Is *it* serious?

I sure hope not. I will more than likely find out tomorrow, after a visit to the neurologist. What is *it* you ask...well the pain in my neck of course! I have this long standing issue that my head was not properly attached to my shoulders. I can't say that God didn't have a plan for the way I was connected, it just isn't quite "textbook". I have a "non-structural pinched nerve in the C-5 and C-6" area of my neck. It causes consistant pain to my right shoulder and neck. It took 2+ years to diagnosis. There is no fix...except some pills. These pills, I take 3 times a day to block the pain. And for some reason...they quit working. When this became unbearable pain in Nov., a orthopedic doctor ordered and MRI and set up an appointment with the neurologist- for 2 months later- In the meantime, I did 4 weeks of PT and waited. When the pain started, I called on Monday to ask for an upgraded pill or add muscle relaxers to ease the pain...and during the return call from the nurse, I found out he wants to see me THIS week. So...tomorrow morning, I will go in to figure out what the next step is... I am sure it isn't serious.

He is Risen, Indeed!

Fast asleep!

Evy is much like her mama in many ways. I am a little scared of the person I am forming and shaping by example. She picks up on my mannerisms so easily. Like her mother and much unlike her father, she has the ability to fall asleep quickly. This has been her m.o. for her whole life. She feel asleep quickly as a infant, as long as she was perched on your chest. She falls alseep quickly at nap and we don't usually have to fight her going to bed. Tonight, she fell asleep in the car after church. One minute she was talking about her night...then 2 blocks later, out like a light! I laid her in her bed...and she is snoring away. Must have been a tough day.

Last week her daddy was going to meet the seller and he told her NOT to fall asleep as they drove. He wanted to not have to carry a sleeping child into the office. As they drove down Washington street, she was holding her eyes open with her fingers, so they would not slam shut. She didn't fall asleep, but it was a tough job. Oh, how I wish I had a picture to share.

Yard work and such

After the bbq last night and the great fun Evy had playing outside, I decided that I would clean out our back yard. I thought of this for two reasons. 1. So we can invite friends over without embarrassment. 2. So Evy can play outside more. She has several toys (house, cars, swing set) that she can play on, but I can't always be right there. So...I am childproofing the yard, so she can play with limited supervision.

Truthfully, I am a little afraid of the concept. Plus it means she is stinkin' growing up...to be able to be alone outside! Next, comes school... ugh! But, for now she can enjoy the great outdoors while I fold laundry or other things.

I started this morning about 8 AM cleaning all the leaves and junk including trash that has blown in since winter began. We loaded up a truck full of stuff to haul away. I still have some wood to move and the grass to mow tomorrow, but it looks better. I imagine I will be quite sore as I already can feel some achy muscles. The moving wood may be delayed.

In the very back of the yard, by the creek, I have an old swimming pool. It is heavy and we didn't haul it off last year. We planned to us it in our gardening, but it was forgotten. I had planning to drag it to the truck. I began trying to dump out the water and leaves that were in the folds and found a SNAKE! I am not a "woodsy" kind of girl. It was BIG- probably about 4 feet long and at the medial point at least 3-4 inches around. I knew no one would believe me, so I took pictures. Yes, that's right people, I didn't kill the snake, I got the camera! Does that mean I am becoming a photographer? Anyway, I snapped a few pics and then called for reinforcements. Michael and I successfully removed the snake from the yard, but not after thoroughly making it angry. It even hissed and tried to bite. It had such a small head...it couldn't have eaten my toe...but I am glad it is gone. Then my mom said....you didn't kill it?!? Truthfully, the thought never crossed my mind. I guess when he comes back I will do what Evy says and "cut his neck with a knife."




Evy had a blast digging in the new garden site even after the snake episode...and dumping out the dirt from her new dump truck. She was filthy by the time we were done. I imagine this trend with continue. I may be doing more daily laundry loads.

Friends...

We spent a wonderful night with our new friends from church tonight. 5 families- 13 kids. Michael and I feel far inferior as we are the only ones with only 1 child, but I guess that makes us unique in a sense. Hopefully not for long! My husband is not a crowd person, so the 22 people may have been a little overwhelming. I was thankful to see him blossom and he was mingling around and talking to people! I am pretty proud of my man. Later, he said, " I actually had fun."

