So last night for supper, we had fried chicken and fresh purple hull peas. And by ‘fresh,’ I mean… they were picked yesterday. And Oh. My. Stars. It was my favorite kind of meal… straight out of my childhood; just like momma fixed it. And then the thunder started rolling and we sat on the swing on our covered patio and listened to the thunder and felt the misty rain…
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tumor
Ten Things I’m Most Thankful for in 2011.
1. After a painfully brutal divorce — that one thing I always swore would never happen to ME — in 2011, I found my traction. I learned how to navigate this new life-o-mine. Mostly. 2. In 2011, I found my spot at Green Acres Baptist Church. I love this church that has been such a huge part of my world since we moved to Tyler in 1981. I left for…
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The Day God Answered.
Thursday, June 16th was a history-making day of miracles for us… most importantly, because God answered our prayers, but you already knew about that. Only slightly less wondrous? Annie and I were supposed to arrive at Children’s Medical Center at 9:00am, and we got there at……. (drum roll please)…. 8:30am. If you’re doing the math, that would be THIRTY minutes early. Those of you who know me know that was nothing short…
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Refuge and Strength.
Tomorrow Annie and I are heading to Dallas so that she can have an MRI of her brain. And if you aren’t familiar with that story, do a search for ‘tumor‘ on this blog. Because I don’t want to talk about it again. God has healed her…. I have no doubt. Its been done. The price, paid in full. Regardless of what the scan of her brain shows tomorrow. Its…
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A Day in the Life of Annie.
Today we endured Annie’s fourth MRI in her short life. Its a tough day when we spend it at Children’s Hospital having an MRI. ‘Tough’ being somewhat of an understatement. As her mom I agonize over every minute detail of it, from whether the toys in the waiting room have been sanitized, to whether her IV will leave a bruise, to whether the anesthesiologist will know exactly how much drug…
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The Day From You-Know-Where.
Its Sunday. I finally have the energy to post some pictures from our hospital experience three days ago! Am I a huge baby, or is taking your three-year-old to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas for an MRI of her brain *supposed* to suck the life out of you? Because it did, and I’m drained….physically, emotionally, and in all other ways. I want to sleep for days. These pictures don’t really…
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Annie.
This is the week. Ninety days have flown by faster than it seems possible. Annie’s next MRI is this Thursday, the 13th, at 9 am. It will be a grueling day for her: no breakfast. Checking in and getting yet another hospital bracelet attached to her little wrist. Waiting endlessly in a boring waiting room. An IV. Total anesthesia. A 45-minute scan of her brain while she sleeps, oblivious. Waking…
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A Case of the Mondays.
Today I’m in a huge funk. I’m not usually one to get in a funk; I get irritated, annoyed, sad if there’s a reason for it, but usually get over it quickly. Happy is my default. Maybe not deliriously, gloriously joyful, but basically I’m pretty content most of the time. I’m not one to mope and it takes a LOT for me to get to the point where I wish…
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Not Out of the Woods.
I think I’ve gotten a little lax and lazy with Annie’s diet lately. I’ve think I’ve gotten a little lazy enforcing the sleep policy what with it being summer. I’ve think I’ve let Annie have too much junk food….too much sugar….too much ice cream and birthday cake….too much fake food out of a box. I’ve been in denial, wanting to believe that everything’s ok, because Annie *LOOKS* so healthy and…
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I Am One of THOSE People.
I work about 4 hours a month in a little children’s clothing store. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I’ve worked there over 7 years now, since KB was a wee little bundle who slept all day long, and during that time I’ve gotten to know the ‘regular’ customers on a first-name basis. The other women who work there are all young moms. I think I’m the only Baptist; the others are…
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While We Wait.
As you may know from this previous post and this one, we have decided to wait and watch Annie’s tumor, rather than scheduling surgery immediately. But we’re not exactly sittin’ here, happily watching soap operas and eating bon-bons, oblivious that there is a tumor growing in our baby’s head. Just because we’re waiting….doesn’t mean we’re doing nothing. So I wanted to fill you in on a little of what’s happening…
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How’s Annie Feeling?
Grumpy. Grouchy. Whiny. Crying. Sullen. Sleepy. Did I mention grumpy? I’m not sure why. Is it the diet? The supplements? The lack of sugar? The fact that her new diet and new supplements are making her need more sleep? Or maybe just because she’s three? You’d have to know this child to know how this behavior is totally, completely opposite of our ‘normal’ Annie. She is usually the happiest, laughing-est,…
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