BFF!
I hear this daily...everyone says it about every friend they have! It's an over-used acronym that is now printed on t-shirts, hats, bookmarks and even key chains! However, if you truly have one of these "best friends forever" then you know how precious that person can be to you.
I happen to have one.
It's quite rare to meet this special person. The perennial in your life. Someone who will change you forever, always stand by your side, give you un-biased advice and equally share personal, never-to-be-repeated stories. Next to your marriage partner, they become your soul-mate...blood sisters, so to speak. You finish each others sentences. Talk at the same time saying the same time and then giggle like high school kids. You order the same pizza - with all the unusual ingredients that no one else will eat! You go through the same things with your kids even when you live hours apart and didn't even talk about the situations! You order the same books and never know it until you try to recommend it to each other. You both start a blog but didn't know the other one did and then one day blog about the same topic without conversing about it first!
No matter how long it has been since you have seen or talked with each other, you always pick up as though you just spoke for two hours the day before. You cry together - over silly things and serious things. You laugh till you can't even be understood on the other end of the phone.
The best part of all...her family comes to live with you for 5 weeks making it 10 people in your household and yet you get mad when they leave because they have a home to return to! It was nearly the best 5 weeks of your life - even with 20 shoes in the laundry room at any given time!!
In case you haven't gathered it by now, I am personally talking about a very special person in my life. I have even more respect and admiration for her now. She is on the journey of her life - one that will not only change her physical appearance, but her outlook on life, her activities with her family and overall improved health to enjoy her precious family.
My BFF? Denice Erway.
We met the first Sunday I attended church 13 years ago and were instantly bonded at the heart and hip. My friend is on a weight-loss journey with more determination than I have seen in anyone. She has decided to daily blog about her experiences - the successes and the disappointments. I implore you to follow her at www.deniceerway.com to share in her triumphs and possibly pass along a word of encouragement as she blogs about this long and sometimes slow process.
She has a heart of gold - loves the Lord and her family with extreme passion and is the best support group (all by herself) that I have ever found!
I hope you enjoy reading my bff's blog and can get a small taste as to why I am so blessed that the Lord sent her my way 13 years ago.
You are the bomb, Denice, and I love you dearly!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Banana-Sour Cream Cake
I found this in an old recipe book yesterday and immediately felt this inner yearning to gain some weight!! I just knew I had to make it for cell groups tonight. It is about as unhealthy as they come, but was so much fun to make! (not typical for a recipe like this to don my kitchen counter!)
1 pkg yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup mashed rip bananas (about 3)
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup oil
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick softened butter
16 oz (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped walnut pieces
Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream and oil with a mixer on low until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter with mixer on medium till blended. Gradually add sugar till creamy.
Remove cake from pan and carefully cut cake crosswise in half. Place 1 cake half, top-side down, on plate. Spread top with frosting. Top with remaining cake and frost top and sides. Press nuts onto sides and a few on top for looks.
Hope you have other desserts as well, because this will not last long!
1 pkg yellow cake mix3 eggs
1 cup mashed rip bananas (about 3)
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup oil
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick softened butter
16 oz (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped walnut pieces
Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream and oil with a mixer on low until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter with mixer on medium till blended. Gradually add sugar till creamy.
Remove cake from pan and carefully cut cake crosswise in half. Place 1 cake half, top-side down, on plate. Spread top with frosting. Top with remaining cake and frost top and sides. Press nuts onto sides and a few on top for looks.
Hope you have other desserts as well, because this will not last long!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Southern Feather Rolls - Bread Machine
Doesn't the title just grab you??These rolls will make you wanna slap your momma!! (Thank you, Tim Hawkins for making me laugh every time I hear you say this!)
I have adjusted the recipe to make it healthier - but I will warn you...your family will beg you -- no, FORCE you, to make these weekly!
1 egg
2 T water
1/4 cup milk
2 T butter
2 T honey
1 tsp salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
1-1/2 tsp yeast
Just dump into your bread machine pan and set for dough stage. When the dough is ready, gently knead it to press the air out. Slightly flour your hands and make 12-18 balls (depends on how big you want them).
