God's Promise

Last night, Kevin and I got to go out on a date night for my birthday, since he was so sick last weekend. On our way home we saw the most beautiful rainbow.  It actually was a perfect arch; from one side of the road to the other.  I had never seen a rainbow at a perfect arch before.  The colors were so vivid, the pictures I took on my phone, don't do it justice.  With all the rain we have been having lately, it was a beautiful sight to see as a reminder that God keeps His promises He makes to us.  It was also an encouraging sign for me for all that I and my family have been going through lately.  Again, the pictures don't do it justice.

 

 

 

Friday, after my doctor's visit, we stopped by the grocery store to pick up some things and we found the cutest cupcake for Kevin.  I had never seen one like this before.  We enjoyed eating it tonight.  (We found it at the BI-LO in Cayce.  They had some really neat cupcake and cake creations.)

 

 

A Cocky Cupcake

 

 

 



 



Update on Me

Before I get to me, just wanted to let you know that the medicine the doctor gave Kevin seems to be working for him, so that's good.

I had mentioned in an earlier post about when I was at the lake I woke up with vertigo, and my heart pounding and racing.  So, Thursday I went to the doctor.  They drew blood to test all kinds of things (which I haven't gotten those results yet) and they did an EKG on me.  The EKG showed an irregular heart beat. So my doctor said that she wanted to send me to a cardiologist to get things checked out.  So yesterday, I went back to Columbia, for a doctor's visit.  Kevin couldn't get away from work, so my mother-in-law and Madalyn took me to Columbia.  (I was at the doctors on Thursday for 3 hours and then that afternoon I had to go to the dentist for another hour. And yesterday I was there for another 3 hours; so I have had my share of being in a doctor's office this week. Not to mention the 2 hours we were at the doctor's for Kevin on Tuesday.)

Anyway, the cardiologist said first, that I was way too young to be seeing him. Which I was the youngest patient there, the next youngest was in their fifties.  He said that the racing heart and the irregular beats could be related and they could not be.  That stress and anxiety could be playing a big role in the racing of my heart.  But they did an ultrasound of my heart yesterday-I won't get those results until I go back in August.  The guy that did my ultrasound of my heart, asked me when he first came in if I had children. I said yes, I have a two year old. He said "well that's one reason why you are here". Then he said "are you married?" I said yes. He said "that's another reason why you are here". And then I said I teach elementary school and he said "well, there you go". "All three of those can cause major stress."  It thought that was kind of funny, because at times it's true. They do. And I have a heart monitor that I have to wear for the next 30 days.  Then I will get those results also when I go back to see him in August.  If the monitor detects something it will alarm and begin recording what's going on, but if I feel something I have a button that I can push to record also.  They said that if something comes across that is a concern to them, they will call me and check on me no matter what time of day or night it is.  In some way it's more of a relief to wear this because I know that someone is aware of what's going on with me. 

We got together last night for Kevin's grandmother's birthday, Mrs. Kitty, and we had to stop by the grocery store to pick up some things for the party.  We were in the check out line, and I heard this noise, but didn't think anything of it. I thought it was something to do with the check out lady, but then Mrs. Katie, was like, "it's you, you're going off!" I didn't even realize it.  Last night before I went to bed, it was after 10, it made a few beep beeps and that was it. But then I was taking my contacts out and it toned off like it did in the grocery store- scaring me, I didn't know what the sound was at first. It did another beep beep a few minutes later. After that to my knowledge I didn't hear anything else last night.  So....anyway, I guess we will know more in August as to what is going on with me.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers....apparently when you turn 32 your body decides to start falling apart.  However, at 24 and at 25 my body also fell apart then, and I have been working since then to get it put back together..haha!  My thoughts on this: yes, it's scary. I've never had anything going on with my heart before, which it's scary because this is my heart-a very, very important organ, a vital organ- that you want to make sure is in the best working order it can be.  But it could be reacting to long-term stress I've had, and could not.  I'm praying for God to help me put my faith and trust in Him with whatever is going on with me.  It took some time for me to relax and calm down from the day's events and knowledge before I could go to sleep last night, but I'm doing ok with things now. So, again, please just keep me and my family in your prayers.

Here's my new best friend for the next 30 days!

 

Happy late 4th and Around the Yard

Happy late 4th of July!

I'm sure our July 4th was like most everyone else's, wet. We went over to Kevin's parents' house to go swimming and about the time Madalyn and I were getting in the pool, a clap of thunder sounded and out we came.  Then the flood gates opened and it started poor raining. So we all loaded up into the car and went to Pizza Hut for dinner. When we got back, it had stopped raining, so we did get some pool time, but it was cold. 

(These pictures were actually taken on the Sunday before the 4th; notice the nice sunshine.)

 

 

 

Her favorite photo pose...Her back to you.

 

 

Around the Backyard this week

 

Madalyn playing in her sandbox. To which we found out the ants have discovered. Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep ants out of a sandbox, please let me know.  Because many of these ant hills are fire ants, which is worse. They were crawling all over her slide and chair as well.

 

Tink was watching Madalyn playing in the sandbox.

