Goodbye Sam

Gosh...a few weeks ago we said goodbye to our old Sam boy. He was between 17 and 18, and he was a special guy. HE has gone everywhere with us. He was our first big purchase when we purchased our home. He followed us to Colorado and has been in every house since. Sam was a special dog. In his younger days he loved riding in the car, going on runs, and I even brought him roller blading with me. He was so quick! He loved to chase animals in all of our backyards. He was so fast that he managed to get a few cats in his time, blech. Sam was so steady. So secure. You knew what to expect from him, and he loved us hard. There were several times that we thought it was the end for him, but he rallied. HE ALWAYS rallied.

 I remember getting Kevin and I was so worried if that would be the final call for him. NOPE. It's like it gave him even more purpose. I LOVED how he taught Kevin, and other puppies, how to treat him. He put up with no BS and he let them know who was boss. Right til the end Kevin could be eating his food and if Sam would come up to the bowls, Kevin instantly bowed out. Sam ruled everything. HE WAS small enough to not counter surf. Small enough to come in the car and get into whatever nook and cranny we needed him to fit in. Big enough to hike. Big enough to not have a yippy bark. He was honestly, the full package.

I love that Sam loved the kids too. He was very particular about who could touch his ears...and while for awhile it was just Russell and I...he let the kids in to do that too. 

Last summer we took him camping and it was the first time we had done that in awhile. Because he could hardly hear he just took off on smell. It was rather liberating to watch. He didn't care. He was smelling things!

Speaking of that! When we moved into our house we live in now, one of the first nights Sam was missing. I was super worried because he had no idea where we lived, and there was no way he could find his way back. Russell took off in the truck and looked in the neighborhood with no luck. He said, "Well-he'll come back in the morning." I didn't feel like he could or would, and that it might be the end if we didn't find him. Either some other animal would get him OR a car! I took off in the car, and I somehow saw some beady eyes look at me in the dark next to the busier road along our neighborhood. I yelled for Sam, and he cautiously came up and when he realized it was me...he was REAL happy about that!

We never had mastered trimming his nails, and we used our vet for that. It seemed worth the $25 for them to do it. I would take him in and he would get taken back. I instantly would hear howling...SCREAMING! People in the waiting room would be looking around because it sounded like a dog was being murdered. THAT was Sam. One lady once scolded me for not giving him anxiety pills and putting him through the whole process. The techs ALWAYS told me that he would start screaming even before they even touched him. Drama. I swear. After COVID the vet quit doing nail trims, so we had to figure it out. BUT WE SURE DID! I flipped him on his back and held him, Dempsey fed the peanut butter, and Russell trimmed. We were a well oiled machine, for FREE!

For Sam's last day Russell had the idea to take him on a walk. We went down by this nature spot in town. Sam did what he does, smelling and walking! It was so bittersweet. When we got home a vet came and within 30 minutes Sam had passed. It was quick. It was the comfiest I have seen Sam in years. While we had multiple conversations in the past few months of whether it was time or not, I think we all agreed that we made the right choice. At home euthanasia is truly beautiful. Sam didn't have to go to the vet, which he hated...probably due to nail trims. All the kids were able to sit on the couch with comfy blankets. Russell and I were on the floor with Sam. I know he felt loved. 

The house is definitely a bit quieter, we don't hear his pitter patter. We have moved his bed, and it does feel like something is missing by the fire. Kevin doesn't seem to notice too much, and perhaps thats because dogs are smarter and Kevin knew it was time. It's weird to not have something in your life that was there for 17 years. I feel grateful that Sam chose us. BECAUSE he did. We went to the humane society and Sam wrapped his legs around my arm. It was a done deal. 

Thanks Sampson, Sammy, Sam-wise-gamgi, Sam, Samsonator, Samsonsite-I was way off. 

Love you boy,

Momma

I'm Bionic!

