Goodbye big pile of ugly fat clothes! I will never see you again!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Quick Takes!
1. Wow! I am at awe at the power of prayer this week! I can see its power through my mom's surgery and recovery. It is amazing to have people from all over the country praying for her and my family. I am so grateful!
2. So... my mom is an overachiever! She is exceeding ALL expectations and is being released from the hospital right now - THURSDAY NIGHT!!! They were not expecting her to be doing so well and her release was tentatively planned for this weekend. Nope! She has walked the halls, gotten out of bed by herself and met all the other requirements to move on to the rehabilitation center. GO MOM!!!
3. In January, one of my mom's dearest friends passed away. It was very sudden and unexpected. She had been ill, but did not seem that bad. They were both quilters and bonded through the many stitches they sewed together. Right before she died, she asked my mom to finish a few t-shirt quilts that she had promised to people, in case something happened to her. The next day she died.
My mom finished the quilts, even with all her pain. My mom had not been able to sew for awhile. It was too much for her. Even making her little baby bibs proved too much. Side note: That is why I haven't beeen sending out any blogger baby bibs. She tried, but couldn't sit long enough to make them. :( Over the past two weeks, when her pain was at its worst, my mom finished the quilts. I "helped" with one of them over mothers day. I really need to learn how to quilt. My mom has made hundreds and they are all wonderful. Anyway... one of the quilts was for a nun! It was made from a number of great Catholic t-shirts! I loved all the shirts! My favorite one said: "Destroying evil, one bead at at time" with a picture of a rosary.
5. One of our little flower girls is afraid of all dogs. Nothing has ever happened to make her afraid, but she is. So, her mom has asked that Daisy help her out. Daisy is super sweet and a pup, so she thought introducing her now would be a good idea. I'm a bit nervous, but I think Daisy will do great! She does get pretty excited around kids. She LOVES them! So, to help with her energy level, I'm taking her to Doggie Day Care tomorrow!! Haha! She has gone once before at the same place we take her for puppy school and she was more than worn out when I picked her up! It was hysterical! See for yourself....
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| Before Puppy School. SOOOO EXCITED! |
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| After puppy school. SOOOOO TIRED! |
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
TWO miracles!
Thanks for all those prayers ladies! They worked - big time. Before you get ahead of yourself, there is not going to be a BFP announcement in this post. BUT... I think these miracles are equally surprising and wonderful!
1. MY BROTHER!!
I have been fervently praying for my brother, his wife and their three children for years. My older brother, Jeff, is a bit estranged from our family. I often think of him as the prodigal son that just has not returned yet. If you ever glance at my wedding pictures (they are pretty, you really should!), you will not see my brother in any of the pictures. He and his family weren't there. Very sad. There is a huge back story, but it would be long and painful to go into it all. Basically, when he wants to be involved with our family, he is and when he doesn't, he is totally absent. He lives across the country as well. He is very sporadic and you NEVER know what you will get with him. He has hurt my parents beyond belief with some of the stunts he's pulled. The scars are deep, but they keep loving him and trying. Forgiveness is one of their strengths.
Jeff is notorious at not calling on big events and holidays. No calls on birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, etc. He missed this Mother's Day as well and I didn't even give it much thought. Typical Jeff. I hate it that he hurt my mom by doing that, but I long ago gave up the notion that I could change his actions. With my mother preparing for surgery, I had thought (briefly) about calling him and letting him know what was up. I have not talked to my brother in a long time and I knew my mom would NOT want me to call him. It never goes well.
Turns out I didn't need to call him. He called, on his own, without any prompting or threat of a pending surgery (he was not aware of it yet), to wish my mom a happy Belated Mother's Day. This might not seem like a big deal, but he NEVER calls. NEVER. Unless he needs something. Granted, he was late, but still! THIS WAS HUGE!!! He was even pleasant and even told my mom he'd be praying for her. Again, HUGE!!!
The call put my mom at ease. She had wanted to talk to him before surgery, but often when she calls, it does not go well either. Again, you just never know what you are going to get with Jeff. So, she just had not called him yet. She was able to talk to the grand kids (again, can be a rarity) and that makes her day so bright. It was the perfect, pre-surgery medicine she desperately needed!!!
I consider this a small miracle. If anyone wants someone to pray for, my brother would be a good pick!!!! St. Rita, pray for him!
