I've been tagged for two memes and since Caleb actually slept last night, I have a brain to think about them!
Heather tagged me for this weird meme. I have to list 5 weird things about myself. Shouldn't be too hard since I'm pretty weird (most people just don't know it, though. I keep it hidden!). Hubby will fully attest to this fact.
1. My favorite number is 5, so you can imagine my delight when my son was due on the 25th (5x5) of September, 2005. Oh, the joys! (He was born on the 19th, but at least the year is still a multiple of 5.) Hubby says I should have been a math major because I'm a little neurotic about numbers. Which leads me to...
2. My second favorite number is 2. When I was little, I would count telephone poles (and other things) in the car in multiples of 2. Or 5. Loads of fun. I got really upset when I ran out of telephone poles on a odd number. 5 is the only odd number I like.
3. I must have chapstick at all times. I put it on multiples times an hour. I cannot stand for my lips to be dry. If I can't find any, beware! I usually have them everywhere...the bathroom, my bedside table, in the car, in my purse, in the kitchen...you get the idea. My favorite kind is Burt's Bees, but if I'm desperate I will settle for other, lesser brands.
4. I cannot wear shoes in the house. It feels wrong. And weird.
5. I count by 2's, 3's, or 4's on my fingers all the time. I start with the thumb and go 1, 2 (thumb, forefinger)...1,2 (middle finger, 4th finger)...1,2 (pinky, thumb)...and so on until the pinky is the end of the 2, 3 or 4 set. Did you know that if you count (using one hand) by 2's, 3's, or 4's on your fingers until the pinky is the last in the set, you will have done 5 sets no matter how many you're counting at once (5 sets of 2, 3 or 4)? Weird, I know. I probably just lost some readers with that last one. I'm too weird! :-)
For more random/weird things about me, see this post.
Melissa also tagged me for the Pizza Box Meme. No idea why it's called that, but here goes:
What was your favorite thing about being a kid?
I would have to say living across the street from my grandparents. We lived out in the country (sort of) on 4 acres. Our house sat across the "street" from my grandparents. It was great growing up so close to them.
What was your favorite subject in school?
I'd have to go with English on this one. I was always pretty good at it in school, even though I really didn't put much effort into writing papers or reading the books we were assigned (but still managed to pull out an A). In college, my favorite class was US Government. It changed the course of my studies (mostly because the professor I had was an amazing teacher...hard to find in college professors sometimes). I changed my major to Political Science and got my teaching certificate in Government and English. I later taught high school English for 3 years (mostly because if you teach Government, they want you to teach Economics, also, and that would have been BAD for everyone involved!! I love numbers, but NOT statistics or graphs or anything of the sort.)
Who was your best friend when you were 10?
Janie Chapman. We were in the same class in 1st grade and 3rd grade. Our moms were really close, too, so we spent a lot of time together. Once we pretended to run away. We packed a bag and headed into her neighbor's backyard. No one missed us. We probably got hungry and decided to go home!
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I really wouldn't like to be an animal at all, but I'll play along. I would probably say one of my dogs. They are spoiled rotten.
What would you change about your school, occupation, life right now?
I wouldn't change a thing. I have a great marriage, I am able to stay home with our son, and my husband works really hard for that to happen. Ok, I'd have hubby home more. That's it!
What is your favorite color?
Blue. Pretty much any shade of blue, but usually the darker ones. Navy. Royal. I heart blue.
What's your favorite type of crust and topping on a pizza?
Canadian bacon and pineapple on deep dish. So healthy, I know! But if we're ordering from Mr. Gatti's, then it's hamburger on hand tossed.
I'm tagging anyone who hasn't done these two memes and wants to. Don't let me be the only weird one out there!!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Studying His Word
The Rabbit is hosting a weekly Bible study starting September 15. I can't wait to learn how to study God's Word more in depth. The more I learn about His Word, the more rich and relevant to my life it becomes.
