Life post-op

Life post sinus surgery has had its ups and downs. Mostly down at first and now definitely up!Since last Friday, I have felt terrific! I truly didn't realize just how much of a toll my situation was on my family until my kids said excitedly, "You're going to church with us!?" Or, "You're not sick today Mommy?!" Ouch, and double ouch! Wesley actually told his teacher "Mommy took drugs and now she feels better." Um, Sheila, I promise I don't have a drug addiction!

The healing process has been so much faster than my previous surgeries. After two post-op doctor's visits, I've been cleared (pun intended!) to blow my nose again and for all intents and purposes, resume a normal life.

Well, if by "normal" you mean spending too much time in pain and in bed, then no thank you!

Maybe we'll try to redefine normal...I have always been one to love change, so I think we'll work on that.

WGH has already noticed a big change in me. Albeit one that he DOESN'T like. It seems that with this new life sans headaches, I have really taken to this whole FlyLady thing. Things that I didn't notice before (or just didn't care) are really beginning to irk me: shoes left in the floor, laundry being draped over furniture instead of being put away, and the mother of all infractions NOT PUTTING DIRTY DISHES IN THE DISHWASHER!!! Short and sweet, anything getting between me and my shiny sink has become a big deal and of course, I would be remiss if I didn't remind him of it--ALL OF IT. Well, nevermind the fact that it might be misconstrued more like nagging. Not that I ever nag,

EVER.

So maybe this shiny sink business isn't such a great idea...

The words sink and Nazi keep running through my head. My kids even have taken up my new mantra: "A clean house is a happy house." They chant it as they pick up their toys.

Seriously.

I feel almost a bit cultish in this attitude. The sad thing is that I haven't even made it through a whole Baby Steps cycle yet!

And I haven't even mentioned my Control Journal yet...we'll save that for another day. It needs a whole post for itself.

The up side to this OCD attitude is that for the most part (the kids' playroom and bedrooms NOT included) at any given moment, someone can stop by and I won't feel utterly humiliated in letting them in my house. So bring on the visitors! We are hoping to throw a mini birthday party for my precious Uncle Ross tonight. Maybe I'll host!

I have millions of pictures of the kiddos to share, but I'll try to keep it to a scant few. These are "Easter" pictures. That means we are pretending that I took these pictures at Easter instead of a week later. Never fear grands and other family. These are also "school pictures" for this year (well, the individual ones are different) because 1) the school pictures were not so hot, and 2) the photographer totally forgot to take Jilly's picture after their sibling picture! Oh well, mine are MUCH cheaper!

While listening to KSBJ the other day, I heard a quote that really hit home for me. So I'll leave you with the awesome words of missionary Jim Elliot:

"Wherever you are,

be all there."

My Little Mr. Monk

We have a little joke in our household about how obsessive compulsive Wes seems to be about some things. Don't even think about putting on his shirt before his pants, because "pants go first!" If you happen to do the unthinkable and but his shirt on first, look out. Fortunately for us, he is able to dress himself. He repeats his little "pants go first" mantra as he gets dressed though! This is not the only OCD behavior our little neat freak displays. Water on clothes, dirt on hands, and any other filthy combo like that also results in a meltdown. It is because of this I have labeled him my "Little Mr. Monk." You know, that OCD detective on TV portrayed by Tony Shaloub. You know how Monk touches every parking meter he comes across? This is total Wes behavior! Unfortunately the OCD characteristic is no where to be found when it comes to cleaning up the play room. A mom can dream can't she?!

So Kevin was helping the kids get ready for bed the other night and was having difficulty closing Wes' window blinds. Upon further investigation, he discovered...

Yes, they are all perfectly aligned and catorgized in some way that Wes tried to explain to me (it was obviously too logical for my simple mind to comprehend). Cars are at the beginning and all the way at the end is Thomas and Friends. Kevin insisted on my capturing Wes' antics for posterity (or just to embarrass him when he is a teen).

Here's the full shot...