Hip & Headache Answers?

Last week the awesome physical therapist that I have been seeing threw in the towel.  She couldn't get me to stay loose for longer than a few days.  Doing my exercises was creating more pain.  She sent me back to my sports med doc.  My sports med doc looked again at the MRI from last summer.  No answers.  He took an X-ray of my neck.  Yuck!  There is no curve where there should be a curve.  He ordered a neck MRI and suggested acupuncture to help me until I can see the new hip surgeon in late July. 
I finally decided to go see Derek's chiropractor.  He's the full service kind that does X-rays and wants you to do a million visits.  I haven't been into it, but it seemed like a good next step at this point.  I have had hip pain almost daily for 5 years (worse after my labral tear surgery 4 years ago).  I have had a headache almost every day this school year. 
The X-rays show something interesting (something my old Chiro suggested too, but my sports med doctor poo pooed).  I have a pretty big issue in my low back that is probably the culprit of my hip pain.  My L5 has a Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis.  This is possibly bad enough that what I need is back surgery--likely not hip surgery.  But, it is right on the borderline.  I am going to probably do a surgical consult just to see.  The disc below L5 is all but gone.  It looks like a very old injury.  Probably something that happened when I was a kid. 
My neck is also tweaked so my head is sitting off to the side (I think my van headrest is partly to blame for this.)  My ribs are sitting really far forward.  Seriously, I am a mess. 
Finally, someone who seems to know what they can do!  Chiropractic might just be what I need.  Duh.
Already after 3 visits I feel much better.  They will give me exercises and have me do traction to stretch out what has become so tight from years of compensation for the problem that is probably rooted in my low back.
It is so strange.  I don't have low back pain.  But a problem in the chain can cause pain and problems anywhere along the chain.  I've known that for a long time.
Praying that this is finally the answer.
Hoping that back surgery won't be necessary.  Hoping that I really don't need another hip surgery.
Moving forward to health!

1st Week of Summer!

I wasn't very good at taking pictures this week, but we did have a great first week of summer.
Our morning routine: Ben and Sarah have swim practice at 8 am.  Libby and I walk to the track and run/walk (hopefully will be more running than walking soon--training for cross country!)
Then Libby has swimming at 9.  I come home with Ben and Sarah.  Chores and school work commence.  They are all in love with Prodigy math, an online game.  They are reading math problems, doing math problems, it is great!  They are dying for a membership, so I need to figure that out.
Libby comes home by a little after 10 and joins the math/chores brigade.  This week we deep cleaned the playroom, the stuffies in Ben's room, and the girls' room.  These were mighty projects (especially the girls' room)  I must have made 10 trips to the bathroom with hairpins and rubber bands, AFTER I thought I had gotten them all.) They were pretty good helpers.  One of our summer rules is that they can't play until 2 pm.  Friend and play hours are 2-5 pm. They have accepted this pretty well.
In addition to Gators and cleaning, we started volleyball, made 2 trips to the MP Swim Club (3 for Sarah) and got in our first hike.

It was a weird weather week.  When we went to the MP Swim Club on Thursday, I had to wrap up in a towel like a blanket it was so cold.  When we went on Saturday, I was sweating buckets--and forgot to bring a towel so I couldn't get in.  I guess we also went on Wednesday evening--so make that 3 trips! But I'm glad the sun seems to be out again for now.  Makes it really feel like summer.

Volleyball is Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.  I tried to get out of volunteering for volleyball (I definitely said no when they asked if I wanted to serve on the board).  But when they made a direct ask--saying they needed an assistant coach for Libby and Sarah's teams, what could I say?  I became "Coach Trish" on Saturday.  It was pretty fun, actually.  I guess I would have to say that volleyball is my favorite sport to play, so I got to hit around a bit.  My favorite quote was from Sarah on Tuesday.  She was running up to the net to pick up her volleyball after serving with other people serving all around her.  "This is TERRIFYING!" I heard her say. 

