Our Family Pictures: okay okay updates

Okay, I get it! Sorry everyone that I haven't posted here in about 3 months!!! It has been a whirlwind of things happening and not happening. Plus to tell you the truth I didn't know if I wanted to do this anymore! But I am back posting (for now) so I'll update you all. Since my last post we made it through Justin's surgery, katelyn being sick and my bout with kindney stones. In addition ,we went camping 3 times, went to Kings Dominion (2), circus, zoo (2), dance/fundraiser, Michigan, corinne & court came to visit as did the Guyors and aunt Vickie & the kids, and we got a new truck! Oh yeah and it was Easter!
There now you are up to date:)

Okay I'll get into some of it a little more in depth...

As you are all aware by now Justin did have his surgery and all went well! It took a little longer than we thought but they ended up releasing him the next morning with no complications! His recovery at home was a lot less stressful than we initially thought. Although he is still having some issues, the headaches are gone! Katelyn on the other hand managed to be sick for almost the entire recovery. Not only did she get a double ear infection the Wednesday after his surgery the following week she got the stomach flu than the following week she somehow got the chicken "spots" as she called them! It was a VERY ROUGH time for us. With all the added stress from Katelyn being sick Justin thought it would be a good idea to go to MI (one of these times he will listen to me) and celebrate his b-day with friends and family. He thought it would be good to have help with Katelyn and see some of our friends and family. With Katelyn being sick and him not being able to ride in the car (the drive was more than enough) it made it difficult to see many people. In my opinion, the trip actually made it harder on me and caused more stress. Needless to say I figured a lot of things out on the trip as well as learned who our true friends are. I would like to thank everyone who managed to help during this stressful time. It is good to know that when times get rough we have some good friends to help us.

Justin started physical therapy this past Friday (after 2 previous attempts failed). They told him it is going to be more of a marathon than a race as to him getting his neck back to where they want it. Hey, we'll take it. He does have appointments with the surgeon at the 3 month, 6 month and year mark to ensure that things are still doing well. I am waiting for him to go back to the neurologist to make sure the other neurological symptoms are gone or at least improving - but he is being stubborn and won't go! I think he is worried about work and his career so he is avoiding the "possibility" that there is still something wrong. I am sure most of you know that they removed him from his position (TLD) a few months ago and they have found someone who will be taking his job so they have been looking for a new position for him to fill until we rotate out next summer (or however long it takes him to get back to "fit for full duty"). Today he started a position at the same building but in a different office he is now currently working in OPM-1. He is excited about his new role and optimistic that things are going to work out for the best. They always seem to in the end (even if it leads to a different road or path along the journey than expected).

Bill, Jamie and Conor came to visit the first week in April. Then my Aunt Vickie and her kids: Ashlee & Andrew along with Austin came down for spring break. It was nice to have family and friends around. We did a few things but mostly it was low key - it was a really good time without a lot of stress! Since they were here for our anniversary they watched Katelyn while Justin and I went to our favorite restaurant for dinner - KOBE! We had a good time and it was nice to get away for a couple of hours just the two of us with no added stress about someone (other than family) watching Katelyn. It is hard to believe we have been married for 8 years - we have done and seen a lot in our years together! I can only hope that the rest of our life is as amazing & crazy as the first few years!

The end of April there wasn't much going on... we have taken the Motor home camping as many times already this year as we did the entire summer last year! It has been nice to get away for the weekend - I am sure we will be doing a lot of camping this spring/summer/fall! The weather has been crazy one weekend it was in the 90's the next it is in the 60's (at times I think we are in MI). Not much more is going on. Katelyn's 5th b-day party is going to be the 16th, we are going to do a princess and pirates party again (since none of the kids here were at her party from last year). I'll add a post once it's over and tell you all about it & add some pictures!

Well, thanks for some of you badgering me to get posting again. I think you should be up to date with pictures and happenings in our life when your done reading and looking at this! We hope that all of you are doing well and we think about you often. Take care and stay in touch!

Justin and his mom before the surgery