Bleacher Mom!

I'm seeing a decade of bleacher sitting ahead of me! Little League is now in full swing (literally) and at least twice a week this Mama sits behind the plate and cheers! Kyle is having a fabulous year, especially fielding the ball. He has great instincts defensively and really enjoys making the plays. His favorite positions are third base, first base and catcher. Here are a few pictures from his Saturday game--we've just switched to machine pitching (thus faster pitching and slower hitting) so my batteries ran out before I was able to catch more action! I promise more pictures will follow! My favorite amongst the pictures is the one of Kent and Kyle. Kent often coaches third base and I swear you can just see the same thought processes spinning through the minds of father and son. They are in the game!

Birthday Surprise!

Kent really outdid himself this year! He surprised me big time for my birthday with a day of spoiling starting with the very fact that he had taken the day off just to be with me! Kent rolled over early in the morning announcing that he wasn't going to work for the day--wahoo! Then he and the kids headed off to starbucks for breakfast and coffee to bring home to me. We took the kids to school together, made a short stop for a mini workout at the gym and then off to our surprise adventure.

After winding our way through town, Kent took me to an amazing spa where we enjoyed a delicious chicken salad lunch followed by a 1-hour facial and 1-hour couples massage. For three hours we were pampered and enjoyed just hanging out together! It was Kent's first spa experience and it will not be his last! He loved it just as much as I had thought he would! An awesome birthday treat that I had no idea was coming in such grand fashion! Hats off to Kent, usually he's so excited he can't keep a secret. This secret was well kept and executed to the last detail. Wow is all I can say! I am most impressed at his creative idea and the fact I was able to enjoy an afternoon of pampering along with him.
Of course I didn't have to cook dinner that night either! Out to dinner with the kids was a perfect end to a great birthday! Thanks sweetheart for a fabulous birthday surprise!

Warm Spring Evenings

Now that we've hit 80+ degrees a few evenings in a row, the kids (and Karly especially) think they are roasting hot! The Kern kids cooled down the old fashion way with an old bucket and two cups. It was great silly fun. They started with rules and strategies, but once they were both soaked and survived--the rules went out the window and the full blown water wars began. The laughter was contagious and the smiles priceless! Just another reason this Mama loves the warmer weather!

Anytime You Need a Friend!

Last night was the school Variety Show and once again our performing Karly took stage armed with a smile and a microphone! Her song of choice this year, "Anytime You Need a Friend", which was a fine match when considering Karly's social nature and friendly spirit. We couldn't get into the school last night, nor leave the school without hugs, chats and laughter --with so many friends in the midst. No doubt this child has more friends than one could count, and that's just the way she likes it!

Of course Karly was fully supported with a family of fans! A great brother who sat through the variety show twice, and two sets of Grandparents who didn't miss a note!

Tibial Tendonitis--Foot Update

Where does six weeks in a hard cast and three weeks in a orthopedic boot get you? NO WHERE! Actually, it improved a little. I'm able to use it now, unlike before but it is not "fixed" like we had hoped it would be. Originally the doctor told me by January 1st I'd have regular use and could get back to doing all my craziness. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case.

Last week I had an MRI. Luckily they were able to put me in foot first, so that eased much of the anxiety with the procedure. I only went in to the ribcage or so. MRI results came back this week. There is no tear in the tendon, but there is inflammation and I have a small extra bone (20% of people have this) that may be causing extra aggravation. My podiatrist does not recommend we take the bone out as then tendons must be cut from the bone and reattached, thus perhaps causing me further tendon issues and limits. So, the tendonitis is best treated in the foot by relieving the tendon as best we can. I will go get fitted for custom insoles for my shoes, take anti inflammatory meds, treat with hot/cold techniques and wear my old yucky boot cast thing when it's really bothering me in order to rest it.

So since there is no slowing me down--I'm going to do what I can and learn to live with the rest--at least for now. Resting a foot is just not so simple and I don't like much resting anyways! Hopefully the sole inserts will really aide with my day to day workouts and running around town so it will get some relief amidst the "to do's" of life. Kent and I laugh, we're not that old--but or bodies are beginning to whine a little! There won't be any slowing down in this house, so crack open the Ibuprofen!

Walking with Purpose

Daddy donated the pledge money and Mommy organizing 60+ volunteers but it was the Kern kids who broke a sweat and walked with purpose. What purpose? A joint effort fundriaser for the kids school as well as CureFinders, and the Sacramento chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A teacher at the kids school lives daily with the challenges of CF and not only did the kids attend an assembly to broaden their gratitude for their own healthy bodies, but teachers, parents and students came together to put on a successful WalkAThon. We've never had a walk before like this at the school and it was amazing to see the energy everyone put into the event itself! Classrooms developed costumes or themes, music provided a pace, and the knowledge of helping others encouraged students to continue on. From Kindergarten to 5th graders--they walked, and walked and walked just to earn their next tally mark! Oranges and water fueled their 1.5 hour effort! Kyle's determination over 18 laps (4.5 miles) gave him blisters but a proud heart--he's so compassionate about kids with CF. Karly's 14 laps left her smiling as always as she tagged along with a few favorite teachers-the social scene was a highlight. In the end we raised $3,000 for the PTC and over $7,000 for Cure Finders. This mama was VERY proud!

Good Sports!

Wednesday was "Sports Day" at school. Both kids decided what they wanted to wear. Kyle didn't want to wear his Chargers gear, as Vikings would be more original--lots of Chargers fans here. Karly decided, in her usual unique fashion, that she was a "Boriole". Half Bengal's fan half Orioles fan. She sported her Bengals cheerleading outfit Grammy made for Halloween along with Kyle Orioles sweatshirt to keep her warm. Same colors right? It's fun to see them excited for special dress up days and get into the school spirit!