Moments in May-hem

What a month! As if May isn't already crammed with all the end-of-school-year stuff, I decided to throw a surgery in on top of it! There is never a great time to have surgery, especially the kind that leaves me non-weight-bearing and on crutches for a month, but it needed to be done. When I was in NYC with the girls, I tore the meniscus in my left knee. To be honest, I think I just finished it off. I think it originally tore way back at New Years Eve. However, I didn't only tear it, somehow the meniscus flipped and got wedged in my intercondylar notch preventing me from achieving full extension in my knee. I was so grateful that I made it through the rest of the NY trip without any significant problems, but once I got home, I realized something wasn't right. I am grateful that I insisted on getting some imaging done. The MRI revealed the significant problem and everything else just fell into place. I was able to get an appointment with a recommended orthopedic surgeon the day after my imagining and a surgery on the schedule for a week after that (Thursday, May 7th). I am also super grateful for a husband who has built a business that allows him to be my primary caretaker, chef, laundress, uber driver, etc. for the next month.

Thankfully, prior to my surgery I was able to attend Jonas's last elementary school field trip. I can't believe the elementary school chapter of his life is coming to a close. His final field trip (minus his pool day field trip during the last week of school) was to the Loveland Living Aquarium. He did this field trip back in second grade too, but it was fun to return. When we arrived, we all had lunch then we were let loose in the aquarium for 90 minutes. The group of boys I was with actually sped through most of the exhibits and spent the last half hour back outside on the playground. They had a blast with all of it...and I loved that I was able to be there.

On Sunday, May 3rd, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a Mexican family feast and piñatas. Unfortunately, Carter got sick so the Irons weren't there, but I dropped off a piñata for them to enjoy too. The Tanners joined the rest of us for an evening of fun. These celebrations are never anything big; it's just a chance to get together and enjoy something a little different. On the actual Cinco de Mayo (Tuesday, May 5th), Jeff, Jonas and I hit up one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in downtown Payson for some yummy seafood tacos. 

Oh...and in between our Cinco de Mayo observances, we grabbed some Star Wars donuts to honor May the 4th too. It was a perfect treat to celebrate Jonas's final allergy shot! That's right!! After 3 years of shots, he's done! To say he was excited would be an understatement. It has been a loooong 3 years, but it has paid off. He has started mowing our yard this year and even with all the grass clippings and cotton seeds from our cottonwood trees, he has not experienced any allergy symptoms.

Wednesday, May 6th, was Jonas's end of season basketball banquet. The Walls hosted it at their event barn in Santaquin. Coach catered some Costa Vida salads and I made a highlight video for the season. We enjoyed good food, fun memories from the season, and honored each of the boys with trophies. Jonas received the "6th Man" award. In basketball, the 6th man is the secret weapon. He is not a starter. He is the guy you put in when your starters start to wane. The 6th man brings energy and awesome defensive skills to the court. They are also a consistent scorer. I am super proud of how well Jonas played throughout the season. He improves more and more each year, but the best part is that he enjoys it. He has a great coach and a fun team. We'll see what next season brings!

Thursday, May 7th, was surgery day. I had waves of emotions leading up to this surgery. I was frustrated this even happened (especially because I try hard to be healthy and not injure myself). I was anxious about the outcome because I wouldn't know what my recovery would be like until after the surgery. If they could repair the meniscus, I would be on crutches for a month but the long term health of my knee would be better. If the meniscus was beyond repair, they would remove it and I would be able to walk out of the surgery center that day, but the long term health of my knee would be compromised. It felt like a no-win situation. On top of all that, I wasn't really sure that God would listen to my pleadings. I guess you could say I was having my own little faith crisis. Do my prayers really matter? I've prayed about some pretty important things. I exercised all the faith I had and it didn't seem to matter. Would it matter now? If I told him that I wanted to save my meniscus, would it happen? I know I have a Father in Heaven. I know I have a Savior. I know I am divinely loved, but sometimes I wonder if life is just life no matter how much I try to influence its outcome. Jeff and I got to the hospital at my appointed time only to find out that the doctor was running about 45 minutes behind. The longer I waited (after all the pre-surgery prep), the more I wanted to simply walk out the door. I reasoned that maybe it was ok that I walked with a limp for the rest of my life. Or maybe the meniscectomy wasn't a bad option so that I could just walk out of the surgery center; however, I stayed...and I praised God as soon as I woke up post-surgery and saw the leg brace that indicated the meniscus was repaired. He had heard the secret pleadings of my heart. 

The rest of that weekend was an added flurry of feelings. The pain was manageable but definitely there, especially the first couple of days. Sitting around got old after one day. I struggled with feeling useless. I felt lonely stuck inside while I watched Jeff and Casey work outside or Jonas go outside to play. I felt hopeless. 4 weeks of crutches seems endless. Jeff and Jonas were great though. They made me treats and sat and watched movies with me. They both did all they could to make me comfortable. Jonas helped me make a paper chain then wrote little ways he wants to serve me on each of the links. Sunday, May 10th, was Mother's Day. This was a very different year for obvious reasons. We didn't go to church, but we were able to watch it online. Jonas was even gracious enough to stand up and sing with the other kids online since it would be his last year in the primary organization. That evening, everyone (except Dallin and Audrey who were on vacation for his 25th birthday the following day) came over for dinner. I felt seen and loved. There were flowers and thoughtful cards/gifts, but more than anything, having them in the house was a welcome balm to my chaos of emotions. I love my little family so much! All the grandkids were concerned about my "owie". They all gave me hugs and laughs. I have realized that I don't need fancy things in life. I just need my family.

