FFF # 11 crazy hair/bed head

The Mom's of any of the children I nanny for will tell you, I LOVE to fix their children's hair. I don't have many pictures of crazy hair because I am forever parting, combing, braiding, and "doing" the kiddos hair at the start of our time together, hahaha. Most of my pictures are of them looking quite adorable in praids, comb overs, faux hawks, pony tails, head bands, etc.. However, when your caring for kids like the one's I do, all crazy, energetic, wonderful amazing kids, you have your days where you let the little things slide.




Here is Mr. Caleb. This day I had all 3 boys Alex, Ben, and Caleb home. Caleb had just woken up from a nap. He'd gone down with his hair wet and when he woke up it was crazy. It was SO cute because it has little curls, I didn't have the heart to comb in. Besides, he was likely to get popsicle in it anyway :)
Kenzie wanted to be an "upside down" turtle. Her hair of course looks crazy handing down like that. I love this picture most of all because it is so true to her personality! I love this little girl so much! She has a beautiful heart.
Getting Ben to to get is hair cut is like giving a cat a bath. He loves long crazy hair that makes him look like a mad scientist. The new thing is for me to take him for a haircut. I have slowly, each hair cut, gotten a shorter one. He looks quite handsome with short hair. It makes his big blue eyes pop out. This picture too displays Ben's personality, wild, crazy, and always good for a laugh.
Once when I took Caleb to the zoo, the wind was blowing and his hair was going up. Ben insisted I give him a "Mowhawk" so I did. Not long after this picture was taken, he got his first hair cut.
Mackenzie isn't one for REALLY liking her hair done. I don't blame her as when you brush it, 5 minutes later it's tangly and messy again. I love giving her french braids because it's so cute on her. She loves it because the next morning her hair is "curly" which she desperately wishes she had. I braided her hair about 2.5 weeks before her 7th birthday, she told her friend the next days she was leaving them in until the day of her party. She wanted it "curly" for her Princess' in Pajamas birthday. Needless to say, her parents made her undo it a day or so later. I had promised her I'd come the night before her birthday and braid it. As you can see, I kept my promise, and she had her curly hair for her princess birthday. It's a messy look in my eyes but to her, it's beautiful.

My Baby got an owie!

Poor Kalika stepped on a Bee today. That's what I thought it was, and I searched her paw pads, their was a big ole stinger still in her center pad, poor baby. It's all swollen, and she is limping around.

It's not as bad as the last time I had a dog get stung though. That dog was only 7 weeks old, about 2.5 pounds, and she got stung on the tip or her nose. She swelled so bad she could barely breath, we had to give her benadryl.

Say a little prayer

I've been following the blog of two amazing women who have children suffering from Leigh's disease, a mitochondrial disorder which inevitably leads to death. One of the women is a friend of a friend who has a blog, and I just stumbled on her blog exploring my friends blog. The same day she stumbled on my blog in the same way. We both left each other comments and I really feel God brought us together, she said the same. Her little girl M. is just over 1 year old and suffer from this horrible disease. She had asked for prayer a couple of times for her friends little boy L. He just turned a year a couple weeks ago. I started following L.'s mommys' blog as well. I am sad to report that L. went to be with Jesus today.

Help me pray for this family, Mom, Dad, and big sister P. who just lost a sweet little boy. They are Christians and are rejoicing that he is no longer suffering and is completely restored in the presence of Jesus. But for those left behind, this is incredibly painful.

Violet

My running partner

Today was day 3 of running. They say 3rd times a charm. I was sore after the first day, my thighs and 3 strands of muscles that essentially run from the base of your skull to your but (spinalis, longissimas, and oh crud, I can' remember the name 3rd but, it attaches to your ribs and I can see it in my head). I made the mistake of not stretching on day 1. So, day 2 I went last night. I'd babysatt for about 8.5 hrs. for a 3 years old who doesn't nap and a 1 year old who screams a lot. I needed to run. So, I did. It wasn't any better or worse than day 1. The last 30 second jog session is the hardest but, it's nice to know you get 5 1/2 minutes of walking to end it. Then, I stretch for about 10 minutes or so. 

