Welcome Back to Work Mr. Hanes!!!

It has been 4 weeks ago, to the day, since Clint's back surgery and.....he is going back to work!

In the initial Dr. Visit, prior to his surgery, Clint was told that it would be approximately 4 - 6 weeks before he would be able to go back to work. I originally thought after 1 week he would be going crazy around the house, driving me, the kids, the dogs, cats, and even the fish crazy!

Unfortunately, the first two weeks post surgery were not as easy as we had hoped. I worried that it would take at least 6 weeks, if not more, to get back on his feet again. He was having terrible bouts with pain in his legs, due to the extensive work on the nerves, and he didn't seem to be making much progress. Amazingly enough ~ as soon as he started his physical therapy sessions he started feeling better, very fast! Now the 4 week mark has arrived.... and he has done it again ~ He has amazed me with his strength!

His first few weeks back to work will be 1/2 days which will be perfect to get him started again. I think that originally, the first 3 days back this week (Starting Tomorrow - Wed.) will exhaust him mentally and physically.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers ~ It has helped and will continue

to help with his next few months of healing.

Dinner with Oma, Omi & Opasan & the (Japan) Hanes Family

Wow, What a meal! Omi made the most delicious BBQ Ribs ~ They melted in your mouth.

Here are some pictures of the kids after they shucked the corn ~ Joe being the big boy scout that he is....decided that since he is going camping, with Uncle Greg and Aunt Kyoko, he needed to dry out the corn silk to help start a big fire. Thankfully, he got Ayanna, Keelan and Alexis involved in the big project. I am sure it will be a roaring fire!

Alexis had a great time teaching Aunt Kyoko the "Concentration" game!

Here are the adults around the table before dinner.

We are so thankful to see Greg, Kyoko, Ayanna and Keelan. Because they live in Japan we cannot just visit at any time. So, when they are here we enjoy all of the special time we get to spend with them. Unfortunately, 2 weeks always seems to fly by and it never seems long enough to catch up.

*Hailey was unable to come and join us this evening - she was not feeling well.

Parade #2

Joe and Alexis were lucky enough to get to ride in 2 of the 4 Cheyenne Frontier Days Parades!

The first Saturday they rode on the 1800 School House ~ This Saturday they rode on our Church Float.

Here is a photo of them enjoying the ride!

Hailey is Baptized

Today was a beautiful day! Hailey was Baptized!

She looked like an Angel and it was a wonderful moment that we all could share with her.

This was a choice that she made on her own and she was so excited ~ Clint and I (and the rest of the family) are so proud of her.

Alexis' First Concert - Rascal Flatts & Taylor Swift

Last night I was able to take Alexis to her first concert. We went to see Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts. She had a great time but seemed to be overwhelmed with all of the people.

Her favorite part was singing along with Taylor and Rascal Flatts - she knows most of their songs!

These are some pictures of her dressed up and ready to go!

Fancy Feet

I have been busy making the kids "Fancy Flip Flops" to wear this summer. I was even able to get a pair made for Ayanna and Keelan to fashion about!

Here are the kids fashioning their Fancy Feet!

Hailey ~ Joe ~ Alexis - 1890 School House Float

This is the 3rd year in a row the kids have gotten a chance to ride in the Frontier Days Parade. Each year they wear the 1800's Kids Costumes and ride on the School House float.

There are 4 Parades throughout the week - They usually ride on one of the Saturday's. The pictures show them in their 1800's attire.

A little "Frontier Day Fact" for you:

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade has the most Horse Drawn Carriages of any Parade!

Cheyenne Frontier Days

I took these two photos this morning before the parade started ~ They symbolize some of the sites that are seen this time of year in Cheyenne, WY

Uncle Greg, Aunt Kyoko, Ayanna & Keelan are here!

It's so Exciting ~ Uncle Greg, Aunt Kyoko, Ayanna and Keelan are here from Japan! We haven't seen them since Christmas.

Here is a picture of the kids together this morning before the Frontier Days Parade.

A Teaching Experience Like No Other!

This evening I was able to teach (and experience) one of the most important moments in my life with my kids.

We were blessed to have an opportunity to volunteer our time to one of the Homeless Shelters in Cheyenne. Our Church sponsors a meal every 2nd Tuesday a month to the shelter. Normally, a few people take some food and serve it to the residents currently staying there. One of my closest friends helps on this committee and brought up that she was serving to the shelter this week. I thought, what a great opportunity for my children to have ~

I was hoping to get a few things out of this:
1. My three kids have everything they need (and more, they are probably even spoiled) ~ They have no idea (Thankfully) what it is like to do without a home, food, clothes, toys, and love. I wanted them to see people who are truly down and out on their luck and deserve love, a helping hand, a warm meal, and smiling face.

