Happiness Week 25

For the most recent update about Ainsley's ptosis surgery, the frontalis sling, please click here. In a nutshell, we are waiting to see if things improve. At times we are able to see her eyes and it's fantastic! (Lookin' at the glass half full my friends.)

Today I had Ainsley's IEP meeting and Evie and Adrian had a half day of school. As of right now, school's officially OUT FOR SUMMER! I'm very excited about it even though Steve is going to be working 60 hour weeks every.single.week, ugh. We won't be going to Hawaii, or Florida.....in fact we'll be lucky to squeeze in camping. But, I've got a trick up my sleeve! You'll have to wait until next week to hear about it though so stay tuned.

Daily Happiness Photos - Week 25
 

06/18 MIT System

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I struggle with managing my time, always have and probably always will. But I'm trying to be better by learning to manage mySELF, not my time. I've always made lists. A couple years ago I started a new notebook system with a weekly to-do journal that is working pretty well for me. But sometimes (okay often) I end up sidetracked and don't do what I intend each day. Even though I often end up doing something else that I value, I do find certain things get put off. Earlier in the year I read this book. The author is the blog writer of Simple Mom. She writes about the idea of using MITs which stands for "most important things". It's simple: Essentially, among your daily to-dos you prioritize the top 3 as your MITS. These things should be the ones that if completed you can consider your day a "success".  Since it's impossible to get everything on your list done, having MITs allows you to prioritize and feel a sense of accomplishment even when you wish you were getting more done. I've kept my normal system but I'm trying writing my MITs on the chalk board off the kitchen and so far I love it.

06/19 BBB

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Beanie Baby Basketball. Who knew therapy could be so much fun?! PT homework assignment: standing in high-kneel, preferrably while trying to balance and having to reach.  Solution? BBB with BB (big brother) on the mic narating the plays.

06/20 Treasure Maps & Playing Outside

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Take: 1 piece of medical supply packing paper add 1 marker and 1 creative kid (maybe 2); mix and voila you have an afternoon of fun. Evie mapped out the yard and created a treasure hunt. Ainsley wanted to get in on the action and went out in her walker by herself and followed E&A around from one side of the yard to the other. I am so grateful that we have a yard that she can do that in.

06/21 Celebrating With Rootbeer Floats

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Evie graduated from elementary school tonight. Sniff sniff. Steve headed back to work after the ceremony and  I dropped Adrian off at a friend's house. We had girls night. We watched Dreamer, had popcorn and celebrated this life change with rootbeer floats. Evie was so happy. It was wonderful.

06/22 A New Do & Sunglasses

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I've been searching for new glasses for months. I've been to every eyeglass store in the area. My glasses are an extension of my personality, and I'm having trouble replacing them but am motivated by the fact that I can't see. I've also been needing a hair change and boy did I get one. I didn't find the perfect glasses but I might have found the perfect sunglasses, which is great since our insurance changes in a few days so I'm running out of time. Now if we could just get some sun.

06/23 A Night Out For A Good Cause

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Steve's dad bought us tickets to the Harley Davidson benefit for Seattle Children's Hospital. My sister was available for respite so we had a night out which is rare. It was a fun night. It was even better that the money we spent at the auction went to benefit families with "sick" children who have more medical bills than they can pay, and for childhood cancer research. It was a poingnant night, Steve and I gave each other many knowing looks throughout the evening. We've been though so much with Ainsley and been so lucky never to need financial assistance for Ainsley's medical bills because of the Medicaid waiver she is on. 

 06/24 Open Eyes (& Pancakes)

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Although she is having to use her brow to get this lift I was so happy to see Ainsley's eyes open more today. I was also happy to be having Steve's famous blueberry pancakes as a family (+Sheryl, she stayed the night). He's been gone a lot. And I was happy that Ainsley wanted to taste some syrup even if it did mean sticky fingers.

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To view a slideshow of the entire Happiness Photo Project click here. Confused about what this is or why I'm doing it? Click here for an explanation of what it's all about.