I gave my kids a dose of adversity on our first hike of the summer.
I posted about our hike on fb:
Our first hike of the summer in the books. I left my phone in the car, so no pics. What would be in the pictures had we taken them you ask? Photos of the Discovery Park lighthouse from the wrong beach. Then from the correct beach. Then lots of breaks on the hill up from the beach. Then pictures of all the many people it took to help us find the car after we got lost. Sarah crying in the final stretch. #onlyupfromhere #4milesbecame7 #momfail

I neglected to mention in the FB post that I got stinging nettle on my finger, we almost ran out of water and snacks too.  But we had a good time playing various games (20 questions, categories, the name game (first letter, last letter).  And, we survived! They didn't like it when I sang, "What Doesn't Kill you Makes you Stronger" though.

I also did a lot of painting in the sunroom.  It is getting closer to being done.  The carpet goes in on Wednesday, and I'm hoping to have all the painting done.  We will see.  It depends on if the window is in by then. I should paint the ceiling, but I can't seem to rally enough to it!

We had dinner with Maren for her birthday on Friday, and took her ice cream on Wednesday, the actual day.  Ben got new shoes (looped in with one of my paint buying outings).
Ok, seriously, it was a busy week!  It's amazing how much you can get done when you don't have to go to school!
This week my parents and Davey come for Ben's baptism.  I'm excited!

Dance Recital 2019

I just did some double checking, and we started dance at Alderwood Dance Spectrum in 2011.  We have a lot of recitals under our belts!  The girls did a stellar job in the recital.  I didn't think I would be in this recital, I just got too busy and my body was too finicky this year to finish the ballet class I started.  But Sue created an opening number that I could be in. I'm so glad.  It was fun to dance with my girls again! 

The theme this year was Celebrations!  Libby and Sarah danced to "Celebrate" for Jazz.  (One of my favorite songs!)  The ballet was "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  For the ballet Libby and Sarah were Changelings.  I was so worn out by the end of this year, that I didn't even know if we would take dance again next year.  But they were so great!  It was fun to see how much they've grown.  Of course we are in!   

I learned to make ballet buns from a youtube tutorial.  What a difference a lot of gel, the right brush and the right bobby pins makes! Miss Sue noticed that I had watched the tutorial :)

My dance was "Mr. Postman" and definitely the most comfy costume I've worn.  The 2nd night the curtain didn't open like it was supposed to.  We all got a little flustered.  But we nailed it the first night! 

The girls' teacher this year, Miss Claire.  She's awesome! 

Last Day of School

Just wanted to note that I didn't take any last day of school pictures.  I was a bit frantic getting everything ready for the assembly where Student Council has several parts to play.  I got most of it ready before I left on my trip...but there were last minute things that made the morning too crazy.
But, I didn't get all blubbery at the assembly giving out awards.  And I didn't cry when my class left.  I have so many things to do that I have been putting off.  So many.  My to do list feels daunting.  So I don't feel any relief yet...
Last night though, after the dance recital I started thinking about ideas for next year's curriculum....Man I love being a teacher!

Libby Moving On...

It is really crazy to think that Libby is going to be in Middle School.  They do a very big (and long) moving on ceremony at MP.  They select 4 student speakers, one from each class of 6th graders.
Libby was so excited to be selected.  I was in FL, so I frantically texted Maren on Monday to see if she could work with Libby on Tuesday night when I got home.  She reassured me that they had already been working on it!  Whew!
I did force Libby to make a few changes to make her speech more inclusive and not just about her and her teacher and her bestie.  She fiercely resisted (she got that from me and from Derek poor kid).  But we managed to make the speech work for both of us.
She nailed the delivery, even getting a few laughs.
I had to rush back to class before it was over (I had my 4th grade math teacher take the whole group until 11--when it was supposed to be over....) So maybe I'll add some pics to this when I get Derek's pictures.

The Norton Cheering Section (Maren taking the photo)

Libby and Stella.  They are getting so grown up! 

Libby has grown up so much this year!  I am proud of her.  Lots more 4s and 3s on her report card.  She is becoming a student.  She is ready for Middle School.  I think I'm the one who isn't ready.

