June 12

We had a wonderful vacation.

 

I'll post about that soon.

 

For now, sweet friends, please pray for two very dear families.

 

One I have never met, but have known for two years.

Their sweet little girl was called home.

Please pray for them as they deal with the loss of their precious angel.

Nora Rose Yusko

 

 

The second family I have known since 2001.

Before they were technically a family.

Please pray for them.

Andy has been fighting brain cancer for over two years.

It is growing again.

They won't be continuing treatment.

I can't write more.

You can read more by following the link below.

Cari & Andy Chastain

April 28

Hello! As usual, there are a lot of things going on!

Even though I find it boring, many family members are asking what is going on with me.

We don't know.

We know that my colon is not clearing as it should. The thought is that it is because of 12 procedures within 2 years. My system more than likely never had a chance to recoup! NOW! Before you all stress out, only FOUR of those were legit surgeries. The other 8 were stent exchanges.

Yes, they still put me under but that is all.

On April 21 (I think) they pulled a stent out in office.

OH that they all would've been pulled like that!

It was less uncomfortable than pulling a band-aid!

 

The following Monday was followed up with a visit to the GP.

We knew my appendix was enlarged. We knew my ability to function without pain management was zero. Thanks to a family friend, I went to the appointment armed with some information.

1. Your appendix should be shrinking by the time you get to your 30 somethings. Not getting bigger.

2. A colonoscopy would be a great idea. Adhesions are a possibility.

 

It took some...encouragement, but the Dr finally agreed to the colonoscopy. Dr also said it is highly unlikely that adhesions are the trouble.

 

***Adhesions are sections of scar tissue that connect your colon to another area. It inhibits your ability to clear your colon and can be quite painful once you get backed up.

 

When I heard it was "highly unlikely," my initial thought was, "Welcome to my world!"

 

I swore I'd never move to FL.

HA!

I didn't want to marry/date people.

HA!

(In my defense, Stephen, Kyle & Abby are completely irresistible!)

I NEVER wanted to move to LA.

HA!

I never wanted to be a military spouse.

HA!

(see above note. Add to that list all of the AMAZING people I have met because of the military!)

 

"Highly unlikely" defines my life.

 

Oh, I never wanted a Boston Terrier.

I'm not sure that has changed. The Stinker LITERALLY left a nugget on the bed last night. Thankfully, it was on HIS blanket on my bed and not near me.

He will be sleeping on the floor of the bathroom.

 

Our remedy? Hold your horses! Seriously people, I love to chat and I never get to see some of you.

Others of you I get to see but I don't get to just chew the fat (as it were) with you!

 

I forgot where I was going with that. LC, I'm sure you will get a kick of that! Folks! No joke! I was so tired and just yuck due to the weather that I couldn't form a straight sentence earlier! LC had to translate and help my students understand. I finally got some ESPRESSO from the delicious STEAMPUNKS in me!

SOOOOOOOOOOO good!

 

Ok, so, for the past week we have increased Miralax to 2 full caps (ONE in the morning and ONE in the evening.) Stool softeners with every meal (aren't you glad I waited to share this lovely information?) Plus a prescription strength laxative. PLUS prune juice and lots of water. PLUS warm water enemas.

 

I am happy to report that after one week of treatment, I feel a bit better! Tomorrow I go to the GI Dr to set up the colonoscopy. He should be able to give an answer to what the colon's problem is. Tomorrow afternoon I go to the GP Dr for a status update (sound like Facebook, right?)

 

ENOUGH about me!

The kids are LOVING this past weekend and week. Stephen has been home and that always puts the level of fun up several notches! RUN ON SENTENCE!

Friday a friend who does not have children in town, told us of a carnival that was in town. The kids and I quickly agreed to a coffee date followed by the carnival. Whilst on our coffee date, another friend called and asked what we were up to. So we invited that group of mom and kids to come! WE all had a blast! Four hours of Blast!

 

I ran to the store. The kids had the aforementioned friends over and we all (by "we all" I mean I took pictures while the kids got in the water) played on the slip and slide, ate fried chicken - cookies- ice cream, watched a movie, played video games, etc.

 

SO MUCH FUN!

 

Sunday we just rested.

 

I have to run and get dinner, but below are some pictures.

The very last one is kind of...odd. If you have a week tummy, don't check it out.

However, several of you asked if I could feel my stent when it was in. Therefore, I took a picture of the stent so you can see just how "comfortable" it is!

 

 Two lovely ladies that I LOVE hanging out with!

 

Four precious babies!

 

Did I mention the water slide?

 

Kaden has a one track mind.

Frank thinks he is crazy!

 

It's a little windy on this Blustery Monday!

I LOVE getting Arbonne packages!

The kids made a DELICIOUS dinner!

 

Kyle's Easter basket and gift from Meme!

Abby's basket & gift from Meme!
Her basket looks more full because it is smaller!

The Easter bunny even brought Stephen a basket!

 

A GORGEOUS Easter sunrise!

 

Happy Birthday C!

