Eye Update

After my last eye surgery in July, the docs said it was necessary to remove the cataract, not only because it was making me blind, but he couldn't see how my retina was doing behind it.
I was scheduled for the cataract surgery for yesterday. Right up to the surgery, it was not clear if I would be able to have it done. The reason is, that when you have your cataracts removed, they have to measure the depth of your eye. This is how they determine what power of a new lens, and what kind should go in. My right eye is substantially shorter (less deep) than my left one. Additionally, they wanted to get it right this time, because it is my one chance. I couldn't "piggy back" another lens, or have this one removed and put in another. He said there has been too much trauma to my eye from all the other surgeries. All of the docs consulted and decided that irregardless of the outcome, the surgery needed to take place because they need to be able to see my retina.
So, I went in yesterday morning and had the procedure done. Afterward, they had to bandage my eye because they did something to it that made my eye not be able to blink. Becky and Chantel went with me, not to be supportive--although they were, but to watch the surgery. On the way home, they said they wanted a "Wild Hearts Can't be Broken" moment, when they take off her bandages and "voila!!" she can see. The doctor had told me that I shouldn't get my hopes up because the lens may not be the right one, and that even if it is, you usually can't see right away, so I just went along with it, and let them have their fun. At five they came over and after 20 minutes of carefully taking off the tape, I looked up and .....saw my son's red hat. It is the first thing I have seen in almost a year in that eye. Everything is still really blurry, I am hoping that is because of the dilation and drops. I may not be able to see completely, but anything is more than the white wall I have been looking at for the last 10 months.
I just know and have felt the power of prayer in my life so much over the course of the last year. I know that I have been comforted and helped in so many ways because of my own prayers and the prayers of others. I know that my Heavenly Father has been aware of me, I have felt his love.
Today when I got up, I covered my left eye and saw the grandfather clock.
With love,
Kathy

Dip-THONGS

Today while teaching an awareness of the long o sounds and spellings, one student points out the word 'boy' in a sentence and insisted that it has a long o sound.
"Yes, it does," I reply. "But the long o goes really fast in that word and then you hear the long e sound...that is a dipthong."

I see that the students are saying it to themselves, and are nodding as they hear the dipthong sound in their heads, but one boy raises his hand and waves it to get my attention.

I ask him what he wants and he retorts rather emphatically, "I think you are mistaken, Mrs B, a thong is a swimsuit."

This is the same student who observed that my arms are much younger looking than my face.

This is going to be a L-O-N-G year.

Mrs. B

End of summer

School has been in session for two weeks, but I am just now ending my summer. With summer school, surgery, and Kelsey's wedding, there hasn't been time for travel or summer vacation. However, Jeremy decided to marry a girl from California so we planned a trip down. Can you believe it, this was my first time EVER in California. Even when my sister lived on an Air Force base, we didn't go--sorry Pam.
I took last Friday off and we left right after school on Thursday. We went as far as Elko, which was a real treat. When we walked through the casino to check in I was amazed at how zombie-like the slots players looked. They were like the tiger in the Idaho Falls zoo who doesn't act like he cares that people are staring at him. OR maybe they were unaware. Either way, I am glad I don't do that.
The next day we were off. I loved the Sierra Nevada range. So gorgeous! Did not love the construction though. Then we drove straight through to Lodi where Charlie jumped out of a plane. Turns out it is something he has wanted to do forever. The skydiving place is just something I will have to blog about another time.
Here he is in his bright pink 'chute.'


Then we drove fast back to Roseville and had dinner with the Ruiz family. They are nice people and made us feel very much at home.
Then we had the excitement of finding our hotel. Everyone down there says "Sacramento is not that hard to figure out, its all on a grid!" The only problem with that was highway 99, 80, 160, 65 and then the a-z streets and the numbered ones, THEN how to avoid being hit by a public transit train! Luckily Paul, Rae's dad, led the way.
In the morning we went to the rehersal then back to "Old Sac" with the kids. I think I loved it more than they did. Its huge and fun and my favorite part was the candy shop. Yes, I spent $45.00 on candy.


We had to be back to Roseville by 5:00 for pictures then the wedding. The bride was beautiful, the groom very handsome. It was quite a lovely event and I believe a good time was had by all, especially those in my family who enjoyed the appetizers of kabobs, shrimp and bacon skewers and different cheeses and fruit.

Besides getting a new daughter and spending time with our grandkids, our favorite part was seeing an old friend who ironically lives in Roseville. This is ELDER Scott Stoneking. He was in Idaho about 23 years ago when came and taught, then baptized Mark.

