Stepping out of your comfort zone

What an idea! For those that know me, they'd agree that this isn't me. I thrive on comfort! The more comfortable I am with something, the more confident I'll be in doing it. Lately though, the winds have hanged slightly and instead of sprinting away from something new & scary, I'm holding my breath & jumping into it. Lets see if I can explain. I've always been the type of person that wanted to drag someone with me to something new, I always had to print out a map & if possible do a drive by if I was going somewhere new. I don't deal well with change, the unknown or uncertainty. After my tumor, hospitalization & recovery this became even more true. Not only did I worry about getting somewhere or doing something, but now I was worried to no end on how I'd be perceived. I felt like I always had to apologize for my deficits & explain what had happened. Most everyone I came in contact with we're gracious & accepting. Thank you Lord!!!! But as the years tick further away from that horrific time, I'm left with the question of what now? Sure, our expectation of what I'd be like has changed (for the better) over the years, but at some point, I need to move on. No longer can I play the victim of this. I need to buck up & push forward. And so I have. Within the last few weeks, I've done things that I didn't think would ever be possible without someone there to help me (just in case)! I've done things that seem fairly common to the average Joe, but to me it's so much more. To me, its extraordinary!!!! They are signs I'm still healing & changing. Praise God! I'll share a few of the things I've done recently and I hope you'll join me in celebrating! Thanks again for the love, support, encouragement & prayers. They have all so richly blessed my recovery and my life.

A few weeks ago, we traveled to Phoenix as Darren had a work conference. I'm not a pool person really, unless you count sunbathing on the chairs that encircle the pool. Zach is learning to swim and we brought the boys swim vests/jackets with us on vacation cause we were planning on lots of pool time. Ever since Zach was young, Darren has always been in the pool with him. Now was my chance... I took a leap of faith & waded into the pool water. My boys squealed with excitement and my husband had to pick his mouth off the floor from disbelief, I drug my boys around the pool, even with my healing broken hand. I was in with them almost every day we were gone. I even packed them up one morning & took them to the pool myself while Darren was in class. Victory!!!! Even had a bathroom emergency for one of the boys while we were there & handled that too.

In the pool with the boys ... yes, I left the stairs ;0)

at the pool, flying solo while Darren was in class

 Then we returned to Alaska for Zach's last week of preschool and the start of summer vacation. Already I've taken the boys to the store by myself multiple times, had a play date at a park, and taken treats to Darren's work several times. Most of those occurrences was my first time doing it by myself with both boys. It has been liberating & has allowed me to be more confident in myself & my boys. So blessed!!!!!

Mini Muffins for Daddy's work

kite flying

more kites

windy day fun

play date - Sam & Zach playing their version of tetherball

Kadin playing 

Zach playing 

Zach & Sam - King of the Mountain

Miss Sarah, Sam, Andrew & Zach on the rope bridge

Fun day with friends!

Crazy boys!!!

Blessings.

Moving On

Today is bittersweet! This is the last day of Preschool for Zachary. I can hardly believe it.  My baby is becoming such a Big Boy.  Kindergarten here He comes!!!

As is my custom,  I had Zach make end of the year gifts for his teachers.  I focused on  the scripture in Matthew 5: 13-16 that takes about Salt & Light and here is what I came up with.  Here's what the note inside the gift said:

Just wanted to say Thank You for a great school year. We've so appreciated the support, care, concern & learning that has taken place. Thank you for what you do! In Matthew 5:13, we are called to be the salt & light of the world and you certainly are. What a blessing it has been to have Zachary enrolled in New Horizons the past two years. We know he has received a well rounded education that truly has encouraged him to continue developing in fantastic ways. Thank you for the ways you've seasoned his education & filled his spirit with light.

My hope is all the little gifts make sense when you think of Matthew 5:13 – 16 Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Included:
Refreshing citrus salt scrub
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Sea Salt Caramel
Salt Water Taffy
Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16 Post Card
Light bulb filled with paperclips
Penguin notepad * okay it doesn't fit the theme, but your Penguin teachers, right ;)

Have a fantastic summer! May it be blessed! See you in the fall with Kadin.

Darren, Jessica, Zachary & Kadin Buss

Blessings

Vacation

So I haven't posted in a while.  A week after I broke my hand, I had surgery to repair it.  I had a nerve block which allowed me to be awake during the surgery and recovery has been fine.  I had a cast on it until 4 weeks after surgery in which a new set of x-rays were taken and it was discovered despite the two screws placed into my finger, it had still slipped.  My Doctor decided to remove the cast and send me to Physical Therapy and to get a specially molded split to be worn during the day and then one again at night time.  Oh joy!  Well I have been at PT for the past three weeks and my joint doesn't want to move. I will keep exercising it and I go back into see my Doctor on the 29th to get another x-ray and to decide from there.  I'm hoping for freedom with my deformed finger/hand.  Last week though despite the broken hand, we went to Phoenix.  My husband had a business conference and invited us to tag along. UMMMM Yes!!!!

We enjoyed a week of fun in the sun. Meanwhile, back in Alaska it was snowing.  We went to the Phoenix Zoo, Sealife Arizona, train park, pool and to see Uncle Doug.  My Mother in law was gracious enough to come down a few days earlier than a scheduled trip and helped me at the zoo with the boys while Darren was in class.  Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Blessings

Break for a break

Well I'm tying this with my left hand....why you ask?  I broke my right hand this past week and i will have a cast for the next 6 or so weeks.  I met with the surgeon today and she was on the fence about an operation (especially with me & all my special circumstances).  We are putting off surgery and hope that the x-rays taken this Thursday don't appear worse than what has already been captured.  How did it happen?  It was a poor choice moment that I self inflicted :( Lesson learned.  Please be in prayer that further intervention is not needed and that the x-rays taken this week are the same or better than those already taken.  Thank you and I'll return to blogging once I am able to type.

Blessings.