So, so many times I told myself that if I had a running partner I'd be more apt to go. I often said this because in H.S. my good friend and I walked A LOT together and when I went to N.U. I ran often with other girls. Seems to make the time and distance go by quicker. But, things have gotten out of control with my body, and my friends are getting married, having babies, and running of to places like Tokyo so, that isn't going to work.

Today I got a bright idea, I decided it wouldn't be too much work to check my stop watch for the intervals AND pray at the same time. I need to spend more time speaking and listening to God. As soon as I started I heard him whisper, "this was my plan all along, I wanted to be your running partner". Ouch. All this time he was their saying, I will be with you, focus on me. 

Yesterday I wasn't sure how I was going to fit a run in as I am working 7am-7pm for the Boy's then I'm going to babysit for Ruby and Davis from 7:30pm till about 3am. (mom is out of town, dad has a d.j. gig). Plus, mounds of homework. Well, the thing is, my God works ALL things together for Good (his good that is). Poor Alex had a massive seizure this morning (4 dyastat and a call to 911 before it finally stopped). While that is not cool, and I don't think God gave him a seizure so that I could run, he worked it out so that, since Alex would be sleeping all morning, I wouldn't be needed to get Alex out of bed.  Trish told me to go for a run if I wanted to. It worked out so nicely, and I spent time with GOd. I know that was in his plan for today, me to run and pray to him. 

I am utterly amazed out how different things can be when you have a different perspective and attitude, and you do things to glorify God. Before I have said I was going to eat better, exercise more, etc. to honor God with my body but, It was a crock. I really wanted to look good and impress people. Now, I truly want to honor God with my life, with what I put into my body and how I treat it. And he is really helping me to stay motivated for this running plan. Of course I still have sore muscles, and their is a chance of triggering a migraine but, I have faith God will protect me from that. So far I've experienced less discomfort from running that usual. I'm not getting splitting side aches, or chest pain from breathing. Yesterday the outside of my feet hurt really bad as I was running and I prayed about that today, guess what, no foot pain.

What I love about this plan is it's so concrete. I know EXACTLY what I am going to to and for how long. I love my little stop watch that tells me I have to run for 5 more seconds. I love that I'm not OVER doing it. I love that I get to walk for 10 minutes first, and 5 minutes last. I love that I'm not spending 5 minutes recovering because I ran to far for what my body is adjusted too. 30 seconds run, 30 seconds walk. It's great. 

God really spoke to my heart about some things today, and I took time to pray for many people. It really felt good to live up to my word to various friends/ blogger buddies/ and family member to pray for them, their little ones, etc. to pray for them. It also felt good to just worship God, to give him all the praise, and the Glory, which only he deserves. 

I'm excited to run again tomorrow, with the best running partner a girl (or guy) could have. 

Here is a picture of my other running partner :0 ) . She went with me on day 2 and 3. Other than being very thirsty (and hungry) when we're done, she seems to tolerate it really well. I think the 3o/30 plan works well for her too! Good thing because she has a few pds. to lose as well, according to the veterinarian. 

FFF # 10: Friends

This is me and my BEST friend Alicia. We are 15 days apart, and I met her the day she was born :) . Yes, this is our normal, lol. Her sister said "you just won a million dollars!" She also said things like: "You see a super hot guy across the street" and "you wake up with boobs double their normals size", I will spare you those reactions! Please excuse my double chin. It was a fat face day : }
I took my Lil nephew (right) to see my frineds baby Gabriel (Left). Gabe is 6 weeks younger. Kenzie (Gabes big sister) loves babies and loved helping out with lil' Zackery. Josh is in the background, and Levi was napping. I hope these little guys will be friends someday.
One of Kalika's favorite friends is Spike, my brothers dog. She likes to talk to him, seriously. Cockers talk to other dogs, It's pretty funny. They both go nails clipped, teeth brushed, and showers this night so they both got to sleep in my bed. Spoiled mutts. Kalika loves pillows to put her head on and Spike likes to be UNDER the blankets.
A few months ago I met up with my Friend Joanna and her 4 kiddos with 2 of the boys I nanny. Ben and Josh are about 9 months apart. They hit it off right away.
The boys' little neighbor girl Ashton, She idolizes BEn.
And Caleb idolizes her. When we go outside he looks at her house and says "Ashton?". If we say, she can't play he says "Oh, Ashton sleeping, Ashton play later". She loves playing with him too.
All of Mackenzies cute girly friends from her princess' in pajamas party! They are cute girls!
Kalika made new friends at the off leash dog park the other day.

