A Journey of Gratitude

2010-01-30T07:09:00.000-08:00

I figured a new decade (2010) and a big event might be a good reason to post a blog and keep one of my new year's resolutions! (don't hold your breaths between posts:)

The big event: I (Dana) had my first surgery for my left shoulder (lest you think at least is wasn't my right, I am left handed!). I fell in a rush going down the stairs in October 2009, called the Dr. a month later, got in 3 weeks later, an MRI a week later, and took his first surgery opening 6 weeks later on January 20, 2010. I can honestly say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, it has been a journey of gratitude:

I am so grateful for the peace and comfort I felt before the surgery. I was keenly aware of Heavenly Father's hand in my life in simple and sweet moments that reassured me that it was going to be ok and not too painful--and it was. I am grateful for Priesthood blessings of health and comfort. I am grateful for specialized shoulder doctors even if they only see patients on Monday and Wednesday mornings, medical technology, anesthesia, good pain meds, bad pain meds that help you get off all meds quicker rather than later (found that out one night when I took pain meds to help me sleep and and watched the clock all night long--that was the end of that!), a super cool (literally) ice machine that provides great relief specifically, comfortably and directly on my shoulder everytime I sleep or sit to rest, love from family and friends that is felt even though we are seperated over short and great distances, phone calls, a new house plant, fresh flowers, a perfect care package from Aunt Claudia (how does she ALWAYS know exactly what to send???), prayers and the power of prayer, friends who follow inspired thoughts to insist on bringing dinner without me knowing just how much and on what days I would really need it (by the way, I really am good now--Ryan is home again!), my fun neighbor who helps (ok, even puts up with) my kids even when she is in the middle of her own flooded basment nightmare, the opportunity to learn something new that I can do everyday--progressing with not being paralized on my left arm, to moving my fingers, holding no more than the weight of a piece of paper in my left hand to an empty cup, a plate and now a small stack of a few items, the opportunity to be able to put on make up AND do my own hair (at least straighten it), recovering quickly enough to attend Stake Conference just 3 days later, the opportunity to spend 5 days recovering before Ryan left for 4, the opportunity for my awesome husband to be home to help and take care of me, the kids and the house, my great kids who endured a mom in pain and a little weirded out at times and provided some great comic relief with their innocent and honest observations (see below), the opportunity to take my daily kindergarten nap while the kids were in school and even a quick rest before the afternoon work began when the other kids arrived, for kids who are out of diapers, don't need to be carried or dressed but still love to cuddle and play a game with mom cuz that is about all she can do sometimes, and the lesson I re-learned: being a mom is exhausting (ok, I have always known that, but when I thought just sitting helping with homework wouldn't be hard work, I had no idea how exhausting just the very basics of being mom can be even before you add carpools, lifting kids, cleaning, or cooking!) So, yes, this year has started out with a bang and I am so grateful for all these blessings and opportunities. It is funny, I was in a rush when I fell, and the recovery has provided lots of opportunities to slow way down and travel at a slower speed--what a great gift to learn that now while I have lots of kids who are so fun to play with! I hope I don't need a reminder on that lesson and can remember to take life a little slower and enjoy it even more!

Some Comic Relief:
One day the neighbors needed me to run over to deliver a message to the contractors working their. So I told Ansen we needed to go really quick and be right back. He said, "Mom, your hair doesn't look good right now. Here, let's go in the bathroom and wet it down." I had to smile and say, "I know it doesn't look good, but wetting it down won't help, let's just go and come back".

Another day, Marin said on our way to our awesome piano teacher's house, "Mom, you don't look good, why don't you put on some make up?" Again--I know that, but it's not worth the work to do that and I won't look this bad forever.

8 days post surgery, I was finally able to do my own hair and make up. When the kids came home, Marin said, "Wow Mom! You put on your make up! You look good!" I said Thanks this time:)

And perhaps one of my favorites ,when the 3rd dinner over the course of a week arrived from great friends, Kieran told Ryan about it over the phone. She excitely said, "Dad, I can't believe it. People keep bringing us dinner. They're treating us like we are queens and kings."

So, for all you loved ones near and far who have in anyway sent your love in thought, prayer, gift or act of service--I cannot say enough thanks or love in return. Just know we have felt like royalty because of you:)

Coming up soon: my 2 week post-op appointment where I get to see the pictures from my shoulder scope, physcial therapy, and hopefully getting back into the full swing of things including a full swing range of motion in my left shoulder!

Disneyland

2008-06-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Off we were to the magical kingdom, far, far away........

Disneyland was the best! We loved all the rides and charm. Our favorites were: Space Mountain, Star Tours (Jarom's), Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Ansen was officially 40 inches (no more and no less), so we could ride all these rides as a family!

So Cal = So Fun!

2008-06-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here's all about our trip to Southern California.

Our first stop was Universal Studios where we went on the new Simpsons ride, and Jurrasic Park. That's the one where you ride a boat and it ends with a 84 foot drop. This was most of the kids first taste of a thrill. The picture at halfway on the fall was truley priceless.

Coming to blogspot soon.....

2008-03-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

OK, I am really going to try this blog thing! Hopefully in the near future, I will be able to post picts from our China trip as well as our family happenings......

The Biberston Family

A Journey of Gratitude

Disneyland

So Cal = So Fun!

Coming to blogspot soon.....