A Blessed Christmas!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: It's right before 6 am. Dark and frosty, and all seems right with the world.

I am thinking: I am so blessed. Even though this Christmas was different in almost every way, it was a WONDERFUL Christmas! I got to spend time with my family that I don't normally get to because I'm spread so thin trying to get everything done. Rob was wonderful, even on Christmas morning when I cooked breakfast for my parents and us, he came right in and did the dishes as I cooked to help me out. He kept the laundry going too till the dryer pooped out Christmas night. I LOVE that man, have I told you that before?

I am thankful for: The way things worked out this year. I was so afraid that we would be lost without all the parties we usually host, that we would be sitting around bored to death, but that didn't happen! Christmas Eve we had plenty of time to spend with my parents and brother and his family. Usually we have to hurry to work that part of our Christmas in in between other things. It was so nice just to relax and spend time with them. After we left there, we drove around looking at all the Christmas lights. The neatest thing we saw was thousands of real luminaries through the whole Conjurer's Neck sub-division. It was absolutely beautiful. Every single house except one was lit up. I've never seen anything like it before (in person)!!

I'm also so very thankful that Sarah's wound has almost completely closed. The wound is so tiny you can't even see an opening, but it still has a tiny bit of drainage, so it's not closed 100%, but it will be by the end of this week. PRAISE GOD!!! It's been about 8 months since we started fighting this battle, and we are soooo thankful that it is almost over!!!

From the Kitchen: Well, I don't know yet. Something to eat I'm sure, lol!!!

I am hoping: To finish working on cleaning the house after I run some errands today. I got all of the Christmas boxes, wrap and gift bags, that sort of thing, put away already. I've already started weeding out junk and filling up bags for a spring yard sale. The first of the year always makes me want to clean out and start fresh, and I'm just getting a little head start this week!

I am reading: I'm sooo excited. Just a few more days and I will have read through the whole Bible in one year. I'm so proud of myself for finally following through after years of starting and never finishing!!! We also finished Night Line Devotionals for Couples. Now we are reading Love is a Decision, an older book by Gary Smalley. So far the first chapter was awesome, so I can't wait to finish this one as well.

I am creating: A plan for the New Year! I don't know about you, but the new year always brings excitement as I reflect over the past and determine what needs to be done the coming year. I did a blog at the beginning of the year stating the goals I wanted to accomplish, and I will soon do one to see how that all worked out, lol!!!

I am praying: For God's direction for our lives the coming New Year. That we put God first in every decision and area of our lives, because He is our counselor, our saviour, our confidant, our healer, our everything, and He deserves our total commitment, worship and praise!!!!

I am hearing: Just the dog. He's giving us a fit with his allergies and the constant licking of his paws is causing us to go maddddddd!!!! Ugh, now the cat has joined in and it's really gross in here!!!!

One of my favorite things: My new silver diamond heart necklace, a gift from hubby!! I have a thing for hearts, ever since he gave me my first sweetheart ring (that I still wear!!) 32 years ago!!!!

Around the house: Yesterday I worked on Sarah's room most of the day. Katybug got a new bedroom set for Christmas, so she gave Bobby her old dresser. Bobby gave Sarah his two small dressers, and I rearranged her room. Together we went through almost every nook and cranny in her room and cleaned, tossed, moved and basically totally redid her "space"! She loves all the new counter space she has now, and she was able to move some of the stuff in her drawers that would fall out when you opened them cause they were so crammed into new spacious drawers! Thanks Katybug and Bobby :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Since none of our Christmas was normal this year, why should our New Years be normal? We've always had the big New Years Party with our parents, my sister in law and brothers in law, and Sarah's friend Shana. This year, since Johnny isn't able to be here, we've decided to skip the party. Since Bobby is off, we are going out to eat as a family and just spend time together. It sounds great to me, as we hardly ever can get the 4 of us together at once anymore!!

Devotional: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race." Philippians 3:13-14

Coming up on the New Year, many of us will make resolutions for the umpteenth time, only to forget about them a couple of weeks later. Then we'll beat ourselves up about not being able to stick to them.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect, and we shouldn't either. Everybody fails at one time or another. The secret is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, ask forgiveness, and forgive YOURSELF!!

When we mess up, God wants us to confess our sin, accept His forgiveness, then MOVE ON! Don't wallow in the past, determine to press on and try again with His help!!!!!

Here is the picture I am sharing:

Christmas Eve Dinner in our jammies!
Bobby couldn't go because he had to work. I made it almost to Mom and Dad's before breaking down and crying cause my little boy wasn't with us! I don't like the fact that my kids have to grow up!

There's my wittle boy! He was off Christmas Day, thank God!!!

Thankful for my Mom this Thursday!!!

Today is Thankful Thursday of course, and I have so much to be thankful for, but most of all I really want to thank my Mom for all the help she has given us over the last few months!!

Sure, she gets paid to work with Sarah. It's her "job". But she has gone sooo far above and beyond what she has been paid to do. She has been there for us no matter what time of day or how long each day we have needed her. She doesn't get paid when Sarah goes into the hospital, but she was there every day as Nanny, not caretaker!!! Just like she has ALWAYS been! In every hospitalization, she is right there to stay with us and keep us company, or to stay with Sarah so I can go home for a few hours.

A lot of times, she is Sarah's voice when things aren't going good. She has NO problem telling nurses and doctors when Sarah is having a problem and she thinks they aren't doing something fast enough!!! When Sarah hurts, she cries right along with her. She has the patience of a saint, because contrary to popular belief, Sarah can have a bit of an attitude (like most girls her age)! Mom tries to take it with a grain of salt most of the time. She keeps her cool when she'd really like to "give it right back to her", lol!!!

This next week is a VERY busy week for everybody, being the week of Christmas. We have TWO days of Drs. appointments in Richmond next week. Mom will have company coming in on Sunday, and yet she is still going to those appointments with us. Honestly, I don't know how she does it all. I wish I had half of her energy. Maybe this is her secret: Power Naps, lol!!!

Sometimes we work her to the point of exhaustion!!!
She's gonna kill me for this one!!!!!!!!!!

