Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Adventures in Art Camp

For the past several years, I have taken my daughter to art camp. Because of her delays and medical issues, I attend camp too. It is always quite entertaining and I have been asked to post about our experiences. Fun Times! Exhausting but fun. I hope you enjoy.

August 19-23, 2019

Art Camp: Day 1

Eh, not sure what went on Day 1, because I didn’t write anything. It was either uneventful or a complete nightmare. Anything goes in my world.

Art Camp: Day 2

So I really tried to behave yesterday and only act as a support for Katie during class. But today, well…I just wanted to draw, paint, use pastels, shade and sketch. Ugh…is that so wrong? After all I did pay for the class. Katie just wants to stab the eraser and draw on my arm. Plus we had to leave early yesterday because my daughter was a complete butthole. Sigh. Anyway, today’s focus was teaching your eyes to see and not go with what your brain assumes something should look like. Or some crap like that.

Task: draw your neighbor using a sharpie without looking at your paper or lifting your pen. Dude, art camp is exhausting. If you see my pictures below, I am clearly the best student. But. Get. This. Because my peers are 8 and I’m 45, I don’t get to display my work in the studio.

Talk to the hand, Ms. Doris.

Art camp: Day 3

So I tried to sneak my way into the upcoming 8 year old art show but I was passed over. Again. Ms. D don’t play that. All of Cornelius is missing out. My watercolor rendition of an Arizona sunrise will bring a tear to your eye. What-evs..

My new friend Callie that sits next to me gives me the latest gossip. Callie (also art model) has a “brother” who’s really her cousin. “Whhhaaat? Why, Callie? Do tell!!”

“Well …the dad is a loser. Total loser. Can’t keep a job. Been in jail. You know what I’m saying.”

“Girrrrl, I know. Every family has one.”

Callie’s 8 but I feel like she’s really lived. I enjoy our talks. I’d know more about the baby-daddy but Ms. keep-your-hands-to-yourself-and-stop-talking-Doris is onto us. Big time. She’s been teaching brats like us all. summer. long. and she ain’t got no time for that.

In other news, Katie had open house tonight. She is big middle schooler now. She met her teachers and liked everyone so much she threw herself into a tizzy right in the middle of the parking lot upon leaving while yelling MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!! Don’t worry my precious, I’m dropping your butt off Monday morning. MIDDLE SCHOOL! MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!!

Art camp: Day 4

The art show was tonight and we all know who was NOT in it. My dream was shot down once more but I’m pretty persistent if say so myself. Today we took our shading and contouring to new heights. We were each given a shiny, red apple to sketch. For ….45 minutes. We are not seasoned artists here. We are 8 years old. Well, I’m not 8 but if I was we all know I’d be in the damn art show!!!!

Ok sorry. I need to start meditating again, or medicating…or burn sage or some positive crap like that.

Now, all you blooming artists that can’t wait to sign up with Ms Doris, I’ll give you a tip….do not eat, throw or stab your fresh, organic apple. As you can see the look on my lovely Katie bug below, she cares not about art rules, Ms. D. Apples Shmapples

In other news, my Nathan had open house tonight for HIGH SCHOOL 😩 What is this about??!! As soon as we walked through the doors I was in a cold sweat. By the time we entered the first classroom to meet his teacher I had a pen and notebook in hand viscously taking notes. “Mom? What are you doing?”

“I’m taking NOTES! Duh??!!”

“Mom, why? You’re not even in school!”

“Dear son…you don’t even know me. I went to school too. I know you’d never guess but I’m a total nerd. I love taking notes and getting A’s. The only thing better is buying school supplies!!!!💕🧐🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ YEES, we should totally go buy school supplies after this.

“Weird Mom. I know you’re weird is what I know.”

Art Camp: Day 5

Final day….Apples heeeeere. Freeeesh apples. Got apples. Green, red, yellow. Get’um while they’re fresh! Get’um before they’re gone. Get’um before Katie eats them. Excuse me-Stabs, paints and then eats them.

