Mackinac Island...May 2012...Day 3

 

    Today we went bike riding through the island.

We don't always do this...we generally do more walking and hiking.

But we thought it would be something fun to do since it was just the two of us.

When we do bike, we generally take the 8 mile perimeter.

But today, we decided we'd go up into the island.

 Well, that was interesting.

I think the ENTIRE trek into the island was UPHILL.

But we did it.

We didn't get off and push our bikes one time.

 We peddled on and pushed through

And we did it.

It was a lot of fun, a lot of work, and now our legs are sore.

But I'm sure it helped burn off a lot of the extra calories we've eaten while we've been here, LOL!

Tomorrow is our last day here...we'll be taking off tomorrow.

It's always bittersweet.

But the happy part is...

We'll be back in about four weeks with the entire family for a WHOLE WEEK!

Yay!

Until next time...

Mackinac Island...May 2012...Day 2

 Today we had a very relaxing day again.

We did a lot of walking...around the perimeter of the island and also up into the island.

We love taking the paths less taken.

We started the day with donuts from the Murray Hotel.

Breakfast at the Harbor View Inn only goes until 9:30 and who wants to get up at the crack of dawn on vacation?

NOT THIS GIRL!

I was up at 8:30-9:00...but I still had to shower and get ready so I was NOT able to be presentable for breakfast.

We grabbed our donuts and then got a milk at Doud's and headed over to the large marble bench near the school and the Grand.  We sat there and enjoyed our breakfast outdoors.

After that we grabbed coffee at Starbucks and headed off for a hike.

Our package included a gift card to the Yankee Rebel and we decided to have lunch there.

Jamie had a prime rib sandwich with fries.  I had a chicken puff pastry.  Let me tell you...it was delish!  The service wasn't that great...it was slow and our server didn't have any personality, but the food made up for her less than desirable attitude. 

We did some more hiking to work off all those calories...we're both on a diet/exercise plan...but letting ourselves have fun during our trip.  I think we've been MORE than burning off all of our calories with all the walking we've been doing!

Next we played golf over at Mission Point.

Jamie won...but only by 3 strokes.

We enjoyed some time relaxing on the large beautiful porch at the Harbor View before dinner.

We shared a pizza from the Island Slice for din-din.

It was really yummy.

The time here always goes by so fast...I stay up way too late at night...hanging on to and savoring every moment I'm here.

Sometimes I wonder if folks who live here permanently or those who have summer homes, REALLY APPRECIATE and know just HOW BLESSED they are to have a little "piece of heaven"...a.k.a. Mackinac Island.

As I always say (and mean it)...someday...I WILL have a place to call my own here.

It is NOT just a pipe dream!

It WILL happen!

Plan...plan...plan!

Mackinac Island...May 2012...Day 1

Jamie and I are on our annual trip to Mackinac Island right now.
Every May, the two of us go up alone.
We always take the boys back and go as a family in July.
But it's nice to get away just as a couple every once in a while to recharge.
Plus, my parents stay with the boys and they have a BLAST with them.
They go fishing, bar-b-que, go shopping, garage saling, do crafts, shoot pellet guns, play in the water, watch movies, and eat lots of good food!

Jamie and I just relaxed today.
We went for a walk today and came across this little fellow (a snake) on the road.
We "think" he was dead...as he was rather flat.
But we're not "totally" sure about that either.

The lilacs are absolutely stunning.  The whole island smells of lilacs.

  

There were TONS of monarch butterflies swarming the lilac trees.

I am pretty sure heaven smells like lilacs.  I told Jamie I NEED a lilac tree A.S.A.P.!

Testing out our new camera and the timer on it.  Being silly!

More random silliness, hehehe!

Me and my honey.

Soulmates...together forever.

Someday...we WILL have a home on this beautiful island.  I just know it.

Mother's Day 2012

I had a great Mother's Day.

Just being with my fam makes any day great.

I had a little shopping spree earlier as my Mother's Day gift...one of the advantages to losing weight!

Needing new clothes!

Nate made me a cute card and flowers at school.

We had a nice dinner out at Chili's and grabbed Cherry Limeades afterward (my favorite!).

Hope YOU had the best Mother's Day ever too!

I would run to you...

"I would run to you..."

I love that Nike commercial.

http://youtu.be/iozZTJB2XOw

I have to say...it kind of inspired me to get my booty in gear.

And...

I'm still going!

Can you believe it?

I haven't quit!

Jamie and I started our dieting and exercising a month or so ago...like we always do every spring before our Mackinac Island trip.

But we are both still going strong!

He has lost over 25 pounds and I have lost 11.5 pounds!

I am only 3.5 pounds away from my goal!

I have run faithfully on the treadmill...only missing two days during Tulip Time and on those days I did a lot of speed walking.

I have also been faithful with my crunches and adding some biking as well.

I have never stuck with it this long and had this good of results.

I have never felt more proud of myself, accomplished, and liked the way I looked!

Go me!

I'm not stopping now!

Catch me if you can!

Tulip Time 2012

Another Tulip Time has come and gone.

This year, I only posted pictures on the blog of our ZHS Band.