Yesterday we got up and drove all the way home. We did make a detour at Lake Tahoe, then at Cabelas, though. All in all, it was a fun weekend. I look forward to going back and going to the temple with them.
Sorry for the long post!
Love, Kathy

Frist Day

I am totally exhausted from planning and getting ready for school. However, I had to write the best first day line I have ever heard:
"Mrs. Behrend, your arms look young, but your face....not so much."

I guess all that work with weights and working on my triceps is finally paying off. Maybe I need that resistance thing they are selling, ONLY ON TV--AND ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME!!!!! The thing that you put under your chin and it firms you up miraculously....hmmm.

Second grader, thank you very much!

PS I also tried to catch a green permanent marker with my chest--which I don't know if it looks older than my face or what, but it is not good at catching. Yes, I got two green spots on my white shirt where it bounced. Yes, bounced. The kids laughed and laughed. Great news though--in case this ever happens to any of my invisible friends in blogging land--hair spray took the stain right out.

Hope to have an equally delightful second day.

Our first wedding weekend...

Saturday was a beautiful day! We enjoyed the sealing and the events that followed.





We had Sub Zero come and make ice cream for our guests, and a few of my fabulous friends, family and I made cookies.

Sunday was Tate's birthday, so we had a little relaxed hot dog roast for him.



Next we go to California in September for Jeremy and Rachael's wedding.

Catch Up

Well, with one wedding down and one to go, I can finally catch my breath. This has been such an eventful summer!
On July 2, I had the silicone taken out of my right eye so we could see if the retina had reattached. We had also intended to do a 360 laser burn around the left eye retina to prevent any problems there. (There has been a significant increase in flashers and floaters in that eye, so the doc feels that we are headed in the same direction as last year with my right eye.) Anyway, insurance said no, so I went into the surgery fairly nervous about the outcome. Luckily, my retina has reattached. I still can't see, though, because my cataract is huge. Next week, when I go in for my appointment, we will discuss a date to have that taken care of. When it is gone, we will have a better idea of the prognosis of my vision in that eye. I will need your prayers again for a time when I have that surgery, because I know prayer works, and there is a chance I might re-detach from that surgery. However, for right now, things are 'looking' pretty good.
I forgot to mention summer school. I loved it. The kids were fun, we had a teacher from Mexico who taught the kids and gave me a better appreciation of Mexico and its people and cultures.
As soon as I could put my head up again, I got really busy with wedding plans. Kelsey and Steven were sealed in the Rexburg temple last Saturday. It was a beautiful sealing, the sealer spoke to the kids of their divine nature. Then he recited a poem about the plan of happiness. When it was all done, we went outside to be greeted by our family. It was a beautiful day, and the rest of it went well. Well...there was this moment right as the guests were starting to arrive with a typical Idaho wind came up and blew over the sign in table along with everything on it. The centerpieces blew over and then----the backdrop started to fall. I thought it was so great! Kelsey was horrified. Maybe that is why I like it all so much! All in all it was a good day. At church we learned that some of the people we sent invites to, didn't receive theirs. If anyone reading this did not get their invitation, please accept my sincerest apologies!
I would like to interject here how blessed I feel to have such great support. I don't feel I deserve it and have been completely overwhelmed by how much people are willing to do for me. I couldn't have been able to pull off anything this summer if it wasn't for my good friends and family. You know who you are, thank you.
Today I slept until 9--and I like it. After I was up for a while, I thought, "wow, I might be able to put on our traditional block party." We'll see if that happens.
For almost two weeks I have had fun playing with the grandkids. It was especially fun yesterday with they were all here and I didn't have the stress of the wedding to think about. The boys wrestled, the girls have giggled, we watched a monkey get angry with Tate, the kids have gotten into the wedding cake and we have played and snuggled. It has been very nice.
Wednesday it will slow down for a bit. Then I will have school registration, cataract surgery, school meetings, possibly a block party, the first day of school, then planning a quick trip to California for the next big event.

Love you all!!!!
Kathy

Myspace quiz

I just read an online quiz. It was a series of those same questions they always ask, just worded an different way. But one answer really tickled my funny bone.
Question: Do you speak different languages?
Answer: Spanish a little, Latin a little, and I know a few words of African American.

Just thought I would share.

Posted with love and a giggle,
Kathy

PS Thanks for the loving comments and thoughts, both in person and here. I truly appreciate it. I am so blessed to have the best people in my life.