By the time they were getting ready to take Sam up to ICU, he was so thirsty he was asking anyone to give him a drink. He asked for water from the "water hose" (fountain) in the hall. He was pointing to the IV bag and then to his mouth like we were not understanding what he needed. I tried to explain to him simply a few times that we would get him something as soon as we could. But he was miserable, and it was hard to watch on top of everything else.
That's why the picture in my mind of a tiny boy eating ice chips (really shoveling them in his mouth) will always stay with me. He could not get them in there fast enough. He was sick and thirsty.
It's a good illustration of how we should be with God's love and His Word. We should realize that we are so sick and thirsty and try to get as much as we can as fast as we can. Unfortunately, we tend to rely on other things to try to make us feel better.
In ICU, we got settled. Pete was home by then and spent the night with Sam. My sister and niece had come and taken Will to get something to eat. It had been a long day.
I went home and probably cried. I went back to the hospital in the morning so Pete could go to work. When I got there, Sam seemed subdued. Then he started crying. He cried for about 15 minutes and screamed. For a little boy who never threw tantrums (When he was little, he would lie down in the floor and be very still. The boys and I called those "silent fits" and they were so funny.), it was strange to see him just screaming his little lungs out. But it cleared his lungs, and he settled down into crying. And after the 15 minutes were up, he clung to me; and we watched Dora on TV. The nurses could see into our glass room and kept looking up while he screamed. When they came in a little later, I told them he just had to get that out. And he has never done anything like that again. He turned into a compliant, brave boy. Now, the story of Mr. Moose in an earlier blog does show another little outburst when he flung Mr. Moose across the room. The diabetes educator kept talking to Sam and wanted him to acknowledge Mr. Moose (she was using the stuffed animal to try to teach Sam something). I told Sam we cannot throw things - even Mr. Moose (who now holds a special spot in Sam's closet).
We had visitors and diabetes education. I would finally sit down and close my eyes, and the diabetes educator would pop in. I was so weary, but I knew we had to learn things to take Sam home. So I tried to learn. I had brought folders and paper and tried to be organized and put things and info where we could find it. It was hard. It turned my weariness into exhaustion.
Some of our visitors already were dealing with diabetes, so their words were able to sink into our fog. I remember today things people said to me. And I realize that only God knew what we needed to hear and when.
Sam enjoyed his visitors and gifts. Pete and I were trying to be brave. If ever there were two parents totally unprepared and scared to give shots, we were the ones! But we even had nurses who made our time easier by being practical and as humorous as they could in that type of situation.
Meanwhile, Sam was responding very well to the balance needed to get his body back on track. They were bringing down his blood sugar while bringing up other things. It's dangerous and delicate. But he never wavered in getting better. And that is a huge blessing.
He did so well, they moved him on down to the pediatric wing on Tuesday. Then Tuesday night was one of the worst nights in our lives, but it was not Sam who was so sick.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
My Brave Little Boy
Sam was diagnosed on September 20, 2009, with Type 1 diabetes. He had just turned five years old a few weeks before. No, he did not drink too much Coke or eat too much sugar. His pancreas was attacked by a virus, and it stopped working. He was a very sick little boy who had lost six of his 30 pounds in just a few days. Since we did not know much about diabetes, the signs were not clear. He was not "thirsty" - he just asked for milk a lot. He was having some problems making it to the bathroom, but he was doing much better! How hard that must have been for him to try to make it when he was so sick.
He spent Sunday to Wednesday in our local hospital. Most children are shipped to Charlotte or Winston, but we were able to stay here in ICU. We learned what we needed to learn, very quickly on exhausted brains, so we could take him home. I will never forget checking his blood sugar for the first time. We both cried as one of my friends, who had brought him toys and goodies, looked on. Pete called me when he gave him his first shot. We left with syringes and vials - no insulin pens yet for us! It was so hard. Plus, he had little skinny legs and arms, and it was so hard to give him a shot with a longer needle. It just plain hurt him. It was 24 hours a day, and it was draining.
We went to the hospital on Sunday morning. Pete dropped us off, so he and the boys could go on to my niece's baptism in Winston. I had just gotten back from a work trip Thursday night. Sam had thrown up once on Saturday night, so I knew we may not be able to go. Then he threw up again early Sunday morning, but Will cleaned it up and put him in bed with him - like any good big brother would do. So until I put him the bathtub early Sunday morning, we did not have a clue how sick he was. He was a gray skeleton. And it scared us. We thought he was dehydrated from a bug, because Will had done that around Sam's age. So the plan was to drop Sam and me off at the ER and then get us later in the day after they treated him with fluids. In the midst of this, one of the cars would not start, so we only had one car anyway.
Will begged to stay with us. I told him he needed to go. But Pete said that Will may be a help and distraction for Sam. Good thing he stayed. Not thirty minutes later, Will and I started on this journey with Sam while Pete and Andrew and Peter went on to Winston.
I was going to wait until Pete was out of church before I texted or called him. Will had my phone and had been quite busy notifying people a little bit later when the doctor said he had diabetes. At first, Will had big tears in his eyes and asked me if Sam would be okay. I assured him (out of my little and vague knowledge) that we would take care of him no matter what. So he got busy texting and asking people to pray - without me knowing. His texts made it over and around mountains that usually block messages. They went to our friends and family, and they immediately began praying.