The majority of thing are the same year to year (floats, etc.).

So I am only posting the most important thing.

Yes, my son's band, LOL!

They played in all three parades for Tulip Time.

The VolksParade...

The KinderParade...

And the MuziekParade.

We had great weather on Wednesday and Thursday.

But on Saturday...

It was another story.

It rained...

And rained...

And rained.

We didn't let it dampen our spirits though!

Everyone just popped up their umbrellas and had a good time anyway!

I don't think it affected attendance either...it was packed out!

I got a few good shots of Evan this year.

There he is int he picture above.

Third from left...

And right above here...front and center...

And of course I needed a picture of my Natee!

Of course we had our fill of fair food.

Corn dogs, fries, elephant ears, and funnel cakes!

They did have something new and cool this year...a "text to vote" competition.

On Wednesday it was for floats...

And on Saturday it was for bands!

Well...I wouldn't be a proud band mom if I didn't share who won...

WE DID!

Yes...

ZEELAND HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND!!!

There isn't much that changes year to year...but I think it's always fun to go and be a  part of it all.

Happy Tulip Time!

Our journey with scoliosis...

As I have shared with many of you, Evan was diagnosed with scoliosis about two years ago at a routine sports physical exam at school.  We were referred to our family doctor to have her check it out and see what action should be taken.

During our time with her, we spent nearly two years "keeping an eye on it".  She took a "wait and see" approach.  I explained to her that I wore a brace for two years for scoliosis and kyphosis.  I explained to her that my dad has scoliosis so severe that it is now debilitating and they are considering surgery on him in his 60s.  "No"...she told me..."We don't take drastic measures as quickly.  We will watch him and see how he does.  I don't expect it to worsen, he's almost done growing."

Now I knew, that at 14, my son was not "almost done growing".  He's a boy.  He has lots more growing to go.

When we first went to our family doctor for x-rays, he was at a 15 degree curve...manageable...which is why I didn't fight her too much.  Fast-forward nearly two years later, she tells me he has slowly moved to a 29 degree curve.

NOW...
She wants to refer him to an orthopedist.  After she "watched and waited" two years while his back slowly got worse and worse.

Five months ago, we had our first appointment with the ortho.  By now, his curve had moved to 31 degrees!!!  (No, he's not growing at all...SERIOUSLY DOCTOR?!?)

My husband all but begged the ortho to take treatment measures.  He explained my condition, my dad's condition and how it runs in my family.

"No"...he said..."He's on his fourth growth plate, he won't be growing any more.  There's no need to brace him, it won't get any worse."

This week we had our 5 month follow-up.  Evan is now at a 36 degree curve!!!

IRATE!  That is what we are.

My husband asked the ortho to treat him 5 months ago.  Now his back is 5 degrees worse.
He is at a 36.  They consider surgery at 40.

Now the ortho suggests the Boston Brace.

I wore the Milwaukee Brace.

Both are restrictive plastic braces that limit movement and cause you to sweat like a pig.  They rub sores on your skin.  The put holes in your clothes.  They cause muscle atrophy.  And all you can HOPE for, is that your condition won't get worse.  It NEVER gets better.

Two years of humiliation wearing these horrible awful appliances.

My husband and I decided this is not for our son.  We came home and researched and studied all week.

We found a scoliosis clinic in Chicago that we are contacting that uses the SpineCor brace.  This "soft" brace gives you full mobility, is not detectable under clothing, and not only keeps your condition from getting worse...it actually IMPROVES your curve!

http://spinecorchicago.com/index.php/spine-cor-scoliosis-brace/

http://www.californiascoliosiscenter.com/about.html

There are testimonials on the second link that I am greatly encouraged by.
We are told that kids play sports in these...competitive cheer, gymnastics, everything.
The traditional braces...you can't even bend over in them.  I know first hand.

We are so encouraged by all of the information we have found about this brace.
This clinic in Chicago also uses the Schroth Method of exercises that are developed for each case to help improve each person's condition.
These methods and treatments have been used in Canada and Europe for some time.

Why, I asked my husband, has the U.S. not been using these methods when they work so much better and actually IMPROVE scoliosis?

We found our answer last night.
Scoliosis surgery brings in YEARLY to the U.S. 10 BILLION DOLLARS!!!
And now we wonder why doctors are taking a "watch and wait" approach?
Things that make ya go hmmm...
Yeah...I think we know our answer now.

Well, I for one am not going to sit around and wait for my son's back to get any worse so they can cut him open and fillet him like a fish!!!

And if our insurance doesn't cover it, I will work my butt off for as long as it takes to pay for this treatment!!!

We are also looking into chiropractor treatment and medical massage therapy as well.

We will be speaking with the clinic in Chicago next week to see if our son will be a candidate for this type of brace.

I BEG YOU...if your child is EVER diagnosed with scoliosis...

DO NOT...I REPEAT DO NOT...take the "watch and wait" approach.
Find a different doctor if you have to.
It gets worse.
Don't let them play with your child's health.

Fight for your kids.
Research what is best for your children.
Will  update as results become available...
Until next time...
Melody