More then a sprain...

Sadly it turns out that Bella's sprained ankle is not a sprain, it's actually a fracture in part of the growth plate in her ankle. Tomorrow morning we go to see an orthopedic suregon, and hopefully the worst case scenario is 4-6 weeks in a cast. I don't even want to think about other options. :( I know a cast isn't the end of the world, but for a little girl who is so active (spending 7-8 hours a week at dance and gymastics) and who just started kindergarten, it's going to be a huge change to her life for a while.

I'm also so worried about how she'll do at school, having never broken a thing, I don't know how hard it is to get around with a cast on. Bella's always the one running to be in the front and the first to jump into the action, so being slowed down will likely come with a lot of frustration. Maybe it will help teach her some more patience, but it's going to be hard. I'm worried sick right now, I just want to get to the doctor and hear the verdict. I know we have been so blessed that she's always been so healthy, and this is really small compared to what some children face, but it's still scary to have anything wrong with your baby (even when that baby is quickly approaching you in height!).

If you've sent an email or left a message today that I have not yet returned, please hang in there and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Bumps, Bruises & Celebrations

I must say we have been EXTREMELY lucky that Bella has been pretty much injury free in life. Only very minor issues and they have been far and few between. However it now appears that we are playing catch up. On Saturday she sprained her ankle on one of the big inflatable slide/bounce house things. Today, I got a call from the school nurse informing me that Bella fell off the bench at lunch and hit her head on the lunchroom floor. She said that they iced it, and that she wanted to go back to the lunchroom, but that she had been very emotional (ahh break mommies heart).

Well I pick her up at school and she informs me that she didn't fall, she was pushed off the bench. By another girl in class, one who seems to do this kind of thing a lot - I had talked with two other mothers about incidents their daughters had with this girl - prior to Bella's today. I also had a few moms contact me after school because their daughters told them what happened, thus sort of supporting that Bella wasn't making up or exagerating that she was pushed off the bench. This is a whole new type of issue for us to deal with. I'm going to talk to the teacher, I'm just not sure what the correct way is to handle things like this.

So I took Bella to the doctor right from school, and the head looks like it's okay. We need to wake her up one time tonight, but all signs point to her being fine. The doctor did not feel the same about her ankle. It's very swollen still, much more swollen then the doctor felt it should be. So she sent us for an xray (Bella's first). We are waiting to hear on that. She's out of dance and gymnastics for two-three weeks, which is a big deal seeing as how she participates in the two for about seven hours a week. So fingers crossed she just has a bad sprain, and will not be out of comission too long. Bella is NOT an easy kid to keep down.

On to better news... We have some very exciting news in the family, my brother Josh proposed to his girlfriend Kim this weekend up in Sedona. It's been a fun week, talking on the phone with him much more then usual - as he prepared for this weekend. He asked her parents, bought the ring, all that good stuff. Kim said yes an seems ecstatic, and we are SO excited for them. They are a great couple and my brother is so happy when he's with her. They have so much in common, they are both science teachers (same school even), both love the outdoors and are both pretty serious atheltes. I think they have a wonderful future together, and we are thrilled that Kim will be a permanent part of our family.

Sparkle Sale

Yippie, I finally got the new Sparkle Bar Necklaces in the shopping cart and they are now available for sale. I have been wearing my Sparkle Bars daily and they are my new favorite. I think they are a great way to show off your special names and birthstones. They have a special introductory price - and we have a 15% off sale going on, so if you have your eye on one, now's the time to order. :)

Life has been so busy the past few weeks. My mom has been going through a lot of health issues, and just spent two weeks in the hospital. I'm really worried about her and hope that things will improve for her soon.

A little bit of fall seems to be in the air. It's still really hot (it is Arizona after all!) but there's that little change in the air. Fall is my favorite time of year, hands down - it's an end to the heat and ushers in the holiday season. I made a batch of pumpkin muffins tonight - love that smell of pumpkin and cinnamon coming from the oven. Certainly one of life's little pleasures!

A Big Congrats

I just wanted to send out a BIG congratulations to our friends the Brown Family, who just received their referral for the adoption of their son from Ethiopia! It's been a long wait, and I'm so excited that this day has come, and that soon their son will be home with their wonderful family. Sandi and Bill are awesome parents, and baby Paul is going to have three sweet sisters doting on him no doubt. Sandi has always been a great friend (who I don't get to see often enough) and she's certainly been a great support and sounding board for reproductive challenges if you will. Her voice mail yesterday with this good news was definitely the brightest spot of the past week. Hmm... Sandi's going to need an updated necklace very soon!

What a week...

This past week has quite possibly been one of the most stressful (and longest) of my life. Too tired to even begin to discuss it, but I know a few friends of mine have been wondering why I've been MIA, and I just wanted to let them know I'm still here, just trying to manage all that is going on while keeping things going at home and keeping up with orders. Anytime I think things may finally be calming down, something cranks them back up. I'm not sure when I'll get to the light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm holding onto the belief that there is one.

No matter what craziness life throws my way, I am blessed beyond measure with an amazing husband and daughter, who keep me laughing through anything and everything. Laughter really is the best medicine. I owe them both many home cooked dinners and lots of my undivided attention. I probably also owe them some baked goods (which around here are like a get out of jail free card). This place and this place certainly are full of some great ideas and I'm fairly certain whipping this up for Rick would make up for anything LOL.