We sketched and painted our apples for three hours. Sure, the natives got restless but Ms. D stayed the course. There were a few tears, lots of dirty hands, and a time-out at the front desk but we all survived. Ms. D runs a tight ship.

We all graduated 8-year-old (plus one 45 year old) Summer Art Camp.

*****please know some names have been changed to protect the innocent. Also, Ms D is a delight. Her passions are art and yoga. She is far more zen and centered than I will ever hope to be. But, I took creative liberties to embellish her because calm and cool didn’t seem as fun.

June 22-26, 2020

Art Camp: Day 1

Just finished day one of art camp with Katie. 3 hours long. I don’t really like her anymore. The feeling is mutual.

Art Camp: Day 2

I am survived by my dog, husband and children. First off, upon entering each afternoon they ask the Covid questions. You must no my daughter is liar. She’s going to get us kicked out.

Katie, how are you feeling today? Good

Have you been in contact with anyone that’s tested positive for Covid 19? Yes

Have you traveled recently? Yes

Are you taking any medicine to control a fever? Yes

Husband: Better today?

Me: Well, if being stabbed with a pencil and having clay rubbed into your arm hair while you’re trying to paint a sparkly unicorn is better…then ok.

Husband: yeah…you two need some space.

Me: damn straight we do

Art camp: Day 3

First, fun fact for the day….nothing says social distancing quite like a third nipple. Yup. Read it again. Somewhere between hour one and hour 3 of camp, my adorable daughter put a hardened piece of red play doh in my bra. Like the side part..

I know it sounds crazy but she is seriously the opposite of a pickpocket. If you are around her for any length of time you would understand. Hours later you’ll feel in a pocket or change clothes and out pops a marker, a few legos, sometimes one of those ABC magnets. She keeps it interesting. Once I found a slice of bell pepper.

Other than the nipple incident, it went well. I made a friend. Her name is Abby.

Her: I like your unicorn.

Me: thanks, I like your mermaid.

Her: I’m Abby. I turn 11 next week.

Me: cool. I’m Barbara. I turned 46 last month.

Her: woah.

Me: right?

Art camp Day 4:

Your Honor, I would like to present these photos of the Defendant. You will see she is not wearing a mask. She is then seen stabbing the Plaintiff with a pencil and stuffing items into her shirt. Unacceptable.

Art Camp Day 5:

Last day of Art Camp! I passed. I think. Well, I paid. The little missy? Eh. I didn’t really feel her commitment. It’s been a tiring week for her with camp everyday, no naps and still learning to walk in a new brace. We actually left early today. Not because I wanted to. I was finishing my art. I mean it’s her class. Of course. I know that. Well, she left me no choice. She stood up, told the teacher “thank you”, and said “bye everyone” to the class. I asked what she was doing and she mumbled something about wanting nachos and she was going to the car. Alrighty then. I can argue a lot of points but nachos are not one of them.

So that’s that. I graduated Art Camp: Mythical Creatures.

I made a magic wand, unicorn, dragon shield, dragon eye, dragon egg, and a cute caterpillar just because we had time. Until next camp…

I’ll leave you with the art I got to take home today. I’m by far the best student. Peace ✌️ Art mom, out 🤟

July 20-24,2020

Summer Art Camp Part Two: the painting addition

Katie is better but still not a fan of dirty hands but I felt like we were making progress. It was going great, until it wasn’t. We were starting to wrap things up in the last half hour. Some campers were finished and others not so the assistant brought out Magic Molding clay.

You crafty moms probably know about this fluffy magic but I did not. It comes in a rectangular block. It starts out white but you can use a marker to add some color. It’s the same concept as regular clay that you shape and it hardens. But Magic Mold is light and fluffy like a marshmallow consistency. I broke a bit off and let Katie get a feel of it while I finished my…uh’hm..HER watercolor painting. Not 5 seconds later she leaned over and licked me and then started squawking.

