12 years ago
Monday, October 15, 2012
Jaxon Update
Jaxon is doing well trialing dairy. He has gagged a few times and thrown up a few times, but he also might have been reacting to shrimp. He had shrimp twice. He has never had any previous reaction to shell fish in the past, but this time the side of his face swelled...but he also had an ear infection and was on antibiotics so it also could have been the ear infection causing the swelling. We go see the EE clinic at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego the start of November and will probably schedule another scope. I hope to trial egg after we get the all clear on dairy. Egg will be the last restricted food we have to trial, but we will be staying away from shell fish for a while just to be sure. If we don't get the all clear on dairy I know I will cry and Jaxon will be devastated. Our battle over dairy will be epic if I try to remove it from his diet now. I have never seen a child so in love with cheese, Gogurts, and ice cream. He is a pizza fiend and will eat more than Johnny and I combined if we let him, which we don't. He eats like the food is going to get up and run away from him when it is something he really loves.
Moved
We FINALLY made a decision and rented a house in south west Hemet, CA. After 3 years I couldn't take the trailer any more. Now it is in storage awaiting the time when Johnny is sent to work far enough away that he can't come home every night. We looked at quite a few houses to buy and every time it didn't feel like it was the right one, or right time, or right anything. Nothing was falling into place. I was so unsure. I look back on it now realize I was seriously having a "stupor of thought." Eventually Johnny's truck had more issues and we dumped over $8,000 into repairs in two months...goodbye down payment. So we are renting and moved in this past weekend. It feels good to be in our own place again but it doesn't feel like home yet. After having all of our "junk" in storage for over 3 years much of my own stuff doesn't even feel familiar and I have quite a large pile of Goodwill items for the boy's school fundraiser. Seriously why did no one tell me I am a terrible decorator when we lived in Mesa? I am fighting the urge to go buy new EVERYTHING! Even all the clothes I had in storage are being sent off to friends or thrift stores. I keep thinking over and over "why did we pay to store this"?
I know I will feel more comfortable with time. The boys love having two separate rooms and more space to run and play. They love the freedom to go play in the back yard whenever they want. I love having a toilet that will flush and a dishwasher. The house echos due to our lack of furniture so the kids seem very loud the last few days. Surprisingly I have slept well here and look forward to decorating for the holidays.
I know I will feel more comfortable with time. The boys love having two separate rooms and more space to run and play. They love the freedom to go play in the back yard whenever they want. I love having a toilet that will flush and a dishwasher. The house echos due to our lack of furniture so the kids seem very loud the last few days. Surprisingly I have slept well here and look forward to decorating for the holidays.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Percival Family Camping Trip 2012
This weekend was my little sister's 26th birthday and in a few weeks my dad will reach his 60th birthday. To celebrate we went on a family camping trip to Tent Peg campsite near Running Springs on the way to Big Bear California. The weather was beautiful and the campsite much more remote than we were expecting. With no official bathroom (just a fly hut with a hole in the ground) and no running water, I ended up being very happy that we hauled our 32 foot travel trailer down a treacherous road and through a washed out river bed to the site. We even tore off one of the back jacks going over some rough terrain.
My parents, sister, niece, and others (including two dogs) slept in the trailer, but to our boys sleeping in the trailer would not be camping considering we have lived in it on and off for the last 3 years. My boys slept in a tent and Johnny and I opted for a mattress in the back of the truck.
The first day we spent the morning Geo Cashing. We found two canisters not far from our site and had a nice hike.
After nap time we went to a small creek and let the kids frolic while we washed off our nasty dirty feet. Garrett found a little hole where the ice cold water was running to make himself at home.
Garrett and my nephew Toby both had the time of their lives getting dirty and sticking every single piece of food they were given on the ground before partaking. If you took the dirty food from them they would fall to the ground and throw a fit making the mess even worse.
My older boys had fun exploring, hiking, riding their bikes down the hill, playing Hide and Go Seek and Piggy Wants a Signal.
