A day at the beach

     At this point we are about one week away from Amaya's surgery. These past few days have been tiring and draining. We've been thinking, wondering and worrying about the upcoming cuts at Josh's school district. At this point, our thought is to proceed with the surgery. For many reasons. Mostly because; Amaya and us are ready, we have some faith (not blind faith, but the realistic, hopeful kind) that Josh's position will be secure. But we are also preparing our own worst case scenario plan, so that Amaya gets the care she needs regardless of what happens. It's just been another stressor that we could do without, but in a strange way, it's given us a distraction from reality. This week I also had a toenail rip off completely and yesterday we got a ticket. Just a bit more craziness to add to our plate, but all the while we are thankful for how good we have it.  This past week a fellow PFFD parent (from the PFFD Facebook page) posted that their child has been diagnosed with leukemia. We empathize with them and all the other parents who are facing other serious illnesses. We are very aware that it could always be worse, but ever so thankful that it isn't.
     We are enjoying the last of our days before the surgery. With almost daily trips to the park, visits with family, a yogurt date with Amaya's friend, feeding ducks, walking around the lake, etc. It's funny because even though I know that the surgery is nine days away, it sometimes feels so far away. I'm working hard on enjoying each moment and savoring the time that we have. It's definitely the calm before the storm.
     We are continually receiving calls and texts from family and friends asking how we're doing, and expressing love and support. When I talk with some of them they seem more anxious and worried than me. In a strange way I feel the need to try to comfort and reassure them. All in all we're doing good. We have moments that are tough, but they soon pass. We are taking things day by day, and moment by moment.
     On another note, on Friday night the show 20/20 talked about recent advances in cosmetic surgery. The last few minutes showed Dr.Paley and some lengthenings he did for men who wanted to increase their height. I recorded it so I could watch it.  I heard it was going to show the new internal lengthening device. As Josh and I sat to watch it, Dr. Paley was in an operating room while he was being interviewed. He held two tools in his hands; a hammer and a long rod (like a nail). After hammering the rod twice he said "did you hear that? That was the bone breaking." At which point Josh asked me to turn it off. "I can't watch that" he said. I turned it off, and haven't decided if I'll watch it later or not. Some of you might find it interesting though.
     Thank you all for the well wishes, calls, gifts, and texts that we continue to receive. And most of all thank you for your love, care and concern.
    Yesterday Josh took the girls to the playground at the Loma Linda therapy dept. to play while I went to my book club. Later we met his parents, and sister (and her two kids) at Seal beach. On the way we picked up some pizza from Valentino's in Long Beach. My husband did his undergraduate work at CSULB. Getting pizza from Valentino's is a tasty treat that reminds him of many good times while at college. Here are some pictures from yesterday.

Here are the girls at the playground in Loma Linda. It's a great facility that we'll be visiting daily for Amaya's physical therapy.

The girls being silly with their cousin Myhkiah.

A beautiful sunset to calm the soul.

The girls and their cousin and Paco & Grammy (Josh's parents) walking on the sand to enjoy the sunset. It was cold!

Josh wrote Amaya's name in the sand. The kids are playing with the water.

Lidie next to her name. 

Here's a picture of our sweet Amaya.