She thought it was an actual marshmallow and took a bite. Boy was that a poor decision in her part. She’s now screaming and I’m coming at her with a baby wipe prying her mouth open to scrape it off her tongue and teeth. All the little girls in the class were mortified.

So…that ended class early for us today. I got us home and told Nathan because I was worried about how much she ate. He says, “mom it’s clay. It’s part of the earth. She’s fine.

“Yeah, well this is “magic” clay so where does the magic come from?”

“Mom, you’re being dramatic.”

“Fine, but if she poops a fluffy cloud later you’re gonna hear about it.” #clayisnotamarshmellow #magicmoldsucks #itspartoftheearth #youaresodramaticmom

Art Camp: Final Day

Art Camp finished. 🎨 Thankful no one ate clay or glue or anything else. She said my bridge was a brown rainbow 🌈 (that would be sad wouldn’t it?) and that my llama was a deer 🦌 #llamallamawhosyourmama

This is an accurate photo. Me and the kiddos.
Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Mom is no longer accepting school forms

Please note: As of tomorrow, Monday August 31, 2020, I will no longer accept school forms for signature past 7pm. This includes but is not limited to PTA forms, volunteering, do I want a leadership role in the PTA (hell to the no), reading logs, class syllabus, code of conduct, what should I not wear to school or during virtual learning, what am I allergic to, if I have a medical issue what hospital should I go, if there is a nuclear explosion how will I ride home, do I qualify for lunch program, and/or how will I get home if mom forgets…again.

Exception to my rule: If you bring me wine or chocolate, I will extend the signing window by 30 minutes. But, If you whine or throw a tantrum, the window will shorten 30 minutes.

If you haven’t noticed, I really hate beginning of school paperwork. This is especially the case with Katie because of all her unique needs. One particular packet has taken me so long, they sent another home yesterday…in Spanish. Ok, let’s all just simmer down. I’m happy to say I completed it last night. I really think I should have sent it back in Spanish but I only remember the following phrases, “where’s the bathroom?”, “another beer, please”, “shut the door” and “you’re crazy in the head”. I suppose that says something about me.

Gracias! Let’s do our best of make this a great year. Adios!

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Can you put yourself on MUTE?!

Week 2: Remote learning, Anywhere, USA

Hello, how is everyone? Can you hear me? Can you see me? You are on mute. You and NOT on mute. Can everyone PLEASE put yourself on mute. Sara, is that your Grandmother in the kitchen? Can you ask her to put pants on? Stop touching your sister, please. Alright, before we get started lets stand up, move around and stretch. Ok class, it’s time to come back. Class? Please sit down. I need to share my screen. How do I share my screen? Am I doing it? Sorry, I’m trying to put some of you in a break out session. Don’t touch anything! Did I do it? Can you see me? Where did you go? Wait, where did I go? Can you see me now? You have to take yourself off mute. Ugh, lets take another break.

Are we having fun yet? Just remember…..We are all in this together. Be patient. Be kind. Help support each other. Rise up to the occasion. Think positive. Give grace. Forget PANdemic – we CANdemic. Gag….me…please!!!! I can’t even get through reading that without rolling my eyes.

Give it a week, they said. Just a few hiccups. Zoom was down but now it’s back. Think of online ticket sales for a Bon Jovi concert – every red-blooded American logged on at the same time and crashed the innerweb. If you are a parent to a school aged child, you are in virtual hell right now….virtually 5 days a week for HOURS. Ok, to be fair this is only Day 5 of Week 2. I’m nothing if not dramatic. I wanted to add in some stats about how many children are learning remotely right now because of continued Covid-19 safety measures but I don’t think anyone reading my posts comes to me for numbers and stats and pie charts. You can do your own research but it’s like a bajillion at least.

