let's talk

I know that I have so much to tell you. Many of you aren't even sure what's been going on the last few weeks. I will try to fill you in here at least some. I have to say before I even start that I am immeasurably thankful right now - for my health, my life...to be home... for my family, friends and community for the incredible support they have shown our family.
Two and a half weeks ago I started having pain in my lower back. I thought that I had pulled a muscle, because I had been throwing up so much (I had even spent a night on IVs in the hospital, because I was so dehydrated.) Of course I didn't get to tell any of you in any of the fun, creative ways I had imagined, but most of you already know that we are expecting a baby in early June. I could barely walk and spent 24/7 on a heating pad or ice pack.
By Sunday, October 25th, I had taken all I could. I hadn't slept in days and the pain was excruciating. We decided it might be my kidney, so we headed to the ER. That was the day we planned to make our big announcement to the church. Charles went ahead and announced our special news by saying a thank you prayer for our new baby Sunday morning even though I was not there. Luckily my mom was here at that time.
Monday, the doctor (my OBGYN) decided to check me into the hospital in Hendrick to deal with the kidney infection and kidney stones that we thought I had (the ER doctor diagnosed this and my dr agreed). Tuesday night my left leg began to swell to about 3-4 times its normal size. Within a few hours they had done a doppler and properly diagnosed my problem as 3 blood clots in my left leg. The doctor told us that it was a life/death situation. I was in extreme risk of having a pulmonary embolism. We've never been so scared. For a solid week I lay still in bed with constant medication for pain and nausea. Twice a day I have been given blood thinner shots in my abdomen to reduce the danger. Those will continue for at least a year.
Finally, the swelling began to improve and slowly the pain eased. This past week, we have focused on me re-learning to walk and get around. I am using a walker and improving every single day. Yesterday the doctor decided that I can continue my recovery at home. I am so thankful to be home where I can rest and be with my family!!!
The other question many people have is "What now?" Well, as I said we are expecting a full recovery. I am already doing better faster than they expected. Charles and I have both been trained to do the Lovenox shots here at home, and physical therapy sent me home with a list of things to do every day. This is something I will always be at risk for now, so I will have regular check ups. For a while, my travel will be limited, just because being in a car for a long period of time puts me at risk for clotting - especially as I get bigger over the next few months.
The best question - "How's the baby?" They did a sonogram before I left the hospital and the baby looked great. Fingers and Toes have formed and the baby was very active at the time of the sonogram. The sonogram technician even thinks she saw a little something between the baby's legs! I'm only 11 weeks, but I could clearly see it as well. I won't be buying anything blue until I get a confirmation, but it does look like another precious boy is in our future:) I was keeping the name a secret until I am sure, but Charles has leaked it to a few people already;)

Last question I can think of - "visitors?" I do think I can handle visitors now. At the hospital we asked for visits to be limited b/c I was in a very humbled state due to limited mobility. Also I was throwing up around the clock. I lost 11 pounds while I was there. However, I am dressed (although it takes much longer to do right now) and sitting on the couch here in the living room, and I am able to get to the restroom with my walker. Also, Charles' mother has come to help until Tuesday.
Today I am going to try to rest and get a few things done from here at my computer.

Thank you all SO much for your prayers, support and help with anything we've needed. We couldn't have gotten through this time without our family, friends and community. Thank You So Much!

First Day of School Pictures

This may shock you if you haven´t seen pictures in a while.

Bad Blogger

I see here that I haven't blogged since June. I've been facebooking quite a bit, but some of you don't hang out there.

The smallest of updates:

I am working in the school library - LOVE IT!!! It's the PERFECT job! I get to do wonderful story times nearly every day with puppets and real frogs and fun voices ... it´s awesome. I also get to order books and help students find books that they love and enjoy reading!

Charles stays busy ALL the time. You might think things slowed down when he graduated, but that is not entirely true. He just took on more projects. I do think he misses seminary. He needs more scholarly conversation!

Jonathan started Kindergarten this year. He adores his teacher and they get to do weekly science experiements! He loves school and reading! He started drama this year in Abilene once a week.