 

Tink wanted to slide.

 

Our Garden and Flowers

My lantana-it's been here in this spot for 5 years now and it sure likes this spot. It always gets so big. It is two plants together, but still, it's huge!

 

 

My Roses

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Moon Plant

It only blooms at night and early in the morning.  This is a really hearty plant and can grow just about anywhere and it multiplies like crazy.

 

 

 

Our Okra- we had our first taste of it last night. It sure was good!

 

 

We really have enjoyed our squash. It has almost played out for this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update on Kevin

Today Kevin and I went to the doctor to see if we can start getting some answers as to what is going on with him.  However, before I get to that I have to share with you our adventure today that happened before we got to the doctor's office.

Madalyn and I were getting ourselves ready and I was trying to get some directions for how to get to this doctor's office.  When I finished, I looked around to see what Madalyn was doing (who was in the room with me the whole time), and she decided to work on some "ART" work.

 

Here is Madalyn's first art piece she made today. When I asked her if she did this, she told me that "Hunter did it", which is her cousin.  

 

And here's her second art piece she made today. 

(It was marker and came right off with nail polish remover thankfully.)

 

 

So, after I got Madalyn cleaned up, Kevin was home and it was time for us to go. We took Madalyn to Kevin's mom for her to keep her while we went to the doctor.  As we were leaving, we walked off the back porch and then I saw it.....

 

Oh, my gosh!

 

I was so shocked at what I saw, I couldn't get the words out of my mouth at first.  What did I see? A Snake, crawling out of the grill of my car!!!!! Yes, I am serious. A rather large King snake was crawling out of the grill of my car.  Which my loud "oh, oh, oh's" scared it back in rather quickly into my car. So Kevin opened the hood and started looking for it. (Now, Kevin is scared to death of snakes, but he was "manning up to try and get it".  He grabbed the tail but it slipped through his fingers.  My mother-in-law called my father-in-law to come help get the snake out of the car.  They tried for about 30 minutes, but couldn't get the snake out.  We ended up driving to Columbia with the snake in the hood of the car.  (They checked underneath the car and said that it shouldn't be able to crawl into the car.) We stopped for lunch before going to the doctor and I hope the snake came out while we were inside or while we were inside at the doctor's office.) Kevin checked under the hood again once we got home and he didn't see it. So it either got out or it has died in there, which I hope it's gone.  I have never seen this before and never heard of this happening to someone before.  I was so shocked.  It's going to make me think twice about looking around and in my car.  I really think the snake was in there before he/she was trying to digest it's latest meal.  Which I think was two baby birds.

 

 

These sweet baby birds hung out in the carport all day yesterday near Wingo's water bowl.  He didn't get out yesterday because of the rain and when I came in around 8:30 last night from my Bible Study, they were still there.  When we left this morning to go to the doctor they were gone, and I really think the snake got them.  But why it had to crawl into my car, I don't know, nor do I ever want to experience that again.  However, it makes me wonder if this has happened to my car before and I just didn't know it?  Also, due to Kevin being so busy with cleaning out the chicken houses he hasn't had time to cut the grass and it's as tall as Madalyn. So we have the perfect habitat right now for snakes and all the rain is flushing them out of their homes.)



So, now on to Kevin.

The doctor said that according to some tests they did;they found some bacteria that was in Kevin's stomach that shouldn't be there.  The bacteria could be what is causing Kevin to keep getting sick. He gave Kevin an antibiotic for him to take for the next 7 days, 3 times a day.  He said that after taking this antibiotic, if Kevin starts having trouble again, for us to call them, and then they will do the colonoscopy.  So, hopefully, the medicine will help him and maybe that's all it is.  He is doing better and feeling better.  Thank you for keeping him in your prayers, but please continue to pray that this antibiotic will work.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Saturday, July 6th was my birthday. Kevin, Madalyn, and I left Friday after lunch to go to the lake for the weekend.  We got there around 4:30pm and then it started.  Kevin started getting sick and sicker.  He couldn't stay out of the bathroom and he was freezing, and running a fever.  He went to bed with four blankets, still freezing.  My parents were suppose to come down, but couldn't because it was storming so bad in Greer, they couldn't bring the boat in the storm and came down Saturday morning instead.  So, since Kevin was so sick, Madalyn and I slept in a different bedroom because we didn't want to disturb him or get sick ourselves.  Madalyn woke up a few times during the night yelling out "Mama" and then would go right back to sleep (She did this every night last week, weird).  The first time she did, I woke up with vertigo so bad, the room was just spinning around and I was nausea and my heart was racing and pounding hard.  I had several more episodes of this during the night. I was on the phone with my mom at 5:45am Saturday morning asking her when she was coming because Kevin was sick and something was going on with me and I needed someone to be able to take of Madalyn in case something happened to me because Kevin was to sick to help.  So, when my parents got there my mom took my blood pressure and pulse. My pulse was 113 and its' suppose to be around 80 and my blood pressure was low.  There's no telling what my pulse was during the night but my heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.  I got better as the day went on, but Kevin got sicker.  He stayed in bed until around 4:30pm. I have never seen Kevin sleep that much or be in bed like this.  He's been really sick before, but this was unusual for him.  He had been working very hard all week cleaning out the chicken houses, it had been after dark before he got in each day and he had been wet too. So that may have had something to do with his sickness.  So, Sunday morning I was woke up at 5:00am to Madalyn throwing up. Oh boy! Here we go again with her.  I got her cleaned up and back in bed.  Then she woke up with diarrhea all in the bed and continued with that for a good part of the day yesterday.  So far, since early Sunday afternoon she hasn't had any more trouble. So I hope we are in the clear with her.

