Off the Chain!

Ok today was just an "off the chain" day!

Got up early, had so many plans....but....Sam found my glasses and broke them while playing with them.  I was in the shower.  He is into everything, just like a toddler.  So that changed everything.  Jon was already out in the woods, so Steve had to drive me to New Port Richey, an hour away.  We go to St Luke's Eye hospital.  Somehow it had been FIVE years since the last time so I had to have a full eye exam.   Honestly I thought my eyes had gotten worse but there hadn't been too much change, the bottom part of my bifocals are going to be stronger so maybe I won't need a magnifying glass to read.  Yes I use one after I've read for awhile because if not, my eyes start hurting.

St Luke's is great for adults, they did some new things to me today.  Gone is the air in your eye to test for glaucoma, now they put a drop in to deaden the eye and then touch it with a little machine.  For someone who gives a bzillion eye drops, I found it quite hard to TAKE the two eye drops!  And as far as them touching my eye, I "had a moment" where I had to calm down.  I kept thinking of  poor Sam who has had so much done to his eyes....  Then I think they over dilated my eyes....OMG I looked like I was as high as I could go.....

So with all this, I got so nauseated.  I have terrible terrible motion sickness and having on my prescription sunglasses for too long makes me sick, I can not stand the tint.   Then throw in all the tests, I was afraid I was going to barf!  They don't have an optical section there so I took the prescription to Walmart in our town....well.......

By the time I got there, it was all I could do not to throw up.  I walked in with Sam and this girl and mom who were standing up at the register were staring so hard at him.  I said "please don't stare at my child so hard"  I should have just thrown up on them, that might have discouraged their staring!

Then as I was finding a frame, Steve goes to pick up a few things (cat & dog food so we are not killed in our sleep)  I had the debit card so once in line he had to run over to me.  I didn't know I had the card, thought it was in the car, so Shad is running around, till I find it in my pocket.  Remember the WHOLE time I feel like I'm gong to puke.....so since it took so long, we thought the cashier had deleted his stuff so all the kids came in the optical area and waited with me.

Found the frames, did all the measuring....and BLESS THEIR HEARTS, they found an old frame to put my old lens in so I didn't have to wear my prescription sun shades until the new glasses get in.  It's hard to get used to them, they are a bit off and things are blurry around the sides of them but I think I can make it! 

So I pay for the glasses and then  remembered we needed shampoo, I walk out with the kids and head for the shampoo aisle, still quite sick....Steve follows with the buggy full of cat & dog food and bottled waters and Sam & Sarah.  The cashier starts screaming.....I had NO idea she was screaming at us so I kept walking, she ran after us screaming "Sir STOP" "Come back here" I finally turned around thinking someone was running out of the store, NO it was Steve she was yelling at.  Mind you, we were headed INTO the store....to get shampoo.  She told Steve that she had to keep her eyes on the cart & he couldn't take it back in the store.  She told him to get the kids out.  Steve is looking like a deer caught in the headlights and says "she (meaning Sarah) can't walk".  I'm trying to figure out what is going on as EVERYONE in the store is looking at us.  Steve is no help, he starts laughing, I'm thinking "what the heck is going on here, did I miss something?"  Thankfully a manager comes up and tells us we can go and finish shopping.  He knew us, at least by sight.....so here is a teenager pushing a buggy of cat/dog food and two blind kids, a little Chinese guy and a sick mom with a Ukraine T-shirt on....like we didn't already look like a parade.   Did we really look like we could bust out of there with no one noticing?  LOL

The manager followed us and apologized- I actually thought it was quite funny.   So then a sales clerk had to help me find the right shampoo since I couldn't see anything, my eyes were still so dilated and numb feeling.   Then as we were leaving, the cashier apologized to us.  I told her it was fine, I worked as a probation officer and  don't trust anyone either.    I probably looked a mess, no make up, eyes dilated, slightly green.....she had a right to suspect us LOL!   Evidently she still had our stuff on her register even though she was taking other people in line and IF we'd walked out then she would have been in real trouble.   Steve thought it was cool that he was tagged as a shoplifter LOL

So much for my grand plans of the day, all of that took most of the day.

