I have too many flaws to be perfect, but I have also have too many blessings to be ungrateful!

Shew, what a week!  We had four full days of school (five for Ella!), Grayson started preschool, Kermie and I met a new surgeon, Ella started piano, Kermie worked hard/late almost every night and actually became the contact for a new job, I had what I hope to be my last surgery, and a few other odds and ends here and there (I think my anniversary may be tomorrow!).

So, in regards to school, this year is off to a wonderful start for Ella and me both.  She loves her teacher, Mrs. Smedley, and I love my new group of fifth graders.  I actually had one of my kiddos come up to me out of nowhere, in the middle of class, and say, "Mrs. Donovan, can I give you a hug?  I'm so glad you're my teacher."  Of course the answer was yes and my heart was happy.  They all seem so very sweet and eager to please... I'm hoping it stays that way!

The first half of the week was a little stressful, but for no reason.  I'm certain that Kermie and I both worked ourselves up about Grayson going to preschool for no reason at all.  On Monday, he went to his orientation and I believe meeting his teacher and seeing where he would be during the day made the biggest difference for sure.  On Wednesday morning, he woke up fairly easy, got his clothes on, and seemed pumped about his day!  The whole family (Ella, Kermie, and I) dropped him off.  Since Kermie and I have to be at work at the break of dawn, drop off for us is around 6:45 or 7:00 and is not in his actual preschool room.  I thought this might be hard on him, but no, not at all.  He walked right in and barely stopped for a picture.  He remained on my mind ALL day long, and as soon as the dismissal bell rang, we were on our way to PCA to see our "big boy."  His after-school teacher (He stays all day on Monday and Wednesday because transportation mid-day is hard for us to come by!) said he did wonderful all day!  It actually took a bit to get him to leave because he was showing Ella everything in the room.  What a relief!  I was so proud and can't wait to see how this next week goes.

I think I already mentioned in previous posts that we were going to check out another eye surgeon to get a second opinion about possible little touches to my bottom eyelid.  I still don't have an actual eye rim or lashes on two-thirds of the bottom lid, and after initially being told those things would happen, I was kind of let down when my previous surgeon stopped.  Don't get me wrong because I totally think he did a fabulous job and would recommend him to anyone, but neither Kermie or I wanted to stop without knowing for sure we had done everything possible to get me back to "me."  Dr. Cowen, the new guy, was awesome to say the least.  Very personable, professional, and thorough.  He was also impressed at my progress, but said that everything that had be done up to this point was working.  He quoted the phrase, "If it's not broke, don't fix it!"  The things I want (rim/lashes) are minor compared to the big picture and doing more could potentially reverse or hurt things that are currently working for me.  He explained that I have a nice, curved lower lid; a healthy eye minus the dryness that I continue to address; and even a nice upper lid minus the droop from the weight.  He explained that there is no perfect when you experience such trauma and that at the time, he was pretty amazed.  So, both good and bad news I guess.  I am happy about the progress, but was hopeful for those final little touches.  Dr. Cowen said that eyeliner or tattoo in the future could cosmetically enhance the eye if I chose to go that route, but the important thing was keeping my eye healthy.  The only places he said he could possibly help would be inserting a plug into my tear duct to keep the drops and ointment  from draining and doing electrolysis on those few lashes I do have that rub against my eye. The first would help keep my eye lubricated longer and the second would prevent abrasion to the eye since it is numb.  Kermie and I haven't really talked about it any since coming home, but they are definitely things to consider in the future.

On to my girl!  Recently, Ella has been obsessed with the keyboard in her room.  She's going to be much like her daddy and able to pick up things by ear, so I asked her if she wanted to try taking lessons.  It just so happens that a mother of one of my students gives lessons, so we did our very first lesson Thursday.  Ella was excited all day and is still just as excited.  Her and Linda explored the piano by learning the names of the white keys and even put together enough notes to learn two songs.  Linda hadn't told her the name of the song as she was playing the notes, but wanted to see if she could figure it out as she played.  I loved the way she taught it like that.  Ella has some homework until our next lesson and I'm hoping this is something she keeps up with!

And, now the husband!  He really has been working super hard and loves his job.  He loves building, learning, the whole business thing, and the "experiences" he has with all of my family!  I know that he wants to make this a career and prove to my dad/grandpa that he's serious about his work and after this week, I'd say his dedication is starting to pay off.  I beat him home every night and I even got home late each night!  He always beats me to work and I have to be there by 7:15!  On Thursday, he and my dad met with a new set of clients and dad introduced Kermie as the contact.  I wasn't really sure what that meant, but now I understand that he's the go to man for the whole house.  I'm sure that's hard for my dad to relinquish all that control because it would be for me too!  He and my grandpa built the business themselves and to trust your life's work to someone else is tough!  I am praying this is only the beginning of something great!

