Eye updates

I have been MIA for a few days. We’ve not really been doing much other than hanging at home and swimming, so I didn’t feel the need to post that on a daily basis. 

Anywho-we had another big eye appointment for Henry today. 

Some who may not know-it’ll be 2 years ago in August! I can’t believe it’s been almost two years now-holy moly!! Anyway-he got his very curious hands on a Bungee cord. He tried to hook two wagons together and it back fired and smacked him in the left eye. He immediately fell asleep had swelling and his eye was dilated and wouldn’t go down. I knew in my gut something terrible had happened. I took him to urgent care and they sent us via ambulance to Mercy. After a CT scan and an extensive (while knocked out) exam showed damage but we escaped being transferred to Iowa City. Couple of days later at his eye dr we found out his eye is forever dilated, he had lacerations, and he gave himself a cataract. He had the cataract removed a year ago in April. He was legally blind by then because it had taken over the center of his vision. He has a lens in place now and our long term goal is to get him as close to 20/20 vision in that eye as possible. Before the cataract was removed he was seeing somewhere in the realm of 20/250!! Not good. We patch at school because he can’t tell his teachers no-and that’s always been a battle. 

He has been SUCH a champ through all of this. Like mind blowing amazing. Today he proved no different. He had to have dilation drops in both eyes so once those kicked in he was quite frustrated. Totally understandable though. Picture is getting the drops in. 

Today’s updates were all GOOD news! I was nervous because we haven’t been wearing our glasses or patching at all since school closed. Dr. Bitner said today was one of his best appointments yet. His script has changed some so we have to get a new lens for his glasses but he’s still seeing somewhere around 20/40 and again stated that if he went in to take a drivers test he would pass! Always good to know things like that. 

I have to praise Dr. Bitner. He is beyond amazing. Henry loves him! The entire Wolfe Eye staff is just fantastic. I have never been uneducated or felt like we didn’t belong. The patience they have with Henry is just phenomenal too. 

So after we get our new script we will continue to try and wear these darn glasses all day, everyday and patch for a minimum of 2 hours a day. This is without a doubt the hardest part when school is out. Like I said-he knows he can’t tell his teachers no. 

Oh-also!! We don’t have to go every three months now! Now we will see Dr. B every six months! That’s huge!! 

So if you see Henry wearing his glasses, I don’t so much recommend telling him good job because he’s not a fan of them being praised. You can tell him how cool he looks or how he’s the best looking Henry in the whole world!! 

Until next time!! 

Dental ER

We can never just have a day to relax in our house! 

Viola has been complaining for over a week that her tooth hurts. Some days were mild and others left her crying. I finally called today since it didn’t seem to be getting better with over the counter meds. The new pediatric dentist in Indianola is amazing. They told me to just come right then and they’d squeeze us in. I was blown away! So prepare for my bragging review!! 

Dr. Fox is truly a great person. She’s so kind, patient and very attentive to each kid. The clinic is so nice and clean and  ALL the staff is very, very nice. Ok. That’s my five star review! Moving on. 😉 PS-they have a balloon inside to get a picture with. The kids loved it! 

After looking at Vi’s xrays she said that her silver capped tooth (which was the tooth of trouble) was just fine! So that relieved me. Her gums are a little swollen due to her six year molars being almost all the way through and that could be a source of pain. Then she also found two small cavities. So unfortunately we have to go back, but it won’t be as intense as what Henry had to do! 

I got a picture tonight from my parents if Isabelle. She’s been up there this week and will be home Saturday. This girl had two loose teeth and lost one tonight! I can’t keep up with all the dental stuff going on in our house! 

I’m really hoping tomorrow we can just stay home and do nothing! 

Until next time 

Love of flowers

I took the time today to really sit and appreciate how pretty my flowers have become! I took the time to sit and prune them all too! They have taken off so mi b it was time to trim. 

So enjoy my photo dump 

Seeing

Iz and I both had an eye appointment bright and early this morning. She doesn’t need glasses-though she was bummed. I keep telling her she’s lucky and that she’d grow to hate them eventually. I know I do not enjoy having mine. My eyes have changed yet again from last year so I’ll be getting new lenses. I’ll be able to see clearly again. 

I spent the entire day cleaning house and getting all caught up from being gone all weekend. Feels good to have that all taken care of. 