You can put these in a muffin pan or just a 9 x 12 pan. Cover and place in a warm area to rise for 40-50 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
I just made these last week and used all water since I had no milk - couldn't taste a difference at all.
Now - stand back and watch the fighting over the biggest roll begin! May the quickest person gloat and smile :)
Friday, July 16, 2010
True Friends
Acquaintances. Casual friends. Game-playing friends. Dinner friends. School friends. Church friends. Facebook friends. Blogging friends. Good friends. Best friends for life.
There are many different categories to place those people in your life that have a kind word to say to you once in a blue moon or those that will go to the ends of the earth for you without ever batting an eyelash.
I laugh every time I see someone on Facebook that has 800 or more friends. Do they really know each and every one of those people? Will they ever make contact with them again on Facebook after the friend request has been sent? Will they make an effort to write on each person's wall at least once a month or is it just a numbers game?
We all want friends - and lots of them, but it takes a person going through a rough patch in their life to find out who their true friends are. It's not just a cliche' - it's truth...100%.
Much to my joy, I have had the privilege of experiencing this in my personal life. I have several really close friends that I have known for years - perennials in my life. But I didn't realize the volume of people that actually cared about me (and showed it) until my kidney stone episodes.
Other than delivering three children cesarean, I have been extremely healthy my entire life - no broken bones, no stitches (until this Mother's Day-sniff, sniff), no health issues, no physical problems and no overnight hospital stays.
When these stones made their ugly appearance in my life, it was so comforting to find out just how many friends I really did have. My husband and I had a difficult time keeping up with the emails, texts, phone calls and facebook messages! The concerns were valid and sincere and the bounty of prayers coming in were just enormous!
It felt good...people really do care.
I am still smiling about my Sunday happenings. I enjoyed being there since I had been absent for three weeks; however, I couldn't get anywhere. I was stopped by people swarming around me every 15 feet! The questions, the concern, the smiles, the gentle touch on the shoulder and the warm hugs. I couldn't believe it - I truly had no idea I had that many friends.
I finally walked into service 15 minutes late and just stood there laughing (all by myself!) I was late because people cared. God placed me on their hearts and they needed a reassurance as to my good health.
I was late because God loves me!
So, to all my friends in every aspect of my life and in every state I've ever lived...thank you. Thank you for your sweet comments, precious words, encouraging phone calls, uplifting emails and wonderful facebook messages! Most of all - thank you for interceding on my behalf to our Father.
Now it's your turn.
Have you told a friend today what a blessing they are?
Have you thanked God for bringing those friends into your life?
If you haven't, don't let today end without sharing an encouraging word or even just a smile. You truly have no idea how much that friend may need it.
There are many different categories to place those people in your life that have a kind word to say to you once in a blue moon or those that will go to the ends of the earth for you without ever batting an eyelash.
I laugh every time I see someone on Facebook that has 800 or more friends. Do they really know each and every one of those people? Will they ever make contact with them again on Facebook after the friend request has been sent? Will they make an effort to write on each person's wall at least once a month or is it just a numbers game?
We all want friends - and lots of them, but it takes a person going through a rough patch in their life to find out who their true friends are. It's not just a cliche' - it's truth...100%.
Much to my joy, I have had the privilege of experiencing this in my personal life. I have several really close friends that I have known for years - perennials in my life. But I didn't realize the volume of people that actually cared about me (and showed it) until my kidney stone episodes.
Other than delivering three children cesarean, I have been extremely healthy my entire life - no broken bones, no stitches (until this Mother's Day-sniff, sniff), no health issues, no physical problems and no overnight hospital stays.
When these stones made their ugly appearance in my life, it was so comforting to find out just how many friends I really did have. My husband and I had a difficult time keeping up with the emails, texts, phone calls and facebook messages! The concerns were valid and sincere and the bounty of prayers coming in were just enormous!
It felt good...people really do care.
