Sarah's life changed again!

Today Sarah's life changed again......

We'd been using a borrowed walker for her.  We only used it around the house/yard and church.  Since she can't see, we have to hold it and guide her as she walks.  She is a little girl so it means bending over and walking with her.  That is ok in a safe place when I only have to be responsible for Sarah.  But when I have the other children or if I'm in a parking lot, I can not be aware of what all is around me and I certainly can't let go of her walker because she could walk into something or off a curb. I can't stand up completely so I can see all around us nor can I look after Sam while I'm walking like that.   So I asked our Physical Therapist if we could put a handle on the walker.  We brain stormed different ways to do it but nothing seemed to work.  Then she researched for me and found the kind of walker I needed to safely take Sarah out anywhere we go.


It came in today.....and we went out......

Sarah walked from the house to the van, then from the van into the hair salon.  She walked around the outside until it was our turn.  (All 5 of us go so they know us and get us in and out!)  Then she walked back to the van.  Then we went to Walmart for a few things and she walked in and around Walmart some.  On the way back to the parking lot, she did make a crying face so I did carry her to the van (which I'm not supposed to do now with 2 hernias but hey....)  I was able to hold onto Sarah and at one point Sam also.   I felt perfectly safe being able to be upright and look around, especially in the parking lot.  This new walker has changed our lives! 

 

If she looks a little blue around the lips, she had just had a blue lollipop, after her haircut.

 

 

 

we started out in my fav section, the gardening section!

 

 

 

 

 

see my handle! It was so easy to help her steer away from things in her path

Btw if you wonder why she always wears leggings, it's to protect her legs.  She often runs into things and gets lots of little bruises.  Not being able to see, AND being very much a dare devil, makes for some interesting falls.  If she wears leggings she generally doesn't scrape her knees up as much.  Her leggings were dirty today but no scrapes or bruises :)   She is tough and seldom cries but she is so excited to just GO!  So she goes and we rush along beside her as best we can.  She has learned how to avoid hurting herself, for the most part in our home but our house is set up for a blind person.  Nothing hard, no sharp edges.....   We hope she will learn to let the walker be her protection but she still gets too excited and even if she hits something, if we don't' catch her, she'll just ram it again and again.   This is a pre caning (using the white cane) skill that she hasn't learned to master but we all think she will.  Our goal is for her to walk independently in most settings with a white cane. 

 

 

Today alot of people looked at Sarah, more than usual BUT almost all of them with a huge grin on their faces seeing that tiny girl working so hard!!!   I don't think I could love this girl anymore than I do, my heart just bursts to see her doing something like this!  She is just the most amazing child ever!

 

 There is a part of me that feels such a vindication when I see her doing all these things.  This child that was left strapped to a bed, who barely could lift her head up the first day we met her....Now she is walking fast all over the place!  Our Physical therapist has assured us that Sarah will walk independently one day.  Then we can give this walker away:)  But until then she is learning and we are loving it!  I'm so blessed to have this girl for my daughter!  

 

 

Before all this excitement, I got some paperwork done....the scourge of my life!  We went over Steve's books with his advisor and found he is so very close to being finished with high school.  He will probably be done in the next couple of weeks!   YEAH!  Then he can study for his ACT test for college.  Everything is just coming together for him.

 

Selah had a good day.  She's been up all day either in her chair or the stander.  Our PT is out of town this week so the nurses have more time to work with Selah in other ways this week. 

 

Shad is continuing to do well in school and is really pushing ahead in his books.  Since he is already in 5th grade work in all classes, his goal is for him to at least be starting 6th grade work before the end of the school year. 

 

Sam is getting ready for his 10th birthday in just a few days.  We splurged and bought him just one really nice gift.  He is going to be so happy when he gets it.....shhhhhhh it's a surprise. 

 

Our weather is back to Florida winder weather....it was in the 80's today although I think tomorrow it's only going to be in the 70's, winder is so tough here in Florida:)  We may have one more really cold spell for a few days and then we'll be into spring!  I'm ready to work on the garden now.

