Fall at the Dallas Arboretum

On the Saturday before Halloween I was feeling adventurous and I took the kids to the Arboretum. Jack Ranger had been asking to see the pumpkins and my parents have a family membership which gets us in free. I was worried about the crowds so we arrived right when it opened. We parked right up front and were able to hit the face painting before everything got totally crazy. There were also trick or treat stations that the kids loved and we spent a lot of time in the Children's garden doing a scavenger hunt. It was a beautiful day and I am so glad the anticipation of crowds didn't dissuade us. When we left around 1pm it was totally nuts! But my then we had plenty of fun.

Super adorable "Wizard of Oz" theme complete with a yellow brick road.

I love that Cadie didn't want to be driven around by the boys the whole time! She wanted a turn in the drivers seat.

Jack Ranger is 7!

My sweet little man is funnier, skinnier and smarter than ever! Since he has a broken wing, we opted for a Lego-party at our house. We invited all the boys from his 1st grade class, plus a few boys from the neighborhood. He had 6 friends come, which wasn't as many as he had wanted, but there was no school on the Monday afterwards and I think a lot of folks went out of town for the long weekend. Ranger had a great time and it really was an easy party. We dumped about a million legos on the floor in the playroom upstairs. Each boy got a green square to build on and they got to keep and take home whatever they built! They all loved it. Plus, we had a piñata, lego cake, and pizza. One little boy said it was the best party ever which made me happy. I figured, how could it go wrong with boys and legos?

We wrapped up the day with Rangers choice for dinner - Tokyo Kaze  (aka Faux-Benihana). Ranger is doing so well in 1st grade and continues to be inquisitive, sweet, and energetic! During his teacher conference, his teacher (Mrs. Hernandez) said he tries hard every day, is above average in math and reading, and makes friends with everyone. She said his main challenge is that he wants to talk with his friends during class. She has tried to move him to different tables with different kids, but she said he just makes friends with them too and wants to talk with his "new" friends. I picked up him early from school this week for his 7-year checkup, and when I told the school receptionist that I was picking up "Ranger" - she knew right who he was. I didn't even have to use our last name. He is infamous. We love you bunches and bunches JR!!

Getting Easier

It started over the summer and has steadily continued during the fall. Life has gotten easier, specifically, the kids. I noticed it one hot summer day when we were at the UP Pool. The kids were all playing happily and I was sitting on the side in a chair watching them - AND I NEVER GOT IN THE POOL!!!  First time ever in over 8 years that I had been to the pool with the kids and not had to get in the water. I was still vigilantly watching them, but I was able to relax (just a tiny bit, but still...). Then, one Saturday I woke up at 9am because NO ONE HAD WOKEN ME UP!!!  What the what! The first time in years that I have been with the kids ever and no one woke me up to change a diaper, get a bottle, get a granola bar, turn on cartoons, ask to get in our bed... It was amazing. The kids had gotten themselves some cereal - Cadie had helped Colton. And they were happily watching cartoons in the living room. Then, on a flight recently they were all reading, coloring, or watching the Southwest Airlines TV and NO ONE WAS NEEDING ME. I had never in million years expected it since the last decade of travel has mostly involved constant snacks, books, songs, stickers, I-Spy games, digging in the backpack for water bottles, or ferrying them to and from the bathroom. I didn't even have a book or anything. I sat quietly for awhile, thinking about the incredible possibilities of not being needed 110% of the time. Then I read a bit of back-of-the-seat magazine. These awesome little people get themselves dressed (mostly), read to each other, open the doors for me when my hands are full, and play together for hours. So far, I am really liking where this stage is heading.

Walking together to church.

Colton didn't love soccer, but he sure is adorable.

Cadie is 9!

We had the BEST sleepover for Cadie's 9th birthday. Thursday was her birthday and it was a special day with decorations at the house, dinner at Romo's (Cadie's choice) and birthday cookies from Nina. Then on Friday we had a sleepover with Claire, Ella, Bella, Sutton, Kamryn, Anna, Sophia,  and Elise. We started out with dinner at Amore's, then Barbie cake at the house, decorating picture frames, watching movies, and then pancakes in the morning. The girls were incredibly well behaved and kind to each other. Papa took pictures of all the girls and got them printed at CVS for us. Then, we added them to their picture frames which were all super creative. My favorite part was getting to know Cadie's friends better, the awesome Barbie cake (made by Carlos at Tom Thumb!), and celebrating the life of the little girl who made me a Mom 9 years ago.