As far as Kevin goes, for the past three months he's had lots of stomach trouble and sickness. I made him go to the doctor a few weeks ago and he goes tomorrow to meet with a doctor in Columbia about having a colonoscopy done.  His local doctor did some blood work on him and some tests, but she said the best to see what's going on with him is do have this procedure done.  I hope this will help us get to the bottom of what's going on with him and get him some help to get better and stay better.

As far as I am concerned, I've had some other things going on with myself, and I am going to the doctor this week as well to see what we can find out about me.

So, if you don't mind, please keep my family in your prayers for God to bring healing and good health to our house.

Happy Birthday to Me, right? Well, despite all of that I am thankful to be able to celebrate another birthday with my family at the lake.  Despite all the rain that we have had lately, Saturday and Sunday were very nice, sunny days.

Encouragement for Moms

I saw this posted on a friend's blog and it really struck my heart and just had to share it.  IF you are a mom of young child or children it's a must read to be encouraged.  If your children are older or you have grandchildren it's also a must read to encourage you and for you to be able to encourage your daughter, daughter-in-law, or granddaughter.

For the days we are running on empty. For the days we just don't think we have it in us to read one more story, play one more game of Uno, wash one more round of sheets. For the days when we think everyone else has it together. For the days we're sure anyone else would do this job better.

For those days. You know the ones.

Repeat after me:

1. I shall not judge my house, my kid's summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest's standards.

2. I shall not measure what I've accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I've tickled into my kids.

3. I shall say yes to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we're building.

4. I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they're already in their pajamas.

5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.

6. I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.

7. I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.

8. I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.

9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.

10. I shall promise to love this body that bore these three children out loud, especially in front of my daughter.

11. I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.

12. I shall do my best to admit to my people my unfine moments.

13. I shall say sorry when sorry is necessary.

14. I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children's forgiveness.

15. I shall make space in my grown-up world for goofball moments with my kids.

16. I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.

17. I shall model kind words to kids and grown-ups alike.

18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my car this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.

19. I shall always make time to encourage new moms.

20. I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they'll all be in college.

... with love from one tired mother to another.

My Lil' Rae of Sunshine and Me

Silly Girl

 

Love my Lil' Rae

 

Fishy Face

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today

Today is Friday! Today is the last day for my first full week at home since school has ended. This week has gone by so fast.  It's also the last Friday in June, wow! Where does the time go?  In a month I'll be back at school...ok, happier thoughts now.  Here are some pictures of the events that happened today.

First, Wingo was treated to a "Doggie Spa Day" by the Washin Waggin and is now such a pretty boy.  He is so soft and looks so good. They did a great job on him, it took them two hours. The lady told me she had enough fur in the van to make another complete dog.  And I believe it! He has the thickest fur.  He was badly matted and desperately needed this months ago, but I just had not had the time to be home to get it done.  He's ready to celebrate the 4th already.  I know he didn't enjoy his "spa" day, but I'm sure he has got to feel better now.

 

 

 On Thursday, I had to take Madalyn to the doctor.  Tuesday night she started coughing and running a fever.  She continued Wednesday and started having trouble breathing.  She has croup and they put her on steroids for three days.  She's better with her breathing but still coughing a good bit.  So we have been inside for the last few days instead of going outside to play.

 

Since I have been home this week; I have been trying out some of the recipes that I have pinned on Pinterest along with some of the crafts or toddler things that I had pinned.

 

Here's one new activity we tried today...sorting pom-poms by color.  I would put a pom-pom in each cup, then ask her to find a "blue" and she would find one.  Then I would tell her to put it with the other blue pom-poms and she would. This was how we played today...but there are so many possibilities with this activity.  (And I did buy her a new muffin tin for this that will be used just for her.  Mine that I use to cook with isn't as shiny and clean as this one is. And yes I wash my muffin tin, but you know how years of use, you have burn stains that just don't come off any more.)

 

 

 

 



 

 

Our last adventure today, came at bedtime. I was getting ready to put Madalyn to bed, when one of Kevin's workers called saying he was coming by to pick up his check.  He pulled in the driveway and in a few minutes Kevin came in the house telling us to come outside he had something to show us.

 

 

A Fawn-just a few days old

 

 

He found the baby deer on the side of the road, no mama deer in sight.  So he caught it and is taking care of it for right now until it can be on it's own.

 

What did Madalyn think of the deer? "Baby cute!" and she also wanted it to come inside the house. But that wasn't going to happen. :0)