That ER was lonely and discouraging and scary. But God already had people in place to start filling those voids and help with the fear. He was helping us fight already by bringing people to care for Sam and to replace some of our initial fear with some helpful knowledge.
Dr. St. Clair (that I regret having to call on Sundays - seems he was always on call when we needed something on Sunday!) came and explained a great deal to me. Carla gently told me that Sam would have to stay the night. I realize now they were giving me what I could handle at the time. Sam was still so sick and weak. But he was thirsty most of all. I remember a tiny little skeleton looking boy shoving ice chips in his mouth as fast as he could as he rode up to ICU in a hospital bed that made him look even smaller. Just a lesson to see how quickly they can get sick. Sam did not look like that on Friday. So it is scary how fast diabetes can work and how sick it can make you.
I will add more to this story...
He spent Sunday to Wednesday in our local hospital. Most children are shipped to Charlotte or Winston, but we were able to stay here in ICU. We learned what we needed to learn, very quickly on exhausted brains, so we could take him home. I will never forget checking his blood sugar for the first time. We both cried as one of my friends, who had brought him toys and goodies, looked on. Pete called me when he gave him his first shot. We left with syringes and vials - no insulin pens yet for us! It was so hard. Plus, he had little skinny legs and arms, and it was so hard to give him a shot with a longer needle. It just plain hurt him. It was 24 hours a day, and it was draining.
We went to the hospital on Sunday morning. Pete dropped us off, so he and the boys could go on to my niece's baptism in Winston. I had just gotten back from a work trip Thursday night. Sam had thrown up once on Saturday night, so I knew we may not be able to go. Then he threw up again early Sunday morning, but Will cleaned it up and put him in bed with him - like any good big brother would do. So until I put him the bathtub early Sunday morning, we did not have a clue how sick he was. He was a gray skeleton. And it scared us. We thought he was dehydrated from a bug, because Will had done that around Sam's age. So the plan was to drop Sam and me off at the ER and then get us later in the day after they treated him with fluids. In the midst of this, one of the cars would not start, so we only had one car anyway.
Will begged to stay with us. I told him he needed to go. But Pete said that Will may be a help and distraction for Sam. Good thing he stayed. Not thirty minutes later, Will and I started on this journey with Sam while Pete and Andrew and Peter went on to Winston.
I was going to wait until Pete was out of church before I texted or called him. Will had my phone and had been quite busy notifying people a little bit later when the doctor said he had diabetes. At first, Will had big tears in his eyes and asked me if Sam would be okay. I assured him (out of my little and vague knowledge) that we would take care of him no matter what. So he got busy texting and asking people to pray - without me knowing. His texts made it over and around mountains that usually block messages. They went to our friends and family, and they immediately began praying.
That ER was lonely and discouraging and scary. But God already had people in place to start filling those voids and help with the fear. He was helping us fight already by bringing people to care for Sam and to replace some of our initial fear with some helpful knowledge.
Dr. St. Clair (that I regret having to call on Sundays - seems he was always on call when we needed something on Sunday!) came and explained a great deal to me. Carla gently told me that Sam would have to stay the night. I realize now they were giving me what I could handle at the time. Sam was still so sick and weak. But he was thirsty most of all. I remember a tiny little skeleton looking boy shoving ice chips in his mouth as fast as he could as he rode up to ICU in a hospital bed that made him look even smaller. Just a lesson to see how quickly they can get sick. Sam did not look like that on Friday. So it is scary how fast diabetes can work and how sick it can make you.
I will add more to this story...
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Recharging and Getting Ready for Change!
I am not good at change. Never have been. Oh, how I have been tested in this area!
I have moved from house to house. Sometimes I could not wait to move. Other times it almost broke my heart. But through those moves, God provided ways to show me home is where my family is. And He continued to show me that living in a fixer upper may not be so bad in a lot of ways. And He has shown me that location is sometimes more important for what is going to happen - whether it's where school or work is...or a hospital close by.
I have changed jobs. I have changed my schedule. Sometimes it has been better, but sometimes it has been really challenging. At my age, I have learned to be a little more patient and look forward to what is next when I don't already know. But sometimes, I just want to stay where I am and not change!
Pete has changed jobs. That did not always affect me, but it sure has in the last few years. But again, God has shown me that not everything is forever and He will provide. He will also bring about opportunities that would not have been taken if we had stayed in the same spot and not been willing to move.
So when I thought about change last year, I did not even think about church. It just never occurred to me. But here it is. A big change. Pete answered a call to ministry last year. I shared with him something that was on my heart, and he listened politely and did not think about it much again. And it has resurfaced - just in time to be a way that God shows me that His timing is perfect. I won't address my idea in this post. I will write about it as it unfolds. And I call it "my" idea, but I know it did not really come from me!
When he was given an opportunity a few weeks ago to preach at a small baptist church near Tweetsie, I was happy for him but did not even begin to think that Sunday would again bring big change into my life.
When the pastor search committee offered him the church, we prayed; but I did not think he (we) would go. He was doing so much already at OUR church. And I had recently taken over his Sunday School class so he could do more. I knew people needed him, and I was not that concerned about change.
