Life in the Nut House!

In some families, dogs are seen as true members of the family. They are spoiled rotten, sometimes eating better than the people and enjoy being treated as "fur babies". My sister Perry has two such "fur children". Nikki and Boomer. They are both beautiful Australian Shepherds. Perry called just a few minutes ago and her "babies" apparently got out today while she was at work and are no where to be found. Those of you with dogs that are truly members of your family will understand the pain and fear she is feeling right now. It is after 8pm, and she lives in the country. My parents just went running out of the house to help look for the dogs. Wish I could go but the kiddies would just get in the way. Please say a quick prayer that the dogs will be found safe and sound. Thank you....

Hello friends! Wow!!! It has already been SUCH a wonderful and CrAzY summer! We have been meeting ourselves coming and going it seems. There is SOOO much to catch you all up on. But, before I tell you of our most recent escapades, I need to finish up Allie's graduation posts. She is now on her way to being an "official" kindergartner. Boo-Hoo, feel sorry for me now, please!! Ha! So, way back on May 21,2009, after 4 years at United Methodist Church's Mother's Day Out, Allie graduated from pre-school. (For the second time that week). I apologize for not getting the pics up sooner....but what can I say....OOPS!

Here are some pics from the big day....in her cap

This picture is priceless....I see "The Look" multiple times daily, but have never captured it on film....until now! Ha!....Allie just learned that she was going to have to share a chair with Roman.

Not to worry...they were fast friends again in 10 seconds....

Roman was a special friend to Allie....saying good-bye....

Allie received beautiful flowers for graduation from someone who loves her bunches.....ME!

It is always a super special occasion when Aunt Perry takes off work and comes!!!

Of course, our Meme wouldn't have missed it for the world....

Allie loved having Mrs. Betty for her teacher. Mrs. Betty was always soooo much fun!!

The next part of the day, well, was not one of my shining moments as a mommy. To set the stage, let me say this. Sometimes my children are asked, "I bet it is nice having a mom who is a nurse....". Well, it's not, let me assure you. If there is no obvious profuse bleeding or a temp higher than 101....it's business as usual. Luckily my kids have been blessed with GREAT immune systems....Scott just finished his 3rd year in a row of perfect attendance, and Macie and Holley only missed 2 days each and I'm pretty sure they were for dental appts. that I couldn't get scheduled for after school. They just aren't sick that much and if they are, they luck out (for me) and get sick during Christmas break or weekends. Anyway....so the Tues. after Mother's Day, (the 12th maybe?)....Holley apparently hurt her foot after a vault at gymnastics practice. I worked that day and quite often when I work I don't get home until 9 or 930, especially if I go grad a workout before coming home. the kids are in bed usually by the time I get home. Well, that week was a crazy week. I was taking an intermediate fetal monitoring class and working my scheduled days, and ended up with work/class 6 days in a row. Needless to say, I didn't see the kids that much and they spent the next weekend with their Dad. By the next Sunday night I finally talked to my kids awake...and Holley told me how much her foot still hurt. I, being an awesome nurse, said, "Well, you can move it in all sorts of directions without pain, so it must be fine. You ARE going to school tomorrow." Then I worked the next two days again so I could take off for Allie's graduations that week. By Wed. after Allie graduated, I decided to go grab Holley from school and take her to the urgent care place because they have an x-ray machine there and I knew we would find out that day what (if anything) was going on. So, to make a long story a little shorter for you.....no applause please.....the x-rays were negative. Nothing....the MD said that she might have tendinitis or a tiny stress fracture that is not showing up on X-ray. So, he put her on crutches and said it should be better in a week if it is tendinitis. Well, a week went by and she still could not bear weight on the "ball" of her right foot. So, I decided to take her to her pediatrician to see what's next. He sent us for more X-rays...which were negative....so he said, "This is beyond my area of expertise....I'm sending her to a foot and ankle guy"....so I made an appt. for the following week. (The 27th). So we go see this doc and he checks out Holley's feet and moves them all around (marveling at the flexibility her feet have courtesy of gymnastics) and then he talked to her a little and then said I think I know what is going on....he pushed on two tiny spots on the ball of her right foot just below the big toe and when he pushed on the first one ....nothing, no pain. Then he pushed on the other tiny spot and she just about jumped off of the table. Did you know that there are apparently a several tiny bones that make up the joint of the "big" (or great) toe? I sure didn't. But one of Holley's is messed up. He said the bones are so tiny, especially in kids that you can't see them on X- ray. You have to get an MRI. Anyway, he said it is likely to either be a fracture or a problem with the tendon that attaches that bone to the others. He put her back on crutches for an additional 3 weeks. He said that should be long enough to determine if it a tendon or a fracture. So, we go back on the 24th. If she is not better....and she is not at this point....then we do an MRI. So there you have it....the 411 on our very first gymnastics injury....

Holley at Urgent care getting her first X-ray

Allie waiting very patiently.....

A week later and we are still on crutches....

Now, Holley gets the added benefit of wearing a hard blue orthopedic shoe on her right foot. The doc doesn't want her bending that joint if at all possible. So we are waiting.....and hoping an praying that this will heal quickly. She is missing a lot of important time in the gym right now and competition season starts the first pat of August. Please say a little prayer on her behalf hat she will heal quickly with no complications. Thanks.....stay tuned...S