospital for 5 consecutive weeks now.  So exciting!!!  He is growing slowly, but gaining.  He is eating cereal and a few veggies.  Still taking a bottle 8 times a day.  We had to increase his oil some to increase the calories.  But smiling and cooing more everyday.  Starting in March he will be starting day care two days a week.  Kinda excited about that, but we will see how it goes.

Isaac's last basketball game is today.  His team has really shown progress.  Chris subbed and coached his last practice.  He is fun to watch, even though you sometimes wish you could help them on the court some.  Baseball will be coming up soon.  And he has been asking to start on the traveling soccer team.

Zoey starts volleyball tomorrow.  She is so excited to try something new.  Her team color is pink, very appropriate!  I never know how she will do, but she seemed to have gotten the Rogne athletic gene. She seems to be good at everything she tries.  This summer will bring on fast pitch softball.

I have been back to work. Trying to stick to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays, but a few Fridays and Saturdays always sneek in.  We are growing by leaps and bounds.  Making the transition last summer was a great choice.  We are changing our main office location at the end of the month.  Three of us just had baby boys and soon all of us will be back to work again. In the mean time we have hired two more therapists.  We are starting to dot ourselves all over town.  We have a location at Familiy Medical Care, Health Source (chiropractic), a salon, and Gillette Physical Therapy.  I am still a little stressed getting things back the way everything needs to be, but for the most part everything is great.  It is so nice to have something to call normal again--even if its our regular caos!!

Chris has been working mostly, but he did just finish up dart season.  He went to Casper for State Dart Tournament and won first place in singles cricket level three.

I was hoping to get some more  pics posted, but of course there has been a change in scheduling.  Friday, CJ got another fever. I took him to the ER and we were admitted again.  They found a bacterial infection and treated it with antibiotics when we could get/keep an IV line in.  But CJ tends to  kick them out and he is a very hard stick.  What would be optimal is to give him a pick line.  Gillette has recently hired one person to do this and he starts in July.  Not too helpfull for us.  We needed to know why he is getting infection and get him a pick line so we went back down to Denver to the pediatric floor this time.  Yes this is the third time we have flown to Denver for the little guy.