Our family NEVER could have gone on this journey without the help of my Mom. Well, I guess we could have, but I can't imagine how hard it would have been. And I can't forget Dad, who brings Mom to the hospital every day, and comes for every surgery even though he doesn't like hospitals.


They are the most amazing parents in the world, and I'm so lucky they are mine!!! Okay, I'm crying now, but it's sooo true!
I love them so much just because of who they are and how awesome they are, but they have just gone above and beyond their duties as parents and grandparents. How blessed we are to have them as our own!!!!!!

I love you Mommy! I thank God for giving me such a wonderful Mom and Friend!! May God bless us with many more years to walk this crazy but awesome life together!!!!

Her children arise up, and call her blessed:
Proverbs 31:28

For Today

For Today:

Outside My Window: Cold and foggy!! Looks like one of those old mystery movies!!!

I am thinking: Can't believe we missed our Church's Christmas Play. It's the first one we've missed and Rob hasn't been in in years. Seems strange, but Sarah just wasn't up to it. She did make it to her Church Play, but was in a lot of pain by the time she got home, and wasn't ready to go through that again just yet. But next week, we'll get to go to MY Church first, lol!!!

I am thankful for: My hubby! Thanks for helping me with all the laundry yesterday! Sorry I tried to take a spin on the crazy cycle. It just seems like we have a dirty laundry making machine somewhere in this house, and if I could find it, I'd break it!!!!!!!!!

I'm also thankful for all the eBay sales this week, in spite of the fact that I haven't had time to work on it at all. I sold 12 pairs of jeans this weekend. That made up for some of the stuff that went for 99 cents on my auctions last week!!! Thank you Lord for your blessings!!

From the Kitchen: Homemade Chili and Cornbread.

I am hoping: To get my errands done early so I can come home and finish the Christmas wrapping today.

I am reading: Yay, I've made it to Revelations in "Through the Bible in a Year"!! I can't believe I am actually gonna finish this time. It's awesome! We're almost done with Nightline Devotions for couples. Looking forward to starting a new Devotional with Rob, and a more in-depth study of the Bible next year!!!!

I am creating: Ummm, everything and nothing. Just trying to maintain order in this house until Christmas.

I am praying: That Sarah gets a good report at the Plastic Surgeon next week. If he goes by how her wound looks, she won't need another surgery. The wound is almost closed now. I can't believe how fast it has healed. With the infection, it would get a little better than get much worse. Now it is just getting smaller and smaller every day. When she first came home, we had to use a ton of packing in the wound. Now I can barely get any in there. It's awesome!!!

I am hearing: This time it's the cat licking herself. That's all, total silence. How nice!

One of my favorite things: Watching all the Christmas movies on TV with my hubby. We've never had time to do that before. We've missed a lot of our regular activities this Christmas season, but we've made some new awesome memories together that we've never been able to do before. We have enjoyed spending time together just watching those movies (and doing laundry during the commercials, lol)!!!

Around the house: Bobby's alarm is going off now at 6:30. Why in the world? He's off today. Uh oh, he's also sick. Things don't sound so good coming from his room. My poor baby boy....

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just working around the house and running errands. No appointments this week, but we have a crazy week next week. 3 Drs. appointments in Richmond right before Christmas! Gotta get everything done this week!!

Here is the picture I am sharing: Sarah, all dressed up and looking beautiful for her trip to Church Saturday night.

Yep, she was a little loopy from the meds. I can see it in her eyes, lol!!

My Christmas Present from Bobby:

In my dreams......maybe he'll at least take me for a ride??

Thankful Thursday

Thank God it's Thursday! This has been one busy week, but a great week. Because things are so hairy still (my own fault, I'll explain later), I've decided to combine my two blogs again this week. Maybe things will calm down in January? One can dream.....

For Today:

Outside My Window: I'm waiting for the sun to come up. I have tons of stuff to bring in from the shed to ship this morning and I don't want to slip down the ramp and break another ankle or step in doggy doo, so I have to wait till sunrise!!

I am thinking: Once again, I'm thinking: What was I thinking? I put a ton of items on auction at one time, and 52 of them sold. So now I have 52 items to ship out at one time. Am I crazy? Yep, but I just wanted to get this stuff out of here!

I am thankful for: so much!! The fact that they changed Sarah's meds to just one IV twice a day! Hallelujah!! Last night I went to bed around 9:30 and slept all night. Praise God!!! I don't have to wake her up at 6:00 in the morning anymore. The only problem with it right now is that the new med makes her nauseous. If it continues, they will give her something for it tomorrow. They took her off of the other meds just in time. They were causing her white blood count to drop. The doctor said those meds were not her friend anymore!!! I'm thankful that she is going to try to make it to her church and mine this week! It's still takes a lot of time to get her ready, so this will be a challenge, but one we are sooooo ready for!!! I'm thankful I was able to do everything for Sarah's little family party last night, even though I felt like my Dinners: crappy, lol!!! By the end of the night, whatever I had passed, and it all worked out. God is sooo good!!!

From the Kitchen: Well, lets see: we have mexican leftovers from dinner last night. Pizza leftovers from lunch yesterday. Hardee's Chicken and french fries & onion rings leftover from the party last night (Grandmother brought them at Sarah's request!!) Two kinds of cake leftover cause Sarah gets her favorite for her birthday which is chocolate, but everybody else likes the white cake, so she's the only one who always gets two cakes every year!!!!! leftover chips and 2 kinds of dip which I forgot to even set out last night since there was so much food. So........I think that pretty much takes care of lunch and dinner today. I won't be cooking till I can get all that mess out of my fridge!!!!

I am hoping: That Bobby gets Johnny's truck inspected and running soon. I forgot I have international items to ship out today, and Bobby has to have my van to be at work at 10. The post office doesn't open till 10, so I'm out of luck. I could take him to work, but nah, I'm not THAT desperate, lol!!!!! Oh yea, by the way, Bobby's newest buy is his uncle Johnny's truck. Johnny is not able to drive anymore due to his MS, and Bobby needed a vehicle fast until he can find what he really wants (the F-150 hasn't worked out yet cause the seller didn't have the title!!), so they helped each other out. The only problem is Bobby is a wheeler dealer, and nobody wants to see him sell Johnny's truck, even though it will have to happen eventually. There are too many memories and emotions tied up in that truck, and it's soo sad that Johnny has to give it up.

