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!