 

 

The kids LOVED being able to sing Happy Birthday!

 

Make a wish!

 

Easter shirt from Meme!

Easter dress from Meme!

 

Second Easter shirt from Meme!

 

The next picture is my stent.

If you are queasy, feel free to say good night now.

I love you!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those are adult sized glasses next to the stent. The blue end was in my kidney and the white was the part in my bladder.

 

 

 

April 12

Pictures

Updates

Try to follow my disconnected thoughts. I will explain!

This past week has been a life lesson on how terrible Stephen is at communicating!

Oh my GOODNESS!

 

Ok, so that is a bold faced lie.

He may not be great, but I have been terrible at communicating!

Incomplete sentences. Incomplete thoughts.

Thinking I understood him and then not.

OH MY WORD!

Thankfully....well, there was a sentence with "thankfully" but I don't remember what it was.

Anyway, Stephen is long suffering and I am thankful!

That is probably what that sentence was...

Communicating clearly is not always my gift.

Other times I over simplify and people think I am belittling them.

I'm not.

I teach FIRST grade. We are ALL about simplifying our words in first grade!

Until I throw in a beauty like, "conundrum" or "discombobulate."

LOVE THOSE!

 Anyhoot - those of you that are family are dying to know what is going on with my insides.

So are we.

I am up to a size 2x skirt.

I have CT scans tomorrow (Monday) morning at 8am.

We are working feverishly to get my stent removed.

We are in a holding pattern.

My hubby?
PRECIOUS!
He still makes sure I know that he believes I am beautiful and loved.

My children?
ADORABLE!

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that!

They are so sweet and constantly aware of how they can help!

We are (dare I type this?) beginning to gel more as a family unit.

You have NO idea how much this makes Stephen and me excited!

 

Here are some pictures you missed out on.

I've been remiss in posting.

NO EXCUSES!

Kyle did his college project if you might recall.

Here it is!

SO PROUD!

 

 

Holy moly does he look like his Daddy!

 

Hopefully Katie will forgive me, but I just love these people SO much!

Nolan got his yellow belt in karate!

YAAAYYY!!!

 

 

This is a funny that my Mom sent me!

 

Of course, C decided to send us some GORGEOUS scenery pictures!

So jealous!

However, I don't want to move there.

;)

 

This was taken in Sitka, Alaska.

 

This is from LAST weekend....late, like I said.

I love these two girls SO much!

 

 

On my way to NOLA this was just to impressively ominous to NOT take a picture!

After my brother is published, read his "I Am Sycamore."

You will totally be reminded of a character from that story!

 

Because military vehicles still get me excited!

I am SO thankful for our military!

 

Proof positive that I was just fine in the hospital last weekend!

Bored even!

Yes, I am not looking at the camera. I was trying too!

No contacts and freshly awoken from a stent insertion = hard to focus!

 

 

My sweet nurse shared her dinner with me!

There are angels everywhere you go!

 

Abby made this GORGEOUS arrangement for me!

 

 

We LOVE her new haircut!

Thank you, Miss T!

 

Bubbs and I had to get our picture taken too!

Yes, I have crazy eyes.

I smiled "normal" and he said I looked like my eyes were closed!

 

I accidentally parked crooked in the car port.

This sweet, handsome man saved me!

Yes, HE backed the car up and maneuvered it to the correct side!

 

Simply because I love these two so much!
I can't wait to meet Penny one day!

(the puppy ;)



 

Penny is in the cone of shame.

We'd appreciate some prayers and she is a very sensitive sort.

I think she had a rough 8 weeks of life before Esther and Leigh saved her.

Penny can be very timid and just exhibits some "abuse" symptoms.

She is a sweet, precious puppy!

 

Too cute not to share!

 

 

Delicious treat =)

 

 

My date for the delicious treat!

 

LOVE spending time with my sweet girl!

 

The boys just couldn't wait until Memorial Day to bust out the pool!

 

I absolutely positively LOVE this sweet face!

 

 

I have to do some work now. =(

I hope you all had a wonderful week!

Remember that Christ died for you this coming weekend (2,000 yrs ago)

He LOVES you and HE will carry you!

 

 

 

 

April 7

Roll with the punches, baby! That is the story of LIFE!

Friday I had an appointment in NOLA.

I knew there was discomfort but good night nurse nothing could have prepared me for that trip!

It felt like kidney stone, meets blocked kidney, meets cramps, meets ...I don't know...Mac Truck?

Seriously.

I made it to my appointment and we did the CT Scan. All it showed was something was in there. The tech who read the report did not believe it to be a stone.

Frankly, I think I passed a stone that had been brewing for the past 17ish days.

Before the test I went to the bathroom probably 6x!

 

We had a fabulous day today (Sunday - April 6) It was full of family time and just living life.

My sweet husband graciously went to the grocery store for me.

No complaints. No guilt trips.

Just pure sweet desire to be helpful.

You've no idea how much I appreciated it!