How is it that camping is so relaxing yet so exhausting at the same time? When we left I had every intention of sleeping the entire way home before unloading and taking a shower. That didn't happen. Going up the first hill on the road home we sank deep into some soft sand and had to call my sister Jeanine and her husband Kevin for some assistance. Luckily they were only a little ahead of us. It made my heart hurt to see our little "home" on wheels, something that we have invested quite a bit of time and money into, stuck on the side of a hill! We had to keep backing up to try and get the truck out of the sand, but the trailer fish tailed and almost went off the side of the road into a fence. Being the genius I am I tried to bend the metal fence post out of the way enough that our one reaming back jack wouldn't catch on it when we got going. Apparently the fence was not as strong as I thought because it popped loose and I rolled back word down the hill. I was only a little sore but very embarrassed. Of course that was after I slid down the embankment on the other side of the road into the trailer tires one of the times Johnny was trying to get going. Whoops.
After over an hour pulling with two 4X4 trucks, five tries, digging out the embankment, lots of wood, and one close encounter with a large tree we finally made it up the hill. We also tore off our other back jack on the same spot as the first one going into the camp site. Maybe the trailer was not such a great idea...
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
No house yet. We have had two houses fall through. Bummer. I'm getting discouraged. The other problem is that Johnny's truck is bleeding us dry! Over 4th of July we had to put almost $3K into it when I broke down on the 5 freeway going through the Grapevine. Last week we found out we have to fix the head bolts because we are leaking coolant and carbon is building up in the system causing major issues. Just a mere $6K to fix. Add to that our truck was hit by a drunk driver a week ago. Now we have little for a down payment and need to save again. Discouraging. I cried! A few times! Quite a few times. But, I know the Lord has a plan for us. Johnny reminds me all the time. I need frequent reminding. We are just trying to figure out what comes next. Until then we unexpectedly invaded my parents home. Luckily I have amazing family. Also, Daniel and Jaxon are in school here now and doing very well. I am not in favor of moving them from this school so we are still working toward buying a house in this area. We need some divine intervention and I need to sleep more. Off to bed I go.
The next picture I post I will plan better and have someone else take it for me instead of a self portrait of me in the bathroom mirror!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Crazy life!
Many new things happening but no time to blog...
Here is the run down.
We moved...I am living at my parents for a few weeks while we buy a house close to the Express Way in San Jacinto. At least we will be by my parents so they can help me with the kids while Johnny is gone working. Also this will allow him to take the trailer out to where ever he is working and save on the cost of a hotel. Another guy...or three other guys...are going to share the trailer with him and all split the cost. Johnny told me to do whatever I wanted so I finally made a decision. Once I decided we moved right away so we could get Daniel into the new school in the area where we plan to live. I am really going to miss Ontario, CA but I think this is for the best at this time.
Jaxon has done VERY well with the wheat trial and besides being kind of cranky which I think is just his age and emotional immaturity he has had no noticeable reaction. So, we started trialing dairy. So far so good after the first week. Last food we have to trial will be eggs but I don't plan on jumping into that any time soon.
I AM starting Jaxon in Kindergarten, he turned 5 in June. He is the right age but I planned not to start him due to so many reasons. His food allergies, Pica (yes we have had him tested and he is not nutrient deficient), wetting his pants, emotional tantrums, he still takes 2 hour naps, etc. I also wanted him to be 18 when he graduates. But, after moving so last minute we can not find ANY good preschool options out here. He can't sit home and not go to preschool or kinder this year. I also talked to a friend of mine who has taught Kindergarten at the school he will attend for the last 4 years. She assured me it will do nothing but help him and he can repeat if needed. I am going to start an intensive reading program with him to see if that will help and try to cut out his naps.
So excited to finally get into a house again! I can not wait! Its not my dream house by any means, just an investment property to hopefully sell for a good profit in 3 or so years, but it is a good size. 4 bed rooms, 2 1/2 baths.
Now off to have a nap...the 5 hours I got last night was not enough!
Here is the run down.