My son Nathan is a sophomore. He is your average, run of the mill, easy-going, smart kid. He can organize his To Do:’s, take notes, ask questions, and is tech-savvy. If he has to ride this virtual wave through the entire semester, he will be fine. Sure there is the social aspect but academically it will be ok for the short term. He has a roof over his head, internet access, food in the fridge, school supplies and parents vested in his success.

Unfortunately, not all students have this. Schools here are still working out the kinks to get kids computers and help everyone get internet access. The struggle is real. Buses are being used to deliver meals and teachers and staff are spinning on overdrive to keep all the gears turning. I heard this soon after the quarantine began; “We may all be in this together but we are not in the same boat.” Well said. If you can afford private school tuition, your child is most likely getting in-person live lessons in a school building with desks and chairs and books and smart boards. The rest of us are just trying to get by and make the best of Education: 2020. Not every student has a parent that can work from home. They may not even know where rent money is coming much less how to orchestrate an in-home school environment. Many are not familiar with technology and may be confused by all the links to access the information necessary to learn. Perhaps they have multiple children of different ages and abilities all trying to have zoom meetings around the kitchen table. All the while with a new baby crying in the background and an elderly parent that also needs attention. Distractions and clutter galore. Complete mayhem. Mission impossible.

My 7th grade daughter’s virtual experience has been quite a learning experience for both of us. Katie is in an Exceptional Children (EC) classroom with only special needs children and trained special needs teachers and aides. Lord, pray my strength. These children may have physical disabilities, social and emotional problems, learning disabilities, chronic medical issues or overall global delays like my daughter.

Thankfully, I am able to be here for her. She can’t logon to the computer, use the mouse, or get herself on to her virtual lessons. She has no idea if she is on mute or not or even what that means. Once I get her logged in, the challenge continues. Not every parent is able to sit side by side for their child’s lessons. In addition to having special learning needs, these kids may be alone in their room trying to access learning by themselves. Some families experience a language barrier that only increases the learning gap more. Special needs children especially have trouble paying attention and staying engaged watching a computer screen for hours a day.

In addition to receiving synchronous and asynchronous (stay with me) virtual lessons, these kids get related services that may include physical or speech therapy to name just a few. A speech therapy session isn’t so hard to imagine as a virtual lesson but other therapies take on a new set of obstacles. Katie receives physical, occupational, vision therapy and orientation and mobility sessions. Simply put, an example of what one of these sessions may look like could be an 8 minute Zoom meeting. Physical therapy over the computer. I’ll be honest, I’m still sitting on 2 emails from school therapists because I know what they entail. Remote therapy sessions. Graphics of how complete a strength exercise with a caption under each picture. Translation: Mom therapy. Mom is now teacher, friend, disciplinarian, school nurse and therapist.

The most critical therapy for Katie right now is physical therapy because of her new leg orthotic. Thankfully I have the means to take her to outpatient therapy so she doesn’t fall behind in mobility during this unique time we are all living in. Make no mistake: not all kids have this option. These kids need to be in school. They need staff trained to work with their unique needs. They crave seeing their teachers and friends. The can’t wait for the bus to pick them up. They can’t wait to “order” from the cafeteria lady and throw away their own trash. They can’t wait to raise a hand and answer a question or tell a joke and get a laugh.

This is no one’s fault. It is what it is and we are all doing our best. I don’t know the right answer and I am so glad I am not in charge. It’s a balance between keeping kids and staff safe and getting back to in-person learning.

Just to mention, I personally know some of you are loving remote learning so much that you have decided to homeschool. Your kids are thriving and you found a new love of teaching your kids the curriculum you want on your terms. My hat is off to you! I have a couple students to drop off on your doorstep. Just kidding…no, really.

Here is a great example of how teachers make learning fun during remote learning. Enjoy the dancing spider. He’s got moves.

