Woes

Feel free to skip this post, you will not hurt my feelings. Some of you have already heard this tid bit of information, but here it goes anyway. Life has thrown a few curve balls at us lately. First with my broken back of course (for those of you that didn't hear details, I fell down the stairs. Day after my birthday I slipped on my pajama pant and went sliding. Slammed my back on the stair, and the rest is history...well not yet I guess. I have a T8 thoracic fracture and am in a back brace now. Scroll down for lovely pictures). The doctor told me in the ER that day that I would be in the brace for 6-8 weeks. I later found out at an appointment that he wasn't telling the truth that day. Somehow in that week or so it changed from 6 weeks to 10 weeks. I was distraught but got over it. I am pretty sure he was just making me feel good about my life that day. As I reached my 7 week mark of the brace, I was anticipating my x-ray in 2 weeks to show the break being healed and me getting out of this thing. We had our friends Carrie and Jimmy come down with their baby Declan to celebrate a late birthday for Ella that day. They took the train so Declan would not have to drive 3 hours from Seattle, so Ella and I headed to pick them up. After getting them from the train station, we headed home in the rain. As we came out of a tunnel on the freeway I saw a car spinning around doing a 180. The nose of the car heading toward us. I stopped the car, as did the car to my left. As my attention was on the car heading toward us, we got slammed from behind. We of course pulled over to the shoulder. The truck that had spun out was parked along side the road and the car that hit me got pushed over there as well. After a policeman showing up, he refused to take a statement (have no clue why). The truck took off without speaking to anyone (guess he really didn't hit anyone, but come on). The man who hit me exchanged information with me and we left the scene. Luckily the kids were fine. Ella complained a bit about back and head pain, but she checked out at the pediatrician fine. Declan was very upset after the accident, but seemed to have come out unscathed. As far as the adults, Carrie and Jimmy are having some neck and back pain and being seen for that. Now for me. I had to go the ER and have x-rays done. Luckily they didn't show the break any worse. I had to see a Primary care and my Orthopedist to get things checked out the following week. In short, I have some very strained muscles in my back and I am back on muscle relaxers/pain killers. I am in this brace for another month now. I was due to get it off on Monday but now because of the accident it is going to be another month. As for the car, it isn't bad. I do sound like a rice rocket, but it isn't too bad other than that. I need a new muffler, bumper and underneath of the rear. His car was far worse. I just can't drive in the rain or I will get mold inside. We live in OREGON!!! It rains! We waited the first week for the guys insurance to find a "missing" policy. All the while, he was calling me trying to figure out why they couldn't find it with the number he provided. Brady finally called them for him (he has 21st Century, who is now Farmers) and they were able to locate his policy with someone actually doing their job. Apparently they had a number off and his name misspelled. Poor guy even came to my house on Sunday to look at what he had written on my paper to try and figure out why they couldn't find his policy (he lost his insurance card following the accident). He was so kind to bring me flowers when he came. We are so happy they finally found his policy and I gave my statement today. We are now waiting for them to assign it to a new adjuster here since there were injuries. Then they still need to take his statement to decide fault. Then we can finally get our car fixed. Probably next week. Oh, did I mention we are on a Trip Permit now from Oregon because our car won't pass smog now and our registration is due? Only have that until the end of next week. Somehow the car has to be fixed next week, smog checked, and registered. Hmm. As for next week, we were told by our landlord that he doesn't want us to stay in this home due to the fact that he hopes to sell it (it is way overpriced, but whatever). We have to be out by the end of the month...next week. We have about 6 boxes packed at this point, I can't do much unfortunately. Want me to add more? Well we got such a steal here that we can't find a place to live. We need a garage because of all of our belongings we have acquired. We are looking at townhomes (we are in a house right now) that are way older and way smaller and are MORE money! Not to mention the cost, we are looking for a short lease and can't find one. My Ortho told me as I went to see him after my car accident, "You need to pack your things and move your family back home. Get out of Oregon, something is telling you not to be here!" He laughed. I am beginning to think he may be right.

Roloff Farms

Yesterday was beautiful so we decided to take advantage of it. We went to Roloff farms (from Little People Big World for those of you that watch it) to fight the crowds (we thought). Ended up being quite slow in the evening when we got there and we had quite a good time. When we first arrived, we saw Matt Roloff driving around in his mule. He came over so he could sign some things and meet some of us. We got Ella a shirt to let her get it signed by him. She watches the show, so she thought it was pretty cool. (Don't mind the old guy that took our picture and cut Carter out of it mostly). And yes, this is my brace.

Then we decided to go take the tractor ride around the town he built. So we got in line for that. While we were waiting, I saw Amy Roloff walking around so I had Brady take Ella over to meet her. She loved her. She was so sweet. She asked what her name was, and guessed that she was 5 years old since she talked so well (she thought she was pretty big after that). She really liked her.

Then we waited to take our tour, and got to meet Rocky their family dog.

Since we were the only people on the wagon for that tour we got to take a personal tour on the mule instead (wish I got pictures of us on it, but didn't)! The twins friend Mueller (he's on the show quite a bit) drove us around and showed us the farm.

Their new house they built. This is Matt's bug and Jeremy's BMW he fixed up.

The porch with the short rails for them.