Debi was talking about structure on Monday, and I definitely could use more of that in my study time. Consider joining us, won't you?
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
~Psalm 119:9-16
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Coffee, anyone?
Shalee and Melissa wanted to know, so here it is.
| You Are a Frappacino |
 At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low |
Friday, August 25, 2006
Come Back, Jesus
Have you seen the guy from Puerto Rico who claims he's Jesus, reincarnated? Seriously, he says he is the second coming of Jesus. I saw him and his followers on the news this morning. It's pretty scary, actually.
I don't think Jesus will have to have rallies for support and appear on television to let people know when He comes back. I think we'll just know.
Oh, and just so you know, the guy from Puerto Rico says sin doesn't exist anymore and neither does the devil. Ok. Good to know. I don't think I'll take my chances with that, though.
Scary, I tell you.
I don't think Jesus will have to have rallies for support and appear on television to let people know when He comes back. I think we'll just know.
Oh, and just so you know, the guy from Puerto Rico says sin doesn't exist anymore and neither does the devil. Ok. Good to know. I don't think I'll take my chances with that, though.
Scary, I tell you.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Advice
Before hubby and I married, we met with several older couples at the church we were attending. We wanted a "seasoned" perspective and good Godly advice.
One of the best pieces of advice we received was this: at the end of the first year of marriage (or the 34th year!), both of us should have a hole in our bottom lip from biting it when we want to say something that's best left unsaid.
We are not always good at this (me, mostly), but it has helped a great deal in our marriage. We have seen too many couples tear each other down with their words. You can always apologize and ask forgiveness, but can never take back the hurtful things you said.
"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." ~James 3:5
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." ~Ephesians 4:29
One of the best pieces of advice we received was this: at the end of the first year of marriage (or the 34th year!), both of us should have a hole in our bottom lip from biting it when we want to say something that's best left unsaid.
We are not always good at this (me, mostly), but it has helped a great deal in our marriage. We have seen too many couples tear each other down with their words. You can always apologize and ask forgiveness, but can never take back the hurtful things you said.
"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." ~James 3:5
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." ~Ephesians 4:29
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Sometimes
...things don't come out of hubby's mouth quite like he had planned. We laugh about this often (as we laugh about my silly quirks, too).
I wasn't exactly laughing last Thursday at what he said, at least not at first. Thursday, as you know, we celebrated our 4th anniversary. We were getting ready for bed that night talking about how we can't believe it's been 4 years and how much has changed since that day. Hubby says, "Well, 4 down, 34 to go."
Huh?
34?
What does he mean by that? I won't even be 65 years old by then.
He said he just picked a random number. I'd say so.
I said next time you decide to pick a random number to romanticize about the years we will spend together in this life, it should be over 50.
This is when the "I love all of you" part of our vows is appropriate. :-)
I wasn't exactly laughing last Thursday at what he said, at least not at first. Thursday, as you know, we celebrated our 4th anniversary. We were getting ready for bed that night talking about how we can't believe it's been 4 years and how much has changed since that day. Hubby says, "Well, 4 down, 34 to go."
Huh?
34?
What does he mean by that? I won't even be 65 years old by then.
He said he just picked a random number. I'd say so.
I said next time you decide to pick a random number to romanticize about the years we will spend together in this life, it should be over 50.
This is when the "I love all of you" part of our vows is appropriate. :-)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Wedding Day--4 Years Later
Happy Anniversary, Babe!
On this day 4 years ago we stood before our family and friends and pledged our lives to one another. Our vows were very special, compiled by us, and still are true today.
What I said then is even more true now:
J, today I give myself to you in marriage
God has prepared me to be your wife,
And I think Him for the blessing of you.
With Christ as my example, I will encourage, comfort,
strengthen, and serve you with patience and love.
I promise to always put my heart and effort
into the continued growth of our relationship.
