This Thing Called...Our Life!

Blogging again

2011-04-15T10:32:00.001-04:00

It's time to start blogging again. Lots of new stuff to share! So, I need to find the time...stay tuned!

Tyler

2011-01-20T10:41:00.001-05:00

Proud of our graduates

2010-05-06T22:15:00.003-04:00

Graduation is Saturday for Anderson University and I couldn't be more proud of the eighty-one adult students that will cross the stage! They have worked hard over the last few years to earn their degree! So, congratulations to them all!

A special congratulations goes to Gail Brant, our 87-year-old adult student. She is the oldest student to ever graduate from Anderson University. We are so very proud of her.

Watch the video at the side for more on Gail!

12 Things I Love About Caleb!!!

2010-04-09T08:48:00.003-04:00

Today is my youngest son’s 12th birthday. In honor of him, I am listing 12 things I love about him! He was born April 9, 1998 at 10:56 a.m. 4 weeks premature.

His smile

His love for others

His stubbornness (he gets this from me!)

The way he will still holds my hand in public

His blue eyes

His need to be with his family

His love for animals

He wants to fight for our country and join the military

His love for football

His sense of humor

His sensitive side

His fight for life!

My wonderful, youngest son who fought for his first breath of air. You almost did not survive those first days of life. You spent ten days in intensive care and the first five in a ventilator. I did not get to hold you until that fifth day. You did not cry until almost six days. My beautiful preemie infant boy. You worried my so much during those first years of life. To look at you today, you would not know that you were ever in such distress. Breathing treatments, surfactant shots, RSV shots, and other things to keep you healthy. I thank God each and every day for you. You are my miracle baby! I love you so much!

Happy 12th Birthday, Caleb Kristopher Mixell. You are so very special to me!

Back to the grind

2010-03-13T12:47:00.003-05:00

Spring forward when you go to bed tonight! I do not like Daylight Savings time. But I do like the fact that spring is almost here. This cardinal has been attacking our picture window for the last two weeks.

I am back to work full time, FINALLY! I feel great! My back aches a little here and there, but otherwise I am feeling wonderful.

It was a long road and quite a journey. A journey that I am glad to see the end of. Although, I learned a lot about myself during it. I learned a lot about other people. I guess if I didn't learn anything it would have been wasted time. So it was a valuable journey. I just don't want to repeat it!

I am back in classes and have been working on homework the last couple of weeks. I have a class that I have to finish from when I was sick. I am trying to get the final paper for it finished by the 19th. I am working on homework that is due by Wednesday and then I go to my face to face meeting.

The boys have signed up for baseball. We have signed Tyler up for his FRESHMEN classes. He turns fifteen this summer (ugh!) Caleb turns twelve next month and starts middle school in the fall. I am not ready for all these life changes.

Racing practice starts the end of this month with races starting next month.

It looks like life is getting back to normal. I am glad. I hope it stays this way!

Latest Health Update

2010-02-18T22:03:00.003-05:00

I have not updated my blog in ages, well, because I haven't felt like it. Between my surgery in October and getting very ill, I just haven't felt like it.

I figured it was time to give a quick update to anyone who might actually read this to let them know what is going on.

I feel good about my back. Just a little aching, but overall of pretty good.

But, I have been very, very sick lately. So sick that I have lost a total of 25 pounds since my surgery. So here is the latest news and why I finally can update this blog.

I had an appointment with my family doctor this morning to check on my results from my CT scan (they were clear) and to go over my new medication from last week. The timing of the visit was appropriate after feeling so ill again yesterday. As I explained to my doctor, I had finally felt like I was turning a corner beginning last Friday night/Saturday morning, because I was getting an appetite back and then I found myself so sick again this week. I was back to being nauseous and lightheaded (among other symptoms.) My thoughts to him were that the side effects of the new medication were making me ill (side effects of it were symptoms that I was experiencing.) I asked him to remove me from all of my medications except from the one I take for my migraines (and this one was reduced.)

I feel VERY strongly about this. I feel that I need to get healthy using vitamins and nutrition and not medication. I feel that my immune system is weakened and the medication is keeping me sick. I am very low on vitamin D, so he did give me a prescription for it. I also will be taking plenty of vitamin C and calcium.

The other thing is, I am SERIOUSLY dehydrated. We talked about it this morning and because of being so nauseous I haven't been able to eat or even drink the fluids I need (not even water without vomiting.) I have been so sick for so long that it has really caused a problem. As I have tried to explained to several people, when I stand up and move I have a feeling or sensation of "pins/needles" or every nerve in my body hurting but it starts at my head and I almost pass out. I looked up the signs and symptoms of dehydration today and I have every one of them, including one called "head rush" and I am almost at the dehydration level of 5%.

So, to make a long story short, if you see me help make sure I am drinking plenty of fluids and getting my nutrition in a healthy way. I feel very confident that once I am back to being hydrated and non-medicated I will be back to ME :)

Also, I have a follow up with the spine surgeon Monday and I feel that it will go well.

I think that once I get back to normal I will begin updating my blog again and have new pictures and things to talk about. I am really tired of talking about my health!

Chris

Amazing Mckmama Giveaway

2009-12-18T11:50:00.002-05:00

Many of you have heard of baby Stellan (who is completely FREE of SVT!!! Praise the Lord). Anyway, his mama (Mckmama) is having an amazing giveaway.

Check out her blog www.mckmama.com and see how you can enter some wonderful photography related materials!!!!!

There are four ways to be enter...go now!!!!

Chris

What are you thankful for?

2009-11-25T20:52:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for?

So much to be thankful for and I do not know where to begin. Each and every day I am blessed with something new to add to my growing list that I keep. This is a list that I am sure to “talk over” with God each night. God has been so good to me, but I have struggled with keeping my faith.

After my surgery I figured that after a few weeks, I would be walking pretty normal, off my pain medications, and limited somewhat. What I did not figure was that was not God’s plan for me. Recovery is difficult and long. It will continue to take its toll on me and I will continue to remind myself that it is not my plan. I am along for the ride! I will trust Him, He has my best interest at heart and know what I need, not what I want.

Each day I realize what a wonderful family I have been blessed with. I have a husband that is honestly my dream “guy”. I love him more and more each day and do not know what I would do without him. Now, that is not to say he doesn’t get on my nerves. Ask him, he’ll tell ya, he does. Especially of late. This is when I remind myself how thankful and blessed I am to have a husband that loves me and would do anything for me. He makes me smile, he makes me laugh, he hugs me when I need it, and leaves me along when I need that. He knows me better than anyone else. He is an amazing husband, father, lover, and friend. I know how truly lucky, blessed and thankful I am to have him!

I am blessed with beautiful, wonderful, brat-like “teen-agers”. My two boys are awesome and amazing. They make me proud each and every day. I still have a hard time with the fact that they are mine…I created them. They are half me and some days you can really tell it. I am also blessed with two awesome step-sons. I love them and love to give them a hard time. They are like their father in many ways and in other ways like their mother. They are great boys, good looking, kind, and rotten. I couldn’t be more blessed.

I am thankful for my friends. I have many who would do anything for me. Those that know me know what a difficult time I have had recently and they are patient with me. They understand that when I ask for help it is a very humbling experience for me. I have found a great friend in the most unexpected of places. Each day I am more and more thankful for her and our friendship. God truly is amazing and some days I think he has worked miracles in my life.

For those that spend time with me daily or occasionally, please know that I will one day be happy, smiling, laughing and joyful again. Please know that this is just a difficult time, but I do know I will make it through it. I have put all my trust in the Lord and I know He will not steer me wrong. Please be patient, please know I mean no harm when I get stressed and yell, and please know that I love each and every one of you.

This year is a year of thanksgiving. I am so very thankful for my life and so very blessed. I give thanks for these things and so many more.

Enjoy your day because I plan to enjoy mine!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Photo of the day

2009-11-21T16:29:00.002-05:00

Need I say more?

True love at it's best!!!

Cameron

2009-11-19T18:07:00.004-05:00

I can't take credit for taking this picture but I edited it last night. I wanted to share the before and after. I learned how to do the side by side layout from Mckmama (www.mckmama.com) - so excited to share it to. Most of what I did in the editing I learned from reading her blog!

Enjoy (hopefully you can click on the pictures to view it larger) - cause it looks pretty cool bigger :)

Blessings to all,
Chris

Quiet time

2009-10-19T09:53:00.006-04:00

I have been a little quiet since finding out that I finally got my surgery approved for the end of this month. It's not because things have been quiet, trust me, not my house. It's actually for a few different reasons.

We have been quite busy in our neck of the woods. There has been classes to attend, homework to be done, food to be made, dishes to be cleaned, laundry to be washed, folded, and put away, counters to wipe, tables to dust, kids to clean, races to attend, games to play, meds to take...you get the picture.

Tyler and Caleb have both received clean bills of health. Caleb has one more doctor's appointment in November to be sure his wrist is continuing to heal the way it should. He is cast free and able to do as he chooses.

My husband finally finished roofing our barn. It wasn't his most pleasant task but he did it anyway. It is typically of our life, as soon as he pulled the roof off, it began to rain. It rained for several days before he could get back up there. While roofing the barn, my step-father-in-law fell and shot himself in the leg with the nail gun.

I have finished two classes and another one finishes tonight. That leaves me with just two classes left for the semester! In January, I am going to start our degree completion program for my bachelor's degree. Nursing has been put on hold momentarily!

My surgery is schedule for October 27. I have been trying to not get to excited about it after the disappointing news in September. I am terrified that I am going to get a cold, the flu, or something worse before then and have to have it postponed once again. With all the flu going around it is completely possible. I need to stay healthy for one more week!

We had a great weekend. Fall break for AU was Friday and I enjoyed my extra day off. Spent time sleeping, visiting the eye doctor, and generally not doing anything. Saturday we raced and Sunday we cleaned. The boys played flag-football in our side yard and then decided to play some kind of dodge ball (with a busted ball) and our dog.

It's going to be a busy week, getting things ready before my sick leave starts! Lots to do and lots to learn! Enjoy your week!

Tyler taking a break from "dodge" ball

Tristan eyeing a "victim"

Caleb thinking "seriously!"

Logan laughing!

Caleb and Tristan playing tug with Tasha!

Glen and Tristan checking out the new iPod

Ricky "Booby" better watch out - Tristan's coming for him!

Check out Ricky Bobby...loser sign for someone!

Ricky chasing Cal!

We are stupid (or die hard fans)...standing in the cold for racing!

Lottery

2009-10-02T15:54:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was a very rough day. I left work early because of my back pain. Fortunately, I have a great boss that has been very understanding of my situation. She was great about me leaving early and even indicated that if I needed to be off Friday, to let her know.

On my way home, I received a phone call from a number that I did not recognize. Due to the insurance situation I have been answer ALL calls (even though my habit is to not answer any call I do not recognize.)

Thank GOD I answered this call.

On the other line was Bruce from my insurance company. Bruce informed me that he had good news. Inside I felt like dying. I did not want to get my hopes up for another failure. Bruce informed me that the external review APPROVED my surgery! WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO

Then the tears began to flow! I was so happy that I had to pull off to the side of the road because I was crying so hard. The difference this time is they were HAPPY tears! I immediately called my husband to tell him the good news. Because I was crying he instantly said "they denied it again, didn't they?" I cried and cried and said "No...it has been approved. I get my surgery!"

I called my boss to let her know and I had the same reaction from her. She wasn't sure what was going on because of the tears! She sent this e-mail out to my co-workers:

OH HAPPY DAY!

The surgery has been approved! Chris called and wanted me to tell everyone thanks for the prayers. She was so happy, she was crying tears of joy.

Thanks be to God!

When I returned home, I sent a text to many of my family and friends to let them know the good news. I then called the doctor to reschedule the surgery. The next thing I did was call Patsy at Dr. Lilo's office. I wanted to thank her for all her help! Without her and many others this would not have been possible. I am so very thankful.

This has been such an emotional journey for me. I had finally come to terms with such a major surgery, only to have those crushed. I have been hurt, angry, frustrated, depressed, and any other emotion I could muster. Now there is joy! Although, I am still in significant pain, knowing that I am one step closer to healing makes me feel better.

My surgery has been rescheduled to October 27. I have three weeks to get caught up on homework, laundry, dishes, work, and life. Then I begin another journey of healing.

With all this "good luck", I think I might try the lottery!

Chris

Third times a charm?

2009-10-01T08:11:00.003-04:00

My 2nd appeal was denied, so I have initiated the 3rd and final appeal. My case is going to an external reviewer for final determination. This reviewer will look at the medical documentation and decided whether or not surgery is necessary. This person is not bound by the guidelines and policies that my insurance company has set in place. If this person (an orthopedic spine surgeon) determines that I do, in fact, need this surgery, then my insurance company MUST pay for it. If this person decides that I do not need surgery, then my insurance does NOT have to pay for it.

I have learned that although my doctor (both original and spine surgeon) have determined that I need surgery, according to my insurance handbook it doesn't meet their guidelines. It doesn't mean that I don't need the surgery - it just means I don't fit in their neat little box that says I do.

I spoke to the gentleman in charge of my external review yesterday. He did get it out the door yesterday afternoon because I asked for it to be expedited. He indicated that the external reviewer has three business days to return an answer to them. He also said he expects to have an answer before the end of the week. So, at the latest, I will have an answer sometime Monday.

I am asking for continued prayers as I struggle through this journey. I have found myself through an emotional roller coaster in the last week. I have struggled with why this would happen to me. I am continuing to struggle with that. I have been hurt, frustrated, angry, and depressed over this situation. I am putting my trust in God, but some days I find that difficult. I know He does what is best for us, I just struggle with the thought that He is wanting me to continue to be in this amount of pain with no alternative other than medication. It doesn't make sense. Someone suggested to me it is what He wants and I don't believe it. I believe there is an outside force fighting with God to interfere with the desired outcome. So, each day I continue to pray for the best.