Surprise. It has been a journey already, and he starts next Sunday. We have been going to Sunday School at our church and then church at the new church. Pete took on another Sunday School class that was only a month long. I realized a couple of weeks ago that I have not seen my church members for weeks because I have to hurry out after Sunday School. I love seeing the people in my class, but I have missed a lot of others. And it has made me sad. It's been a quick and unexpected change. Too fast for me to handle all at once.
We have been welcomed with open arms at our new church. And I am thankful for those people and the opportunities and excitement there. But it has been hard for me to move on without having much transition time. Not much at all.
I know God has been changing my heart. He has been helping me be more willing instead of feeling sorry for me. I have gradually let up on the brakes that I put on full force when Pete dared say he felt called to the new church. I felt like he would listen to reason. Listen to some friends. But he prayed and felt he needed to listen to God. How can I argue with that?
So in this big change, I am trying to see the things I need to be doing. I am looking for the signs that He gives me that not only will things be okay but assurance that He is with me. As I looked down the pew in church this morning, I had five (not four!) handsome young men with me listening to their dad and uncle. I know that I need to be where they are.
It can be a lonely time. Just a quick word of advice when someone answers the call to ministry. Don't laugh. Don't tell them you are glad it's them and not you. Don't make it seem like a curse. It may be you one day - if you are called AND you are willing. I know God has great plans. I know He will guide us if we look to Him. I am working on being "strong and courageous" during this change. I am looking to draw closer to my husband and my boys. Pete tells me to keep looking to Him. He keeps reminding me that He is the One who will not let me down. He will fill me with joy in Him.
Please pray for us as we start a new ministry, one I feel so unqualified to be part of. I want to be an obedient servant and draw others to the One and Only Way. I want to be a light for Him.
So in the midst of all of this, I decided to treat myself to a quick trip to some outlets that I like. I sang and sang in the car and probably looked ridiculous to anyone who passed me! But it was a good time. A quick trip. Then I listened to several Beth Moore teachings on the way home. I felt a little more recharged and refreshed. Not from the shopping but from the time with the Lord in the car by myself. I will learn what to do to get away quickly and make time to have some time.
I have moved from house to house. Sometimes I could not wait to move. Other times it almost broke my heart. But through those moves, God provided ways to show me home is where my family is. And He continued to show me that living in a fixer upper may not be so bad in a lot of ways. And He has shown me that location is sometimes more important for what is going to happen - whether it's where school or work is...or a hospital close by.
I have changed jobs. I have changed my schedule. Sometimes it has been better, but sometimes it has been really challenging. At my age, I have learned to be a little more patient and look forward to what is next when I don't already know. But sometimes, I just want to stay where I am and not change!
Pete has changed jobs. That did not always affect me, but it sure has in the last few years. But again, God has shown me that not everything is forever and He will provide. He will also bring about opportunities that would not have been taken if we had stayed in the same spot and not been willing to move.
So when I thought about change last year, I did not even think about church. It just never occurred to me. But here it is. A big change. Pete answered a call to ministry last year. I shared with him something that was on my heart, and he listened politely and did not think about it much again. And it has resurfaced - just in time to be a way that God shows me that His timing is perfect. I won't address my idea in this post. I will write about it as it unfolds. And I call it "my" idea, but I know it did not really come from me!
When he was given an opportunity a few weeks ago to preach at a small baptist church near Tweetsie, I was happy for him but did not even begin to think that Sunday would again bring big change into my life.
When the pastor search committee offered him the church, we prayed; but I did not think he (we) would go. He was doing so much already at OUR church. And I had recently taken over his Sunday School class so he could do more. I knew people needed him, and I was not that concerned about change.
Surprise. It has been a journey already, and he starts next Sunday. We have been going to Sunday School at our church and then church at the new church. Pete took on another Sunday School class that was only a month long. I realized a couple of weeks ago that I have not seen my church members for weeks because I have to hurry out after Sunday School. I love seeing the people in my class, but I have missed a lot of others. And it has made me sad. It's been a quick and unexpected change. Too fast for me to handle all at once.
We have been welcomed with open arms at our new church. And I am thankful for those people and the opportunities and excitement there. But it has been hard for me to move on without having much transition time. Not much at all.
I know God has been changing my heart. He has been helping me be more willing instead of feeling sorry for me. I have gradually let up on the brakes that I put on full force when Pete dared say he felt called to the new church. I felt like he would listen to reason. Listen to some friends. But he prayed and felt he needed to listen to God. How can I argue with that?
So in this big change, I am trying to see the things I need to be doing. I am looking for the signs that He gives me that not only will things be okay but assurance that He is with me. As I looked down the pew in church this morning, I had five (not four!) handsome young men with me listening to their dad and uncle. I know that I need to be where they are.
It can be a lonely time. Just a quick word of advice when someone answers the call to ministry. Don't laugh. Don't tell them you are glad it's them and not you. Don't make it seem like a curse. It may be you one day - if you are called AND you are willing. I know God has great plans. I know He will guide us if we look to Him. I am working on being "strong and courageous" during this change. I am looking to draw closer to my husband and my boys. Pete tells me to keep looking to Him. He keeps reminding me that He is the One who will not let me down. He will fill me with joy in Him.
