A Break from Hockey

Juana and Ito sent Ryan and Cole their birthday gift and card in the mail and let's face it, it's always fun to receive mail that isn't demanding you pay them something!  But the real reason I'm posting these pictures is because the messages they each wrote each child shows just how much they know and love each one.  The fact that they have a personal connection and relationship with all four of my kids means more than words can express.

 Speaking of bonds, I'll tell ya Cole is one lucky four year old.  He has two of the very best friends and couldn't be happier about it.  Hunter was a stud and happily hung out with me while Cole and Jacob had to go to school but he was over the moon when it was time to pick them up.

 And the streak continues as I am reminded of how lucky I am for incredible friends.

 After gymnastics one day, Andi came home complaining that her heart hurt.  She went to Andrew about this and considering our family heart histories, he became worried.  I wasn't so much because I figured she's a gassy girl, it's probably just that.  A few days later she complained again and Andrew mentioned having me take her in.  This is huge for Andrew, the man that forgets doctor's really do learn something in school and might be able to give us answers we don't know.  Well, I was still hesitant knowing I had a well-check scheduled a couple weeks out.  But when she once again complained, I started thinking about her characteristics.  For one, she has an incredibly high pain tolerance - so what if it's really painful but she doesn't describe it that way.  For two, she's distracted easily - so maybe at gymnastics, or at recess, she's able to distract herself enough to not dwell on what's going on.  So, considering Wes' HCM and Ryan's VSD, I decided to schedule an appointment to check things out.  

I picked up the kids straight from school and luckily Cole and I had some Topper's leftovers from our lunch with grandpa grandpa because who doesn't come home from school hungry!?!?  I thought the scene before me as I sit inside the doctor's office was pretty funny.  My little doggies outside the window didn't seem to mind the terms and conditions of eating those leftovers.

 The doctor didn't hear anything wrong with Andi's heart and explained that it was probably more likely inflammation around her lungs so that when she took deep breaths, it was rubbing and irritating her.  To be honest, I wasn't too concerned but it was also nice hearing that.  We were told to try IbProfen for a week while we waited for the referral to the cardiologist.  She never once complained again.

(Fast forward a couple weeks - I did take her to the cardiologist and everything came up normal)

 We have had to say farewell to hockey for the time being.  Baseball takes up our time Tuesdays-Saturdays and so hockey was just too much.  It was sad but also nice to have a break and look forward to returning to it.  But we have so loved watching the boys play and hang out with good friends every weekend.

 My parent's devotion and support to these games has been priceless and I just hope the kids realize how rare it is and how lucky they are.

 Ryan's last game wasn't a great one and the poor kid had three incredible goal attempts that just didn't quite make it.  Although he did earn an assist.  But they lost which was fine by me because finals were played on Sunday this season so it made it that much easier.

 Jackson's game was intense and that's really the only defense I have in not taking pictures.  The game was not played well and it was a sad way to end the season but I'm glad Jackson wasn't too broken up by it because that's always sad to see, too.  Although I do value the fact he is passionate.  Either way, it came it went and we're looking forward to the fall season.