Instead of going to work today, Kermie and I headed to Good Samaritan Hospital for my "hopefully last" surgery!  Dr. Patel was going to fix the scar below my eye by cutting the tissue out, anchoring it to the cheek, and stitching it back together.  Before heading back to the OR, he talked about possibly revising the scar that continues down my cheek, but wouldn't know for sure until he got a better look.  I told him I trusted that he knew what would look best and to have at it!  After all, he is responsible for putting me together back in December.  Anyone who saw me that morning knows how great of a job he did!  As I was waking up today, not only was I loopy from the meds, but I became confused when I heard the nurses talking about the work done on my forehead and cheek!  Apparently, Dr. Patel excised the scar under my eye, left the other smaller one alone, and decided to go ahead with the scar on my forehead.  He told Kermie that when he worked on the first scar, the stretching made the cheek look better.  It can be something we can revisit in the office if need be later on.  Overall, I feel pretty good.  I was kind of sick before going with allergies/sinus stuff, so that along with surgery isn't the best.  I'm hoping to take it easy the next two days and head back to school Monday.

Speaking of taking it easy the next two days, tomorrow is our eleven year anniversary.  I'd have to admit I'd much rather be back in Florida or the tennis tournament, but letting Kermie take care of me isn't all that bad!  He's pretty spectacular at it and time to rest is probably best any way... or at least that's what I'm telling myself!  Happy Anniversary, Kermie!  I love you.

Two of My Greatest Blessings

I've been wanting to do a blog post about my kiddos for a while now, so tonight's post is dedicated to two of my greatest blessings, Ella and Grayson.  From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a mom.  I couldn't wait to see how my children would look and how they would act.  I've always marveled at how God allows us to create such awesome miracles!  Now that I've got my own, I'm still in awe of how perfectly imperfect He made my kiddos.

I'll start with Ms. Ella.  She's a lot like me in both good and bad ways!  She's the "older" sister, so she's bossy and a know-it-all.  I honestly don't like playing with her because she tells me EXACTLY how to play.  Heaven forbid I want to name my own Barbie and color a specific picture!  (haha) She's creative beyond my imagination and has a huge heart.  She's brainstorming ways for me to see again out of my right eye and actually has pretty good ideas if her math and science can lead her in the right direction. Her poor little heart breaks when she has to leave those she loves most.  Take my mom for instance.  She and Ella have a special relationship that I am very thankful for.  On the other hand, Ella nearly has a meltdown when it's time to leave her Nana! I remember being the same way when I was small with my nanny.  On the other hand... she's quite the dramatic as well.  I know the child deals with anxiety and it's a serious road blocker for her, but she also deals with making things WAY bigger than they should be.  Kermie and I are afraid to take her out sometimes because we are afraid of what scene she will make when it's time to go home.  We've told her countless times that people are going to think we are terrible parents by the way she acts.  Much like her mommy, she gets very anxious at bedtime.  Or at least I did as a child and even still have trouble at night if I'm in an uncomfortable place.  It's strange how something so specific can be passed down  She absolutely loves school and her teachers.  She is a deep thinker and can rationalize things that most 6.75 year olds can't.  This is both good and bad.  Even though I'm partial, I happen to think she's absolutely beautiful both inside and out.  She makes my day with her small little compliments.  The other day after the day was nearing it's end, she said, " Mommy, your pony tail was perfect today."  It's those things that make her even more special.    She wants to be as good as she can possibly be and even hoped that getting baptized would stop her from doing "bad" things.  How could you not forgive such innocence?  She sees the good in everyone and has a tremendous amount of faith.  And, last but not least, she makes me very proud to be her mommy!

Then there's the second child...

Like I've said before, Grayson is most definitely one of a kind!  He's obsessed with "workers," "all things cool," and any thing else his daddy does.  The funny thing is what he considers cool.  He has at least ten wardrobe changes a day which all consist of putting his shirt on backwards, worker jeans, boots, a cool hat, and whatever accessory he can find even if it is his sisters or mommy's.  He loves coming home from being gone all day because he already knows what outfit he wants to put on in order to go "mow" the grass.  The poor kid will go out in 90 degree weather dressed for winter because he thinks he looks the part.  God love him.  Grayson is also an instigator.  He loves to get his sister all riled up and has no problem being mean when he's bossed around.  He is sensitive and caring and has so much love to give if you catch him at the right moment.  I can usually count on him to do favors for me when I'm feeling lazy because he loves to make his mommy happy.  For instance, I was laying on the couch tonight and asked both kids to grab my favorite blanket.  Ella quickly refused while Grayson got up and grabbed it without hesitating.  He loves being rubbed and wont let you stop for a minute.  I'm not certain that school will be as important or fun to him like it is his sister, but we will find out in a few weeks when he starts preschool.  I've tried my hardest this summer, but he gives me about 10 minutes and then he's gone!  Good luck to his future teachers.  He can say some pretty mean things when he wants which I think is another thing he may get from me.  Boo!  We are working on that and I'm trying to set a better example.  Until then, he spends a lot of his life in time out. I can honestly say that I was nervous about having a boy after having my meek and somewhat mild Ella, but Grayson stole my heart the minute I laid eyes on him.  Yes, he can be rowdy, but he's oh so sweet at the same time.  Just like his sister, but in his own unique way, he makes me proud to be his mommy!

As always, I'm thankful for these babies and every memory we make together.