Invaded!

I’ve been lamenting since last week about what I would write about for my column.  If any of you are like me, you’ve been feeling a lot of emotion this past week following the election.  For some of you good emotion and for some of you bad.  So, I decided that I am not going to talk about it.  We’ve all had enough,  haven’t we?  Instead, I’ll fill you in what’s been happening at our house. 

 

Do you know what we have at the Burdorf house?  Mice.  As in plural, of course.  Aaron had seen one way back over the summer and we set traps, never caught it and we didn’t see it again.  Fast forward to a few weeks ago and Jenna coming out of the bathroom to inform us that a mouse (or rat, in her words) just ran under the dryer.  Awesome.  

 

Last week Jenna and I had to run to Marshalltown to get some groceries and other stuff.  I had a question about a battery on my list and I called Aaron to ask him.  The conversation went something like this:

Aaron: I’m kind of in the middle of something, can I call you back?

Me: In the middle of what?

Aaron: Well, the boys and I trapped a mouse behind the couch and we are trying to catch it.  

Me:  GET IT!  Yes, bye. 

 

We got home and learned they didn’t catch it and that it made it down one of the vents in the living room.  Aaron shut the vent and assured me everything was fine.  Later that same evening when all the kids were in bed, we were watching television and the mouse went running behind the t.v.  Aaron had a big plan about us trying to shoo it out the front door or catch it.  He handed me a giant bucket.  That conversation went something like this:

Me (as I’m standing on the couch refusing to put my feet on the carpet): What do you expect me to do with this bowl?

Aaron: Try to catch the mouse.

Me: You try to catch the mouse!  I never said in my marriage vows that I will kill mice!  I kill snakes and spiders and wasps.  NOT MICE.  They are creepishly fast and freak me out!  

What ensued was the mouse running lightening fast into another vent.  *sigh*

 

Sunday we bought eight sticky traps (God Bless Hometown Foods).  Monday Jenna and I walked in to a mouse fighting for its life in one of them!  We stood on the kitchen chairs until Aaron got home to get it out of the house.  HA!  I can’t help it, I was in fear that it would escape.

 

My mom used to say mice are like deer, where there’s one there’s about 50.  Well, I have never forgotten that and while I was happy we had gotten that one, I knew there was a possibility of more.

Last Thursday morning, my nightmare came true.  I came into the house early after working out, grabbed my water bottle off the table and went to fill it up in the sink.  As I was about to reach for the faucet there was a mouse bounding across the windsill above my sink, across my counter and who knows where it went because I was screaming at the top of my lungs.  I’m not afraid to admit that I thought I was going to have a heart attack and yes, I did wake up the rest of the house.

 

We now have 12 sticky traps set and have yet to catch that mouse.  Aaron thinks he figured out where they might have been coming in and put some of that spray foam in the hole.  He did that before I saw the mouse though, so I’m convinced it’s now trapped inside the house, waiting to pounce and scare me to death.  I’m continually on edge.

 

I know some of you all are probably laughing at me and that’s ok.  I probably would be too.  I am not a farm girl and mice just paralyze me with fear!  I think it’s because they are so, so fast and their tails give me the chills.  Gross. 

 

I guess this story is to be continued.  If you hear a scream from the southeast part of State Center, there’s a good chance it could be me, but that’s just the way I see it. 

 

UPDATE: We caught a mouse this morning and I got it out of the house all by myself (with a little help from Brody)!  

Three year kidney-versary!

November 5, 2013...

 

  

Saturday, November 5th, we celebrated Blake’s three year kidney-versary!  It’s strange to think that it has already been three years.  On the one hand, it seems like yesterday and on the other, it seems like this is how it’s always been.

As you can see, the little turkey is doing well (knock on wood).  He is ornery and full of energy!  

The things you don’t realize until you have crappy kidneys is that they help with your growth.  Blake used to be, in his dialysis days, below the tenth percentile for length and weight.  Right now, he’s up and over the 80th percentiles for both of those.  I mean...wow.

Not only has his kidney been a rock star, but he still (knock on wood) continues to pee on his own.  

There are so many miracles in this story we call life.  The miracle that he even survived birth when he had a 90% chance that he wouldn’t. The miracle that he did so well on dialysis and really took to it.  The miracle of his donor, a complete stranger, that just wanted to help someone.  The miracle of minutes on the scariest day ever, when those doctors did everything they could with the clock ticking and saved his life.  The miracle that he is not only here, but thriving.

My prayer for my sweet boy is that he keeps beating the odds, never stops fighting and does it all with that same smile on his face, but that’s just the way I see it.

#keepfightingblake

Halloween 2016

Halloween 2016 is in the books!  What a beautiful night for trick-or-treating.  I was telling the kids about the big snow storm in 1991 where we got 15 inches of snow.  LUCKILY, that wasn't the case. :)

I really, really wanted the kids to be the Ghostbusters because I think this might be Jenna's last year trick-or-treating.  They didn't buy it though and each chose their own thing.  If you all know me, you know I am not a big store bought costume person.  I like to try to make costumes out of stuff we have if possible.  That worked to my advantage this year.