I lost the first appeal, I lost the second appeal, isn't the saying third times a charm?

More waiting

2009-09-30T08:06:00.002-04:00

I filed a 2nd appeal and it was initiated and completed yesterday. I was told they would let me know their ruling as soon as possible. Hopefully I will hear something today.

The 2nd appeal consisted of me answering some questions from a panel of doctors and them reviewing my medical records. It also consisted of me providing additional information that was not in the original packet of records.

In the meantime, I am struggling with the pain. It starts off quite severe in the mornings and I am unable to take my pain medication because I haven't eaten. Once I eat, I try to take 1/2 a pill to get me through the day. It ends up making me quite nauseous and doesn't help the pain most days.

At night, I eat dinner and take a whole pill. By the time it takes affect, I am unable to do much other than go to bed. The nausea if awful and is impossible to function because of it. So, between the pain and nausea, I am not sure which I choose.

Frustrated...

2009-09-29T09:34:00.003-04:00

Frustrated is how I feel, so I am blogging my thoughts. They are random and probably do not make much sense, but I just need to get it out.

In 2005 I was diagnosed with low back problems. I visited a chiropractor for over a year trying to alleviate some of the pain. In 2006 my family doctor referred me to an orthopedic specialist, Dr. Lilo. Dr. Lilo proceeded to take MRI readings of my back and X-rays. It was determined at that time there was a disk bulge and disk protrusion in my lower back. To help ease the pain, I was given a lumbar epidural (steroid injection). This worked quite well. My pain was eased for the next two years.

In the middle part of 2008, I once again found myself at Dr. Lilo’s office with recurrent back pain. The pain had gotten to a point that it was beginning to interfere with my life. I was unable to assist around the house and lift things that I normally could. I found myself in significant pain when leaning over to fold laundry or help my son’s with their homework. Dr. Lilo repeated the MRI and it was determined that my lower disks were still showing significant damage. Dr. Lilo repeated the lumbar epidural injection in February 2009 (it had to be delayed due to gallbladder surgery in December 2008). After one month, the pain was still quite intolerable. Dr. Lilo repeated the injection for the third time. After one month, the injection failed to eliminate the pain. Dr. Lilo then proceeded to inject with a joint facet injection. Directly inserting the steroid into the joints to help alleviate the pain. This injection also failed. The next step Dr. Lilo insisted on was physical therapy along with wearing a back brace. I went to physical therapy three times a week for over a month, with absolutely no relief. The physical therapists indicated that they were unsure how to help with my pain. After this, Dr. Lilo tried a sacral iliac injection (putting steroid directly into the sacrum area where the joints come together.) This injection also failed.

Finally, Dr. Lilo suggested I see a spine specialist because he was unable to treat me further at this point. I saw Dr. Rick Sasso the middle part of August and after reviewing my information he suggest a test called a discogram. This test would pinpoint specifically where the pain was coming from if it was coming from the disks. The test was completed on August 25 under Dr. Lilo’s care and it came back positive with degenerative disks at the L4/L5 & L5/S1 disks. Dr. Lilo’s referred me back to Dr. Sasso.

I met with Dr. Sasso and he gave me two options. Leave it alone if I felt it did not debilitate my daily living or surgery. By this time I have went from using pain medication for relief maybe twice a week to every day. My opinion is that is does impair my daily living, so Dr. Sasso and I agreed the only other option was surgery. The surgery consisted of a lumbar spinal fusion.

My surgery was schedule for Tuesday, September 29. On Thursday, September 24 I received a letter from my insurance company (Anthem) indicating this surgery was not medically necessary. This is the same insurance company that has covered each and every one of my prior visits, including the discogram. I filed an expedited appeal on Friday, September 25. I called Dr. Lilo’s office and they faxed to my insurance company the documentation from the past four years.

Monday, September 28, 2009 I received a call from the insurance company that the appeal has been denied.

I live in severe pain each and every day. I cannot function to the ability that I normally function. I must get up every 20 minutes or so and walk while I am working. If I am standing for more than 20 minutes I must sit down. I cannot exercise as it puts too much stress and pain on my back. I cannot lift items, I cannot do my laundry because it requires me leaning over to put items in or picking up laundry baskets. I cannot sit in my classes to finish my education. I cannot sit to do my homework, the pain is too unbearable. If I take my pain medication I get sick to my stomach. It makes me drowsy, therefore I cannot take it while I work, drive, or go to school. I have had to leave classes early due to the pain or the medication. I have missed work because of the amount of pain I am in.

I work 40 hours a week and take 14 credit hours in college. I am a mother to four boys (ages 14 – 10) that are active in sports. I cannot even sit in the bleachers to watch their games because the pain is too severe.

I do not want to live on addicting pain medicine for the rest of my life!!! I have taken all the necessary steps to take care of this problem and treat it, but my insurance company is telling me fixing it is not necessary.

So am I supposed to go on disability? Am I supposed to quit my job because I can’t function? Am I supposed to quit school because I can sit in the sits and I can’t take pain medicine to make it through the night?

What is someone supposed to do in this situation? I pay a lot of money for health care that is supposed to help me. It isn’t helping me, it is forcing me to become sedentary and lose what abilities I have. Is this the kind of nation that we want? I do not live on assistance from anyone. My husband lost his job more than 3 years ago and we NEVER once asked for assistance. We work hard and thought we lived in a nation that takes care of its people. How can insurance companies dictate my standard of living?

I want to be healthy and free of pain. I am aware the surgery may not get rid of it 100% but I want to be able to function again. I want to wake up and not groan because I would rather be sleeping where I am pain free (when I can sleep.)

What is an American citizen supposed to do?

I have filed a 2nd appeal but I have since had to cancel my surgery. I had made childcare arrangements for my children while I would be in the hospital. My husband (who has found part-time work) made arrangements with his employer to be with me. I made arrangements with my employer to be off 6 – 12 weeks (without pay) and now I cannot have the surgery. I even had to pay $25 (out of my own pocket) for special insurance forms for my employer. That is what the doctor’s office charged to fill out FLMA paperwork and now I am out that money!

I am angry, hurt, frustrated, and in severe pain!!! What is a person supposed to do? I even had to leave class early last night because the pain was so severe and the medication made me so sick that I couldn't function.

I need this surgery to return to a somewhat normal life. I need relief from the pain...even the possibility of that is far better than what I deal with on a daily basis.

I am continuing to pray for a miracle. I am continuing to pray that the insurance company sees that it is creating a much worse environment by allowing its members to suffer.

I am continuing to put all my love and trust into God. It's all I can do.

Latest on my surgery

2009-09-28T10:20:00.002-04:00

As of right now, my appeal has been denied. I am working on whatever options I may have available.

Continue to pray.

Requesting a miracle-updated

2009-09-25T11:51:00.007-04:00

Friday Afternoon Update

I did not receive a call about the appeal, so I have to wait until Monday morning. Continue to pray, please.

Another update

I received a call from the insurance company indicating the appeal is in process. I may know something this afternoon. If not, I won't know until Monday morning.

********UPDATED*********

I received a call back from my original doctor, they have faxed (upon my request) all my clinical paperwork since I have been at their office for this problem. The faxed CT scans, MRI's, epidural injection information, and anything that pertained to my back.

I received another call from my insurance company indicating that if they received it before 2:00 p.m. I should have an answer before 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, but they would try to get it taken care of today.

PRAY for approval!

Original Post

I received a letter yesterday from my insurance company denying benefits for my surgery. I have spoken with the doctor's office and they indicated I needed to be my own advocate (WTF) and fight the insurance company. I have left a message with the insurance company appeals department (expedited appeal section) and I have called and left another message for my original doctor (that I have been seeing for 4 years about this problem).

I am frustrated and in severe pain. The claims department said they would expedite an appeal if the person is in "severe pain that is unmanageable". I am at that point. I cannot sleep, stand, sit, or walk without pain. The pain meds make me very nauseous and tired so I can't take them at work (besides the fact they don't even begin to touch the pain itself - kind of like putting a bandaid on an amputation.)

I paid $25 (of my own money) to have the FMLA paperwork filled out (that is what my doctor's office charged me for special insurance forms.) If I don't have the surgery on Tuesday, then I am going to have to pay the $25 again to have new paperwork filled out when I can get the surgery approved. My doctor's office said if I could come up with half of his charge ahead of time they would proceed (his charge is $45,624 - so I would need $22,812). She then indicated to me that she could try to talk the doctor into taking half of the $22,812 as a first payment so we could proceed. That is fine and dandy but we DON'T have that kind of money. We are living paycheck to paycheck with my husband working part-time (finally).

Ok...now the ranting part. I pay VERY good money(read I pay LOTS of money) for my insurance. The cost of this insurance reduces my bi-weekly paycheck in half! Why the hell I am paying that kind of money for them to not take care of my needs?

I am pissed, hurt, angry, sad, and discouraged. I am depressed and in severe debilitating pain. do they think I really want to have a surgery that is going to put me out of work for over six weeks. Six weeks in which I will NOT receive a paycheck because I don't have sick time banked? Seriously!

Now, I am waiting on a return call from my original doctor. I need to get those records to my insurance company. I need it YESTERDAY, not in twenty minutes, not in two hours,...grr!

Do you know how it feels to sit, stand, or walk with such pain? To have it shooting through your back almost dropping you to your knees at times?

Why wouldn't this surgery be medically necessary? I virtually have no disks left in my lower spine.

Sorry, but I am pissed. My sentences make no sense and I don't care.

I need a miracle.

My boys-School Photos

2009-09-07T22:03:00.003-04:00

I took some new pictures of my boys tonight. They are growing up so fast. It's hard to believe that I have boys this age. It seems like just a couple of years ago that I was in 8th grade, now my oldest son is.

Enjoy the pictures...

Tyler J.

2009-2010

Caleb K.

2009-2010

Caleb K. & Tyler J.

2009-2010

Tyler & Smiley

2009-2010

Fun Shot

Caleb K. & Smiley

2009-2010

Fun Shot

Take the Time

2009-09-05T18:10:00.003-04:00

Ever heard the phrase "If it weren't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all?" I feel that has become our motto.

Over the past year a myriad of personal "tragedies" have overtaken our lives. Each one in it's own way devastating. Each time we survive only to find ourselves thrust into another "tragedy". A recap, if you will:

Two weeks ago tomorrow, Caleb broke his wrist. He is doing much better but the break ended his football season.

Two days ago, Tyler was rushed into emergency surgery to remove his appendix. It was on the verge of rupturing (fortunately it didn't) and needed to be removed quickly. The day started like any other, only his stomach was hurting. By noon he was being admitted to the hospital and by 2:30 he was in surgery. He is resting comfortably (as much as possible) and waiting to be discharged. It looks like he can go home tomorrow. The surgery has effectively ended his football season also.

Over the past year the events that have taken place in our lives seem to overwhelm us at times. It all began with a family member trying to take her own life, a month later my father-in-law passed, a month after that I was hospitalized for several days, our finances have been hit hard, I have had major back issues (which look like surgery will be needed), and then Caleb and Tyler with their latest injuries/illnesses.

I feel strongly that everything happens for a reason. I believe that God will bring me through it all and I will be a stronger person. I believe that as bad as it seems, things could be so much worse. But most of all I believe that I have the best family a person could ask for and without them I would not be able to survive. God is always by my side and without Him nothing is impossible. I feel the same way about my family.

Take time to hug your loved ones. Take time to tell your children how much they mean to you. Take time to call an old friend. Just take the time.

Have a great labor day weekend.
Chris

Twists & Turns

2009-08-24T12:22:00.007-04:00

Many things in life can seem to push us to our limit. Lately for me it has been an overwhelming amount of things. It seems some days that if it is not work, then it is school, if it is not school then it is the kids, if it is not the kids then it is my relationship with their dad, and so on. I have been trying my best to keep my perspective on everything. I have great luck some days and other days the "luck" gets away from me.

A new start is upon us. The start of a school year for the boys and the start of a new school year for me. Summer is over as is baseball that occupied every waking moment of our time. Now we have moved on to football and we continue to submerge ourselves in racing.

The boys are now in 8th, 7th, and 5th grade. Tyler is the "big dog" in his school and is relishing being in this spot. Tristan has just entered Middle School so it's quite a new venture for him. He seems to be adjusting well. Caleb and Logan are both in 5th grade, with Caleb being the "top dog" at his school and Logan having another year before he gets there.

Tyler is playing football again. This year he is on the 8th grade team and so far no broken bones. If you recall last year, he broke his collar bone in the first 15 minutes of his VERY first practice.

Caleb is also playing football. He is the teams only quarterback. He is doing a great job and has really impressed the coach with his skills.

I start classes back this week, so again my schedule will be full and busy. I also go for another test on my back Tuesday to determine our next step.

Glen has also decided that he wants to race. I'm not sure how that is going to go. His buddy is racing and painted his kart just like "Ricky Bobby's" and if you have seen the movie you will understand. The track staff said Glen has to be Frenchie, but he wants to be Cal...life is going to be interesting at the track each Saturday.

Sunday was a difficult day around our house. We rushed Caleb to the ER Sunday evening with a possibly broken wrist. He and his brothers were playing on the trampoline and Caleb fell down. Tyler fell on top of him and smashed his wrist.

We went from one ER to another and were met by a bone specialist. His wrist is broken in three places and they were able to set it back in place. He has a cast that goes from his fingers to his shoulder. There goes his football career.

I am taking life's twists and turns as they come. I know that I am not given anymore than I can handle. I continue to pray that I will be lead down the right path and make the right choices. Sometimes things are so overwhelming that I want to throw in the towel, but I know I will make it through each of these challenges.

The Condensed Version

2009-08-09T20:40:00.007-04:00

So much has been going on in my life, let's see if we can condense it quickly.

I won a trip to Wisconsin to see Rodney Atkins for two, plus two meet & greets. I took my sister, Becca with me.