I promise to be faithful to you always, to hold you up in prayer,
to honor God's guidance in our lives,
to always be open and honest with you
and to cherish you as my husband as long as God gives us life together.
I love you, all of you, now and always.
These vows are not always easy to follow through with; my patience in serving my husband has certainly not always been present, encouragment is sometimes far from my lips, and I don't pray for him as much as I need to. But these words are my goal.
Babe, God blessed me beyond my wildest dreams when He brought you into my life. I never knew a love like this was possible, and I stand in awe at His care for us and His infinite wisdom.
I love you, all of you, now and always.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Our Story, Part Three
So, it's February of 2002 and life is great with future hubby. He's finishing graduate school and I'm finishing my senior year of undergrad (I took 2 semesters off to go to Thailand).
We talked about getting married A LOT those days. Once you know you want to marry someone, it's hard to go on with life and wait for that magical day down the road to finally get here. :-)
So, on February 20, 2002, we were sitting in my apartment in Bryan, TX and I asked future hubby, "Have you talked to your mom about us getting married?" "No" was his reply.
WHAT?!?!? I could not believe my ears. You must know that future hubby adores his mother and respects her opinion a great deal. The fact that he had not even discussed us getting married with her floored me and angered me to no end. I thought if I really meant anything to him, he would have at least discussed the matter with his mother. I think I said as much to him
Well, I was mad. I had to take him up to campus for a meeting and would pick him up after church (it was Wednesday night). Well, I didn't go to church that night because I was so furious with him for not caring enough about me to talk to his mother about our plans, so I went to dinner with my sister instead and complained about this situation the whole time. I was quite a joy to be around, let me tell you (actually, she'll probably tell you in the comments on this post!). At one point during dinner she said, "well, if he's not going to propose, why don't you just break up with him?" What? How could she say such a thing? I just wanted to complain, I wasn't actually going to do anything about it.
So, I wait until time to pick him up and drive to where we were supposed to meet. Well, he doesn't show up. (You can imagine that I'm a little peeved by now!) Instead, a mutual friend pulls up beside my car and said he saw future hubby on campus and he said I was supposed to meet him at the Systems Building. What? That's weird, but okay.
So, I drive all the way across campus. This seems a little weird to me and I start to get suspicious that he's up to something. I parked my car because I didn't see him right away. I get out and still can't find him. I walk to the front of the building and see a candle lit on the steps of the building. Then it hits me. He's proposing tonight. OH.MY.GOODNESS!!!
I walk up to the steps and see a note beside the candle. It read, "This candle represents our past." Halfway up the stairs is another candle with a note that read, "This candle represents our present." At the top of the staircase was a third candle and note..."This candle represents our future." And out comes future hubby carrying a dozen yellow roses (my favorite!). I think I start crying now (or maybe I was crying beforehand, I don't remember). He gets down on his knee and asks me to marry him. I say yes (obviously). :-)
And do you know the first thing he says to me? "Yes, I've talked to my mother." And I say, "I was so mad at you." He says, "I know." (It was pretty obvious!)
That stinker. He had even gone the week before to my hometown and talked to my parents without my knowledge. How could I not love him?
(I'm trying to post a picture of the building he proposecd at, but Blogger isn't letting me. I'll try again later.)
Stay tuned tomorrow for an anniversary tribute to hubby.
(oh yeah, the friend who pulled up beside my car was supposed to catch me at church to relay the message about the new meeting place so it wouldn't be so obviously planned, but I didn't go to church. serves me right.)
We talked about getting married A LOT those days. Once you know you want to marry someone, it's hard to go on with life and wait for that magical day down the road to finally get here. :-)
So, on February 20, 2002, we were sitting in my apartment in Bryan, TX and I asked future hubby, "Have you talked to your mom about us getting married?" "No" was his reply.