 

http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Shooting-At-Perry-Ford-Dealership-243701681.html

I got some awful news today.  There was a shooting in my home town.  I know the man who was the shooter, went to high school with him, he was older.  And I know the family of the cop who was such a hero and was shot protecting others.  The names of the other two that were shot have not been released but chances are I'll know them too.   I don't understand how or why someone feels they have to kill another person because of a hurt!  So sorry for all the families involved.  Perry is the last place you'd think something like this would happen.  I knew the family that used to own this dealership, been there, test drove a car there.....rode by it so many times.  You just never think something like this will happen to folks you know!  My prayers are for all involved!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



O Happy Day!

Oh Happy Day!  NO pain today:)   WOOHOO!  Very thankful for the doctor I saw last night and the wonderful shot she gave me:)

You know I've been lucky I've never have had much pain (outside of childbirth and the silly soreness I have had for years on my right side)  If I had constant pain like I had throughout the day yesterday, I would not want to live.  Having that pain made me think of so many others who suffer from serious illness and disease.  As a pastor's wife, we've seen some people who have suffered awful pain  towards the end of their lives.  It always tore me up for them but now just having had one day of searing pain, I will definitely pray harder for others who face pain! 

Today I finally got to meet one of my BFF's for lunch.  We meet each Tuesday that we both can swing it.  Over lunch we discussed eschatology (the study of the end times)   Growing up my church was all into eschatology and wondering when Jesus was coming back and who the Anti-Christ was .....  Do you know that Henry Kissinger's name spells out the Anti Christ?  Just a fun fact learned in a revival service LOL.  for years Kissinger was reported to be the Anti-Christ. In fact I think the old geezer is still alive....  Be afraid....   (BTW I've always said don't worry about who the Anti-Christ is get to know who JESUS is!)  

So back to my lunch conversation.....we were talking about how wonderful it will be when the end of this age comes....  There are so many different view points of how the end times will be.  Some feel Jesus will come to rapture the church prior to the Tribulation period, some think he'll come in the middle and some think he'll come in the end....different verses seem to indicate things a little different.   But we know He is coming back.

You may wonder why the verses seem to have a different timeline, in my opinion, it is because of our lack of understanding.  The bible doesn't have a printed out time frame, we have to look at verses and apply them correctly to understand. 

I'm not sure just when the Rapture of the church will happen.  I'm really hoping that PRE TRIB (pre tribulation) is RIGHT!  That's what our church teaches and boy it beats the alternatives!  But I know He is coming back again. 

I know that one day I'll stand before Him.

I know one day we'll be in heaven together.

My friend had been told as a child that she wouldn't know her family in heaven.  But as she got older she was comforted by the verse that says "we shall know even as we are also known"  That is taken from 1 Corinthians 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

So today just for a few minutes we dreamed about how it will be.....no more sickness or pain, none of our family members sick anymore, no depression,  my little ones will see and walk and talk....  All the former heartaches will be gone away.  No more stain of sin.....  Time to spend with our families and friends...... We said surely there will be a Chick-Fil-A in heaven:)   It's going to be so much more than we can imagine.....but I know it's going to be good:) 

I try to keep my eyes focused on eternity....it's hard at times.  But I've learned that if I look at everything through an eternal lens..it makes sorrow and life easier to bear knowing this is NOT the end......

Oh Happy Day!

Last test!

Last test done today until the thyroid biopsy next month....WHEW!  The Cystoscopy was as bad as I remembered it LOL......(had it once before years ago)  But nothing serious was found!!!!  YEAH!  He did a small procedure in hopes that it will take away the pain I have. If you live in this area, I have to say we have been very pleased with Florida Medical Clinic.  I'm a doctor snob to be quite honest.  I never thought I'd use a doctor not associated with a big hospital BUT FMC is very comparable to Watson Clinic in Lakeland and I honestly like it much better.  They have everything, all the specialists included under their umbrella.  I really like the staff's attitude  they all seem quite positive.  The buildings are beautiful and everything is state of the art.  And right now I'm sitting in their Urgent Care office tonight!  The pain has gotten worse over the hours rather than better and the meds I have are not helping much.  I'll survive but I'm hoping that they can try a different med to help me until I heal up!  (update...they gave me a pain shot and a new med and THANK GOD my pain level is way down.  Still some  pain but this is manageable-  Outside of labor, this was the worst pain Ive ever had.  May have to get a pain shot in the morning too)


