A Day at Scenic Beach Starfish and All




He's is turning 8 this week and he is such a handsome little man!

 

Zachary took our picture




This is one of my favorite photos of Isabella

 



They loved the beach!  There were starfish all over!



Kirk holding a medium size crab.

A large jellyfish  I got stung by one today!

Happy Anniversary

Next week Kirk and I celebrate 13 years of marriage.  In honor of our two losses this year I thought I would post a photo of our Grandparents on our wedding day. 

Two Cute Kiddos at the Lake

Question for all Educators Public, Private, or Homeschool Moms

For my literacy class, we are coming up with a list of reading assesments that we and others' use.  If you would like to partcipate please e-mail me a list of reading assesments that you use in your classroom or at home.  I also need to know the postive and negative aspects of each assesment.    Send responses by Wednesday to 4walkerfamily@gmail.com.  Thanks!

Heavens to Betsy!

We completed our first week of swimming lessons and I'm happy to report that Isabella did not drown; however, this child has no fear of the water at all and even attempted to jump into 9 feet of water today, and told me that she would be ok because she was a "Beautiful Mermaid"  Where does she come up with these ideas?

The Bow and Arrow



So last night was Z's last night of Tiger Camp and they had a family BBQ so we all were able to attend.  I have never been so thrilled that that they saved the bow and arrow activity for the last night because that met Kirk had the opportunity to do this with Z and I did not have to attempt to teach him this skill.  I'm more than happy to teach him different skills, but bows arrows are not my thing right up there with BB guns!



Happy Birthday Shaunna

Today we are celebrating my friend Shaunna's 60th birthday!  I met Shaunna about seven years ago.  I remember when I first met her I heard her sing and it was like listening to an angel sing.  She is one of the most Christ-like people I know.  This is Shaunna with Isabella on her first Birthday and she is next to my other friend Becca and her  cute little girl.

The night of Kirk's Graduation Party

Here is photo of many people who I know love Shaunna.
Happy Birthday!!!!!!

A Great Example to All

A couple of weeks ago I lost my great aunt Beth, and I have been thinking about her, and wanted to write a post about her because she was such a wonderful and kind lady. Even though I did not have the opportunity to see Aunt Beth very often I wanted to express how blessed I was to know her and how much she touched my life.  My great aunt Beth at the age of 84 joined the facebook community about a year ago and it was so much fun catching up with her!  I thought it was so awesome that she joined facebook and would commmunicate with everyone in the family.  Frequently, I would read her posts and I knew that family meant a lot to her.  She also completed a lot of our family history and about a year ago she sent me some pedigree charts and family group records.  I truly admired all of her time and dedication to family history, and greatly appreciated all of the records she sent me.  Recently, I was reviewing my posts and I wanted to save some of the posts that she sent me so I could add it into my own family history.  Her last post to me was on the day that I could drive again. This is what she wrote to me. 

 "Heidi, I have just read your blog.spot on the internet and was very inpressed with the recovery that you have made and so happy for you. You have come a long way since your brain bleed and it has made you into a stronger person than you were before. I will keep praying for you and your future recovery and I know that as long as you keep relying on the power of our Heavenly Father that you will keep on getting better all the time. You have made such progress and I am really proud of you. It shows in your attitude and growth during this whole process. I love you and keep on working "

March 31 at 7:24am · · 1

 

I believe that she truly understood the purpose of this life, and she was a true example to me.

 

 

 

 

Internal Med Doctor Update

Today I went in to see my Internal Med. Doctor for a follow-up.  Everything is still rolling in the right direction.  My lab work looked good including my thyroid.  I have been surprised that I have not had to change the dosing of my thyroid medication since the brain bleed!  She checked my balance and that is still a little off and my left side is still weaker, but is improving.  My blood pressure was 124/72 which was awesome!  We discussed my upcoming appointment with the Neuro-Psychlogist, and what I needed to do to prepare for my upcoming visit with her.  My doctor also reviewed with me the changes that I would continue to experience since the brain bleed.  She explained that when my body is fighting an infection or virus that I would experience bad headaches, dizziness, increased left side weakness, and more balance issues.  She said that she wanted to make that clear to me so that I could prepare and understand that the above issues are chronic and were a result of the bleed. On a side note, the reason why all of this was brought up is because I have the start of a kidney infection, which she discovered during her exam. This may explain why I had some issues in PT the other day.  Overall good news and I'm sure there will be more to report after the Neuro-Psy visit. 

Slip sliding Away

The water slide came out on this hot day!  Even though Zach and Bella went to swimming lessons earlier they still enjoyed the slide!