WHAT?!?!? I could not believe my ears. You must know that future hubby adores his mother and respects her opinion a great deal. The fact that he had not even discussed us getting married with her floored me and angered me to no end. I thought if I really meant anything to him, he would have at least discussed the matter with his mother. I think I said as much to him
Well, I was mad. I had to take him up to campus for a meeting and would pick him up after church (it was Wednesday night). Well, I didn't go to church that night because I was so furious with him for not caring enough about me to talk to his mother about our plans, so I went to dinner with my sister instead and complained about this situation the whole time. I was quite a joy to be around, let me tell you (actually, she'll probably tell you in the comments on this post!). At one point during dinner she said, "well, if he's not going to propose, why don't you just break up with him?" What? How could she say such a thing? I just wanted to complain, I wasn't actually going to do anything about it.
So, I wait until time to pick him up and drive to where we were supposed to meet. Well, he doesn't show up. (You can imagine that I'm a little peeved by now!) Instead, a mutual friend pulls up beside my car and said he saw future hubby on campus and he said I was supposed to meet him at the Systems Building. What? That's weird, but okay.
So, I drive all the way across campus. This seems a little weird to me and I start to get suspicious that he's up to something. I parked my car because I didn't see him right away. I get out and still can't find him. I walk to the front of the building and see a candle lit on the steps of the building. Then it hits me. He's proposing tonight. OH.MY.GOODNESS!!!
I walk up to the steps and see a note beside the candle. It read, "This candle represents our past." Halfway up the stairs is another candle with a note that read, "This candle represents our present." At the top of the staircase was a third candle and note..."This candle represents our future." And out comes future hubby carrying a dozen yellow roses (my favorite!). I think I start crying now (or maybe I was crying beforehand, I don't remember). He gets down on his knee and asks me to marry him. I say yes (obviously). :-)
And do you know the first thing he says to me? "Yes, I've talked to my mother." And I say, "I was so mad at you." He says, "I know." (It was pretty obvious!)
That stinker. He had even gone the week before to my hometown and talked to my parents without my knowledge. How could I not love him?
(I'm trying to post a picture of the building he proposecd at, but Blogger isn't letting me. I'll try again later.)
Stay tuned tomorrow for an anniversary tribute to hubby.
(oh yeah, the friend who pulled up beside my car was supposed to catch me at church to relay the message about the new meeting place so it wouldn't be so obviously planned, but I didn't go to church. serves me right.)
Our Story, Part Two
(sorry to leave you hanging on that last one...here's the next installment)
After our time at the children's home, I began to see this guy (future hubby) in a different light. I had never thought about him in that way before, but God was working something out. I confided in my friend, Lisa, who said she had noticed that he and I always seemed to find our way to one another in a crowd. I just wanted to be wherever he was.
One night in February, future hubby broke his finger playing basketball. Lisa and I were supposed to hang out with him that night, but Lisa got sick (really, she did!) and I offered to cook him dinner since he didn't have full use of his hands to do so for himself (a lame excuse, I know). We had a great time talking and hanging out and after that we just started hanging out all the time, exclusively. We never had the DTR (defining the relationship) talk, but one day at my house he suggested that we pray because he "wanted to start our relationship out on the right note." Hmmm...I thought to myself, so this really is a relationship. Good to know. :-)
Now, you must know that all this time I was preparing to return overseas for 6 months to be a missionary intern in Thailand. We knew going into this relationship that I was leaving in June, which is why future hubby told himself not to date me.
We were inseparable for the next several months. I had found the guy who fit all the items on my list, and now I was about to move around the world when we were really getting to know each other.
Getting on that plane was hard, but not as hard as the next 6 months would prove to be. We talked on the phone occasioanally and emailed incessantly, but when you are living two completely separate lives in two completely separate worlds, there is going to be a lot of disconnect. One of the missionaries confided in me a few months into it that he was worried about my transition back into life with future hubby. I quickly dismissed his worry because I was a lot more concerned about living with my sister upon my return to the States (we haven't always gotten along so well, especially when we live under the same roof! Love ya, Sis!). I thought it would be an easy transition back into life with a man I knew I wanted to marry (and had known since before I left...he's THAT wonderful!!).