I saw Rodney again two days later at the Elkhart County Fair in Goshen, Indiana. Which is the very first place that I ever saw him (2 years ago.) Glen couldn't go with me this year, so his ex-wife, Angie went with me.

I was asked by a friend to be her wedding photographer. I have never done this before, so I figured it would be very interesting. Good thing it was an informal wedding. I am still working on editing those pictures, but here are a few.

The boys and I went to Mounds State Park and played in the river. It was fun and Caleb caught a craw-dad.

We are still spending every Saturday night at the race track (until October) watching Tristan race.

I caught a terrible summer cold and am still trying to get over it.

I start classes back on August 31.

The boys start school on Tuesday.

Whew....that's the condensed version (with photos!)

I hope you enjoyed your summer!

Pray for Stellan - Urgent Need

2009-07-27T12:08:00.002-04:00

Please pray for Stellan!

This baby needs our prayers.

Visit www.mycharmingkids.net to read his story. You can also read his mom's twitter updates at www.twitter.com/mckmama He is in desperate need of prayers RIGHT now.

Chris

Ketchup

2009-07-07T22:35:00.005-04:00

I haven't had much time to blog lately and I apologize. I spend lots of time on twitter and facebook, though. So if you want to know what I am doing on a daily basis find me there. If not, well then it's time to "ketchup" on everything that's been happening around here.

Tyler turned 14 last week. I still find it hard to believe that I am a mom to a 14 year old. Not only that he is 5' 10" tall! Seriously, I measure him just last night. We took this picture at the river yesterday and I was wearing heels! Holy cow, he is getting tall!

Me and Tyler, July 6, 2009

I made cookies (they were so good and looked it I had to post a picture!)

We had friends over this past weekend. Or more precisely Logan had a friend stay Friday night. Tristan stayed with a friend Saturday and then the friends stayed with the boys on Sunday.

We had a 4th of July cookout (in the rain) to celebrate our nation's independence. I told my husband that I made too much food to let it go to waste! LOL We had fireworks, food and fun!

I have had another back injection (failed) and physical therapy (failed) and back brace (failed). I go see a specialist in August to determine if I need back surgery. Until then I am in an intense amount of pain that makes me very grumpy. I tried to do my best to not be but that is not always possible.

I am not doing well in my summer classes specifically because I just don't have time. I did not complete my mid-term for ANPII this summer so I guess I failed that class. I am also two assignments behind in my American Civ class. I just don't have time for school right now.

Oh well, such is life.

I still am very blessed to have the people in my life that I do. I have a wonderful family, an amazing husband, awesome children and great friends. I am so very thankful!

Now you are all "ketched up"!

Take care and be blessed,

Chris

14 Things I Love about Tyler

2009-06-29T16:36:00.003-04:00

Today is my oldest son's 14th birthday. I honor of him, I am listing 14th things I love about him.

His smile

His laid back attitude

His thoughtfulness

His willingness to let me kiss him, even when his friends are around

His hugs

His love for his family

His sense of adventure

His blue eyes

The way he sleeps with his arms over his head, still

That he loves my hamburgers more than anyone elses

His laugh

His willingness to accept everyone

The way he acts like he doesn't love his brother, but if someone is picking on him he steps in and sticks up for him

That is he my son!

Tyler, I am so proud to be your mom. Each of every day you do something that amazes me. It is so hard for me to believe that you are growing up so fast. I am so afraid to blink, before I know it you are going to be a grown man on your own.

Hold fast to the person you are. You are very special and unique. Never let anyone change you. The best things that have ever happened to me are you and your brother. Thank you for being wonderful and being my son!

I love you more than you can ever imagine. One day, when you have your own children you will begin to understand the depths of my love.

Memories

2009-06-18T12:06:00.002-04:00

I was given the best picture last night from an old friend of my moms. I am going to cherish this picture as I only have one other of me and my parents while they were still married.

If you are wondering where I am....she is pregnant with me!

October 27, 1973

Notice the cigarette in my mom's hand!

Thanks, Becky! I appreciate this so much!

Goodbye

2009-06-16T16:29:00.007-04:00

I have been a complete blog slacker. Not because I don't want to blog, only because I just haven't had the time.

Since my last update a lot of things have been happening.

I started my Anatomy and Physiology II class - online. I will start dissecting a pig this week.

I went to Nashville, TN for one day last week. I went for the CMA Music Fest and had a great time. I saw some great friends and enjoyed some even better music. Rodney's fan club party was nice and intimate. I was on the front row, center stage. He was literally 3 feet away from me. It was nice to see him again. His family was there and they were wonderful. His mom and Dad and his wife and son all mingled with the fans. The posed for pictures and even did interviews with GAC.

Blake Shelton's fan club party was large and full of surprises. He had an opening act, Damon Smith. He had special guests Craig Morgan, Megan Shehan, Keith Anderson, Miranda Lambert, Nan Kelly, and Steve Wariner. It was a blast.

The most eventful thing happened right before I went on vacation. My little girl (my dog Maddi) started acting strange last Sunday. She was fine Saturday night, but Sunday she was disoriented, walking in circles, not eating and falling down. She was having accidents in the house and was just not herself. We took her to the vet Monday and they were unable to find the cause of her issues.
We brought her home and he deteriorated over the course of the week.
Monday, we made the painful decision to let her go. She was my angel and I am lost without her.

I will miss her countersurfing for pork chops.
I will miss her ignoring me and putting her back to me.
I will miss her standing over my feet for a belly rub.
I will miss her groaning at me while I ate my food.
I will miss her growling at Tasha when she took her food.
I will miss her shy way around strange men.
I will miss the thump of her tail when you walked in the room.
I will miss the way her tail wagged in circles when I drove up the driveway.
I will miss the smell of her frito feet.
I will miss her big brown saggy eyes.
I will miss her...forever.
Goodbye, my precious angel. We love you!

Good times w/good friends

2009-05-27T09:17:00.004-04:00

We have a very busy Memorial Day weekend. Alright, so what's so new about that, most days in my life are very busy!

Friday baseball was canceled (not really but my son went out of town with his dad so I didn't go to the game). So instead I spent it hanging with a great girl getting my car washed and shopping for cookout supplies. She is a wonderful teenager that I don't mind spending time with. I still say that I am so glad I have boys, but it's nice to have a girl to talk to occasionally!

Saturday was cleaning house during the day and going to the races at night. It was a pretty eventful night and some tears were shed. Not quite as bad as the prior weekend when I thought we were going to be in the ER all night long. There were no wrecks this weekend, just a very HOT motor and a DNF (did not finish). The DNF did not help in our points standing, especially since we had a DNF from the week before. Oh well, we learned something new and if you don't learn from your mistakes...

Sunday we had friends over for a cookout. We listened to the Indy 500 on the radio. It was a wonderful time. It was pretty small group this year, mostly friends from the track. A couple of our other friends showed up and we had a great time. Great food, good drinks, and somewhere there was a water fight!

Monday, I spend the day doing absolutely nothing. Well, not exactly, I did do some laundry. But other than that - nada, zilch, zero....nothing! It was great! We watched the Nascar race - stupid rain outs.

Well, that's my week. Pretty short and sweet. We had fun and hope to have more cookouts again.

Chris

Older girls

2009-05-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

My youngest son has a major crush on a 16 year old. Caleb is fascinated with her. She rides the same bus that his dad drives. Each day Caleb would watch her walk up the steps until she found her seat. One day she finally asked him why he stared at her every day. He immediately turned red and looked out the window. From the day on, Caleb began talking to her. She always talks to him.

She plays varsity softball for the high school team. Caleb plays baseball in the little league major division. The past couple of games, she has had one right before his. She will spend a little extra time to watch my son bat and then leave.

Last night was no different. She had a game (on the diamond across the ball park from his diamond.) When her game was finished she walked over to see him field and bat. Caleb has had a "down" streak lately. He has struck out almost every time his has been up to bat. Last night, with her watching, he cranked it out into center field...HUGE hit! He also knew she was standing there.

I talked to him after his hit and asked if he saw her. He said "yeah, mom!" I gently reminded him that she is 16 and he is 11. He once again told me..."Mom, that is only five years difference. Amber is seven years younger than dad." I explained as you get older that is fine, but when you are his age, it doesn't quite work.

To put it into perspective to him I said "Caleb, a 16 year old dating you, is like you dating a 6 year old!" I thought he could understand that. He simply said to me "It's different and anyway, older girls are way hotter, mom!"

I am in so much trouble!

My Mother's Day

2009-05-10T17:53:00.005-04:00

How I spent my day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Tired

2009-04-29T12:34:00.003-04:00

I am really tired of feeling this way.

I am tired of waking up with my back hurting.

I am tired of trying to walk without pain spreading across my lower back.

I am tired of saying, "I feel like cr*p.""

I am tired of trying to smile when I feel like crying.

I am tired of giving updates on how I feel.

I am tired of physical therapy.

I am tired of orthopedic surgeons.

I am tired of taking medicine.

I am tired of not having relief.

I am tired of running out of options.

I am tired of pain.

I am tired of trying to sit while my back hurts.

I am tried of trying to stand while my back hurts.

I am just tired.

2009-04-27T23:14:00.001-04:00

He's my lobster. . .

Tests and other fun stuff

2009-04-26T10:32:00.002-04:00

As usual, it's been a crazy week. Physical therapy, class work, baseball games, racing, work, you name it and it has probably happened to me just this week.

I am continuing physical therapy. I do not feel like it is helping at all. The day after my physical therapy session, my back hurts worse. Standing for any amount of time hurts. The exercises they asked me to do at home hurt. Even my physical therapists said that I was a tough one to figure out. That's not good.

I go one more time before I see the orthopedic doctor again. We will see what he has to say. Please continue to pray that I do not have to have surgery.

I am working hard to finish this semester. I have two quizzes, a test, two papers, an oral presentation, and two finals before it's over. I am so ready for the semester to end. I really need A's in two of the classes. These will help determine whether I get into nursing or not.

Baseball is in full force. Caleb had four games last weekend and has two this weekend. Logan had a game yesterday, also. I think I will be spending everyday next week at a ball park.

We raced twice this week. Thursday we had race practice and Saturday was the actual race. This week we were unsure if it would be a good week or not. Last week, we broke our carburetor in half in one car and they teched our other car. We left we the motor in box. Our engine guy put it back together and we borrowed a motor for the other one.

We ended up finishing with first place in both classes! It was pretty awesome. This was a great birthday present for Glen's dad that passed away in November. His birthday was Friday and would have been so proud of Tristan winning both of those races.

Work is going crazy. Graduation is two weeks away. We have parties coming up and summer schedules to get done. We had an honor society banquet on Saturday and it was beautiful. If you want to check out pictures from the event, click here. They will be posted in a couple of days.

That's pretty much a rundown of what has been going on. I am off to finish two papers!

Have a great week,

Chris

2009-04-23T16:36:00.001-04:00

Physical therapy is not fun and I don't think it is working anyway.

I "got it good"

2009-04-21T22:03:00.003-04:00

For those who might not know it, today is April 21. In my little neck of the woods we had sunshine, rain, snow, and hail today! WHAT?? Yes, you read correctly...snow and hail! I understand April showers bring May flowers, but what the heck does April snow/hail storms bring? Igloos??

The reason I know it is spring and mother nature does not, is because I spent my weekend at the baseball diamond and the race track. Caleb has four baseball games this weekend and Tristan raced Saturday night.

An update...I have had two shots in my back recently for the extreme pain. Neither one of them worked. I started physical therapy last week and so far it isn't working. Today, it actually feels worse than it did a few days ago.

A few prayer requests...one for Glen. He is still unemployed and it is really taking a toll on things. Not us (we are wonderful), but with my position at work (which is highly underpaid) things are getting difficult. Also, this week (Friday) would have been Glen's father's birthday. It will be a difficult day for my husband.

I can't think of a whole lot to post about tonight, but I wanted to give a quick rundown.

Oh, congratulations to Rodney Atkins for his latest #1 hit. "It's America" reached #1 on the Billboard country charts. This marks his 5th #1 in a row! If you haven't had a chance to get the CD, you should. It's pretty amazing. One of my favorite lines from the CD is "Yeah I forget how good I got it sometimes, How lucky I am just to be alive. Oh I pass through a prayer to the Man upstairs, Just to thank Him like I should, Let Him know I get it, I got it good."

We should all remember just how good we've got it.

Enjoy your week,

Chris

2009-04-21T22:02:00.001-04:00

I just set up my phone for updates. How cool is that :)

Study time

2009-04-03T22:19:00.003-04:00

I am supposed to be studying for my anatomy test tomorrow. Instead, I am listening to the new Rodney Atkins CD and writing this blog.

First, the CD is absolutely amazing. A couple of my favorites are Simple Things, Got it Good, Rockin' of the Cradle and The River Just Knows. If you haven't gotten a chance to get it, you should! If you want to listen to it before check out CMT at the following link. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/atkins_rodney/2401645/album.jhtml scroll down to tracks and click on AUDIO.

I decided to update my blog because it's been a busy week.

My mom was here Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It's always great to have her come visit. Unfortunately, I am always so busy that I don't get to spend much time with her. Then, I get frustrated because I have so little time and I am sure she thinks that I am ignoring her. That is simply not the case. My life seems to take on another life some days. It just grows and grows and the kids drive me crazy, and I have to study, and I have to cook dinner, and I have to work, etc. So Mom, if you are reading this, I love you and enjoyed you being here. I am very sorry that we couldn't spend more time together. Hopefully, we can head your way soon.

On a sadder note, my step-mom's mother died today. I am not sure of her age, but it doesn't make it any easier on the family. I love my step-mom very much. She has been a part of my life since I was two. I am praying for her during this difficult time. Having just been through it with Glen and his dad, I know it can't be easy. She needs to have her family there to support her.