Runnersworld.com

Today is July 24th and in exactly a month I am going to a friends wedding. So, that is my final motivation. I'm beginning to run. Ugh, I've always hated running. The problem though, when I ran while at Northwest University, I was my skinniest. I know my body responds well, and quickly when I run. So, I'm going to get back into the habit. There are many other reasons I want to do this. Partly do to my lifestyle and partly do to the depo shot, I have gained about 10pds in 4-6 months (yikes). I gained about 5 after my 1st shot (I'm going off the stuff, it's poison). In high school I was on average 135-145pds. My body builds a lot of muscle so, I think that is just my natural average as a swimmer, my sport of choice. When I started running I actually didn't drop much weight, maybe 125-130 at my least but, I dropped about 2 pants sizes. In high school I was a 9 all 4 years. I dropped to between a 5 and a 7 depending on the brand. To measure up now, I am almost 170 pds and wear about a size 12. No joke. I know it's not outrageous but, I'm 22 and don't have any kids. If I don't take control, it can only get worse from here. I've noticed a serious decrease in my energy level this year, and I'm moodier. I know I FEEL better when I exercise.

So, I began to research how to begin running. Before I had plenty of girl friends to go with that made the activity less dreadful. Now, it's usually just me. I needed a guide to get me going. I found a WONDERFUL websight : WWW.RUNNERSWORLD.COM it has TONS of information on beginning running, training, etc. etc. etc. it's just fantastic. I found a plan I really like. It's called the 30/30 plan. Today was my first day. It was harder than I thought yet, still do able. I felt like I had gotten a GOOD 3o minute work out, I broke a sweat, I got my Heart Rate up, and I felt tired when I was done. I'm sure I will be sore tomorrow but, that is to be expected. I plan to try and record my results here. I hope that in 6 months or so I will officially be a "runner". Who knows, maybe I will even train for a 1/2 marathon! Maybe. Basically you do this plan before you do "beginning runner" plans. It builds you to that level. I kinda skipped a step and went straight to 30 sec. job to 30 sec. walk. It was hard but, I did it! Here is the plan:

THE 30/30 PLAN
Here's a simple plan to get you going, featuring 30 minutes of exercise for the first 30 days.By Hal Higdon
PUBLISHED 08/28/2001
Here's a simple 30/30 plan to get you going, featuring 30 minutes of exercise for the first 30 days. It is a routine similar to one that Chuck Cornett, a coach from Orange Park, Florida, uses with beginning runners.

Walk out the door and go 15 minutes in one direction, turn around, and return 15 minutes to where you started: 30 minutes total.

For the first 10 minutes of your workout, it is obligatory that you walk: No running!For the last 5 minutes of your workout, it is obligatory that you walk: Again, no running!

During the middle 15 minutes of the workout, you are free to jog or run--as long as you do so easily and do not push yourself.

Here's how to run during those middle 15 minutes: Jog for 30 seconds, walk until you are recovered, jog 30 seconds again. Jog, walk. Jog, walk. Jog, walk.

Once comfortable jogging and walking, adapt a 30/30 pattern: jogging 30 seconds, walking 30 seconds, etc. Follow this 30/30 pattern for 30 days. If you train continuously (every day), you can complete this stage in a month. If you train only every other day, it will take you two months. Do what your body tells you. Everyone is different in their ability to adapt to exercise.