I am reading: Well, in all honesty, I've only been able to read Through the Bible in a Year and a few online devotions lately. Just been too busy to keep up with even our couples devotions. Since Rob and I are on such different schedules, it's hard to sit down together the last couple of weeks. We've just fallen in the bed exhausted at the end of the day. BUT.....we've already said we will be able to get back to them tonight now that I don't have to stay up late anymore. Yippeeeee!!!!!!

I am creating: Nothing. Please. I don't want to have to think or create anything today. Thank you very much. LOL

I am praying: That we'll get a good report from the Plastic Surgeon next week. That Sarah's nausea will go away. That we'll be able to attend some Church activities without too much problem. That Sarah forgives me for buying her an Argyle sweater for her birthday! (Had to be there!!! I LOVE Argyle, but apparently I'm the only one in the family that does, lol).

I am hearing: Absolutely nothing. Isn't that nice?

One of my favorite things: Sleep, just being honest.

Around the house: I have lots to do, so I gotta get busy!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Post Office tomorrow, maybe a little shopping, Church this weekend.

Devotional: December is all about gifts. Nothing but gifts....Gifts tied with heartstrings. Gifts that surprise and delight. Gifts that transform the mundane into the miraculous. Gifts that nurture the souls of both the giver and given. Perfect gifts. God has given us two hands: one to receive with and the other to give with. Open your arms wide to receive God's perfect gifts of salvation, forgiveness, faith, trust, comfort, peace, compassion, and courage. Then share your gifts with others. This is what Christmas is all about. God gave us the perfect gift of His Son. Share that gift with others this Christmas. Watch...and see what happens.
Here is the picture I am sharing: I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of Sarah last night, but I wasn't feeling good and we were so busy watching my brotherand his family watching Sarah on webcam and I just forgot.

For Today:

Outside My Window: Christmas Lights are on!!! How holidayee!!!! Rob just walked out and the bells on the front door started playing Christmas carols. I love it!!!!!

I am thinking: That I really shouldn't be shocked about anything Bobby drags home anymore, but last night round about midnight, here comes a scooter. A SCOOTER........what in heaven's name is that boy gonna do with a scooter? He can't wait to show it to his grandmother, she always told him when he was little that he would get a scooter as his first car, lol!!! First he bought a 4-wheeler. Then he bought another 4-wheeler he liked better, so he gave the first one to a friend who was supposed to make $100 a week payments till he paid it off. Then some kind of crazy story about the friend needing the money to buy his girlfriend a Christmas present. Now, this morning, Rob tells me that the friend traded the 4-wheeler for the scooter and something else before he ever paid Bobby off. Then he gave Bobby the scooter as payment in full for the 4-wheeler. Need I tell you that Bobby's friends are just as CRAZY as him, lol!!!!

That's okay, I tell him to get it out of his system before he gets married, cause all that wheeler dealer stuff will stop when he has REAL bills to pay!!!!!!

I am thankful for: the fact that Sarah's fevers have finally stopped. The unique way we have figured out to be able to change her bandages with just one person. It's not pretty, but hey....whatever works!!!!

From the Kitchen: Pork Chops of some sort, and maybe another dessert (close your eyes Rob, you didn't see this!!) He's trying not to gain his weight back but I keep baking goodies, lol!!!

I am hoping: To get to Wal-Mart before the rain starts. Don't know when that is supposed to be, but I'm trying to get out of here by 7:30.

I am reading: A Life that says Welcome, Through the Bible in a year, NightLine Devotions for couples.

I am creating: A new "Normal" for Christmas this year. Since we won't be having our 2 parties on Christmas Eve, I have to come up with something else to fill the time. It'll probably be baking goodies, which I never have time to do right before Christmas.

I am praying: that Sarah continues to heal. That she won't have to have the second surgery. I'm amazed at how fast the wound is closing, and I'm hoping the Plastic Surgeon will hold off and see if it closes completely. I'm praying for several family members and friends who are having family difficulties. I can't imagine being at odds with my family, and I know it must be sooo hard. I just pray that everyone can put their hurt and anger behind them and move on. One day it may be too late.....

I am hearing: The Clock ring out 6 times, and a car going down the street. Otherwise, silence, yay!!!!

One of my favorite things: All of my Snowman decorations. I almost got rid of the dining room stuff, but Rob talked me out of it. I'm so glad he did!! I did pare down the other decorations, there's just no sense in having 30 Christmas storage buckets!!!!

Around the house: Still have to put the Snowman Shower curtain up before Sarah has to take a shower today, and still have presents to wrap. But right now, everybody is sound asleep, even Rebels, so it's just me and the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It's sooo pitiful.......

A few plans for the rest of the week: Wal-Mart this morning. Maybe the mall. Gotta shop while my Mom is here to be with the girl. I need to address Christmas cards, finish wrapping presents, and put away the empty Christmas buckets. Other than that, who knows. A date with my hubby would be nice......

A Cup of Encouragement: There is so much beauty and wonder in the world around us. Sometimes we get so busy we don't take the time to notice. When your life is stressful and your problems seem overwhelming, remember that pleasure lies in your heart. Your attitude affects your perception! Take time to reflect on the small blessings in your life. That bag of groceries, an encouraging phone call, a special friend, the love of your spouse. It's all the small blessings that add up to an abundant life full of grace and mercy, and reflective of God's love for us.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8

Here is the picture I am sharing: I had LOTS of pics to post, but it won't let me for some reason. I guess I'll post them to Facebook :-(

Sarah Beth Update!!!!

Yay, we are finally back from the Doctors visits and things went very well.

The first visit was the infectious disease Dr. He's been having the nurse check her blood twice a week, and everything is looking good. Small improvements, which is what he expects. It will take time to get back to normal. He said she may get her Picc line out for a Christmas present, but don't hold him to it. If she does, it will be RIGHT before Christmas. She's still a little anemic, which he expected also, she just has to keep taking a vitamin with iron for a while. Her kidney function was good, Praise God!!!