Ben's 8-Year-Old Trip

I wasn't sure how I was going to fit in Ben's 8-year-old trip.  This tradition started when Rachel was having Devin and Libby happened to be turning 8.  Then I took Sarah just before I started the kindergarten hi-cap job that led me back into full time work.  Now how was I going to get a trip to FL in?  Brad is phasing out of Disney.  I felt so busy with work.  Summer is the worst time to travel to FL.  But then I saw a window of opportunity--and a chance to feel helpful in the process!  Rachel & Brad are opening a Great Harvest franchise.  They needed to move from one spot in Orlando to another.  They were closing on their old house the day school let out.  So I acted fast. 
The tickets weren't cheap, but since I have been spending a lot of money on plane tickets this year, it just felt normal.  We left on Friday evening (had to stay for Field Day) and came back on Tuesday.  Rachel had movers get all their stuff to the new house before we got there so we could help them unpack.  Ben got an afternoon at Universal (with all of us) and almost a whole day at Disney with Brad, the Disney expert.  I got many hours of helping with unpacking, cleaning and cooking.  I was in heaven.  (Ha! My brand of fun is so different that other peoples'!) 
It was so fun to spend lots of time with Ben.  He is so easy to be around!

It was Sports Day on Field Day.  We both wore one layer of USU and one layer of Rhinos. 

I had Devin and Ben unpack the magnets for the fridge.  It was only then that Ben said, "Mom, why are we putting magnets on the fridge if they are just moving?" It was then that I realized he hadn't been to their old house, so he didn't realize this was the new house and we were helping with unpacking.  Ha!

Devin really loves Benny.  He plays a little rougher than Ben is used to, but on the way home, Ben kept saying, "I already miss Devin."

Universal! 

We waited for the Dragon to breathe fire, and he didn't when we were looking from this direction.  Later when Devin, David and I were waiting for the others to ride Gringots, we were right under the dragon when it breathed fire. We jumped pretty high!

Brad knows all the ins and outs of Disney since he does VIP tours.  We got them there early enough to get signed up for Jedi Training!  

Ben is very good a using the force! 

While we came home to a hectic last 2 days of school (and houseguests, and meetings, etc.) I am so glad we got to go!  It is hard to have family spread all over the country.  But I'm so glad that we could make this trip. 
On the flight home I entered all my grades and comments on my report card.  Then I read Outliers.  I know everyone else read it a few years back when it came out, but it just blew my mind!  I loved it! Wow.  It was a really energizing read. 
I am looking forward to summer.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Technically your birthday is tomorrow, but next Sunday we will be on your 8 year old trip, and we had your party yesterday, so I can blog today, right?
I am so proud of the 8 year old you have become.  You are a sweet brother (who puts up with bossy sisters).  You only annoy them some of the time.  You are a sweet son.  You have been drawing pictures for all of us this week and hiding them around our house.
You really want to lose a tooth!  But it hasn't been working out.  Eventually the tooth will fall out, I promise.  You were really determined the other night, so we tried using Bruce to help us pull the tooth out.  Spoiler Alert: It didn't work.

You are handsome and friendly.  You are helpful.  You are so ready to be baptized.  After your interview last Sunday you were glowing.  You made sure to ask the bishop (when he asked if you had any questions) why he didn't have a candy jar. 
I can't get enough of your baptism pictures.

This is my favorite.  He looks so grown up! 

Some birthday highlights...

Dad took you on a birthday outing to Funko.  You got to pick 3 new Funkos.  You picked Sully, Spiderman and Thanos.  You also went to pick up some food for your Taco party with the family.  Your favorite part was picking out ice cream: Mudslide, Mint Chocolate Chip, Vanilla and Strawberry. 

You had so many gifts, and you were so funny opening them.  You were so focused--on to the next.  I wasn't sure until later if you liked any of the gifts.  You reassured me later that you did like the suitcase I got you.  "It's the perfect color!" (Blue and orange)

Surrounded by gifts!  Juliet and her family came--along with all the Rathburn/ Norton/Barrett/Thompsons and Jed & Rory.  