When you're beginning, it is better to do too little than too much.If you continue this 30/30 routine for 30 days, you will finish the month able to cover between one and two miles walking and jogging. You are now ready to progress to the next stage of your training as a beginning runner.

Weighing the consequences.

In October of 2006 I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. This after 9 years of painful, nauseating, dizziness inducing, cramping so bad I can't walk periods. I was miserable. I missed school and work. I spent 24-48 hours in bed, and usually ended up with a 3-4 day migraine. Once they figured why I was having such severe pain, I was excited to treat it. Guess how they do that? Birth Control I tried multiple pills, and the patch. All triggered migraines. I was getting 2-3 migraines a week. Ugh. Finally, reluctantly, I tried the Depo-shot. One of my sisters gained 25 pds. on it and I was afraid of that.

I got 3 shots and did not like how I felt afterwards for a couple days. I also gained about 15 pds. while exercising MORE! So, I decided to see what happened if I went off. I started spotting the last couple days. These just happened to be VERY stressful days. I completely lost it emotionally! It was like P.M.S. tenfold. I was screaming at my brother, losing patience with everyone, frusterated by small things, and wanted to cry about anything and everything. I decided to google symptoms of coming off.

I found lots of information and did not like what I found. From wath I am experiencing, to more weight gain, to VERY sore and lumpy breasts that appear up to 3-5 months after the last shot, irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant...etc. etc.

 

I also found symptoms of being on depo. that may have been in my pamphlet but were waved off when I talked to my doctor. Such as increased ovarian cycsts. I have a history of these and had several small ones over the last few years, and depression, hot flashes, etc. 

I realized I was having way more symptoms than I thought.

Now I have to choose to deal with the risks and symptoms of being on it, or go back to the nightmare periods. I'm not sure what's best for my body. The longer I'm on it, the harder it may be to get pregnant when I want to. The worse they symptoms may be coming off of it.

What to do?

Careful what you wish for...

The last month or so, maybe longer, I've been "unhappy" with my little car, a 2001 Volkswagon Jetta. I've been finding all these little things "wrong" with it, being nit picky about it. I decided I wanted to sell it and get a new one. Well, Thursday I was looking at cars for sale on craigslist and wishing I could get one.

This weekend my brother fell asleep behind the wheel of my Jetta and most likely totalled it.

He is ok, Praise the Lord.

Looks like I might be getting what I wished for.... a different car. Now, I really don't want to go through the hassle of finding one.

Dang it.

Joshua Blair

My Aunt Christina got a 3D ultrasound as a gift from me. She is sending me a disk of all the picture but until then... He has a big nose and big feet! His heart look perfect and strong and he has amniotic fluid in his tummy, a good thing for this point in pregnancy. My Aunt is 30 weeks. The ultrasound tech is so sweet. She has a policy that if the baby doesn't cooperate for sexing or keeps it's hands in front of it's face she will reschedule you free of charge. Even though they got a lot of good shots and my Aunt and Uncle were satisfied, the lady said she wasn't and scheduled them for another one on thursday! He is an active little guy!

2nd confirmation: It's definately a boy.
Sweet baby face
He has the Williams big "roman" nose. IT looks a lot like my Dads. 
Already A Prayer Warrior
I love him so.

FFF # 9 REd White and Blue (skipped last week, no dance photos).

I have so many favorite photos from this week it's not funny! I hav 1 red, white and blue photo. I guess I was to busy having fun and trying not to think about losing my grandpa two days before to take many pictures. It was a really blessing to have a holiday so soon after.

My two FAVORITE kiddos under year :) . Gabriel is 9.5 months old now, 21 pdsa nd 31 inches! He has a big head and is big for a breast fed baby. He LOVES my Dog and screams out of excitement. Yesterday I got to steel my nephew from my mom and take him to Gabes house. Gabe never uses a bottle but saw Zackery using one and kept stealing it. Zackery was NOT happy about that! So we found one for Gabe and put juice in it.
Zackery recently had his 2nd hair cute. The lady actually did a pretty horrible job but, he looks so darn cute anyway. He is getting a lot more expression in is face. He is 11 months old, 21 pounds and 28 inches long. A short fat little thing!
My BEST friend Alicia and I waiting for it to get dark to enjoy the firework show.
Kalika's red white and blue. I think she was the MOST festive! Lol.