Overall, news from the Ortho surgeon was good. He took the stitches out. Said things were coming along nicely. Wound looked good. Still doesn't want to use a wound vac, which would be soooo much easier.

Also, the nurse said we should be packing the wound 3 times a day instead of once. She said she told the home nurse, but it's the first we've heard of it. That's the biggest problem right now. One person cannot do it, and now we have to have help 3 times a day, OH NO!!!! We're busy enough as it is! But, you do what you gotta do.

We go back to see him in 3 weeks, and also see the Plastic Surgeon the same day, in the same building, Thank you Lord for small favors!!!!! He said they may or may not have to do the "flap" surgery, he may just want to watch it since it's healing so well. That's our prayer!!!

I just talked to hubby and we have a special prayer request. The terrible wreck down the street from us was Rob's friend's daughter. She has a broken back. Please pray for healing. Her name is Tina. She has a little baby to take care of. Pray for the other lady also, she's in much worse shape.

I think that's all for now. Gonna finish dinner and chill out till the next meds are due. Shopping (very little) and eating doughnuts wore us all out, lol!!!

Sarah is dressed and eating!! YAY!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Well, Well, Well, look what today is!!! I'm sooo Thankful it's Thursday. One week till Thanksgiving! One week till I see my Baby Alex (and the rest of the family of course!!). I can't believe she's gonna be a year old next week. Time flies when your little brother keeps having babies, lol!!!!! I'm thinking maybe one more, just to even out the number?!?!?!?!?!? How about it Bridget?

Anyhoo, I'm thankful that Sarah is starting to feel a little better. Her worst complaint now is all the sweating she does whenever she sleeps. No matter what time of day, if she falls asleep, she's gonna wake up drenched. That's something new for her, and she hates it. You know, girls don't even like to "glisten", much less sweat like a linebacker!!

But I have to say, she has the cleanest bedclothes in town! Pillows and all are getting washed a couple of times every day. Sure am thankful I got that nice BIG washing machine! I told her it would save some time if we could just put a kiddie pool on her bed and lay her in water to keep the sweat down. Hey, bath, bed and fun all at the same time, who wouldn't go for it?? Sarah, that's who!!!!!!

I'm thankful that I was finally able to find a new Internal Med Dr. for Sarah. She's all the way up at St. Mary's, but it will be worth it. She already has several patients that she works together with Sarah's Ortho Surgeon on, so they are familiar with her. Now to find time to go see her.....

I'm thankful that I was able to schedule both of Sarah's hospital follow-up appts. on the same day next Tuesday at St. Mary's. Since it's so close to Thanksgiving, I only wanted to drive up there once. Thank you Lord for working that out!!!!

I'm thankful Bobby hasn't caused me to lose my mind yet, lol!!! He brought another hunk of junk (4 wheeler this time) home the other night. Guess where it's sitting? Ok, not in my driveway, but in the back yard where I see it (along with his huge tires and boat) when I look out the kitchen window, grhhhh!!!!!!! Ok, Rob has junk out there too, but at least his is being productive. One day that siding will be on the house instead of in the yard!!!!

I'm thankful I finally got some work done on eBay. I listed a bunch of women's dress winter clothes yesterday that I got at a yard sale for $1.00 each. A lot of them still had the tags on, so if I sell just one, I've already recouped my investment. That makes me VERY thankful!!!!

I say this all the time, but I have to say it again. I'm soooo thankful that I am able to stay home and work on eBay, and not worry about having a job. I would have been so stressed and worried about that while Sarah was in the hospital. Mostly because I've always worked in small Drs. offices, and if someone is out, there's nobody to fill in for you, and it throws everybody off and makes them work harder and longer. I know lots of people have to face that every day, but I'm so thankful that I don't right now!!!!

I'm thankful that God has blessed Sarah with so many great friends from her Church. I don't know what she would have done without all of them. They have called, visited, kept her spirits up with encouraging words and cards. They are just amazing!!! Especially her Facebook buddies! What a blessing Facebook has been to us through all this. All you people know how to lift people up, make us laugh, and help us forget about all the medical stuff for a while!!!!!

I'm really not so thankful for all the sugar that's been in this house this week. Just when I tell the world I'm starting a diet, here comes Tirimisu (my fault), Key Lime Pie (Bobby's fault), those huge fund-raiser Cinnamon Buns and Carrot Cakes (Rob's fault)!!!! But I am thankful that I've been able to contol my consumption of said sins pretty well. Sharing half a slice of Tirimisu with my Mommy works out pretty well. And eating a 1/4 of the carrot cake then leaving the rest for Rob, that's okay. Still get the taste without the bloat. Okay, that's just TMI I think. Let's move on.....

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband, have I said that before? Just so you know, he's the most thoughtful, considerate man on the planet!!!!! And sexy too. Okay, I'll shut up. Let's not get out of hand this morning Crystal :-D But I do love me some Rob Jeffreys!!

Well, I wrote a lot more here, but somehow when I went to publish the blog, it disappeared, so I guess it wasn't meant to be. Maybe that was God's way of telling me to "zip it" and get to work!!!!!

Here's a corny Thankgiving joke for you:

"I was going to serve sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, but I sat on them."

"Now what are you going to serve?"

"Squash".

Baahhaaahhhhaaaa!!! Whatever......

Don't forget to be Thankful this week!!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

For Today

I'm a little sad today. Rob and Bobby went to close up the camper yesterday and bring everything home for winter. I didn't get to go. If I had, I would have NEVER let them throw all the refrigerator and freezer food away. HOW COULD THEY, lol!!! Cooler or not, I'da brought that stuff home and used it somehow!!!! Rob sent pictures of my porch covered in leaves and the beautiful sunset from the trash dumpsters (honestly!!) from his phone, but I miss my place soooo bad. I'm sad that's it's over for now, but relieved that we finally got it done. Can't wait till Spring.....


For Today:

Outside My Window: My hubby just walked out to go to work. This weekend was toooooo short!!!

I am thinking: It's so good to be up at 5:15 again. I've missed our morning talks and prayer time before Rob leaves for work, but I've just been too tired to get up that early since Sarah got home.

I am thankful for: The nap I got yesterday. It was so nice not to fall into bed exhausted last night, lol!!!

