Warning: Real Wound-- Not A Halloween One.

Kean is definitely feeling better and looking better.

He even got to go to church today-- his first time

in years at our congregation.

Let's just say, it was an exhausting experience.

Kean and I left halfway through and he immediately

fell asleep in the car.

(Wish I could have)!

 Byron stayed home and rotated from the bed to the couch.

He's already bored out of his mind.

Warning-- if you have a squeamish stomach-- 

but his swelling is holding steady and the "slice"

has stopped bleeding (finally).  He's grouchy

but doing fine.

 I have totally lucked out.

Holland learned just this week how to change

bandages at school (remember she goes

to that special medical high school)!

She has done most of the dirty work.

 In case you haven't overloaded on Halloween pictures,

I took the kids (plus one neighbor) out.

We visited a few of our favorite friends--

the Bodily's...

 the Kwids... (Gina was H and G's 2nd grade teacher),

 the Borup's (our dear, dear friends)...

 the Brinton's (oops, no picture) and Nancy Suiter

who lived next door to us until her home burned down a few

years back.  We have to keep tradition alive and visit

her each Halloween.

 Kean's not a huge candy man-- but had fun getting out

and high fiving every one.

He looked dang cute in his biker outfit-- complete

with tattooed arms and chest hair.

Guess he'll be giving most of his treats

to his dad (who is a candy man)!

Thriving

You will never guess where I am...

sitting in the waiting room of St. Luke's

while Byron has surgery.  He's having the

plate and ten screws taken out of his leg

(they drive him insane and constantly zing him).

At least I brought my computer and can get some stuff done.

This morning, I got to go to Kean's school

for the Kindergarten Costume Parade.

I know it will come as a shock to many of

you-- but he dressed up as a motorcycle man.

 All the little kids went room to room to show off their cute costumes.

Kean (and his aid) were always at the end

and get this, the most popular.

The kid is a rock star at school.

EVERYONE knew him and wanted to give him "high fives".

 He did great giving the kids "fives" until the last few classrooms

when he started petering out.

It was so funny to see the kids he didn't pound their hands--

and how disappointed they were.

This video is from early on when he had lots of energy.

Then it was back to the classroom for a little party.

I just love the look on his face as he gets directions 

from his teacher.

 I couldn't stay for all of it but Kean started out

at the cookie decorating station

(he loved it-- took three bites and then wanted Goldfish).

 Then it was on to the game station--

for matching and a rousing match of balloon toss.

 The final station (while I was there) was crafts.

We made little skeleton and pumpkin bracelets

(which he wouldn't wear, of course).

 Just before I left, he came over and gave his teacher "Hymas"

(nobody gets a Mrs. in front of their name)

the biggest hug.

So, so sweet.

He had a great day

(Bhyron?  Probably not so much).

The Leg Model

Ohhh, how I wish I could have been a fly on the wall in

the doctor's office when Byron went in for his leg appointment.

Byron said it went something like this:

Doctor:  Where are your crutches?

Byron:  At home.

Doctor:  Where is your boot cast?

Byron:  At home.

Doctor:  Why?

Byron:  My leg feels great.

Doctor:  We'll see.  Let's take a look at the X-Rays.

Evidently, the X-Rays looked great

and Byron was told to be smart, be careful-- no running, climbing ladders etc.

His leg, by the way, is looking much, much better.

Unfortunately, his leg modeling days are over though.

Greer and her friend Jaymie were on dinner duty tonight.

I had to show you how cute they were... with their pasta, fruit salad

and homemade Texas toast.

The service was fabulous-- the cleaning up?  Not so much.

 And as for the Keanut-man?

He didn't feel so good today, wouldn't eat or drink much of anything

but did get -- thank heavens  -- a motorcycle ride

with Motorcycle Jeff.

Bless that man's sweet soul.

King of the Hill

Gotta love Sunday mornings.

Kean and Byron stayed home to do "boy things".

Notice Byron is now crutches free and yes, still putting too

much weight on that leg (including the extra Kean weight!).

But any time I question him... he tells me he knows

his body better than any doctor.

I'm sure you'll agree, that doesn't sound like Byron at all!

 Then tonight, we had Ron an Elly Moomey (along with their two visiting

grandchildren) and Mark and Calene Borup over for dinner.

We played charades and that iPhone app-- Head's Up

until our stomachs hurt from laughing.

Here's Reese doing her best impersonation of a "Rock Star".

Dang, too bad tomorrow's Monday!

So Adored

Can someone explain to me how these kids keep growing up

so quickly right under our noses?

My oldest nephew, Derek finished high school this week

and tonight he graduated from Seminary (a series of church classes

that coincide with high school).

 I remember when he was born... and since I was a bit on the old side

when I got married, it was beyond exciting to have a nephew...

especially one so adored and adorable.

Looks like he's still adored, eh?

 Byron stayed home with the Keanut man-- the two

invalids hanging out together.

Actually, they reported they had a grand time..

and look how spoiled they are--

Our super cool friends, twins-- Shannon Bluth and Sheryl Alderman

brought over a fresh strawberry pie for the boy.

Word has it... he LOVED it!

Gimpy Gets The Green Light

Gimpy had his big six week check up with the Orthopedic Surgeon today.

So here's the scoop.

The X-rays look fabulous.  But the doc wasn't too excited to see how

red the wound looks.  So Byron will go on antibiotics just to be safe.