The end-of-year events didn't slow down simply because I did (and I did! Learning how to use crutches has been an interesting adventure). When Everly was over to the house on Sunday, she told me about her gymnastics showcase on Tuesday afternoon (May 12th) and asked if I would come. I had yet to successfully navigate stairs to leave the house, but there was no way I was saying no to that little girl! I did it! I was able to make it down the few stairs that lead into the garage, into the car, and over to the gym to watch her tumble. She was so cute! I love watching these kiddos grow up.

That outing gave me greater confidence to venture out...which was something I desperately needed to keep up with the few end-of-year opportunities Jonas participated in. On Wednesday, May 13th, Jonas was invited and volunteered to do a presentation for Taylor Elementary in front of the Nebo District School Board. Certain 5th grade students were given the opportunity to present the "chill skills" they have learned from their guidance counselor. These skills have helped them learn how to manage their big emotions. The whole presentation lasted maybe 10 minutes. Nothing big, but kind of a fun honor to be invited to do so.

Friday, May 15th, Jonas participated in his school's talent show. Each year, Taylor students have the opportunity to "try out" for the talent show. They present their talent then one kid per class is chosen to demonstrate that talent at the final Tiger Pride assembly. Jonas tried out last year but wasn't selected. This year he was! He showcased a bo staff form from tae kwon do. He did a great job! I have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed as I watched him participate in the songs and traditions of his last Tiger Pride assembly.

That evening was another "last"...Jonas's last piano recital...possibly ever. We have decided to go a different direction with piano in the coming years. Lisa Flinders is a brilliant musician and pianist, but she's a little more demanding and serious than Jonas would like. Thankfully, he still wants to play; we just need to find someone who is a little more chill. In any case, tonight Jonas played a piece he composed called "For Us" and then the theme song from Pirates of the Caribbean, Medallion Calls. He did a great job! He was also recognized for completing another level in his theory books.

Saturday, May 16th, we were out again. This time for Carter's preschool graduation. I sincerely can't believe he starts kindergarten in the Fall. The preschool graduation was super cute...even if Carter didn't want to participate in it. I don't think he likes the attention. He later said it was "a lot scary". Laurin was finally able to coax him up to the front to sit by his teacher, but he didn't want to join his classmates. Once all was said and done though, he agreed to put on the little graduation robe and take a couple of pictures. 

The next day (Sunday, May 17th), we celebrated both Jonas and Carter with a little family "Promotion Party" dinner. We are so proud of both these boys! They have worked hard to achieve mastery in what they have been taught. They choose to be good students and kind classmates. That evening, Carter finally felt brave enough to sing one of the songs from his graduation for us. We loved celebrating these "smart cookies".

Monday, May 18th, Jonas achieved a level advancement in tae kwon do. Now that he's a black belt, he has to achieve so many levels before he can reach the next degree of black belt. There are three levels he needs to reach to receive his second degree black belt. He continues to enjoy tae kwon do. I think he has learned good skills about discipline, precision, perseverance, and more. It is fun watching him do something he enjoys. Way to go Jonas!

The weekend after school got out was Memorial Day weekend. Nichole moved Kate up here that weekend. They drove up Saturday then Nichole flew home on Tuesday...without Kate. Kate will be living with us for the next year or so. I think Jonas is kind of excited to have someone else around, even though I'm sure she'll be busy once she finds a job. On Sunday (while Nichole and Kate were buying Kate stuff and getting her settled in), Jonas, Jeff, and I made a little pilgrimage over to the Payson Cemetery to lay flowers on the veterans graves. Many of these men and women died after their service, but their service and their sacrifice is why we get to enjoy all the freedoms we do. Monday (May 25th) was Memorial Day. Everyone joined us. Amber and Beau were the first to arrive in the morning then everyone else trickled in as the day went on. That evening, even Scott, Kaia, Zavia, Don, Sandy, and some of their crew joined us. We had our version of a low country boil along with watermelon, cucumber tomato salad, biscuits, cornbread and more. We spent the evening enjoying good food, good company, and swimming (not me...yet)...as the excited anticipation of summer finally started to sink in.

We wrapped up the month with a win!...a Pinewood Derby win! On Tuesday, May 26th, our ward's primary activity leaders hosted a Pinewood Derby. Jonas was much more involved in designing and creating his car this time (we'd done this once before, but Jeff did most of the work...and yes, we won then too). However, Jonas took ownership of the project this time around, like so many other things in his life. He is really expressing his independence and stretching his capabilities...and we couldn't be more proud of him. 

Now bring on summer! I can't wait to be off these crutches. One more week then two more weeks with the brace then a few months of physical therapy. This injury and surgery has definitely given me a little more sympathy for those that have disabilities. It has been extremely hard to go from running 100 mph to nothing. I try to celebrate the small wins, like managing stairs with more grace or being able to be creative enough to figure out how to cook a meal, but for the most part, I sit around trying to find productive things I can do in my limitations to keep me from being absolutely bored. This is not how I envisioned starting my summer, but I definitely won't let it stop me from finding fun over the next three months!