I was wrong to be so confident (read: arrogant).
I returned home, after what is really considered a very short time, to find my feelings about everything had changed. I had learned so much and grown so much that I didn't know what to do with myself. I found myself longing to be back in Thailand where I felt "normal." I surely didn't know what to do with this guy who wanted my attention, and I just started getting really annoyed. I was staying at my parent's house since it was the Christmas holidays and future hubby was there as well. You could probably cut the tension in that house with a knife. One morning early, future hubby left to go back to his college apartment about an hour and a half away. I had a lot of things to sort out, and I was supposed to be going with him to visit his family in New Mexico in a couple of weeks.
Long story short, it took a little time to adjust to life here again. Once my foggy head cleared and I had time to sort through lots of emotions, I knew what I had always known...I loved future hubby and wanted to marry him (after all, I had had a wedding gown made while I was in Thailand. Think I was jumping the gun a little on that one???).
So, we were back to normal and had plans to marry in August of that year. Now, he just had to propose. :-)
To see why I was mad at future hubby the day he proposed, stay tuned for Part Three of Our Story.
After our time at the children's home, I began to see this guy (future hubby) in a different light. I had never thought about him in that way before, but God was working something out. I confided in my friend, Lisa, who said she had noticed that he and I always seemed to find our way to one another in a crowd. I just wanted to be wherever he was.
One night in February, future hubby broke his finger playing basketball. Lisa and I were supposed to hang out with him that night, but Lisa got sick (really, she did!) and I offered to cook him dinner since he didn't have full use of his hands to do so for himself (a lame excuse, I know). We had a great time talking and hanging out and after that we just started hanging out all the time, exclusively. We never had the DTR (defining the relationship) talk, but one day at my house he suggested that we pray because he "wanted to start our relationship out on the right note." Hmmm...I thought to myself, so this really is a relationship. Good to know. :-)
Now, you must know that all this time I was preparing to return overseas for 6 months to be a missionary intern in Thailand. We knew going into this relationship that I was leaving in June, which is why future hubby told himself not to date me.
We were inseparable for the next several months. I had found the guy who fit all the items on my list, and now I was about to move around the world when we were really getting to know each other.
Getting on that plane was hard, but not as hard as the next 6 months would prove to be. We talked on the phone occasioanally and emailed incessantly, but when you are living two completely separate lives in two completely separate worlds, there is going to be a lot of disconnect. One of the missionaries confided in me a few months into it that he was worried about my transition back into life with future hubby. I quickly dismissed his worry because I was a lot more concerned about living with my sister upon my return to the States (we haven't always gotten along so well, especially when we live under the same roof! Love ya, Sis!). I thought it would be an easy transition back into life with a man I knew I wanted to marry (and had known since before I left...he's THAT wonderful!!).
I was wrong to be so confident (read: arrogant).
I returned home, after what is really considered a very short time, to find my feelings about everything had changed. I had learned so much and grown so much that I didn't know what to do with myself. I found myself longing to be back in Thailand where I felt "normal." I surely didn't know what to do with this guy who wanted my attention, and I just started getting really annoyed. I was staying at my parent's house since it was the Christmas holidays and future hubby was there as well. You could probably cut the tension in that house with a knife. One morning early, future hubby left to go back to his college apartment about an hour and a half away. I had a lot of things to sort out, and I was supposed to be going with him to visit his family in New Mexico in a couple of weeks.
Long story short, it took a little time to adjust to life here again. Once my foggy head cleared and I had time to sort through lots of emotions, I knew what I had always known...I loved future hubby and wanted to marry him (after all, I had had a wedding gown made while I was in Thailand. Think I was jumping the gun a little on that one???).
So, we were back to normal and had plans to marry in August of that year. Now, he just had to propose. :-)
To see why I was mad at future hubby the day he proposed, stay tuned for Part Three of Our Story.
