Weekend

We will be going to Oklahoma tomorrow for my Family Campout. It really isn't a campout anymore, but I guess it started that way. Now we stay in a big "lodge" that accommodates us all. The girlies LOVE it and it is good to get to "catch up" with everyone. We usually have it in September, but are trying it before school starts this year. More people from farther away are getting to come, but I am afraid it is going to be VERY hot!! I'm sure I will have LOTS of pictures next week!

Trip to Baltimore

Addi & I went to Baltimore (a couple of weeks ago now) for my check-up with Dr. Byrne who did the T3 surgery for me on March 28th.
He was VERY pleased (as am I) with the results, especially since I had so much trouble. He said that I probably lost a couple of mm's since we had to reopen it and said that they could "tighten it up" but I think I will stay away from the OR for a while! I will follow up with my eye doctor here about readjusting my weight as it seems to have "slipped." Even though this is surgery, it should be no problem - I have had it done 4 times already with no problems except bruising (I don't feel that side). He did say that I have some synkinesis - this is usually something that people are NOT happy about, but I am ecstatic! After having NO nerve movement for 12 years, I am happy about ANY movement - even if is not the desired movement. This surgery had NOTHING to do with nerves so there is really no explanation as to why I have nerve movement now. It is not too terrible - just a little movement of the corner of my mouth when I blink. I forgot my camera so Melynnn let us use hers and was a wonderful photographer for us! We had a BLAST with her - now she is a favorite with Addi too! WE LOVE MELYNN!! Thanks for driving us around and letting us stay with you!!
After the Dr.'s appointment, we went to ride the water taxi and hang out at the "Harbor." We also went to Port Discovery which is a great Children's Museum.

By the end of the day, Addi could hardly walk - I guess we succeeded in trying to think up activities that she would enjoy! The next day we slept in and then went & had a picnic on the campus of Johns Hopkins, went to Charm City Cakes (the cake place in Ace of Cakes on the food network - they won't let you in w/out an appointment and their cakes now cost $1,000!!!), IKEA (blast), shopping, to eat, and then to see Kit - which we all 3 LOVED! Here are a few pictures (I told you Dr. Byrne was a hottie! - he should be on the new show "Hopkins")!! There is also a great picture of Dr. Byrne at www.doctorbyrne.com

Up and Running...

We are finally back up & running after having our DSL disconnected for over a week. YES, we did pay the bill...it all started when I got a new iPhone (big splurge, but I LOVE it!). We wanted to switch all our services to the same name so we could "bundle" it together - part was in Dave's name and part in mine. No one told us that if we switched the DSL the would have to actually DISCONNECT our service and we could be w/out for up to 15 days!! Crazy! If you change on PHONE service with AT&T, they can switch it on the computer so if you want to change - change the name on the phones - MUCH easier!! Dave finally was able to straighten everything out last night after I had spent, literally hours, on the phone every day with AT&T. Just glad I have Internet back! I will update more later about all our travels and my Dr. visit...

Fun in the Sun with Cousins...

We went to Southlake to visit my brother & sister-in-law last week and had a GREAT time staying at their house and hanging out in their pool! The cousins had a super time just being together and playing in the pool and with the Wii. We also went to two of my nephew's baseball games, but I don't have any pictures of that because I took a bunch with their camera and haven't received any from them yet..hint, hint! Addi and her cousin went to volleyball camp each morning and enjoyed that and Amy & I visited & caught some rays!! Thanks cousins for a great time!!

Laundry

As I have stated before, my dryer is still not running. HOWEVER, I have decided to feel good about the fact that I am more GREEN since I am hanging my laundry out instead of drying it all in the dryer. Hopefully our electric bill will be a lot less this month - we'll see. Maybe I can at least off-set it a little from the AC boost in the summer months. I think that I will leave the line up, even after we get the dryer fixed. It is really not that bad! Of course, we'll see how long this "back to basics" lifestyle lasts when I can just throw wet clothes in the dryer AND once our hectic lifestyle kicks in when school starts! Wish me luck! :o)

Backyard Camping!

The girlies have been wanting to "camp out" in the tent for a while now. Yesterday was a VERY cool day since it had rained the night before & Dave didn't have to get up & go to work today so we did it! We played "Go Fish!" for a while and then all bedded down. I made it until around 2:30 - I had been awake since 1:30 (& off & on since going to sleep). When Dave put the 2nd air mattress in, he put the plastic side up by accident so I kept "sticking" to it every time I tried to move. I decided it was silly to stay out there when I had a comfy bed inside! I knew we were having people over tonight & then watching fireworks late so I didn't want to be too tired! I'm glad I went in, glad that the girlies had so much fun, & even more glad that they have a Daddy that makes everything so fun for them!! Happy 4th of July!!

Wednesday

Not much going on here. The girlies & I just returned from the pool and before that we went to Emee's piano lesson. They are having a little snack and then "soapies" - our new term for bath/shower that Addi picked up from camp! Tonight at church they are having the 4th of July Celebration and for dinner hamburgers & hot dogs - I plan on going early to help Vicki with the food. The girls & I are going to Fort Worth on Sunday and staying there until Thursday afternoon. We were trying to figure out a time to go and my niece was signed up for volleyball camp then so Amy suggested that Addi go with her - I know they will have so much fun! We will just hang out by their pool and have fun with cousins (& SIL) - my brother told Amy that he didn't know about that - that was a LOT of females invading their house!! :o) When we return, Dave & the little girlies will leave that Friday afternoon for Houston. Grandma & Grandad are going to keep them while I go back to Baltimore for a check-up. Addi will go with me - a Mommy/Daughter trip. Melynn will get us from the airport and we will stay with her - we are so blessed to have her in our life - what a great friend she has become. I know Addi & I will have a BLAST with her! Poor Dave has to stay here & work :o( My dryer is STILL not working (since June 6th) - I feel like the Ingall's hanging out my wash! At least it is the dryer & not the washer!! We strung a line across our backyard!! However, it has given me a great appreciation for most of the rest of the world who does that all the time and NEVER has soft towels or sheets!
That is all for now! :o) Happy 4th of July!!