I am still smiling about my Sunday happenings. I enjoyed being there since I had been absent for three weeks; however, I couldn't get anywhere. I was stopped by people swarming around me every 15 feet! The questions, the concern, the smiles, the gentle touch on the shoulder and the warm hugs. I couldn't believe it - I truly had no idea I had that many friends.
I finally walked into service 15 minutes late and just stood there laughing (all by myself!) I was late because people cared. God placed me on their hearts and they needed a reassurance as to my good health.
I was late because God loves me!
So, to all my friends in every aspect of my life and in every state I've ever lived...thank you. Thank you for your sweet comments, precious words, encouraging phone calls, uplifting emails and wonderful facebook messages! Most of all - thank you for interceding on my behalf to our Father.
Now it's your turn.
Have you told a friend today what a blessing they are?
Have you thanked God for bringing those friends into your life?
If you haven't, don't let today end without sharing an encouraging word or even just a smile. You truly have no idea how much that friend may need it.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Ahhh...The Good Life :)
Since my last rant about my body falling apart, I thought I would at least post some pictures of the fun things we were able to squeeze in - around all my ER visits!
We decided to surprise the kids and take a mini-vacation to Dallas and San Antonio for three days. It was a fast but productive and actually educational trip. Our first stop was the American Girl Store. Such an exciting visit for the girls in your life! We were able to get Mia's ears pierced (which she had been wanting to do for years) and splurge on a new Zebra print outfit! She was one happy camper!
We also visited the Lego store for my youngest and Guitar Center for my oldest but accidentally left the camera in the car for these stores :(
After a full day in Dallas, we drove to San Antonio to our rented condo. If you have never done this, you might want to consider condos or rented homes. I search for availability on www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner). For our family, this is the only way to go. We have our own little 'apartment', I cook breakfast, each child has their own room and it's usually cheaper than hotels - you just can't beat it) After some fresh banana muffins and yogurt, Sea World was our next destination. Though we didn't go on a lot of rides (didn't really want to get wet), we highly enjoyed each of the shows.
The kids had never seen Shamu, so it was quite fascinating for them - even the 4-D Pirate Show was a hoot! I was actually quite glad that the park closed at 5 p.m. That gave us a chance to head back to the condo, shower and rest before eating at Saltgrass Steakhouse. For those of you that recommended it to me - thank you! The service was incredible and the food was amazing. Of course, our waiter was one-in-a-million, which always aids to the happiness of your visit!
After sleeping in a bit and watching a rerun of Andy Griffith, our last day was approaching quickly: The Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk. This was the educational part that I referred to earlier. I really expected to be in and out of the Alamo within 30 minutes. Much to my delight, history came alive to us as we walked the grounds, read the 5' illustrated banners and listened to a live narration of the entire events that transpired on the day in March of 1836. Two hours had passed before the cameras were finally put away. If you have never studied this event in history, I challenge you to do so. If you're ever in Texas, I implore you to stop and be awed by what the books don't tell you
The San Antonio River Walk was just gorgeous.
We just HAD to eat dinner at Rainforest Cafe and just HAD to get the Sparkling Volcano Dessert! I can't extract the pictures from the camcorder for this one, but let's just say that you would have watched in horror as to how fast the five of us devoured that thing! Walking the streets of San Antonio was delightful, but our short vacation was coming to a halt.
We ended our little get-a-way by blowing some money at the Tanger Outlet Malls - which is always fun no matter who you are!
Even though I had just had the lithotripsy done on my right kidney, we still decided to head out to Lake Texoma for the 4th of July weekend with two other families. I really was not looking forward to this trip because of my physical condition, the horrible rain storm that was headed our way and the awful memory of last years unfortunate events! However, it turned out to be the most relaxing weekend I have had in quite a while. It did rain the first night we were there but then it quickly headed out. What made it so special? I was able to recover, my family catered to me, the weather was gorgeous and my friend cooked for every lunch and dinner we had. What was I doing? Relaxing in a lawn chair while enjoying the sight of a happy family!