Please pray for us as we start a new ministry, one I feel so unqualified to be part of. I want to be an obedient servant and draw others to the One and Only Way. I want to be a light for Him.
So in the midst of all of this, I decided to treat myself to a quick trip to some outlets that I like. I sang and sang in the car and probably looked ridiculous to anyone who passed me! But it was a good time. A quick trip. Then I listened to several Beth Moore teachings on the way home. I felt a little more recharged and refreshed. Not from the shopping but from the time with the Lord in the car by myself. I will learn what to do to get away quickly and make time to have some time.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Two Appointments and a Quick Update
Sam and Andrew had appointments in Charlotte yesterday. Andrew had two scheduled for the end of this month, but we had to reschedule one due to the doctor's schedule. So he went with us yesterday!
Sam's day started off great with a break at Target before his appointment. He gets a "surprise" (as he calls it) for going to the doctor. So he was excited to pick a new Lego set. His dad kept teasing him when he came home -saying that I had gotten it for him (Daddy). But Sam knew that he gets something to help break up a long day.
His appointment was good. His a1c is up a little bit, but his numbers have been totally out of whack lately. So we talked about what I had already changed and changed a tiny bit more (since I had already made some pretty big changes over the last two weeks - with some nurse help). It was good to show the log book and the numbers and show how frustrating it all can be. Dr. Parker was a real encouragement yesterday and understood what I was asking and my concerns - since he works with this all of the time! He thinks we are already on a much better track. But he warned me (again) that things will change as Sam turns 10.
We left there and ran to South Park mall for a quick lunch. They have a huge Apple Store now where Andrew likes to go look now, and Sam and I were able to run in a few of my favorite places. We had my friend's GPS again, so it got us to Andrew's appointment at least 20 minutes faster than my route!
Dr. Black said Andrew's lungs are at 120% - which is amazing, he said, considering all of the infections and problems he has had. He said that most of us are at 100%. He is so happy Andrew is doing well. I told my Sunday School class Sunday that Dr. Black probably saved Andrew's life - that he may have died from pneumonia by now if he had not helped find his immune system problems (that are treated by another doctor). We appreciate him so much. Andrew was worn out when we left as they had a new machine to measure lung function, and he had to do his breathing several times before it worked. He may have even better than 120%, but he told the nurse that he wanted to keep trying so his numbers were good!
We then went to a couple of my favorite places before heading back and stopping at Birkdale Village at the bookstore for Andrew. Sam and I were using a coupon to buy him some jeans, and the registers were messed up at that store; so that gave Andrew a little more time to look around. I wish we had a big bookstore closer.
It was a good day. It was full of information, but I returned home thankful that they are both doing well. We take these things for granted until we get hit with something, and I am able to see how thankful I should be when things are running pretty smoothly.
We are still in Joshua in my Sunday School class. What great reminders that God is with us all of the time and that HE can do the impossible. It also reminds us to seek Him for guidance and not just fly off on our own. And as Toby says, God is already there. He already knows what we will face. What a great feeling to know He walks beside us. And not only beside me, but beside my children as well - as they go off and are not always with us. Especially when "normal" things happen, I need to remember to turn to Him and give it to Him and wait for Him to tell me what to do. I woke up one morning last week and knew I should do something for one of my children, and it turned out better than I thought. And I think that child knew I had prayed and appreciated my little bit of help.
I enjoyed graduations for two of my children but am happy to have a break this year. I have listened to this Natalie Grant song a lot lately and may have already shared it. It talks about turning our children over to Jesus to take care of them. I listened to it yesterday coming back in the car when the boys (who say they cannot sleep in the car when it's daytime) were both sound asleep. It's sweet and makes me cry, but it's so true.
Have a great rest of the week!
"When I Leave the Room" (Natalie Grant) *** I should have known Nichole Nordeman helped write this! She is great!
Good night
Looks like we made it through the day
The moon sighs
And I know that we're okay
Sleep tight
I love to watch you drift away
I would come with you but on my knees I'll stay
Good night
Five little fingers holding mine
Take flight
Into your dreams and lullabies
There's nothing more that I can do
But just fall more in love with you
And ask the angel armies to stand by
When I leave the room
I'm gonna fail you
I already have
Ten thousand times
I will fall down flat
You'll have a seat in the front row
Of everything I don't know
And all I'm trying to be
You'll see
Good night
There will be storms that we come through
In time
We will slay dragons me and you
I'll always wanna hold you tight
Keep you safe with all my might
So I will leave Jesus next to you
When I leave the room
And you will run ahead
As if you know the way
And I will pray more
Then one should have to pray
There will be words we can't take back
Silences too
And I'll be on my knees
You'll see
One night
When I am old and unsteady
You'll want me to fight
But I'll tell you that I'm ready
When there's nothing left to do
I will still be loving you
Then you'll fold your fingers into mine
And I will let Jesus hold you tight
When I leave the room
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Songwriters
HERMS, BERNIE / NORDEMAN, NICHOLE ELLYSE / GRANT, NATALIE DIANE
Sam's day started off great with a break at Target before his appointment. He gets a "surprise" (as he calls it) for going to the doctor. So he was excited to pick a new Lego set. His dad kept teasing him when he came home -saying that I had gotten it for him (Daddy). But Sam knew that he gets something to help break up a long day.