Jon on the other hand was free all day so he walked in the woods for 4 hours, he think he walked about 15 miles.  He is happy:)  He loves being out there, in nature.  That's where he thinks/prays and works on his sermons. 

So  a crazy day for us, nothing went as planned but at least I spent time with my kiddos. Time in the car is the best time to talk.  My eyes were mostly shut so you know Steve had to trick me once by gasping and grabbing my arm!  He got punched  on the shoulder and  laughed and laughed.  I told him paybacks are rough......  After yesterday's near accident. I'm a bit squeamish in the car!

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Some Updates.....

Katie who tried to commit suicide by shooting herself is in reconstructive surgery today, please pray that the surgery will be successful. 

Luke who was in a car accident is doing great and being released from re-hab!!!!!  He still needs prayer as he gets mentally tired easily but overall he is doing great!

Sonya is having her surgery today I believe.  pray that goes well and her pain will be gone.

My father in law is doing good and is stable.

Little Sabrina is home from a hospital stay.  Her parents have not been given good news as far as her long term development goes.  Please pray that God will touch this little one and help her parents!

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Hope you all have a great weekend!  Stay safe!

Our lives were spared!

On the way home this afternoon we almost had a terrible car wreck.  I'm still a bit shaken up by it....

Today I thought all our therapists & teachers were not coming for various reasons, so I made plans with one of my besties to eat lunch together.  Steve wanted to go & of course that meant the little ones too....  I had gotten confused, one therapist was still coming but we cut the therapy short.  I had also agreed to go shopping with a friend whose sons are graduating with Steve next weekend.  So we got that done quickly, got home and took off again with the kids.  We had a great lunch with my friend, lots of laughing & kidding around.  Then we picked up Shad early from school.

We were on the way home, Steve was driving and I was texting about 6 different people arranging various things regarding graduation and a few other things..... we were almost home, the last big curve and I looked up.  I must have sensed some movement that was out of the ordinary and I saw a rock truck almost on top of us.  It was over the line, headed right towards us, I am not sure still how we did not get hit.  Steve handled the car perfectly, he swerved but did over compensate.   We were going at least 60 and surely the truck was also.  There is a quarry down the road from us and we have lots of trucks-about the size of a garbage truck or a small semi going up & down the road as they get rock. 

If we had been hit, we would have all surely died.  I am so thankful to God for His grace today.  I'm thankful that Steve did not over steer and turn us over.   He handled things perfectly.  It is a miracle I'm sitting here typing this blog! 

There are many mysteries in life, I certainly do not understand them all but I understand our lives were spared today.  And for that I am grateful! 

MRI & Ticks & Amobas

Selah had an MRI today to see if there has been any negative changes in her brain.  We won't get the results for a few days, it has to be compared to the other MRIs she has had since the accident.    Selah did fine, just got upset when we got home & had to have some meds. 

Since I had the old MRIs with me, I walked down to the doctor's office a half a block or so from the hospital to give the CDs to the doctor, while Selah was in the MRI.  It was a beautiful day, but I had already told Selah's story a half of dozen times so I was fighting tears walking to the doctor's office.  It never gets easy to tell the story.....it's a Cinderella story.....  a little girl rescued from an adult mental institution....a little girl that was not originally part of our adoption plan.....the homecoming, the wonderful few months that she got to experience so many new things....then the first family trip....and the accident....everything stops then....the Cinderella story with the wrong ending.....it's still so raw to me.

Then on the way home, we stopped to pick up Shad and then we took the nurse and Selah out to see the property.  The nurse was thrilled with the location (it's closer for all our nurses)  he was ready to move us out there today LOL  This was the first time I've taken Selah out to the site, we didn't get her out since there are a lot of bugs- specifically horse flies that I believe come straight from hell!  I got bit again today out there.  I'm sure when all the bush is cleared, there will be less horse flies.  This is just the time of year for them, we have some here at our house too. 

