Happy New Year...

Happy New Year!!! I hope that your Holidays were full of fun and excitement and lots of time with family & friends!!

'Tis that time once again - for New Year's Resolutions. Do you have any? I always think of resolutions for the New Year, and most of the time I blow them within a very short time or don't stick to them at all. So, this year I'm keeping it simple.

1. Be thankful.
2. Exercise.
3. Eat smart.
4. Show my LOVE to my husband, children and family!
5. Have fun and enjoy this life!!

Here's to a happy and prosperous new year to us all!

Independence Day ....

July 1, 2011. The day Austin Bragg spread his wings and flew the coop!! He and his long time friend, Taylor moved into a garage apartment in Gainesville ... on Lake Lanier. What a tough life it must be for these two kids. 10 minutes from school and work and literally steps away from fun in the sun on the lake!

I knew this day would come. It just seems like it arrived much faster than I had expected. He is 19 years old, and 19 years is a rather long time, but it seems like just yesterday that we brought him home and began our parenting journey. You worry so much about them as they are growing up. There are days you're reminded why animals sometimes eat their young. And then there are (mostly) days you beam with pride over this creation you brought into the world. You spend your days teaching them so many things about life and situations and people and you desire that they go into this world empowered to be a positive contributor to society, ready to make good decisions, and able to make it on their own.

The really good news is that I didn't and haven't had a major emotional break-down with Austin moving out. Don't get me wrong ... I miss him like crazy! We all do. At first, I felt like I was missing an arm or leg. It was like something just wasn't quite right, but quickly I noticed my food bill reduced significantly and it's been smooth sailing ever since. :-)

Andy and I are happy and content and mostly have no regrets with what we instilled in him during those first 19 years. It really makes letting go of the reins a lot easier - to feel like he is equipped to go into the world and make good decisions on his own. Of course, he still hears from me via text or phone call .... be careful on the dock ... be careful driving to school ... make sure you're eating healthy. That's what mom's are for - right?

... Austin at his new digs ...

3 Month Check-Up ...

I'm a little late posting this, but .... we went for Chandler's 3 month check up a few weeks ago and it went really well. First, they did xrays and then we waited for Dr. Oswald. Chandler had been so anxious about this appt because she is ready to begin more athletic activity. The waiting was filled with lots of wondering at first. Then, to pass time we began a game of pocket basketball - a game Chandler made up during our first visit to Children's for her pre-op appt. You tear little pieces of the paper off of the table in your waiting room, roll it into little balls, prop dad's shirt pocket open just a little bit and begin play. Magically time passes more quickly. :-)

We really didn't have to wait very long. Dr. Oswald entered the room and said "let's do this." He has learned this girl well and knew that she would be ready to negotiate. She told him that basketball was on the horizon and she was ready for more. He told her that based on the xrays, she looks great on the inside! The fusion is taking or progressing or something good, can't remember exactly what he said. He was pleased with that part. He opened the floor for her to plead her case. She went through her spill about basketball and what she wanted to do and he said she could play basketball the beginning of December!! No contact until then. Chandler was speechless at first. She was grinning from ear to ear. We then discussed specifics about what she could and could not do. She can jog, she can run up and down the court, she can shoot foul shots and around the key, but no 3 pointers for now. She also cannot do suicides. No complaints about that one. :-) He also reminded her not to try to do it all at once, to work her way back up. And she asked, what if I fall? He told her that she was put together really well and that she is healing wonderfully and that she won't break.

Wow! We continue to be amazed and thankful and blessed. And it's a good thing we have unlimited texting. Chandler shouted her good news out via text for quite a while that night.

Happy (Lucky) Day ...

Chandler and I reached a milestone this week. We may have actually reached this point before this week. I guess I should say that the milestone was realized this week. Anyway .... we can wear the same size shoe!! Wow!! How great is this!? Our shoe inventory just doubled in size!! And it is super lucky for Andy. It may have just saved him some $$ in shoe purchases for at least a little while anyway. Of course, I have a few pair that she has absolutely no interest in. Likewise, she has a few pair that I probably won't be wearing. Overall, this is a mean for celebration!!

The Blue Screen (of death) ....

It was a regular Tuesday morning at my house. I was at my desk on my computer, working on booster club stuff. Still had a LOT to do. I was minding my own business. And then it happened. Things were moving a little bit slowly with my computer that morning and that's fine, I was trying to be patient and just finish what I needed to do. Then, it appeared. I had only ever heard of it prior to this day. Had not heard good things about it and had really hoped to never see it. The Blue Screen. It just showed up with no warning. Too bad I didn't have that robot from Lost in Space flailing his arms, shouting "Danger! Mrs. Bragg!" and he could've added, "your computer is about to crash!" I would have felt so much better and maybe I could have taken a quick minute to back up all of the terrific files on my computer and maybe I could have even done a back up of my pictures. But then, that would have been so lucky for me and I wouldn't really have a story about my computer crashing. Right?