I am so relieved that there is nothing seriously wrong with me.  I got all my blood work today and my cholesterol is down from 203 (at physical for the girls' adoption ) to 175....LOL  I used to walk like a crazy lady and exercise.  Now I exercise like once a week and the eating.....well....   We are laughing about this and wondering if we should market my new way to bring down cholesterol!  all my other blood work is perfect, really glad since I've really not been taking care of myself.


So enough about me!  I used to always wonder why old people talked about pain and surgeries etc....  Now I know they wanted sympathy LOL!  

So I thought you'd like to see some photos my friends took this weekend.  What a a great time we all had!  Steve is in the black/grey shirt on the right side of the picture.  they were square dancing:)

 

 

 

 

Later they did smores by the fire and Jon joined them with Sam on his lap.  Shad has his head away from the camera. Sarah and I were inside:)

 

 

 

 

 

Jon and I had really prayed that Steve's circle of friends would grow.  Steve has been so faithful to help us and I think that is an important part of a family BUT we wanted him to make good memories with friends whose families shared similar values.  None of us are exactly the same in all our views but similar.  He had a busy weekend with different new friends and now is starting with the percussion band at our church, getting ready for college days at SEU and another vacation with all of us and our close friends.....fun times:)  I'm just happy for all that is happening for him. 

 

Well thanks for all the well wishes and prayers for all that has been going on with me.  I'm hoping I'll be ok through the night and am thankful for the shot I got, I may have to go back tomorrow for another one but I've certainly got relief and am still somewhat in my right mind:) 

 

I sat with Selah some tonight once I got home and she was just beautiful, very relaxed and she moved her arms around in an independent way.  I love when I see her make normal movements:)   She's so precious, every little thing she does, we treasure.  I'm so glad I got to see her move like that, it's seems her independent movements occur mostly in the early evening.  But they are good "normal" movements, the kind you want to see, not the strange almost seizure type movements we've seen before....  please keep praying for our girl!

 

 

Great weekend!

We have been busy around here.  We were out all day Friday and then I took the boys and a friend to see Frozen....we thought it was a movie about a snowman....a funny snowman....no it was a love story Princess Disney movie.... with lots of singing...and of course with parents who die....WHY WHY WHY  does Disney always kill off a parent or two?   We weren't thrilled with the movie at all!

Then Saturday we went to a all day birthday party that turned into a square dance:)  What fun we had even tho we got home at 11pm with nothing done for Sunday!  It was worth having to get up early this morning for all the fun we had last night!  We are planning to go to a "called " square dance later this month at a church.  Even Steve was dancing last night, it was great just to watch them.  Jon and I both did square dancing back in high school during our PE classes and we both liked it.  We've wanted to go dancing together (not particularly square dancing ) but didn't want to go to a bar.  So this is something we are really looking forward to doing!!!! 

Sunday church was just great.  When we came to this older church over 8 years ago....we came to a mess in so many ways, spiritually, physically, emotionally.....we have gone through many things during the past years.  There were more than ONE service when there was only 9 people....and we had 5 in our family then....we've gone through personal valleys....but God had opened this door and brought us here so we stayed.....  Jon and I would say to each other some Sundays  "Faint Not"
( And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.)   Sometimes we'd say it to each other in laughter and sometimes in tears BUT God has been faithful .  We were able to remodel each building here (and they were falling down) we have no debt, for the past 9 months our church has been steadily growing....we now have 23 members and our attendance runs around 50 people (and the growth has been REAL growth not people who got mad at their pastor and left the church in a huff but people who have moved here, or started back going to church after being out, and some who came from more of a main line church that wanted to be more expressive), we have a Spanish church that meets here 3x a week that we partner with in the community and in the prison, we have a strong prison ministry with several couples from our church.  We started back Sunday School with a wonderful teacher and series that has attracted almost everyone to attend.  We have someone who is starting up a Fine Arts group (a program our denomination does to encourage youth's talents) and they will be competing this year.  My kids are not the only kids anymore and the families have the same heart as we do concerning "family integration church" or having all the age groups in the congregation without sending the kids off.   I don't write any of this to boast but to encourage you to stay faithful.  There were Sundays when we were just thankful the day was over.....but we stayed faithful to what God had called us to do regardless of what we saw or experienced.   There were times I only did what I had to do because I was committed to God.  I can remember being able to go home some Sundays and just being thrilled it was over for a week!  But we didn't give up and we did what we felt God had called us to do....and He has been so faithful to us

