RE RE REunion

               

Twice as nice and double the fun with just one.  We had 3 actually the Brown family to the Kaufman to the Higley.  First our adventure, our Rodeo wasn’t running quite right so we thought before we take such a long trip we had better have it looked at.  Our mechanic did not recommend putting on that kind of mileage with the condition of the transmission.  We looked at renting a vehicle (wow that is way out of our budget).  We looked at and test drove some vehicles.  This is a major purchase I felt rushed and didn’t want to jump into anything and then feel stuck.  Brant kept suggesting I look at a mini-van I of course resisted the trip loomed near and I finally gave in to the van request telling myself that it was cheaper than the rentals even if it breaks down and it would buy us some time to search for what we really want.  So 2 days before the trip and 800 dollars later.  We are van owners.   (I am omitting proud because this is the epitome of humble for me and it is white no less…).  The wobbly white wagon did the job getting us to Idaho and back. Brant loves this Honda accord stretch car (Mobley) and I am still feeling a little stuck with the choice ;) Bonus was being able to see a missionary from our ward (who I also coached in volleyball).  She is serving in Pocatello and it was fun to bring her a little something from her family.  (You can see the van in the background)

We made it to Brown family reunion (the Teton addition).

 

We toured where my incredible, mother-in-law (who turned 80 this year) got her beginnings.  I am always inspired by her; it was fun going down memory lane with her.  We started by a return to Darby slide

 

The kids loved it I think it was Heath’s favorite part of all the reunions, although the glow in the dark dance party had to be a close 2^nd. 

Before our tour Rianne and Heath were able to stretch their wings with a free fly at the (Teton) airport.  I believe this was Rianne’s favorite part. 

I think this was my favorite part

We had an amazing time with beautiful views and wonderful family. 

 

We also enjoyed the Kaufman reunion with the Browns I think we tripled its usual attendance it true Brown fashion though we had plenty to eat.  Which I am pretty sure is Brant’s favorite part.  We knew we have been in AZ a long time when seeing so much water is a novelty, sprinklers seemed to be running all the time, I think the water and mud added to Bennett’s favorite the GRASS he was so cute rolling down the hill.   

Higley Reunion  

My whole life I have had to follow chad who out does me in EVERYTHING, last year he hosted the reunion this year it was my turn and as always he is a hard act to follow.  While I am sure it didn’t even rate with Chad style picture from last year: check out shoes

He did inspire my theme ;) This year it was my turn to host and we did “Kickin’ it” with the Higley’s.  We went to kick moon rocks (craters of the moon). 

 

 

Our official kick off started with welcome gifts for Scott’s new wife (Maggie) and her daughter Lucy.  Nothing says welcome to Idaho like Mr. Potato Head!

Then each family gave an update by bringing a shoe that represented what is going on in their life.  I was very impressed with everyone from my parents old boots with good souls to Scott’s broken for a better life!      

The next day we visited the souls of our posterity (this is a Memorial Day tradition, I miss).  I shared this:

 

About Great Grandpa Heath who made shoes he would shape the leather but the shoe never fit when you first put it on it has to be broke in.  I talked about Bennett’s flat feet and how at first I bought him good leather shoes with no arch but then I learned to save him pain when he is older he needed some corrections we put in the insoles while it is uncomfortable now it is to help his future.  Our ancestors did the same thing for us sometimes we have to be a little uncomfortable so we get broke in for our future.    

That night we played some back yard games.  My sisters are awesome! 

 With each of the reunions everyone is so great to chip in and that is what makes them come together so well. 

  With our long trip we also celebrated a Birthday mine!  I am one year older and I am feelin’ it.  For my birthday Brant took me to the temple it was going to be Idaho Falls but it was closed so we went a little farther to the Rexburg. 

Natalie came to surprise me which was super fun!  We went out to visit with Brooke talk about memory lane if my kids ever do a reunion like we did for grandma it will have to include Riverton Road!

As far as a health update stairs are my nemesis!!! Now that we have returned home I am very grateful we don’t have ANY to climb in a typical day.  After all the RE RE RE reunions I am trying to RE RE recover!     

Lil' tick Lot-a-Lyme

 I was diagnosed with late stage/chronic Lyme disease.  Just getting to the diagnosis is a story in and of itself, to keep it short I will just say I am grateful it is not MS as those are the mimicked symptoms I was experiencing.  I did have a tick removed as a child when my family was on vacation back east. The Lyme culture that I had run showed it has been in my system for over 10 years.  We are guessing closer to 30 although after 10 it really doesn’t matter.  Lyme left untreated can cause an autoimmune response.  This explains so many past health issues.  The Doctor was encouraged that I was still walking (so I guess that is good news)!  I think the falling over episodes are what scare me the most.  She said my liver numbers were much better than anticipated (good thing I am not a drinker, probably saved my life).  For years I have managed symptoms.  It is a challenge now to not make the symptoms go away but to treat them, which may, at times, entail them getting worse and this has been the case.  I have been pushing through for so long, the other challenge is making myself rest so I don’t crash.     

I am learning a lot about Lyme disease, the documentary "Under our Skin" is a very informative if you are interested in learning more about it.  Lyme is caused by bacterial spirochetes with biofilm that set up colonies in the body.  I am not an expert but I do know my case is a little complicated due to the duration.  Also with Lyme (Borrelia) come co-infections.  These can be bacterial and viral.  The current co-infections I have tested positive for are Bacterial: Ehrlichia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, and a form of Chlamydia (not the STD).  Viral: Epstein-Barr, and some version of HHV.  I am still being tested for more of them; it feels like building a personal Lyme profile.  There is a book by Horowitz called “Why I Can’t Get Better", it has been a bible for me.

As far as treatment goes, that will be a process. We are starting with just building my depleted immune system, I currently have the adrenals of a frail 70 year old. (no wonder on my best day I can’t keep up with my mother-in-law) when my body is strong enough we will start with bartonella treatments, then on to antibiotics for Lyme.  We have to take it a little at a time (like a tick) trying not to trigger an autoimmune response and keep Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions at a minimum (they aggravate symptoms, and cause increased inflammation).      

             

I guess this is the nuts and bolts.  The emotions of it all, I’m still processing, not sure I am ready to blog this yet, so the emotional side will just have to wait.

Head in the Sand

I thought we would let Rianne try out beach volleyball this year my very good friend Nick helps Ryan Mariano with his sand program.  I thought it would be a good experience for her just to have some practices.  Once she had the sand get in her toes it made it to her heart. 

She was so excited to play in her first tournament I had my apprehensions would her partner be annoyed being paired with such a Rookie seriously 6 sand practices, Also she is small and I didn’t want her to get crushed.  Ryan in a way only Ryan can get away with said she either hide or rise.  To add to my anxiety I would not be able to take her.  Emily and Jake volunteered to take her while Brant and I were at a Doctor’s appointment. 

When we arrived we found out she was paired with a High School girl.  She was on the beginners net so it was her partner’s first tournament too but still way more volleyball experience than Ria.

  I braced myself to see her in tears but when we got to her court she was holding her own, red faced and sweaty that girl was working and she wasn’t too bad either.  What blew me away was her smile, she was loving everything about it.  Now she is talking saving money for sand, playing sand, in sand this and in sand that… This girl has her head in the sand!  Next adventure…She is off to her 1^st Girl’s Camp should be pretty “sweet” (Candyland theme)