Can I tell you how great facebook is? I have found so many friends that I haven't seen in years! Tonight, I spent time talking to an old friend from school that I don't think I have since since '91 or '92. How cool is that? It was great to catch up with him and see what he and his family had been up to. We realized during our conversation that we are now "grown-ups!" Too funny! If you have a facebook page, come find me http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1037296632&ref=name

Well, back to studying! Wish me luck on my test tomorrow! I am going to need it!

Have a great weekend,
Chris

Rough Week

2009-03-27T19:52:00.006-04:00

This has been a rough week for me. So many different things going on, and I am not quite sure where to go with some others.

If you noticed the top left hand corner of my blog, there is a button that says "Praying for Stellan". I have been reading the blog about this wonderful little boy and my heart just breaks for him. To read his story, click on the button. But, be warned, your eyes will not be dry by the time you finish.

I have attended two information sessions for nursing. At the first one I found out that one of the starts dates is no longer available. So, if I want to get into the ASN (RN program) for the January term, I have to find another location to apply to. I can still apply to the PN (Practical Nurse) program for a January start, but it will then take a few more terms to get through and another admission process. UGGGHH!

I have to finish my current ANP class (Anatomy & Physiology) and my current Psychology class. This summer I have to take another ANP class before I can even think about applying to the program. Then, I have to take the TEAS test. I am a bit nervous about this test. If I don't pass all 4 sections, I can take it twice more in a 2 year period. After that, if I don't pass, I have to wait another two years before I can apply to the nursing program. UGGHHH.

Thursday, I had another back injection for the severe pain. This time, there were seven total injection sites. One was for the numbing medication (which hurt like the dickens), the other six shots were to administer the medication. Three went up one side of my lower spine, the other three went up the other side of my spine.

I spent most of my day on the couch yesterday, resting. Today I was up and about but the pain is still there. I am going to give it a few more days before I pass judgement on whether it did or didn't work. Just continue to pray that it does. I think if this doesn't work, the next step is going to require looking into back surgery and I really do not want that.

Caleb started baseball practice this week. Tyler finally found a team to play on. Tristan is starting racing practice on Saturday and Logan started his baseball practice also. I have seven more Saturday's of class (including tomorrow) in this semester. I desperately need an A in both my ANP & Psychology classes. These help determine scores and how I may or may not get into the nursing program.

Anyway, Glen worked a few jobs this week, which is better than none.
My boys are at their dad's and I miss them. I always miss them like crazy when they are gone. It's like a part of me is missing. I pick them up Monday, after I get off of work. Then when we get home, my mom will be here visiting from Florida. I haven't seen her since this time last year. She sure will be surprised to see how much both of the boys have grown.

Well, that's been my week. I still have ANP homework to do tonight for tomorrow. I have a Psychology paper due tomorrow by midnight and an English paper (rough draft) due by Sunday midnight. I have class at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow and Tristan has racing practice (as long as it doesn't rain.)

Oh, remember that the new Rodney Atkins' CD comes out on Tuesday. It's called "It's America" and if you want to listen to it before you buy it check out the following link http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/atkins_rodney/2401645/album.jhtml scroll down to tracks and click on AUDIO.

I listened to it today and it is going to be another surefire hit for him. Such great songs that I can easily relate to. In today's world, I need something to relate to. I hope you enjoy it!

Life continues to be busy in my crazy, crazy world. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Enjoy a few pictures of the boys from last week.

Tyler - a few months shy of 14

Tristan - turned 12 last month

Caleb - will be 11 in a few weeks

Logan - turned 10 in January

Have a great week,

Chris

Random Rambling

2009-03-20T22:13:00.003-04:00

My boys came home this week. I always miss them when they are gone. The house is "somewhat" emptier when they are not here. Even though my husband is home and we typically have my step-sons for some portion of each evening, life is still a little less "noisy" when my boys are at their dads.

I miss the "noise" when they are gone. Sounds weird, I know. But, that's all I have known for the last 13 years. Giggles and grins, hugs and kisses, pushes and shoves, the normal boy stuff :)

Several weeks ago, I had an epidural steroid injection in my lower back. Unfortunately, it didn't work. I am going back to the orthopedic doctor on Thursday for a different type of injection. I am praying that this injection works. The pain in my back has significantly increased. It has increased so much that I am struggling to get through every day. It is difficult to walk, it is difficult to stand, and it is difficult to even sit. I end up taking a pain pill each evening, and I do not want to do that. I do not want to become dependent upon pain medication. I try to go as long as I can without taking it. It pretty much sucks.

I went to a nursing information session this week. It sure is going to be tough trying to get in. There are over 200 applicants for approximately 45 openings. That means I need to get an A in Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Psychology 2000. These classes be one determining factor of getting in. I also have to take the TEAS test by June. Pray for me :)

Caleb has baseball practice this week. It is really hard to believe that it has started already. That is just fine by me, though. It just means it will be HOT outside very soon and I cannot wait for that.

Well, I think that is enough updates for now. I know they are random thoughts but most of my thoughts lately are quite random.

Have a great weekend,

Chris

Another Friday the 13th

2009-03-13T10:45:00.003-04:00

Today is the 2nd of 3 Friday the 13th's this year. I enjoy this day. What can I say, I am a weird one.

I don't have a lot to update. Life has been pretty dull in my corner of the world.

As far as my health, I have to have another injection in my back - this time in my joints. I don't know what is wrong with my elbow (probably a pinched ulner nerve).

I have been working on homework all week. So much that my husband has cooked for me twice this! He is pretty awesome!

I had a paper to turn in last week. I got a B+ on it (wish it was an A). I had 4 quizzes to complete and a test to take. I got a B+ on the test (wish it was a A). Guess I need to study more.

I don't have class tomorrow - spring break! I get to sleep in!!!! But there is lots of homework to be completed.

I wish I had something more exciting to update you on, but like I said, it's been pretty quite. I guess I am really thankful for that.

7th grade algebra!

2009-03-10T22:48:00.005-04:00

I received a phone call yesterday from my oldest son. The conversation went like this:

Tyler: Mom, I need your help.

Me: Ok

Tyler: It's math, write this down.

Me: Ok

Tyler: Are you ready?

Me: Yes

Tyler: Carbon 14 has a life span of 5730 years. After 17190 years 1/8 of carbon 14 and a sample will be left. If 5 gms of carbon 14 are left after 17190 years, how much was in the original sample?

Me: Ok

Tyler: Read it back to me

So I did

Tyler: What's the answer?

Me: I have no clue! Why are you doing problems like this?

Tyler: I didn't write the book mom, this is the problem I have to do.

Me: I know that but seriously! Give me a minute to figure this out.

Okay...I hate algebra. I hate story problems. So why would my son call me and ask for help with the two things I dislike about math. I ended up having to ask 2 different people for the help with the equation. I worked it out and got the answer. So I called Tyler back.

Me: Here is your equation 1/8x = 5 years and the answer is x=40 gms

Tyler: That's right...we were working on dividing equations...that's makes sense. I had the right equation but I had the numbers in the wrong place.

I had to laugh at that one...cause if the numbers are in the wrong place - then it's not the right equation! He's too funny!

On another note, I have a doctor update:

The doc says that the swelling is nothing to worry about at this time. He wants to recheck in a month to make sure there are no changes. That's good news!

I get my back re-checked tomorrow.

Have a great evening!

Prayer request, please!

2009-03-09T23:02:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow, I see the surgeon. I am not sure what to expect but off I go. I have noticed that not only are the lymph nodes tender under my arm and in my groin, one in my neck had pain shooting through it tonight. I noticed I could also feel it. It is probably nothing, but it's still something that I want to get checked out.

I received my MRI results and they indicated I have 2 bulging disks (which is what I had a couple of years ago). I go to see them on Wednesday to determine next steps.

On top of all this, I noticed today that my elbow is numb, along with my pink and ring finger on my right hand and my right hand is somewhat discolored!

What the crap?????? I am so tired of this. All I want is a day without pain.

To all my friends, I need prayers. I have not been such a good friend lately because I feel like my life has been turned upside down since about September. I don't spend time with my friends like I should. All I do is work, take care of my family, go to classes, work on homework and try to alleviate this pain.

Hopefully soon, I will be a better friend. I will be there more for my family. I will be back to the person I used to be.

Tired of doctors

2009-03-06T22:56:00.003-05:00

I am really getting tired of visiting doctors.

Before I had the massive gallbladder issues in December, I was supposed to have an epidural injection for low back pain. This would be the 2nd injection that I had received. The first one was done 2 1/2 years ago and worked miracles for my low back pain. The pain started coming back about May or June (2008). I put it off as long as I could and finally decided in November that I needed to see the doctor. He took x-rays and decided I needed another injection.

Well, December was not the best month for me, gallbladder issues and all. I called the doctor and postponed my injection.

I finally rescheduled the injection this month and it was done almost 3 weeks ago. No relief from the pain. Actually, it's the same if not a little worse. I went back to the doctor and he scheduled an MRI. I got those results back today. Bulging in two of the disks (that's what was wrong before.) I go back to my doctor on Wednesday to plot my next course of action.

In the meantime, it was time for my annual exam. That brought on a mammogram (normal results!) That also brought inspection of some painful areas (one under my arm and one in my groin area.) The doctor indicated she could feel my lymph nodes - they aren't large but she could feel them.

I am sending my mammogram results to the surgeon (who removed my gallbladder) and see him next week for further inspection of the lymph nodes.

Maybe I should be visiting Dr. House. He may not be nice, but he finds out what is wrong. LOL!

Anyway, it's such fun going to doctors and spending money I don't have. . . but I wanted to keep everyone updated.

On top of all this, I still have lots of schoolwork to complete.

Caleb at the bat

2009-03-04T13:22:00.004-05:00

Let's see. . .

The boys (actually Caleb) had baseball registration this week. That means we are so close to Spring that I can almost taste it. I tell ya, I am so OVER winter, it's crazy. I am very ready for short sleeves, no coat and sunshine all the time.

Baseball is my favorite sport. I love the crack of the bats (more of a ping since the bats are aluminum.) I love the leather gloves, the smell of the popcorn popping and the sounds of the parents cheering on their child. I love sitting in the sun soaking up the rays. Everything about baseball, I love!

Man, I can't wait!!!

By the way, send a few prayers my way if you can. I have 2 more doctor appointments this week and 2 more next week. Let's pray that everything comes back fine. I really don't want to get into the specifics until I know more but a few prayers are appreciated (just in case!)

New camera

2009-03-01T20:18:00.006-05:00

I finally made a purchase that I have been wanting for several years. I love to take pictures and have been wanting an SLR camera. I was able to purchase mine this weekend. I got the Canon Digital Rebel xsi.

Here are a few pictures that I took this weekend.

Our adopted dog, Heather. She's not ours but she comes to visit often.
Our baby girl, Tasha.

Our angel, Madison.

I can't wait until baseball and racing starts so I can try out new features. I have a lot to learn about it but it's gonna be fun learning!

Ten Reasons

2009-02-26T21:36:00.003-05:00

If you ask me, I think I have the best husband in the world. If you ask my husband, he will tell you that I have the best husband in the world! Here are ten reasons why he is the best.

10. He tells me he loves me everytime we hang up the phone.

9. He does his own laundry.

8. He likes the same kind of music I do.

7. He takes me to Rodney concerts.

6. He holds me at night even when my legs are 200 degrees!

5. He supports my decision to go back to school.

4. He is the best dad and step-dad EVER!

3. He lets me have the remote control EVERY night!

2. He watches Prison Break, 24, American Idol and Grey's Anatomy with me.

1. He loves me just the way I am!

To many these may not seem like a lot, but to me they are everything. There are so many more reasons why I think he is the best and why I love him so much. He is such an amazing man. He is an even more amazing father.

I am very fortunate to have him as my husband. My life would not be the same without him.

I love you, Glen! You are my forever!

Dinner time

2009-02-25T08:27:00.003-05:00

I love to cook...that's no secret. I DESPISE cleaning up...that's no secret. Because of this "small" detail, I don't cook as much as I would like to.

Typically, the week that I have my boys, I cook a whole lot more. I want to make sure they have the nutrition they need without eating out all the time. My husband says he is guaranteed food when the boys are home.

Now, the weeks they aren't home is another story. It really is much harder to cook for just two. I only know how to make massive amounts of food - there is no in-between.

This week, my husband and I have a bet going. He bet me I wouldn't cook and I promised him he would get at least 3 home cooked meals.

Monday, he had salad, rolls, baked potatoes, steak and dessert (Oreo cheesecake).

Tuesday, he had homemade chicken strips, peas, macaroni and cheese and brownies.

Tonight, I am thinking dried beef gravy or beef manhattans.

The dishes are still in the sink from Monday night! So if someone doesn't clean them up - I won't be cooking at all. There's no room left in my kitchen!

I told him not to get used to it....(the messy kitchen - yeah, food every night - not so much!)

Sickness has prevailed

2009-02-22T17:37:00.003-05:00

Something has hit our house this weekend and it's not fun.

Tyler stayed home from school Friday because he was feverish, dizzy when he stood up and nauseous.

Saturday rolled around with Tyler feeling a bit better but then Caleb broke out with hives.

Sunday (today), Tyler is sick again (chest hurting, coughing, fever, etc.), Caleb still has hives and Logan has been vomitting with a fever and headache since this morning.

Let's hope they are all feeling better in the morning. I really hate it when the boys are sick.

Lost...my voice

2009-02-20T13:51:00.003-05:00

I have apparently misplaced my voice somewhere between yesterday afternoon and today. It's a strange thing because my throat doesn't hurt, I don't have a cold or stuffy nose. Just no voice.

It sure makes answering the phone at work quite difficult.

Apparently my husband is enjoying this but said it's not gone quite enough.

If you find my voice, can you please let me know!

Gotta love the meds...

2009-02-19T14:35:00.003-05:00

Today is a day for resting.

I went to the surgery center this morning for a steriod injection in my lower back. I had one done several years ago and it lasted until the last 6 - 8 months ago. Then the pain started back. I was supposed to have the injection in December but December didn't turn out like I had planned. So, I postponed my injection and rescheduled it for today.

