The Smell of Happy

One day at school Kelsey was telling her friends how good her jacket smelt. She couldn't figure out what it smelled like though. One of her friends smelled it and they said it smelled like her home. It is not one definite scent. It reminded Kelsey of her home and of me. So she calls the scent happy. There is nothing more important to me than for Kelsey and Sam to look back on their childhood and have happy memories. I want them to remember that even though I am far from perfect they know that I always love them. I want to build my children up- not tear them down like some parents do. I want them to know that not only do I love them I also like them. I have seen the true colors of my children and they both have great character. I will never understand for the life of me why some people have families that are so quick with an insult but so slow with a kind word. We are all on this earth for one reason only. For the purpose of God. God is love so that should start with our own families. We are to bring people to the kingdom. Not cause so much hurt that another person needs to be in therapy because of their childhood. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. That means treating each other with love, kindness, compassion and respect.

GOODBYE TODD

Unfortunately my cousin Todd did not make it. He passed away on 08/21/09. This is the date of my other cousin Heith's birthday. Heith passed away in 86 due to a car accident. Todd and Heith were pretty close growing up. Like the pastor said, coincendence? We don't think so. We think it is confirmation. Confirmation that Jesus Christ will give us comfort and peace in the most unexpected ways. I pray for Heith's family as that had to make them relive his death. I also pray for Todd's family to be comforted as they learn to adjust to life without him. We know that the cousins are up in heaven now having a good ol time with their grandpa. RIP Todd.

Coma

OK, so I haven't posted for a while. A LOT has happened though. My cousin (who is the same age as me) was in a drug induced coma for almost two weeks. He is finally out of the coma but he now has a hole in his lung. So please please pray for him. It is still a scary situation. But just think. Here is this guy who just started feeling bad and the next thing you know he wakes up in the hospital with a huge tube down his mouth. (Sound familiar Kelsey???) Kelsey lost 7 days of her life and my cousin has lost 2 weeks of his life!!! I think about how many days have I sat around the house wasting time and feeling sorry for myself. I vow not to do that again! Time is precious and you never know what the future holds.

7 years

Today is my 7th wedding anniversary. 7 used to be a scary number for me. My first husband Joe died on 7-17-94. I know it may sound silly but I hated the #7 after that. July was always a dreaded month because I would relive the whole thing. 7 years after his death for some reason (thanks to Norma and Booker) I decided I was ready to date again. Mike started working at Spencer Plastics where I worked and I had an instant crush on him. For that whole 7 years before Mike I was not remotely interested in anyone. I wondered if I would ever get past Joe. We went out for the first time when my friends Carrie and Shannon rigged the whole thing up. Our first "date" was at Shooters in Chrisney. We had so much fun together. Then nothing.



Mike had so many issues and was so scared. He quit Spencers and I thought it was all over. I didn't see or talk to Mike for 6 weeks after that. Then me and Shannon went out and guess who we run into. That's right. Good ol Mike. It was a total God thing that made us run into each other too BTW. After that run in we have been together ever since.



Kelsey and Sam loved Mike right away too. We really didn't have any adjustment issues concerning the kids. Our relationship is far from perfect. We drive each other crazy but the way I see it that means we really love each other. It's when you don't care that you know it is over.



Mike I am so thankful that God brought you into my life. You are my closest friend and I don't know what I would do without you.

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Image by Mr Magoo ICU via Flickr

Image by T@H!R - طاھر via Flickr

God Wants Me to Grow Up!!!

Today's church sermon really opened my eyes to something I have been struggling with. Thank you Pastor Jack. His sermon was about being a new creation in Christ. How when you let Christ into your life you are not the same. This relates to me in some relationships I have been struggling with. I could not understand why I was having trouble staying close to people that I have had in my life for so long. These relationships are not working because I have changed. I am no longer a baby christian and I have to step up to the plate and be the person God has created me to be. As long as I hold onto things or people that He no longer wants me to focus on I can't take the next step. OK Lord, I know I am slow but now that my eyes are opened I will focus on what YOU want in my life instead of what I think I should have.



"God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development."

Rick Warren-The Purpose Driven Life

1A

1A is the grade Kelsey received on her heart biopsy. That means there is some rejection. She has gotten this grade before and they usually do not do anything. (It is normal to have some rejection. If she had received a 2 she would have had to stay in the hospital.) With this biopsy they found something different. It is called quilting (sp). Don't ask me what it means, I don't know. Yes, I did ask the doctors but it didn't make any sense. All I know is that they gave her a dose of steroids while still in the hosp and she has to up her prednisone for the next 3 days. She also has to go back on Thursday for a f/u appt. The way I took it is that this rejection could have led to a full blown rejection and they are stopping it before that happens. We also seen the kidney dr. on Thursday before the biopsy. Her kidney function has improved but they are still monitoring her.
Going to the hospital does have it's up side though. Kelsey gets told how good she looks, how pretty she is and what wonderful skin she has more times that I can count. The drs and nurses are very good for her ego. We also had a wonderul nurse named Teresa. After the biopsy we have to stay in the hosp. for 6 hours and Teresa was just wonderful. Since they have to go through the groin for Kelsey's procedure she has to keep her leg still and move very little for the 6 hours. Her back started to ache from laying so still and Teresa even gave her a back rub. We were treated more like family that patients. It takes a special person to be a nurse. They have to deal with so much. I have seen what they do and I truly appreciate them. Next time you or someone you know is in the hospital and receive excellent care like we did, make sure you let the hospital know. They have cards you can fill out and these nurses can receive recognition for the hard work that they do.