From the Kitchen: Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts that I've been trying to cook since Saturday! Baby White Corn, Spinach Salad and Crescent Rolls.

I am hoping: That Sarah's temp will stay down. That her drainage will continue to decrease like yesterday, hardly any. That I can finish cleaning out the clutter around my fireplace so I can get my Christmas Tree up soon. Uuhhh, let me explain....I usually put my tree up in front of the living room window, but since we are remodeling, and that area still needs work (not to mention that all my eBay buckets are there for now!), I'm borrowing my Mommy's skinny Christmas tree this year and putting it on the fireplace mantel. Lots of things are different this year. We'll see how it turns out. Smaller Christmas tree, not having the 2 parties I always have on Christmas Eve because of our circumstances, not doing all the cooking I usually do (I'll try not anyway!) This is going to be a unique Christmas, but I hope it's only for this year, and things will be back to normal next year!! In the meantime, I hope I will enjoy not being so stressed out for a change!

I am reading: Not much of anything recently, but can't wait to start devotions back with Rob! And catch up on my Through the Bible in a year. I've come too far to get behind now, I can see the end in sight.......

I am creating: A high protein diet for Sarah, and a low fat diet for me. This should be interesting.....

I am praying: For healing for my baby girl of course! For me to be able to get everything done that needs to be done without burning out. For the same thing for Rob. For Bobby to find a job with insurance still!!!!!!!!

I am hearing: The traffic from I-95. Usually I don't notice it, but it's pretty loud this morning. As I typed this, the bomb went off at the Nursing Home!!!!!!!

One of my favorite things: Well, it certainly wouldn't be the PIG mug I have to drink my coffee out of this morning. All of my coffee cups are in the dishwasher, so I had to use the only other mug in the cabinet, Sarah's Pig Cup! I told Rob last night that I was starting my diet (again) today because I'm so miserable, but I'm not off to a great start when even the coffee cups remind me of how I feel, lol!!!!!!!!

Around the house: Oops, just noticed it's 6 am. Gotta hook Sarah up to her drug fix. Be right back....Man, I just don't understand why she is sweating so much. Is it the fevers breaking, is it the IV's? We have to change her pillows, blankets and clothes 2-3 times a day. I just went in and she felt like she'd just got out of a swimming pool with her clothes on!! She hates it :-( Usually she wants to sleep, but she can't wait for Nanny to get here this morning and help with her bath!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: More Christmas shopping, Thanksgiving Food Shopping, House cleaning, Changing out the summer clothes for winter ones, Digging through Christmas decorations.....the list goes on and on!!!

Here is the picture I am sharing: Haven't taken any lately, so I'll share some of my favorite fall pics!


What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deut. 10:12

It's all about my favorite Daughter!!

Going Crazy!!!

Cute Flowers from Crystal & David

Today is Thankful Thursday!! I'm writing this at 12:45 in the morning, because we are up putting this antibiotic in for the last time till morning. I'm VERY thankful that this schedule will change tomorrow. It was supposed to change today, but the second port in Sarah's Picc line has clotted, and we still have to do the meds one at a time until they unclot it tomorrow.

I'm so thankful that we serve a God who knows our every fear, and hears our every cry, and never leaves us comfortless when we need Him most!! Oh how He's been there for us these last few months! This has been one tough trial, but we know that with God and our great family and friends who have prayed and sought God on Sarah's behalf, we have seen miracles happen!!

Sarah has struggled with a lack of mobility and therefore independence all her life, and to be told that those limitations might increase was just devastating. I couldn't imagine her being dealt such a horrific blow after all she's already been through. God saw our pain and answered those prayers in a way only He could. He is our great physician and healer, praise His holy name!!!

I'm so thankful for a wonderful husband who worked 12 hours a day, then spent every night at the hospital. Even when I tried to get him to stay home and rest, he couldn't stay away from us. He's been my rock as usual, letting me cry on his shoulder, listening to me complain, and giving me encouragement when things got too overwhelming.

I'm also thankful that Bobby was old enough to be able to care for himself right now. He's been so good about doing what needs to be done, helping me move Sarah's (tons of) stuff from one hospital to another, feeding himself without complaining even though he is sick of fast food!!

I'm thankful for my Mom and Dad! Dad brought Mom to the hospital almost every day, and Mom stayed several times so I could go home for a little break. I'm also thankful for my Robin & David who brought Rob's Mom up almost every day. What would I do without my two Moms?????????

I'm thankful Sarah has started eating like a pig!! I had forgotten what it was like for her to actually eat something, much less finish it. The infection and the antibiotics she was on constantly took her appetite away, and it's been a long time since she felt like eating more than a bite or two at a time. Now she's wanting to eat in the middle of the night even. It's GREAT!!

It's now 1:35 a.m. and the antibiotics are done, yay!! I'll finish this after some sleep, nighty night ;-)

My Portrait of Sarah Beth in her hospital room

It's now 10:00 on Thursday morning. The six o'clock IV went fairly well until I fell asleep and put us and hour and a half behind. This is gonna take some getting used to. I set my alarm, but in my sleepy stupor, I guess I did something wrong.

I'm thankful for the 11 packages I had to ship out today. God is blessing us even in our sleep! That's what we were talking about yesterday. While I napped last night, I sold three things. How awesome is that!!

Well, I better go for now. It's time for Mom and I to work on Sarah's wound care. Thank God for Momma!! More updates later. In the meantime, enjoy the rain....or not, lol!!!

We had beautiful sunsets out of Sarah's hospital window
Bobby standing under plastic working on his truck in the rain!!!
Nice Wheels Man!!!

And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:12

God is Great!!!!!

Cousin Jimmy from Georgia

Vicki and Pastor Collier

This man has been a great source of comfort & strength for Sarah!!

Awesome card from Naomi in California!!

Sarah's favorite Food Service worker at St. Francis. He sang to her every time he brought her tray in, and came by just to say goodbye before she left! He was AWESOME!!!

It's 9:00 Thursday night, first night after surgery. I've decided to blog a little at a time. Partly to keep everybody informed, and partly just to help me remember what all of these Doctors say.

So, what I write up here could change by the time you get to the bottom of the blog!! That seems to be the way things have been going. One tells you one thing and another tells you something totally different.

