Friday, August 31, 2007

Surgery went well

today was my first day back on the pc so just trying to get caught up
still recovering so I will post more of an update later

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Changes

Today I found out that they changed the hospital and the date/time of my surgery. So now it will be MONDAY AUG 27 (which is my kids first day back to school)

Change is not always my strong suit -- ok lets get real - I HATE CHANGE - I like to "feel" like I am in control (even though I know that GOD is the only one who has any control) So when I have to start scribbling in my planner and rearrange all my plans (especially with such short notice) it grates on my nerves. So I am really trying to just LET GO and LET GOD through all of this

But for a gal that is an obsessive compulsive CONTROL FREAK -- it is FrEaKiN HaRd!!!!

Surgery is Scheduled

UPDATE (they changed it to MONDAY AUG 27th 2007)

found out yesterday that my surgery is
scheduled for Aug 30th at 10:30 am

so I have less than 8 days WOW - not a lot
of time to get all these little things around here done
and do a through CLEANING - Guess I will have
to be happy with just doing what I can :D

Noah is still improving - and I am SO SO THANKFUL
to see him walking around

The kids will start school on Monday -- seems like
the summer just zoomed by -- they are both VERY
EXCITED about it -

will try to update as much as possible but it really
just depends on how busy i am until the surgery and
how I feel after the surgery

Thanks for everyones prayers and support - I know
He hears you :D :D

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Last Week's Run Down

SUNDAY (today) Laundry - grocery list/menu - Heath went to buy the groceries - catch up on email and paperwork - hopefully pay some bills -- Noah has already improved so much - he can walk up and down the stairs now - slowly but surely

SATURDAY - They said he had Transient Synovitis - and it can last 1 -3 weeks but he was able to go home - We were so thankful it wasn't something more serious - got home from Texas Childrens Hospital around 8am - So we slept for most of the day

FRIDAY - Noah had an X ray in the morning and his 2nd appointment for the day at 2:20 - his dr. said that the xray showed that his bone was protruding a bit (because of fluid) and that is labs also showed signs of fluid build up - he would need and ultrasound and probably have to have the fluid drained -- THIS IS WHEN I STARTED TO FREAK A LITTLE - She tried to get a hold of some pediatric orthopedics but they were all gone for the day already - She said we needed to take him down to Texas Children's Hospital and have him seen - apparently this fluid can damage the bone if it is left untreated - When Noah heard that he would have to go to the dr. AGAIN (this would be the 6th time in 2 days) all he could say was "I am not going to have to miss High School Musical 2, am I ??" I asked the dr. if he needed to go right away or if it was something that could wait until either his dad got off of work or possibly in the morning - she said she didn't want us to wait any longer than the morning
Noah got to watch High School Musical and when heath got home from work we took him down town to the Children's Hospital. They did an ultrasound (which was painful for him) and could see the fluid - since it was clear they said they weren't sure if they would drain it or not - his white blood cell count was normal also indicating that it wasn't infection so they tried to get in touch with his pediatrician to see if they wanted him to be observed for 24 hours - this took a while and around 7:15 am they came in and said Noah would be able to go home and we would just have to give him his meds and watch him and if it got worse bring him back in -- I was so so so happy that they didn't need to drain it --

THURSDAY - Noah woke up limping still. Noah had an appt. with his pediatrician in the A.M. - HE HAS STREP THROAT ? Crazy - no fever - no complaints of sore throat - but sure enough a positive throat culture - She didn't seem too concerned with his leg.
That afternoon he had an appointment with his Neurologist who could obviously tell he was in pain - by this time it was much worse and Heath and I were carrying him - at one point heath thought we should just skip his Neurologist appointment and take him straight to the ER - anyway the Neurologist recommended we either take him back to the dr. or take him to the ER - We stopped at my brother in laws house so he could give him a quick look see (he is an RN in the ER) He thought it might just be a pulled groin muscle. I wasn't really sure if it was something that warranted an ER visit or not so we called his dr. and since it was already after 4pm they told us to take him to the after hours clinic - they ended up doing some blood work (NOAH DIDN'T LIKE THIS PART AT ALL) and set him up for an Xray for the following day and another appointment. They were thinking it was Post Streptoccal Anthropothy were the strep virus settles in a joint causing it to collect fluid and become inflammed