I now have a refurbished body, a new mindset and the same wonderful family God blessed me with! He is SO good and faithful and His love endures forever!
We decided to surprise the kids and take a mini-vacation to Dallas and San Antonio for three days. It was a fast but productive and actually educational trip. Our first stop was the American Girl Store. Such an exciting visit for the girls in your life! We were able to get Mia's ears pierced (which she had been wanting to do for years) and splurge on a new Zebra print outfit! She was one happy camper!
We also visited the Lego store for my youngest and Guitar Center for my oldest but accidentally left the camera in the car for these stores :(After a full day in Dallas, we drove to San Antonio to our rented condo. If you have never done this, you might want to consider condos or rented homes. I search for availability on www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner). For our family, this is the only way to go. We have our own little 'apartment', I cook breakfast, each child has their own room and it's usually cheaper than hotels - you just can't beat it) After some fresh banana muffins and yogurt, Sea World was our next destination. Though we didn't go on a lot of rides (didn't really want to get wet), we highly enjoyed each of the shows.
The kids had never seen Shamu, so it was quite fascinating for them - even the 4-D Pirate Show was a hoot! I was actually quite glad that the park closed at 5 p.m. That gave us a chance to head back to the condo, shower and rest before eating at Saltgrass Steakhouse. For those of you that recommended it to me - thank you! The service was incredible and the food was amazing. Of course, our waiter was one-in-a-million, which always aids to the happiness of your visit!After sleeping in a bit and watching a rerun of Andy Griffith, our last day was approaching quickly: The Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk. This was the educational part that I referred to earlier. I really expected to be in and out of the Alamo within 30 minutes. Much to my delight, history came alive to us as we walked the grounds, read the 5' illustrated banners and listened to a live narration of the entire events that transpired on the day in March of 1836. Two hours had passed before the cameras were finally put away. If you have never studied this event in history, I challenge you to do so. If you're ever in Texas, I implore you to stop and be awed by what the books don't tell you
The San Antonio River Walk was just gorgeous.We just HAD to eat dinner at Rainforest Cafe and just HAD to get the Sparkling Volcano Dessert! I can't extract the pictures from the camcorder for this one, but let's just say that you would have watched in horror as to how fast the five of us devoured that thing! Walking the streets of San Antonio was delightful, but our short vacation was coming to a halt.
We ended our little get-a-way by blowing some money at the Tanger Outlet Malls - which is always fun no matter who you are!Even though I had just had the lithotripsy done on my right kidney, we still decided to head out to Lake Texoma for the 4th of July weekend with two other families. I really was not looking forward to this trip because of my physical condition, the horrible rain storm that was headed our way and the awful memory of last years unfortunate events! However, it turned out to be the most relaxing weekend I have had in quite a while. It did rain the first night we were there but then it quickly headed out. What made it so special? I was able to recover, my family catered to me, the weather was gorgeous and my friend cooked for every lunch and dinner we had. What was I doing? Relaxing in a lawn chair while enjoying the sight of a happy family!
I now have a refurbished body, a new mindset and the same wonderful family God blessed me with! He is SO good and faithful and His love endures forever!
Coupons and Freebies - Better Hurry!
There are just SO many exciting offers going on lately (includes freebies) that I just had to write a quick blog about them. Here's a few that I have found out about:
Free Slurpee
Depending on where you live, July 11 is free Slurpee Day at 7-11 gas stations. Just stop by and ask if they are participating in the free program.
$10 off Coupon
"Like" Famous Footwear on Facebook and then print off a $10 off any purchase of $10 or more. Better hurry - it expires tomorrow, July 12. You can also use this online and I heard that free shipping is included!
50 prints for .50
Order your 4 x 6 prints online with Snapfish and receive 50 prints for only 50 pennies till July 18. Use coupon code JULY4PENNY at checkout! Great deal!!
25 Free Photo Cards
Until July 17, get 25 free 4 x 8 photo cards at SeeHere.com. Use promo "cards-36" at checkout.
