A heavy sigh sets in as I stare at this blank screen...soon to be filled with thoughts.
The past three months have brought much to our household. Two major surgeries, two new jobs, a new volunteer position, and the start of a new school year.
Ella's surgery was long; her recovery even longer. We were diverted from our expectation of a 4-6 week recovery and instead found ourselves with a 12-week recovery...and it's not quite over. During surgery her left femur broke, leaving a gap between the top portion of the femur and the bottom portion of the head of the femur. This gap required extra time to fill in with new bone. It also happened to be the side where hip socket reconstruction took place. It's slow going yet she's getting better each day.
Lindsay had foot surgery as an old gymnastics injury resurfaced requiring bone shaving, bone cutting, and plate insertion. Her surgery went well although the pain she has been experiencing has been hard for all of us. Place on top of that having to sit idle when she's so used to being an active, involved mother and wife, and you have the recipe for long days and eagerness for healing to move quickly. With the good sense that she has she took to heart the doctor's advice and allows herself to be idle as Ava, Henry, Ella, neighbors, friends, family and I take care of her and the house. Her doctor gave her the "go ahead" to return to work and she approaches that prospect with excitement...she loves her new job as an Assistant Preschool Teacher at The Ann Reid Early Childhood Center.
Lindsay also is working as the Sunday School Coordinator at our church. She has put together a comprehensive program utilizing a curriculum that suits our needs quite well and coupled that with her incredible organizational skills. The first few weeks of Sunday School have gone quite well. I should know...I, myself, have volunteered to be a teacher. It's been rewarding and I look forward to more!
My school year has gone well so far. I have a class full of energetic kids. They have a curious sense of humor that seems to mesh well with my sarcasm. They are wonderful writers which I am really ecstatic about. I look forward to growing with them this year as teaching always affords growth in both student and teacher.
Ava, Henry and Ella have all started school as well. The three Casten kids now roam the halls of the same school down the block. I attended their conferences and am happy to report that they are all doing well. Yes, there are areas that we need to work on with them and for that we are thankful---for in that work we can help our children grow and learn.
A minute to sit, a few to write this post, and many more to come as we work toward healing, learning, and growing.