BB Guns, Homemade Ice-cream, and one tired Mom



I'm happy to say that tonight I got the opportunity to shoot a BB gun with my son, and Kirk owes me big!  I tolerated shooting with Zach for about five minutes and thankfully my friend sent over her older son to shoot with Zachary.  My head was ok because I only did this actvity for brief moment.  However, after a few nights of this I can say that I'm exhausted.    As you can see from the photo there is a group of happy but active little guys.  We even have one that broke his arm.  I admire the leaders that put all of this together, but I'm for sure not meant to be a leader in this area.



Tiger Twilight

Zachary at Tiger Twilight.  He really had fun!

I was so impressed how easily it came to him on how to fold our Flag.

Playing with other kiddos at camp.  Zach's social skills have really developed.

He's really thinking about how to fold our Flag.

We ate this salad over the 4th and it was Yummy!

Strawberry Romain Salad


•1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced (I have also used Craisins when strawberries aren't in season)

•2 heads of Romain lettuce, chopped (the recipe calls for spinach...but I like Romain better)

•1 cup sliced almonds

•1 recipe Honey Poppy Seed Dressing

In a medium skillet, toast almonds on medium high heat. Add 1/4 cup sugar and stir constantly until sugar melts and almonds toast to a golden brown. Spread almonds on wax paper to dry and cool. Put strawberries, almonds, lettuce, and dressing in separate containers and combine right before you eat.





Honey Poppy Seed Dressing:


•1/2 cup sugar

•1/4 cup honey

•1/2 tsp paprika

•1/2 tsp dry mustard

•1/2 tsp onion powder

•1/4 cup lemon juice

•1/2 cup vegetable oil

•1/4 tsp poppy seeds

Mix all ingredients except oil and poppy seeds in a blender. Gradually add oil and poppy seeds and continue blending.

Bran Muffins Everyone loved them!

Refrigerated Bran Muffins



•2 cups boiling water

•4 cups Kelloggs Bran Buds or Fiber One cereal (the bran cereal that looks like little worms)

•2 cups sugar (I used 1 1/4 cups honey)

•1 cup oil (or 1 cup applesauce)

•4 eggs

•1 quart buttermilk

•5 cups flour (I used 1/2 wheat and 1/2 white flour)

•5 tsp baking soda

•1 tsp salt

•2 cups wheat/bran flakes

•2 cups chopped, dry dates

•1 cup pecans

Pour boiling water over the Bran Buds/Fiber One and set aside. Cream sugar, oil, and eggs. Slowly add buttermilk. Add rest of dry ingredients. Add bran mixture, dates and nuts. Store in covered storage container in fridge for up to 6 weeks. Do not stir after it has been put into the fridge. When ready to cook, fill muffin tin 1/2 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Life can be a real headache

I have my PT to thank for this lovely piece of cloth!  Yesterday during PT my therapist brought in this piece of fabric.  She told me that she was going to hold this piece of fabric in front of my face and then she wanted me to turn my head from side to side, and while looking at the fabric count the number of black stripes that I could see.   Can I say this not only brought on a headache, but also dizziness and you can guess the other.  Lets say therapy quickly ended on Monday.

Mom, "I did not drown today." thoughtful words spoken by Isabella after her impulsive dive into 12 feet of water yesterday. Thankfully her teacher was by her. And did I say I'm thankful for swimming lessons!

Zach on his back.

Waiting



Swimming



Swimming by herself with the flotation device.  At least she did not dive into 12 feet of water today

Isabella with her teacher

She loves floating on her back.

Insight

I have been up working on my classes tonight and during my work I was pondering and reflecting, I do my thinking at night, and usually while I'm writing.  After completing a paper for one of my classes, I started thinking about my bleed, and I thought about where I would be today if the bleed had not happened?  I thought about how quickly I could think and write, prior to the bleed.  I also thought about a conversation I had with someone yesterday, and how difficult it was for me to keep track of the multiple topics we were discussing together.  It was like I could not organize the topics of conversation in my brain, and when we would switch subjects I had difficulty recalling what we were talking about prior and what I had said about that subject.  I was also aware that the person I was having the conversation with was also aware of my struggle.  What a frustrating conversation!  However, there are moments of time when I surprise myself, and I'm able to bang out some insightful information in my papers and I wonder where did that come from?  Then there is tonight when I have time to stop and think and realize that right now writing is easier for me because I'm allowed more "think time" verses when I'm in a conversation I'm required to think and respond more rapidly.  Finally, I'm starting to put my current brain all together!

Thursday's Thriller



We found four large purple starfish at Salt Water State Park on Thursday.  The kids were so excited!  The starfish Zachary is holding is almost half his size!





We were the only ones at that side of the beach so we got to look at them for a while.



This one was the largest

 



Mom and Isabella with the starfish

  



The four of them



Isabella enjoyed just looking at them and touching them.



They wanted to take them home.