His appointment was good. His a1c is up a little bit, but his numbers have been totally out of whack lately. So we talked about what I had already changed and changed a tiny bit more (since I had already made some pretty big changes over the last two weeks - with some nurse help). It was good to show the log book and the numbers and show how frustrating it all can be. Dr. Parker was a real encouragement yesterday and understood what I was asking and my concerns - since he works with this all of the time! He thinks we are already on a much better track. But he warned me (again) that things will change as Sam turns 10.
We left there and ran to South Park mall for a quick lunch. They have a huge Apple Store now where Andrew likes to go look now, and Sam and I were able to run in a few of my favorite places. We had my friend's GPS again, so it got us to Andrew's appointment at least 20 minutes faster than my route!
Dr. Black said Andrew's lungs are at 120% - which is amazing, he said, considering all of the infections and problems he has had. He said that most of us are at 100%. He is so happy Andrew is doing well. I told my Sunday School class Sunday that Dr. Black probably saved Andrew's life - that he may have died from pneumonia by now if he had not helped find his immune system problems (that are treated by another doctor). We appreciate him so much. Andrew was worn out when we left as they had a new machine to measure lung function, and he had to do his breathing several times before it worked. He may have even better than 120%, but he told the nurse that he wanted to keep trying so his numbers were good!
We then went to a couple of my favorite places before heading back and stopping at Birkdale Village at the bookstore for Andrew. Sam and I were using a coupon to buy him some jeans, and the registers were messed up at that store; so that gave Andrew a little more time to look around. I wish we had a big bookstore closer.
It was a good day. It was full of information, but I returned home thankful that they are both doing well. We take these things for granted until we get hit with something, and I am able to see how thankful I should be when things are running pretty smoothly.
We are still in Joshua in my Sunday School class. What great reminders that God is with us all of the time and that HE can do the impossible. It also reminds us to seek Him for guidance and not just fly off on our own. And as Toby says, God is already there. He already knows what we will face. What a great feeling to know He walks beside us. And not only beside me, but beside my children as well - as they go off and are not always with us. Especially when "normal" things happen, I need to remember to turn to Him and give it to Him and wait for Him to tell me what to do. I woke up one morning last week and knew I should do something for one of my children, and it turned out better than I thought. And I think that child knew I had prayed and appreciated my little bit of help.
I enjoyed graduations for two of my children but am happy to have a break this year. I have listened to this Natalie Grant song a lot lately and may have already shared it. It talks about turning our children over to Jesus to take care of them. I listened to it yesterday coming back in the car when the boys (who say they cannot sleep in the car when it's daytime) were both sound asleep. It's sweet and makes me cry, but it's so true.
Have a great rest of the week!
"When I Leave the Room" (Natalie Grant) *** I should have known Nichole Nordeman helped write this! She is great!
Good night
Looks like we made it through the day
The moon sighs
And I know that we're okay
Sleep tight
I love to watch you drift away
I would come with you but on my knees I'll stay
Good night
Five little fingers holding mine
Take flight
Into your dreams and lullabies
There's nothing more that I can do
But just fall more in love with you
And ask the angel armies to stand by
When I leave the room
I'm gonna fail you
I already have
Ten thousand times
I will fall down flat
You'll have a seat in the front row
Of everything I don't know
And all I'm trying to be
You'll see
Good night
There will be storms that we come through
In time
We will slay dragons me and you
I'll always wanna hold you tight
Keep you safe with all my might
So I will leave Jesus next to you
When I leave the room
And you will run ahead
As if you know the way
And I will pray more
Then one should have to pray
There will be words we can't take back
Silences too
And I'll be on my knees
You'll see
One night
When I am old and unsteady
You'll want me to fight
But I'll tell you that I'm ready
When there's nothing left to do
I will still be loving you
Then you'll fold your fingers into mine
And I will let Jesus hold you tight
When I leave the room
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Songwriters
HERMS, BERNIE / NORDEMAN, NICHOLE ELLYSE / GRANT, NATALIE DIANE
Friday, April 25, 2014
Last Race of the Season
The Last Race of this Season
Andrew just finished his outdoor track season. His last race was Friday – Good Friday – in Charlotte. Thankful for the GPS that got me there, and,
more importantly, showed me the way out in pouring rain! It was a tough race to watch. He was going for a PR. We are thankful for the bests he has had in
the 3000 and 5000 this year. He had a
slight knee injury and did a lot of pool running. He also had some respiratory illness that we
cannot seem to stop even when we watch and know it’s probably coming! But as his mom, I wanted this last race to be
the best. After the first couple of
laps, it was obvious it would not be.
His arms were stretched out far pulling his legs along – legs that just
would not cooperate. Thankfully, Andrew
just knew it was a tough race and kept on going. He was disappointed but had a great attitude
about it. His time was not his best, but
it was not terrible either. I told him later
that he had no idea what it took for him to run that race like that and that I
appreciated that about him. He just
smiled and told me thanks.