Our Story, Part One
In February of 2000, at age 21 and after recently ending a 3-year relationship, I sat down with my journal and decided to make a list of what I wanted in a husband. I was confused. I had sort of lost myself in the last 3 years and didn't have a clear idea of what the kind of man I wanted to marry would look like.
Here was my list (2/5/00):
The Man I Want To Marry Must:
-Love God above all things (or strive to)
-Pray with me
-Pray for me
-Talk to me
-Be my best friend
-Help me grow spiritually and want me to help him on his walk as well
-Be able to be the Christian leader of our home (I must trust that he will make decisions based on prayer and what God wants for our lives)
-Love children
-Hold me accountable
-Encourage others
-Be loving and sincere
-Make me want to be a better person
-Want to live his life as an example to others
-Strive to be more Christ-like
Staggering, huh? I didn't show this list to anyone; I just kept it hidden away until I found "him." There were many people I wanted to fit into this mold over the next year or so, and I kept telling myself that being single, for the time, was a good thing for me, but I did NOT like it! Didn't God know I was about to graduate from college and that my plan for my life included marrying soon after that??? I was beginning to think He had his own agenda (imagine that!).
In May of 2000, I went on a 7-week overseas mission trip to SE Asia. This is when I met the man I would marry 2 years later. But we were not interested in each other at the time! He sat behind me for months during our singing practice each week and I NEVER once spoke to him or even knew who he was. Well, it was on that trip that we met and formed a mutual respect for one another. I saw so many qualities in him that were admirable. He was so kind and always willing to put others needs above his own (he would definitely disagree with this, but this is what I saw).
We returned from the trip and life as usual, but in January of the next year, we ended up going on a week-long trip to the same children's home and things began to change...(at least for me!)
Here was my list (2/5/00):
The Man I Want To Marry Must:
-Love God above all things (or strive to)
-Pray with me
-Pray for me
-Talk to me
-Be my best friend
-Help me grow spiritually and want me to help him on his walk as well
-Be able to be the Christian leader of our home (I must trust that he will make decisions based on prayer and what God wants for our lives)
-Love children
-Hold me accountable
-Encourage others
-Be loving and sincere
-Make me want to be a better person
-Want to live his life as an example to others
-Strive to be more Christ-like
Staggering, huh? I didn't show this list to anyone; I just kept it hidden away until I found "him." There were many people I wanted to fit into this mold over the next year or so, and I kept telling myself that being single, for the time, was a good thing for me, but I did NOT like it! Didn't God know I was about to graduate from college and that my plan for my life included marrying soon after that??? I was beginning to think He had his own agenda (imagine that!).
In May of 2000, I went on a 7-week overseas mission trip to SE Asia. This is when I met the man I would marry 2 years later. But we were not interested in each other at the time! He sat behind me for months during our singing practice each week and I NEVER once spoke to him or even knew who he was. Well, it was on that trip that we met and formed a mutual respect for one another. I saw so many qualities in him that were admirable. He was so kind and always willing to put others needs above his own (he would definitely disagree with this, but this is what I saw).
We returned from the trip and life as usual, but in January of the next year, we ended up going on a week-long trip to the same children's home and things began to change...(at least for me!)
Monday, August 14, 2006
Home Again
Caleb and I are home again. It's time to catch up on housework and your blogs, of course. :-)
Coming later this week..."Our Story"--as hubby and I approach our anniversary later this week, the story of us will be presented here, including why I was angry with him the day he proposed (BEFORE he proposed, not after!!).
See you soon.
Coming later this week..."Our Story"--as hubby and I approach our anniversary later this week, the story of us will be presented here, including why I was angry with him the day he proposed (BEFORE he proposed, not after!!).
See you soon.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Sister's Blog
My sister has finally updated her baby blog! She's now 13 weeks pregnant and is finally showing.
Go see how beautiful she looks at Awaiting a Miracle.