My nephew is so behind.

My Nephew is 11 months old today! I can hardly believe it!

He had a check up today. He is now 21 pounds and 28 inches long! He sure is growing fast. AT birth he was 6pd 11ounces and 19.5 inces long.

He saw one of my favorite physicians assistants. T. went to work in the ER over a year ago and we were sooo... sad. He is back at our clinic again, I guess he just missed us, and Zackery got to see him again. The Dr. my mom had been taking him to was really starting to get on our nerves. Zackery is so far behind physically and the Doctor has kept saying "we will see where he is in 3 more months". Then, Zackery kept getting ear infections etc. and the doctor kept post poning his well child check up since he'd seen him for those. The only problem was, he wasn't doing the exams when he checked his ears.... grrr.

I'd been beginning to think maybe my nephew was somewhat mentally delayed as well. I didn't say anything because he is such a bright eyed and alert little thing. However, I've been around so many 1 year olds, especially lately since 5 of my friends had 2 year old little boys. The last month or so he just seems less interactive than my friends kids at 1. Here are some websights with milestones of 10-11 month old babies... next to them I've marked if my nephew is doing it. You'll notice he isn't doing many. you can see why I worry about him. I feel like if he were placed with someone who knew about baby development and was worked with he would reach more milestones faster! My sister hardly ever played with him when she live here! She just has no clue about babies. I don't want him to be taken away, not really bu it's hard not to feel like I could do better. Please pray for him, and my sistter, and me! He is probably acting like a 6-8mth old right now.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_1year.html

by the end of a year

Social and Emotional

Shy or anxious with strangers ...... yes
Cries when mother or father leaves .... yes for his Mom or Grandma (my Mom)
Enjoys imitating people in his play ...no
Shows specific preferences for certain people and toys ....yes
Tests parental responses to his actions during feedings ....yes
Tests parental responses to his behavior ....no
May be fearful in some situations ....yes
Prefers mother and/or regular caregiver over all others .... yes
Repeats sounds or gestures for attention ... no
Finger-feeds himself ....yes
Extends arm or leg to help when being dressed ...no

7/11 doing pretty well here, which is an encourage ment. I worry about him emotionally.

Cognitive

Explores objects in many different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping) ... yes
Finds hidden objects easily ... no
Looks at correct picture when the image is named ...no
Imitates gestures ...no
Begins to use objects correctly (drinking from cup, brushing hair, dialing phone, listening to receiver) ...no

1/5 now we can see why the Dr. thinks he is mentally delayed.

Language

Pays increasing attention to speech ... yes
Responds to simple verbal requests ...no
Responds to “no” ...no
Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no” ...no
Babbles with inflection (changes in tone) ...yes
Says “dada” and “mama” ... dad but only as a sound...
Uses exclamations, such as “Oh-oh!” ...no
Tries to imitate words ...no

language is delayed.... 2/8

Movement

Reaches sitting position without assistance ....no
Crawls forward on belly .... army crawl
Assumes hands-and-knees position ...no
Creeps on hands and knees ...no
Gets from sitting to crawling or prone (lying on stomach) position ...no
Pulls self up to stand ...no
Walks holding on to furniture ...no
Stands momentarily without support ...no
May walk two or three steps without support ...no
Hand and Finger Skills.....yes
Uses pincer grasp ....no
Bangs two objects together ...yes
Puts objects into container...no but never show this
Takes objects out of container ...yes
Lets objects go voluntarily ... no
Pokes with index finger ... no
Tries to imitate scribbling