And for those of you that watch the show, this is the Men's Crisis Center.

Their soccer field. The chapel

They stopped at this old town Matt built and we got out to walk around. Matt's parents were there and so we got to chat with them. (They asked about my brace of course). We spent about 20 minutes chatting with them (about his upbringing and politics and all kinds of things). His dad LOVED Ella. He kept telling her that she was so beautiful and that he really meant it. He was really sweet. Jeremy was also there so we hung out with him for a while. He held Ella and they chatted a bit. They all signed her shirt and then we eventually had to leave of course. (Apparently we went 15 minutes over...it was their fault for chatting though!)

The whole gang we hung out with in our private VIP tour. (And yes my brace is cool!)

Ella and Jeremy

She keeps saying her favorite part about the trip was with Jeremy. She says, "I was staring at Jeremy and I liked him". First crush apparently. Haha.

The castle he built for Molly.

And a cool fort that grows with the tree!

After the tour we went to pick a pumpkin.

And of course had to climb to the top of the haystack.

And take pictures in the cutouts. Carter is hard to photograph. This is the best I could do.

Ella decided she wanted to sit on one.

They had this silly little house with how the pumpkins live. This picture was Ella's favorite. "Get small in our tall chair." haha. We were tired by this point, but thought this was pretty cool. Bye Roloff Farms! We had a fun time! We enjoyed our one on one time and VIP treatment! Ella is still talking about it (mostly Jeremy). =)

Portland adventures

We have been so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends come to help us while I was unable to care for my kids. (Truth is, I still don't know if i CAN but the doctor gave me the okay to start lifting Carter here and there). First, my mom came (unfortunately don't have pictures since I was heavily drugged at this point), then my good friend Carrie came to help (no pictures either!), followed by Brady's sister Marissa and his mom. Here are a few pictures of our time together.

Brighton and Ella watching some TV.

Carter LOVED this baby. He would not leave him alone for even a few minutes. Hope Brighton was okay with it...if not oh well! Marissa giving Ella a blind water testing. She said hers was "old and gross". She was right on about which was hers at first, then we found out she was guessing.

Then Nana came and we took her to the Tillamook cheese factory!

Cutting the big blocks into small blocks.

Ella loved the cows. She can't wait to see Grandpa Jensen's real ones!

And Carter checked out the udders and rear end in true boy form.

This is Nana taking a detour on the side of the road to pick these (below).

Next we headed to a lighthouse.

This picture is not zoomed in. This coast guard helicopter was circling really close to us and all around in the water. They were looking for a guy that decided to swim out to some rocks someone told us. It was pretty cool.

Then we headed to the coast. It was cold and overcast, but pretty. Kids had fun.

The rocks in the shot are the ones the guy tried to swim to.

Just a cool picture. (It isn't black and white, it's color.)

Then this happened. Ella fell into the water. She was soaked. Carter was just about as soaked as she was too, so we ended up going to grab new jammies on the way home. Then we had our second visit from Brady's sister Amy and her kids. We went to cool off and go to the puddle park. Kids had a blast.

This is Patrick showing his leadership skills and getting all of the kids to line up.

Carter had a blast until he face planted into the concrete. He is a bit nuts turns out.

And Kennedy, enjoying her slurpee.

This was days after, but at one point Carter had a black eye, bruise on the bridge of his nose, and a scrape on his nose and cheek. Had to take him for his 12 month check up, glad they didn't think he was beaten. =)

And look who now feeds himself. Given it stays on his spoon/fork of course. He sure is growing up!

Thanks to all who have helped us during this time. I have an x-ray in about 3 more weeks and then he said if all is well I can start taking it off! Sure praying for that!

Somebody turned 3!

Ella turned 3 today! I can hardly believe it. Where did the time go? We had a fun day of opening presents a bit here and a bit there. Nana made french toast for breakfast and I made spaghetti for dinner (Ella's choice). We had some friends come over for dinner and of course had cake. I made my first cake with fondant and I think it turned out pretty well. Ella wanted a polka dot cake with the colors of Strawberry Shortcake (yes she is still obsessed), so that's what we did! I do have to give credit to many others who helped out (Marissa helped with the fondant and Brady did quite a bit of fondant coloring for me...turns out you need a back for that!). She loved the cake and presents she got. All in all it was a fun day, and I have a big 3 year old!

The cake

Our little gourmet chef! She got a chef outfit from her Nana and Grandpa including an apron, mits, a hat, and a few cooking items. Ella got to open presents with Grandma Karen on the webcam. She got a Strawberry Shortcake pool and a ladybug lunchbox!

She has been wanting a grocery cart and food for a while so it was time! Only issue is, Carter LOVES it and Ella does not want to share yet. Guess it's a nap time toy for now.

Blowing out the candles...

Playing with Luke, having a scream competition. Why do they do that?!

Carter was a big fan of the cake!

Ella and Lily in their matching jammies ready to have movie night for her birthday. Aren't they cute? Thanks Nana!

Ella got a pinkalicious puzzle for her birthday, so we finished her first 60 piece puzzle! Kennedy, the picture is mostly for you! And Kearis, sorry about that! I wanted to save the date on it but didn't actually get around to doing it until today. =) More posts to come soon...I promise. =)