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited I'll be an aunt!!!
Go see how beautiful she looks at Awaiting a Miracle.
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited I'll be an aunt!!!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Praising God
Thank you for all your prayers for Dad's surgery. It went better than expected! The damage was minimal and the doctor was able to find out why the cyst came back after only 4 years (Dad's ear drum had folded in on itself, creating a pocket of fluid...or something like that!). He is home now and trying to take it easy.
I prayed for Dad the morning of his surgery 1) that the damage would be less than they expected, 2) that his hearing would be better than it was before, and 3) that they wouldn't have to do the radical procedure they had discussed. God answered all of these prayers. Dad says he feels like his hearing is better already, even though he has tons of packing in his ear! Praise the Lord!!
Caleb wasn't too sure who Dad was with that huge bandage on his head. He didn't want to have anything to do with him, but once the bandage was taken off, Caleb practically leapt into his arms. He was glad to have his Poppa back!
There are lots of restrictions on what Dad can do for the next 4 weeks (no bending at the waist, no lifting anything over 25 lbs, no driving for at least a week, etc.), but he'll be well taken care of here at home.
Nana will be coming home tomorrow from the hospital and will not be able to be left alone since she cannot get out of a chair by herself. Mom's not exactly sure how it will work out since she has to work 2 days a week, but we know God will provide a way.
Thank you again for praying for my family. God is so faithful to us.
"He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God." ~Psalm 40:3
Friday, August 04, 2006
So Far
Things are going pretty well so far here at my parent's house. Thank you all for your prayers; they are needed and very much appreciated.
My Nana is doing well in the hospital. She is getting stronger and they are working on getting her right foot stabilized (it "dropped" after her surgery due to a pinched nerve). This is hard for her, mentally, because her right foot was her good one and she is frustrated with her lack of progress. She still is having trouble lifting herself out of a chair to a standing position. I think she will come home on Tuesday, but I guess that depends on her progress over the next few days.
My dad is scheduled to be at the hospital at 7am on Monday, so we'll be dividing out time between there and the hospital where my Nana is staying. They expect Dad to be in surgery no fewer than 4 hours, all depending on how much work they have to do once they get in there.
We would be honored to have your prayers for healing, recovery, and patience for the whole family.
Blessings.
My Nana is doing well in the hospital. She is getting stronger and they are working on getting her right foot stabilized (it "dropped" after her surgery due to a pinched nerve). This is hard for her, mentally, because her right foot was her good one and she is frustrated with her lack of progress. She still is having trouble lifting herself out of a chair to a standing position. I think she will come home on Tuesday, but I guess that depends on her progress over the next few days.
My dad is scheduled to be at the hospital at 7am on Monday, so we'll be dividing out time between there and the hospital where my Nana is staying. They expect Dad to be in surgery no fewer than 4 hours, all depending on how much work they have to do once they get in there.
We would be honored to have your prayers for healing, recovery, and patience for the whole family.
Blessings.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
*UPDATED* We're Back...for now
We have returned from northern New Mexico where we were visiting hubby's parents. It was WONDERFUL!!! Thank you all for your prayers for our plane trip--it went much better than expected!
The weather in New Mexico was incredible--60s and 70s with 40% humidity or less! It still amazes me that there are people who can live in houses without air conditioners and survive. Leaving the windows open day and night is actually pleasant. Incredible. If we tried to do that here in SE Texas, we would suffocate from all the humidity. It was a nice break from the day-to-day here. We spent quite a bit of time outdoors, which we don't do too much lately due to the heat and humidity. I'll try to post some pics of our trip later.
Things in my family are quite stressful right now. My maternal grandmother (who lives with my parents) had hip replacement surgery last Monday (the 24th). It has been a rough week now, as she is just beginning to walk again. She had to be given two units of blood in the middle of last week because her counts were too low and now she is suffering from some nerve issues in her ankle due to a pinched nerve around her knee area. My mom has been spending days and nights at the hospital, and since my dad works out of state in Mississippi, she's been bearing the burden pretty much on her own (with help from friends and family, of course).