4/16

http://www.baptistonline.org/health/library/chil3054.asp

Most babies should be able to . . .
11 month old child

Say mama and dada to the right parents ... no, he says "dadadada...but just as a sound, not to his "dad"
Wave goodbye ...no
Clap hands ... I'm not sure but, I don't think so.
Understand the word no but doesn’t always obey it ... no
Stand alone momentarily ... no, he isn't even sitting up well on his own.
Play ball and patty cake ... no
Some babies will probably be able to . . .
Say one word other than mama or dada .... not intentionally. sometimes he babbles nanna
Drink from a cup independently ...no
Indicate what he or she wants with gestures other than crying ... no
Imitate others ... only sticking out his tongue and opening mouth
Put toys or object into a container .... I think he could if he wanted to but hasn't yet
Some babies could possibly be able to . . .
Stand alone well ... no
Babble that sounds like her or she is talking a foreign language ...yes
Say two or more words other than mama or dada ...no
Drink from a cup independently ...no
Understand simple instructions ...no
Walk well ...no

at best: 3 out of 20

http://www.yourbabytoday.com/

This is for 11 month old babies

Your baby now walks while holding onto furniture....no
He uses the "pincer grasp" to pick up tiny objects between his thumb and forefinger.... yes
Baby can stand alone. .... no
He drinks from a cup. ...no
Baby says "mama" and "dada." ... dada only as a babble word "da da da da da..."
He says a few other one-syllable words (like "hi"). .....no
Baby communicates his wants with gestures and words instead of cries. ...no
He talks in conversational gibberish. .... yes

2 out of 8 >

blessings in abundance

I am so blessed.

I am blessed by my teachers this term who are giving me as much time as I need to turn in my assignments so I can spend time with my family and not worry about it. I don't get internet connection on my computer and I don't have the program I need to write my papers on at my dads. They want me to spend as much time with my family as possible during this time.

I am blessed by my life long best friend Alicia, who is finally starting to call me on things and challenge me to "just do this..." or "can't you do that..." I am blessed by our walks, by our talks, that I can spend easter and the 4th of July with her family. I am blessed that when I don't bring pants to change into once it's dark, she lets me wear hers. I'm blessed that even though she's not a big fan of animals, she always wants to walk the other dog so he doesn't get left behind. I'm blessed that she knows when something is wrong, that she will come at the drop of a hat to help me or anyone in my family.

I am blessed God blessed me with such a friend. Our Moms were best friends before we were born. We are 15 days apart. We really are life long best friends. Sometimes I get angry that God gave me to sisters with depression and slight mental retardation. I get mad my Mom miscarried at least 1 baby girl, possible 2 and I wonder if they would have been my "normal" sisters. When I tell God I'm angry, he pops a picture of Alicia into my head and heart.

I am blessed to have amazing women in my life to mentor me, love me, guide me, pray for me, and all my family! I am blessed by my neighbor Rachel who always takes time to come outside and listen to me vent. I am blessed by Kiesha who encourages me to become the best Woman I can be and who just understands me and my position with my family so well. I'm blessed by Joanna who leads by example, is an amazing mom that puts her family first, who calls me when I'm out of line and isn't afraid to tell me when she thinks I may have lowered my standards, who has shown me what a healthy God fearing family can look like and who showed me that this can happen even if you came from a less than perfect family situation.

I am blessed by Kaleb, Joannas husband, who has been an amazing example of what a Godly man is like. Who is willing to make sacrifices so his kids get the best possible life. Who tutors me in math and leads me to get my first A ever in a math class and doesn't make me feel stupid when I can't see the obvious answer, or I miss a step, or erase my minus sign to make a plus sign instead of just adding a vertical line : )

I'm blessed my Dad has always been around, and made it his conviction to take care of his kids and his wife, no matter what. That he views my education as valuable and worth investing in, even if I really want to be a stay at home mom.

I am blessed by my sweet puppy who makes me smile every day, like today when she finally realized the new toy I bough her after her surgery has a squeeker in it ans she starter tossing it in the air squeeking it over and over again.

I'm blessed by the neighbor kids I babysatt years ago, who still run up to me for hugs, even the 16 year old boy : ) . And when someone asks who I am, they say Violet, our babysitter.