He also told Byron he could put 50% weight on his foot.

I was like... "What?  I thought you would only let him put 20%".

The Doc said, "I guess I'd better say 20 percent since he's going to put 50 percent anyway."

He's one pretty smart doctor.

 Kean has continued on in his "Pill Period".

That sweet angel boy has been pushing his sisters, pulling their hair

(okay, well mostly Reese's hair) but he's still on a tear.

Not wanting to work for his therapists, not wanting to eat much...

only wanting to ride with the wind.

 Thankfully, Motorcycle Jeff took him for a long ride in the perfect weather

this evening.  Don't know what we'd do with out our men riding

to the rescue on their black horse (power)!

He's BAAAACK!

Today was a ten on the excitement meter for Keanut.

His original partner in ride... "Motorcycle Jeff" is back in the saddle

again (after having surgery two weeks ago).

If only Byron would heal as quickly.

If I am being completely honest, I'll have to admit, Kean

seemed more excited to see the big black beast than he

was to see Motorcycle Jeff.

 He couldn't wait to get into the saddle... was all business

 and all smiles.

Of course, the sad side to this story is we won't get

to see "Motorcycle Bill" as often. He is Jeff's boss

who was filling in.

But Bill has promised to fill in anytime and we're hoping he'll

just come over on those sunny days when he wants to go for a ride

with a clapping, singing, perfectly content little boy!

We adore our motorcycle men.

Speed Racer

Kean had it pretty good today.

A lovely chauffeur to drive him around his grandparent's place...

while Byron crawled around the yard trying to fix my dad's

broken sprinklers.

Guess I should have gotten pictures of that.

The Hive

The "House of Invalids" looked more like a beehive this morning

as several families from our church showed up to do a service project--

and help with our property.

It was amazing...

one crew fixed part of the fence those darn cows had messed up...

 Others dug some wells around some of our outlying trees....

 while another crew weeded...

 and others helped us rip out some diseased climbing roses

and plant new ones.

 While still another spent hours on our old tractor

cleaning up our field.

 This was a double challenge for Byron--

letting others do the work

and keeping him off his leg.

 Most of the morning he rode around on the four wheeler

(notice the handy holder for his crutches in front)...

and this worked out quite well-- he could answer questions,

supervise and feel like he was helping.

For those of you who don't know him well-- he is a working

machine.  Well, he was.

 Even though it was rather chilly today... Kean logged some quality time on

the four wheeler with dad...

and surprise, surprise, got in a ride with "Motorcycle Bill"

and his bike this evening.

We have succeeded in getting Kean to say "Harley" one time.

We are still working on "Motorcycle Bill".

We are pretty blessed, aren't we?

Rear Window

Gotta love lazy Saturday afternoons.

Byron and Holland cuddled up to watch Rear Window 

starring two of my favs-- Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly.

 One of Byron's best friends-- Wendy, sent him the movie.

In case you are not familiar with it, Jimmy Stewart plays a man

who has broken his leg and is stuck sitting in a chair.

From his window, he sees what appears to be a neighbor

 in the apartment building commit a murder.

We laughed so hard when Byron got this movie in the mail.

A bit of life imitating art-- just without the murder.

Meanwhile, Mister Kean, who was not one iota interested in the movie,

posted himself at our rear window
and pined away for a motorcycle ride--

 and guess what?!?!?

Motorcycle Jeff arrived to save the day and make the day.

I tell ya, he keeps that motorcycle spit polished and can

keep an eye on Kean as they are riding on the mirror- like gas cap.

Pretty perfect set up.

 We have all formed the "Motorcycle Jeff" fan club for life.

Not only does he take a certain little boy for his fix

but today he took Greer for quite the spin.

He's sure one of the good guys.

The Return of Spartacus

Byron, a.k.a. "Ironman" has driven himself to work

the past two days.

He's driving with his left foot- yikes!

He's determined to try and help his brother, Craig,

keep the business up and running.

Of course, he's paying for it a bit tonight with a swollen foot 

but I knew he'd be anxious to get going

(as much getting and going as one can do

with one foot).

Meanwhile, I have to show you what is now hanging over

Kean's crib.

 Spartacus was Kean's nickname back when I was pregnant with him.

He was our little warrior baby

who fought against all odds

to prove the doctor's predictions wrong

and join us in this world.

 Amazing how he's still living up to that name

now a few years later.

Thanks Pam Brown for the "I Am Spartacus" sign.

I love what it reminds me of

and what it represents-- one brave boy!

Things That Go Vroom....

Kean didn't get his motorcycle fix today... but he did get a lawn mower fix.

Our good friend and neighbor, Joe came over this morning and mowed

the lawn for Byron.

Kean went about half crazy inside the house watching that lawn

mower going back and forth...

and thankfully, Joe was sport enough to take him for a while.

 The girls had a day off from school today.

Lucky Reese had a much awaited play date with her friend, Emma from school.

Emma's parents happen to own a limo

and offered to take the girls (plus Joe's daughter Jaymie for a ride around

town and then to the park).

Repeat after me-- HYPER.

The girls were bouncing off the leather upholstered seats.

Literally.

 And no, I wasn't stalking them.

I had some errands to run and followed them for a few blocks.

Good thing.

My arm may not recover from the constant waving.