Today I woke up and was actually breathing through my nose. For those of you scratching your heads right now and wondering why this is significant, allow me to elaborate. Last Thursday, March 8, I had a septoplasty to fix my deviated septum. Surgery went well and I woke to find that my doctor had removed what he stated to be the largest bone spur ever from my nose, along with straightening and shaving my septum. Lovely. Leave it to me to be the freak. Anyway, my recovery started off semi okay, but took a nose dive (literally) when I got sick with a cold/flu on top of my recovery. UGH. I developed a touch of viral pneumonia from this, so it’s been a rough go. HOWEVER, today I am starting to feel normal again, with the exception of a VERY itchy nose/eyes and a yucky cough. I’m still tired, but I’m getting there! I have to give a big thanks to Tami, Jodi and Heidi for helping out with my kids! You ROCK! Also HUGE thanks to Jamie Oberman (ENT doc), Tim Ayers (Anethesia doc), APU staff and ENT Staff. Jamie swears I said nothing embarrasing under anesthesia. Whew.
On to other excitement! Here is Eva on her new big girl bike! I cannot believe my baby is ready to ride. One of my most vivid and cherished childhood memories is of my father teaching me to ride my very first two wheeler. I remember it in such vivid detail, him dressed in some silly overalls, squatted to the ground with his screwdriver, removing the training wheels from my beautiful 
big bike. Oddly, I can’t seem to recall the color, maybe it was blue. Once the trainers were off, he turned to me with this big smile on his face, ready to help me shed my fears and feel the wind in my face. Surprisingly, I remember that we lived on Joanna Drive in Santa Anna, CA, on a tree lined street of duplex homes, many with children. We went to the end of the driveway and Dad set me on the bike, holding it steady so I could get my feet on the pedals and find my balance. We started slowly down the sidewalk, my dad holding the seat and starting to jog as we picked up speed. Without warning, he let go, watching me sail alone down the sidewalk, shouting with joy and maybe just a bit of sadness. I was growing up. It would be the first of many times my father helped me sail away. The training wheels still attached to Eva’s bicycle, her father has yet to set her free. He will, as my father did. I wish for her that the memory lives in her mind as vividly as it lives it mine. Thanks, Dad.
big bike. Oddly, I can’t seem to recall the color, maybe it was blue. Once the trainers were off, he turned to me with this big smile on his face, ready to help me shed my fears and feel the wind in my face. Surprisingly, I remember that we lived on Joanna Drive in Santa Anna, CA, on a tree lined street of duplex homes, many with children. We went to the end of the driveway and Dad set me on the bike, holding it steady so I could get my feet on the pedals and find my balance. We started slowly down the sidewalk, my dad holding the seat and starting to jog as we picked up speed. Without warning, he let go, watching me sail alone down the sidewalk, shouting with joy and maybe just a bit of sadness. I was growing up. It would be the first of many times my father helped me sail away. The training wheels still attached to Eva’s bicycle, her father has yet to set her free. He will, as my father did. I wish for her that the memory lives in her mind as vividly as it lives it mine. Thanks, Dad. C
harley’s giving a big wide hello to everyone!! We miss you! Check me out, Uncle Markie. My skull and bones onesie is my FAVE! We’ve graduated from commando crawling (only used for speed now) to hands and knees, albeit a bit more slowly. Table food is all the rage and we are awaiting the full arrival of THREE, count em 3, top teeth, bringing our arsenal of chewing mechanisms to FIVE!! Go Charley! We are also giving a bit of attention to standing with assistance. No pulling up yet, but it’s not far off. Also, Charley is quite possibly the nosiest little nelly on the planet. I think I need to fill the drawers of my step tansu with little treasures to keep her busy! Love to all from the munchkin.
harley’s giving a big wide hello to everyone!! We miss you! Check me out, Uncle Markie. My skull and bones onesie is my FAVE! We’ve graduated from commando crawling (only used for speed now) to hands and knees, albeit a bit more slowly. Table food is all the rage and we are awaiting the full arrival of THREE, count em 3, top teeth, bringing our arsenal of chewing mechanisms to FIVE!! Go Charley! We are also giving a bit of attention to standing with assistance. No pulling up yet, but it’s not far off. Also, Charley is quite possibly the nosiest little nelly on the planet. I think I need to fill the drawers of my step tansu with little treasures to keep her busy! Love to all from the munchkin. Finally, here is a pic of me and some of my girls at Tami’s Thanks party. My sweet pal hosted a lovely party, thanking all of us for our friendship and time together here on our little island “paradise.” (think beach huts and beautiful weather, HAHA)
It’s amazing and more than a little sad that our time here is at an end. I’ve made some of the most amazing friendships I could have ever imagined and been surrounded by love and surrogate families for a wonderful 3 years. It is with great sadness that we will be saying Good-bye to the Cooper Family in 2 short weeks. Last night was especially bittersweet for my Family, as we bade farewell to the Lopez Family, our fast first friends and neighbors here on Okinawa. Heidi and I were instant friends the moment we met and I will miss her & her wonderful family (Al, Corey & Isaiah) immensely. This is us at Heidi’s birthday celebration. 21 again! LOL Thanks for your friendship, sup
port and help these 3 years and GOOD LUCK in Beaufort! Sayonara, my friends.
