Wordless Wednesday...G is for Gingers, G-Daddy, and GiGi

I'll be honest...

...I'm in somewhat of a funk when it comes to blogging. I love blogging. I love being able to look back at what I've written over the years. However, this year has been quite the roller coaster ride so far and it doesn't look that will be changing any time soon. Due to the things that have happened I've become quite reflective over the last three months and spending way more of my time processing things internally than processing them on the blog like I've done in years past. Neither way is right or wrong...but for this season this seems to fit where I'm at. There are lots of things I want to say but I can't seem to express things the way I want. There are several posts that have been started and not finished just because I get frustrated. So, I leave it and tell myself that I'll come back to it and never do. (Sigh)Anyways, that is where I am at. I'm okay. I really am. I'm amazed daily by God's faithfulness and the way he continues to hold my hand whatever the circumstance. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to put everything to paper the way it is in my head.

In other news, Avi-Kate's appointment went really well week before last. Her hearing is improved and she is doing much better. They are pleased with her progress in a month and we'll go back in the fall to follow-up. AG is fully healed and back to his normal self. His voice is higher than it use to be...but he doesn't snore like an old man anymore. (Hallelujah!) Today I went to pick him up from school and both of his teachers were out with strep and it dawned on me that we won't have to worry about that anymore with AG! Kind of a surreal feeling. We go back in a few weeks for his follow up appointment but we don't expect any problems. He did phenomenal and only took one dose of pain meds the whole time. (It was a week after the surgery and that night was the one and only time he asked for it. Initially, we asked him constantly if he wanted some and after a few days of asking we gave up because he was quite adamant that he didn't want any.)

Avi-Kate's birthday is starting to creep up on us and I can't believe that she will be 2 in June. She is quite obsessed these days with Ariel from The Little Mermaid aka 'Ya-Ya'. We are thinking about having an Ariel themed pool party...I need to start working on details because it will be here before we know it.

Finally, last week our world was turned upside down. Andy was laid off due to budget cuts along with pretty much everyone in his department in the Rome office. Lots to process on that front. Lots of decisions to be made. Lots of prayers being made. Lots of opportunities for communication. And yet, we take great comfort in knowing that God is in the midst of this latest chapter in our lives. He hasn't left us and he is faithful. One day at a time.

Like I said, there is a lot I want to write and can't seem to put to paper at the moment. Hopefully, I'll get some pictures uploaded here this week. Off to work on some re-organizing/spring cleaning. Happy Monday.

Tomorrow...

...should be interesting. I'm hoping for the best but realize anything is possible. Tomorrow I have to take Avi-Kate back to the ENT for her follow-up after surgery and they are planning to do another hearing test to see where she stands. I know that her hearing is improved just in the way she is acting since having surgery and her speech is also making some progress...but I'm not sure if it has improved enough. So, we'll see what they say and go from there. At this point that's all we can do and I'm content with that. Grateful that God is sovereign in all things...day in and day out.

I'll post an update tomorrow, hopefully, once we know more. In other news, AG is doing great. He asked for his first dose of pain meds last night at dinner and we suspect that his scabs are starting to slough off which is exactly what we want. I think he's going to tag along with me to the ENT so that they can at least look in his throat and tell me how it looks so far. He'll have his follow-up appointment in about six weeks.

It's been a productive week...I haven't gotten everything I wanted to get done but it's been productive in other ways. I've started spring cleaning and have lots of projects going on at once. The house is kind of chaotic but I like the progress that is being made. It's always an on going process, isn't it?

I'm off to put my leg up and ice it down. I've got the itch to go for a run but it's going to be awhile before that happens again. I'm hoping that it heals quickly and I can get back to running in May till then I've got to figure out what I want to do for the interim. Hope everyone is having a good week...I'll be back soon.

Spring Break Plans...

Well, in planning AG's surgery we wanted to bump it next to Spring Break so that he could recover and miss the least amount of school as possible. Originally, we were prepared for it to be a really slow recovery from everything that everyone told us. However, AG has sailed through the entire thing. He hasn't had any pain medication since the actual operation. He flat out refuses it which is totally fine but we have been pleasantly surprised at how well he's done.

All that to say that I'm actually thinking we'll be able to get some projects around the house done this week. Quite refreshing...I miss posting DIY stuff that we have been working on around the house. We've started making our traditional spring/summer project wish list and looking at what we can tackle immediately. Today we are working on some projects in our bedroom. In addition, we are really looking at our house and the space we have. Long term we know that we will need more space but at the moment we can continue to make what we have work with some reorganizing/purging. We are also looking at small changes within this year like putting away the highchair and transitioning Avi-Kate to a big girl bed. These things will make the house feel bigger. We are actually already working on the highchair issue...it presents a unique situation due to how narrow our eat-in kitchen space actually is. One that will end up with it's own post once we finalize our plans. I've spent the last three days brainstorming different ideas with Andy. I'm excited about the possibilities.

More to come this week...

Insta Friday...Week in Review.

I'm in need of some change. The year has started off in chaos and my poor blog has suffered. And now it's March and I'm still trying to find my 'new year' blogging rhythm. Anyways, I'm cautiously optimistic that I might actually find my rhythm...in an effort to start this month off on the right foot (AND because I uploaded two months worth of photos to the computer this week off of multiple cameras) here's my week in review from my Instagram account (KTgE). Maybe if I get my act together this will become a frequent occurrence around here. :)

Welcome to MCO.

 Race Expo.

 Dinner at Be Our Guest and the Grey Stuff was Delicious!

 Fastpasses are a girls best friend!

 Quick trip down the yellow brick road...

 Gorgeous afternoon at Epcot.

 A great place to rest your feet after 13.1 miles.

 Celebrate the Magic! 

 Half number 2 complete and in the books. 

 Late night fun on the wildest ride in the wilderness after a successful half marathon.

 On our way to Scottish Rite to get the golf balls out...I mean, tonsils.

 Double dose of chocolate while your child is in surgery...just what the doctor ordered.

 In recovery...took a three hour nap.

 Woke up ready for popsicles and was ready to conquer the world.

 Enjoyed traveling by wagon around the hospital...requested one for 'AG's House'

 Double order of chocolate milkshakes and papers to be released...worthy of a thumbs up!

 IV removal was the worst part of his day.

 Braves Spring Training+ Chocolate Milkshake=Happy Boy.

 Easter will be here soon...

 Chocolate ice cream at 10:30 in the morning...why not?!?!