He can do the same for you, it might not be that you are a pastor, maybe just being faithful in a job that is hard, or working on a relationship that seems hopeless....whatever your situation, do what God has told you to do through His word about being faithful and God will be faithful to you.  I've seen this happen time and time again....in various situations. 

So today on the way home, Jon said the famous line "Faint Not"   ( And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.)   And I said it took a LONG time for that DUE season to come LOL!   Then Jon sang me a song they sing in the prison that goes something like this "He's an on time God, yes He is, He may not come when we want Him to but he comes at the right time He's an on time God yes He is"  Something like that....you get the picture:)   God is faithful and sometimes He is working many different things out behind the scene.  I think we have learned so much during this time about God and being faithful. 





Tomorrow is my last big test for a month.  I go in at 9 am for a bladder scope.  I WILL be sedated, hopefully heavily!  Please pray that they don't find anything serious and I don't have any complicates.  I was really sick after the last one I had years ago.  I've had some stomach pain or really sensitivity  all weekend, I'm guessing from the biopsies they took, or maybe I know now all the problems I have LOL  I might be a little impressible.   So thanks for the prayers!


Selah is doing good, a few nursing issues right now but nothing major.  Keep praying for our sweet girl1

Testing

Ok I survived the testing today:)   I was diagnosed with some issues but nothing life threatening.  Evidently I have reflux, that has caused esophagitis, and irregular Z line (what the heck), a hiatus hernia and possibly H. pylori  ..... so as I'm reading the irregular Z line can be linked to Barret's which can lead to cancer.  However H. pylori  fights that cancer...LOL  it's crazy reading all the stuff on the internet.  The doctor told me everything is manageable, put me on a daily medication and I'll see him in 2 weeks....

I also did the bladder ultrasound and I learned I successfully empty my bladder, that is always a good thing:)   I still have the bladder scope on Monday and I'm a bit stressed but going in the procedure area today and talking with the really nice nurses did put me at ease.  The med they gave me to put me to sleep was really really really nice....wish they could prescribe that to me daily LOL! 

Thanks for your prayers and please keep them coming so I can get all of this behind me.  I feel a bit betrayed by my body to have all those things going on and not even know it!  I don't really have any symptoms of reflux.  The reason I had the test (was supposed to have had in Sept 2012 right after my colonoscopy) was because I have that crazy side pain that doesn't go away, a family history of colon cancer, my own personal precancerous polyps  and anemia.  But I didn't ever think I had stomach issues.  I feeling old!


Here are some funny pictures of the kittens watching Bill O'Reily on Fox news last night:)  These cats crack us up! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/30/9-questions-about-ukraine-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/

 

The above link is a very good one that explains things in Ukraine quite well.  It is an interesting read. 

 

Again thanks for the prayers and well wishes...we are off to eat out tonight!  I am just not up to cooking:)  I can definably use this as an excuse!  

 

I was told by our nurse that while I was gone we had the daily Thursday crew at our house and that everyone was having to take turns with the kids.  We had PT, OT and VT so it got crowded but the little ones like having their teachers there so their day went on as normal!

 

 

Baby it's cold outside

It's in the 40's with rain outside.  An unusual day for Florida.  There is snow in the Panhandle and most of the northern counties have closed school for the day!  We usually only close school for hurricanes LOL  that is what we are used to not snow and ice!  I'm doing a quick blog and drinking hot chocolate.  I actually love bad weather LOL I'm such a weirdo but it makes everything so cozy.

