Gallbladders, Promotions and Homeowner Association Violations

The alignment and order of these pictures represents the confusion and irriation of the last two weeks! In brief, I had a gallbladder attack, an ERCP, which is an outpatient removal of gallstones from a bile duct, an ER visit, new doctors, removal of cystic duct and gallbladder, hospital stay and recuperation at home. I had not been feeling well for a long time, the gallbladder was the culprit. I'm happy to report that after switching doctors and hospitals, I got great care and am feeling much more like my old self. I have to head back for a stint removal at the end of June, but otherwise, should be back to normal now. Phew! There was much drama surrounding the whole Illinois vs. Missouri medical systems. Go Missouri. Enough said. In lighter news, the kiddos enjoy the slip n' slide, though they really liked the fountains on the sides more than the sliding. Jack was promoted to his next year in preschool (he'll have 3 years due to his birthday falling in the middle of September.) His beloved Ms. Karen is retiring after 23 years of teaching 3 year olds. That's a long career of anything, particularly of managing little ones, god bless her. Ms. Angie will be Jack's teacher next year again.

Counselor Kuehn

Well, it was a long time coming, but here it is, I'm officially sworn in and an officer of the court. We in the 5th district (southern Illinois) were sworn in at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. There were about 140 new attorneys. Nana, Mike and Jack came in support, which was nice. J was asked by Justice Karmeire, presiding Illinois Supreme Court justice, to make the motion that our class be certified by the court. He did a lovely job. Nana and Mike didn't hear him, but the class did and he gave a great little speech about the honor and responsibility of the profession.

In the pictures, a lovely congratulations bouquet from Emmy, me and my license, me and J at the ceremony, me accepting the license (Nana took the picture, but I didn't pause long enough), the swearing in room and Jack and me and J near the podium. (I look terrible due to my recovery from a kidney infection, but the antibiotics have kicked in and I feel a great deal better.)

May Day

Here we are at the beginning of May, soccer practice has begun as has running by Brooke and Caroline. Our Jack continues to march to the beat of his own drummer, not listening to his teachers or soccer coaches when we'd like, but at least he's not a sheep. Today he has insisted that his name is "Tuck." Anytime any of us call him anything else he reminds us, "My name is Tuck." And so it goes. I received flowers from my father in law today, which shocked me a bit, but he said there a great deal of mothering of all in this house. I laughed. Everyone's doing well, the twins are getting so big.

I generally say "Come on, girls," when we travel around the house and Caroline and Brooke have now been saying "Come on!" to us when they feel we aren't moving fast enough. Brooke is our academic, I think, because she sits and reads her books quietly while Caroline and Jack are destroying the house.

Jack bit a child at school, hard enough to have bite marks. Great. Not only that, he bit the teacher's child.....I say if you're going to bite, let's try not to bite the teacher's kin? Kidding. Of course, great teaching moment there.

In the pictures, Justin and the babies, Brooke and Caroline watch soccer practice, the three color on the kitchen floor (so glad they are all starting to play together), Jack kicking the soccer ball!