WEDNESDAY - house stuff - Wed. evening Noah said his leg was hurting - he woke up in the middle of the night and was limping - I thought maybe he slept on it funny or something

TUESDAY - My last day of work - Officially a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM) again :D :D

Monday, August 13, 2007

The CRaZyNeSS that is MY LIFE

right now -- this season -- it will pass -- and then i will look back and LAUGH at my worries - at my fears - at all the WRINKLES my anxiety has given me :D :D



Went back to the doctor last thursday to find out that all 3 tumors WERE NOT BENIGN one was and 2 of the test were inconclusive -- I guess when the doctor emails you "everything is ok, come and see me when you are back in town" it isn't the same as EVERYTHING IS BENIGN -- ooopsie -- at least i was able to relax some on the latter part of my vacation. So all of that being said I have an appointment on the 20th to meet with the surgeon for a pre op appointment. Will be having a subtotal thyroidectomy unless when they get in there it is cancer and if so they will have to remove everything. No worries (not too many at least) this way i will not have to see my endochrinologist every two months, but only once a year -- and what is a 4-5 inch scar on my neck anyway - NO BIG DEAL -- IT WILL BE SUPER COOL COME HALLOWEEN TIME -- at least this is what i am hoping - and if not guess i can invest in some turtlenecks



Thanks again for all your well wishes and cyber HUGS ;)

they are greatly appreciated



LoVE and BLESsInGs to you all

Monday, August 06, 2007

BACK FROM VACATION :D :D

just came back last night
we had such a great time
haven't unpacked yet or
gotten pics off my camera
so I will post more about our
trip later

but wanted to pop in and say
that we got some GREAT news
from the doctors on Wednesday
all three tumors were benign

YEAH -- have another appointment
on Thursday :D :D :D

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Had my appointment with the specialists today. Didn't go as well as I had hoped but then again I was thinking something along the lines of "Those tumors are A o.K. don't even worry about them - come back and see me in a year"

well needless to say it went a little differently

I HAD TO HAVE 3 biopsies -- OUCH!!!!

i think that was just cruel and unusual punishment
I mean someone jabbing a needle up/down all around very near your voice box -
- NOT PLEASENT not at all
and really there is barely any "meat" there
a couple of time i could have swore he stabbed me right in the throat
and the fact that the dr. said it would feel "sort of"
(looking back that sort of should have been a clue) like
having your blood drawn -- THIS WAS A BOLD FACE LIE
and he knew it -- after he did the first I think he thought I
wasn't going to let him continue -- but since dh was there
I HAD TO

SO other than the painful needle jabbing -- and the fact that i heard the "C" word more times than i would like to it was a total success

Still sore but feeling much better than i did during the first two hours after the procedure

We will hopefully have some "C" free news next Tuesday

Please continue to keep me in your prayers

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big day
Well.... I guess since it is after 2am it is TODAY
So ready to just get this dr. appointment over with
Something in the back of my head is saying that
it is all fine and after I meet with the dr. tomorrow
I will feel silly for worrying so darn much
but then there is that part that says that the
above mentioned thinking is to keep me from SOBBING
:D
Who knows ?!?!

Seriously -- all joking aside -- IT WILL BE FINE

Right now i think I am more concerned with my hubby
he just found out today the the promotion he was offered
has been rescended because they switched district managers
and now there is a new DM over the store that he was offered
I know he is disappointed and it may all still work out but I think
he is just so sick of all the back and forth stuff -- It is hard when
our husbands are disappointed - I so want to fix this for him
but it just isn't possible -- all I can do is pray - and though it
doesn't sound like much - I know it is HUGE - I know God
will continue to bless our little family - That is what faith is --
BELIEVING

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME

Friday, July 20, 2007

Honestly

the past week or two have been a tad overwhelming to say the least. Today it has been 11 years since the car accident that claimed the life of my little boy. This time of year is usually pretty tough, even after all these years.