Shad got his report card, all A's.  he is only in 4th grade but is finished with all the 4th grade work and is in 5th grade work in all his classes.  If he keeps going like this (his teacher is requiring him to make a 93 or above in each test to continue at this rate) he will be in 6th grade work before the end of the year.  I'm very happy with his progress.  I'd love to see him finish high school early and start college early.  I told Steve he'd better hurry up and get through college or Shad will be right there with him!  LOL

Well tomorrow is the big day for the scope down my throat and the bladder scan.  I'm so a wimp about medical things.   So I'm getting all these phone calls about the three medical procedures I'm having in the next couple of days. The people aren't concerned, they all say everything is "minor".....it's like our nurse says "everything happening to You is minor....everything happening to me is MAJOR!!!!" LOL Tomorrow I have the Upper GI scope and the bladder scan... Monday I have the bladder scope....I need some prayers:) I get very uptight about stuff like this! I hate being put under but I'm too much a wimp to stay awake for this junk (except for the scan) and I'm so scared of getting bad news! 

Well not much on the agenda here but to curl up with a good book and some hot tea or chocolate  I need to get motivated to do paperwork and finish my closet but it is just not going to happen today!

CHIC

Great day, one of my closest friends and her family are moving to our area and I got a chance to meet her for lunch today and hang out for awhile.  I could just pinch myself I'm so excited for her to be get moved here!!!!!!!  Good times ahead!  It's amazing to me that we will have time together again, we've known each other for many years and even lived together at one point:)  Then we married and moved all over the place....but now we'll be back together:)  Watch out Florida!

I got all my bloodwork done today, can't wait to hear my cholesterol scores.  I've not been exercising like I used to so I have a feeling that will be over the limit! 

Last night I read a book about reorganizing your closest and dressing chic.  Ok I admit to loving stuff like that.  So today when I got home I made myself go thru parts of my closet again.  It's awful how we all wear about 20% of our clothes.  There are STILL things in my closet that I've not worn in years and I'm a purger!  I will admit there are two shirts I've bought in the past year that I have never worn.  They looked great in the store but once home.....NO!  And I am absolutely terrible at keeping receipts so I can't take them back.  I also bought a "dickey"  that is a fake turtle neck.  I had always wanted one LOL  it didn't work with the shirt I was buying for it to go under.  I tried to exchange it but with no receipt the store would only give me 75 cents....so it goes in the bag.  Oh well I FINALLY got one and found out I didn't want it!

Isn't that how life is, sometimes you long for something but once you get it, you find it it's not what you wanted in the first place.

I think of that in relation to marriage/divorce....  I see folks who are married who long for their freedom, once they get that freedom, they long then for the commitment of marriage.  It's sad....  I was like that at one point, I thought I could really be happy if I were single again.  Thank God, I had too much restraint in my life to follow through on that thought. 

There is even a scripture where Paul tells you if you are single, stay single, if married stayed married...if I weren't so tired from trying on clothes, I 'd look it up!!!    But it is in there!

Anyhow tomorrow I plan on finishing up in there.  Once my closest is organized and I only have clothes in there that I like and that fit me right....I will be CHIC!   Ok you can quit laughing now!


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I've had several people ask for an update on Baby Sabrina.  She is home and doing good day to day.  However she is having tests run, there are concerns about a genetic disorder that is very serious.  The doctors have also said she is deaf in one ear.  Please pray for this sweet little one and her family.

Also the Burman family is still in Ukraine, there have been a lot of twists and turns in their adoption that I will share once they get home but they have court coming up soon so pray that all goes well.  She has been there now since early December.....it's the end of January....the country is in chaos.....
Actually you can get an update here http://gracehavenhome.com/families/burman-family/ and you can give through them too.  They only need about $4000 to be fully funded now!

Thank you all for all your prayers for me and my family.  It really encourages me to get emails and comments from you all!!!!!!