Poor Shad came in from outside and told me he had a tick in a "sensitive spot"    I was ready to go to the ER with him but he wanted me to try and get the tick off with tweezers.....I got my magnifying glass and tweezers, and got it first try THANK GOD!  I had told him if I could not get it the first time, we were going to the doctor!  Yes we live in the country......THAT was a first!!!!!!!!!  Poor baby!   Although he took it like a man and laughed about it, he is a tough boy!

Well we got a phone call from Walmart and now I can go and "rebuy" my kayak.....going after supper to get it!  Geez....I was so wasted by our trip, I didn't even have the energy to fight anymore, glad they called me!


http://www.amoeba-season.com/ 
Go to this site
It was made to educate people about water amoebas by one of Sam's doctors.  He & his wife lost their son to this disease -  Amoebic Meningitis. 99% lethal. 100% preventable.  As you know I grew up in Florida, been in all kinds of water, when I was young I didn't care, dirty pools of friends....etc....  (I also swam in many lakes where I could see gators all over....just plain craziness. )   Well now I know about this amoeba that is in lake water, dirty pools (even clean looking pools) etc....  Even springs are not excluded although the doctor did say if the temp is under 80 degrees chances are slim that the amoeba will grow there.   Salt water is safer.   It's best to wear nose clips....we've stayed out of lakes since their son died and been careful of pools too but now I'm going to push my kids to wear nose clips.  Wish me luck!   Please take the time to read, nothing will bring the Dr Gompf's son back but they want to prevent others' deaths!   And I just want to say I appreciate this doctor so much, he took great care of Sam over the years when he was in & out of the hospital constantly.  I liked Dr G because he is a doctor who listens to parents' concerns.  I was just devastated for them when this happened, it actually happened while Sam was in the hospital-a different hospital.  Everyone was so sad for them.  As a parent, I am glad to know the information they are sharing to help prevent other deaths.  God bless them! 

Ranting....

My father in law was taken by ambulance to the hospital tonight.  He is stable now, my husband went to see him.  Please keep this sweet man in your prayers.  He has always been a good father in law to me as was my mother in law before she passed away.   I've always said they've been better to me than my own family was.  And they certainly raised a good guy for me to marry:)   He's in his mid 80's and has a lot of health problems.  He lives with my oldest brother in law & his wife and they take wonderful care of him & see that he has good caregivers.   Thanks for your prayers for this sweet man. 

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For all the Shad fans, he helped me make a Giant Gingerbread man tonight.

It was good, poor Gingerbread Man is missing some of his extremities now.....

 

 

My poor collards....

something was eating them up so Steve cut them all back and then we doused  them with Dawn ...we will see what happens with them.  I've never had a problem with collards before this year.

Also this year my pepper plants have just turned to stems!!!!!  Then almost the same with the tomatoes too.  The squash plants I bought died but the ones I raised from seeds are fine.   The eggplants have done fine and the lettuces lasted till just last week.   The herbs are all good except for the one Rosemary that I cut and took to a friend, luckily she knew it was NOT rosemary, it was dog fennel a weed!  I took it back to the plant store I bought it from.  THAT was the same store I've bought from for years, same brand of plants and I'm having all these issues. 

The potatoes and carrots are good too, same with the onions. 

I never usually even have bad worm problems till July and it's still May and I'm having issues.  Strange year for me in my garden!

And while I'm on the frustrated  rant.... this was my FB status tonight....
well ....'Whoop-de-dang-do' to finish out this "wonderful" day I get the FIRST email from Walmart saying they are refunding me the money on my kayak order. So I call Walmart since this is the FIST and only email I've gotten from them. So the kayak is at the store....but the paperwork is done for it to be sent back so they can't resell it to me. Did I mention this was the ONLY contact I had from Walmart ? The kayak was only there for FIVE days, they said they usually keep something for 7-14 days....I'm so not happy! By the way, this was my Mother's Day present.


So I've been waiting for my ordered Kayak to come to our local Walmart.  I'd ordered it almost a month ago, it was to be my Mother's Day present but I knew it wouldn't be in the store till after may 15th.  So I waited for the text & email that I've gotten in the past notifying me that what I'd ordered was in.  Nothing till I get an email saying they're refunding my money.....no reason given.