I have gone back and read some of my earlier posts and like
the ones that are not negative. I can
remember how I felt writing some, and then I wonder how I felt writing
others. I think my heart is leaning more
towards thankful – even though so many thing still seem unsettled. Maybe I am adjusting to being in this waiting
room of life – where I can truly put down the worry and let God handle it.
Just last night, I cried as I told Pete one of my deepest
fears and frustrations. It’s not a
secret, but rarely do I speak it out loud.
And of course it affects one of my children and my concerns for his
future. I have worried about his future
years ahead of time and every step of the way.
I know I have to keep turning him over.
And I do. It’s taking it all back
that I need to try harder to keep from doing!
We have been studying Joshua in Sunday School and took a
quick break to have an Easter study the week before Easter. With Joshua, we find all of the promises that
God is with us and not to be afraid or discouraged. The promises assure us that He goes before
us. (Deut. 31:6, 8, Joshua 1:9 are just
a couple). Then we studied and talked
about what God did for us. As I read
something from a book, I got so emotional, I could hardly talk (much to the
dismay of my children who were in the class!).
But thinking about the night right before Jesus was arrested and how
much He endured for us, I think an emotional response was the only response
because I was really thinking about what I was reading. I had read it before so I had already
pondered it, but the stark reality of what He did just rose up and hit me. What a blessing.
So days can be hard, for many reasons. But I can choose to be thankful and trusting
and faithful. And I need to remember to
do that always in every situation.
Andrew will take a little break and then train for cross
country in the fall.
The other boys are good.
Sam has had some little illnesses off and on. I read his doctor report from cardiology and
let the thankfulness just flood me. I did
not take that report for granted.
We are looking forward to Peter being home soon. And Will is still busy outside doing whatever
he can. I am thankful for the days he is
not climbing trees and pray harder on the days when I know he is.
Thanks again for praying.
We feel it and appreciate it!Friday, April 4, 2014
Quick Update!
Today is my grandmother’s 89th birthday! I am very thankful for her. We are celebrating at her house in Abingdon tomorrow from 4-6 if anyone wants to stop by! First, we have the MS Walk at Sugar Hollow. We are walking on my mom’s team in support of her and so many other friends who live with MS every day.
I am also thankful today for a very good (great, actually) visit to the pediatric cardiologist with Sam. The story is quick but has a lot of twists and turns, but the outcome is wonderful. We don’t have to worry about his new heart murmur, and we don’t have to go back. The doctor was great and so good with Sam. He knew what he was doing, and I watched as he made sure Sam’s heart was pumping as it should. His EKG was normal. He told Sam he has a great heart, and Sam beamed. He really liked the doctor and talked about him a lot after we left. We are glad to be home and watch the new episode of Shark Tank tonight with that burden fully lifted! Thanks to those of you who prayed. Not many knew, but I know they prayed.
We actually found this when Sam was at our pediatrician last week sick. He was sick again this week and has missed most of the last two weeks of school for snow or illness. But he cannot go with a fever or strep. My boys never run fevers, but two have been doing exactly that lately!
Andrew is sick again. He ran such a great 5000 at Wake Forest, and then his knee hurt after a good workout the next week. He has been running in the pool but has been outside the last couple of days feeling much better. In the meantime, he ran a slight fever and ended up with bronchitis but seems to look much better than he did a couple of days ago!
We are looking forward to spring and prettier weather. Winter is great, but we are excited to be outside without boots and coats!
Thanks to all of you who pray. We hope Andrew will just pick up where he left off with his PR and jump right back in. Spring is always hard for him – it has been the last several years.
Thanks again! Have a great weekend!
Love,
Wendi
P.S. If you need a great new CD, my aunt got one for me at Lifeway that is Easter with different artists. I am so glad Easter is later this year – more time to reflect and celebrate and think. Of course, it’s good to do that all year, but Easter is such a special time. #8 is my favorite right now – Kari Jobe’s “What Love is This” – you can google it too!
I am also thankful today for a very good (great, actually) visit to the pediatric cardiologist with Sam. The story is quick but has a lot of twists and turns, but the outcome is wonderful. We don’t have to worry about his new heart murmur, and we don’t have to go back. The doctor was great and so good with Sam. He knew what he was doing, and I watched as he made sure Sam’s heart was pumping as it should. His EKG was normal. He told Sam he has a great heart, and Sam beamed. He really liked the doctor and talked about him a lot after we left. We are glad to be home and watch the new episode of Shark Tank tonight with that burden fully lifted! Thanks to those of you who prayed. Not many knew, but I know they prayed.
We actually found this when Sam was at our pediatrician last week sick. He was sick again this week and has missed most of the last two weeks of school for snow or illness. But he cannot go with a fever or strep. My boys never run fevers, but two have been doing exactly that lately!
Andrew is sick again. He ran such a great 5000 at Wake Forest, and then his knee hurt after a good workout the next week. He has been running in the pool but has been outside the last couple of days feeling much better. In the meantime, he ran a slight fever and ended up with bronchitis but seems to look much better than he did a couple of days ago!
We are looking forward to spring and prettier weather. Winter is great, but we are excited to be outside without boots and coats!
Thanks to all of you who pray. We hope Andrew will just pick up where he left off with his PR and jump right back in. Spring is always hard for him – it has been the last several years.