So, I am at home, still in pain loaded up on meds. Tomorrow should be better.

I am studying for my ANP exam on Saturday. I finished a class last night (actually last week but final paper was due last night).

I am working on a research paper for English and 4 quizzes and a paper for Psychology.

I will be ready when this semester is over!

Weather Forecast

2009-02-17T09:25:00.000-05:00

Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.
- George Carlin

Rodney's new album

2009-02-15T20:12:00.002-05:00

Rodney's new album comes out March 31, 2009. If you know me, you know that I will have it at midnight upon its release. I cannot wait for the new album. Here is a preview of the cover and the list of the songs that will be on it.

01. Tell A Country Boy

02. Chasing Girls

03. Got It Good

04. Best Things

05. Friends With Tractors

06. Fifteen Minutes

07. Simple Things

08. It's America

09. Rocking Of The Cradle

10. When It's My Time

11. The River Knows

For more information about Rodney Atkins, visit www.curb.com, www.rodneyatkins.com or www.myspace.com/rodneyatkins!

Week Rundown

2009-02-14T21:22:00.005-05:00

I've been a little busy since last weekend so I probably should give a quick rundown.

I heard a new Rodney song last week!!!
Tristan turned 12 on February 8
My dad turned 71 on February 9
My last class of HR was on February 11
I turned 35 on Friday, February 13
A friend of mine had a 12 lb, 1 oz baby girl (Jordyn) on my birthday
I spent Friday the 13th (my birthday) at work and then had dinner with my boys at Cracker Barrel
I spent Valentine's Day in school and then went to dinner at 5 Guys
I spent Valentine's Evening working on homework

That is a rundown on what happened this week.

I had a great birthday! I think I received almost 30 well wishes on my facebook page, tons of text messages and even more phone calls. My co-workers baked me a cake and celebrated with me. My father called and sang Happy Birthday to me for the first time ever (he usually calls - but has never called and sang!)

The boys and I went to Cracker Barrel and really had a great time. It was wonderful to spend a couple hours with them since this is their week at their dad's house.

Valentine's Day was spent at school (UGGHH), working on homework, and then my hubby and I went out to eat. He was really craving a good burger so we went to a place called 5 Guys. If you want a burger that tastes like you cooked it try 5 Guys. It was pretty awesome!

Oh, Rodney has a new song that you can download for free! It is an amazing song called "The River Knows". I cannot wait for his new CD to come out (which it should be by the end of March). If his first release (It's America) and the new song "The River Knows" are any indication of what kind of songs are on the CD-it is going to be amazing!!!!

To hear "The River Knows" go to www.people.com/free and you can listen and download it.

To hear "It's America" go to http://www.rodneyatkins.com/ or www.myspace.com/rodneyatkins.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes and for making this week such a great one!

I love my friends and family! You all mean so much to me!

Have a great week!

Chris

Weekend is over :(

2009-02-08T21:36:00.006-05:00

The weekend started out pretty rocky. I came home to a pretty sick household on Friday. My husband was dizzy and lightheaded. Every time he would stand he said the room would spin. By the end of the night, I wasn't feeling well, couldn't breathe and the beginnings of a serious chest cold began to set in.

I had class Saturday morning and needed Glen to get Caleb to basketball practice, plus he needed to take Tristan to sign up for racing. Not a good time for him to be getting dizzy and lightheaded.

Quick email to the instructor that I wouldn't be in class because my family and their health and safety is much more important to me. I took NyQuil and headed to bed early.

Saturday morning my husband was feeling better and I still felt yuck. He and Tristan were working on the "farmhouse" that Tristan got for his birthday. If you ask me it's a dollhouse, but whatever. He is building it so he can sell it to make money. We then took the boys bowling Saturday night for Tristan's birthday.

Logan
Caleb

Tristan

Tyler

After bowling, we decided to grab a bite to eat and since we were celebrating Tristan's birthday we let him pick. We ended up at Steak & Shake because he wanted a free dessert for his birthday. Little did he know that the free dessert came with strings...

Tristan was quite red in the face when he asked for the free sundae for his birthday and he ended up having the restaurant sing to him! It was hilarious!

Sunday, I worked on homework, helped Caleb finish a project for school and finished some laundry that I started on Saturday. Glen and I took Tyler and Caleb to Red Robin for dinner. This is the first time that either him or I had been there. It was pretty good. Massive sized burgers...but they come with a massive size price.

All in all, the weekend was good. I still don't feel great and am getting ready to take more NyQuil but I really enjoyed my family time.

Tomorrow is my dad's 71st birthday. What an amazing thing. I can't believe that my dad is 71!! He doesn't look it at all. My post tomorrow will be dedicated to him :)

Have a great night!

Shuttin' Detroit Down

2009-02-06T21:24:00.003-05:00

I'm not a big John Rich (of the country duo Big & Rich) fan but I do like his new song "Shuttin' Detroit Down". It makes references to Wall Street, New York City Towns, DC and bailouts while farmers are auctioning off their ground. It hits close to home for me and my family.

With the economy going to pot, my husband has been unemployed for almost a year. His job relied on a growing economy and fuel. Fuel went up, economy stopped growing...job went away. We struggle every single day to survive. We are fortunate. We DO survive, he manages to find side jobs along the way, but I wonder how much harder it will get. How much longer we are going to be able to support our family on what little income I bring in.

So, this song is a hit with me. Take a listen. You don't have to agree. I just happen to like what it says.

www.johnrich.com

Friends w/o kids....

2009-02-06T16:51:00.002-05:00

If you can't read this well, click on the picture - it should enlarge it.

I personally love what Carolyn had to say to "Tacoma". I am fortunate that any friends that I have that do not have children are completely understanding of my time - or lack thereof. But to seriously think that we do nothing....people must be oblivious!

Enjoy the article.

Quote of the Day

2009-02-06T08:31:00.001-05:00

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.- Washington Irving

Prayers are needed

2009-02-03T19:21:00.004-05:00

It's snowed again today....

Please keep the families of the ones that lost their lives today on I69 in your prayers. The snow came down so fast and hard that the accidents were horrendous. The picture below was taken from a traffic cam....my heart aches for them.

This accident was less than 10 miles from my house.

You can find more information about the accidents at the following news sites:

www.wthr.com
www.wishtv.com
www.theindychannel.com

Quote of the Day

2009-02-03T08:41:00.000-05:00

To shorten winter, borrow some money due in spring.

- W. J. Vogel

Thankful

2009-02-01T22:58:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was a pretty bad day. I think the stress of the last few months has finally caught up with me and my wonderful husband got the full force of it.

So, to counter my whiny, negative post from yesterday, I want to post things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my husband - I truly do not know what I would do without him. He is the other half of my soul. We are so connected to each other, it is incredibly scary.

I am thankful for my children - I love them more than life itself. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them. My life has never been the same since I became a mom and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for my mom - she is beautiful and kind. I miss her everyday. I know that she loves living in Florida but if she ever gets bored with it - she can always come home. I know that I take for granted that she is just a phone call away but I miss her - especially when I have bad days like yesterday - but I miss her everyday.

I am thankful for my dad - he is one of the most generous people that I know. His heart is so kind and he is so full of love. There isn't anything that he wouldn't do for someone. I don't want to even begin to think of the day that he won't be here. I am thankful for every day that he is still with us.

I am thankful for my friends - I don't spend much time with them anymore and for that I am sorry. Life seems to get in the way of that. My friends are very important to me. They make me laugh, they listen, they care and they are there when I need them. I in turn are there for them. My friends, I love you and need to be better about keeping in touch.

I am thankful for past friends that I have recently gotten back in touch with. There is nothing like reconnecting and seeing what your friends have been up to.

I am thankful that I have a warm home. Some people don't have this and it's something that I take for granted.

I am thankful that I have a job. I get frustrated easy and tend to think I don't get paid enough (which I don't) but I have a job which is much more than many people have nowadays. For that I am thankful.

I am thankful for my God. Without Him, my life would mean nothing. He is my rock and salvation and keeps me centered. During good times and during difficult times He is there for me. I need to keep this first and foremost and by doing that I cannot fail.

I have so much more to be thankful for but this post has already turned out longer than what I had planned.

I will add one thing...I am thankful that my hair no longer looks like this! I wouldn't be able to afford the hairspray!!

I would love to hear what you thankful for!

Have a wonderful week!

Feeling sorry for myself

2009-01-31T15:22:00.005-05:00

It's a feeling sorry for myself kind of day.

Yesterday, my husband had to take me to work because our road was COMPLETELY drifted closed. If I would have tried to drive onto our road, I wouldn't had made it 3 feet before my car would have become buried in the snow. Fortunately, he didn't get called to take a generator to Kentucky during the night, so he was home to plow out the road to take me to work.

Okay...on to my whiny day today.

My car is the devil. I mentioned the other day that I despise my car. If you follow me on facebook, you will also remember that I said my car is the devil. Seriously people, my car is the devil.

Every Saturday morning, I get up at 6 a.m. so I can drive to Kokomo for an 8 a.m. class. This morning I get up and walk to the kitchen, get my keys out and hit the remote start. Nothing. I hit the remote start again. Nothing. I hit it one more time. Nothing. Ok, now I am irriated. So, I go to bedroom, grab my pants, socks, shoes and coat. Quickly get dressed, grab my keys and go outside to start my car.

I put the key in the ignition, wait a few seconds and then turn the key....CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK is all I get. Are you serious??????? I have a full tank of gas - the radio, lights and everything else work. What the heck!!

I go back inside, wake my husband up and tell him the devil car won't start. So he tells me to take his truck.

I drive his truck to Kokomo and on the way home HIS truck starts missing out on me!!! I think the devil has been indwelt in his truck now!

I give up.

My devil car has the charger on it, his devil truck is in the driveway and I'm feeling sorry for myself.

Thanks for listening (and please remember - it's all in jest :)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2009-01-27T20:20:00.002-05:00

If you have ever driven a rear-wheel drive car in any amount of snow...you know how much it sucks. This is the first year that I have had a car since 1994. I despise having a car in the snow. I truly cannot stand the rear-wheel drive. At one point today I could go now faster than 4 mph only to have the rear-end of my car fish-tailing. People were passing me like I was an idiot....MY CAR WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER!!!!

Have I told anyone how much I do not like my car and I do not like snow, lately???

I need 85 and sunny!

You're reading WHAT book???

2009-01-23T21:07:00.003-05:00

Sometimes the things the my children say amaze me. This one tonight was worth sharing.

I picked the boys up from their dad's house tonight. We always talk about their day at school and what may be going on in their lives.

My oldest shared with me that he has until Monday to finish his book, so that he can take his AR (Accellerated Reader) quiz.

My youngest (age 10) pipes up from the backseat..."Guess what book I'm reading?? 'Whore-land'!!!" Excuse me!!! I very calmly ask him again "What book did you say you are reading?" He again says "Whore-land" "Let me see your book, please."

He hands me the book and a give out of HUGE sigh of relief....He is reading "Horror-land" a Goosebumps book.

I was beginning to wonder what they are teaching 4th graders now!!

YAY!!!

2009-01-23T13:05:00.004-05:00

Today is a good day! For one, it's Friday :)

I received a letter today from the Vice President of Academic Affairs of the University. It was a letter informing me that I made "Dean's List"!!! My g.p.a. last semester was a 3.923 - my overall g.p.a. for all semesters is 3.874!!!

Given everything that happened during last semester...a personal family issue in October, my father-in-law's death in November and me with my health issues in December....this is quite something!

I believe the Lord helped me through the difficult months and was sure that I stayed on path with my school work. He deserves all the praise!

Blog

2009-01-22T22:33:00.001-05:00

Okay, my blog looks awful. This is one of the templates from blogspot and I don't like it. I have been looking and looking for a new layout but can't find any that I like.

Anybody have any ideas?

Another day

2009-01-20T22:48:00.002-05:00

I have officially been back in school a week and I can tell you that I am really not ready for it. The classes that I am taking at AU are a bit more challenging this semester...think Psychology people!! Then to top it off I have my Anatomy and Physiology class on Saturdays. To start that class out - I didn't have the correct book or lab book. I spent the whole class Saturday with a strange look on my face. Apparently, not all Ivy Tech campuses use the same ANP book - which is strange. Since I bought my books here - they weren't the same as in Kokomo...uggghh!!!

Now, I have the correct lab book and worked on my Saturday homework for an hour already tonight. I also worked on my HR homework for an hour. I haven't touched my Rhetoric and Research homework or Pyschology homework tonight.

I spent 2 1/2 hours last night working with Tyler on his homework. It's unbelievable the stuff they are working on in 7th grade. We worked on Algebra for over an hour and then some crazy Language Arts stuff that I couldn't figure out. I did find out today that it wasn't for a grade - but he will be getting extra credit for the work he completed.

I still worry about my husband every day. It's been 2 months since we lost his dad and I know it is really rough on him. All I can do is continue to be there for him and when he needs me I'm here. It's hard to know what he is going through but I know one day it will be my turn and he will be there for me.

We did have some good news today. My step-son, who has always struggled with school and grades, received his report card today. For the first time ever he made A-B honor roll. We are so proud of him! This is such a huge accomplishment!!

Although my life is hectic right now, I remember that I have so much to be thankful for. I have the most wonderful husband a woman can ask for, beautiful, wonderful children, great friends, a warm home and lots and lots of love.

So here's to another day. Hopefully a little less stress and more time with my family....soon :)

What was I thinking???

2009-01-16T21:28:00.002-05:00

Okay, tomorrow is Saturday.

Saturday's are meant for sleeping late and staying in your pajama's as long as possible.

Saturday's are meant for catching up on laundry and cleaning the house.

Saturday's are meant for doing some homework.

Saturday's are NOT meant for getting up at 6:00 a.m., to leave the house at 6:30, only to drive for an hour for a class that starts at 8:00 a.m.

What the hell was I thinking?????