I called the store and am told that they HAVE the kayak but are sending it back.   I apologized for not rushing in but since I'd gotten NO notification saying it was there, I have a few other things that I have to do besides stalk Walmart......  I then asked how long they hold things....he said 7-14 days...I reminded him that it had ONLY been FIVE days since it supposedly got there.....

BUT since the paperwork is done, I can't "rebuy" it   The Kayak must go back.....I'm so annoyed!  AND I want my kayak!  I don't' usually whine too much on here but I just think this is the most foolish thing I've personally encountered recently.....

So their computer system had a glitch, didnt' notify me, and the paperworkis done days before things are normally sent back....the kayak is STILL in the store....yet I can't buy it back....makes perfect sense huh?


Ok let me shut up and go to bed....


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Tomorrow Selah is having a sedated MRI to check to see if she has "lost" any section of her brain.  If there has been radical changes since the last one, then the neuro will assume she has small seizures.  We have not seen any regression on Selah's part so I'm not too worried about this.  But it will answer the seizure question hopefully once and for all.   Please pray that Selah will be calm and not get stressed out.  I feel like this is a waste of time but if there is anything to be learned that will help Selah, I guess we should do it. 

Thanks for listening to my rants tonight:) 

Weekend

Hope you've had a great weekend.  Yesterday we did a phone interview for Rochester Ronald McDonald House's annual telethon.  We've been involved with various telethons and fund raisers for RMH.  We just love and appreciate them so much.  If you ever want to contribute to a place that does exactly what it's mission statement says....give to Rochester NY Ronald McDonald House.   They are so focused on helping families who are struggling with children in the hospital.   We've stayed at several RMHs over the years, NONE are on par with Rochester NY RMH, they are the top of the line from their volunteers, to the love that is felt....no one can compare:)   We always appreciated them, but after the accident, we were just surrounded by love from them.  Thank you again Rochester RMH!!!!


After we finished the interview, we went to a square dance.  I didn't bring my camera:(  boo!  Square dancing is so much fun and really great exercise.  I only danced one set but had a blast.  Our little ones Sam & Sarah both were a bit needy this time and didn't want to just sit and listen to the music, they wanted us to hold them!  So we were a little occupied with those two.  Steve danced all the sets, and Shad finally danced a couple of them too.  Everyone had a great time.


We are having such beautiful weather in Florida but I think it is going to get back to normal soon.  Today was gorgeous, I laid on our swing, and almost fell asleep.  THIS is why folks move to Florida....

After we ate lunch, we took our friends out to see the property where the house will be built.  It still doesn't seem real to me.  But I've certainly bonded with the property.  We drove around the area, trying to figure out if the neighbors have wells or if there might be "city water" LOL    There is a phosphate plant not too far so it might be best if it is city water.   I love the area, wish the plant was further away, it's maybe 2 miles away from the property.  That is the only thing I worry about.  One thing tho is I look at all the plants/trees/wildlife in the area and it seems good.  We found a spring that used to be open for swimming but now only allows a few people in at a time.  Steve ran over a snake accidently and we loved exploring around! 


This week promises to be busy for us.  Hope you all have a great start to your week .....

Semi-Finalists!

Someone sent me a message to let me know we are Semi-finalists in the van contest:)
http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/
Evidently the choice of winners is more than JUST how many votes someone gets!  So we'll keep our fingers crossed!  Winners are notified on May 30th.  We REALLY need a van now that we will be moving.  When we no longer live near the church, it will be hard to get Selah to church on the weekend.  We like for us to keep that tradition together as a family.  It's thanks to all of you that we made it this far!!!  And especially to Denise who nominated us:)


Well I got my first sunburn of the season:)  I sat outside talking on the phone and didn't realize how much sun I was getting, I have some red legs tonight!  We are having the most beautiful weather, it will be the last little "cool spell" before we hit summer temps.  If only Florida could stay like this all summer long!