Isabella getting ready to place the starfish back into the Puget Sound.



Checking them out.

 


Isabella loved holding them!

 

License to Chill

Piggies and All! Happy 4th of July



No Fireworks for the Walkers!  Instead we took the kiddos to the park where they had 4th of July activities.  They discovered something new that they wanted to take home.



Isabella was the first to discover the baby pig.  She begged me to take him home.



Zachary loved the piglet too!  He has a gentle way with animals.

One of the worker's picked up the pig so Isabella could pet it.  She really enjoyed the Pot Belly.  And no we are not adding a pig to the family even though our children are telling everyone that they are going to get a pet pig!

Zachary riding a pony.  Thankfully they did not ask for a pony!

Enjoying the ride!

The newest family photo!  Everyone is smiling!

Happy 4th of July!!!!



The kids loved the size of the horse

Farewell to First Grade!

Here are some photos that I was able to capture today on the last day of school since we missed the opportunity on the first day of first grade.  There are photos of his teacher Ms. Clay and Zachary, and a photo of Zachary and Mrs. Burnette.  Mrs. Burnette volunteers at Zachary's school and she faithfully worked with him on reading every week.  She also drew him car race track, which is hanging in his room now.  Thank you so much for helping him he really enjoyed the two of you!


The offical future 2nd Grader!



Zachary and his teacher Ms. Clay

Zachary holding a book with Mrs. Burnette

The Loss of a friend and a gift to Education

This morning Kirk was notified that one of his classmate's and friend's from his Master's program passed away. Maria was a frequent reader of our family blog. All of the time she would inquire about my recovery, and on the day of Graduation she came over and gave me a huge hug and told me how happy she was that I was alive and had been given the gift of life. She also would assist Kirk with class assignments, and was a wonderful team player

Maria was my classmate, she was intelligent, a lover of life, and being a friend and helper to her classmates. On the behalf of myself and my wife Heidi we will miss Maria and want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Maria was a gift to education! God Bless You All!




Kirk and the Walker Family

"My Stroke of Insight"

Yesterday I was in Physical Therapy and my therapist handed me a book titled "My Stroke of Insight" and told me that  she would like me to read it because it reminded her of me.  The book is about a thirty-seven year old Harvard-tarined brain scientist who suffered a brain hemorrage.  The book was so excellent that I read it in two hours and could strongly relate to this woman.  The author was able to convey thoughts and feelings that I have also experienced since my brain hemorrage. In her book, she mentions that on December 10, 1996, the old Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor died and now she must embrace her new self because her brain has ever changed.  The same holds true for me, and I now am able to to accept it. This book also offered me a lot of insightful information, and I realized that many of my unspoken and spoken prayers had finally been answered by my Physical Therapist, who shared this book with me.  I needed this book and finally there was someone who was able to understand me and articulate many of my thoughts, feelings, and ideas of my brain bleed through her book.  For those of you who have supported me and continue to support my recovery, I highly recommend that you read this book because it truly explains "Heidi" since the brain hemorrage. Here are some insights that I got from the book.

I need people around me to believe in the plasticity of my brain and its ability to grow, learn, and recover.

I need people to love me not for the person I had been, but for who I might now become.

Always offer me multiple choice questions never ask me yes/no questions. Forced choice demand that I open old files or create new ones.  Yes/ No questions demand no real thought.

Emotional healing is a tediously slow process but well worth the effort.

What a wonderful gift this stroke has been in permitting me to pick and choose who and how I want to be in the world.  Since the hemorrhage my eyes have been opened to how much choice I actually have about what goes on between my ears.

Having taken this unexpected journey into the depths of my brain I am grateful and amazed that I have completely recovered physically, cognitively, emotionally, and spiritually.

To experience peace does not mean that your life is always blissful.  It means that you are capable of tapping into a blissful state of mind amidst the normal chaos of a hectic life.

Trust that I am trying just not with your skill level or on your schedule.

I may want you to think I understand more than I really do.

Trust that my brain can always continue to learn.

Love me for the person I am today. Don't hold me to being the person I was before.  I have a different brain now.

One of the greatest lessons I learned was how to feel the physical component of emotion.

I was a fragile living being and life is a precious gift.

There was sluggishness about my brain.

I have learned so much from this experience with the stroke, that I actually feel fortunate to have taken this journey.

I existed in some remote space that seemed to be far away from my normal information processing and it was clear that the "I" whom I had grown up to be had not survived this neurological catastrophe.

Walking became a very important part of my routine.  When you feel like a fluid it's impossible to know where your physical boundaries begin and end.

This stroke has not only opened my eyes to the beauty and resiliency of the human brain, but also the generosity of the human spirit.

Feeling the warmth of the sunshine upon my face or the kiss of a breeze on my cheek connects me directly with a part of myself that feels at one with all that is.