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Our imperfections

Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Nov 10, 2015

My yoga teacher relayed the best message today. She talked about how we are all imperfect. These imperfections are like cracks: they allow light in to give us strength and they allow our light to shine out to encourage others.

Now go forth and be the light.

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Have you hugged a stranger today?

Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Aug 30, 2015

In some ways it feels just like yesterday but the time has flown and it’s hard to believe Katie had surgery just over two months ago. We head up to Duke Tuesday for a post-op MRI and follow-up with her surgeon. We will find out her physical stats but we already know she has really grown exponentially in all areas of development. Not to mention, physical grown too! I don’t know her heights and weight right not but she has really grown this summer. (guess we will find out this week) Amazing what a little food will do. Now I just need to keep her girlish figure. 

She has definitely been keeping me on my toes this summer. They are all blessings in their own way but some new tasks are not as tolerable as others. Her curiosity is here to stay. Some skills are a sign of independence and wonderful to see. She loves to wash her hands. That’s good, right? But when I find her playing at the sink with the faucet on full force and giggling as water is streaming down her forearms to the floor, I am not feeling joyful in that moment. When I find her applying carmex to her entire face and the coffee table, I appreciate her desire to do it herself but I am not feeling joyful in that moment.

Now that she is taller Katie is able to see and reach things on the kitchen bar and counter-tops that weren’t accessible to her before. In the time it took me to shower she managed to find the kitchen scissors, open her diastat rescue medicine, pull a knife out of the block, turn the fireplace on, and stick a bead up her nose. Really??!! Come on! It’s like have a very tall toddler that’s on the move looking for trouble. She is adorable but can not be trusted. I am not feeling joyful in that moment.

We made a visit to the Grandparents a few weeks ago to retrieve Nathan. He spent a week at the new house getting the lay of the land. He wasn’t sure it could be more fun than Texas but he had a great week. Katie spent her time there eating her weight in red grapes and finding what trouble she could get into at their house. She found her way to the grape bowl in the kitchen and stole grapes from the counter-top while walking back and forth to the sink. It’s amazing how quiet she can be when she is misbehaving. She used a spoon to poke at the dirty dishes and splash. She thought she was hidden by the kitchen bar because she is just shy in height but we were just sitting in the living room on the other side. We caught her when she giggled. That Scrub Daddy was too irresistible. He was still smiling as she squeezed his face and made him foam at the mouth. Poor Scrub Daddy.

There are some redeeming qualities to her blossoming personality. In addition to trying to sing every song on the radio, she loves to pretend to talk on the phone. She has a toy smart phone and I have caught her holding it up saying “cheese” and pretending to take a selfie. She will hold it to her ear and say, “oh, hi grandma…yay….ok…..so…..love you, bye bye!”. She then goes through her list of everyone she knows and has the same conversation.

Her love and light are still ever-present. She is a social experiment in hugging these days. The passing of the peace on Sunday mornings is the best part of her week. Last Sunday Billy looked over at me and asked where she went. She had made her way all the way to the other side of the worship center. She can’t contain her love. She often points at someone during the service and says to me “that one”. Off she goes. You are getting a hug whether you want one or not. Sometimes it’s as if she knows who needs a hug. If you think that is uncomfortable imagine how I feel being with her in public. She not only wants to hug everyone but then she says, “Mommy’s turn!”. Elevators are the most interesting. It’s like walking an energetic puppy – they see a stranger and can’t help but jump on their legs and lick them. Thank God she doesn’t do that. I find myself giving a warning after she hugs them. “I’m gonna hug you now.” She is a little angel. That would be her superpower. Some days it can be awkward but most days I know that is her calling. We got dinner last weekend and there was an elderly man by himself waiting for his take out when we stood in line to place our order. No sooner did I begin placing my order and off she goes to hug the man. I feel certain he needed that hug. That one….She has it right. We should all be so full of love. The world would be a different place if someone like my Katie was in charge. That one….

