changes

This is me this morning. Looking forward to (and bracing myself for) some changes ahead. I try to keep things as normal and consistent for the kids as I can, but some changes now and then are necessary.  I miss being a homeschool mom, spending my days with my kids, but I am thankful for the schools my children go to and how they are adjusting.

My work schedule at Starbucks is changing this week. There are pluses and minuses to this, but I'm trying to focus on the positives. I'll be home in the early mornings now, which will allow for more prayer and Bible study time, as well as extra time to put into my business. I will be here for the kids, to get them up, make their breakfast, pack their lunches and get them off to school. I'll go into work after they're all dropped off. I have loved my opening shift at Starbucks for the last year and a half, and will really miss the rush and my favorite customers who come early... but I'll look forward to Fridays there, my one opening shift of the week from now on.

This week has been another doozy as far as being on my own and dealing with challenges that come my way (car battery died, refrigerator died, lost keys, parenting)... but I'm reminded that even though I've been forsaken by one and sometimes feel abandoned, I'm truly not alone. I'm so thankful for the friends and family that surround me and are always willing (and happy) to help. It's hard for me to ask for help sometimes and I strongly dislike having to rely on other people... but they've proven again and again that we're all in this together. I am so humbled and SO thankful. And God continues to meet my every need, and even my desires. His love is such a sweet, perfect love. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.... He restores my soul..." (Psalms 23:1, 3)

this week

Ugh! This gall bladder surgery recovery thing is kicking my booty! It's now been a week since I spent an entire day in excruciating pain leading up to my ER visit and surgery. I'm so glad I had the surgery because I know it will be better once I'm all healed... but holy moly! I'll spare you the details and just say that Vicodin is not my friend. Beware of the side affects. I've been pretty miserable the last few days. I still can't lift my little Judah, which breaks my heart when he looks up and says "hold you" with his big dark brown eyes. (That part's not because of the vicodin, but because my tummy is still healing.) I am up and about a little more... driving to take and pick up kids from school, and only the most necessary errands. I'm hoping that in a few days I'll be feeling more like myself. The hardest part is being home, making myself take it easy when I see so many things that need to be done. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who love and take care of me. The kids are helping with laundry and dishes, Zeke is going to help take down the Christmas tree tomorrow, my sister and nephew went grocery shopping with me the other day so I didn't have to lift and carry everything by myself, and we've been getting meals this week from good friends. I'm counting my blessings while trying my hardest to be gentle with myself.

Pretty pathetic, I know. I'm spending my days in the Word, and reading this book, watching a few movies, art journaling and resting. Also making goals and looking forward to what's ahead. Good things are coming. I have hope.

word for 2011:: hope

Psalm 71:14

how I brought in the New Year

For months and months I've had horrible upper abdominal pain after various foods that I eat. I've cut back on fatty foods and tried to be a lot more careful about what I ate, but lately it seems that just about everything I eat brings on this pain. Last Wednesday I took my kids to a movie (we saw Tangled.. so good!) and we ate popcorn. All evening I was in pain. Usually I can go to bed and the pain is gone by morning, but this time I couldn't get comfortable all night and it was still really bad in the morning on Thursday. So I made an appointment to have it checked out... that was at 10am. My doctor sent me to ultrasound and then back to her office. It was in fact gallstones, adn my gall bladder was enflamed, so they sent me to the ER to do surgery. I was on a bed in the ER for a while, then moved to a room. I went for surgery around 7pm and it was a pretty quick operation. The did the laparoscopic procedure, so I just have a few small incisions. My sister Michelle was with me most of the day, and stayed with me until I was settled back in my room after surgery (which was around midnight because I had lot of nausea and vomitting after surgery).

I'm now recovering at Michelle's house. I'm so thankful for her and her amazing family. I am in pain (especially when I cough) but healing well and feeling loved.

I had big plans of staying up and celebrating the end of 2010 and welcoming the New Year with open arms... instead I was tucked away in my niece's bedroom sleeping soundly as the clock struck midnight. I may not have been awake to welcome the new year, but I am excited to see what this year holds and ready to receive what it has in store.