Artic Weather

2009-01-16T09:20:00.001-05:00

This morning's actual temperature!

Need I say more?

Haircut...finally!

2009-01-12T22:01:00.003-05:00

Ya know how it is when you haven't taken care of yourself like you should? I tend to "delay" getting things done that I know need done. Such as getting my hair cut. I always feel better after it has been cut or trimmed. But every time I don't make my appointment for the next one and every time I go a little too long before I get it cut again.

I can't remember when I got my hair cut last. All I know is that it had gotten to the point that I could no longer comb through it after washing it. My hair has grown down to the middle of my back and when it is that long, it gets a little difficult to take care of.

I made a frantic call to my hair stylist and begged for an appointment - immediately :) Fortunately, she had an opening tonight!!!

So, finally after months of not taking care of it, my hair got the attention it deserved! I think she took 3 or 4 inches off the back, but I don't care. It feels so much better.

Now....the next time is the hi-lite and cut! Maybe I won't go for so long! :)

A New Path

2009-01-11T10:53:00.004-05:00

The first week back to work went pretty smoothly. It's such a busy time right now that I didn't have a moment to think about how tired I was...which is a good thing.

I am beginning to feel better more each day. I am having lots of trouble with food so I guess it's going to be a slow introduction of the things I use to eat.

Second semester starts on Wednesday. I am taking another full load of classes - all much more difficult than last semester.

I have been struggling with why I am going to school. What kind of degree do I want, what do I want to do "when I grow up"! I have been taking my classes where I work, mostly because they are free. The degree that they offer isn't what I want to do, though. I have told my husband over and over again that I want to do something where I am helping people, taking care of them, if you will. After much thought and consideration, I have finally made a decision. I am going to try to get an RN degree and become a nurse.

I know it is going to be a struggle and lots and lots of time studying. I hope I can get into the program after I get my general education requirements completed.

So, here's to a new path in the road called my life.

Back to work

2009-01-04T22:54:00.002-05:00

I go back to work tomorrow.

I have been off work since December 17 and I only worked 2 days that week! I have had 13 days off work and I am so not ready to go back. But I must.

Bills must be paid, work must get done, students must get registered! So, off to work I go tomorrow.

Fun!

Waking Up

2009-01-03T17:15:00.002-05:00

The week I spent in the hospital, I was supposed to have my boys. Between the time they spent with their dad for Christmas and me being in the hospital, I didn't get to see them very much.

Tuesday, when I had my last "surgery", the ERCP, imagine my surprise when I woke up and they got me in my room and Glen said to me "Tyler's here." My sister picked him up and brought him up to Indy so he could be there when I woke up!

He had such a look of concern on his 13-year old face. He gave me a hug and a kiss, then he sat by my bed and just held my hand.

I love the fact that my teenager isn't afraid to show me that he loves me in front of other people. I loved waking up and seeing him there. That meant the world to me!

Such a strange December

2009-01-02T12:34:00.003-05:00

I have so much to be thankful for but at this point I am thankful that December is over! (This is long - so I am apologizing ahead of time).

On December 3, I started my day off like any other. I went to work and everything was fine. By 10:00 that morning I was in such terrible pain that I couldn't move. I called my husband and he picked me up and took me to the emergency room. After six hours there, morphine, a CT scan, and drinking some really nasty stuff they said my gall bladder had some irregularities but needed further testing. I was put off work for two days and sent home.

The next day a nurse called to schedule an ultrasound on December 5.

So, December 5 I made another trip to the hospital for an ultrasound. The drive was longer than the actual test itself. The results came back that I had gall stones. They made an appointment with a surgeon who said "It's not an matter of what are you options, but when." So, time to have the gall bladder removed.

Surgery was scheduled for December 23 (This worked well for my work schedule and being off for two weeks).

Well, I woke up to the same unbareable pain on December 15. I called and they moved the surgery up to December 18. I did not want to continue to have this pain.

December 18 - Surgery day. Everything goes fine - except it takes me 4 hours recovery and 4 days before I am moving around again. I don't do anything like a normal person.

I see the doctor on the 23rd and everything looks fine. Just a little tenderness from the surgery.

Christmas was wonderful and we had a great time with the family.

December 26 we are sitting around playing the Wii and all the sudden I started having the SAME pains that I had before the surgery!!! This time is was so much more intense. I had to run to the bathroom and vomit. I called the doctor who said we should go to the ER.

After another 6 hours in the ER, X-rays, more drinking nasty liquid stuff, more morphine and even more pain they admitted me to the hospital. The first suspected pancreatitis and then they suspected a leak in the tube that leads from the liver to the common bile duct so they wanted to do additional tests.

I spent Saturday waiting for a test that didn't happen until 6:30 p.m. I had lots of morphine, lots of fluids, no food except for jello and broth. Finally, that test was ran and came back negative.

I spent Sunday wondering if they were going to run a CT scan, puking with a migraine. Lots more morphine and not knowing what was happening next.

Monday, my liver enzymes continued to go up and I went to my next test. It was an MRCP to determine if there was a gall stone stuck in the common bile duct tube. This test came back negative. In the meantime, I had three attacks of pain on Sunday and two on Monday.

Tuesday the doctor decided that there was another test they can do, run a scope down my throat to see if I have an ulcer (which he didn't think I did) and if that was negative they can run what is called an ERCP that runs a tube into the common bile duct tube to see if a gall stone is hidden. Sometimes that happens and the MRCP doesn't always pick it up. The doctor that performs that was on vacation until Next Monday!!! So, he transported me to Indianapolis.

I got a nice little ambulance ride to St. Vincents and another drug induced nap to have the scope run down my throat to look for a stone. When I woke up, I was told they found it!!!!

The culprit

I was released from the hospital on New Years Eve and have been home for 2 days. I am tired and sore and am not sure that they problem is solved. I am just a little leary and a little scared.

It has been a LONG December and I am glad it is over. I am very thankful for all the nurses and doctors that took such good care of me during this difficult time. I am very thankful for my husband who has sat by my side waiting and waiting. I love him so very much!

Here is to a New Year! Let's hope and pray that it starts much better than it ended!!!

Merry Christmas to Me!

2008-12-23T15:12:00.003-05:00

I just returned from the doctor and received a clean bill of health! Merry Christmas to Me!

I made it home safe and sound on the ice covered roads. Merry Christmas to Me!

I just checked my grades for this semester and I received straight A's! Merry Christmas to Me!

I have the most wonderful, awesome, terrific, fantastic family! Merry Christmas to Me!

So much to be thankful for! Merry Christmas to You!

Slowly but surely...I think

2008-12-22T22:18:00.003-05:00

Day four after surgery and man, I still hurt like crap. This is supposed to be minor, just a small procedure done as an outpatient. I have so much sympathy for those that have to be opened all the way.

Yesterday, I spent a little time moving around the house. I was maybe up for a total of an hour and a half to two hours. I was pretty worn out by the end of the day. Today, I moved around quite a bit more, went into town with my husband and I feel like I have been hit in the stomach by a sledge-hammer. Holy cow!

Tomorrow, I go to the doctor for my follow-up appointment.

I can tell you this, I am sure glad they moved the surgery up instead of two days before Christmas. I would have never made it on Christmas morning!!

Speaking of Christmas...it is a bit bittersweet this year. We are missing my father-in-law terribly. The money situation doesn't help with anything. This will probably be the smallest Christmas our boys have ever had.

But, with the grief and slow economy, we have so much to be thankful for. We have a warm home. We have our family, which we love dearly. We have food in our cabinets (most days - lol). Best of all, we have our Lord and Saviour.

Merry Christmas everyone! Here's to a bright and wonderful new year! May each of you be blessed with love, health and happiness!

Somebody isn't a mother

2008-12-21T21:00:00.002-05:00

I came across this from another blog tonight and wanted to share..

SOMEBODY ISN'T A MOTHER (Author Unknown)

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you’ve had a baby … somebody doesn’t know that once you’re a mother, “normal” is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct, somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring … somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver’s permit.

Somebody said if you’re a “good” mother, your child will “turn out good”…
somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said “good” mothers never raise their voices …somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor’s kitchen window.

Somebody said you don’t need an education to be a mother…somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can’t love the second child as much as you love the first… somebody doesn’t have two children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books…somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery….somebody never watched her “baby” get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane headed for military “boot camp.”

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back….somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married…somebody doesn’t know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a
mother’s heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother’s job is done when her last child leaves home…somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don’t need to tell her…

Somebody isn’t a mother.

Surgery Update

2008-12-20T12:41:00.003-05:00

Okay, I had surgery on Thursday to remove my gall bladder. Today is Saturday and I feel like I was hit by a mack truck. Between the gas they can't remove after the surgery and just the pain of having an organ removed, it's pretty awful.

My husband has to actually help me get in and out of the chair that has become my home since Thursday. You know, you don't realize how much you use your stomach muscles until they have been cut into.

Here is hoping tomorrow is a little better than today or yesterday. And that the surgery actually took care of the problem. I won't know that for a while, when I actually begin to eat again.

The things kids say

2008-12-10T09:12:00.002-05:00

So, last week I found myself in the emergency room with extreme abdominal pain. I actually would have rather been giving birth than the pain I was in. After lots of medication and lots of tests I found out that I have gall stones and am probably going to have to have surgery. I meet with a doctor on Friday to discuss the next steps.

As I was talking to my boys about this and told my youngest (who is 10) that the doctors are probably going to take my gall bladder out, he says to me...."You mean they are going to do a transplant????" Uhhmmmm, not exactly - lol.

Still Waiting

2008-12-04T14:39:00.004-05:00

I am now living by one of my favorite songs..."If you're going through hell". The song seems to fit my life recently.

I know things will get better but there are days when I stop and ask WHEN. Between Glen struggling to find work (the bills are still coming in), the kids and their grades, my school work, my sister and her struggles, my father-in-law passing away, and now a mystery illness for me. I keep saying my shoulders are only so big.

Each day without my father-in-law is a struggle. Because he was in our "backyard" we miss him terribly. There isn't a moment that passes that we don't talk about him or think about him. The other day, Glen dropped something off to me at work and I instantly looked in the passenger seat for Neal...he was always there. Today, we sold his Blazer. He hated that thing, but it is still another thing we have to let go of. We have been cleaning out his home and the emptier it gets, the harder it gets. It seems so final.

Any extra prayers are appreciated for our family. I know soon things will begin to look up. I am still waiting.

Day by Day

2008-11-24T22:15:00.002-05:00

It has been just over a week since my father-in-law passed away suddenly. Each day is just a day of survival around our house. There isn't a thing we see, do or say that doesn't remind of us him.

I wish I could take my husband's pain away. The pain that he is going to feel for such a long time. The breaking in his heart because he is waiting for his phone to ring and his dad to say "Whatcha doin' bud?" The painful look on his face as he keeps glancing at the barn, waiting to see his dad walk out, get on his scooter and ride across the barn lot, just coming to see what Glen was up to.

I know there is nothing that I can say or do to take the pain away. I don't know firsthand what my husband is going through. I can only be there for him when he needs me. Right now, he needs me.

I was supposed to be in Nashville tonight for the Christmas 4 Kids benefit. My husband needed me, so I stayed home. Sure, he could have made it through the day without me, but why should he have to? Why should he have to face this unbareable pain alone?

He doesn't...he has me, he has his boys, he has my boys and he has lots of family. We are here....when he needs us. Right now...he needs us and we need him.

Missing my father-in-law

2008-11-16T15:42:00.006-05:00

Sad to have to post this but Friday night we lost my father in law. Neal was only 62 years old but his health had not always been the best. He has had heart problems since he was 38 years old. In recent years he has had several stints and many trips to the hospital. This was one of those things that you expect eventually but aren't ready for it even when it happens.

My husband, Glen, and his dad were so close. Glen lived with his dad after his parents were divorced. Neal thought the sun rose and set in Glen and I am pretty sure Glen thought the same thing. There were a few rocky years in the middle - but things were patched up many years ago and the bonds grew only tighter.

Last year Glen and Neal became very involved in remote control airplanes. As I would tell Neal...another "High Dollar Hobby". The would spend HOURS in that barn working on those planes. Putting them together, putting in the engines, putting the weights on the them, gluing, testing, flying, CRASHING, them! I think they spent more time crashing them they they did actually flying them! After they crashed them they would make the 1/2 hour drive to HobbyTownUSA to invest in more parts and more planes. The may have increased HobbyTown's sales 200% that summer all by themselves! Like I said "High Dollar Hobby!"

Neal was so proud of this plane....it took 1 flight before it ate the dust!!!

This year they were very involved in my step-son's go-kart racing. Tristan would race, Glen was the mechanic and Neal with the Crew Chief :) or something like that. Every Thursday and Saturday they were at that track. He would ride his little scooter and push Tristan to the start line each night...it was kind of a tradition.

Everyday inbetween they were in the barn working on that car. I have never seem a grandfather more proud that when Tristan won his very first race. Tears streaming down grandpa's eyes. Tears streaming down Glen's eyes. Two peas in a pod.

Neal, Glen and Tristan after Tristan won the STATE championship this year.

Every day Glen would call his dad and ask him if he wanted to run into town with him. His dad may have stayed in the truck, but they spent that time together. Glen is going to miss him. We would invite him to dinner and he said I made the best damn hamburgers he had ever tasted. He also loved my lasagna, meatloaf and everything else. He tried to talk me into opening a restaurant one time.

He sure is going to be missed around here.

2008-11-14T15:42:00.005-05:00

This is MY America

I second that!

Shouldn't we all drive a mule into town???

The view from our driveway

The only stop-light in town, okay, fine..the only flashing light in town (we don't have a stop light!)

Our Pastor's Garden

My baby girls - Tasha (black lab) and Maddi (basset)

The best sweet corn you will ever taste!