One week of school is down in the books. I think it will be a great ….I know we are all in different stages with some starting kindergarten and others dropping babies off at college.

Backpacks are hung by their hooks with care
Nathan's uniforms make easy choosing of what to wear.
So far lunches are packed the night before.
But give me another week and I'll just throw lunchables out the minivan door.
Pencils and crayons are sharpened and new.
Katie's laces are tied an extra time or two.
My boy was so nervous - oh how will it be?!
Will I make new friends? Who will sit with me?
Staff has not seen Katie since her last surgery.
Will she still be herself - so sweet and carefree?
It will be a year of beginnings for all.
Full of changes and learning or just letting go.
Just let them spread their wings and watch how they grow.
Don't worry moms - it's okay to shed a few tears.
Then come sit on my porch and let's drink a beer.
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com
Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Summer days…help me

Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Jul 26, 2015

Summer has arrived. This is how summer goes…Day 1 – nutritious breakfast, little TV, play “school”, crafts at kitchen table, followed by a nutritious lunch and we even created a video. I was an awesome mom. By 4pm on that same day Nathan was on his ipad and Katie had peed on Big Joe (the bean bag) and was only wearing a diaper. Oh well, it was a great start. 

We are a month out from surgery already. That seems crazy to me. The time has really flown. It is amazing how the days fly when everyone is sleeping. The days were long when we were up all hours of the night and started our days at 4am.

Katie is doing well. One month out from major brain surgery…number 3 and she attended her first VBS. She sang, danced, and eagerly participated in crafts and games with her peers. She even performed with the kids that following Sunday to sing the songs learned from the week. It was a long week for both of us but it was a joy to watch her. After four days she slept in until almost 10 am and took a two hour nap, but she enjoyed her week. My boys were tired too after spending the week at scout camp so we all needed the rest.

Katie attends 3 therapy sessions per week and Nathan has been in tutoring twice a week. We try to fit in some outings and trips to the pool in between.

I haven’t quite decided if the highlight of the day is when she wakes up or when she goes to bed. It’s a lot of energy to deal with all day. She wakes up happy; singing and hungry like a baby bird. One of us always ends up in her bed for a last moment of calm before the new day begins. I love to gobble that sweet, soft spot on her neck right below her ear but after about 60 seconds, give or take, it is go time. Then the multitasking begins. I do it every day but I’m not certain I am very successful at it. A couple days ago I held a phone conversation on speaker with one hand holding a knife and the other hand up the business end of a chicken. I also had a load of laundry going all with 2 kids and a dog interrupting me. I can’t even hold two thoughts in my head at the same time. 

This past week Katie and I shopped in CVS while Nathan went to tutoring across the street. I walked around for half and hour or so with an Elsa sticker stuck to my boob that must have been placed there some time after Katie’s therapy session an hour earlier. I don’t know about you but if you see a grown woman with an Elsa sticker stuck to her side boob, upside down and slanted perhaps you should TELL HER. That’s just my opinion.  At least it wasn’t the same day I somehow managed to get toothpaste on my calf (hmmmm…) and put Katie’s shorts on backwards. (complete with zipper and snap….That is talent.)

Katie’s new career goal when not spending time in timeout is to annoy her brother. That and seeing if she can set the world record for shouting “mommy!” the most number of times in a day. I will be visiting the DMV next week. I am changing my name to Ophelia Gertrude Guadalupe.

I have learned quickly that when she isn’t saying Mommy I better check on her. Quiet is not good. In the span of one hour yesterday she got into the dog-food and then scooted to my purse where she got my wallet out and then took out my credit card and was trying to see how many places it could fit. After I shooed her from that corner of the house she knocked over a plant in our bedroom before making her way to the laundry room where she removed the wet clothes from the dryer and the dirty clothes from the hamper. I found her with the hamper on her head shouting through the mesh fabric into the open dryer because she like the sound of her voice. If I am not chasing her around the house I am playing referee. Katie really knows how to destroy legos. A ten year old boy does not want his lego creations disassembled.