I'm blessed by seeing an old friend sing at the church I went to visit today, and watching as she recognized me in the crowed, smiled and nodded at me! Then gave me a big hug after service!

I am blessed that I am able to help my Dad and my grandma out, and show them the love of Christ right now.

I am blessed that God knows JUST what I need to hear in the sermon.

I am blessed I can know that the bible is the most reliable historical document and that it's words are truth and it's promises are for me, today.

I am blessed that my God is faithful, that he deems me worthy to be saved and to be bought with his blood!

I am blessed that my friend K. gets to go camping with me in a couple weeks and help fill the void of my sister not being their.

I am blessed....

It's been a tough week

Well, my 22nd year definately started of with a bang, a not so pleasant one.

Ok, so that day wasn't as horrible as I made it seem. Tuesday, July 2nd I celebrated my birthday. I worked 12 hours. But, the boys excitedly gave me their present, 2 Natalie grant c.d's, a cute bag, a water bottle, and they are now sponsoring a little boy from Africa since I'm sponsoring a little girl. He shares Ben's birthday which, coincidently is the day before mine. Once Mom got home, we bagged bedtime and they took me out to Baskin Robins, which was really nice. I ended the day by writing a paper. I did however get to bed before midnight.

Wednesday I was grumpy, irriated, and plain did NOT want to work. I had no choice though, and it was a busy day for the boys. I ended up not even hearing my phone ring, and as I pulled out of the driveway I checked my messages to learn my grandpa had passed. We knew it was coming as grandma dicontinued dialysis but, it came way faster, and it was a big blow. It's easy to pretend the inevitable won't really happen... at least "not yet"...

Today my Dad has surgery. My brother worked all day so, I was the only one around. I gave him a ride to the hospital, ran to get groceries, went to my Dr. appt. and back to the hospital. His Hernia was bigger than they had anticpated but, the surgery went well and while we didn't get home until about 6, he is doing quite well and pretty mobile. I'm suprised.

I did some more grocery shopping, picked up a new collar and name tag for my brothers dog, and a new water bowl for the dogs. I also picked up a spedometer for myself and a water proof watch. My friend Alicia and I went for a good long walk, showed off some funny YouTube videos to one another and it was a good end to the day. I wasn't the best of company I'm sure. I'm dissapointed because tomorrow was suppose to be the 1st day off we both had in forever and guess what....she got called in to work 1-5. Grrr...

Another good friend, mentor and AMAZING woman in my life is moving to Texas on the 11th. We were suppose to get plenty of time together one monday. We were going to meet at a cute cafe, then go for a super long walk. Talk bunches, and say "goodbye". Well, I still get to see her but, different time of day, different timing, and much shorter period of time.

It just to much dissappointment for a day.

Please pray:
I will be able to get all my school work done and done well
my grandma heals and griefs in a healthy manner
My current HA goes away
My sisters heart will soften enough to come to the service...I know one day she'll regret not
I have a good day tomorrow, and over all, a better week!
I'd feel Christ's peace and rest all over me. I need is restoration now.

till next time....

My biological grandpa (my Dads Dad) died when I was 1 1/2 years old. My Moms dad ran out on her when she was still unborn. My Moms step Dad just never really liked me. He is a very stoic person and we just never were close.
My Grandmother remarried when I was about 9. Her first marriage was painful and hard. My grandpa came to know Christ at the end but, she never knew what a Godly marriage was like. When she married Beryl, that all change. He was a sweet teddy bear of a man, tall and big. He adopted all of her grandchildren as his own. He kissed me on the forehead when I gave him a hug. He treated my Grandma like royalty, and always let her have her way. He was a great companion for her.
Beryl has struggled with his health for the past 3 years. Today he peacefully went to be will Jesus. We miss him.

Please pray for my family. We are under attack. Tomorrow my Dad has surgery, my sister is having seizures (small ones but still) and increased tremors....it's been a long road. My Grandma hasn't been doing well either. We are praying that knowing Beryl is gone will help her get better. She had been living in limbo and not knowing what would happen for a long time. We are praying she can grieve and then heal.