The Worst Drink in America

2008-11-14T11:21:00.003-05:00

Baskin-Robbins Large Heath Bar Shake

2,310 calories
108 g fat (64 g saturated)
266 g sugar

Let's look at America's Worst Drinks in numbers:

73: The number of ingredients that go into this milkshake.

66: The number of teaspoons of sugar this drink contains.

11: The number of Heath Bars you would have to eat to equal the number of calories found in one Baskin Robbins Large Heath Bar Shake.

12: The average number of minutes it takes to consume this drink.

240: The number of minutes you'd need to spend on a treadmill, running at a moderate pace, to burn it off.

'nuff said (but it sure looks good!!!!)

It's America

2008-11-13T22:52:00.004-05:00

Okay...here it is. Maybe after you listen to it you will see why I love it so much!

mms://wm.allaccess.com/allaccess/rodnitsa.wma

This will allow you to stream Rodney's new song...

Photo Credit: Chris Maggart (July 2008)

It's America should be available to download/purchase through iTunes on Monday, November 24, 2008 (the official release date).

Enjoy!

CMA Awards

2008-11-13T13:35:00.003-05:00

I watched the 2008 CMA Awards last night on ABC. Most of you know that I was watching to see Rodney. He was nominated for New Artist of the Year and he was going to be debuting his new song. This is the first time that he has been asked to do that. But I have always watched the awards show. Even before I became a huge fan of Rodney.

Photo Credit: Donn Jones/CMA
Rodney Atkins singing his new song
"It's America"

It is always fun to see the performances and what everyone is wearing and see who wins. It's always fun to see if you can guess the winners. Sometimes I am right and sometimes I am wrong.

These were the big ones: (winners in bold)

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney (my choice)
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood (my choice)

Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley (my choice)
George Strait
Keith Urban

New Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins (my choice)
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler

Vocal Group of the Year
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts (my choice)

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry (my choice)
Sugarland
The Wreckers - why were they nominated they aren't even a duo anymore!!!

Single of the Year(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
"Don’t Blink"Kenny Chesney
"Gunpowder & Lead"Miranda Lambert
"I Saw God Today"George Strait (my choice)
"Stay"Sugarland
"You’re Gonna Miss This"Trace Adkins

Album of the Year (Award goes to Artist and Producer)
Carnival Ride Carrie Underwood
Cowboy Town Brooks & Dunn
Good Time Alan Jackson
Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates Kenny
Troubadour George Strait (my choice)

Song of the Year (Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)
“Good Time” Alan Jackson EMI-April Music/Tri-Angels Music
“I Saw God Today” Rodney Clawson/Monty Criswell/Wade KirbyBig Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music (my choice)
“Letter To Me” Brad Paisley EMI-April Music/Sea Gayle Music
“Stay”Jennifer Nettles Jennifer Nettles Publishing
“You’re Gonna Miss This” Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas MillerEMI Blackwood Music/Songs of Combustion/Sea Gayle Music

Oh and WFMS won large market station of the year. You can check out their website here (www.wfms.com)

I personally LOVED the show and enjoyed ALL the performances. I loved the red carpet. It was just a fun night to watch. It looked like all the artists enjoyed theirselves. The new songs were great to hear and I can't wait to start hearing them on the radio. Now for my beef...

Okay...I have read tons of reviews of the CMA's but I am ticked. There is one review in the LA times that BLASTS almost every one of the performances of last nights CMA's! Seriously folks. I watched them last night and the sound quality was the best it has been in a LONG time. A few people had problems but not near as many in the past.

The show was better and so many people had GREAT new songs. I loved so many of them. I am finding it hard to understand first off why LA would even be interested in country music - this obviously isn't their lifestyle - but don't criticize us for the way we live and what we listen to.

They are so out of touch that one photo in the review shows a picture of Carrie Underwood clutching the ACM statue with the heading "Carrie, Paisley & Chesney win at CMA's"....at least upload the right photo from the right awards show!!!!

Then they called Brad & Keith the most "LUKEWARM PAIRING!!!!" seriously...seriously....UGGGGHHHHHH

Okay...you can read it - here is the link.

I am going to stop typing cause I just keep getting more upset.

http://latimesblogs.%20latimes.%20com/music_blog/2008/11/cma-awards-live.%20html

(this is for the blow by blow literally of the performances)

http://latimesblogs.%20latimes.%20com/music_blog/

(this is for the photo and "lukewarm quote)

Changes

2008-11-06T20:39:00.004-05:00

What a week! This has been something that truly is hard to put in words. Something that is going to be hard to explain to my children - hopefully they understand the importance of what we are a part of. I truly didn't realize the magnitude - the impact this week had on the world...not only me, my children, my friends and my country...but the world.

I was reading the news, the day the country "changed" and it hit me when I read of election parties - in London, Kenya, Australia, Japan, Iraq and other countries. It hit me when I saw the tears of joy in others eyes as we elected a new leader of our country. This change doesn't only effect us - it has a significant impact on the world. They had an interest in what is going on and the cared the outcome. They may not have voted - but they were right there watching until the very end...awaiting the results.

I loved the passion that people had for this election. The passion that each person had for the candidate that they supported. I wish that everyone had that passion every election day. Maybe if we, as a nation, had that kind of passion wouldn't be in the kind of mess we are in right now. Maybe, just maybe, we might have paid attention in each previous election and made better choices. I am not saying what is right and what is wrong, but we need to have passion about our country. We need to have passion about our leaders. We are so fortunate that we get to choose who leads us.

Okay - off my soapbox.

This week was another change week for me. My son, Tyler, went to the doctor to determine what kind of meds he needed to start. He has been diagnosed with ADD. After years of struggling with his grades and his inability to focus - we made a tough choice - but we feel the right one. He is starting the meds tomorrow. I pray that this is the right choice. In the process of taking him to the doctor, we found that he is now 5' 8". At the beginning of the summer - he was 5' 6". He grew 2" this summer. At the end of last summer he was only 5' 3"...he needs to SLOW down. He is only 13!!! I am not going to be able to keep him in any clothes at this rate!!!!

Me time!

2008-10-27T21:45:00.007-04:00

Last week was a busy one. I finished my Communications class on Thursday with a final speech. I was sure glad to get that over with! Friday was fall break for the University. I was able to sleep in. I was such a yuck day - rainy. It was nice to just stay in.

Saturday morning I left for Nashville. It was "me" time. I had been waiting for this day for quite some time. I was going to the Grand Ole Opry for the very first time!!! The trip down was uneventful. I listened to a book on cd and really enjoyed just driving by myself.

I arrived in Nashville around 3:30 and checked into my hotel. My friends send me a text message to see if I had gotten in yet. Several people that I knew were also going to be going to the Opry that night and we had made plans to meet up before the show! I showered and went to pick up Katie (she came in from Georgia) and we headed to the Opry.

I was just amazed at the place. She took my picture in from of the sign (see above) and then we toured the museum. To see all that history in one place left me speechless. If you have any kind of love for country music, like I do, you need to see it - even once. There is so much there to appreciate. So many legends that have come before the great musicians that we have now. If it weren't for these folks...there would be no country music!

Okay, anyway, it was time to finally get in line. I got to see my other friends (Dianne & Melinda)!The reason for being at the Opry was #1 to see Rodney Atkins (of course) and to see Craig Morgan get inducted into the Opry as a member. The show was aired live on GAC and it was really neat to see how the tv show is aired. I later watched it and it was completely different than what I saw that night.

John Conlee giving Craig Morgan his Opry Award

I saw many different artists that night besides Rodney & Craig...legend Little Jimmy Dickens, Larry Gatlin, Jeanne Sealy, Jack Greene, new artist Kristy Lee Cook (making her Opry debut), Hal Ketchum, the Whites, Chuck Wicks, and many others. It was the most amazing experience.

Little Jimmy Dickens

Larry Gatlin

Kristy Lee Cook

Chuck Wicks

I stayed in Nashville for the night and drove home Sunday. The weather was perfect and traffic couldn't have been any better. I arrived home at 2:30 and was exhaused. I don't sleep well when I am out of town, but I completely enjoyed my time away.

While I was away, Tristan had a race Saturday night. It was a memorial race that was 150 laps. Tristan came in 2nd and was able to lead for 5 of the 150 laps. The race was between him and another driver. I guess it was a pretty close race. Too bad I missed it.

We had dinner with my sister-in-law and her fiance' Sunday night.

Well, it's back to reality - work today and a new class starts tomorrow. I had a great weekend and can't wait to go back to Nashville in November!

AU Homecoming

2008-10-19T17:17:00.003-04:00

AU's Homecoming was Saturday. We had an office decorating contest and although ours was by far the best we didn't win. Pretty sore subject. I will put a picture up later.

Homecoming was nice. Cold but a great turnout. Tyler decided he wanted to go with me to help out. The poor child - there is no hope - he looks just like me.

Have a great week!

Take me back to the 80's

2008-10-16T22:30:00.003-04:00

I decided to go to Walmart the other day. I usually don't shop at Walmart because Meijer is closer but right now I am mad at Meijer (long story - no one wants to hear).
Anyway, as the boys and I were walking from one side of the store to the other we passed something that I thought I would never see again. At first, I thought they were socks...but nooooo they were LEGWARMERS!!! Seriously.

I never figured out the purpose of the those in the 80's - so why are they back? Any clues...anyone? Since the legwarmers are back, does that mean so are perms and big hair?

Beautiful day

2008-10-12T22:29:00.002-04:00

This was probably one of the most beautiful weekends that we have had in a long time. It will probably be the best one that we will have until next spring. The temperature was just right and the sun was shining all weekend.

We had two football games Saturday afternoon. Caleb's team won their game and finished with a record of 3 - 3. Last year they finishe 0 - 6, so this year was so much better. Caleb made two amazing plays at the end of the game - he was quite the hero. It took me several minutes to get to him - he had several "fans" (parents) congratulating him on his big plays. We will start the tourney either on Wednesday or Saturday.

Logan's team also won their game and have another one next weekend. I didn't make it to that one since I was at Caleb's game.

Saturday night found us at the races. Tristan has been racing in two classes (blue and gold). He typically races in blue but has been practicing in the gold class - kind of getting his feet wet for next year. He did great. He finished 5th in blue (he spun out with 3 laps to go - he said it was spin out or hit the wall, so he chose to spin out). He finished 1st in gold! Way to go, Tristan!!

Sunday, I worked on homework and was able to not only catch up on what I needed to, but I was able to get ahead for the next two weeks! I feel so accomplished with getting that done! Now, I can spend more time with my boys this week!

Thanks to everyone that has been praying for my family. I sincerely appreciate it. My family is so important to me and although I can't be close to some of my family members because of distance, that doesn't mean that I am not close to them. Life has been very difficult lately for many in my family so again, I thank each of you that has sent a few prayers their way.

And to my family, all of my family, I love you! You may not be related to me by blood, you may just be my friend, you may be my co-worker, you may be in my life because of strange circumstances, still, you are still my family. I love you!

My dad

2008-10-10T22:13:00.004-04:00

Have you hugged your dad lately? I haven't seen mine in a few days but am going to stop and see him tomorrow. I almost lost my dad thirteen years ago to a major heart attack - the doctors told us he wouldn't make it to the end of the year. Ten years later - he was having another major surgery - to have his heart reconstructed - including 7 bypasses. Again, doctors weren't sure he would make it. He has also had a pacemaker/defibrillator placed in his chest - we almost lost him with that one - but again, he defied all odds! I love my dad and I don't tell him enough! He is an amazing man!

If you haven't hugged your dad or your parents or your family....go do it today :)

What a weekend!

2008-10-05T19:27:00.011-04:00

Last week was not good...so I was glad for the weekend.

I spent Friday night hidden away working on homework.

Saturday afternoon found me at my son's football game. It was a much needed diversion from the stresses of the week and my school work. Last year, his team didn't win a game. His coach doesn't focus so much on winning and losing - but on the team work. He develops the children's abilities and teaches them the fundamentals. It is so refreshing to see - because so many of today's coaches have lost sight that that is their job. He is an intense coach, he expects them to come to practices and games and give 100%, as he should expect it. But he encourages them, he congratulates them and he praises them. He doesn't focus on what they have done wrong - but what they have done right and how they can improve upon that and how they can use their team-mates to do it even better next time.

My son (#57) plays defensive end and is usually all over the field - taking out opponents left and right. Saturday was no exception - he played his heart out. This year their team has won 1 game so far. Third quarter and they are down 7 to 12. The coach puts my son in on offense as well as defense at the beginning of the 4th quarter. It was amazing to watch these kids come together. They pulled off the win 14 - 12! Way to go Wolverines!!!

Back home Saturday night and back to hiding to do more homework (I am a little bit behind and need to play catch up). Sunday found me back in hiding working on homework again, but I was also doing laundry and the boys were helping with other housework. I ended up getting caught up on my homework and getting my laundry completely down. My kitchen is clean and my kids are fed!!

WOW!!! I feel great!

What a day - go make a memory

2008-10-01T22:21:00.009-04:00

I had one of those days...the kind where you think it just can't get any worse and it does. The kind where I just need to sit and hug my boys and make a new memory.

When we finally got home from the football game and they were working on homework we were talking about things that they used to do. Some of my favorite and not so favorite memories are:

The way Tyler used to say flyswatter..."flaaashwater". He sounded like he was raised straight in the heart of the south. I am still trying to figure out the south of where!

The way when Tyler was little he would want to watch the ultrasound video of Caleb and he would say "I want to see my little brudder's heawt beat". On the video the doctor check Caleb's heart and he had turned the volumn up so you could see Caleb's heart and hear it beating. Tyler loved watching it.

The way when Caleb was a baby and Tyler would let him suck on his chin...gross I know but still one of my favorite memories.

The sound of my boys laughing - the big deep belly laugh. Even to this day - I love hearing them laugh.

The way, when Tyler was a baby, he would want to sleep beside my and would fall asleep rubbing my face.

The way Caleb had to have someone playing with him all the time - he still does.

The deep blue of both of my boys eyes.