So much for the lazy days of summer.

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Party girl

Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Jun 21, 2015

Yesterday-
Not much sleep for the girls last night. Katie went from agitated and in pain to falling asleep only to be interrupted a dozen times. After all that she didn’t want to sleep. She insisted on asking to ride her bike “bike out, peeeez!” I tried to sleep next to her but she’d point at me with her tiny hands and yell “3,2,1….wake up time, mommy!” “M-o-y…mommy!”

I tried to sleep separately from her and she would take off her chest leads and make the monitor beep. Uuuugh, she can pester the spots off a dog.

I then tried to sleep with her and she would just whine.

Her left eye is swollen shut and she isn’t keen on sitting up but she ate and drank today more than she has. OT and PT came by today and she wasn’t too keen on that either. But later in the evening we managed to get her sitting up in a wheelchair and wheeled her around the floor. It was short lived but brightened her spirits.

Billy stayed with her last night and she is staring to get back on a sleep schedule.

The drain was clamped shut yesterday morning. After a quick CT at noon the drain was removed. This didn’t go as well as we had hoped but it’s done. She is over being messed with. She cried for an hour. Billy and Katie are both sleeping in recovery of that procedure. It isn’t supposed to hurt actually but the hole and flap are supposed to close on their own. Katie was so upset she kept causing her pressure to increase and the fluid to keep rising. This makes it painful. She finally calmed down so hoping the flap closes and all is well.

Her surgeon came by and is pleased with Katie’s recovery. We hope to bust out of this joint soon. “Bye bye Duke!”

Nathan told me last night at the hotel, (He stayed with me while I did laundry cuz I was chicken to stay by myself) he knew everything would be ok but he was glad to hear Katie speak because then he knew she was still his sister. *sigh*

Thank you prayer warriors.

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

On the mend

Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Jun 20, 2015

Our little angel looks like a prize-fighter but is starting to come around. She drank a little milk and ate a few bites of pizza. She slept a lot today but has also been awake more in between naps. She is also asking to ride her bike, swim and go “bye-bye”. “Soon” I tell her. She wants to “walk daddy” and see “Bubby dance”. Leave it to Katie to want to ride her bike 2 days after brain surgery. The drain is still in but not really draining much. I expect it may come out tomorrow. Nathan is a trooper. As are grandma and papa. It isn’t very exciting sitting up at the hospital. He is swimming again as I write this. He is getting lots of iPad time so he isn’t complaining too much.

Overall we are well. God is good. Thank you for the continued prayers. We pray for continued healing.

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Prepping for surgery #3

Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Jun 18, 2015

They just took Katie back to the OR. Just like that. Bill suited up in scrubs and followed behind Katie and OR staff. She was in great spirits this morning chattering nonstop. She was telling everyone knock-knock jokes. Me, one the other hand, doesn’t really like that moment watching them leave. I’m excited for change but the now before then is the hard in between.

It’s straight up “Grey’s Anatomy”, medical drama in here today. We were told yesterday that several big surgeries were going on today. After all it is Duke Hospital, so isn’t that always the case. I even joked that there must be conjoined twins. Well, I was right. While waiting to check Katie in I look over and see a family gathered. The mom was holding conjoined twins. Surrounded by miracles today.

We have a pager so when I know more I will update throughout the day.

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Dear Robin,

Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — May 12, 2015

Breaking news – Ding bat mother tries to water a fake plant today. Over the weekend, the same Mom catches turtle while fishing. After a banner week last week, daughter starts week with scratching her classroom aide and spending afternoon in front office. Today mom nervously waited to pick up said daughter after school to find her wearing shorts with no button and a sweatshirt with the phrase Wish in glitter. Allegedly stubborn girl refused to use bathroom stating she “wanted to dance!”. Later, same girl was seen relieving herself in the classroom. Thankfully, on same day son gets “best etiquette” in class by his teacher. Mom redeems herself.