4 years ago I experienced drastic change of range of motion with my left leg. Soon after I experienced this burning feeling in my left knee, then it switched to numbness. After dragging myself to the ortho, I had a quick surgery that didn't resolve anything-then SEVERE pain in my hip. But no worries, a couple months later I tore my ACL in my right leg so that took precedence. I distinctly remember meeting with my surgeon the day before my ACL surgery and I was HYPERFOCUSED on my left hip, and he basically told me that our focus was my right ACL. 

Fast forward 4 years....and my left hip had noticeably been more of a pain! Last October I had gone to a yoga class for deep hip opening and I never recovered. I started limping and I couldn't take it. I finally made an appointment to talk with an ortho specifically about my hip. I had to get xrays and an MRI with contrast before the appointment. When I went to the doc I was definitely concerned that they would say that nothing was "that wrong" or recommend a "surgery before we could even think about a hip replacement." Instead....I was amazed. My hip was bone on bone in the front, and there was nothing else to do other than get a new hip. I legit couldn't believe it. I had suffered for awhile, and there was a LEGIT reason. I found out that I suffer from hip dysplasia, which is most likely what every Hoffman that had/needed a new hip has! 

I ended up going to a new doc because I wanted to doc that would do the anterior method of getting my titanium new hip put in. I went with Dr. Peace, a doc that came highly recommended by my lovely friend who also received a new left hip years ago. I met with him and within 5 minutes we were on the same page. A week later, I was scheduled for Valentines Day. 

The whole process leading up to the hip was stressful. My hip pain was progressing, I was limping constantly and MAN do people like to point that out to you. "YUP, it sure does hurt." "No, this isn't normal walking." "Yes, I'm going to have surgery." "I know-I'm young, but yup need a new hip." As we got closer I had an intense fear of getting sick as every kid that entered my office told me how sick they were! I NEEDED THIS SURGERY. So I wore a mask, and hated life for a week because counseling with a mask on is the absolute worst. I also had some pretty intense fears that surfaced a week before that caused many tears. 

Fast forward, a week later, I'm in the hospital room by 6am. EVERY SINGLE person I came into contact with was so nice! Super impressed with the whole staff. Russ helped me get prepped for surgery. I was definitely freaked out about getting an spinal-as I hate needles, and LONG needles in your back...nothank you! BUT I got through, and by 9am I was out and awake! Everything is a bit fuzzy, but I do remember getting an xray and asking the nice nurse to send it to my husband so that I could print it off and put it in my workout room:) #badass as always. lol. 

I was wheeled up into the room and spent a couple hours there-the majority of the time willing myself to pee. TMI. But I got up and walked, did steps...the PT called me a "pleasant and motivated patient". Sums me up quite nice! As soon as I finally peed we were out of there! We went and got me some food because I was so dang hungry! And I was then home by 4ish. Russ did a great job dealing with my meds and was my night nurse. My friend Sarah came and joined me for 4 days after surgery and LEGIT watched hours of tennis and helped me with so many things-most of all my mental health. My parents helped with the kids, meals, and driving places! Mandy came and checked on me. So many friends texted. One friend sent flowers. My MIL brought down food. One friend sent the "I got a JOINT.....replacement" mug (thank goodness because I secretly wanted this phrase on something of mine). AND my kids...they were so helpful-grabbing ice, helping me lift my leg, hugs, watching shows with me. 

Overall I was insanely pleased with the whole thing! The first 2 weeks were a bit rough. Pain was pretty minimal actually...except for my thigh. OHEMGEE my thigh hurt. And then my incisions --that was a bit rough for awhile too. Now my issue is making sure I don't overdo it. BUT I'm telling you I can't even remember when I had pain in my hip?! SO CRAZY! I manage to avoid any significant depression, and there were days I went with tears just because I was pretty darn exhausted. I'm still trying to get my sleep figured out. I have gone months with bad sleep- due to significant hip pain! So hopefully that will shake out real soon! 