I laughed when I thought about the time Tyler stuck the toy arrow (you know the kind with the suction cup on the end) to the TV and tried to remove it with his mouth - unsuccessfully. This was an emergency room trip! He ended up with a large whole in the back of his throat - it healed on its own.

I laughed again when I thought about the time I had to pull off of the side of the road because Caleb had stuck a jawbreaker (the mini-gobstopper kind) up his nose and couldn't get it out. With a little innovation - mom to the rescue - out it came! Thanks to the big brother for that idea.

My heart hurt when I thought about the time Tyler got hit in the back of the head with a metal baseball bat by a friend not paying attention and it was a trip to the emergency room. Fortunately it was only a knot and nothing major. Just a major scare for mom!

Both boys have broken their collar bones in the last three years - but again, we are fine.

My point is - my memories with my boys are priceless and wonderful - whether they are good or scarry. I need to remember them and love them. Hug your babies, hug your family. They are too important to let the days slip by without letting them know it.

Go make some memories.

Let it go

2008-10-01T09:51:00.002-04:00

I woke up this morning to the song by Tim McGraw "Let it Go". The words I woke up to were I know, I know I know I've been forgiven. They made me actually wake up and think. Have I really been forgiven? Do I really let things go?

As I drove to work, I heard it again. We all get caught up in our lives. We get frustrated when things don't go right. But we need to just let it go. We need to remember that we answer to a higher power. We need to look to the Lord when things get us down. Seek Him for our answers. Trust Him. I don't do that often enough...especially now.

Things are very difficult for me right now but I am managing. Or so I think I am. I try my best to let things go. To make the best of every day. To enjoy my time with my children and my husband because they are very important to me. They are my rock and if it weren't for them I would be lost. But more importantly if it weren't for Him I would definitely be lost. Lost in a different way. I need to turn to Him instead of "managing" on my own.

I do know that I have been forgiven, but I do need to do a better job of letting it go or giving it to Him.

Can you let it go?

Work time humor

2008-09-23T19:16:00.007-04:00

Well, today was a funny day for me...so I thought I would share with the rest of you...so laugh with me :)

We had a birthday pitch-in at work. We were celebrating birthdays of two of our co-workers. Granted their birthdays were last month, better late than never, right. In all seriousness, we have tried, I think 5 or 6 times to plan this celebration and have had to cancel it over numerous things. We finally settled on today. So the deal was a pitch in celebration. Each of us had to bring a food item that began with our last name. Sounds easy right...then we were told that we had to MAKE it, we couldn't buy it. Okay, typically not a problem, but I am a little overwhelmed with stuff right now and have zero extra hours in my day. We had refried beans - for R, BBQ Beef, for B, macaroni, for M, German Chocolate Cake for G, Jello for J, and so on.

So, me, being the person that I am told the other person on our committee that puts this kind of event together, that I was bringing "mayonnaise" since my last name begins with an M...she told me mayonnaise doesn't count...so I brought Mustard. :)

Not really, I brought muffins and melons...but it was sure funny when I told her that this morning.

Second funny thing today. I was looking at my job description and the VERY first thing listed is "to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere". I started laughing hysterically. Again, for those that know me, know that I am not exactly warm and welcoming before 10:00 a.m. (I am as long as you don't talk to me!) Anyhow, it made me laugh.

It gets better though. Then I read that I only have to be "warm and welcoming" 5% of the time. Seriously...it says that on my job description!!! We decided the office gets 45 minutes a day of "warm and welcoming" and then we narrowed it down to 5 minutes an hour. If you miss those 5 minutes, your screwed - LOL! I am seriously just kidding - but I laughed so hard I almost cried today. I don't think it really means that and I bet it gets changed real quick but it made me laugh all day!

Enjoy your week and be warm and welcoming - at least 5% of the time!

Nothing new...

2008-09-18T23:49:00.004-04:00

I really don't have a whole lot to say tonight. This week has been pretty busy with classes that I am taking and the boys with their football practices and games.

Tyler went for his final follow-up with the doctor this week. His collar-bone has healed nicely so they released him. He can now participate in football again. This is exactly what broke it in the first place. Today was his first practice - since the VERY first one that broke it. I have yet to talk to him to see how it went. Apparently he didn't get hurt or they would have called me.

They have a game every Wednesday and the coach requires the boys to dress nice while they are at school that day. Above is a picture of Tyler that I took before he left for school this week. He looked handsome and quite like a teenager. I don't like it! This is why he has freshmen girls calling him and sending him text messages! Don't they know he is only in 7th grade....

Through my children's eyes

2008-09-16T21:09:00.008-04:00

I have a habit of messing with my hair or my face as I drive. I don't know why...someone could probably tell you all about me because of these two quirky things.

The boys and I were driving home the other night and I was enjoying the silence. I was messing with my hair and then rubbed my hand across my forehead. I noticed a ridged along the center of it. I had never noticed it before. Weird. I looked in the mirror. It is rather large. A scar right in the center.

I have been in two car wrecks in my life and in both of them I have hit my head/face on the windshield. In the first one I was hospitlized for two days with significant damage to my face. I am quite positive this is a scar from that wreck. I have other scars on my face from the accident. This one I have never noticed because my hair covers it.

Anyway, I rubbed across the scar, looked it the mirror and said "that's strange, this weird crease in my forward." Tyler my oldest says "Where mom?" I said "Right here on my forehead, this scar."

Tyler said to me..."Probably not a scar mom, it's probably a wrinkle." Ouch, that hurt. Great words to hear from your thirteen year old son.

Out of the backseat my 10-year old, Caleb pipes up and says "Tyler, mom isn't old enough to have wrinkles!!!!"

I had just pulled up to a stop sign and turned around and said "Caleb, I love you! You just made my day!"

Fortunately, through my 10-year old's eyes I am still young...not quite sure what my thirteen-year old's eyes are seeing. Not sure I want to know.

Anniversary Part II

2008-09-15T20:36:00.006-04:00

For my anniversary gift my husband bought me tickets to see Rodney Atkins. He's knows this is the fastest way to my heart. This was what he bought me last year and it was my gift again this year...too funny.

This wasn't the first time we were going to see him, it wasn't the second, seriously, it wasn't even the third. This is the 9th time in just over a year that we have made a trip to see Rodney. See, I told you he was my favorite singer.

I figured up the trips. We have seen him in 4 states (including Indiana) and traveled almost 3000 miles (round trip) to see him. The average trip has been 116 miles (I am not including the Nashville trips - cause Glen didn't go). The longest trip was 358 miles and the shortest was 18. If you include the Nashville trips -they were by far the longest. Okay...maybe I have a problem - lol :)

It doesn't matter how many times we have seen him, we always have a blast. The concert was amazing, Rodney was as nice as every and was happy to see me! I even got another hug!!! Once you get a "Rodney hug" - you are hooked...

I couldn't ask for a better anniversary gift, a hug from Rodney Atkins and I have a husband that is okay with that. How cool is that?!

I have the best husband in the world. He knows that for me a Rodney hug is better than diamonds!!!

My Anniversary

2008-09-09T21:17:00.007-04:00

My husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on Saturday! If you ask him, he would tell you it was our 35th. There are days it feels like it has been 35 (even though I am only 34!) But you try being married to him :)

He actually planned a date for us. Okay, for those who don't know us will think the next statement that I am going to make is weird, for those who do know us might think it's weird also, but will understand it. We had all four boys Saturday, so he had to find someone to watch the boys while we went out. He informed me Friday night that Angie would be watching the boys for a few hours Saturday. This really isn't unusual because Ang watches the boys quite a bit. It is unusual because she would be watching the boys for us to go out on our anniversary. (For those that don't know Angie is Glen's ex-wife!) So, his ex-wife is watching his step-sons so he can go out with his "new"-wife for their 5 year anniversary.

Makes perfect sense in our world and we like it that way!!!

Angie stopped by the house to pick Logan up for his football game and right before they left, Logan rolled Glen's pinky finger up in the window. Not good. Pretty sure it is broken. Great way to start date night!

Anyway, we go to Logan's (the youngest of the boys) football game and Angie's boyfriend is actually there also (his name is Scott). Logan's team won and Angie and Scott took the boys with them after the game. We told Ang we would give her some money for Tyler & Caleb to eat when we picked them up. (That was when we thought they were going to McDonald's - turns out they went to Lonestar...okay we need to rethink that money thing!)

Off to dinner we went - well not exactly. We had to go home, shower and change. We actually dressed up for a date!!! Okay, now off we go. Ruth's Chris steak house (we had a gift card). We get there and walk in the wrong door. We seriously are not used to these kinds of places. They are able to seat us early. The hostess, the person pouring the water and the server all tell us happy anniversary! AWWWW, how sweet.

We had a nice private table in a little corner. It was so beautiful. Candles on the table and everything. I got a nice glass of wine. Okay....we ordered our steaks. Atmosphere is set, husband is holding my hand, looking in my eyes and then...in walks a group of probably 7 boys/men together. One of them says quite loudly "I want to sit in that corner so if I blow chunks I can blow it on all of you guys - ha ha ha!!!" Way to ruin my atmosphere!!!!

Last point of my story. We get our steaks. They are absolutely perfect. Filets so tender you can cute through them with a fork. I realize what my husband is about to do and I panic. I look at him and say very quietly, "You cannot ask for ketchup." (He puts ketchup on his steak - it is disgusting). He says to me "WHY NOT!" I said "This is the type of a place that actually has a chef, a real chef, not someone they just hire off the street and it is an insult to the chef to ask for ketchup for your steak!!!"

Several minutes pass and he is quietly eating his steak (with a very pouty face) and he looks at me and says "I really want to insult the chef!"

You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy! Seriously,

I think I have been married to him 36 years now!

My Story

2008-09-04T22:41:00.006-04:00

I have seen this from someone before and thought I would share mine. It's not life altering information by any means but I know everyone was losing sleep not knowing this stuff about me - so I am glad to help ya'll out!

Have a great evening!

Chris

My Story

Hi, my name is: Christina

Never in my life have I: flown in an airplane nor do I want to but if the right opportunity came up I would

The one person who can drive me nuts is: my brother

My high school is: closed - stupid city of Anderson

When I am nervous: I get cold

The last song I listened to was: something on a country station

If I were to get married right now it would be to: Glen again, our anniversary is Saturday – 5 years baby

My hair is: Blonde, long and in need of a cut and hi-lite

When I was 4: I was a chubby little girl and probably playing in the dirt.

Last Christmas: I spent with my family and enjoyed every minute of it.
I should be: studying

When I look down I see: My books

The happiest recent event was: Getting my keys un-locked from my car

If I were a character on 'Friends': Rachel (although Rachel has way better style than I do)
The character I am least like: Monica (she cleans way more than I would EVER even think about!!)

By this time next year: I hope to be done with school.
My current gripe is: The stupid administrative upgrade at work.

I have a hard time understanding: The stupid administrative upgrade at work!

There's these girls: Just one that she lets people influence everything she does. It’s sad.
There are also these girls that if it weren’t for them and having someone to confide in I think I would go crazy.
If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: Glen

I want to buy: A great SLR camera!

Where do you plan to visit: Nashville or anywhere in TN

If you spent the night at my house: You would probably have to sleep on the couch – with 4 boys, a husband and 2 dogs only 3 bedrooms – it is pretty crowded.

The world could do without: Pop ups on the Internet – they drive me batty

Most recent thing someone else bought me: My husband bought me a sweet tea from McDonald’s tonight and I didn’t even ask for one.
My middle name is: Leigh

In the morning I: don’t like to talk to people until about 10:00 or so – that is when I really start to be sociable – just ask anyone that knows me.
Last night I was: trying to get my car unlocked because I locked my keys in it – UGGGGHHHH!There's this guy I know who: has actually stayed married to me for 5 years – WOW who knew he could do that – but he loves me a whole lot!!
If I was an animal I'd be a: Deer according to my husband. He says that I am pretty like a deer, I am clever, fast and sneaky. I haven’t quite figured out the sneaky part yet!

Tomorrow I am: Going to celebrate the fact that it is Friday!

Tonight I am: Going to be sleeping in a few.

My birthday is: the day before Valentine’s Day.

The Racing World

2008-08-31T11:17:00.005-04:00

Each Saturday evening we load up our stuff to trek 3 miles down the road to SpeekCreek2 race track. One of my step-sons, Tristan (he is 11), races a champ cart. All that tells me is that is the type of go cart that he is in. He races in the blue plate restricted. Which means, he can't go as fast as the cart will actually allow him to go. That is probably a good thing!

He started racing these carts very recently - as a matter of fact last night was his sixth race. There are usually 7 - 8 kids that race in his class (ages 9 - 14). Out of his first 5 races, he finished 2nd place twice, 1st place once and had 2 fourth place finishes. Not two bad for someone just starting. (We read recently that is exactly the same way Tony Stewart finished in his first 5 races as a kid starting out!)

Each race starts with warm ups. We get there around 4:00...my husband unloads the cart and makes any adjustments that need to be made to it and waits until that 5:00 time when Tristan can take it out for the warm up laps. They check the times and temps and rpms and all that jazz and then it is off to adjustment central again. More practice laps...more adjustments and this continues until race time at 7:00.

Last night was the state championship. We have to race two heats to see where we will start for the feature. Heat one we started in 4th and worked our way to first and that is where we finished. Heat two, we started in 2nd and finished in first. That means we ended up with pole position for the feature!!!

Racing begins and Tristan jumps out to the lead. He holds onto it for 25 laps. It was almost a photo finish at the end. A kid named Nick almost took the win away from Tristan right at the finish line. It was amazing! What a great night and wonderful racing.

The ended up "teching" the cars (which means tearing them down to see if they were running legal). The 2nd place finisher got disqualified for a riser on air filter. So our team mate came in 2nd and we got first in the state!!!!

What out Nascar...here comes Tristan!!

The picture above is Tristan and his team mate Emma with their dad's (Glen, my husband and Chuck).