It's been a pretty crazy week leading up to Halloween, and it's proving to keep on keeping us on our toes.
I had big plans for this week: the kids fall festival at school, Ansley's Halloween dance performance, Halloween soup and pumpkin biscuits, pumpkin carving.
Do you want to guess how many of those worked out? None. Well, okay, maybe the fall festival.
Tuesday while at the fall festival, I felt the kidney stone pain coming back. And I know, from history, that I have to act fast, because this pain quickly moves from "Ooooh, my back is hurting" to Megan is no longer functioning. FAST.
So I left with Avery, my Mom stayed to get Ansley to class and then grabbed lunch and came home with Christian. John came home as well, and we headed to the ER, because I was at the "no longer functioning" state. I was in the hospital the majority of the day, getting blood work, urine tests, and a CAT Scan. They tried to get an IV started five times, and couldn't do it, so then they had to resort to pain shots in areas that I won't mention since this is a family blog. But they hurt! They learned I had a large stone blocking my ureter, and I would need surgery. I was SO praying for surgery that day, but it wasn't to be. They sent me home with pain and anti-nausea meds, and surgery scheduled for the next day at noon. I'm not going to sugar coat it: it was miserable. The pain is so intense, and there is nothing that makes it go away. The pain is so bad that it makes me throw up, and puke just makes everything worse.
So, the next day we have to be there at ten. I pray hard that I will get a super amazing nurse that will get the IV in on the first try. Well, I did! I explained to him how people always have problems, and they go to digging around in my veins which makes me lose it. He listened very calmly, told me we wouldn't have any issues, and got it in on the first time. I was so relieved! You seriously can't know how much it stresses me to have people poking and digging around on me, and it always leaves me with bruises. So, finally, the surgery, the stone is removed, and I wake up feeling great!
But it's so late in the day that we've missed getting Ansley to her dance performance. She was bummed, and so was I. I wasn't home to make my soup, and being in the hospital two days kinda ruins any pumpkin carving experiences. But I made it home to trick or treat, and we had a great time! The kids were happy that I was feeling good, and I had the energy to walk around the block with them.
I guess I shouldn't have titled this Halloween since it hasn't really been about Halloween yet. But here we go! On to the pictures.

Oh, how I love this! This sums up my kids so perfectly - especially Avery. This is just SO her. She is crazy, have I mentioned? But she's super sweet and we love her so!

When we were at Epcot, Ansley fell in love with the Japanese kimono. We thought it'd be great for her Halloween costume, so we agreed to get it for her.

Christian still loves Star Wars, and he was happy to be Anakin Skywalker. He's an awfully handsome Anakin!

My sweet yet sassy butterfly. It was iffy if she was even going to put this on, because for the past few weeks she'd scream and say 'NO!' when I'd pull it out. But she was happy to put it on this evening.

This is the first house we went to, our next door neighbors. Avery wasn't sure at first, but once she caught on to this run up to the house, get candy concept, she was all in.

Our neighborhood is crazy slammed with kids everywhere. Avery was happy to ride in the wagon from house to house. And also, I have to point out my slackerness - I didn't even get my poor baby a pumpkin to carry around! Mimi grabbed her a paper bag and decorated it with a pumpkin so she'd have something to carry around. So sad, I know. I have since ordered her her own pumpkin for next year, so she won't be the neglected third.

Going door to door. It was hard for Avery to keep up with the big kids, but don't worry, her Daddy stayed right with her.

Ansley and her sweet friend, Avery. It's fun having friends who are neighbors, too!
It was a fun Halloween! Our kids always love getting dressed up and socializing around the neighborhood, of course. Avery laughed at a lot of the costumes, which was cute.
So last night and even this morning, I was feeling like a new woman. Then this afternoon, I started having pretty intense pain again. My doctor upped my pain dosage and wanted me to go to the ER if it didn't improve. Thankfully, it feels better at the moment.
I am so thankful for the wonderful friends and family that I am blessed with. John has taken such good care of me this past week, my Mom has taken wonderful care of the kids while we have been at the hospital, many friends have called and texted or sent notes, I've received wonderful food, sweet gifts, and two bouquets of flowers! It really makes a girl feel loved.
We were supposed to leave for Alabama tomorrow for John's Mom's early Thanksgiving celebration, but we aren't going to be able to make it now. Also, Avery has spiked a high fever this evening. Mimi has taken Ansley and Christian for the night, and we are now relaxing at home. I'm praying that I will be feeling much better tomorrow!
And there's always next Halloween for carving, soup and pumpkin biscuits, right?