Thanks again! Have a great weekend!
Love,
Wendi
P.S. If you need a great new CD, my aunt got one for me at Lifeway that is Easter with different artists. I am so glad Easter is later this year – more time to reflect and celebrate and think. Of course, it’s good to do that all year, but Easter is such a special time. #8 is my favorite right now – Kari Jobe’s “What Love is This” – you can google it too!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Happy Birthday to...my Grandmother!
How can she be turning 89 on April 4th - this Friday? She does not look a day over 65 - which goes well with my aunt who is stuck at 32 in my mind. I tell her I passed her in age a long long time ago!
As I think back to my childhood, I remember people laughing when I told them I had "lots" of grandparents. But I did. I had grandparents and great-grandparents. I was so fortunate to grow up with lots of people to love me. I have lost all of them except my grandmother. We have always called her Grandmother.
I remember riding on the bus or taking a taxi from downtown Bristol to the Cameo or Paramount to see a movie when we spent the night with Grandmother. She did not drive, so going somewhere with her was very exciting indeed. Sometimes we walked places. She lived in town near Krispy Kreme. But better than Krispy Kreme were The Giant doughnuts that my mom got sometimes on our way to Grandmother's house. What a treat! Anyway, fun was somehow linked to Grandmother. We saw movies that had Dick Van Dyke or Don Knotts in them. I remember one was The Apple Dumpling Gang.
As I grew up, I appreciated the compliments and encouragement that came from Grandmother. As I got older, my appreciation grew even more. Grandmother and I share a love for Christian fiction. She was the one I called a few years ago when I saw Beverly Lewis in person at Lifeway in Chattanooga while traveling for work. She was happy to find out she is much prettier in person than on her book covers! Grandmother and I do NOT share a love for "Murder, She Wrote", my favorite TV show of all time. I think maybe she was hung up on something about Angela Lansbury's earlier works and not Jessica Fletcher (who, by the way, writes fiction and does not drive either!). That is definitely one thing I cannot figure out!
I called Grandmother the time Pete flew to Texas, and my house almost flew apart hours after he left! I had a water pipe burst, my furnace messed up, my car battery died, a blizzard was coming, and I was almost out of milk! Just one of those days with three very small boys - who thought stamping in the water puddles in the dining room seemed like fun while Mommy frantically searched for the switch to turn off the water. Fortunately, one of our good friends knew where to tell me to go in the basement; and his phone number did not contain a "4" which decided not to work on my phone on that same day. The plumber came. My brother came. All was set to rights. Grandmother laughed with me and told me it sounded like "Little House on the Prairie." We laughed about all of the things that went wrong and how they were made right. It's important to give credit to God, because we know He was behind all of the fixing!
A few years later, I called Grandmother to tell her about one of the boys and his medical problems. I told her I felt more like "Marcus Welby, MD" than "Little House" - she agreed, and we were still able to laugh.
We had a great Christian Book Warehouse in Bristol, so I got Grandmother gift cards there for Christmas. Then I would try to come over and take her to shop myself. Once, the lady at the cash register (who had struck me as someone who maybe should not be left alone at the cash register) took Grandmother's card that still had a lot of money on it to throw away - instead of the empty one. Don't ask me, but we thought THAT was funny too! But we were happy we caught the mistake. Those cards were like gold to Grandmother.
I have other funny stories, some even more recent, but I cannot share them in case they would get Grandmother in trouble! She likes to do a lot - she probably shouldn't - at her age.
A huge blessing last year was her hip surgery. She had been in pain for months and months. I told her, when I found out she was having surgery, that I did not think they would do hip surgery on an 88 year old woman if they did not think it would help. Too much risk. She had a great doctor and came through surgery better than most people who are much younger. She woke up without the pain that plagued her for many months. I felt like a gift had been given back - not just to her but to us as well. Sam and I went to check on her, and he talked to her more than he ever had. It was fun to see the delight on her face as she listened to the quiet little boy talk.
Grandmother has always been encouraging to me. She tells me things that others don't - things that give me a different perspective and make me appreciate my family more. My brother once called her the glue that holds our family together. She certainly is!
She has had some serious illnesses in the past and has overcome them and kept on going. She has so many great stories to tell. And sad ones too. I know she shakes some because her left hand was tied back when she was in school so she would use her right hand. Sam is left handed - as is my sister. She also will pull up her face a little to give me a better look at her dimples - which Sam has too. She tells of her brother using dish detergent instead of hair oil getting ready for a date and then seeing bubbles form on his head as he walked through the rain. We laugh and giggle.
Last fall, driving back alone from a cross country meet in Raleigh, I listened as Grandmother told me how she rolled over to sit up in bed because she hurt so badly in the morning. A little bird walked by her bed. It stopped and looked at her and kept on walking. She said she shook her head and rubbed her eyes, but there really was a little bird! We laughed until we cried. Hearing how my dad came and got the bird (safely) out was quite another story! What a treat for me.
What a blessing to have my Grandmother. What a blessing to have had her here for 89 years. It's good to know she is there. I cannot wait to share my new Robert Whitlow book with her that is pre-ordered, or was that an Amish fiction author?