Mimi's Cafe
Kids eat free at Mimi's every Sunday night in July with an adult meal
Abuelo's Crayons for Queso
School supply drive - bring in one of the following during the month of July and receive a complimentary appetizer or dessert:
16 count box of crayons
12 pack of pens or pencils
2 pkg of loose leaf notebook paper
2 spiral notebooks
1 box of Kleenex
I know there are a ton more offers out there, but these are the ones I knew about off hand and could type quickly! Now run an grab those freebies and enjoy life!
Free Slurpee
Depending on where you live, July 11 is free Slurpee Day at 7-11 gas stations. Just stop by and ask if they are participating in the free program.
$10 off Coupon
"Like" Famous Footwear on Facebook and then print off a $10 off any purchase of $10 or more. Better hurry - it expires tomorrow, July 12. You can also use this online and I heard that free shipping is included!
50 prints for .50
Order your 4 x 6 prints online with Snapfish and receive 50 prints for only 50 pennies till July 18. Use coupon code JULY4PENNY at checkout! Great deal!!
25 Free Photo Cards
Until July 17, get 25 free 4 x 8 photo cards at SeeHere.com. Use promo "cards-36" at checkout.
Mimi's Cafe
Kids eat free at Mimi's every Sunday night in July with an adult meal
Abuelo's Crayons for Queso
School supply drive - bring in one of the following during the month of July and receive a complimentary appetizer or dessert:
16 count box of crayons
12 pack of pens or pencils
2 pkg of loose leaf notebook paper
2 spiral notebooks
1 box of Kleenex
I know there are a ton more offers out there, but these are the ones I knew about off hand and could type quickly! Now run an grab those freebies and enjoy life!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Coupon Sabbatical Is Over!
I can't believe I actually did it!
I survived a self-inflicted three month coupon-crazin' sabbatical! It was well worth it as the break was much needed, but I am so happy to announce for all to hear that my 90-day, 12-step program is over!
Why did I decide to go on a coupon sabbatical after massively claiming this as my job and hobby for so many years? For several reasons...but mainly because my stockpile was taking over every square inch of cupboard and closet space I had and it truly was taking up time that I wanted free for the summer.
So, I quit gathering multiple coupons from all my neighbors and then spending hours sorting, stapling, cutting and filing them. My coupon friends who received the extras that I passed along weren't too happy with my decision, but somehow they survived as well! I was still cutting coupons but only from my one paper and only for my family.
I will have to admit that fear is now starting to grip my heart.
I actually went to bed last night with the most horrendous nightmares.
Would you believe that I dreamt that all coupons - and I mean ALL - were completely non-existent -- EXTINCT!!
Even though I may have just expressed a light amount of hyperbole, I am quite concerned about my stockpile - I only have 10 bottles of body wash and 12 bottles of hair spray/gel in my cabinet! AAGGGGHHHH!!!
Time to get back on the wagon and grab every freebie I can!
If you're wondering how I organize, cut and staple the coupons, here's a YouTube video explaining it:
Hope that helps solidify my coupon compulsiveness and maybe help you understand why I am the way I am - haha!
Just in case you're wondering - coupon cutting is definitely worth your time. The amount of money I save my family each year is incredible - thousands would be an understatement. The plethora of free items I grab is amazing. Best of all...I love to bless my friends weekly by passing along my free treasures to them!
Watch out Homeland...I'M B A C K!!!
I survived a self-inflicted three month coupon-crazin' sabbatical! It was well worth it as the break was much needed, but I am so happy to announce for all to hear that my 90-day, 12-step program is over!
Why did I decide to go on a coupon sabbatical after massively claiming this as my job and hobby for so many years? For several reasons...but mainly because my stockpile was taking over every square inch of cupboard and closet space I had and it truly was taking up time that I wanted free for the summer.
So, I quit gathering multiple coupons from all my neighbors and then spending hours sorting, stapling, cutting and filing them. My coupon friends who received the extras that I passed along weren't too happy with my decision, but somehow they survived as well! I was still cutting coupons but only from my one paper and only for my family.