2. I also wanted them to feel the power of helping others. There is no greater feeling in the world to truly do something good for someone else out of the kindness of your heart and to know that they appreciate and need it (and to not expect anything in return).

3. I wanted them to see what the real world is like ~ again, Thankfully ~ they have everything they need. I don't think they could ever really pinpoint what "homeless" is and to them it was a word not a "real" thing. Something they might see on T.V. but never "real life".

God was truly with us this evening on our journey ~ All three of the kids were proud to be there. They were on their BEST behavior and made many comments to me throughout the dinner time that they really felt good about what they were doing. I must say that even writing about it now puts a warm feeling in my heart and brings tears to my eyes. I think that Children are very much "Godlike" they love people as they are ~ Even more remarkable was how inviting the homeless were to the kids. I could tell that having Joe, Hailey and Alexis there not only taught the kids a lesson, it helped those unfortunate human beings see that there really is still love in the world ~ it was present right then.

Being a parent is not the easiest job in the world - Probably the hardest most days. This evening was the most proud and rewarding "teaching experience" I have ever had with my three angels.

Rosie Joins The EAC

Poor Alexis, she has just lost her 3rd Beta Fish and they all have been named Rosie. We recently got Alexis a 10 gallon tank and she introduced Rosie(#3) to her new aquatic friends. Unfortunately, Rosie did not last. Every time Alexis loses a fish she gives them a ceremony at the toilet and prays with her complete heart and soul to God ~ "Dear God, Please let Rosie be happy and enjoy the EAC."

Wondering what the EAC is? ~ if you have watched Finding Nemo, it is the Eastern Australian Current that Nemo's Dad (Marlin) and Dori rode to find Nemo. Well, since that movie (That Alexis made us all watch hundreds of times) any fish that die in our house go there. It seems much happier that way and much more pleasant than the sewer (which I can not tell Alexis that they are going in the sewer - she would be devastated)

The pictures are of her performing the "Ceremony". They are too precious not to share.

p.s. She had just taken a shower and didn't even brush her hair yet!

Garden Magic

Garden Magic

This is the garden's magic,
That through the sunny hours
The gardener who tends it,
Himself outgrows his flowers.

He grows by gift of patience,
Since he who sows must know
That only in the Lord's good time
Does any seedling grow.

He learns from buds unfolding,
From each tight leaf unfurled,
That his own heart, expanding,
Is one with all the world.

He bares his head to sunshine,
His bending back a sign of grace,
and ev'ry shower becomes
His sacramental wine.

And when at last his labors
Bring forth the very stuff
And substance of all beauty
This is reward enough.
-MARIE NETTLETON CARROLL


Today we harvested our first vegetables out of our garden ~
Lettuce and Sugar Snap Peas!

Clint plants a garden at the beginning of every spring ~ unfortunately because of his back surgery he is not able to bend down and harvest the vegetables
himself but as you can see Joe and Alexis were all about picking the peas for him!

We are still waiting on our tomatoes, carrots, peppers, and cucumbers. (Patiently) I think one of the most important things you can do is to teach a child how to grow their own vegetable garden and they LOVE it too!

Here are some pictures! (you can see Alexis' pink playhouse in the background)

My own Monorail Cat! (Finally)

You will read this post and think that I have probably lost my mind ~ and you may be right!

Quite often I receive emails with pictures of animals doing funny things or acting in a strange way. There is a picture called "Monorail Cat" that I have seen and it has been circulated numerous times. It reminds me of our cat Juggs. She often times rides our upstairs banister like she is the monorail transportation system!

I kept telling myself that eventually, one day, I am going to get a picture of our "Monorail Cat" because it is 1. So Darn Cute & 2. Our cat must be pretty special!!!!

Enjoy....

Update on Clint ~ 4th of July Sparklers

Clint was able to come home on the afternoon of the 4th of July - we were thankful that he was ready and able to do so! Since being home he seems to take one step forward and two steps back and is progressing slowly. Right now, his back is not causing him much pain ~ it is his legs that are bothering him. The Doctor said that the pain that he is experiencing is very normal for this type of surgery. Because they did so much work on the nerves, removing the old scar tissue, the nerves are quite sensitive right now and are trying to get themselves back to normal. This time frame, for relief, is normally two to three weeks. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a faster recovery.