As well as dealing with the feelings that this week brings up I have had 3 doctor appointments that... um... have been scary. Most people who know me know I don't always stay on top of my doctor appointments -- I mean we move A LOT - and at every new address I have to get a new
DENTIST
PEDIATRICIAN
NEUROLOGIST
OPHTHAMOLOGIST (sp?)
GENERAL PRACTICE
OB/GYN (not so much the ob part but i still need the gyn :D )
not to mention figure out where the nearest scrapbook store, Target, and Mall are ;) That is a lot to do ----so when we moved back to Houston I worked on getting everyone elses dr. appts and now about a year later I finally went for my visit.

Hadn't been feeling great for a few years now and had put on quite a bit of weight - I think I kind of knew something wasn't right and I mentioned it at my last visit but the dr. that saw me that day didn't seem concerned at all. So I went on about my merry way.

That brings us to last week -went for my "girly" visit and this doctor wanted to do some blood work so I had to come in during a particular "time of the month" - a specific day in fact and have the said blood work done -- When I returned for this appointment (MONDAY) the doctor noticed that my thyroid seemed enlarged so she ordered blood work for that - Then she said she wanted to have me get an ultrasound - Which I had on WEDNESDAY-

I was positive something was wrong when they did the ultrasound because it took longer than normal - The tech left 2 different times to speak to the dr. (not a good sign) and then when I tried to milk her for info she assured me that my dr. would be contacting me in the next 24 hours. ---- Also not good since I had to go to a different clinic to have the ultrasound in the first place -- They never turn them over that fast - it is usually a few days (2 or 3 AT LEAST) - another "not so great sign"

But I didn't have too much time to worry because I had to
go to work
then I had a hair appt.
then had to rush to pick up the kids
and finally pick up Heath
We we arrived home it was 7:30

Sure enough there was a message on my machine at 11:20am (my ultrasound was at 10am) from my doctor saying to call her back and that she needed to "discuss" the results with me
Since it was so late I was able to fret over the whole ordeal -- and boy was my mind in OverDRIVE -- I spoke with the doctor on Thursday and not only did they find a cyst and see that my thyroid was enlarged (i have previously had one removed- so i kind of figured there may be another one) but aparrently there were other "CAUSES FOR CONCERN"

they found abnormal growths both on my thyroid and in "OTHER AREAS" (really what ELSE could be in there)
and the Lab work concerned her as well
What this all means I HAVE NO IDEA

So now I get to go to my 4th dr's visit (during a 2 week period) to a Endocrinologist on Tuesday
Now REMEMBER I leave on Wednesday for my TSR RETREAT and I have already said I don't care if I have to drag an IV with me to KS - I am going on that darn retreat :D

So here is to FAITH
FAITH that EVERYTHING will be JUST FINE :D

Thursday, July 19, 2007

SHINE


loved this pic of my hubby and i

liked the layout but wasn't in love with it

so i will probably scrap this picture again in

the future :D


Picture of me and my hubby 7-2007

Journaling reads:

When the sun is hard to find

When it's rainin in your eyes

When the shadows block those pretty

little blue skies living inside you

When the fallin of your tears

makes a candle disappear

when you just can't see the light

baby i'll find a way to shine


Tuesday, July 17, 2007

My Heart Belongs to YOU


Made this layout for my Hubby :D :D
It was a SCRAPLIFT Challenge on TSR
the challenge was to scraplift a layout
by Elsie Flannigan :D :D
LOVE how it turned out

Getting Ready to go on VACATION

This VACATION promises to be EXTRA fun
Not only do I get to go home and visit my family
I get to attend a TSR RETREAT (not just any retreat
the FIRST ANNUAL TSR RETREAT) I am super
stoked!!!

Can't wait to hang out with Erin and the other TSR gals
We are going to have such a BLAST

After the retreat we will stay in Tulsa to visit some of our
dear friends THE BAKERS -just in case you didn't know
i was talking about YOU ;) - you can check out Ashlee's blog here http://www.ashluvs2.blogspot.com/

Then we will head to my parents for a week
it will be our first time back home since we MOVED
and i can't WAIT

hope to have to cool pics on my return - :D

Monday, July 02, 2007

I love...