We moved...I am living at my parents for a few weeks while we buy a house close to the Express Way in San Jacinto. At least we will be by my parents so they can help me with the kids while Johnny is gone working. Also this will allow him to take the trailer out to where ever he is working and save on the cost of a hotel. Another guy...or three other guys...are going to share the trailer with him and all split the cost. Johnny told me to do whatever I wanted so I finally made a decision. Once I decided we moved right away so we could get Daniel into the new school in the area where we plan to live. I am really going to miss Ontario, CA but I think this is for the best at this time.
Jaxon has done VERY well with the wheat trial and besides being kind of cranky which I think is just his age and emotional immaturity he has had no noticeable reaction. So, we started trialing dairy. So far so good after the first week. Last food we have to trial will be eggs but I don't plan on jumping into that any time soon.
I AM starting Jaxon in Kindergarten, he turned 5 in June. He is the right age but I planned not to start him due to so many reasons. His food allergies, Pica (yes we have had him tested and he is not nutrient deficient), wetting his pants, emotional tantrums, he still takes 2 hour naps, etc. I also wanted him to be 18 when he graduates. But, after moving so last minute we can not find ANY good preschool options out here. He can't sit home and not go to preschool or kinder this year. I also talked to a friend of mine who has taught Kindergarten at the school he will attend for the last 4 years. She assured me it will do nothing but help him and he can repeat if needed. I am going to start an intensive reading program with him to see if that will help and try to cut out his naps.
So excited to finally get into a house again! I can not wait! Its not my dream house by any means, just an investment property to hopefully sell for a good profit in 3 or so years, but it is a good size. 4 bed rooms, 2 1/2 baths.
Now off to have a nap...the 5 hours I got last night was not enough!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Stats...and finally a picture...
This was my day of surgery BEFORE pic...I can't believe I am even posting this it is so terrible!!!
Today is 5 months 2 days post op. 100 pounds down, 50 to go. I made it under the BIG 200 mark a little bit ago. Hadn't been under 200 since elementary school. It feels good, real good! Went from a 2-3X top to a regular large. Started at a size 20 jeans, put on my first size 10 today and I didn't even have to suck it in or hold my breath!! I asked Daniel and Jaxon what they thought as I modeled for them. All I got was a shrug. We had a little discussion about what an appropriate answer would be in the future. haha I had to have that same conversation with Johnny last Sunday so I guess it wasn't too surprising.
My hair is still falling out in handfuls. According to others that should be stopping within the next month. It better! There should only be one bald Percival out there and that is my dad. Another funny thing is Wesley's obsession with my arms. They have always been a particularly troublesome area for me. When I'm driving he asks me why they "hang down" and he likes to smack the back of my arms when he is on my lap. He pulls at me and pinches me. He is only two and for some reason my flabby arms have really caught his attention.
This was last Sunday. Johnny had reservations about this dress due to the leggings. I just started wearing them and I'm not so sure about them yet either. I think his mind is having a hard time with the rapid weight loss the same as mine. Especially because he doesn't see me every day right now. I never expected to look in the mirror and not recognize myself sometimes. I didn't expect the emotional relationship I now have with my scale. Its always been a challenge as an overweight woman to separate my personal self worth from my appearance in the mirror. I think that separation is even more important for me now than before.
One really comforting thing is that Johnny has not changed toward me in the least. He still acts the same, talks to me the same, tells me he loves me and that I am beautiful. The weight never mattered to him other than he wanted me to be happy and healthy. I caught myself a good man!
I also for some reason feel I need to state that I went to Tijuana, Mexico to have surgery. The choice for me was practical. In the US a Vertical Gastric Sleeve was $22-30K and there I paid $4,500 cash up front. My insurance wouldn't cover the surgery and I was turning 30. I didn't want to spend my whole life overweight and eventually have diabetes and other issues. I went to Jerusalem Hospital on 2/10/12 with Dr. Mario Almanza. He and Dr. Betencourt were amazing. Dr. Almanza is easily one of the most experienced VGS surgeons in the world because he usually does 6-8 surgeries per day and he has had the surgery himself. There were 7 women having surgery the day I was there. We all had a very positive experience and still keep in touch. I researched a great deal before making this decision. I felt comfortable the entire trip and would recommend it to others in my situation. If anyone out there would like more information contact me and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I'm not saying this is right for everyone, but for me it was.