The kids played outside, Evy loved the sandbox and swings. Mr. Phil pushed her a little too high on the tire swing and we got to see the old swing face. It is a sick thing to say, but I wish I had pictures to share. The face is priceless. She sticks it out, even swing face and all, she never wants to stop swinging. We got to see this face since infancy... it get red and she squints her eyes... but never gives up the swinging.

We ate wonderful food. I want these get together to become more frequent during the summer as the food and fellowship is wonderful. The kids got settled down to watch Bolt, after playing and desert...and Michael and I headed toward the hospital to visit Michael's dad. He had been there since Wed. or Thur. Oh, how I wished we could have stayed...but, a visit to him was much in order.

I am so thankful to this group of people for letting us "fit" ourselves into the group. I imagine it is kind of hard as this group has been hanging out together for the last 3 or 4 years! We definitely appreciate it!

Waiting on the Lord

Many of you know the struggle Michael and I faced trying to get pregnant. We began this process early in our marriage, because we knew that this would be a struggle due to some medical issues. My body doesn't ovulate on its own...which is a key ingredient in the baby making recipe. It took almost 6 years and medical interventions (pills, tests, surgery, hormone reduction, hormone reintegration, and injectable medication) for Evy to be conceived. Then in Aug. 2007 we decided we were ready to add to our family, again. Very quickly, I became pregnant on our own, but miscarried at 10 weeks. In the beginning of that pregnancy my progesterone was low, but they are unsure of the problems that happened. I know at 8 weeks we saw a heartbeat in a baby measuring 6 weeks. So something was not right.

For the last 17 months, I have been waiting. We tried some interventions with the RE (reproductive endocrinologist) to help with progesterone...didn't work. I just completed the third cycle of clomid...and still am not pregnant. I am patiently waiting for the Lord here! I have began some programs to take the focus off and as we passed our 10th anniversary I wondered how much longer will I long for this?!? But my question has always been... If I am seeking medical treatment, am I waiting on the Lord?

Many people have said, if your heart was not working right, you would get medical attention...not just pray and wait for God to heal it, right? Then you should seek treatment for this...God is still in control of the outcome. I know in my mind that is true, but it is such a hard issue for my heart. It isn't cut and dry. The word says...ask and it shall be given to you! I am asking.

I am waiting.

But...I am thinking I want treatment, too!

There isn't a verse...and I know 'cause I am reading the One Year Bible...that says "Amy it is time to go to the doctor!" I would even settle for "Beloved, it is time!" The name Amy means beloved...so even that would work...But I still haven't found it!

I am at the crossroads today.

My heart/head want to go back to the doctor and begin medication again.

But, my heart/head fears that is not waiting for the Lord.

I have no answers...

This has been a super busy week...I hate to go more than a week without posting...So I am posting.

:)

I have pictures to show you of our winter wonderland...and as soon as I find the camera cord...I will do that.

Also...no more news on the baby front. Still no definite answers which is good. But, the test I had to take has gone missing. I am sending out a search party...but I will at least be waiting another day or so to get an answer.

Also...baby Stellen is doing better, after a no-so-good-bout. One of her local stations did a news story about all the people praying for her. It is amazing the pictures that have been sent to her.

oh...and I am taking it easy this week since I kind of twisted my knee during spin class. I tried spinning for the first time Monday night. Actually broke a little sweat. My booty is sore. And while doing stretches after class, I popped my knee and it isn't very stable. I planned to walk the Y track last night will Evy was swimming, but I chickened out, not wanting to get a serious injury while in the care of her and no hubby.

Also...just being honest. I didn't do my Esther homework which means I haven't spent much time in the word. I have spent much time doing IEPs.

And...I have some answers about my position for next year. I am excited about it! Looks like I will be getting 3-4 year olds again. This will be great as I will have a lunch break! And time to plan! At least it ~should~ work that way!

Say a prayer today that the day is easy and stress free. Yesterday was full of stress and there were no IEP meetings. Today...I have two IEPs, bus duty, lunch duty, and another meeting with a teacher...plus I have to find time to actually teach my students!