More Stuff...

So, September started out with a BANG.  The first hit came from losing my job. This was devastating to me, not because I didn't think I could get another one, nor because it was my dream job...in fact the job was pretty stressful...it was because I had finally started making plans to move on with my life. I had started looking for a new place to live since I have to be out of student housing by December 4th, I was finally able to support myself 100% without Denver's help, and just had the peace of mind that came with being able to breathe a little.  It was as though the rug was pulled right out from under me.  I normally deal with stress pretty well, but this really knocked me on my butt for about a week.  Even now, I have days where it is a huge effort to think positively.  It caused a massive eczema breakout on my face too...at least thats what we think it was.

I thought it might be an allergic reaction to some new makeup or face wash I was using but I have since used them with no problem.  I looked horrific for about four days (as you can see in this nasty picture I am sharing with you, ugh). Ian kindly mentioned that I looked like I had aged 20 years...haha. Glad that is over. I do have a few good prospects for jobs at the moment and I am anxiously, and impatiently awaiting call backs from them for interviews. One thing I will say is that a degree really makes a difference and I am soooo glad I have it.

The other hit came from Ian breaking his arm.  We had gone camping with my best friends' family the weekend before Labor Day, which I might add was a lot of fun in spite of the injury. They have all sorts of "toys" - a Prowler, a 4-wheeler, a gigantic trailer with a TOILET...my kind of camping :)

Here is Evan driving the Prowler.  He felt like a pretty big dude on this. LOL

Ian really wanted to ride the ATV and I was a little nervous but my friend showed him how and he had on a full face helmet.  Not to mention it was Ian, my cautious rule follower and we were in a very benign, flat campground.  No real hazards, like cliffs to roll over.  So I allowed it and he had been riding around in circles, fairly slowly, all day long.

Here is Ian riding the ATV before he broke his arm

About 5 pm Shannon and her hubby had gone to get firewood so I was left in the campground with the kids and Lori - another adult female friend.  Ian wanted to get on and ride again, so I said OK. He had just passed us and had gone up a small hill just out of sight when we suddenly heard this weird screaming.  There were kids in an adjacent campground so we thought it was one of theirs. The sound I was hearing didn't sound like any of my kids.  Not to mention I could still hear the ATV running so I just knew it wasn't Ian.  A few seconds later the scream was accompanied with the word "MOMMY" and I knew it was him. I hope in my lifetime to never hear any of my children scream like that or feel the panic that I felt in that moment. It's nauseating even now recalling it. Lori and I started running full bore to see what had happened. Visions of the worst possible scenario's crossed my mind in the three seconds it took us to get to him. Thankfully, it had not rolled on top of him, nor had he run over any of the little kids in the adjacent campground (my two worst thoughts).  He was walking toward me screaming that he broke his wrist. When I got him to lay down, I picked up his arm and realized immediately that it was broken.

Apparently he tried to turn the corner and hit a groove which jerked the handle bars. He panicked and gripped the handle (which was the gas) harder which shot the ATV over a small drop-off and into a ditch. Ian, not wanting to go over the edge with the ATV tried to jump off and in the process of landing, snapped his wrist in two places. We had a wonderful neighbor camper who was so kind to calm us all down enough to get the car so he could help Ian get in, and we raced to the hospital.

Yay for drugs!!! LOL.

8 hours later he went home with his Dad who had driven up from SLC to be with us at the hospital and I returned to camp where my other two children remained with Lori and Shan. Since it was already after midnight and my kids were asleep, I stayed there and fretted over Ian all night. A week later he got a permanent cast on and now is anxiously awaiting its removal on October 3rd.

What an adventure. He claims he will NEVER ride a four wheeler again. If it were anyone other than Ian I wouldn't believe that but it took this cautious child of mine five years to attempt riding a bike again after he fell off one at age five.

I turned 41 this September so I am officially "in my 40's." Its a strange feeling really and parts of it freak me out a little, I'm not going to lie. But, I feel relatively well having lost 45 pounds since February.

I am almost down to the size I was when I married Denver 15 years ago.  I am finding joy in shopping for clothes again, something I haven't felt for over a decade. I still have another 40 or so to go but I hope by this time next year to be racing in a triathlon. I am determined. Life is plugging along, no slower than usual unfortunately. I look at my children and wonder where all the time has gone. It has been a rough year for me emotionally with the end of my marriage and the recent struggle with employment but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. I think next year is going to be a lot better and I am anxious to start that phase NOW. Hah. Six more paychecks until Christmas!!!! 2013 will be here before you know it.

Here are some more pics of the kids camping...