Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Hello there!
I am here. Just bear with me. Things have been so busy around this house that I haven't just had the time to sit down and blog. The other reason is our laptop is dying. I use to blog a lot while watching tv at night. Without that laptop, I am having to make an effort to slow down and say "HI!"
Saturday, March 28, 2009
TSMS - The Wrecking - You Remain
It has been awhile since I posted a TSMS post. I have really missed doing this since music is so much a part of my life. Anyway, this song has been playing on the Gospel Music Channel and on Air 1 which is what I have been listening to in the morning. It is an awesome song and has stuck with me all week. Hopefully you enjoy it too!
I'm here...really, I am!
Hey guys! I really do have a blog and I really do like to post. Things have just been a little crazy around here. I know it has been awhile but I am really going to try and be better at posting.
Let me get you caught up on what has been happening with us:
Mr. A finally found out what has been going on with his back. His has a disc that is protruding into his spinal column and nerve bundles. This explains a lot of what is going on with his symptoms - nerve pain in both hips and legs, light headness, dizzy spells, etc. He is still out on medical leave until the middle of April. The will re-evaluate and decide if he can go back to work full time or if adjustments will have to be made. We are praying that if God wants him to stay where he is, He will make a way.
Mr. A had his first of 2 spinal injections to fix the protruding disc. Unfortunately his blood pressure bottomed out and we had to stay at the hospital for an extra bit of time until he could stabilze. Next injection is April 13th.
I celebrated my 34th birthday on the 25th. We didn't do anything big, but the girls wrote their own cards that I am saving. They were so special and really made my day. They made me wait until I got to work before opening the cards. Note to self...go in the bathroom or another room to open the cards prior to going to work. Don't open at work unless you are prepared to explain to your fellow co-workers about the tears and blood shot eyes. They were really special and I will truly cherish them.
Mr. A & I joined the youth staff at our church. We are really loving the youth group. We are hoping to do human videos, drama and outreach with the students. Our youth pastor is really open to the ideas which is really exciting. Hopefully the students are as equally excited.
We survived our first lock-in with the youth group. Mr. A stayed all night with KA and the others. I had to come home to stay with AJ. We got home a little after 12 am and got up at 4:45 am to start making breakfast casseroles for the group. We don't have an oven in the room at church so I had to bring them in hot in the morning. Everyone had fun...Mr. A survived and the kids had a great time! That is what it is all about.
2009 has been hard on everyone. I am definitely not complaining. God has been faithful! It may not be what we are use to, but who says what we were use to is what we were suppose to do. We have enough. I am thankful that even though the circumstances haven't been ideal, God has made a way.
2008 and 2009 have definitely been about learning faith and trust. God is in control and I do not have to worry.
I promise that these updates will be more frequent. I really do miss my small community of friends.
Let me get you caught up on what has been happening with us:
Mr. A finally found out what has been going on with his back. His has a disc that is protruding into his spinal column and nerve bundles. This explains a lot of what is going on with his symptoms - nerve pain in both hips and legs, light headness, dizzy spells, etc. He is still out on medical leave until the middle of April. The will re-evaluate and decide if he can go back to work full time or if adjustments will have to be made. We are praying that if God wants him to stay where he is, He will make a way.
Mr. A had his first of 2 spinal injections to fix the protruding disc. Unfortunately his blood pressure bottomed out and we had to stay at the hospital for an extra bit of time until he could stabilze. Next injection is April 13th.
I celebrated my 34th birthday on the 25th. We didn't do anything big, but the girls wrote their own cards that I am saving. They were so special and really made my day. They made me wait until I got to work before opening the cards. Note to self...go in the bathroom or another room to open the cards prior to going to work. Don't open at work unless you are prepared to explain to your fellow co-workers about the tears and blood shot eyes. They were really special and I will truly cherish them.
Mr. A & I joined the youth staff at our church. We are really loving the youth group. We are hoping to do human videos, drama and outreach with the students. Our youth pastor is really open to the ideas which is really exciting. Hopefully the students are as equally excited.
We survived our first lock-in with the youth group. Mr. A stayed all night with KA and the others. I had to come home to stay with AJ. We got home a little after 12 am and got up at 4:45 am to start making breakfast casseroles for the group. We don't have an oven in the room at church so I had to bring them in hot in the morning. Everyone had fun...Mr. A survived and the kids had a great time! That is what it is all about.