I will have to admit that fear is now starting to grip my heart.
I actually went to bed last night with the most horrendous nightmares.
Would you believe that I dreamt that all coupons - and I mean ALL - were completely non-existent -- EXTINCT!!
Even though I may have just expressed a light amount of hyperbole, I am quite concerned about my stockpile - I only have 10 bottles of body wash and 12 bottles of hair spray/gel in my cabinet! AAGGGGHHHH!!!
Time to get back on the wagon and grab every freebie I can!
If you're wondering how I organize, cut and staple the coupons, here's a YouTube video explaining it:
Hope that helps solidify my coupon compulsiveness and maybe help you understand why I am the way I am - haha!
Just in case you're wondering - coupon cutting is definitely worth your time. The amount of money I save my family each year is incredible - thousands would be an understatement. The plethora of free items I grab is amazing. Best of all...I love to bless my friends weekly by passing along my free treasures to them!
Watch out Homeland...I'M B A C K!!!
I Want a Re-do!!
Fasten your seat belts because I'm about ready to back up the dump truck and verbally unload!!
This was NOT the summer I had anticipated - not that I had any huge set-in-stone plans, but being sick half of the summer was truly NOT on the agenda! I was able to squeeze in three good weeks of summer enjoyment and then my body must have decided it was time to catch up for not being terribly sick for so many years. Unfortunately, it did it all within a one month span!
My first battle started with being unable to swallow without the food getting lodged right in the middle of my chest. This had actually been going on for about a year or so but very sporadically. I just assumed that I did not chew my food into small enough bites and was causing the issues myself. When it came to the point that I was unable to eat anything without having to force it back up, it was time for a doctor's appointment. I discovered I had esophageal stricture along with an esophagus ulcer. With a little bit of stretching on my esophagus and some meds for a month and I was able to gain those 8 pounds back in no time!
Onto the next trauma...if you read my Mother's Day post, you already know that my battle with the Big Blue Trash Can ended in a loosing streak for me! Since I had never had stitches, there was no better time than the present! If you haven't read that post, you need to - it will have you rolling with laughter (at my expense!)
Here is where I got my three weeks of summer fun in - parks, friends, swimming, shopping, late-night game playing, etc. I am VERY thankful for those beginning weeks. I think the rest and calm environment prepared my body for what was around the corner...
What I thought was a pulled back muscle from starting a new exercise class at the gym, turned out to be a lot more momentous. Five days later I am sitting at the ER with my children in tow. Don't you love it how the insurance companies dictate that an ER visit must be at least three hours in length??? My children were thrilled beyond belief to be in the waiting room for FOUR hours, having no idea what was wrong with me! The prognosis? A UTI, bladder infection and kidney infection.
Joy.
Four prescriptions and three days later, I'm back at the ER since I had very little signs of improvement along with a horrible head-to-toe rash. Now the doctor says my infections have cleared up but I have two kidneys full of stones along with two 7mm babies stuck in the ureter :( No wonder I was still in an immense amount of pain!
Two days later I'm had the famous lithotripsy procedure done to blast those suckers into smithereens. What about those two 7mm stones that were stuck, you ask? Had to pull those jagged things out...so unnatural!
The end? Not yet...I get to go back next week and have the left kidney lasered! They are NOT kidding when they say it is as painful (or more) than having a baby!
Okay...I feel much better! Just had to rant to 100 or so readers!
Since I really don't want to end on a 'down' note, let me say that even though I'd like to start this summer over, I do have a lot to be thankful for:
* I am alive!
* My children are healthy and were a tremendous blessing during all my events
* I am so thankful God gave me my husband - he is amazing!
* I am surrounded by a plethora of friends that came to my aid immediately
* My hubby has a great paying job with wonderful insurance!
* My prayer partners were at it hard and strong - and it was felt!
* Even though I was ill for lengthy periods of time, my children were still able to have fun and be with friends.