 

While he was at the store, Kyle, Abby and I puttered around the house. Because we had been watching TV off and on for 3 hours (embarrassing!) I asked that it be turned off. We have games, toys, coloring books, crafts, and all sorts of fun activities we could do. Kyle frustrated and informed me I am no fun and take the fun out of everything!

 

Holy moly! I was looking in a mirror! Of course, I didn't realize that at the time. Looking back, that is exactly how I sound to My Lord. A twist. A turn. A negative when I want a positive - and out comes the accusation that He is sucking the fun out of everything for me!

Yikes!

Ten minutes later Kyle decided I am fun instead.
Lol.
Sherlock Holmes ended up being fun after all!

Today was rather busy (Monday)
I was rather...perturbed about my visit to the NOLA. Miscommunication led to that.
Dr. called today to check on me. I reported and we have a new plan of action.
We have concluded the majority of the pain is not my kidney. I won't tell you all the boring theories, simply understand we just need prayers that we have wisdom and that Tricare moves quickly.

I'd write more, but I need to get the rest of my grades in tonight.
Love yas!

 

The truth? I don't know or need to know His plan. I just need to live to the best of my ability within His perfect plan.

March 30 (aka April 1st)

A picture walk....

 

Teaching keeps you busy!

It keeps you eating at your desk.

It keeps your heart full!

 

 

The girl loves her cheese dip!

 

JC Penney's had a sale.

A store closing sale.

 

I found this beautiful scarf there!

Just wanted to share it with you. =)

 

My poor hubby! He is extremely allergic to poison ivy.

This is what he looked like after moving tools that had been used to clear ground a MONTH ago!

Believe it or not, this is good...much better than he looked later in the day!*

 

This?

This is what happens when humidity comes!

No joke! That one silly curl would not go away!

 

"I love you, Momma. Even if you do have a random curl!"

 

This is how you survive curve balls on a busy school afternoon.

My fabulous aide took the students to specials whilst I dove in to writing lesson plans!

....and enjoying this treat! Courtesy of PTO!

 

Natchez has an annual Pow Wow. We had some of the dancers visit here!

See the boy in the red polo and khaki shorts on the right side of the picture?

That's my baby!

 

Such a handsome young man!

We had to "chill out" on Friday with a treat ;)

 

Someone was EXTREMELY excited!

 

So yummy!

I got the tart blueberry with cheesecake crumbles!

DEEEEEEEEEElicious!

 

Appropriately named =)

 

So - Friday was a great day with a stressful end to the working part.

We cooled off with some Deliciyoso treats....

and woke up to this.

 

Granted, we knew it had happened. Stephen and I were watching TV when we heard this hit.

However, we didn't realize how bad the damage was until a stream of water starting coming in behind our TV. More water came in through both bathrooms.

 

Thankfully our wonderful landlords removed it, patched the roof and are coming with the adjuster ASAP.

Like I said....WONDERFUL!

 

Notes like this?

They just warm my heart!

 

Both Abby & Kyle are doing great!

Abby has done so well in gymnastics lately that she has earned "the big sticker." What I'm told is that means she has made the most improvement!

 

Kyle has done very well with school! He decided to sit this season of baseball out.

I'm slightly grateful for the 6 month break from the chaos of running for sports four or five times a week!

 

Stephen is mostly healed up from his poison ivy. We would appreciate continued prayers as it is still burning and itching. HOWEVER he can see out of both eyes now, move without it....well, you know what happens with bad poison ivy spots, he can shave his face and sleep comfortably for the most part. That is all a HUGE answer to prayer!

 

Kaden & Frankie are doing great! They are still extremely spoiled!

They went with us to visit our coffee shop multiple times.

Everyone loves them because they are so sweet and well mannered!

 

Me?

I'd love prayers! My stent came out March 14th. March 18th I went for a walk and just didn't feel right afterwards. I swelled back up and was cramping so badly that night I was doubled over. Thankfully I was able to block it out to a point I could get on with life! I am now working on getting in to the doctor and seeing if he can schedule a test the same day. He very graciously got me some medicine so that I didn't have to sit at the hospital for forever in order to get some relief! The funny part in all of this?

 

All the caffeine I drank just to stay awake is now taking effect!

My pain threshold is amazing (thank  you Momma Bear!) Usually I don't know I'm hurting until I am so tired of blocking it out I fall asleep or just start crying without knowing why. That has been my status for the past 11 days. Today I had some medicine and things got done!

Dishes - check

Dusting - check

Dinner - Check

Dogs exercised - check

Homework - check

Laundry - check

Spoke with my Daddy - check (with a huge HEART next to that)

Spoke with my MIL - Check (also with a huge heart next to that)

Spoke to my Favorite TWICE!!!!!!! - DOUBLE CHECK! (hearts to the infinity! cheesy - yes. don't care! I love him!)

 

Now going to bed in hopes of being able to sleep.

The alarm will go off at 5:45am.

Exercising will be put on the back burner in the morning.

I can't wait to tell you about all of the fun things that we have been doing in my classroom!

Hopefully next time!

Love you!

I hope you have an absolutely fabulous week!