The Muench Bunch

Jayden has always had a love for reading. Since she started 5th grade she has read tons of books while in school. She gets her work done and reads in her free time. She can finish a super thick book in no time. At home, she often has her nose in a book too. For the past couple years she has read numerous “Dear America” stories, which I really enjoy too. Now she is more into a variety of adventure books. Today we had quite a surprise when we opened the local paper. Jayden’s picture was in for earning her “Character Counts” award. It is a big honor to get chosen for this and a surprise to Jayden. Her 5th grade teacher nominated her.

Jake had been sick over the weekend with gigantic tonsils. He has always had enlarged tonsils, when he gets sick they almost touch. It was hard for him to swollow and he snores so loud sleeping. he hasn't had much for a fever, but very quiet and droopy. Mark took him to the doctor and sure enough he had strep throat. It was good to get him some medicine and feeling better. He missed two school days.

Sleeping seems to be my biggest challenge. I woke in the middle of the night to the jabbing in my lungs feeling again. I could hardly breathe and knew I could not sleep in bed any longer, so from then on its been sleeping in the recliner. I can’t get used to that and wake all hours. I have really been able to do quite a bit and have my energy too. I have to be careful not to overdue. The drains are the worst, and I will not be comfortable until they are gone. Mark has been a tremendous help. He has helped in every way possible. He is kind of like a kid though, you have to tell him exactly what and how to do things. He has been very caring and sympathetic. The kids all returned from the weekend away this afternoon to celebrate Luke turning 3. I made a small cake last weekend and froze it. We had Luke in his Mickey Mouse gear, the Grandparents came for cake and ice cream, and he opened our gifts. Deep down, I wish I was going through another baby delivery recovery rather than this type o

It is good to be home and sleeping in my own bed. If I could sleep, sleep is rough, as I get this sharp jabbing pains in my ribs. Mark and had gotten into a simple routine, he helps me out of bed in the morning and is there throughout the day for anything I needed. I tried to do most things myself, so he didn't feel like my servant. I don't like the feeling of having to be helped with every little thing. We had lunch together and supper. We have been eating lots of casseroles from friends and family. I have enjoyed the cards and flowers from friends and family. I have watched a whole lot of tv and didn't feel like getting on the computer for a few days. Things were pretty simple, with the kids out of the house. The boys went to my parents for the weekend and Jayden got to stay with one of her best friends Makenna. They had fun things planned. One night the got all dolled up and hair curled to go to the Pony Express dance in Ft. Dodge. When I saw the photo of the girls, I c

I went in on Tuesday, Jan 18 for my Big surgery a preventative bilateral reconstructive mastectomy. The surgery is a result of being positive for BRCA2 a genetic mutation causing early onset breast and ovarian cancer. I am know considered a previvor. The surgery lasted around 3 to 4 hours. The first 24 hours were very rough! I felt as though a horse had taken its foot and placed it on my chest and wouldn’t stop pushing. My sternum was pressing so hard I felt I couldn’t breathe very well. I was given my own pain medication pump that I could press as needed. I didn’t feel pain as much as the pressure and difficulty breathing, which no amount of pain meds seemed to help. Mark was with me through it all giving me the much needed ice chips and comforting me. The first night my friend and H.S classmate Jolene visited. I felt so bad as I could barely talk to her and my eyes were so heavy. The next morning the goal was to get out of bed and start walking. During the night any movement out of

Jan 17 Today would be my last day before surgery and the didn’t have school. I wanted to make the most of it, have a family day, and not worry about tomorrow. We drove to Des Moines to the Bass Pro shop. We did some shooting at the shooting range, went bowling and had lunch. It was a great time had by all. Jake was the most fun to watch at bowling. He would take the ball run with it and just throw it out there and most of the time he hit all but one or two pins. He ended up with the high score of the game. It was a nice distraction and relaxing time. I had one doctor appointment before heading home. Later, our Stratford Pastor and wife came to pray with me for tomorrow. I also had talks and prayers with the kids. I gave them each a stuffed animal to hug while mommy could’nt give hugs. I didn’t sleep well last night and I knew tonight would be worse. I am keeping my mind busy and not trying to worry and think too much about the details. I know what I am about to do is going to affect th

With all the craziness going on, I wanted to make sure Luke got a good birthday party. We decided to have a pizza party at the new Pizza Ranch in Boone. All cousins, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles attended. Luke even had his girlfriend Mallory and her family. It was a fun time for Luke. He is such a big Mickey Mouse fan, that we had to do that again for his theme. We even got a special personalized shirt for him to wear. We had a kids party table all decorated and Mommy made his special cake. I think it turned out pretty cute for my lack of talent in the kitchen. Luke opened his many fun gifts with excitement. Everyone had lots of cake and pizza. I think Luke had his share of frosting throughout the day. By the car ride home, he was twisting and crying out in pain. Once home, he threw up...frosting.

