If it CAN happen.....

It WILL happen to me - medically that is! What a week! I've been having some minor discomfort from a tooth for a couple of weeks. I went to the dentist Monday only to find out that it was a tooth I had already had tons of trouble with a year ago and had already had a root canal on (read here). Infection was setting in and the "fix" options did not sound fun, but I was supposed to take my antibiotics, a little meds if necessary and see the oral surgeon next week.

Well, a couple of new pain meds and new antibiotics later, it was WAY worse! The pain was unbearable even with BIG pain pills and one side of my face and neck were so swollen it looked like I had the mumps! The dentist said head to the ER! What???? ER - for a tooth?? Yep - they said with the infection growing so fast I needed IV antibiotics and pain meds to stop the cycle.

Well 3 hours later we were back home, and I was feeling the effects of the drugs. I think I told Stewart I was on Pluto once!! HA - no seriously, Huntsville Hospital ER has done some major revamping. We were called back quickly and taken care of and out the door before we would have even been called back before!

So, I am trying to find the right combination of pain meds that keep the pain somewhat at bay but at a level that I can still be conscious and participate in life! The swelling is going down slowly, and I meet with the surgeon Monday. I have 3 words for him - "GET IT OUT!!"

We have a singing tonight and Abby's violin recital is tomorrow - crossing my fingers I can manage them all!!

FYI - need a great dentist in the Hampton Cove area?? Go see Dr. Greg Lansdell! He is so attentive and sweet and the girls in there can't be beat!!! They have taken GREAT care of me, and Jenn was even calling Stewart last night while we were in the ER to check on me. Oh, and pick on Lisa when you get there - she'll love it!! (That one's for you Lisa - you made the blog!!!) I"ll get a picture with everyone once this is all over and post all of our smiling, pain-free faces!!!

Hoping for a great weekend with mashed potatoes and pain pills!!

Mother's Day and a Whirlwind Weekend!

Oh me - I'm TIRED!!! Running to get ready to be gone for a week, being gone for a week, coming home to all those lovely "mommy chores" left undone for said week, and then flying into a lovely, but packed, Spring weekend have taken a toll on my energy levels!!! No worries - the upteenth load of clothes are in the washer, I've uploaded pictures (which you'll see in a bit), and the rest will have to just wait on me to get there!!

Saturday was filled with Gymfest (a "recital" of sorts for gymnastics students), a Daisy Scout "give back" project (the girls met to pick out items to donate to the babies in the NICU - a cause close to my heart), a birthday party and PROM. Yes - you read correctly - PROM. I hadn't really thought about the fact that now that Stewart is the principal at a high school this would be a mandatory event. I am WAY too old to go to prom, but felt WAY too young to be the principal's date either - HA! I mean come on - what does a very conservative, over weight 30-something wear to the prom?? Well anyway.......we had fun! We went and ate at Ruth's Chris before (yummy!) and then "supervised" the events until well into the night/morning. At one point the choice of "music" (I put it in quotes b/c I wouldn't call it music - maybe NOISE!) made both of us feel like we might have to be admitted to the cardiac unit for heart palpitations!



Sunday was a busy day filled with family! The girls had spent the night with Mom b/c of prom, so Sunday morning was just me and Stewart. He gave me the sweetest bracelet that has all 3 girls' birthstones and an engraved toggle that says, "For this child I have prayed". This is a special verse for me - it's on the wall in EK's nursery. Sure everyone prays for their children, but there's something more fervent, perhaps even desperate about the prayers from a mother who knows the reality of loss. No longer are those prayers just lines that are spoken partly out of habit, but expressions of the desires of our heart.


We took Stewart's mom and grandmother to breakfast and then went on to Scottsboro to church with my Mom. The afternoon was filled with LOTS of extended family, playing with cousins, and "straw-be-derries" in EK language!

This year I think I was too busy to stop and think about what could have been. Ever since my little break down a few weeks ago, the Lord has provided me with a simple peace. Not ever forgetting, but content with the present and thankful for each day! Simple, patient, loving, ever present - God.

I am a mother of three beautiful little girls whom God gave me to love both here and above. I am the daughter of a strong, faithful, woman who walked roads before me that have made my journey easier. She is the mother of 3 - me and two more angels who are certainly taking care of their beautiful niece, Olivia in that Heavenly place. The line of grace continues to weave through our family, but it all points to one source. We are all mothers who have been graced with mercy and wisdom from the most high. What a blessing beyond words. May we all remember the source of our love and strength and honor these women who carry the love and grace of God to share with their children and the children of others.


FYI - Stewart says he's going to post one day and surprise me. We'll see if he keeps up his end of the deal!