I love my husband

- strange how it seems like

we have spent a lifetime together-

being best friends - it is hard to remember

my life before he was in it - and honestly I

don't really want to --

I LOVE HIM COMPLETELY

Monday, June 25, 2007

My GIRL


another pic of my GIRL :D
well - just because .... because
it is MY BLOG and I can ;)
this is her --"Mom - I know it is my birthday
but HOW MANY FREAKIN' PICTURES are you
going to make me take" face
:D

Friday, June 22, 2007

MY little GIRL IS SEVEN TODAY!!


I can't even believe it - She seems to be growing by leaps and bounds - SO BEAUTIFUL - a little too big for her britches in the SASSY department - but man it is great to have a little girl - it is like a little mini young lady in training - she just recently went to get an mani/pedi for the first time with her aunt Christi and her Grandmommy - she came back with red fingernails and toenails and her big toe had a little flower on it - Super cute - They also took her to starbucks and to bath and body works too so she was TOTALLY being SpOiLED ;) - and she LoVeD every minute of it.

I wonder what GREAT things God has in store for her life - She wants to be a teacher right now but that of course could change next week or even tomorrow :D

Things I want to remember about her at this very moment are
She loves to sing (when no one is watching) She sings along with - her VBS cd from last summer - Hannah Montana - The Annie Soundtrack - High School Musical Soundtrack - and anything else she can get her hands on :D
She loves to be CRAFTY -- she makes cards - paints - her watercoloring is SUPER FAB - and I love how she leaves me little notes all over the house - mostly NICE ones but there have been a few she wrote when she was upset with me
She loves to CLEAN and ORGANIZE - better take advantage of that before she hits her teen years ;)
She is very dramatic - and the majority of the time it is quite comical - except when I am trying to cook or am on the phone ;)

Sharing a pic i took today :D

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

OMGOSH - I CAN POST



Thank you dear BLOGGER TECH PEOPLE

they finally cracked the code and HOOKED ME UP

I haven't been able to post in FOREVER --

ok -- now the truth --

as much as I put off blogging ALL THE TIME

I SOOO MISSED IT WHEN I COULDN'T ACCESS IT
that is totally like me - don't know a good thing
till it is gone ;)
as for the photo -- love this one of my boy -- very seldom
I capture HIM -- you know - really him -- a real expression
a real moment -- THIS IS MY BOY -- Love love love you son :D

Saturday, May 26, 2007

My Sweet Girl


little miss makenna is getting bigger and bigger - so grown up lately -- wants to wear clear lipgloss and her GAP shades --
caught her singing Hannah Montana while standing on the couch looking in the mirror yesterday -- Where did my little girl go??

If you spot her somewhere let me know ;)

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

5-19-2007 Double Whammy


We had a combined birthday party for the kids this weekend. Everyone seemed to have fun. Heath was even pleased with the party, which I was a little concerned about.
This was the first year we have ever had a party outside of our home. I usually make everything for the kids parties - goodie bags - decor etc. and my mother in law usually makes the cakes. All in all I usually spend a little over $100 bucks for everything and then I of course have to clean the house before and after the party. So we figured that if they doubled up(their birthdays are only 2 months apart) we could afford to do one birthday party for them both. We had it at Monkey Bizness (which is similar to Pump it Up)but it has a rock wall and was $50 cheaper :D BONUS!!! So I think we broke even in the $$$ department.
However, we learned a HUGE LESSON. We will not be combining the kids birthdays EVER AGAIN. Let me start by saying we had the party in the morning so I knew some people wouldn't be able to make it. I let the children invite 26 people each just for this reason (I was guessing about half would show). But NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think that Noah would only have ONE CHILD attend his party -- out of 26 invites -- this isn't including his cousin and his neighborhood friend which were shoe ins. There were 26 others invited outside of these two. Honestly I was concerned that TOO MANY kids would come and that I would be paying for them all individually. Makenna had about half of her friends show up, which I think made Noah feel even worse. He didn't pout at the party but I could tell he was disappointed. WHO WOULDN'T BE. Personally I was CRUSHED for him. He really was a trooper about it.
He is so FRIENDLY to EVERYONE -- and I really mean that -- I am not just saying that because he is my child. He is an awesome KIND HEARTED kid. I know that sometimes children don't receive him as well as he (and I) would like. They don't understand his tics. They think he is weird and often tell him this to his face. He tries to explain Tourette Syndrome to them but all they see is that it makes him different. Different from THEM and at the ripe old age of 8 different doesn't mean cool or unique in their eyes. Maybe as Parents we should try and change that.
So today I am sharing his picture. A picture of a handsome young boy who has the whole world ahead of him. We are all different and we should CELEBRATE that. It makes us who we are. We are, after all, FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY MADE.

