Tubal Reversal Surgery Recovery Day 14

If anyone is wondering, this surgery recovery blogging will go on about 30 days. That's when the Doctor said I should be recovered. So, I am at day 14 and I'm a hurtin'! It's my fault though. We went Christmas shopping today. Yes, the day before Christmas. I know it's crazy, but with the surgery and all the snow, this is the first time we have been able to do some real shopping. We left around 9:00 am and got home around 4:00pm. We even went to Costco and did some Winco grocery shopping, too. My incision is sore, but more than that, my back is really tired, weak, and all achy. The worst thing though is that my insides hurt. I got sharp stabbing pains and also it feels like I have a headache in my belly. I did too much today. I'm going to sit around all night and blog, and watch a movie with the kids. We still have to wrap the presents we got the kids, though. I'm not sure if I can. I may have to hand Loy the tape while he wraps! We'll be up late tonight. Maybe I should have some of that Kona coffee.

Last night I went through some Christmas boxes that Loy took down for me. I got a tree up. Well, kind of, I still haven't put all the ornaments on it and the kids don't consider it a real tree. They call it the freaky 50's tin foil thing. I hadn't done any Christmas decorating because of the surgery and because I'm also trying to figure what traditions we want to keep and what we want to throw out. Santa has been out for a long time, but I need to do some research about the tree and where the tradition came from and what it means and all. I want to worship Christ my Savior on Christmas, not a tree with presents. I want Christmas to be memorable and special but I want to do it differently. I like the lights and stars because of the star of Bethlehem, and nativities are perfect. Presents are of course wonderful because giving is kind and loving just as God gave His Son for us to save us. Music of course is also great, even music about the season which brings good feelings like - "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" and songs like that. Good food and cookies are super, too. So, I guess it's just the tree and the stockings I'm rethinking. I love my little retro tree, though. Does anyone know where the tradition of the tree came from? Is it pagan? Does anyone have any traditions that are Christ honoring? I only have 4-5 years left with my boys and I don't want to change things so much that they feel shocked and sad at Christmas. If God does give us more children by birth or adoption I need to think of these things now and start practicing them. We read a wonderful advent book that I absolutely love called "The Advent Book" by Jack and Kathy Stockman. Other than the book, we don't do anything unique. The Advent book tells the story of the birth of Jesus and each day has a door you open like a pop up book. I have been trying to get more copies of this book for years but I can't find it. Amazon is always out of it and eBay sells them for $40-$60 dollars, it's ridiculous! Hey, I just now found their web site and they sell it on there! It's still expensive though. I originally bought the book years ago for only about $25.00 at Costco. Here it is if you want to see the book. http://adventbook.com/thestockmans.html . They also have a blog and ideas for traditions!!! I'll be reading that after I'm done posting this!

Adam and Shellee came over last night to give the boys their Christmas presents early. They got the boys neoprene gloves so they can play in the snow and stay dry. Shellee brought some food over and we made tacos and played cards it was fun.

Here is last night and today in pictures...

I got some candles up.

I love this Christmas decoration. It's me and Loy.

Shellee getting her tacos.

The "freaky 50's tin foil tree". It's not even all the way decorated yet.

Does anyone else have a TEENAGER that looks at them like this?

My niece Renee standing by the retro tree.

I got my Nativity up. The most important Christmas decoration!

Valarie playing with Renee while we played cards with Shellee and Adam.

I could not for the life of me get a good picture of Joey!

I like old things. These are the retro cards we played cribbage with last night. Adam and I won by the way.

Joey, let me get a picture of you!

Urrgghhh! Joey!

Adam showing something to Loy.

Shellee working on a brain puzzler puzzle thingie.

Diaper and wipes drop for our grandchildren. It was good to see Daniel.

This is Oregon, can you believe it! 1968 was the last time it snowed this much.

Crazy Oregonians getting their Starbucks in chains!!

Mt. Hood

Mini-me Mt. Hood

Doesn't this look like Mt. Hood? It's a pile of snow in the parkin lot at the bank.

Look how high the snow pile is next to this van and ON this van!

The hill by our house.

Look how high the snow is!