2. MY MOM!!
My mom made it through her 4+ hour surgery with flying colors!! She was in excruciating pain the night before her surgery. She could not move her leg. It was literally dragging behind her when she tried to walk. It was horrible! She was crying out in pain several times throughout the night and was unable to move, get in and out of bed, etc. It was not good. She was also incredibly anxious about how things would go, if my dad would have food to eat, if he'd burn the house down while she was away, etc. etc. But with the all the pain she had that last night, she knew that she could not put this off.
It was a LONG surgery day. It's amazing how sitting and doing nothing but waiting is SO exhausting! My dad and I kept busy, but it seemed we were in the waiting room forever. We were able to finally see her in the evening last night and get this... she moved her legs without yelling out in pain... something she hasn't done in months!!! The doctor said her pain should lessen and she should keep the use of her legs! Whoot!!!
My emotional dad kept it together most of the day. He has been the overly positive one about the surgery. So, after months of seeing his wife in great pain he finally had his breakdown moment. When my mom shifted in bed and raised her leg up without making a peep and really without even knowing she was doing it... he started to cry. He just whispered to me, "Look, she's moving her leg! That is so wonderful!" It was sweet. Ahhh... high school sweethearts. :)
I spend the majority of today with her. I was there when physical therapy came for the first time. They got her out of bed and standing up. She was able to take two short walks in the hallway. It was AMAZING. Monday, she could not move her right leg and today she was walking, standing tall, not limping and NOT IN PAIN!!!! Can you believe it!!?? Granted, she has incision pain from the surgery, but not the devestating pain that has been crippling her for months. Miracle? I think so!!! I think that deserves a big WHOOT!
My mom will be in the hospital until the weekend then will be off to a rehab facility. I pray she continues to improve!! Please keep her and my dad in your prayers... they have a long road ahead.
Thanks again for all those prayers... and the amazing comments from my last post. You ladies ROCK!
1. MY BROTHER!!
I have been fervently praying for my brother, his wife and their three children for years. My older brother, Jeff, is a bit estranged from our family. I often think of him as the prodigal son that just has not returned yet. If you ever glance at my wedding pictures (they are pretty, you really should!), you will not see my brother in any of the pictures. He and his family weren't there. Very sad. There is a huge back story, but it would be long and painful to go into it all. Basically, when he wants to be involved with our family, he is and when he doesn't, he is totally absent. He lives across the country as well. He is very sporadic and you NEVER know what you will get with him. He has hurt my parents beyond belief with some of the stunts he's pulled. The scars are deep, but they keep loving him and trying. Forgiveness is one of their strengths.
Jeff is notorious at not calling on big events and holidays. No calls on birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, etc. He missed this Mother's Day as well and I didn't even give it much thought. Typical Jeff. I hate it that he hurt my mom by doing that, but I long ago gave up the notion that I could change his actions. With my mother preparing for surgery, I had thought (briefly) about calling him and letting him know what was up. I have not talked to my brother in a long time and I knew my mom would NOT want me to call him. It never goes well.
Turns out I didn't need to call him. He called, on his own, without any prompting or threat of a pending surgery (he was not aware of it yet), to wish my mom a happy Belated Mother's Day. This might not seem like a big deal, but he NEVER calls. NEVER. Unless he needs something. Granted, he was late, but still! THIS WAS HUGE!!! He was even pleasant and even told my mom he'd be praying for her. Again, HUGE!!!
The call put my mom at ease. She had wanted to talk to him before surgery, but often when she calls, it does not go well either. Again, you just never know what you are going to get with Jeff. So, she just had not called him yet. She was able to talk to the grand kids (again, can be a rarity) and that makes her day so bright. It was the perfect, pre-surgery medicine she desperately needed!!!
I consider this a small miracle. If anyone wants someone to pray for, my brother would be a good pick!!!! St. Rita, pray for him!
2. MY MOM!!
My mom made it through her 4+ hour surgery with flying colors!! She was in excruciating pain the night before her surgery. She could not move her leg. It was literally dragging behind her when she tried to walk. It was horrible! She was crying out in pain several times throughout the night and was unable to move, get in and out of bed, etc. It was not good. She was also incredibly anxious about how things would go, if my dad would have food to eat, if he'd burn the house down while she was away, etc. etc. But with the all the pain she had that last night, she knew that she could not put this off.