This weekend I was able to drive myself to my favorite spot in Longmont. I took a chair and journaled, watched a lovely pair of ducks, listened to the water and the trees, and appreciated being present. It was a small hike in and I was carrying things...but I could do it! I have been wanting to do this for such a long time...before surgery I didn't feel like it was worth the pain to walk to the spot! SO YAY. Today--I biked for 15 minutes with NO ISSUES. When I did this before I had this weird catching in my life. Also, today I tied shoes and put on socks-it isn't super fluid yet...but I'm getting close!

I will most likely have a pretty, yet decent scar. Dempsey made the comment that scars are bad. I told her I don't think they are bad...in fact I think they are awesome signs of resilience. BOY do I believe that. So here we go...I met with my trainer and we will slowly get back to things in the next month...and then after that it is GO TIME. I lost out on leg things for awhile because of the pain...but not anymore. I am prepared for some bumps, but I know that they will be just bumps. AND what do we do with bumps....WE JUMPED OVER THEM:)

Much love,

Mom

Check it OUT COLORADO MIDDLE SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONS!

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The Robozos DID IT! They won the whole TOURNEY! I still can't believe it all! These boys just sometimes come out of nowhere! This was huge! They changed up their robot, again, much to the dismay of some of the moms:) We have to remind each other that this is their robot, and we just need to trust them! But sometimes they give us heart palpitations. During the tournament they ended up placing 4th for alliance selections. They were 3rd place in Skills. When they had their alliance selection, they ended up pairing up with the team they really wanted! So one-by-one they won their matches until they got into the finals. This in itself was so exciting because this meant that they were now qualified for Worlds in Dallas! 

During the finals they played best out of 3, which somehow I did not remember this! They went up against a 6th grade team that had actually beat the Robozo's arch-nemisis in the semi-finals. This 6th grade team had nothing to lose! During the first match AJ sat in the stands behind me. I was super anxious and kept asking AJ things and he said very calmly, "Mom-please shut-up. I will apologize for that later." He held my hands and we watched. LOL. Love that kid! The Robozos won the first match! Next up-second match!.....It looked close....and instead of showing the kids the score first-they put it up on the big screen. I watched AJ the whole time-and that is where I got that picture of pure joy when they announced that the Robozos WON!!!!!!

Just so cool. SO awesome! There is nothing like this in sports for middle school. The fact that they are deemed Best in State-is just the best! They now have a huge banner to hang in their school, a trophy for the trophy case, entry into Worlds, and this awesome message on the marquee sign in front of their school!

Today I spent a good two hours planning our trip down to Dallas! It will be super exciting, and this year we are bringing Dempsey and Ryk! I'm excited for Ryk to see what is an option for him, next year! It's been a great season so far...and we just keep going! I made sure to put this on Twitter and you better believe our superintendent shared it out because this is a BIG DEAL!

Love you AJ,

Mom

******* This is the message that I put in instagram about the win:

AJ’s team just won Best in State in middle school robotics. This win qualifies them for World Robotics! This team goes and works on this robot at 630am all the time, plus meeting during and after school. But above all-these boys are just stellar! They care for each other and are the best of friends. Russ made the comment that his must have been what it was like with my basketball besties. It’s true. Doing our thing on the court, and hanging out as much as possible off the court. Happy and so proud of them❤️

He's Got the Beat

Ryker had a concert a couple weeks ago, and he was so jazzed for it! He has really enjoyed playing trombone and has taken it very seriously! He often gets annoyed when others are not working as hard as he is in band class. He whistles all the time, and the whistling has evolved from just random sounds into his sheet music. I have found that whistling is very hard for me, but the more I understand how important it is to Ryk the more tolerance I have. Ryk told me last night that whistling is now as natural "as breathing". 

He decided that he will be auditioning for Jazz Band. The sheet music is much harder, but he seems determined to get it down. Last night he was playing Star Wars-and he had learned this by ear. I used to be that way with piano! I just love seeing my kids find things that they love to do!

Play on Ryk!

Love,

Mom