:)

I'm in Montgomery for the week :(, BUT this makes me :). I'm shocked I have nothing else to say, but it's kind of nice to be able to sum it up with a smiley face. :)

Fun in the Sun and Rain

What a fun weekend!! We started at Panoply Friday night. We always have so much fun! Abby is a craft QUEEN, so it is right up her ally! We liked the new layout, but didn't figure out that a lot of the crafts and the always loved drum tent was on the other side until about 5 minutes before it started raining!!! Needless to say, we banged a few drums and ran out without the Dipping Dots. No worries - we found plenty of ice cream later at Dairy Queen :)

Speaking of Dairy Queen - Did you know there's only 1 left in Huntsville?? Gracious! That was a childhood staple at my house! It was such a special treat! My Granddaddy would always take me and get the "nusual". That would be the three year way of saying the "usual" which in my book was a giant peanut buster parfait!!! He never tried to talk me into getting something smaller or less expensive. The "nusual" was just fine with him. Sweet, simple memories!!! I think we (or at least I) try WAY to hard to create "scrapbook worthy" moments for the girls, I don't know who I'm kidding - I've never scrap-booked or at this point will ever have time too, so why worry?? They remember the smallest, simple trips to the park with a Happy Meal in hand much more than those crazy, high-ticket EVENTS I convince myself they just MUST go to - complete with a coordinated outfit to go with it! No wonder I'm stressed - I'm doing it to myself!

ANYWAY - back to Panoply! LOTS of fun wandering around. The weather was great (until the rain), and we ran into several friends!
Kensley & Keelie - Isn't Kensley's hair coming in just too cute!! You should see the curls in the back! I'm SO happy to be her Aunt Steph and Uncle Stewie :)
We also ran into Lillee. I think this was on the run trying to get to the drums before it started raining!

Sunday, Mom came to visit the girls (and maybe me and Stew, too). They have been gone on a trip for a week, so she was having Mimi withdrawals. We just ate KFC and played on the swingset - FUN!!!

Simple....simple.......I'm trying my best to remember! :)

Busy days ahead - lots of end of the year school events, birthday parties, Daisy Scout events, violin recitals, gymnastic showcase, AND I have to go back to Montgomery next week for more training! At least it's just ONE week this time!!! Be on the lookout for lots of pics to come!

March for Babies 2010

Another March for Babies in the books! What a great day with awesome weather for many to come out to support a great cause and remember why we were walking! This event started as a way for me to remember Olivia in an outward way. What happened was a large (and ever-growing :)) group of friends, family, and colleagues gathering together, each with our own reason for walking! It means SO much to us every year. Here are a few - oops, LOTS - of pictures!

Time...

Time heals all wounds, time flies, no time like the present......

We've all heard these cliches about time. For some reason, time has not been a friend to me lately. Not in the usual not enough time in the day, always running late way, but in a higher, unmeasurable way.

Olivia has been gone for 2 years and 5 months. In one way, that seems like an eternity. In others, it was only last night. Some days I'm happily caught up in our more pressing daily details, some days I can't help but dwell on what could have been. Most have moved on, many still remember, few understand the freshness of grief that is ever present in a parent's heart.

I think what brought this on was seeing a certain beautiful little girl this past Sunday at church. There is a couple who we see on occasion who had a sweet little girl born on November 20, 2007, at almost the precise time we were having Olivia's graveside service. The only reason I know is because both the mom and the baby were in great distress during delivery, and there was some discussion of it that day. They are a SWEET family, and I am SO glad the Lord graciously looked down and touched both of them that day and allowed them to be healthy. But, at the same time, that sweet little girl is the constant reminder of what could have been. We have seen them at different times over the last couple of years. The first time was only a few weeks after she was born and her sweet family tried to shield me from even seeing her, as to not upset us. (That's just HOW sweet this family is!!)

Most times when we see them, I just try not to think too much. But for some reason, this time, I couldn't help but stare. In my mind, Olivia is still a newborn. I think that's why I had such a hard time when EK was a baby. It seems like I have bonded so much more with her since she has gotten older and grown into her own precious (but feisty) self! Seeing this little girl bee-bopping around, going from person to person, snacking, playing with babies, etc. made me really stop and think about what Olivia would be like now. How would our lives be different? What would she look like? Abby and EK couldn't look any different - would she have looked like one of them? What would her personality be? Abby was always a pleaser - EK only pleases herself :)

This morning as we were leaving for school, EK was exceptionally happy and kissing all over Abby and making goofy faces. Abby looked at her and said, "EK you are the cutest little sister I ever had". She immediately looked up at me and almost apologizing said, "Well Mommy, you know I never got to see Olivia. I'm sure she's cute too. I bet she looks like that little girl that sat in front of us at church Sunday". I told her I was sure she did..........as I tried to hide the tears.

I've cried tears today that I didn't know I needed to cry, but all the same our life is as the Father intended it. In that I will place my trust.

Guess what - time doesn't heal all wounds, but thankfully we have a gracious savior who is there to cushion us from the fall and hold us until it doesn't hurt as bad. Time does fly, but the BIG moments in your life will always seem like they were yesterday. There's no time like the present - now more than ever I want to cherish and remember every day, moment and time with my girls. The Lord has given us these blessings to cherish (even on the days where they scream and cry in the car seat for 2 hours)!

SASSY

Life with girls - it's ALWAYS sassy! At least it is at my house!! That was what Abby called this outfit - "sassy" - OH ME!

Here's EK - She was born sassy! Notice the headband - it only lasted 5 seconds thank goodness!
Here's Abby with her new idol - Karen Peck. Only my child would go up to a professional artist and sing to her - HA!

Last but certainly not least - here she is shaking her GROOVE THANG! Tonight was the Kindergarten PTA program. I have many more cute pictures, but they have LOTS of other kids in them. I won't invade their privacy! The theme was Love Our Earth and it was TOO CUTE! You can't see them in the picture, but she has on bell-bottoms that Mimi just whipped up yesterday before leaving for work! What would we do without Mimi??