The bad news today was that they had to take the whole top of the hip out, but the good news is that she can still sit up, maybe with some adaptive equipment. They will get her up tomorrow see how that works out.

I have to say that I have never been as freaked out by any of her surgeries as I have this one. This makes number 18, and I've gotten pretty used
to seeing all sorts of things, but I just couldn't bear to look at this one. When I first went in to her room, I thought I was gonna to pass out, I was so nervous. When we couldn't cath her and had to call special nurses in, I had to sit down while they worked on her. The one nurse was leaning all over her and putting her weight on that hip, and it just made me sick, even though I knew Sarah couldn't feel it. That's the blessing in all of this, she has no feeling from the waist down, so she is not in any pain, except for the extra IV line they put in her shoulder and a bad headache.

I finally did look at the surgical site, and it's not as bad as I had envisioned. The hip incision has about 12 stitches, and they had to make the actual pressure sore a little bigger, but it was small on the outside to start with, so it's not that bad. That didn't worry me as much as the fact that her leg was laying in a position it had never been able to lay in before. That was VERY freaky!

I still have a little problem with the leg. I'm just not used to it being so loose and moving in odd ways. But we both were really worried that there was going to be some type of disfiguring "hole" where her hip was, and that's not the case. To look at her, it looks the same as usual. PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Today is Saturday, 2 days after surgery. My what a change in our outlook!! God has moved mountains and performed miracles (again), and we are soooo thankful!!!!!!!!!! Sarah can sit up, she can move around in the bed by herself, she even transferred off the bed with a little assistance (that's normal for right after surgery). Even though things were so touch and go for a while, it's actually been one of the easier surgeries for her because it was below her line of feeling, so she's had no pain associated with the surgery.

There have been so many questions and uncertainties, but the major ones have proven to be no contest for God. The last test will be sitting in the wheelchair. Hopefully she won't need any adaptive devices, but if she does, we can deal with it now, knowing that that's the worst of her problems!! We had asked that nobody visit until we had more answers and were more comfortable with dealing with the outcome of the surgery, and I think that time has come. Sarah was talking everybody's ears off tonight, and texting all of her Facebook buddies. She says she's ready for company!!

She's doing well enough that she let me come home today to wash clothes, ship out eBay stuff, and post this blog. Even though my store was on "Vacation", I've still sold a ton of stuff. The only difference was that they got a notice that I wouldn't be able to ship out right away. Thank God I had that option!!

My precious little boy sold the only reliable vehicle he had while we were here, then sold "ragabomb", the junker Rob aptly named that was trashing up my driveway, lol!! Yesterday he bought a new Junker, but this one is a little better than the last few. It's a 4runner, not an embarrassment Rob says, I don't have to worry about it parked in front of the house. That's the good thing I guess :-) I've lost count now, but I think he's had about 278 vehicles in his 3 short years of driving!!!!!!!!!!!
(I only exaggerate a TINY bit)

As I type this I am itching to go Christmas shopping. I've read magazines and seen commercials and everybody is talking Christmas, but I haven't bought the first gift yet. We've already decided that both holidays will be very simple this year. There's no time or energy for the "all out" decorating and cooking, and we will be so busy this next month with Drs. appointments and nursing care leading up to the next surgery, so the simpler the better in this house.....thank goodness my kids are old enough to pick out their own stuff, and usually do, so that's all I'm concerned about right now, taking care of them!!! But I still want to SHOP!!!!!!!!!

I guess I better go for now, I don't think there will be any changes in Sarah's routine today since it's Sunday, but we should find out a little more about when she can come home and what type of care she needs once she gets here tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on Facebook, as usual!!!

The hotel St. Mary's

P.S. One more little surprise for Sarah when she reads this blog: Bobby just got back from Best Buy with your Brand New Laptop!!!! Now......can we have ours back????????? Love ya girlie!!!!!!!!!

Sarah Update

Well, since the surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow, I was able to come home one more time to ship out sales. I'm finally going to put my store on "vacation" because it's just too much right now.

Things have changed yet again. The only sure thing is that nobody knows exactly what's going to happen until they get in and look at the hip.

Tomorrow the surgeon will go in and clean out the bone and joint. Now they are saying they may have to remove most of the hip. That will be the worst case scenario, as she will have learn to sit up all over again, and there will have to be some adaptations to her wheelchair.

The Plastic Surgeon came in and talked with us, but he won't even touch her until all of the infection is out and the tissue has started to heal. Once that happens, she'll be admitted for another huge surgery where he will do a "flap", taking the skin off her leg and using it to close the fill in the sore and close it. She'll be in the hospital at least a week at that time. I still don't know how long she'll be in here this time.

After tomorrows surgery they will have to leave the wound open. She'll have to have frequent visits to the Infectious Disease and Wound Care Specialists for months and months, plus more involved Home Nurse Care.

Sarah's trying not to think about it too much. She just wants to get this first part over with so we know what we're dealing with. I second that!!

She had lots of visitors today, so that kept her mind occupied most of the day. Of course Mom and Dad, Sandy and Robin were here because we thought she was having surgery. Then Pastor Collier and Bro. Dale came to visit. Then Amanda Pursley. Then Ruby and Donnie. Then Georgia and Don. Now Dreama, Ashley and Sophie are staying with her while I get my work done at home. She's been VERY happy today!!!!!! Thanks everybody :-)

I've started this blog at her bedside, and right now she is napping. She finally got her hair washed. It hadn't been washed since Friday, and it was stuck to her head. NOT PRETTY, lol!! It took four of us but hey, whatever it takes to get the job done. It was more like a spa visit than a bedside hairwashing!!!!! Oh to have that kind of pampering, lol!!!!

I don't know what she's dreaming about, but she has a smile on her face! Must be somebody good!!!!!! I'll give you one guess, you South Hopewell people. I think he's called your shephard, lol!!!! (Oh, I'm so gonna get it now!!!!!) But most of you know how Sarah is about "Her Men", hahaha!!!

Well, gotta run. I won't be able to do anymore blogs for a while, because I have to post them at home, but I'll keep you updated on Facebook. Unless I can email the blog to Bobby at home and have him post it. That might happen!!

