a no go on botox

It turns out that I'm one of the lucky 5% who has a negative reaction to Botox when treated for chronic migraines.

In a nutshell: I've had a constant migraine headache for the last 9 days, I feel like someone is tightening a belt around my skull, I can't turn my neck, and I feel as wonky as wonky gets.

Being that I have lupus, I tend to let things like this go for a while before I call the doctor. Pain is something I am used to and I am still always optimistic that it will go away. Then I feel a little embarrassed when I finally call and tell them that it has been 9 days.

So it looks like I'm going to go back to my old treatment which had some success.

It also looks like I'll be embracing my forehead wrinkles once again.

Source: bing.com via Tina on Pinterest

Much love,
Katie

surfing 101

It was always a vision of mine that Kevin would teach our boys how to surf.

Like Father, like Son.

However, Kevin had several lymph nodes removed when he had melanoma, which has made him susceptible to an infection that has landed him in the hospital in the past. The bacteria in the ocean is no bueno for a guy who has missing lymph nodes apparently.

Bummer for Kevin. Bye-Bye surfing. Sniff, sniff...

Thank goodness, we have Uncle Russell. Every family should have a young, single uncle. They get the title of "fun" more often than not.

He asked me to bring the boys to the beach so he could get them on his board.

He didn't have to twist my arm.

Luke was staying with my parents so it was just Charlie and Jack. They are two peas in a pod. Well, when they are not fighting, that is.

Charlie even stood up, but the wipe-out was enough to draw him back to building sandcastles.

Jack didn't quite make it up, but he found plenty of other ways to squeeze the fun out of the experience.

I love seeing my kids try something new. I'm sure it won't be long before they are out again.

Happy summer to you!

Much love,

Katie

on the way to botox

I have suffered from chronic migraines for 9 years. They were once daily for three years straight.

Yes, you just read that correctly.

So after years of various natural and medical treatments, I've made the leap into the land of Botox.

As I was driving there, the sudden awareness of what I was about to do settled in. The thought of getting injected several times into my scalp, face, and neck was a bit unnerving.

Source: inquisitr.com via Orange Coast on Pinterest

Once I arrived, the doctor came in and he talked to me about the procedure. It was then that he dropped some unsolicited beauty advice.

He told me that the injections would also remove the lines on my forehead.

I have seen him for several years and I never applauded his not so gentle bedside matter.

However, I was thinking, "Look Dude, I'm 34 not 100! Let's talk about your wrinkles which you asked me nothing about. Or perhaps we can talk about your plan for your receding hairline!"

So my thoughts quickly transitioned to needles piercing my scalp, jaw, and neck to a preoccupation with my "fine" lines.

So now I'm looking at the bright side to chronic migraines: Botox for migraine treatment and looking like a Real Housewife of Orange County.

I'll let you know if I can move my eyebrows in a few days.

Source: allposters.be via Wendy on Pinterest

Much love,
Katie

don't steal our summer mojo

As school ended on Friday, I said good-bye to 27 4th graders with a mix of feelings stirring within me. The summer fever had hit my students hard about a week prior to school ending and each day was a bit painful. However, giving them their final hugs and well-wishes for a fun summer and fabulous year in 5th grade made me sad. Good-byes are never easy.

Instead of a night of deep sleep, I was up with Jack all night long. I repeat, ALL NIGHT LONG. He was crying and restless due to a sore throat and cough. I finally gave up at 3:30 a.m. and brought him downstairs to play so I could at least rest on the couch. The good news: I fell asleep. The bad news: I have no idea how long he played! That's okay though; mama getting sleep equals world peace in our casa.

Despite a summer cold trying to steal the kick off to our summer, we rocked Saturday.

We like to pride ourselves on our ability to make the best of less than ideal situations.

So we found the good and used it it up like there was no tomorrow.

No summer cold is going to steal our summer mojo. Summer is speaking its language here through words of wet swim trunks drying in the sun, cold ice-tea, big pools and little pools, the beach, and lazy mornings.

 (Yes, Mr. Street Safety Man, we plan to take it slow. Very slow.) 

 What says summer in your neck of the woods?

Enjoy your week!

Much love,
Katie

holy moly, it is almost summer!

I'm feeling the summer itch. Has it hit your house yet? I have 6 more days of teaching! I'm starting to daydream of our summer bucket list. Do you make one?

I plan on menu planning again. Cooking has been a bit of a survival game once I returned to full-time work in Feb.

Source: fitnessmagazine.com via Katie on Pinterest

 C

Looonnnggg, lazy days at the beach with lovely friends will be a regular event.

Baking, baking, and perhaps a bit more baking.

Source: undressedskeleton.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Home projects, library visits, bowling, museum visiting, Legoland, camping, the OC Fair...oh how my summer wheels are rapidly spinning.

Crafts with my favorite guys will keep them busy during the witching hour. I may throw in a few for this mama in desperate need of expressing some creative juices.

Source: sugarandcharmblog.com via Katie on Pinterest

Oh, and lots of sleep. After getting up at 5:30 a.m. for the last several months during my long-term sub position, I'm going to teach my boys to wake up and play without me downstairs with them from the second they wake up. Wish me luck on that one!

What about you? What are you looking forward to the most?

Much love,
Katie

P.S. I'd love for you to check out my latest post on Beautifully Rooted if you have an extra moment. Happy Thursday!

big decision

Life rings you up and asks you to make big decisions when you feel the least prepared.

When my friend sent me a text while I was sitting in MOPS last January, I immediately sensed a wave of excitement. I even left early to go home to prepare.

She told me that there was a long-term sub position at the school where my kids attend.

I had been weighing going back to teaching for some time. I can be a grass is greener kind of gal.

I knew that being a long-term sub would provide me the perfect opportunity to get my feet wet again.

My interview was lovely. Truly lovely. How many people can say that about an interview? Meeting with the Principal and Assistant Principal was like have coffee with old friends. Not that it was easy, but it was cordial and pleasant. Kudos to them for knowing how to bring the best out of their applicants.

Walking into a classroom mid-year was a bit challenging, but not nearly as challenging as you might think. Kids have an amazing ability to adjust to new. They are able to embrace new like rock stars. And it was only made better by the fact that I have parent helpers who have become friends rather than just volunteers.

I heart teaching. It is my gig for sure.

However, when a full-time position just became available for next year, I hesitated to apply.

My plan prior to my current position had been to do a hybrid home school program with my boys next year. We are talking about a private charter school (no tuition) where my kids would have art, Spanish, hands-on science, and  activities like karate provided by the YMCA.

Despite the natural inclination to pursue the job, I had a lingering, gut-wrenching feeling that it was not what I was supposed to do.

For one reason.

These guys.

As much as teaching is my gig, these boys are my world. They are still so little and their needs are high.

Time is ticking whether I like it or not and I want to soak up every bit of them before they are taller than me and arguing about curfew. 

Plus, I have to admit that I love the idea of an alternative learning experience. It is something I never thought I'd do, but that is how life works in this casa.

And if it doesn't work, I know we can go back to what we were doing. I'm slowly learning to take risks in life and to not be afraid if those risks fail.

No regrets.

Much love,

Katie