Wedecided to celebrate Luke’s 3rd birthday a week early. I decided I would do the cake. Never having done a cake for the kid’s parties, I wanted it to look somewhat like the fancy ones you buy or the sister-in-laws make. I made up all the frosting and cake a week early. Jayden was eager to help and away we went. Luke is still Mickey Mouse crazy, so we had to do another Mickey Mouse cake. My first attempt with the frosting bag was quite an experience. I was frosting along concentrating on every stroke not noticing the frosting oozing out the top down the front of my shirt and the front of the cupboard door and onto the floor. By the time I realized it, I had stepped in in and tracked it across the floor and Luke was licking the frosting of the cupboard door with his tongue. Lovely. By the end, there was frosting all over including my face and hair. I thought the cake turned out super cute for a 3 year old party and was happy with it. IN the afternoon my childhood friend and friend ever

Knowing my days to enjoy activities with the kids are limited, I thought I should enjoy these last few days to the fullest. I had the great idea of taking the kids sledding. I should have considered the temperature before heading to the hill, 14 degrees and bit windy. We all bundled up from head to toe. I hated to admit it, but my fingers were freezing before we even got to the hill. We drove to Don Williams where they have a good sized hill by the beach. Probably because of the cold, we had the hill to ourselves. Jake and Jayden had a sled and tried for a big take off, not getting very far. We discovered the new blue sled was the glider. Luke and I were the ones to try out the blue sled first. Luke in front, I pushed off and jumped on and away we went. We were gaining speed rather quickly. Luke started to laugh, then was quiet as we kept going faster. At the bottom I was excited and asked Luke what he thought. He said he was done and didn't want to do that again. So, up the hill w

Jacob has been really into rhyming lately. He is so funny, you never know what is going to come out of his mouth! He made up a song tonight on the car drive home and it goes something like this. I met a lady of mine, she doesn't drink no stinking wine, that lady is so fine. He keeps us laughing! Tonight we had dinner with my friend Lisa and her family. Her kids are Mason and Mallory. I also babysat Mallory earlier this week. She is Luke's very best friend. The two of them are so adorable together. They are just a couple months apart and get along great.

Now that the Holiday hustle and bustle is over, my focus is on my upcoming surgery. It is on my mind all the time. I have been reading books and blogs and going to my doctors appointments. It is only days away. I am anxious for it to be over. It is going to be hard on everyone in this house. I am told 6-8 weeks recovery. Luke is my very dependent “Mommy does it” little guy. He is a cuddler and demands my attention. It will be very had on him. Jacob we are waiting until a day or two before surgery to talk to him about everything. He is my quiet worrier. I am not sure how he will handle everything. Jayden will be the big helper. She naturally loves to help and will do everything she can. I fear that she will have too much and be expected to do more than she can handle. She is awesome with the boys and helping around the house. Mark is going to be in for the shock of his life, he will become Mr. Mom overnight. Up to this point, he has done very little in the home other than help get the k

After arriving home from our weekend, I went right into unpacking and starting the laundry. Jayden had her own ideas. She had the boys downstairs and told me she was planning something. Later, she knocked on my bedroom door saying,”House Keeping”. Standing in the doorway was Luke in apron and goggles, Jayden with apron, and a cart full of cleaning supplies down to the rolls of toilet paper. After being at the hotel, she thought of the idea to be a little maid. She even taped little door key pouches on the doors. After being told to leave my room, I returned to a room that had been cleaned, tidied, and dusted. Of course after the fun of entering the room, the boys were off to play something else while Jayden cleaned. She is awesome.

After celebrating New year’s Eve at a hotel last year, we decided to do the same this year. Our family stayed at a nice hotel suite in Des Moines. After some swimming, we order room service, pizza and super nachos. We watched the Disney movie "Tangled.” By 10PM Luke was more than ready for bed. Jayden and Jacob watched the ball drop on TV in NYC, not noticing that it was only 11PM. After they were tucked in and asleep, we watched the midnight countdown. Happy New Year, the date is 1-1-11. We stayed one more night with shopping and more swimming.