P.S. Naomi Bussinger: Sarah got your card and she LOVED it. I meant to take a picture so I could post it on here tonight. That was sooo cool how you put her picture on it, and everybody talked about how pretty it was. Ya did good girlie!!!

Until tomorrow......

Update on Sarah

Today's blog is just a quick update about Sarah and the awesome way God has put people in our path during this hospital stay. Sarah has had the most incredible night nurse! Her name is Elizabeth Gee (shortened version of a loooong last name!!) She happened to hear my cell phone ringing (it plays Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone by Chris Tomlin) and said she's been wanting that song, then told us what her phone plays (can't remember, but it was a gospel song).

That first night she talked to Sarah for sooo long, and reassured her. They talked about their faith in God and lot's of different things. She is the sweetest!!

The second night, we started talking again, and found out that she was raised pentecostal (not sure if she is from India, but she is of a similar nationality), and now attends West End Assembly of God, the same church that Sarah's friend Doug goes to. It's such a small world. We have had the best time with her. She is a GREAT nurse. Another great nurse was Ivone, her day nurse. She was soooo great to Sarah, sitting and talking with her forever, and promising she would be there when they put her Picc line in. I've never seen such caring nurses, and I've seen plenty!!

Monday we got some news that we weren't expecting, and was a little hard to take. Not only is the infection in the bone, but it has spread to the hip joint. The doctors at St. Francis don't know what to do for her, so she's being transferred to St. Mary's where the Spina Bifida Ortho Drs. will do major surgery to clean all of the infection out and maybe fuse the joint. It's a very complicated surgery, and they just can't handle it here. We really hate to leave, we're so spoiled now, but we have to go where she can get the care she needs.

We also found out that she is losing protein through her urine or kidneys (?), so she is malnourished. After all of this infection is taken care of, she will have to have tests for kidney disease.

As I write this, Sarah has calmed down, after a second visit from her wonderful Pastor Collier, and has decided that she's well enough to kick me out of the room, so I'm sitting in the lobby typing this blog until she calls and tells me I can come back. Can you believe that? It's 10:00 at night, and she wants some "alone" time!!!! I think it's great! She also kicked us out at dinnertime. When she told Rob "I love you, Goodbye, Get Out!", he said it was sooo good to hear cause he knew she was feeling better, lol!!!!

Hopefully she will be transferred tomorrow, but it could be Wednesday. Then we have to wait for another consult, and schedule the surgery, so we are in for a long ride this time. Nobody can even begin to tell me how long she'll be in after surgery, and I'm tired of playing the guessing game, so I'm just preparing for the worst and anything else will be A BLESSING!!!!!

Sarah got to talk to her Facebook buddy, Donnie Cox, tonight and he and Ruby prayed with us over the phone. It meant sooo much to her!! Donnie sent her the cutest email that looked like a Facebook status update because he knew she was having Facebook withdrawals!!! She loved it!!

She also got to talk to her CRAZY cousin Jack! That made her night! He knows just how to crack her up and he was telling her what a wonderful mother she had! Hahaha, Jack, if you don't get Facebook soon, I'm gonna keep putting words in your mouth! You keep telling me you're not old, but only old people aren't on Facebook!!!!!! No wait, even THEY are on here, you have no excuse man :-D

Thanks to everybody who has called, visited, sent cards, prayed, etc. It means the world to Sarah and keeps her spirits up. She had to call the school today to let them know she would be out indifinately and that was sad for her. She waited so long to start this new job, and she's hardly got to be there at all. So all the encouraging words keeps her going!!!

I will keep everybody posted. I try to post updates to Facebook by using my phone, but I never know if the text actually makes it through, sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. I will try to keep up with the blogs. I don't know if St. Mary's has internet access, but we'll find out soon!!

It's now Tuesday morning, and I'm home for a few hours to ship out sales and pack some more clothes. During the night we found out that her Picc line is not working properly, and they can't draw blood. Not sure what they will do about that, she may have to have a new one put in. I've got to hurry and get back to the hospital in case they move her, so I'll keep in touch and let everybody know what's going on as best I can.

Sarah with her new "Room Decorations"!!

This is her "I'm going crazy, get me out of here" look!!

Thanks again for your prayers, and keep them coming.....

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear.....Psalm 45:1-2

P.S. Just got a text from my mom saying the Picc line has been fixed. Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Fall Ya'll

Happy Thursday Everybody!!! Today is Thankful Thursday I know, but since I didn't do a blog on Monday, I'm combining the two again!!

I am soooo Thankful that I finally feel better. That was one LONG aggravating illness. Hopefully I'm good for the rest of the year, cause I don't want to go through that again!!

I hear that my Dee Dee is gonna be a Gramy again!!! PJ and Sophie are expecting. How exciting!!!

I'm thankful for all the Fall colors that are starting to show up! I love it!!!

I'm sure there's lots more I'm forgetting to say, but I saved the first of this blog for last, and Mom and Bobby are sitting here with me now, so I'm a little distracted. I'll just say I'm thankful that God has blessed us in so many ways we don't don't deserve, and I love Him with all my heart!!!!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: It's 6:00, and Bobby is outside with Katybug already. Something about needing his GPS. All I know is it's strange to see him up this early!!

I am thinking: What was I thinking? I went to Goodwill this week while they had everything 75% off. I bought 8 HUGE bags of stuff for eBay, (and 3 things for us, lol). My receipt said I bought 96 items, and my total was $154. Not bad at all!!! My estimated conservative profit: a little over $1,100.
The 2 ladies who checked me out said I had the biggest load they'd ever rang up. Not the largest sale, since it was so cheap, but the most items. No, I'm not proud of that! The other customers were laughing cause I couldn't see over my basket, and telling me they hoped they didn't get in line behind me!!!

I am thankful for: The ability to do what I love. The love and support of my wonderful husband. My awesome Chillins!!

From the Kitchen: Well, yesterday my Savory Beef Sandwiches (new recipe) was such a hit, especially with Sarah, don't know if I can top it!! I think I'll make Chicken, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce and Potato Salad today. I've got onions and celery left over from Chicken Salad that I need to use up, and that comes to mind.