It was a LONG surgery day. It's amazing how sitting and doing nothing but waiting is SO exhausting! My dad and I kept busy, but it seemed we were in the waiting room forever. We were able to finally see her in the evening last night and get this... she moved her legs without yelling out in pain... something she hasn't done in months!!! The doctor said her pain should lessen and she should keep the use of her legs! Whoot!!!
My emotional dad kept it together most of the day. He has been the overly positive one about the surgery. So, after months of seeing his wife in great pain he finally had his breakdown moment. When my mom shifted in bed and raised her leg up without making a peep and really without even knowing she was doing it... he started to cry. He just whispered to me, "Look, she's moving her leg! That is so wonderful!" It was sweet. Ahhh... high school sweethearts. :)
I spend the majority of today with her. I was there when physical therapy came for the first time. They got her out of bed and standing up. She was able to take two short walks in the hallway. It was AMAZING. Monday, she could not move her right leg and today she was walking, standing tall, not limping and NOT IN PAIN!!!! Can you believe it!!?? Granted, she has incision pain from the surgery, but not the devestating pain that has been crippling her for months. Miracle? I think so!!! I think that deserves a big WHOOT!
My mom will be in the hospital until the weekend then will be off to a rehab facility. I pray she continues to improve!! Please keep her and my dad in your prayers... they have a long road ahead.
Thanks again for all those prayers... and the amazing comments from my last post. You ladies ROCK!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Progress pic and prayer request!
Hey! It has been forever since I posted. I have been crazy busy (that puppy is work!) and have a million posts in my head, but none of them make it to the computer.
I have a huge prayer request for you ladies. My mom is having extensive back surgery this Tuesday and she needs you all to storm heaven with prayers! Last August, my mom thought she had pulled a muscle in her back. Never having back pain in her life before then, she thought it would resolve quickly. It did not. It got worse. She went to several specialist who said her back had too many problems to count, including a tumor wrapped around a portion of her spine. They could not believe she had not had any pain until that point.
Her pain and discomfort has progressed at a rapid rate, especially within the last few months. She started losing feeling in her arms/hand and some function in her legs. It has been horrible to watch. After several repeat MRI's and meetings with several doctors, it was determined that the majority of her nerves were being affected and if she did not have surgery, she would lose total function of her legs and possibly her arms. So, as a last result, surgery was scheduled. It will take hours and they will try to repair her spine and remove some of the seemingly benign tumor.
Needless to say, I am worried sick. I have been praying to St. Rita constantly for her and will be relieved when the surgery is over. Then starts the grueling recovery. Ouch. I am heading out of state Monday to be there with her and my dad for a few days. Please keep all of us in your prayers. Thanks!
Now... to a more pleasant subject. As promised (a long time ago), I finally took some progress pictures. I am still doing great, feeling great and am thrilled at the progress. I don't really notice it on a daily basis, but when I looked at the pictures, I was floored. Whoot! It is definitely something to celebrate! It made that BFN sting a little less this weekend too! So.... here you go!
I have a huge prayer request for you ladies. My mom is having extensive back surgery this Tuesday and she needs you all to storm heaven with prayers! Last August, my mom thought she had pulled a muscle in her back. Never having back pain in her life before then, she thought it would resolve quickly. It did not. It got worse. She went to several specialist who said her back had too many problems to count, including a tumor wrapped around a portion of her spine. They could not believe she had not had any pain until that point.
Her pain and discomfort has progressed at a rapid rate, especially within the last few months. She started losing feeling in her arms/hand and some function in her legs. It has been horrible to watch. After several repeat MRI's and meetings with several doctors, it was determined that the majority of her nerves were being affected and if she did not have surgery, she would lose total function of her legs and possibly her arms. So, as a last result, surgery was scheduled. It will take hours and they will try to repair her spine and remove some of the seemingly benign tumor.
Needless to say, I am worried sick. I have been praying to St. Rita constantly for her and will be relieved when the surgery is over. Then starts the grueling recovery. Ouch. I am heading out of state Monday to be there with her and my dad for a few days. Please keep all of us in your prayers. Thanks!
Now... to a more pleasant subject. As promised (a long time ago), I finally took some progress pictures. I am still doing great, feeling great and am thrilled at the progress. I don't really notice it on a daily basis, but when I looked at the pictures, I was floored. Whoot! It is definitely something to celebrate! It made that BFN sting a little less this weekend too! So.... here you go!
... and since I cannot do a post without a picture of the cutest little puppy ever, she joined my for my little photo shoot! She is pure love ladies. I love her to pieces!
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