2009 has been hard on everyone. I am definitely not complaining. God has been faithful! It may not be what we are use to, but who says what we were use to is what we were suppose to do. We have enough. I am thankful that even though the circumstances haven't been ideal, God has made a way.
2008 and 2009 have definitely been about learning faith and trust. God is in control and I do not have to worry.
I promise that these updates will be more frequent. I really do miss my small community of friends.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Update on Betty - She is home in heaven
For those who have check this blog and have been praying for Betty, here is the latest: Betty is now home in heaven as of Tuesday, March 10th. Below is the email from my friend Melissa, who is Betty's daughter:
It is with a heavy heart - I never really got that saying until now - my heart truly feels heavy like it could fall from chest at any moment - anyway - that I tell you all that Mom has gone to be with Jesus! Larry and i came home last night because there was just no way of knowing how long it would be. It was incredibly difficult to leave her yesterday knowing that the next time I saw her would be her funeral. But the gift was that there was nothing left unsaid between my mom and her loved ones. We are an incredibly close and open family and always say things to each other when we need to so there were no last minute apologies or anything like that and there is a peace. I had prayed that she would go in her sleep and that God will allow me to feel when she was gone. I actually took a sleeping pill last night because I had not slept in about 4 nights but maybe a couple hours and it was taking its toll on me. SO I expected to sleep until about noon today :) (like that could happen with the kids lol). Anyway, I sat right up in bed at 4:19 and knew with my whole heart that mom was gone. Then dad called me exactly 20 minutes later to tell me that they woke him up. He was upset that he was not right there holding her hand in that last breath and I wish I could have been there, too, but she went in her sleep. The nurses said it was right around 4:30, but after telling the doctor (her doctor is a wonderful amazing Christian man who loved her and loves my dad!) what I had told my dad the doctor said he was sure it was 4:19. My mother will be missed every second of everyday and I have been told that it does get easier! I know that my mom is dancing and praising God today! Her doctor said that Heaven has a new member of the choir and we said not a member a leader!! She will be teaching everyone their parts! :) Yesterday, before we left, I was singing to my mom and she tried to raise her hand and I know that today she is praising Jesus! I miss her already, but I am so happy for her! thank you all for your prayers and we ask that you continue to keep dad and all of us in your prayers! If you are interested in when the funeral is and location and all of that then just email me and i will send that information to you when I know it. we will be leaving to head back to Virginia either tonight or very early in the morning!
My love and thanks to all of you,
Melissa and Family
It is with a heavy heart - I never really got that saying until now - my heart truly feels heavy like it could fall from chest at any moment - anyway - that I tell you all that Mom has gone to be with Jesus! Larry and i came home last night because there was just no way of knowing how long it would be. It was incredibly difficult to leave her yesterday knowing that the next time I saw her would be her funeral. But the gift was that there was nothing left unsaid between my mom and her loved ones. We are an incredibly close and open family and always say things to each other when we need to so there were no last minute apologies or anything like that and there is a peace. I had prayed that she would go in her sleep and that God will allow me to feel when she was gone. I actually took a sleeping pill last night because I had not slept in about 4 nights but maybe a couple hours and it was taking its toll on me. SO I expected to sleep until about noon today :) (like that could happen with the kids lol). Anyway, I sat right up in bed at 4:19 and knew with my whole heart that mom was gone. Then dad called me exactly 20 minutes later to tell me that they woke him up. He was upset that he was not right there holding her hand in that last breath and I wish I could have been there, too, but she went in her sleep. The nurses said it was right around 4:30, but after telling the doctor (her doctor is a wonderful amazing Christian man who loved her and loves my dad!) what I had told my dad the doctor said he was sure it was 4:19. My mother will be missed every second of everyday and I have been told that it does get easier! I know that my mom is dancing and praising God today! Her doctor said that Heaven has a new member of the choir and we said not a member a leader!! She will be teaching everyone their parts! :) Yesterday, before we left, I was singing to my mom and she tried to raise her hand and I know that today she is praising Jesus! I miss her already, but I am so happy for her! thank you all for your prayers and we ask that you continue to keep dad and all of us in your prayers! If you are interested in when the funeral is and location and all of that then just email me and i will send that information to you when I know it. we will be leaving to head back to Virginia either tonight or very early in the morning!