I am hoping: That Sarah's temp will stay down. It was up again last night to 101. She needs a break!!!!

Sarah eating at McDonalds in her PJ's after we left the hospital!!

I am reading: Well, I finished "Becoming the Woman of His Dreams", and passed the test, HAHAHAHA! Well, I'm trying anyway! Now I'm reading "Living a Life that says WELCOME", and "Simple Abundance", as well as Through the Bible in a Year and Nightline Devotionals for Couples.

I am creating: Some space in this house, but that's gonna take a while. I managed to separate all the Goodwill stuff into Summer, Winter, Jeans, Dresses, etc. and into buckets. Now, what to do with the buckets? Right now there are 14 buckets and 2 suitcases in the living room and dining room. I cleaned it out last month, but piled it back up again already, ugh!!!!!!!!

I am praying: For complete healing for Sarah, and that my boys stay well!!!

I am hearing: My Mommy is alseep behind me on the couch. She left the TV on last night, so I'm hearing the news. I'm also hearing Bobby in his bedroom. He stayed up after Kate left, and I fixed him coffee (haven't done that since he left his Great Dane job!!) Awe, we just had nice little early morning chat!! He's the greatest :-)

One of my favorite things: My new super clean and leakless roof, thanks to my Super Hardworking Hubby, who looked awesome against the clouds while he worked!!!!!

Around the house: Too much noise! I don't like the TV on, but if I turn it off, Mommy will wake up.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Never sure about plans lately. If Sarah gets better, we'll go to the River Saturday. But right now, that's not looking promising. If we stay home, we'll try to go to the Harvest Festival at Church.

Marriage Enrichment idea: I think we all understand the benefits of treating your spouse with love and respect. I think I'll branch out into other areas for a while after this!! Do something nice and unexpected for your spouse. Let them know you're doing it because you appreciate all they do for you and your family. It's amazing what a little act of kindness toward your spouse will accomplish in bringing you closer together!!!

Here is the picture I am sharing:

Baby Alex and Nanny!!

My baby came home this weekend, and I didn't get to see her because of all the sickness :-(

Happy Birthday Robin!!!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: There's a lot of hurting people who need prayer. Lord, help me not to take the power of a simple prayer for granted. You can move mountains if we just call on you!!!

I am thinking: I am so thankful to be feeling better. I'm pretty sure now I had a touch of the flu along with the UTI, because Sarah has it now. I knew I'd never felt THAT bad with just a UTI!!
I had planned on taking myself to the Doctor finally this morning, but I guess I'll be taking Sarah instead. Her fever broke last night, but she woke me up at 4:30 because she was so nauseous. We'll see how she feels this morning.

I am thankful for: A wonderful family, a great home, an awesome Church family, a great "JOB" that keeps getting better, and a Saviour who knows exactly what I need, and provides without fail. (Yes, this is Thankful Thursday in disguise, lol)

From the Kitchen: Hmmmm, it's a little too early for that, but it will probably be chicken or pork chops cooked some kind of way with some kind of side. How's that for a menu?

I am hoping: To start my Christmas shopping this week. Goodness, in years past, I'd be almost done by now. I haven't bought the first thing yet this year, YIKES!!!!! (Oh, I take that back, I forgot that I did order Sarah something last week, but I don't actually have it yet, so it doesn't count!!!!)

I am reading: Through the Bible in a year, Nightlight Devotions for Couples, Becoming the Woman of His Dreams (not that I'm not already), right babe? RIGHT BABE, lol??????

I am creating: No need to create another eBay strategy, yayyayayayYAY!!!!!! I finally got it right! PRAISE THE LORD!! So, maybe I'll create a strategy for keeping my house clean. Yea, that's it, like the ones I've created many times before. Maybe I'll just get out that little list I have of chore schedules and actually follow it for a while. I might can find the time now that I don't have to work SOOO hard at eBay!!

I am praying: For lots of things and lots of people! Prayer works. Prayer either changes your circumstances, or it changes you. Prayer heals broken bodies and broken spirits. Prayer turns your frown upside down :-) Prayer is the lifeline between you and God, and without it, where is your hope? God has healed and blessed and changed me too many times for me NOT to believe in the power of prayer, AMEN!!!!

I am hearing: That cooky cookoo clock dinging out on the 6:45 mark. Other than that, it's soooo quiet in here. Haven't even heard the bomb at the Nursing Home yet, and no animals are cleaning themselves around me this morning. Ah, what did I do to deserve this nice break?

One of my favorite things: The chopper I got at the yard sale Saturday. Yes, even with a fever and feeling like poo on a stick, I made myself go to yard sales in the freezing cold! Hey, it's my JOB, and I can't miss my job!!!! I bought my 4th chopper!!! I'm telling ya, they are GREAT. My first came from my mother in law, then I found another at a yard sale for the River, then my first one broke, so I bought another, and now I have one as a back-up for when another breaks!! I use it so often that I did wear one out, so I'll buy them whenever I see them from now on, cause $2 is so much better than $20, don't cha think????

Around the house: Bobby just got up and is sitting in the recliner waiting on Katybug to come by before school. He looks so cute in his little hoodie, all wrapped up and sleepy eyed!!! He's gonna kill me when he reads this though.

A few plans for the rest of the week: No plans!!!! Ain't life grand? Maybe to the Dr. today, but the rest of the week I hope to just work and clean and cook and be Wife and Mommy!!!!!

Marriage Enrichment idea:

Words that build up your Spouse: I've been thinking about you all day; What can I do for you today?; Thank you; You are one of God's most precious gifts to me; Thank you for taking such good care of me; The best part of my day is when you come home; I'm sorry; You're my knight in shining armor; You're my princess; I can always count on you; You make me feel special.

Rob and I work hard to be builders! Hey, he's Rob the Builder! Ok, sorry for the corny joke, couldn't resist! Anyhoo, the rewards of building your spouse up are so sweet! Let's all be builders, our spouses deserve no less :-)

Here is the picture I am sharing: It's Robin!!! Today is my beautiful Sister In Law's Birthday! Happy Birthday Robin!!!! Hope you have a GREAT day and God blesses you with many many more, as we sang yesterday, lol!!!!