MAJOR Update
OKAY! I am finally getting around to writing the big post about our plans for the summer / future. We were planning to start Law School in the Fall, and Neal was accepted to a number of schools. We've thought a lot about it, and Neal feels like the lifestyle of a successful lawyer isn't conducive to the sort of family life we would like. In the past few months our family has had many experiences which have led us to reevaluate our plans for the future, and we have decided that right now it is best for Neal to start working. He probably isn't going to start right away in the perfect profession, and for the first time, he isn't expecting to. In the beginning, we felt so discouraged by our change in plans, but now we've had time to let it sink in, and we are both feeling optimistic and confident about our decisions. And we've made A TON in a very short amount of time!
Decision #1: We're moving to Sioux Falls
There is a state funded program called "Dakota Roots" geared toward native South Dakotans, to encourage them to return to South Dakota. Neal is a perfect candidate for this program, so he has had their help in finding a job.
Decision #2: We bought a house
Neal and I have wanted to fix up a house together ever since we got married. We went to Sioux Falls for a few job interviews and while we were there we explored the houses on the market with Neal's cousin, Eric. Eric is the best realtor! He has construction experience so we were so lucky to have his expertise on our side during our house hunt. We found the perfect house within the week! It was built in 1912 and has been very well kept by the previous owners who have owned the house since 1960. The couple didn't have any children, so the house was very gently used. Right now the house is sort of an eyesore, but we have big plans for it. Unlike a lot of the houses built during the same time period, it still has all of the original woodwork and character. We can't wait to begin the big home improvements!
Decision #3: Neal is in Sioux Falls
We really hated to do this, but it made the most sense. Neal went ahead to Sioux Falls to start working and start some of the work on the house. I came back to Utah with Caius, Leland and Sophie and we'll be here until the baby is born. It was really important to us, that we move forward with our plans for a homebirth. Homebirth was only recently made legal in South Dakota and our options for midwives would be very limited. We met with a midwife there, but didn't feel that she was completely on board with our preferences for a hands off birth experience. So, I am sticking with my midwife, Richelle, here in Utah. Neal will come back before the birth and then we'll pack up and head for South Dakota.
It has been hard to be apart these past 3 weeks and we have 5 more to go, but we are making it work. I've been doing just fine with the boys, and Neal and I both have been really productive getting ready to move out of our apartment and into the new house. We miss each other-that's the hardest part.
Decision #4: Intensive Care Treatment to improve Neal's scoliosis
Neal has severe scoliosis, and in recent years it has affected his health in countless ways. If this pattern continues it could shave 14 years off of his life. It isn't convenient but we need to do whatever we can do to improve Neal's health now, and prolong his life in the long run. Neal's chiropractor took his x-rays to a conference in Colorado and discussed his options with his colleagues at the conference. They all said that Neal should go to the Clear Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota for 2 weeks of intensive care treatment. We are waiting on results of an MRI, and then Neal will schedule his 2 week trip. The Clear Institute has better success rates of curvature improvement than surgery does, so we have high hopes for Neal's scoliosis to improve during the treatment, and with an at-home rehabilitation program.
Decision #5: Bigger car
We've known that we need a bigger vehicle since we got pregnant with baby #3. We will have 3 little boys under 3, all in car seats. Honestly, finding a car was harder than finding a house! We decided on a 2006 Honda Pilot. My favorite feature is the leather interior. Cleaning this car is going to be...A Piece. Of. Cake.
WHEW! If you made it through this entire post, congratulations! And thank you! Even though our plans have drastically changed, we really feel like we are being inspired as we make these huge decisions. We are so grateful that we have learned so much about scoliosis and the Clear Institute. We sort of feel like we had a lot of unfavorable experiences, but in the end, it has led us to the potential to help Neal, and keep our family together longer. If it works, all the hard stuff we've been through, will be worth it.
Decision #1: We're moving to Sioux Falls
There is a state funded program called "Dakota Roots" geared toward native South Dakotans, to encourage them to return to South Dakota. Neal is a perfect candidate for this program, so he has had their help in finding a job.
Decision #2: We bought a house
Neal and I have wanted to fix up a house together ever since we got married. We went to Sioux Falls for a few job interviews and while we were there we explored the houses on the market with Neal's cousin, Eric. Eric is the best realtor! He has construction experience so we were so lucky to have his expertise on our side during our house hunt. We found the perfect house within the week! It was built in 1912 and has been very well kept by the previous owners who have owned the house since 1960. The couple didn't have any children, so the house was very gently used. Right now the house is sort of an eyesore, but we have big plans for it. Unlike a lot of the houses built during the same time period, it still has all of the original woodwork and character. We can't wait to begin the big home improvements!
 |
| Our fixer-upper on Walts Ave. |
We really hated to do this, but it made the most sense. Neal went ahead to Sioux Falls to start working and start some of the work on the house. I came back to Utah with Caius, Leland and Sophie and we'll be here until the baby is born. It was really important to us, that we move forward with our plans for a homebirth. Homebirth was only recently made legal in South Dakota and our options for midwives would be very limited. We met with a midwife there, but didn't feel that she was completely on board with our preferences for a hands off birth experience. So, I am sticking with my midwife, Richelle, here in Utah. Neal will come back before the birth and then we'll pack up and head for South Dakota.
It has been hard to be apart these past 3 weeks and we have 5 more to go, but we are making it work. I've been doing just fine with the boys, and Neal and I both have been really productive getting ready to move out of our apartment and into the new house. We miss each other-that's the hardest part.
Decision #4: Intensive Care Treatment to improve Neal's scoliosis
Neal has severe scoliosis, and in recent years it has affected his health in countless ways. If this pattern continues it could shave 14 years off of his life. It isn't convenient but we need to do whatever we can do to improve Neal's health now, and prolong his life in the long run. Neal's chiropractor took his x-rays to a conference in Colorado and discussed his options with his colleagues at the conference. They all said that Neal should go to the Clear Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota for 2 weeks of intensive care treatment. We are waiting on results of an MRI, and then Neal will schedule his 2 week trip. The Clear Institute has better success rates of curvature improvement than surgery does, so we have high hopes for Neal's scoliosis to improve during the treatment, and with an at-home rehabilitation program.
 |
| These are Neal's x-rays. |
Decision #5: Bigger car
We've known that we need a bigger vehicle since we got pregnant with baby #3. We will have 3 little boys under 3, all in car seats. Honestly, finding a car was harder than finding a house! We decided on a 2006 Honda Pilot. My favorite feature is the leather interior. Cleaning this car is going to be...A Piece. Of. Cake.
 |
| Our 2006 Honda Pilot |
WHEW! If you made it through this entire post, congratulations! And thank you! Even though our plans have drastically changed, we really feel like we are being inspired as we make these huge decisions. We are so grateful that we have learned so much about scoliosis and the Clear Institute. We sort of feel like we had a lot of unfavorable experiences, but in the end, it has led us to the potential to help Neal, and keep our family together longer. If it works, all the hard stuff we've been through, will be worth it.
Comments
I love your house!!! It's so cool!!!
And I'm so sorry you guys have to be apart. It is so hard. But it will be SO SWEET being together again!!!
I'm not looknig forward to having to find a new birth center in PHX. I hope everything works out, but I have a feeling it will; it always does.
Love you guys.
-Neah
I showed Randy the x-rays you posted and he said that the Clear Institute is good, but that you should also look into the Peddibon technique which has had VERY good results with scoliosis. Give us a call if you want info on that.
Good luck with everything!