Friday, May 11, 2007

No closer to an answer....


No closer to an answer but feeling good non the less

we have ruled out Colorado -- the cost of living is higher

there and the relocation package wouldn't be as nice


So will we Stay (in houston) or will we go (back to OK perhaps) ??


Who really knows -- and today I am totally ok with that --

this doesn't mean tomorrow I won't feel overwhelmed and

anxious and want an answer ;)

........ but today I am good


Had to get a swimsuit today --- UGGH!

I hate having to shop for a swimsuit -- especially since

i am overweight -- Have lost 11 pounds so far but no where

near where I would like to be -- hopefully once school is out

for the kids and I, I will be able to get more disciplined about

working out --


and lastly a photo of my hottie hubby -- who is at work --

who I wish was home cuddled up on the couch with me

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Happy NSD :D

So today is National Scrapbooking Day

YEAH!!! a special day to celebrate a very fun and rewarding hobby

WHOOOO RAYYY

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Life lesson (one that I should have mastered by now)

It is almost Summer

that can't be right --
did we even celebrate Christmas yet??

Ever have those moments where you sit back
and realize MONTHS have just flown by
That was me today - Sitting outside enjoying
the lovely weather and then it hit me --

I only have 3 weeks of work left -- OMgoodness
Whatever shall I do -- Where did the time go

You would think I would have gotten a hint when
(for the 3rd time this week) one of my bosses asked
"Have you found out anything yet?" refering to our
possible move - I just smiled and so "No we haven't made
any decisions yet" all the while thinking -- Man WHAT is UP
why do they keep asking -- I will surely tell them as
soon as I find out something --

Then I realized THEY haven't had us sign our contracts for the
upcoming year yet - they have been trying to politely ask if I would
be there next year or not --

insert the part where i feel like a total BOOB

then that realization gets the ball rolling
WILL I BE COMING BACK
WILL WE EVEN STILL BE IN HOUSTON
ARE WE MOVING

-- then insues the sudden sense of ERGENCY to
find out - WHAT THE HECK we are doing -- going
to do

So for a good three hours today I was consumed
with anxiety - doubt - confusion -

all to find out ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

"And which of you by being anxious can add a single
cubit to his life's span?" Matthew 6:27

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness;
and all these things whall be added to you. Therefore
do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will
care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:33-34

Seriously -- this should be tattoed on my hand as a reminder
(those of you who know me well know that i constantly write
notes to myself on my hand - which I might add drives my
husband INSANE)

Monday, April 16, 2007

answered PRAYERS


Isn't it GREAT when God answers our PRAYERS

Last night I was working on this weeks Preschool stuff

and I was so tired and overwhelmed with all that is/was on

my plate - I had been telling Heath that there really wasn't

anything that I could say NO to -- It all had to be done - and

it all HAS to be DONE by TODAY -- SCARY --

Laundry

checkbook

groceries

Preschool Stuff

Challenge for TSR

tons of Forms and stuff for FOSTER CARE

Bills

make Dentist appointments (these are WAY overdue)

take ebay pictures


then all of a sudden I just decided to pray and I asked God to bring Linda

back soon -- I was thinking maybe after this week ????


and GUESS WHAT

I get a call this morning from the Asst. Director saying that

Linda is coming back tomorrow -- YEAH!!!!!

so really it didn't lighten my workload for yesterday or today

but it was some light at the end of the tunnel that i desperately needed :D



Here is a layout I did a couple of weeks ago for a challenge on TSR

inspiration for the tree came from this card



Monday, April 09, 2007

Happy Birthday NOAH!!!