You and you choose moment by moment who you want to be in the world. I encourage you to pay attention to what is going on in your brain.  Own your power and show up for your life.  Beam Bright!


If you choose read this book I hope you all will find as much insightful information as I have.  Even if you have not experienced a brain bleed there are parts to this book that apply to all of us.  My Physical Therapist suggested that we hold a Celebration of Life on my first year anniversary which will be August 31st.  We plan on having a celebration and will send out more details in the near future. I also want to express my thankfulness to my physical therapist Deinse.  I know that you were met to be a part of my life during this period of my journey.  Thank you for believing in my brain and in me.  What an incredible journey this continues to be!

We saw Dr. German today and Isabella is up a half of pound, and her blood work is looking good.  So far everyone else is healthy so it looks like we will come for a visit home early next week.  Here is a photo of Isabella in the hospital.  Behind her is some of her stash of toys that she got.

The Bitter-Sweet taste of the brain bleed

A few weeks ago I saw my Neurologist for my blood pressure, but today I saw him for my full check-up. It was a good visit but also a reality check. I saw both my Neurologist and Vascular Neuro-Surg. The Vascular-Neuro-Surg still has no bed-side manner, and does not ever smile, but I trust him fully with my brain. My Neurologist is a lot easier to talk to and is a lot more compassionate. Here is the news. 1. Blood Pressure was 128/72 that is very good for me. 2. My optic nerves are swollen and there is slight spinal fluid in the brain which is typical post brain bleed. This is what has been causing my headaches and extra pressure I have been feeling, but have not shared with anyone up until today. No shunt is required at this time. This is what is causing the high blood pressure they believe. 3. Change of Beta Blocker I now take an extended release beta blocker at night and then 40 to 60 minutes before excercise I have to take 40mg of a beta blocker, which will last for 60 minutes. 4. Neurologist wants me to workout as along as someone is with me and I take my beta blocker. I can do the bike or elipical for 40 to 50 minutes. No weights at the gym I have to continue to do weights with the PT. 5. I will be in Physical Therapy for at least another three months. She will continue to monitor my heart rate, blood pressure, massage my neck, work on balance, and work with me with light weights. 6. My Neurologist and Vascular Neuro-Surg had the talk with me about "brain damage" that the bleed caused. They said that since I had the brain bleed that for sure there was some damage done to my brain and they want the Neuro-Psycholgist to perform cognitive testing. I see her all day July 24th. The day after our anniversary and the day before Zachary's birthday. However, this is good because they will know what gaps they need fill in and what area of the brain they will need to retrain. 7. I can only drink 60 ounces of water a day and no more. They want to control my fluid intake because of the slight extra fluid in my brain. Please pray I pass no kidney stones! 8. I'm on a low sodium diet for fluid reasons. 9. I can still travel to Idaho as long as we stop every hour and take our time. If my head hurts too bad we will turn around and drive home. We will be going through Portland because there are less mountain passes. I also have a load of medication to hopefully prevent me from getting too dizzy and throwing up. Still no flying for me! I also had to promise my Neuro that I would rest a lot in Idaho. How do I feel about all this? I would not wish a brain bleed on my worst enemy, but I feel very thankful to be alive and given the opportunity to watch my children grow. Yes, I spent an extra 20 minutes with my Neurologist crying in his office today. He was a good listener and pointed out all of the gains that I have made since August 31st. I told him I never imagined this recovery taking forever. However, he reminded me that I'm progressing well considering what happened. I'm now taking this all one day at a time, and I have been learning a lot from all of this. How are the classes? The classes are going. I have had a lot of help from Kirk and my best friend Becky in Idaho who is also a teacher. Dr.Piker also wrote for accmodations. The classes are challenging for me, but I'm pulling it off and a lot is coming back to me. I seem to be struggling with my short-term memory so it will be interesting to see what the Neuro -Psy, and the tests reveal.

Perservance

I have a ned bracelet. It is cool! I earned it for always trying. I like it! From Zachary. Today Zachary came home and told us that he earned an award at school for perservance. He got a blue bracelet and a pen. He was so excited about his award! Inspite of everything this year, Zachary has done very well at school. I spent part of the day at school with him yesterday and I could not believe how much progress he has achieved this year. I observed him playing basketball with a group of boys and was surprised to see how social he was around these boys and how many baskets he was able to shoot! I also watched him during his reading group and he read very well and was very mature around the other students. Once again a special thank you to all of the staff and volunteers at Zachary's school. Each of you contributed to Zachary's gains this year and we greatly appreciate your work with our son!

No FEAR

Here is a photo of Isabella going down a large bouncy house slide. As you can see she's having fun does not have a fear of heights or going down the slide super fast! She's my roller coaster child and she does not get it from me!