I wanted to share some pictures of Joe and Alexis with their sparklers on the 4th of July. I bought them sparklers and a few fireworks that I could set off for them that night. We ended up lighting 1/2 of them prior to the "firework display" at Frontier Park and then tried to finish them up when we got back home. Poor Clint was in bed the whole time but I am sure he could hear us outside. The bad part to this story is that we are not supposed to be lighting fireworks in city limits but I thought I might be able to light just a few for them,. Unfortunately, I was visited by a police officer (with the kids) at our driveway so I had to stop the fun. Once the kids got to bed I disposed of the rest of the fireworks.

Clint told me that is what happens when "Mom" takes over on the 4th of July! I tend to agree.

Annual 4th of July Pictures

Every year, on the 4th of July, I like to take pictures of the kids. (Unfortunately, we didn't have Hailey this year so I will have to make up her pictures next weekend.)

There is something about red, white and blue and celebrating being an American that sure makes a great picture!

Here are some pictures of Joe, Alexis and the two of them posing with me. God Bless America!

Clint Comes Home!

Clint was able to come home today around 3:00pm.

We took a flag to the hospital today to take our annual 4th of July

pictures with him just in case he didn't get to come home we wanted to be sure to get our photo opportunity! ~ Thankfully he did but here are the pictures we took with him in his hospital room.

Thanks again for your prayers ~ He is doing very well.

Recovering Rapidly

Wow ~ What a difference a day makes.

Thankfully Clint's pain is now under control and amazingly enough he walked many times today and even ended up no longer needing to use the walker to remain steady.

He is still in the hospital and will be "Freed" tomorrow on Independence Day! How appropriate..... Thank goodness for our freedom as Americans and thank goodness he will be free to come home tomorrow!

Below are two pictures I took of him today with my phone. I had to share the picture of him with his flowers. Notice the nice vase for his roses? I never knew a urinal has so many uses!!!

The first photo shows him up and at it first thing this morning ~ he only used the walker for about 5 minutes and decided he was ready to go solo.

Thank you for your prayers for his speedy recovery ~ he is truly amazing!

Happy 4th of July

Clint's Back Surgery

UPDATE ON CLINT'S BACK SURGERY

History:
Clint has what is called "Degenerative Disc Disease" and has been part of the unlucky 25% of people who have to have more than one Laminectomy to help with back pain. Unfortunately, after 3 laminectomy surgeries he was still in pain and ended up needing to have his 4th and most complicated and painful surgery on Tuesday, July 1st.

What was done:
Clint ended up having a fusion of his spine between the Lumbar Vertebrae 4 and Lumbar Vertebrae 5 (known as L4 - L5) and a fusion between Lumbar Vertebrae 5 and the Sacral 1 Vertebrae (Known as L5 - S1). What this means (in my own description) is that a metal rod was placed on each side of his spine and was screwed in. The weird part is that they hollowed out some of his vertebrae and crushed his bone with cadaver bone and then reinserted it to create more solid and healthy bone.

Length of Surgery:
His surgery, at the least, should have taken 2 hours. Because of his three previous surgeries, the Doctor had an enormous amount of scar tissue to remove off of his nerves that radiated from his spine to his legs ~ Needless to say....over 4 1/2 hours later he was finally in the recovery room. The recovery room stay also took over an hour so he did not get into his hospital room until almost 9pm.

How is he now:
I must say that during the evening last night Clint endured many hours of non stop pain. I was very concerned about him and felt so helpless not being able to do anything to help relieve his pain. Unfortunately, his pain was not under control until early this afternoon. Thankfully, the nurses started "piggy backing" his pain medications and were able to finally get ahead of the pain. Thankfully my prayers were answered and he is now able to relax and start his real healing process.
One last note....he also was able to get up and walk this evening! I am so thankful that he is now on the mend.

Hospital Stay:
Originally they thought that he would come home tomorrow. Because he was unable to get out of the bed and try to walk until this evening; I believe that his stay may be extended one more day at the hospital. The reason he was not able to walk was not at all because he didn't want to, the doctor nicked the myelin sheath (covering on one of his nerves) during surgery and I guess when this happens the patient must remain in bed and not walk for almost 24 hours post surgery. But this evening after he hit the 24 hours mark, he was brave and decided to give it a try.

Clint always seems to amaze me with his strength and love of life ~ this was just another moment in our lives together that I see what a strong man he truly is and am thankful to have him in my life.

Thanks again for you prayers and healing thoughts that you have sent our way.

Here are some pictures of Clint prior to surgery at the hospital ~ again they were taken with
my phone so they are not the most clear but you can share these moments with us.
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers ~ the healing is just beginning.

Photo 1 - Getting his instructions prior to surgery from the nurse
Photo 2 - Clint "fashioning" his new wardrobe with Joe
Photo 3 - Clint and Mel
Photo 4 - The Silver Cap!