FRIENDS!

So many friends, so much to do, so much fun! We have had crazy busy fun things going on in the midst of our daily " life". It is all of these fillers.....or are these the life and the work is the filler, hmmmm....another post I think, but to complete the original thought....that make life so wonderful!

Whether we are having a great day or not, we find friends all around us. There seems to be a great amount of genuine love, complete empathy and a familiar sense of humor about things only those walking in our shoes can fully understand. Thank goodness we have each other! I say this often. As those ahead of us navigate the road ahead, they share it with us, and in turn we will share it with those who come behind. Phew, so glad I have others to follow:-)

In just the last couple weeks we have had many opportunities to hang out with our gang!

Isaiah's Birthday Bowling Party. Lots of smiling, boy noise and food! Good times as kids chased each other around the  ball return, ate cake and sang with gusto. I can tell you this, the bowling alley may reconsider it's all you can eat pizza package after having these growing boys in the house.

Randy and Riley's Birthday. Not right! We have known Randy way long before Ashley, Riley and Ally were born and when big brother ricky was just a little cutie pie. Sorry Ricky! Still cute, but now taller than........... everyone! Great time.

Anthony's Birthday was full of pizza, arcade games and prizes. These kids are something at fenageling prizes from the counter staff. They look up at them with those bright eyes, flash a grin and walk away with twice as much as they earned from tickets. Of course, we pay 700 times what they are worth, but it is all about the prize:-)

Picnic in the Park is one of our favorite events as it lets kids be kids, and moms sit. Yes, mothers sit and talk and drink coffee all without chasing children around the block, searching for them as they slip away silently or taking some inedible object out of their hands. It is a great day for us all and we enjoy knowing more about each other and the journey that brought us together. Let me tell you, many have been through difficult times beyond imagination and have emerged strong and courageous. Inspirational is putting it lightly. Good times!

Sharing DS Walk for Down Syndrome which was excellent. Thousands of folks with the CUTEST kids on earth. Okay some of them aren't kids by definition, but they keep us young no matter how old we all are. AZ Team Mascots, dancing, games, food and a great walk around Tempe Diablo stadium. The event and Sharing Down Syndrome is run by no other than my BFF Gina Johnson, mother to us all! I, like so many families, have been touched for life by this woman's love and passionate commitment to our kids. I cry just thinking about her....it's a good cry:-)

As you can see we have a common theme to all our activities of late. Fun, Friends and Silliness! We are fortunate to be loved by so many great people. I am blessed to be supported by such amazing women, all who inspire me to reach higher.

Here's to Aging

Well as I approach yet another wonderful anniversary of my 18th birthday I find more physician orders for investigation and fewer working parts. Whatever does this mean? I know that these bodies are vessels or better failing, temporary houses. But I also know that while I am in "the house" I would like to assure that the plumbing is sound and their are no rotting beams or rusty hardware.

So here it is, the C word. I know, I mentioned this in passing before. I don't know why but I have resisted this for 2 years. My doctor was actually quite rude handing me the order for a colonoscopy well before my 50th birthday....BECAUSE I was turning 50. That is like punishment for reaching a landmark day. I quickly replied "No way. That is not a proper celebration for the half century mark. You don't give that sentence to someone who is going to turn 50 but because they DID turn 50!" He laughed and gave me permission to wait until after my 50th birthday. I jumped right on it...................more or less..........okay two years to get it scheduled but I have it done. It is on the books. I would appreciate some emergency or crisis intervention from anyone but I have a feeling I will have to bite the bullet or laxative, whatever the appropriate preparation may include.

Then there is this whole "back" thing. What a trip. I have gone from not being able to stand on Fathers day to reduced pain but no feeling whenever I sit, cross my legs, keep my legs straight or flex my legs. Other than that I am good to go, except for the first and second toe, both feet. Ahhh and here it is. I have avoided diabetes and neuropathy (loss of sensation to feet) with weight loss and diet only to develop neuropathy (loss of sensation to feet) from my back, aka, radiculopathy. I find that ridiculous! HAHA And what is with the tail bone? I have more discomfort from that now then when I was thrown from a horse years ago.....Yee Ha! I do remember that fractured pelvis though, and head, and I think something else. Oh yes, ego.

But not to worry. I have to tell you it's all good as my husband says. These are but light, momentary afflictions (interruptions) that have no bearing on my here and now, or my eternity in glory. They are irrelevant in the big picture. They could affect me badly if I let them but why? I have perspective around me on a daily basis. There are those with more or less, better or worse. I am good. And if all goes well my meds will prevent me from remembering the "test" so all I have to worry about is remembering to get there for the test. If I ever am to have a memory lapse this would be the best time ever. HA.

To be clear I will not, like many television personalities, show you pictures or describe any gory details. I wont be on YouTube.....unless there is an illegal camera phone in the room. I will not repeat comments made by physicians who speak candidly when they think you are sedated. I will not discuss my bowel prep or outcome in any manner. I will focus on the "afterlife", i.e. after the test resuming my wonderful life. I look forward to that. See, perspective! It only takes a miserable procedure and a pain in the back to remind you of how great life is. Once home I will sigh deeply, sit on my special chair cushion and enjoy a night of boxing with my husband. Thank  goodness I like to watch violent sports:-)