Something's Got to Give

In this case, the "something" was my hip.   Take a look, here is my new, bionic hip bone.  Two weeks ago, Russell brought me to Austria for a hip replacement.  My sad, decayed hip bone, which had no cartilage between the hip bone and the pelvis, had been giving me pains for years, but eventually got unbearable.   My hip would lock into place, slide out of place, grind bone on bone.  This was not pleasant for me and dangerous and scary for the kids.   We finally reached the point where a hip replacement was absolutely necessary.  

And guess what?  I feel SO GOOD now.  The surgery lasted an hour and was an anterior hip replacement, which has a much shorter recovery time than the traditional posterior replacement.  I stayed in the hospital a week, doing PT and now I am home walking (or learning how to walk properly).   I just can't carry Patrick for a while and can't drive.  I'm getting better every day and am so glad I finally got the surgery.  

When we left for Austria two weeks ago, it was still snowing buckets.  Yuck.  No patio cookouts for spring... because there is a foot of snow on the patio furniture. 

This guy can walk in the snow, with the assistance of a finger hold.

Claudia pitched in and helped shovel the drive.  

But mostly did a lot of snow eating.

Dad built a ramp and C was able to catch some air sledding down the hill and off the ramp.

As for Patrick...

... little sweetie as always.

He has figured out how to turn on the phone, so I've now got it password protected.   He just looks at the screensaver (his picture) and smiles.

This is just funny.   There was a man (or lady?) in an Easter Bunny suit at Claudia's school for the Easter Assembly.  He (or she?) was kind of scary for the kids and didn't interest them much (maybe not at all?) ...

... until he (or she) attempted to sit down.  Missed that chair completely.  Kids LOVED it!

Being away from Patrick and Claudia for a week was the toughest part of the whole experience.  I missed their hugs, laughs and company.  It feels great to finally be back with them.   Best medicine I could ever get!!