These two kept very busy once the sun came out finding frogs. I don’t know if I’m ready for this phase. Frogs don’t bug me but if they start bringing me bugs...we will have a problem! 

One of my other rose bushes has bloomed!! I was so excited. This is a new one this year that I planted so I was quite pleased to see it’s surviving! 

Not too much to report. 

Until next time 

Always learning

I’m a person who is always learning something new. During our visit with my aunt last night I found something out about my grandma that I never knew. My mind is still kind of blown! 

I have always known she was adopted. I also knew that she didn’t know who her birth parents were. My aunt was able to do some of the ancestry stuff and found who her birth mom was, a living sister and a brother who has passed away. And-this is what blows my mind. Her name was changed after she was adopted! Her name used to be Ruby Jean Greenley. I don’t know why I’m so in awe of this, but I really am! Finding things out about family like this is just so cool to me! 

On that little historical note-I got to see my other aunt and uncle today. Jim and Hellen live in Kitery Maine. It’s a life goal to go out there and visit them someday! I’ve been all over the east coast, but never to Maine. They’re pretty cool, down to earth people. 😊 Jimmy was in the Navy and taught at a Naval base. Pretty cool! We had a nice quick visit. Wasn’t long enough but better than nothing!! 

And of course we spent more time with Lori! Her niece and my cousin Sophia (she is my Aunt Dori’s daughter-she couldn’t make the trip this time), who is 10, really hit it off with Iz and Vi and Ava Jo. They were planning their next vacations by the time we had to leave! It’s so hard to say good bye when you have SO much fun! But we also know we’re welcome in Florida anytime! Oh and Lori- I had a blast hacking your phone!!! 😉😉 Sassy aunts have to have sassy nieces. 🤣









I had a blast getting to see so much family these past two days. It’s still not over. We have a family day with Ryan’s parents tomorrow. 

Henry’s off racing his four wheeler tonight in Newton. I’m a ball of nerves at home as Ryan sends me pictures and updates!! I can’t wait to hear Henry tell me alllll about it though!! 

 Until next time! 

Blast from the past

We’re up at my moms in Conrad tonight and tomorrow. A favorite past time I enjoy is looking through old photos. I found a few tonight that I felt like sharing! 

So fair warning-slight photo dump with explanations. 

I was born a redhead. And my brother was the cutest baby. I made a cute looking clown, and I do love this picture. 

I was in dance for only a little while. I ended up not liking it. I loved posing though. 

And one summer I turned into a tow head! I do kind of miss my hair being able to get that blonde! 

Christmas at grandma and grandpa J’s house. 

I clearly had zero interest in this! I don’t think I ever went back to dance after this particular show either! 😂😂

It’s a good thing high ponies and scrunchies are back in! 😂 I mean who wouldn’t want to rock an outfit like this! 

Mom took the kiddos on a ride while papa made dinner. 

We had chicken and pancakes. Henry insisted on chicken and he won papa over pretty easily! 

Finally seeing some family we haven’t seen in such a long time too!! My Auntie Lori and her wife Tonya are here with my little cousin Sophia who is Isabelle’s age. We had quite a good time catching up tonight and laughing! Tomorrow we’ll meet up again and also get to see my Uncle  Jim and Aunt Hellen who are here from Maine! More pics tomorrow. I kind of forced this one tonight. I’m mean like that! 

Until tomorrow. 

We’ve missed this

Today we finally went to the park. Not just any park though. Specifically our schools playground. It was glorious to actually let the kids play in their territory again. It just makes me long for school to start! It was SO humid though! We didn’t last long, but we made it happen and had fun! 

Viola stated, “I’m old enough now to finally use this all the time-even during school!” 😝😝

Side note-only 3rd grade and up are allowed on the wall at recess. 😉

The feeling of being “home” had us all super excited! 



Henry and Adrian were way to busy to even stop for a photo for me. I was lucky to get this quick sassy face of Adrian! He’s a stinker. And yes. We always bring our bikes. ALWAYS. 🤦🏼‍♀️😝

After Irving we got lunch and then Iz went to her friends house. Kids and I headed back to Milo and played in the city park for a while. 

