I think I can...I think I can...

Who in the world thought up the term "Summer Vacation!?!" Granted, it is a vacation for the kids from school. But that is where it ends. Is there anyone else out there who tries to cram as much as they can into these 3 short months, because you cannot justify it quiet as well during the school year. To say that I've been feeling overwhelmed would be stating a gross understatement. June has been a little nuts and July is looking to be flat out HELLACIOUS!! But I had a good friend remind me today that although my plate has been very full, I do keep adding to it, and I compromise another area of life to make up for it. I was reminded that I've done hard things before. I know that it will all be alright. I just have to ride the wave. I don't know that I thought twice about Dylan's 2nd brain surgery then having Jared three weeks later. Perhaps it just seems like so much more now because I'm 'burned out.' I worked last night, but only got a three hour nap before I had to start running again. If anyone has any tips to being resilient, or have a plethora of coping skills, I'd LOVE to hear from you!!!! But don't worry, I'm going to blog about it all our upcoming adventures and bring it to you every step of the way.

I need someone to enjoy this with me!!!!

A real vacation someday......right!?!

Update Marathon ! ! ! ! !

Alright...so this is me when I haven't made a post for a month, but attempt to catch up on all that has happened...soooo, here goes nothing.

May 16, 2009

Taylor turned 6 years old. I think she got PLENTY ! ! ! !

Her 'Tinkerbell' cake

Taylor eating her cake & ice cream

Happy Birthday Dear Taylor...

(Note to self...Don't sing so loud when holding the camera)

And yes.....That is Dylan doing the 'Cha Cha Cha'

May 25, 2009

Memorial Day

(Sorry Dorothy for taking so long!!!!!)

Dylan dancing to Hot n' Cold

(He really wanted me to post this)

Posting trips to the zooooo. I think we only went A LOT!!!

Once for Jared's pre-school field trip, once for Taylor's kindergarten field trip, once for Dylan's 1st grade field trip, and once for the 'special' kiddos in our area....

(With a special thanks to the INL, Meleluca, EIRMC, the City of Idaho Falls, and of course the Tautphaus Park Zoo ! ! ! )

And in case I don't get around to posting for another month, it's because our summer includes

• finishing summer school (me, not the kids...Intro to Health Professions & Microbiology - YUCK!!)
• a five day EEG with an MRI with Dylan down at Primary Children's Medical Center, (We still don't know when)
• Dylan getting his tonsils out (poor dude can't catch a break!!!)
• Daniel (my brother) getting married July 31st
• and of course a lot of stuff that I don't even know about yet...isn't that how it always goes!?!

(Daniel & Sarah...These are my faves ! ! ! ! !)

(If anyone can HELP ME...their colors are yellow and orange and I have NOTHING to wear that goes with that...so if you can post links to websites with cute stuff...I'd REALLY APPRECIATE IT! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !)

Doughnut Eating Contest. May 24, 2009

Here are the long awaited pictures from the doughnut eating contest at work. It was to see who could eat the most doughnuts in 30 minutes, followed up with blood sugar tests to see whose pancreas loved them more...

Huge doughnuts from Broulims for Memorial Day weekend.

I think Troy won by a bite (8 doughnuts) but then Melody still ate breakfast that we had brought in as pot luck..

Troy feelin' the burn...

I think she LOVES her doughnuts ! ! ! ! !

Yea, He's done.....

And bacon to boot...Doughnuts and breakfast ! ! ! !

Melody, your'e an example to us all. You have our admiration ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Update from the Durtschi's!!!

Here are a few things I've been meaning to blog...but I'm just now getting around to it.

Dylan

Here is Dylan getting ready to do the mile run with his class this last Wednesday (May 6th). He really did such an awesome job. I don't think he hardly walked at all. In fact he made it look really easy, just a simple jog for him. Jeff did the first lap with him, but then Dylan didn't want him to run with him anymore.

For each lap they did, they were handed a straw so they wouldn't forget their laps. This picture is Dylan showing his 3 straws, he only has about 150 meters left to go. So I snapped a quick picture then ran the last 100 with him. He did so AWESOME!!! Even though he started a little behind, he was the second one to finish with a time of 9:53. I'm pretty sure that I cannot do a ten minute mile in any circumstance. Perhaps it was just his super long legs!!!

Taylor

Taylor did her kindergarten program on April 30th and it was so cute. Sometimes it can be hard to endure such programs, but this one was so cute and she did a great job!!!

Sorry I couldn't figure how to get this flipped, but I had to post it anyway. It's a song called Tony Chestnut. I've had that song stuck in my head for weeks now. Yes...that's me laughing and I learned that my daughter can really get the moves on!!!!!

Jared

Jared rarely allows for rest, except for if you tire him enough. He loves the vacuum and thinks that socks should disappear regardless. He loves to feed the cat, (Pepper) pet the cat, chase the cat and insists the cat needs a Kleenex to wipe his nose. His favorite movie selection is moving from Kung Fu Panda and Cars to Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast for which Taylor greatly encourages. Jared LOVES to follow and imitate whatever Jeff is doing. That is all well and good except when Jeff has the rotor-tiller going and Jared keeps trying to throw stuff just in front of it so it will disappear.

Jeff

Jeff has taken off for the week. Since he is not working and I don't have to work until this weekend, we thought it might be a good idea for him to go visit his family. He left yesterday and told Taylor he would be gone 5 days. There are still no prospects for employment which really is getting to be frustrating after 6 months.

We are so thankful for every ones concern for us, and their willingness to help us in anyway that

they can...THANK YOU!!!!

As for me, I think I've kept you pretty well updated with my 'EYE DRAMA" and even though it really is not a big deal, it's just an inconvenience, I appreciate your concern. It really means a lot to know that others care.

Update to VISION....

I loved your responses, so I'll try to update you. Dr. Hatch (when I first went in) said that my corneas were swollen. That's why I initially had such a hard time. I went in on Wednesday (May 6th) for an appointment because it had become apparent that my vision was changing. But as I went in and began, my eyes were still so irritated that we were not able to accomplish anything. I've been using the O2 Optix contacts, and he gave me a pair of the Day & Night brand. Also, Dr. Mortensen had me try different solution. He suspects that I've gained an allergy to the preservatives in my contact solution, Alcon Opti Free. So now I'm trying the hydrogen peroxide with the disk that bubbles for 6 hrs. with saline to rinse. So we'll see. I hope something works soon, or else I'll be highly tempted to just boycott contacts altogether.
I have a follow up appointment this next Wednesday to see how things are going.

THANKS FOR ALL THE CONCERN! ! ! !