September 23, 2008 8:09 PM
Tripp's knee, new grandaughter, visit from Taiwan, other Curtis news
As of noon today, Tripp has a new knee. But he will be in recovery mode for a while. This is a first in our 25 years of marriage. Tripp is such a big, strong, capable kind of guy that it was really a funny/scary feeling seeing him post-op so helpless and vulnerable. I know it will be hard work for him to learn how to use his knee, but it will be worth it. Thanks to all of you who left encouraging messages. If you want to send him a note or ecard, his address is trippcurtis(at)gmail(dot)com.
In the meantime, life goes on. . . .
We had a great visit with the college kids and friends they brought home. There is an exchange student from South Korea down the street from us and he came over and hung out - along with our grandchildren. We had 21 for dinner Saturday night - celebrating Tripp's, Samantha's (oldest daughter - now 39) and granddaughter Trinity's September birthdays.
Kip and Samantha will be getting an email any day with the green light to make their final trip to Guatemala to bring home their new baby. I am not able to post pictures or her name until she comes home, but look forward to showing off my newest grandchild soon! She should be here just before her first birthday. Samantha and I were talking about her today and the overwhelming number of people she will be meeting just in our family. But then we realized she is used to being around a lot of "mommies" in the home where she has been living. And in all the videos we've seen she seems very extroverted. Still, Samantha plans to get her off to a quiet start bonding mostly with her new forever mommy.
Did I say that Justin's birth parents are coming to visit from Taiwan in October? It's been two years since their last visit so we are really looking forward to seeing them. Many of you know this story - that they were here on student visas when he was born and since they had nine months to see the American support system in action, they decided they wanted him to grow up here. He would not have enjoyed such opportunity in Taiwan.
It was a loving sacrifice, really. We've taught Justin to call them Mama C___ and Daddy M____. When they come to visit, they also love to go to his school to see him in his inclusive setting. I am really excited for them to see him in first grade this year.
They've had two daughters since so we will see them too and I will post pictures of our families when they visit.
Up tomorrow: MRI for Jonny, Maddy finds out her role in Sweeney Todd. I am not thrilled with the choice for a high school play. I don't think Maddy is either, but she says Sondheim is such a musical genius that every singer wants to sing his stuff. Her last Sondheim was Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods.
Jonny auditioned too, btw. He sang The Phantom of the Opera and everyone got up and applauded. He is also preparing to sing a duet of the National Anthem for the volleyball game. He is very dedicated. I will see if I can film it.
Ben has applied to a bunch of major opera companies with the help of Anna - she helped him put together his resume/headshot/CD package. I really love how encouraging she is of him and his career. I am hoping he will give me an MP3 of some of his music so I can post it here. It is amazing to think I have children who can sing like this.
Thank God for the perks that come with being a parent!
Posted in Family, My life | Permalink
Comments
Glad to hear Tripp's surgery went so well--hope the recovery goes well and he (or you) don't go stir-crazy. Always love to read your tales of the big family doings and gatherings, it warms my heart and inspires me to feel the love--instead of the sense of overwhelm--in my little family's life.
Posted by: Alison | September 24, 2008 2:01 AM
Glad to hear that Tripp's surgery went well. Be prepared for alot of pain. My husband had a total knee replacement (thank you high school football) 4 years ago when he was 35. The doctors kept putting him off because he in so young, but it got to the point that there wasn't anything else they could do. The first 2 months he kept saying it wasn't worth it, he had to go to physical therapy everyday and we were doing it at home also. He didn't want to go to rehab so they let him go home as long as he was very diligent about his therapy and believe me he was, the last thing he wanted was to end up back in the hospital having surgery on a knee that had locked up. But today he says it was all worth it, he is able to do things he couldn't before.
Did they order an Ice Man ice machine for him? It is a machine that looks like a small cooler with a tube coming from it that runs extremely cold water into a pad that you strap on your knee. Rusty said that was his saving grace during the pain, he said it was better than any pain pill they could give him.
Good luck to you all and how exciting to finally be getting that grandchild home. Can't wait to see the pictures. My daughter is 19 and one of her goals in life is to adopt after she is married, she is concerned about the children who need forever parents and don't have them.
Posted by: Bridget | September 24, 2008 6:12 AM
Glad to hear Tripp surgery went well. My dad got a new hip a few years back. My MIL got one knee done last fall and is getting the other one done tomorrow! He'll be thrilled at how quickly it'll heal and how quickly he'll feel 100%
Posted by: Beth/Mom2TwoVikings | September 24, 2008 8:25 AM
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Tripp and Johnny! Safe travels for Kip and Samantha and their new daughter. I can't wait to see pictures :)
Posted by: Anna | September 24, 2008 8:48 AM
Wow! what a full life!
But beautiful indeed, full of up and downs, curves and hills.
I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying the ride.
Blessings and a speedy recovery for the Mister.
Love you!
Posted by: LadyLovas | September 24, 2008 12:00 PM