Erin's 20-year High School Reunion - Sept. 22-24

I was not planning to go to my high school reunion, but I am SOOOO happy that I went. It ended up being a amazing and memorable weekend. A few months before the reunion, Kit Bessenbacher texted Nicole Horton Potoshnick and I and asked if we were going to the reunion. I wasn't sure because so much was going on, and Nicole was actually moving houses that weekend. However, on Wed. before the reunion I decided I could make it work and I texted Kit. She was still going to be in KC so we made plans to meet on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Cadie and I flew in late Friday night and our flight was delayed so we didn't land until around 10pm. Aunt Kathy picked us up and I decided it was best to get some rest so Cadie and I got settled quickly into bed. We were both so tired. On Saturday morning we ate breakfast and Cadie was looking forward to a great day with Aunt Kathy and cousin Charlotte. Kit met me at Aunt Kathy's and she drove us to Blue Valley Northwest High School for a 10am tour. It was a small group, but we had a really fun time. My name is still on the banner hanging in the natatorium!

During the tour, Kit and I texted a picture of ourselves to Nicole told her how much we missed her! She texted back and said she really wished she could have come. The tour wrapped up, and Kit and I went to First Watch and met Kit's brother and his girlfriend for lunch. Before lunch, we swung by 9936 West 121st and I was taking a selfie like a weirdo in front of the house and the new owner was mowing the last and gave me a "May I help you" look. I told him I used to live there, and he gave us a tour! It was changed a lot, but still felt so familiar. It felt odd to see the house, and made me also think about all the time and memories that still close and fresh. I would have liked to talk with some of the neighbors, but time was ticking away so we headed to First Watch.

Over lunch, we tried to get Kit on a standby flight for Sunday or Monday so that she could attend the reunion Saturday night, but the flights to LA were really full. She had originally planned to go back to LA on Saturday evening, but once I came to town she thought going to the reunion together might be fun. But it looked like it wasn't going to come together.

After First Watch, I said good-bye to Kit, and then waited on a bench until Amy Webster came! She and I went to Starbucks in the same shopping center and chatted for almost two hours. It was so awesome of her to make time at the last minute and I loved hearing about her job, family, and friends. Right when we were wrapping up, Kit called and said she had talked with Nicole and that Nicole would come if I could get her on a flight! I check SWALife and it looked like it could work! Amy was so patient while I booked a flight and called Nicole. Amy actually drove me back to Aunt Kathy's and I was able to finalize the flight details on the ride and Nicole headed straight to the airport. It was so crazy!!! I couldn't believe she did it in the middle of her move!

At Aunt Kathy's, I said good-bye to Amy. Grandma and Grandpa Gullickson were there and we chatted for just a few mins and then they headed out to see some friends. Then, Jim and Denise stopped by and we were able to catch up. I played a bit with Charlotte and Cadie. After that, Aunt Kathy and Grandma and Grandpa got home and we quickly whipped up some dinner. After I had a bite to eat, Kit came to the house and we went to the airport to get Nicole. It was so fun to hug her at the airport! We came back to Aunt Kathy's house and changed, Nicole and Kit had a bit to eat and then we went together in an Uber to the reunion at Johnny's Tavern.

The reunion was actually really fun! I saw Sydney Wallace, Kim Matthews, and recognized quite a few faces. The highlights of the evening were getting hit on by Ricki Livers (not exactly sure how drunk he was), spending time with Kit and Nicole, feeling like all the craziness of high school really was water under the bridge, and laughing with Kit and Nicole in the Uber on the way home. 

After the reunion, Kit, Nicole and I crashed in the king bed at Aunt Kathy's. We talked for about an hour and finally went to sleep around 2pm. Kit and Nicole got up at 5am to go to the airport because the best flight for Nicole was at 7am. It was less than 12 hours, but it was amazing and I will never forget our 20th reunion. 

Uncle Mark took Cadie and I to the airport at 8am and we got on the 9am flight home. Grant picked us up at the airport and our whirlwind trip was over. I was so thankful Cadie had a wonderful time with Aunt Kathy and cousin Charlotte. I am so thankful for the most incredible hostess ever - Aunt Kathy. I am thankful to be working at SWA where I could use a last minute buddy pass. And I am thankful for friendships that have lasted through the decades.