My love and thanks to all of you,
Melissa and Family
Thursday, February 19, 2009
My kid is going into High School - how is that possible?
OK...reality hit me between the eyes last night.
We went to the intro to high school meeting at her middle school. As I sat in that auditorium listening to them talk about high school credits and colleges I began to find myself wondering how I got there. How is it possible that my child is old enough to be going into high school?!
She has a few more months before she actually starts but it just doesn't seem possible. Wasn't it just yesterday I was sending her off to kindergarten! I can't believe how fast time flies.
And now as she is making breakfast she is telling me that she wants to become a doctor. I have known that but to hear that after everything from last night is just crazy. She wants to know what college I think she should go to. How crazy is this?!
I don't know if I am totally ready for all of this yet.
We went to the intro to high school meeting at her middle school. As I sat in that auditorium listening to them talk about high school credits and colleges I began to find myself wondering how I got there. How is it possible that my child is old enough to be going into high school?!
She has a few more months before she actually starts but it just doesn't seem possible. Wasn't it just yesterday I was sending her off to kindergarten! I can't believe how fast time flies.
And now as she is making breakfast she is telling me that she wants to become a doctor. I have known that but to hear that after everything from last night is just crazy. She wants to know what college I think she should go to. How crazy is this?!
I don't know if I am totally ready for all of this yet.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
God knows better
I know this is true, but it was made true this last week in our lives.
Mr. A works for a little know coffee store who is going through some serious cuts. Mr. A has always had people ask how he is doing but none of the cuts have affected this area...until now. Unfortunately we didn't know how bad things had really gotten until Saturday due Mr. A has been out on medical leave.
We happen to stop by a store on Saturday and Mr. A struck up a conversation with the manager. We found out that there had been a major layoff and many of Mr. A's friends and co-workers were let go. We were shocked. We were prepared to have some loss but the amount of loss was just more than we could have imagined. The kicker as little as six weeks ago, Mr. A held the same position that all of these layoffs held.
We had been praying for Mr. A to move to a location that was closer to home. He had been driving about 1 hour each way for the last 9 months and the commute and cost of the commute was getting old. Not to mention things at the store had gone from bad to worse. We really just needed a miracle to happen...either promotion, demote or leave the company.
Well, a promotion was offered at a store that was closer. Mr. A liked the idea of being closer but he had never wanted to be in a management position. He liked working with people, not numbers. This was really what he wanted to avoid. More hours needed at the store, more time away from family and having to fill in whenever someone couldn't make it in. He would be the one that everyone called.
Everything was pointing to the management position. Even though it would be tough, the economics of today just didn't allow us to have much of another choice. I was feeling peace however Mr. A was just frustrated. It was him in the position. It was him that was having to put in the time and effort. He reluctantly agreed to the position.
Fast forward to Saturday and finding out that the former position that Mr. A held was now eliminated, Mr. A and I looked at each other and had to smile. God knew better than us. All the times we fought over what to do, all we had to do was trust. God was is in control and knew the situation so much better than we did. We left the store thankful to escape the first of what is probably many cuts to come. We left encouraged that we are in the palm of God's hand and He is holding us during this time of craziness.
Mr. A works for a little know coffee store who is going through some serious cuts. Mr. A has always had people ask how he is doing but none of the cuts have affected this area...until now. Unfortunately we didn't know how bad things had really gotten until Saturday due Mr. A has been out on medical leave.
We happen to stop by a store on Saturday and Mr. A struck up a conversation with the manager. We found out that there had been a major layoff and many of Mr. A's friends and co-workers were let go. We were shocked. We were prepared to have some loss but the amount of loss was just more than we could have imagined. The kicker as little as six weeks ago, Mr. A held the same position that all of these layoffs held.
We had been praying for Mr. A to move to a location that was closer to home. He had been driving about 1 hour each way for the last 9 months and the commute and cost of the commute was getting old. Not to mention things at the store had gone from bad to worse. We really just needed a miracle to happen...either promotion, demote or leave the company.
Well, a promotion was offered at a store that was closer. Mr. A liked the idea of being closer but he had never wanted to be in a management position. He liked working with people, not numbers. This was really what he wanted to avoid. More hours needed at the store, more time away from family and having to fill in whenever someone couldn't make it in. He would be the one that everyone called.