To begin, we are in the process of scheduling Katie’s surgery to complete a complete anatomical removal of her malformed left side of the brain. We are looking to have this done mid June after the kids get out of school. As we embark on this next journey, we appreciate your continued prayers and support.

She has these “pockets” of days when she does well and other days she seizes more. We are feeling hopeful and pressing onward. We were greeted Saturday evening with a beautiful symbol of hope; a gorgeous rainbow. We were sitting on the front porch enjoying the weather and looked up to see the brightest rainbow I have ever seen. It was perfect. There just may have been a pot of gold and a little dancing leprechaun at the end. Gold, leprechauns or a big bowl of lucky charms, I considered it sign of hope.

It was a lovely Mother’s day weekend and you know what that means… I got dibs on the extra cinnamon roll at breakfast. I got a beautiful carved, wooden vase. Nathan made me a turtle out of legos which he said I could keep because he promised to never use them for another build. Kate “wrote” the most awesome card ever. You know the worksheets they do in school where they fill in the blanks with phrases about mom like How old is she? How much do you love her? When is she the prettiest?, etc. Her answers were hysterical and even more awesome that she came up with them by herself. I will post a picture.

We fished on Saturday morning at the scout property. It was so nice. The weather was just beautiful and Katie actually behaved. Nathan was pretty impressed with his mother. I caught 2 fish and a big turtle. Poor Billy only managed to catch one fish. Every time he would cast his line Nathan or I would need a new hook, snag a tree while casting or try to drag up a log from the bottom of the lake in a tangled mess. 

Church was nice too. I love seeing everyone all dressed up. The message was on Grace. Katie brought tears to our eyes dancing and singing in the isle watching the children’s choir perform. She was trying to sing the words and follow along with the motions. She is a joy to watch. She even snuggled up in her brother’s lap long enough for me to snap a picture. That afternoon we grilled out and did some front-porch-sittin’.

From the front porch I can watch my new friend. We all now I am not much of a bird person. The robin is expecting. Her nest sits in the tree right in front of our yard by the sidewalk. Midway up she has built a secure nest right where the branch meets the trunk. Most of the time she protectively sits on her eggs but a good portion of her day she scavenges for worms. Her russet chest feathers always catch my attention when she hops around looking for food. She often comes into our yard and never gets further than across the street. She is always on guard.

I am done with my sleep diary. Well, not technically but life is too short get attitude from an Internet site. To recap, I was really desperate to sleep at the beginning of this year. It is still a struggle but I am getting there. Long story short, the sleep specialist recommended a cognitive behavioral therapy program that could be done online. Basically you follow guided tutorial sessions each week for 6 weeks while also tracking your sleep patterns each day. I was very religious in recording my data. If you track your information you are graded and get personal advice. I named her Terry. Terry will also give you a window of time to sleep. That’s right. Based on the answers to her questions and the logging of data she will give you a sleep window when you are permitted to sleep. She wants to know all your business. Like Terry says, “Get more sleep by getting less.”

Oh shove it, Terry. Terry doesn’t understand our circumstances. Terry doesn’t live with Katie. I started out with good intentions. No matter what, I couldn’t seem to follow (nor did I want to) getting only 5 hours of sleep at night. When I didn’t do as told she would take sleep away. All the questions…..all the nagging. Terry seems to know when you are lying. Definitely DO NOT tell her about the margarita you had on the front porch on Mother’s Day. Terry doesn’t care. NO SLEEP FOR YOU! I’m grounded. Again. Terry is nuts.  

To all the moms out there (even my new robin friend), Happy Mother’s Day. You may worry about your eggs and wonder if you are doing enough to keep them safe. You hope you have built the best nest possible so one day you can perch proudly on that limb and see your babies fly away. It is ok. They may stumble. They may fall down but they will find the way.  So know this, you are doing just fine.