Jack Ranger's broken arm

So... The Saturday before school started my Dad had taken Jack Ranger to a birthday party for Sloane Odom at Pump It Up. I see on the caller ID that my Dad is calling me and I pick up and he says, "Don't panic... but, I need to know which ER you would like meet me at. Jack had a nasty fall and I am pretty sure his arm is broken." Of course, I do panic. I call Grant and we decide to have my Dad go to the Park Cities Medical City ER. Grant is actually at the airport just getting back from a trip and he heads straight to the ER. I am at home with Cadie and Colton and so I called my Mom and she came over to stay with the kids.

At the ER, Jack Ranger is really upset, but mostly he is thirsty and they don't want him to have water in case they need to do surgery. He cries for water for almost two hours. The X-ray shows a bad break and so they put him under and they set his arm while Grant and I wait in the lobby area. I don't remember who kept Cadie and Colton, but Grant and I came home and tried to help a very uncomfortable JR get some sleep.

The first day of school was challenging, but JR made it until noon! He also managed to stay until noon on Tuesday and then on Wednesday he stayed all day. He was really uncomfortable and he would cry and wake up multiple times during the night. But this is my first time dealing with a broken bone as a parent and so I thought some pain was to be expected. However, it was so much worse than I thought!

At 9am on Friday, Sept. 1 I took JR to the follow-up appointment with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon and after a set of X-rays he came in to tell me JR's elbow was dislocated and also had a fracture, plus his ulna bone in his forearm was broken. I was shocked! The week had included a broken arm, my Mom's mastectomy on Monday with a death scare and time in the ICU, Grant activated to work in an evacuee shelter in Dallas due to hurricane Harvey, and now surgery for JR! It honestly sent me over the edge. I left the doctor feeling stunned. I called DD and took JR to her house for the day because he was also upset (probably a bit of transferred stress from me). I went into work to take care of a few things and also to clear out my schedule for the next Tuesday (Monday was Labor Day so at least I was already off work!).

During a meeting on Friday, I got a call from the surgery scheduler and JR was scheduled for surgery at 9am on Saturday. I was so thankful because I was hoping that surgery would help JR feel better and also so that Grant and I could spend the next few days focused on his recovery. Cadie and Colton stayed with DD and Big John and we headed to the hospital with JR bright and early on Saturday morning.

JR was a trooper and never really cried as we prepped for the surgery. Then, I was totally and 110% blown away when MJ Haigh and Lori Winters from Southwest showed up in the waiting room to sit with us during the surgery. Lori even brought this huge basket of toys with a card,
"Jack Ranger,
I am praying for you and I hope you get better very soon! These are all things you can have fun with using only one arm!
Lori Winters"

I was so appreciative of my Southwest friends showing up, and then my Mom and Dad walked it! I really could not believe it. My was only out of the hospital for one day and she was so exhausted. But she made it to be there for Jack Ranger. It was so touching. I was thankful they were there because they took my mind off everything and we actually laughed quite a lot while we were waiting.

The surgery only took about 2 hours and 30 minutes and Dr. Corey Gill said it went perfectly! In recovery, he said hi to Nina and Papa and then spent a few hours sleeping. Sweet Shauna came and brought me food and she sat and talked with me while JR rested. It was so nice to catch up with her and JR did not seem to be bother by our gabbing.

We had planned to stay overnight, but once JR woke up in recovery he was VERY ready to get home. He hated the monitor on his finger, the IV and especially the beeping machines. We went to the bathroom, ate some food and then told the nurse he wanted to get to his own house. Grant had left earlier in the day with my folks, and so JR and I headed home around 7pm.

Jack Ranger felt better almost immediately on Sunday. I had planned for him to rest, but he was feeling good so he and I went to the grocery store together and then we went to super cuts and we both got a hair wash and hair cut!

He had adapted to his cast really well. He gets his pin out on Thursday and then has another cast for two weeks. We have our fingers crossed that he gets his cast completely off by Oct. 18 when we are supposed to leave for a quick trip to Florida!

Recovering in the ER after they set his arm and put it in a splint.

First day of school with a hurt wing :(

Friday at the follow-up appointment. I thought it was fun we were in a room with Southwest looking over us. We didn't know yet that surgery would be needed. We thought we were about to get a cast and be on our way!

Feeling nervous before surgery.

Jack being goofy and making JR laugh.

One last hug before they wheeled him away. He was so brave!

We was really thirsty when he got out of surgery.

Feeling a bit drowsy and glad to have new dog.

Let's blow this joint!

X-ray from the ER. Yep, that looks really broken.

Before and after X-rays from surgery. He has a rod in his arm!