I know she is a blessing to the rest of the family too. My sister has her own book of stories. She has ongoing jokes with two of her daughters where strange things end up in their houses. It's kind of like the rug my brother and sister pass back and forth. It's so good to laugh and make others laugh.
We love you, Grandmother, so much! Happy 89th Birthday! (Even though you don't look nearly old enough to be having such a birthday!!!!)
As I think back to my childhood, I remember people laughing when I told them I had "lots" of grandparents. But I did. I had grandparents and great-grandparents. I was so fortunate to grow up with lots of people to love me. I have lost all of them except my grandmother. We have always called her Grandmother.
I remember riding on the bus or taking a taxi from downtown Bristol to the Cameo or Paramount to see a movie when we spent the night with Grandmother. She did not drive, so going somewhere with her was very exciting indeed. Sometimes we walked places. She lived in town near Krispy Kreme. But better than Krispy Kreme were The Giant doughnuts that my mom got sometimes on our way to Grandmother's house. What a treat! Anyway, fun was somehow linked to Grandmother. We saw movies that had Dick Van Dyke or Don Knotts in them. I remember one was The Apple Dumpling Gang.
As I grew up, I appreciated the compliments and encouragement that came from Grandmother. As I got older, my appreciation grew even more. Grandmother and I share a love for Christian fiction. She was the one I called a few years ago when I saw Beverly Lewis in person at Lifeway in Chattanooga while traveling for work. She was happy to find out she is much prettier in person than on her book covers! Grandmother and I do NOT share a love for "Murder, She Wrote", my favorite TV show of all time. I think maybe she was hung up on something about Angela Lansbury's earlier works and not Jessica Fletcher (who, by the way, writes fiction and does not drive either!). That is definitely one thing I cannot figure out!
I called Grandmother the time Pete flew to Texas, and my house almost flew apart hours after he left! I had a water pipe burst, my furnace messed up, my car battery died, a blizzard was coming, and I was almost out of milk! Just one of those days with three very small boys - who thought stamping in the water puddles in the dining room seemed like fun while Mommy frantically searched for the switch to turn off the water. Fortunately, one of our good friends knew where to tell me to go in the basement; and his phone number did not contain a "4" which decided not to work on my phone on that same day. The plumber came. My brother came. All was set to rights. Grandmother laughed with me and told me it sounded like "Little House on the Prairie." We laughed about all of the things that went wrong and how they were made right. It's important to give credit to God, because we know He was behind all of the fixing!
A few years later, I called Grandmother to tell her about one of the boys and his medical problems. I told her I felt more like "Marcus Welby, MD" than "Little House" - she agreed, and we were still able to laugh.
We had a great Christian Book Warehouse in Bristol, so I got Grandmother gift cards there for Christmas. Then I would try to come over and take her to shop myself. Once, the lady at the cash register (who had struck me as someone who maybe should not be left alone at the cash register) took Grandmother's card that still had a lot of money on it to throw away - instead of the empty one. Don't ask me, but we thought THAT was funny too! But we were happy we caught the mistake. Those cards were like gold to Grandmother.
I have other funny stories, some even more recent, but I cannot share them in case they would get Grandmother in trouble! She likes to do a lot - she probably shouldn't - at her age.
A huge blessing last year was her hip surgery. She had been in pain for months and months. I told her, when I found out she was having surgery, that I did not think they would do hip surgery on an 88 year old woman if they did not think it would help. Too much risk. She had a great doctor and came through surgery better than most people who are much younger. She woke up without the pain that plagued her for many months. I felt like a gift had been given back - not just to her but to us as well. Sam and I went to check on her, and he talked to her more than he ever had. It was fun to see the delight on her face as she listened to the quiet little boy talk.
Grandmother has always been encouraging to me. She tells me things that others don't - things that give me a different perspective and make me appreciate my family more. My brother once called her the glue that holds our family together. She certainly is!
She has had some serious illnesses in the past and has overcome them and kept on going. She has so many great stories to tell. And sad ones too. I know she shakes some because her left hand was tied back when she was in school so she would use her right hand. Sam is left handed - as is my sister. She also will pull up her face a little to give me a better look at her dimples - which Sam has too. She tells of her brother using dish detergent instead of hair oil getting ready for a date and then seeing bubbles form on his head as he walked through the rain. We laugh and giggle.
Last fall, driving back alone from a cross country meet in Raleigh, I listened as Grandmother told me how she rolled over to sit up in bed because she hurt so badly in the morning. A little bird walked by her bed. It stopped and looked at her and kept on walking. She said she shook her head and rubbed her eyes, but there really was a little bird! We laughed until we cried. Hearing how my dad came and got the bird (safely) out was quite another story! What a treat for me.
What a blessing to have my Grandmother. What a blessing to have had her here for 89 years. It's good to know she is there. I cannot wait to share my new Robert Whitlow book with her that is pre-ordered, or was that an Amish fiction author?
I know she is a blessing to the rest of the family too. My sister has her own book of stories. She has ongoing jokes with two of her daughters where strange things end up in their houses. It's kind of like the rug my brother and sister pass back and forth. It's so good to laugh and make others laugh.
We love you, Grandmother, so much! Happy 89th Birthday! (Even though you don't look nearly old enough to be having such a birthday!!!!)
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