Well this is short tonight,  Steve & Shad went with some friends to see Godzilla:)  We've been chasing the little ones around all night.  Sam got all the soaps/shampoos he could grab during his bath, then he leaned over and started pooping while Jon was getting him dressed, I caught it...BEFORE it hit the floor...yep, something new every day... I KNEW I should have set him on the toilet.  LOL  THEN he grabbed a cereal box and turned it upside down on the kitchen floor.....It's funny all these little "toddler behaviors"  he really has just started doing things like this.  he never used to get into things but now he grabs everything he sees!   And for some reason, Sarah was very needy today and wanted to be held, a lot....AND she ate FOUR fudge popsicles bars.  She cried for another one but I started rocking her in the rocker:)   So they kept us busy!

The ONLY thing Jon wants in the new house, is a built in baby gate to keep Sam out of the kitchen!  he gets into everything....daily! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!!!

Pictures of the property & some medical news

We're still catching our breath over here ......as you can imagine the new house is quite the topic of conversation with us and our nurses:)  Exciting times!  Steve went and did 5 hours of our "sweat equality work" at their thrift shop today.  He had a really good time, you'd thought he got paid for being there as much as he liked working:) 

Yesterday I took Sarah to the neurologist.  He confirmed that she has CP.  Actually he seems to think it is worse than we thought.  He believes she may have some issues with her hips.  We've had an appointment for her to see someone but that is not until August.   I don't' think the doctor thinks she will walk independently  ever.....  I've been coming to that conclusion myself.  She has hit such a plateau in all her motor skill areas, this might be as far as she goes.  IF she'd been worked with as an infant and toddler, it might have made a difference.  But being tied to a bed, didn't help matters. 

After talking to her PT today, I do know I'm not agreeing to any type of surgery, it just wouldn't give her much change and it would be at a high price to her.  I can't see my Sarah in a body cast (worst case) for months.   She doesn't have the understanding & I'm just not sure she could handle it emotionally.  She has NO pain from the impairment at all. 

The neurologist could see how bonded Sarah and I are and he remarked on that since most kids coming from a mental institution have bonding issues, not my girl:)   After Sarah decided he wasn't going to give her a shot, she warmed up to him and played back & to with him. 

I'm ok with all of this......we adopted Sarah knowing full well what we were committing to.  We'd hoped we could have eye surgery for her, and that was impossible due to her eye's condition.  We really hoped she'd walk on her own but....   Nothing changes our love for her.  We adopted her where she was and are committed to whatever happens.  It's not a big deal for us, and she is a happy girl regardless.  She has love now and plenty of food and that's enough for Sarah:)  Love my girl!


Well here are some pictures of the property:)

 

 

this is taken from the back of the property looking towards the front right side.  There are too many bushes to get all the way back

 

 

the old house that is being torn down is behind us.

We are about 30 feet from the back property line

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure what this fir like tree is, but we had one in my front yard growing up!

 

 

this is from the front of the old house, love that we are further back from the street.

Also love the whole time we were there, no cars went by:)

 

the boys exploring off the side of the yard

 

 

inside the garage (that is staying and becoming a shed)

 

 

 

 

outside of garage

 

 

Beautiful property!  The neighbors on the left side are on the other side of their property. Can't even see their house.   The neighbors on the right side are closer but the shed is in between us and their house is set back.   No one across the street and not sure about behind us since the trees/bushes were so intact.  I can't believe I lived in NYC, now just being in Tampa stresses me out, I don't feel like I can breath deep till I get on some of the back roads:)  I'm so glad this is not a subdivision or in town!  I guess you can "take the girl out of the country but you'll never get the country out of the girl"  LOL

 

 

 

An update on Sonya

http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0

ALL the money came in and they are going to have surgery this month!

BUT the last bit $14,000 came as a loan, which is great BUT we'd like to see them not have any debt from this surgery if possible.  Please think about giving still.....please pray that more will come in.

And please pray for Sonya that this will work, with no complications!

 

Also an update on Connie, the lady I requested prayer for:

the surgery went good, no complications, they got all but a small amount of the tumor out.

the doctors are concerned that it might be cancer.  The results are not yet in.  She is already home!!!!!

Please pray for her!