I haven't had a good cry in a while. I held it together (emotionally) for a few days in hopes of getting good news about my computer. I sent it off to the first person, who, after a few days didn't give me good news. He texted me the bad news. Nothing he can do with it. I began to cry. Then I began to sob. I heard Chandler knock on Austin's door and say "mom's crying." There I am sitting on my bed boo-hooing. Andy is trying to console me, Austin and Chandler weren't real sure what to do. Everyone was really nice to me the next day though. :-)

I feel sort of silly talking about it now. I don't really have a good answer to why I'd never backed up the files on my computer. Yes, I said never. And I don't really have a good reason why I didn't listen to my husband and just do those (at least) monthly back ups of my pictures. I'll go ahead and insert here that I do have a back up of my pictures, but it wasn't as recent as I'd like for it to be, so pictures weren't a total loss. Ah, sigh of relief before you finish the story.

The hard drive has made it's way to Orlando to Papa Bill. He's been out of town, but when he gets back, I'm hopeful that he can give the drive his magic touch and all of my files and pictures will make their way back to me soon. And just in case The Blue Screen decides to pay you a visit ... make sure you're doing regular back ups on your computer.

Zoom Zoom ....

Austin got a new car!!

For his high school graduation gift, Andy and I gave Austin the title to the Montero. We had several conversations before doing so to ensure we would both be okay with whatever Austin might decide to do with the car later. We wanted it to be a "no strings attached" kind of deal. The Montero was Andy's primary vehicle until Austin started driving at 16. At that time, Andy bought a new car and we handed the Montero down to Austin to drive. Austin was absolutely thrilled to have the title in his hot little hands! The wheels (in his noggin') started spinning right away. Austin is a wheelin' and dealin' kind of guy. I don't think either of us expected him to be so happy that he would almost immediately begin to investigate the possibililty of selling the thing!!

Austin researched and primarily handled both the sell of the Montero and the purchase of his new car - an Acura RSX type S. Andy lent (when asked - yes this was somewhat difficult at times to sit back and wait to be asked) his sales expertise and went with Austin for the sale of the old car and the purchase of the new one. The car is free & clear and registered in Austin's name! Pretty good deal for an 18 year old college freshman.

... Austin only dreaming about real cars ...

... here he is in his very first car ... it was slow and not very roomy,

but cool that it could be driven indoors ...

... Austin driving off in the Montero, for the first time - alone ...

... and now, proud car owner ...

Chandler's 1 Month Follow-up ....

Today was Chandler's 1 month follow up appt with Dr. Oswald. It really couldn't have gone any better. It's all just still so unbelievable!!! One month ago, it was hard to imagine us being where we are today. We went prepared with our questions that have come to mind during the last few weeks. Chandler wanted to be in charge of the list this time, so she typed all the questions into her phone. First, she had an xray done and then the dr came in. He is VERY happy with the way everything looks and the way she is progressing. Her left shoulder is still a little higher than the other one, but it should continue to work it's way to normal. He had a few more things to say and then asked if we had any questions. I think he was amused by Chandler being in charge of the questions this time. Much to her chagrin, most of the answers were NO you can't do that yet - let the healing process continue to take place and come see me in 3 months. We did get permission for her to dribble the basketball while walking, no running; to take longer walks, which will hopefully help with her stamina and to rebuild some of the muscle-tone in her legs that she has lost; and she can ride a stationary bike. Of course, she thought he was going to release her to start playing ball in the driveway, jogging with her cross country team and doing some light weights with her arms and legs. Dr. Oswald did say at the end of it all that most of his 1 month follow-up appts don't go quite that way. :-) So, looks like we'll spend the next 3 months reining her in and reminding her to take it slow. Chandler will probably be counting down the days and have big expectations for our next appt at the end of October!!

... we think this guy is pretty wonderful ...

Chandler & Dr. Timothy Oswald

And now what we've all been waiting for .... comparison xrays. WOW!! (FYI: she did have on a cami that had some wires and she had on her belt - that's what some of the extra things are in the middle and bottom of the right xray.) Left xray was pre-surgery and right xray is 1 month post-surgery. Her back is cobalt-titanium-rod-straight now!! Oh, and answers to a few questions we get alot .... How big or long is her incision? It is the entire length of the rods. Will the rods or screws ever be taken out? No, never. Will she set off a metal detector? Quite possibly. She will have a card with her at all times which tells what kind of surgery she had.

We are so happy with her progress and again, so thankful to each and every person who has taken even a minute of your time to say a prayer for Chandler. We are sooooo blessed!!

#scoliosis