Kaitlin is in third grade. She also started drama in Abilene this year. She LOVES her teachers and she is finally enjoying math. She is about to start Harry Potter 7, but she usually has 2 or 3 books going at once ... something I could never do.

Our church celebrated its 100th anniversary two weeks ago. 217 people came. It was really a blessing. Charles and I celebrate our 4th anniversary here next month ' hard to believe.

I´ll try to blog again soon.

Kaitlin is LOVING drama camp. She will be Smee in their play, Peter Pan on Thursday. I can't wait!

Dinosaur Valley

Jonathan and I met my parents in Glen Rose for a mini-vacation this week. Kaitlin is still in drama camp, so she and Charles stayed behind. It turned out to be a dream vacation for Jonathan.
Thursday, after some hometown bbq we went to our cabin at Trickle Lake. I would recommend this place to anyone - it was fantastic. There was a hot tub in a screened in porch to the side of the cabin. Jonathan spent hours swimming it it over our three days there.
The main attraction was Dinosaur World. Go to my flicker to see pictures.
It has over 100 life size dinosaur statues. Jonathan just ran from one to the next. Then he got to dig for fossils. They let kids keep their favorite three fossils. Most of them are plants, but Jonathan did find several teeth, so he choose those for his 3 to keep. The gift shop there is a dinosaur land of its own - every kind of dino gift you can imagine. We got Jonathan a dinosaur lunch box for kindergarten. We got Kaitlin (who had requested souvenirs) a dinosaur mood ring and mood bracelet.
Friday we went to Dinosaur Valley State Park. Most of their best footprints and fossils are actually in a museum in NY, so we didn't spend much time there. After that (the weather was soooo nice) we went to the historic down town. We just popped in and out of shops and mini museums until lunch. We ate at a great little sandwich shop on the square.
We spent most of that afternoon in the hot tub drinking coke floats and "fishing" with some magnetic fish Jonathan found in town. There is a lake to fish in there - we just didn't do it this trip. We also watched baby birds (teeny tiny ones) and saw bunnies and raccoon and deer tracks.
Saturday was our last day, so we got up early, loaded the van up and headed to Fossil Rim. If you haven't been - you should go. It's 9 1/2 miles of African Animal safari. I got licked by a deer and scared by an ostrich - it was great;) There are pictures of that on my flicker as well. We all loved it. Luckily we had been advised to go as soon as they open, because when it gets hot the animals all go find shade and take a nap. They were very active while we were there. It took about three hours to go through the entire safari and petting zoo.
Then we were on our way back home. It was such a fantastic trip!!! I hope Jonathan remembers it for a looong time.

For Kaitlin

Kait

When you fall asleep at night and I go into your room and put my hand on your head and pray over you and you don’t even know – I thank God for you.

When I see you being a good sister – I thank God for you.

When I read your poems and stories – I thank God for you.

When I hear you laugh because you think something is very funny – I thank God for you and for your laugh.

When we get to have lunch at Dairy Queen and you tell me your thoughts, feelings and secrets – I thank God for you and for who you are.

When I see you dance – I thank God for you and for how healthy and happy you are.

When I watch you walk into the school – so big – so close to third grade – I think how much I love you and how much you are growing up and - I thank God for you.

When I catch you reading late at night – I thank God for you and for your love of reading and for your giant imagination.

When you snuggle up to me at a baseball game and hold my hand – I thank God for you and I treasure that time with you.

When I hear you sing at church, it almost makes me cry, because it is so beautiful. You are worshipping God in such a special way and blessing our hearts – I thank God for you and the talent He has given you.

When you tell me your highs and lows at dinner – I thank God for you.

But please know that I also thank God at other times:

When you can’t figure out your math at school or at home – I thank God for you.

When we argue about your hair before school - I thank God for you.

When you are in trouble at school – I thank God for you.

When your room is a pig sty – I love you for your creativity and thank God for you.

When I seem the most frustrated with you while you are growing up – I am thanking God for you and thankful for every day I have with you.

Jonathan got all hits last night and earned the game ball. Kaitlin caught another pop fly!