Today is 5 months 2 days post op. 100 pounds down, 50 to go. I made it under the BIG 200 mark a little bit ago. Hadn't been under 200 since elementary school. It feels good, real good! Went from a 2-3X top to a regular large. Started at a size 20 jeans, put on my first size 10 today and I didn't even have to suck it in or hold my breath!! I asked Daniel and Jaxon what they thought as I modeled for them. All I got was a shrug. We had a little discussion about what an appropriate answer would be in the future. haha I had to have that same conversation with Johnny last Sunday so I guess it wasn't too surprising.
My hair is still falling out in handfuls. According to others that should be stopping within the next month. It better! There should only be one bald Percival out there and that is my dad. Another funny thing is Wesley's obsession with my arms. They have always been a particularly troublesome area for me. When I'm driving he asks me why they "hang down" and he likes to smack the back of my arms when he is on my lap. He pulls at me and pinches me. He is only two and for some reason my flabby arms have really caught his attention.
This was last Sunday. Johnny had reservations about this dress due to the leggings. I just started wearing them and I'm not so sure about them yet either. I think his mind is having a hard time with the rapid weight loss the same as mine. Especially because he doesn't see me every day right now. I never expected to look in the mirror and not recognize myself sometimes. I didn't expect the emotional relationship I now have with my scale. Its always been a challenge as an overweight woman to separate my personal self worth from my appearance in the mirror. I think that separation is even more important for me now than before.
One really comforting thing is that Johnny has not changed toward me in the least. He still acts the same, talks to me the same, tells me he loves me and that I am beautiful. The weight never mattered to him other than he wanted me to be happy and healthy. I caught myself a good man!
I also for some reason feel I need to state that I went to Tijuana, Mexico to have surgery. The choice for me was practical. In the US a Vertical Gastric Sleeve was $22-30K and there I paid $4,500 cash up front. My insurance wouldn't cover the surgery and I was turning 30. I didn't want to spend my whole life overweight and eventually have diabetes and other issues. I went to Jerusalem Hospital on 2/10/12 with Dr. Mario Almanza. He and Dr. Betencourt were amazing. Dr. Almanza is easily one of the most experienced VGS surgeons in the world because he usually does 6-8 surgeries per day and he has had the surgery himself. There were 7 women having surgery the day I was there. We all had a very positive experience and still keep in touch. I researched a great deal before making this decision. I felt comfortable the entire trip and would recommend it to others in my situation. If anyone out there would like more information contact me and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I'm not saying this is right for everyone, but for me it was.
For the Twins
My amazing cousin Kim is having TWINS soon and my equally amazing little sister Diana is baking them for her. They will be coming in the not too distant future. We celebrated at Kim's shower last on June 30th.
When my friend Heather had boy/girl twins someone made them Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. I loved the idea so much that I made some for Kim's babies. It was my first attempt making this type of thing and it took a whole lot longer than expected. Its a darn good thing I did the wigs last or I may have given up at the very start. I figure they must look acceptable enough if Kim thought I bought them.
The Christmas stockings are a family tradition started by my Granny when she made one for each of her grandchildren. I have now made them for all of my boys and niece and nephew.
Kim and her husband Allen love Jimmy Buffett and always have a Buffett Christmas tree, so I thought the Pirate with the parrot was appropriate for their little boy.
The Sugar Plum Fairy for their baby girl was so extremely frilly I could not pass it up. With Johnny gone working during the week this also gave me something to keep busy with at night so I wouldn't get so lonely.
When my friend Heather had boy/girl twins someone made them Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. I loved the idea so much that I made some for Kim's babies. It was my first attempt making this type of thing and it took a whole lot longer than expected. Its a darn good thing I did the wigs last or I may have given up at the very start. I figure they must look acceptable enough if Kim thought I bought them.
Kim and her husband Allen love Jimmy Buffett and always have a Buffett Christmas tree, so I thought the Pirate with the parrot was appropriate for their little boy.
The Sugar Plum Fairy for their baby girl was so extremely frilly I could not pass it up. With Johnny gone working during the week this also gave me something to keep busy with at night so I wouldn't get so lonely.
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