It's great to be 8--especially with ice cream for your treat! 

There is lots more birthday fun coming!  Dad's making you a special birthday breakfast tomorrow.  I'm taking you to Taco Bell with Ray and Susie for dinner.  Then, of course, your trip to Orlando next weekend.  And last but certainly not least, your baptism in July.  What a lucky guy! 

Derek's Birthday Gift

About a month ago, when Derek and I went over the Mariner's schedule...I had an idea.  If he was going to work on his birthday, and we already had a contractor here working on the house, why not get him a new window for the garage gym.  (The one we had in there didn't open, it was just plain glass). 
Then I realized that we could do the ceiling fan we've been planning on that night too.  And then why not paint as well?  So the ball got rolling.
Then, life.  Derek ended up working a ridiculous amount over the last week and a half because he worked Folklife.  So he didn't really want to work on his birthday any more.  I basically had to tell him TOO BAD.  You have to work on  your birthday now.
Poor guy.
I didn't have much energy, but thankfully Maren and the Ducey team had a lot!  Geneva took the girls for their dance pictures and then served as paint tray holder, photographer, and advisor.
Our contractor took a day off from the sunroom to put in the new window (including framing it out--before it just had exposed sheetrock edges and some pieces of marble as a makeshift "sill"), framing the other window whose frame had been damaged, and patching a sheetrock hole made when we got a new panel when we moved in almost 6 years ago. 
Our electrician neighbor came by and put up the new fan as we were prepping to paint.  Thankfully he also let us borrow is 8 ft. ladder.
We painted, (including a trip to HD to buy the top paint color), put up 2 new mirrors, cleaned, reorganized and rehung the whiteboard and gear board.  It was so fun!
Thankfully the Mariners had a short game (and a victory!)  I was still up when he got home.  He tried to be grumpy about having to work and being exhausted (which I completely understand!).  But as he noticed the details in what we had done, a smile started to creep in.  He was pretty delighted.  Hasn't had to time to workout yet...but maybe this week.  Or after this Mariner's homestand? 
Of course now my thoughts are...the rest of the garage?
But my body says NO!

You can see photographer Geneva and Mirror Man Patrick in the background. 

3rd time was the charm for hanging this mirror.  

It looks SO much better.  I can't even believe it.  

Final Seattle Children's Chorus Concert of the Year

It was our last SCC concert yesterday.  Because it was the 30th anniversary, they had the concert at Benaroya Hall.  It was spectacular!  I was the tech director for Brio (that means I get the little ear piece and I am in charge of getting the choir from on and off stage at the right times...not an easy job with this group) but it was so amazing.
My favorite part of the day was when we were doing our first rehearsal with the full choir (alums and the older choirs).  The younger choirs started out. Then when the older choristers came in, the shock and awe on the younger kids faces was priceless! 
If I am going to be with these younger kids again..a few notes to self.  Bring some books to read them while we are waiting.  Maybe some coloring too (with crayons, not pencils...we had a pencil box drop up in the balcony...boy was that noisy).  And I'll check the schedule again to make sure we don't have to keep them in the audience for an hour...that was too long for them to be quiet!

I took this during the rehearsal.  I was trying to memorize who my line leaders were so I could get them all in the right position.  I had it just right in the 2nd run through.  But for the final show, I got my lines crossed and the wrong line was in front.  Oops.  I had to go onstage and move them around a bit.  Oh well.  We still had pretty smooth transitions.  We ended the show 10 minutes ahead of schedule. 

The view from the balcony where we sat.  The sound was amazing!  

Outside Benaroya in the external lobby.  I wanted a picture outside and inside too. But I was just too hungry.  I didn't bring enough food! 

Then we celebrated Derek's birthday with some Blue Fin Sushi.  Not so good for a low fodmap eater, but I managed to find some things to eat.  (One more week of low fodmap I think...I'm not feeling better, so why torture myself?)