Happy Birthday SON
I love you - every single thing about you
You bring so much JOY to my life :D
I can't believe that you are 8
WOW - were did the time go


hoping to have a mini photo shot with you and your
new mo hawk -- Hopefully you will cooperate with the
camera - even though you aren't big on pictures :D
just one or two good ones would make my week

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Continued BUSY - NESS

So much going on in our Family right now -

We are Taking classes to become FOSTER PARENTS
Heath has a few Job opportunities that could possibly move our family OUT OF STATE
I am planning a joint BIRTHDAY PARTY for the kids
and I am still taking care of the PRESCHOOL CLASS

THAT ALL feels like a LOT right now -- but in the big scheme of things I know these things/decisions are TINY --

GOD has got everything UNDER CONTROL!!!
and I am trying to enjoy the ride
(sometimes with teeth clinched - but never the less - I am trying) ;)

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Always BE Happy Beautiful Girl


sharing a layout :D :D made with stuff that was pulled out on my workspace -- lots of it is from the March kit at the scrap room -- www.scrap-room.com


Monday, March 26, 2007

LOVE TRIANGLE

ok so i went to READ to Makenna's class today
and the teacher tells me she is involved in a LOVE TRIANGLE


WHATTT???
How did that HAPPEN

apparently she has two boys in class fighting over her
and it was a big enough issue that the teacher brought
it up today -- OMGOSH -- She is 6 -- what the heck
i didn't start liking boys until i was much older .... um...
like 12 or 13

anyway - she has been informed that she is not ALLOWED
to have a boyfriend - she is only 6
but somehow i think that makes her only like them MORE
i could see that little twinkle in her eye

REBELLION

Pray for us --

SUPER BUSY

Super Busy at work
stepping in for a teacher
that had a family emergency
and can i just say that reading
another teachers lesson plans is
like trying to read CHINESE

lots of cutting to do for school tomorrow
JUNGLE/RAINFOREST WEEK and I have
some FUN STUFF UP MY SLEEVE for the
students -- :D :D

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Wednesday March 21

Took a little drive out to Brenham
took some pics in the BLUEBONNETS
:D :D
got home and put the kids to bed long
after BEDTIME but we had FUN :D
;) :D

Friday, March 16, 2007

SPRING BREAK -- thus far

Friday - 3-9-07 Ran errands ALL DAY and looked for a bathing suit (to no avail) that night we hung out at KandD's with Melissa and her kids then Noah and Makenna decided they wanted to sleepover too :D
Saturday 3-10 We had two back to back birthday parties one was a friend of Noah's (PUMP it UP) and the other a friend of Makenna's (Chuck E Cheese) that night at had the ONLINE CROP at TSR www.scrap-room.com
Sunday 3-11 Ken took us all out to Double Dave's and we hung out at Melissa's house :D
Monday and Tuesday the kids and I tackled some things around the house (it RAINED)
Wednesday 3-14 Heath and I took the kids to CHUCK E CHEESE it was RAINING with SEVERE T-STORMS -- that night Melissa and kids came to sleep over
Thursday - Hung out with Melissa and kids
Friday 3-16 HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE with Molly and kids - SUPER FUN - pictures to come -- this was the first time i have taken the kids so they were so excited - they loved it all - especially the dinosaurs :D
Saturday / Sunday - My Brothers are coming for a visit (Johnny and Jeremy) :D

Saturday, March 10, 2007

IT's ME ... IT'S ME

remember the Spartan skit from SNL
that was all I could think about when I decided to
come forth with my BIG NEWS .... :D

I just became the newest addition to the MOD SQUAD at TSR www.scrap-room.com
I am SOOOO FREAKIN EXCITED -- I feel in love with this site as soon as I joined and
I am THRILLED to be apart of the TEAM -- Thanks :D :D :D