First up, Mr. Bowen.  He wanted to be a baseball player and wore Brody's jersey so that was easy. 

Blake had this Iowa Hawkeye football uniform, so that was another easy-peasy pick.  Blake and Bowen just had to have eye black because that's what "those guys" wear.  That was definitely their favorite part.

 We headed to the store thinking Jenna was going to be Where's Waldo, but we couldn't find the right shirt.  I had screenshot some costume ideas and she decided on a pirate.  She found this shirt and the rest we just threw together.  The funny thing is, I have three boys, but have never had a pirate before. 

 And last but not least...Brody.  Brody and Aaron came up with the idea for him to be long-time Cubs announcer Harry Caray.  I'm in love with how it turned out.  I mean, HOLY COW!! We found the coat at Goodwill, the glasses were sunglasses that we popped the lenses out, Aaron made a press pass for him and I made the microphone.

I think this one will definitely go down as one of my favorite Burdorf Family costumes ever!  Perfect year for it, wouldn't you say?!  Go Cubs Go!

The kids and I (Aaron had to ref a volleyball game) stayed busy for almost the entire two hours and we got way too much candy!!!! 

Happy Halloween!

Buh-bye September; Hello October!

I feel like I blinked and September was gone!  As I said in my previous post, we've been keeping busy at the Burdorf household.  If you follow me on Instagram, I apologize that you've already seen these photos.  Here are just a few from our month.  

Brody, he loves his Hawkeyes.  On this day he had both his football AND basketball jersey on.  Crazy kid!

 Is it terrible I can't even remember when the UNI vs. ISU game was?!  I think it was in September.  Anyway, we found some cheap tickets and had a date nite. 

 

Aaron talked to the high school football coach about Brody and his friend, Connor, being the ball boys during the varsity games this year.  He agreed and these two are having a blast!  It rained the night I took this photo, so they were extra busy.  Brody is a sponge and can't stop talking about practices, players, specific plays, etc.   

 Jenna is once again playing fall softball and I am, once again, coaching.  We moved up to 12U from 10U.  It is quite the switch!  Technically, we could have probably played 10U again, but we weren't getting anything out it and it wasn't really challenging the girls.  We're making progress every week and hanging in there the best we can.  I'm focusing on the mini victories!

 On the weekend of our nephew, Carson's, birthday in Cherokee, we had to put Bailey down.  Jenna called her our, "Joint Custody Dog," since she was ours and then we had to give her to my dad because we had too many kids and not enough time for her.  It was the perfect solution because we still got to see her regularly.

Bailey was 13.5 years old and she went downhill pretty quickly.  She started having seizures Friday night and by Saturday afternoon it was just bad.  We called the vet and had her put down.  It's always sad to lose a member of your family and Bailey was just the best.  We will miss her.

 Blurry cousin pic.  SO. MANY.  BOYS. 

 Despite poor Bailey, we did have fun.  I love my family.

 Don't you think coffee just tastes better when you drink it with your mom?  Yes, so do I!

 We did a 4K for the kids to support dance marathon.  Blake didn't want anything to do with it, so Aaron stayed with him.  Brody and Bowen are little running rock stars and Jenna is pretty much her mother's daughter. Ha!  Running's not our thing...

 Anyway, it was a beautiful Sunday morning for it and we got free pancakes afterwards!  Good motivation for sure.

 Sunsets are my love language.  I will chase them down to take pictures of them at any time.  My family knows this.  I took this one on the way to a volleyball game.  I stopped right in the middle of the road and I didn't really care.  Just breathtaking....

 Don't you love fall?  More crockpot recipes in my life.  This was a no boil mac and cheese recipe that was a huge hit with the family.

 In addition to Jenna and Brody taking piano lessons, Jenna is in full swing with her first year of band.  She's playing the trombone and the nice thing about that is Aaron and I can help her.  I have no idea what I'd do if she played the clarinet or French horn.  She seems to like it so far!

 This weather is something I'm not taking for granted!  Absolutely beautiful.  We're still wearing shorts in September and October.  Say whaaaat?!  Bowen tried to get across all three of the monkey bar stations at the playground and came up short every time. 

 Technically, this photo happened in October.  Yesterday our elementary participated in the Live Healthy Iowa walk and I went to take photos for the paper.  Always a job perk is getting to see my kiddos! 

They crack me up.  Jenna comes up and gives me a hug.  Brody's friends usually have to point me out to him.  Bowen ignored me.  Blake smiled, but wouldn't come talk to me.  Thank you children for your love - haha. 

 Here's to October, my favorite month of the year.  All things apple and pumpkin.  More coffee and tea.  A chill in the air.  Sweatshirts.  Cozy socks.  Watching football.  Can't wait!

Is it terrible....?

Is it terrible when you've been so preoccupied with life that this little corner of yours in the blog-o-sphere doesn't even enter your mind?!  I am actually not even looking at the date of my last post, but I know it's been a long time ago.