Tomorrow we’re headed north to Conrad to see a bunch of family on my dads side. The kids and I will be staying at my moms! I can’t wait!! Some of these family members I haven’t seen in over five years! So ready!! 

Until next time 

Farm show

The awesome thing about our house is it’s location. Since we’re on the last road in Milo, we’re able to have farm fields behind us! They mowed their field on Sunday and today they came to bale the hay. The other Kappy clan was here also, so the smaller ones got excited over the tractor too! 

We have a pretty awesome view until we get the fence done! 

Little LoLo was full of hugs to give today. Viola was eating it up! 

Other than some cousin playtime, today was pretty low key! 

Until next time! 

Water day

The kids were in the water from about 1130 until 7 tonight. Not the entire time, but pretty darn close! I managed to catch some rays too! So enjoy the photo dump. The most fun they had was waking as fast as they could to make a whirlpool! 

Henry didn’t want to lose. That’s ok. I still snuck one of him getting warmed up! 

Just know this is way out of my comfort zone being in a suit like this. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, I just have a low appreciation for my body. But. I rocked it anyway!! 

Happy summer days ahead this week!! 

Until next time! 

When kids are Jerks

It happened today. My kids were total jerks to me.🤯🤬 I also let it get the best of me in that moment too. I’ve spent a lot of time stewing over my morning and I have to say I wish I could re-do it. 

As I knew this would happen, Henry was tapping on my face at 7:02 and asking if he could go swimming. I said no, it’s too early and too chilly yet🥶. Insert first fit of the day. I was upset because A-I wanted to sleep in and B-he woke up two of his siblings. I knew I was in for it. So after I finally got him settled down I went to lay back down and not even ten minutes later the girls were asking me to go buy them breakfast. I’m suuuuuch a mean mom and said there’s food in the kitchen! Insert two more fits-one from each girl. 

By ten AM I was finally on the treadmill. 🏃🏼‍♀️Multiple times I was asked about the pool. I still continued to say no, not until after I was finished. 

We all know that didn’t happen. The boys ended up trying to be in the pool-I finally told them it was ok and I was going to take a quick shower. As in 5 minutes or less.🚿🚿

Y’all. I can’t even shower! I got out and the kids had a bike, a scooter and multiple toys INSIDE the pool!!🚲🛴 And then I lost it. When I told them to get out and that the pool was done for the day, one child got kicked in the face. And it wasn’t an accident. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Insert photo below to how loud I got! 

And I’m honestly surprised nobody came and knocked on my door!!! 

I mean why. WHY would you put a bike and scooter in there. I kept asking over and over. 

What I wish would have happened was this. A nice gentle wake up at 8 am; a good morning mommy I love you; when can we get in the pool? Followed by an, “Oh! Ok!” Acceptance answer. Yeah I know. Funny wish right. Every moms dream-that will never come true! 😉

Honest though. I wish I wouldn’t have gotten so angry, but sometimes I feel like in that moment it’s my only option. Eventually things cooled off. I literally hid in my room for an hour from the world folding laundry and watching my show. I felt better after that. I’m hoping good nights sleep for everyone helps and that tomorrow is a better day!! 

Sharing my ugly moment for the rest of you know you’re not alone when your kids can be jerks. Mine are pros at it. If they could make money, we’d be rich. 😂

Until next time! 

Frugal Pool

I had mentioned before that I had found a way to get a pool in our backyard. Today it happened! Pools are literally impossible to find right now. Ones you can find are SO over priced. I also keep seeing and hearing about people who are buying said pools and selling them double or triple the price! That’s just totally not cool in my book! 😳🙄

Anyway, Ryan went and picked up the stock tank from the farm today. We gave it a good power wash and soap scrub and now we have a make shift pool! We have all the items we need to treat it and keep it clean. I won’t lie. I’m kind of excited myself! It will just be nice to have a place to get in on the super hot days! 

The Kappelman pool is ready for business. The kids I just know will be asking to get in at 7 am tomorrow! They’re going to have to learn some patience. That thing needs to warm up! Like a lot! 😂 They also know if they get in without asking, it gets drained! Safety first. 😉😉

Tonight we got some fill dirt for the holes in the front yard and put sod down. I really, really hope it takes. I want my good looking front yard back!! I also laid a bunch of grass seed too!! Fingers crossed!! 

Until tomorrow!