* My God NEVER left me and His Word remains the same
Bottom line - I am still a very blessed woman and since I have a personal relationship with the Lord, I believe that everything - yes, everything, happens for a reason. As a friend told me a few weeks ago, maybe God was doing a physical purging in my body preparing me for a spiritual purging. So, what are you up to now, God?
Anticipation awaits around the corner. Until then, I have my devotion in hand along with my 80 ounces of water, fiber-filled muffins and probiotics!
Thank you my friends, for all your prayers and helping with my kiddos. Thank you, Lord, for whatever you are doing in my life...I truly do welcome it!
Can't wait to see what the rest of July holds!
This was NOT the summer I had anticipated - not that I had any huge set-in-stone plans, but being sick half of the summer was truly NOT on the agenda! I was able to squeeze in three good weeks of summer enjoyment and then my body must have decided it was time to catch up for not being terribly sick for so many years. Unfortunately, it did it all within a one month span!
My first battle started with being unable to swallow without the food getting lodged right in the middle of my chest. This had actually been going on for about a year or so but very sporadically. I just assumed that I did not chew my food into small enough bites and was causing the issues myself. When it came to the point that I was unable to eat anything without having to force it back up, it was time for a doctor's appointment. I discovered I had esophageal stricture along with an esophagus ulcer. With a little bit of stretching on my esophagus and some meds for a month and I was able to gain those 8 pounds back in no time!
Onto the next trauma...if you read my Mother's Day post, you already know that my battle with the Big Blue Trash Can ended in a loosing streak for me! Since I had never had stitches, there was no better time than the present! If you haven't read that post, you need to - it will have you rolling with laughter (at my expense!)
Here is where I got my three weeks of summer fun in - parks, friends, swimming, shopping, late-night game playing, etc. I am VERY thankful for those beginning weeks. I think the rest and calm environment prepared my body for what was around the corner...
What I thought was a pulled back muscle from starting a new exercise class at the gym, turned out to be a lot more momentous. Five days later I am sitting at the ER with my children in tow. Don't you love it how the insurance companies dictate that an ER visit must be at least three hours in length??? My children were thrilled beyond belief to be in the waiting room for FOUR hours, having no idea what was wrong with me! The prognosis? A UTI, bladder infection and kidney infection.
Joy.
Four prescriptions and three days later, I'm back at the ER since I had very little signs of improvement along with a horrible head-to-toe rash. Now the doctor says my infections have cleared up but I have two kidneys full of stones along with two 7mm babies stuck in the ureter :( No wonder I was still in an immense amount of pain!
Two days later I'm had the famous lithotripsy procedure done to blast those suckers into smithereens. What about those two 7mm stones that were stuck, you ask? Had to pull those jagged things out...so unnatural!
The end? Not yet...I get to go back next week and have the left kidney lasered! They are NOT kidding when they say it is as painful (or more) than having a baby!
Okay...I feel much better! Just had to rant to 100 or so readers!
Since I really don't want to end on a 'down' note, let me say that even though I'd like to start this summer over, I do have a lot to be thankful for:
* I am alive!
* My children are healthy and were a tremendous blessing during all my events
* I am so thankful God gave me my husband - he is amazing!
* I am surrounded by a plethora of friends that came to my aid immediately
* My hubby has a great paying job with wonderful insurance!
* My prayer partners were at it hard and strong - and it was felt!
* Even though I was ill for lengthy periods of time, my children were still able to have fun and be with friends.
* My God NEVER left me and His Word remains the same
Bottom line - I am still a very blessed woman and since I have a personal relationship with the Lord, I believe that everything - yes, everything, happens for a reason. As a friend told me a few weeks ago, maybe God was doing a physical purging in my body preparing me for a spiritual purging. So, what are you up to now, God?
Anticipation awaits around the corner. Until then, I have my devotion in hand along with my 80 ounces of water, fiber-filled muffins and probiotics!
Thank you my friends, for all your prayers and helping with my kiddos. Thank you, Lord, for whatever you are doing in my life...I truly do welcome it!
Can't wait to see what the rest of July holds!
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