My dad is returning from MS on Thursday because he will have major ear surgery on Monday to remove a cyst in his ear that has grown back. **The cyst is called cholesteatoma, which "occurs because of poor eustachian tube function as well as infection in the middle ear." It is the type that eats away at what is around it as it grows. My dad had several sets of tubes in his ears when he was a child and this can be caused from complications with those tubes. You can read more here if you like.** In his last surgery, he had to have an artificial hearing bone put in. I know he is nervous about the procedure because it is VERY painful for quite a long time afterward. (I'll spare you the gruesome details)
My grandmother will not be released from the hospital until next Tuesday (what they said this morning, anyway). My dad will have surgery on Monday at a different hospital. You can see why my mom is dealing with some stress.
So, probably tomorrow Caleb and I will be heading to my parent's house to try and help out as much as possible. Two people recovering from surgery and a 10-month-old in the same house should be very interesting!
If you remember, could you say a prayer for my family? With so much going on at once, emotions run high. Patience is probably not the virtue any of us is known for, so we need a supernatural measure of that!
If you don't see me for a while, it's because I'm knee-deep in cooking, cleaning, and taking care of my family (extended and immediate).
Oh, and did I mention that my paternal grandmother, who lives about 5 miles from my parents, just found out she has Rheumatoid Arthritis and will have surgery on both of her feet in the next couple of weeks as well? When it rains, it pours!
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
~Psalm 91:1
The weather in New Mexico was incredible--60s and 70s with 40% humidity or less! It still amazes me that there are people who can live in houses without air conditioners and survive. Leaving the windows open day and night is actually pleasant. Incredible. If we tried to do that here in SE Texas, we would suffocate from all the humidity. It was a nice break from the day-to-day here. We spent quite a bit of time outdoors, which we don't do too much lately due to the heat and humidity. I'll try to post some pics of our trip later.
Things in my family are quite stressful right now. My maternal grandmother (who lives with my parents) had hip replacement surgery last Monday (the 24th). It has been a rough week now, as she is just beginning to walk again. She had to be given two units of blood in the middle of last week because her counts were too low and now she is suffering from some nerve issues in her ankle due to a pinched nerve around her knee area. My mom has been spending days and nights at the hospital, and since my dad works out of state in Mississippi, she's been bearing the burden pretty much on her own (with help from friends and family, of course).
My dad is returning from MS on Thursday because he will have major ear surgery on Monday to remove a cyst in his ear that has grown back. **The cyst is called cholesteatoma, which "occurs because of poor eustachian tube function as well as infection in the middle ear." It is the type that eats away at what is around it as it grows. My dad had several sets of tubes in his ears when he was a child and this can be caused from complications with those tubes. You can read more here if you like.** In his last surgery, he had to have an artificial hearing bone put in. I know he is nervous about the procedure because it is VERY painful for quite a long time afterward. (I'll spare you the gruesome details)
My grandmother will not be released from the hospital until next Tuesday (what they said this morning, anyway). My dad will have surgery on Monday at a different hospital. You can see why my mom is dealing with some stress.
So, probably tomorrow Caleb and I will be heading to my parent's house to try and help out as much as possible. Two people recovering from surgery and a 10-month-old in the same house should be very interesting!
If you remember, could you say a prayer for my family? With so much going on at once, emotions run high. Patience is probably not the virtue any of us is known for, so we need a supernatural measure of that!
If you don't see me for a while, it's because I'm knee-deep in cooking, cleaning, and taking care of my family (extended and immediate).
Oh, and did I mention that my paternal grandmother, who lives about 5 miles from my parents, just found out she has Rheumatoid Arthritis and will have surgery on both of her feet in the next couple of weeks as well? When it rains, it pours!
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
~Psalm 91:1
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