Everything was pointing to the management position. Even though it would be tough, the economics of today just didn't allow us to have much of another choice. I was feeling peace however Mr. A was just frustrated. It was him in the position. It was him that was having to put in the time and effort. He reluctantly agreed to the position.
Fast forward to Saturday and finding out that the former position that Mr. A held was now eliminated, Mr. A and I looked at each other and had to smile. God knew better than us. All the times we fought over what to do, all we had to do was trust. God was is in control and knew the situation so much better than we did. We left the store thankful to escape the first of what is probably many cuts to come. We left encouraged that we are in the palm of God's hand and He is holding us during this time of craziness.
Monday, February 2, 2009
25 Random Things about ME!
This has been going around on Facebook and I decided to post my response here on my blog so you could get to know a little more about me.
1. I was originally suppose to be named Heather.
2. My parents came up with my middle name after seeing it on the mud flap of a big rig while traveling while my mom was pregnant with me. I really do love it. I love it so much I gave it to my youngest daughter as her middle name too! :O
3. I was the first girl born in my family in over 40 years.
4. I have some of the greatest friends in the world even though every one lives so far away.
5. Mr. A & I went to the same high school but never at the same time.
6. My favorite food is Mexican - I could probably eat a form of it everyday. Especially chips, salsa and gucamole.
7. I never ditched school ever - even on Senior ditch day.
8. My hero is my mom. Having gone through so much with cancer and still have a positive attitude is amazing.
9. I HATE, HATE, HATE meatloaf but like hamburgers. I know...it doesn't make sense, but there is something different about meatloaf. ***GAG***
10. I haven't thrown up since I was 14.
11. Mr. A & I got into a disagreement just before he proposed.
12. I love the smell of the ocean...it is calming to me
13. I want to go back to school and get a degree...in what I am not sure. I just want a degree!
14. I love baby belly laughs and toothless gummy baby smiles!
15. I have always wanted to go to Australia
16. I can't imagine my life without God!
17. I love taking photographs and at one point in HS thought I would be a professional photographer
18. Even though I have a house there are times I miss living in an apartment.
19. I would love to start a non-profit for troubled youth
20. I drink way to much soda, but it is so good!
21. I love most anything from the WWII era - the clothes, music, history,
22. I would love to quit my job, homeschool my kids and travel the world taking photographs
23. I would love to adopt
24. I wish I could go back to the early years with my girls and not wish they would grow up. I miss those days now.
25. I want my whole family to live at least two hours away from each other again for the rest of our lives so I can watch my nephews grow up.
1. I was originally suppose to be named Heather.
2. My parents came up with my middle name after seeing it on the mud flap of a big rig while traveling while my mom was pregnant with me. I really do love it. I love it so much I gave it to my youngest daughter as her middle name too! :O
3. I was the first girl born in my family in over 40 years.
4. I have some of the greatest friends in the world even though every one lives so far away.
5. Mr. A & I went to the same high school but never at the same time.
6. My favorite food is Mexican - I could probably eat a form of it everyday. Especially chips, salsa and gucamole.
7. I never ditched school ever - even on Senior ditch day.
8. My hero is my mom. Having gone through so much with cancer and still have a positive attitude is amazing.
9. I HATE, HATE, HATE meatloaf but like hamburgers. I know...it doesn't make sense, but there is something different about meatloaf. ***GAG***
10. I haven't thrown up since I was 14.
11. Mr. A & I got into a disagreement just before he proposed.
12. I love the smell of the ocean...it is calming to me
13. I want to go back to school and get a degree...in what I am not sure. I just want a degree!
14. I love baby belly laughs and toothless gummy baby smiles!
15. I have always wanted to go to Australia
16. I can't imagine my life without God!
17. I love taking photographs and at one point in HS thought I would be a professional photographer
18. Even though I have a house there are times I miss living in an apartment.
19. I would love to start a non-profit for troubled youth
20. I drink way to much soda, but it is so good!
21. I love most anything from the WWII era - the clothes, music, history,
22. I would love to quit my job, homeschool my kids and travel the world taking photographs
23. I would love to adopt
24. I wish I could go back to the early years with my girls and not wish they would grow up. I miss those days now.
25. I want my whole family to live at least two hours away from each other again for the rest of our lives so I can watch my nephews grow up.
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