What have we been up to?  LIFE.  School, work, reffing, softball, volleyball, basketball, picture-taking, piano, homework, parent-teacher conferences.  You know, probably a lot of the same things that keep all of you busy!

I would like to say that I will post some pictures of what we've been up to because I've taken so many with my good camera, but that would be a lie.  I don't think I've taken a photo with the good camera of my kids since the first day of school.  FAIL.

Oh well, such is life!  I will try to post some pictures from my Instagram account or the ones I have on my phone soon.

Happy almost Friday!

Tonsils and Adenoids Out

Blake is officially tonsil and adenoid free!  Yay for that!  We had pre-op appointments yesterday and he was kind of coughing and had a runny nose and I was worried they would cancel, but since his tonsils were so huge, they were pretty adamant that we had to go through with the surgery STAT.

Blake was second case this morning and went in about 9:45 AM.  I felt terrible because he's older now and so darn smart.  He listens to what doctors and nurses say and he knows that maroon scrubs and green scrubs means surgery.  When he heard or saw something scary he would start crying.  It's terrible and pulls at my heart. 

 Aaron dropped the other three kiddos off at school and then came down with us for the day.  I was so glad he was here.  We met with the surgeon and the first thing she said was, "The surgery went smoothly."  *BIG EXHALE*  She did say that the nurse anesthetist, who's been on the job for 35 years said Blake had the biggest tonsils he had ever seen.  That's right, in 35 years.  Blake is #1.  Because, it's Blake....

The surgeon was pretty shook up about how obstructed his airway was.  She was very thankful that they fit him on the schedule so soon.  She said that if it would have been two more days he probably would have needed something to help him breath because the airway was just THAT restricted.  Scary to think about, but man am I thankful that Dr. Zepeda was adamant about getting those tonsils out so soon!!

After a long three hours in recovery, we got to go down to the regular floor.  He was drinking water and sprite and him and Aaron played play station together.  Then, he just slept and slept and slept, which he needed because he was having a heck of a time breathing at night.  

I went down to get something to eat and the smell of coffee from the Java House hit my nose and I looked around at the bustle of people around me and I'm telling you, it's like we were right back to where we were a couple years ago.  Like we hadn't had a two year break from this place.  It was kind of a weird, out of body experience sort of thing.

The first round of testing came back today and everything was negative, which is good news!  The scary stuff will take another week, so we're praying those are also negative.  

I just wanted to take the time to thank each and every one of you who sent me texts, facebook messages, snapchat messages or called to wish us luck and see how things went today.  You guys are the best.  I know you're thinking I'm just saying that, but I'm absolutely not just saying that.  I mean it from the bottom of my heart.  We couldn't get through this stuff without all of you.  Thanks for riding the rollercoaster on this journey with us!

The plan as of 9:16 PM tonight is to go home on Saturday, so let's hope Blake cooperates and sticks with the plan! 

#keepfightingblake

#builtblaketough

First day of school 2016!

Tuesday was the first day of school.  Tuesday was the first day that I sent all four of my kiddos to "the big school" as the twins like to say.  People say time flies and they are right.  I can't believe it. 

I was very nervous about how Blake would do since he gets anxious in new environments and around new people.  I think the back-to-school night helped on Monday, plus we may have visited his room a couple weeks ago too.  Bowen was a rock star.  Blake was a rock star.  Not a single tear, I couldn't believe it!

Jenna, 5th grade

As I was walking out of the school I had people telling me they were thinking about me and that they knew I would probably cry when I got out to the van.  You know what?  I didn't.  The only time all day I almost choked up was when I saw one of my favorite photos of the twins in matching shirts when they were about 18 months old.  I took one look at their chubby little faces and almost lost it, but held it in.  

Brody, 3rd Grade

I think the main reason that I didn't shed a tear was because we've come so far with the twins.  I remember when we thought we'd never see this day and then, there we were on Tuesday, sending the boys to kindergarten.  I felt grateful and thankful and blessed!

Blake, Kindergarten

Another reason is because Blake got to be in school on the first day.  He had an appointment in Iowa City last Friday and we learned that his tonsils have to come out and soon.  They did a ton of labs and talked about the possibilities for the enlarged tonsils.  In a transplant kiddo, it's not as simple as - he needs his tonsils out.  There's something causing his englarged tonsils and lymph nodes and they need to take them out to get an answer.  To be honest, some of the possibilities are kind of scary. 

Bowen, Kindergarten

 I got the call today that his tonsils are coming out on Friday!!!  Yes, like the 26th.  We head down for pre-op appointments on Thursday.  I'm super bummed that Blake is already having to miss school and he is sad too.  If you all could, please say some prayers and positive thoughts for Friday's surgery and also good news as we await the pathology report.  My stomach has been a mess since last Friday and I just want to have an answer. 

The school year is underway.  I'm excited for all of the kiddos and their teachers, I think they got a good bunch.  Oh yeah, Mr. Burdorf is also starting his 15th year teaching, but he left early for school so I didn't get a photo of him!

I will blog on Friday with a report on Blake's surgery.  #keepfightingblake