It’s amazing and more than a little sad that our time here is at an end. I’ve made some of the most amazing friendships I could have ever imagined and been surrounded by love and surrogate families for a wonderful 3 years. It is with great sadness that we will be saying Good-bye to the Cooper Family in 2 short weeks. Last night was especially bittersweet for my Family, as we bade farewell to the Lopez Family, our fast first friends and neighbors here on Okinawa. Heidi and I were instant friends the moment we met and I will miss her & her wonderful family (Al, Corey & Isaiah) immensely. This is us at Heidi’s birthday celebration. 21 again! LOL Thanks for your friendship, sup
port and help these 3 years and GOOD LUCK in Beaufort! Sayonara, my friends. Luv to all,
Tiffers
O my God I have the cutest grandaughters in all the world. What treat to see and read all about their daily lives thanks so much Tiff!!! I love to read your thoughts they always make me laugh smile and some times just think. I cannot wait for all of you to be back in the states. I want to spend out a big kiss and a hug to Charles the best husband and father. And our heart felt gratitude for the loving way you took such good care of our daughter during this really rough time we love you very much son and we thank God you are part of our family. Tiff Dad and I know this has been a very difficult time we hope and pray you are feeling better with each passing day. You are so brave to have gone through all of this right after all the mouth issues. Feel better sweetheart and keep this wonderful blog of love coming.
Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mom and Dad
O my God I have the cutest grandaughters in all the world. What treat to see and read all about their daily lives thanks so much Tiff!!! I love to read your thoughts they always make me laugh smile and some times just think. I cannot wait for all of you to be back in the states. I want to spend out a big kiss and a hug to Charles the best husband and father. And our heart felt gratitude for the loving way you took such good care of our daughter during this really rough time we love you very much son and we thank God you are part of our family. Tiff Dad and I know this has been a very difficult time we hope and pray you are feeling better with each passing day. You are so brave to have gone through all of this right after all the mouth issues. Feel better sweetheart and keep this wonderful blog of love coming.
Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mom and Dad
Hi guys!
Well sense I could not remember my old account info i just got a new one. I cried threw most of this email. I can not believe how big the girls are they are growing to fast. That onsie is the cutest thing ever! Evie looks so big on that bike and although I do not remember my childhood as vividley as you I remember Terry with Haley and Ivy and it brings tears to my eyes. I am so glad to hear you are starting to feel human again.Hopefully the next few week will just bring more peace to your body. We miss you guys so much!
Hi guys!
Well sense I could not remember my old account info i just got a new one. I cried threw most of this email. I can not believe how big the girls are they are growing to fast. That onsie is the cutest thing ever! Evie looks so big on that bike and although I do not remember my childhood as vividley as you I remember Terry with Haley and Ivy and it brings tears to my eyes. I am so glad to hear you are starting to feel human again.Hopefully the next few week will just bring more peace to your body. We miss you guys so much!
Hi guys!
Well sense I could not remember my old account info i just got a new one. I cried threw most of this email. I can not believe how big the girls are they are growing to fast. That onsie is the cutest thing ever! Evie looks so big on that bike and although I do not remember my childhood as vividley as you I remember Terry with Haley and Ivy and it brings tears to my eyes. I am so glad to hear you are starting to feel human again.Hopefully the next few week will just bring more peace to your body. We miss you guys so much!
So glad to see you’re on the mend! Hope you get my card/photo soon. Hopefully we can catch up this summer… too bad I NEVER know where I’ll be living one year to the next! 🙂
So glad to see you’re on the mend! Hope you get my card/photo soon. Hopefully we can catch up this summer… too bad I NEVER know where I’ll be living one year to the next! 🙂
So glad to see you’re on the mend! Hope you get my card/photo soon. Hopefully we can catch up this summer… too bad I NEVER know where I’ll be living one year to the next! 🙂
too sweet. i know how you feel because i just want things to stay the SAME and people keep growing up and moving away and not co-operating in keeping my perfect moments. luckily there are more around the corner (perfect moments, not always perfect friends). sorry about your nose…have you ever EVER had something go easily with your health and recovery?!!! it’s a good thing you’ve got Charles, Eva and Charley there to bring you kleenex and make you smile!
too sweet. i know how you feel because i just want things to stay the SAME and people keep growing up and moving away and not co-operating in keeping my perfect moments. luckily there are more around the corner (perfect moments, not always perfect friends). sorry about your nose…have you ever EVER had something go easily with your health and recovery?!!! it’s a good thing you’ve got Charles, Eva and Charley there to bring you kleenex and make you smile!
too sweet. i know how you feel because i just want things to stay the SAME and people keep growing up and moving away and not co-operating in keeping my perfect moments. luckily there are more around the corner (perfect moments, not always perfect friends). sorry about your nose…have you ever EVER had something go easily with your health and recovery?!!! it’s a good thing you’ve got Charles, Eva and Charley there to bring you kleenex and make you smile!