I feel like I've been run over by a train, BUT...

I survived.

There were a few moments that I wasn't sure about, but overall my afternoon spent in outpatient surgery went well.

The last time I was at the hospital, I was a VERY sick girl. I had a gallbladder full to the brim with stones, and it was swollen and infected. I ended up sick. Fever, chills, nausea and diarrhea, led to dehydration and a three day stay in the hospital hotel. I then went home with orders to rest for a week and follow a strict diet until my surgery date.

That being said, it was hard going in for surgery. Because I had been following the diet and I had some of my energy back, I have been feeling good. It is so much easier to check yourself into the hospital when you are hurting and feeling lousy. Checking yourself in knowing you will NOT feel good when you come out is hard. Remember, I'm the gal who HATES needles and hospitals.

But I went. The hubby didn't have to pull me in kicking and screaming either. Although Jim-Dad liked to tease me about the prospect of a chase. (Yep! I was one of those kids you heard screaming and a nurse had to chase around the room.)

After what seemed like ages of waiting in the waiting room, they finally called me back. The hardest part is when they kept trying to find a vein for my IV. HELP! After about three sticks, they finally found a GOOD vein, that was ready and willing. So much so, that blood ran everywhere. (I did mention before how I HATE needles, didn't I?!!!)

After a few more visits with family, the nurse wheeled me back. Believe it or not, everyone was so nice in the operating room. Before I was down for the count, I felt babied. They certainly knew how to make me feel comfortable and safe. PEACE.

I woke up, with a pain in my tummy and the need for toothpicks to hold the eyelids open. I was the last surgery for the day at the outpatient clinic. Two nurses, the last two still working again babied me. The good news is that the diet did work and I had the easy surgery.

Wait a minute, did I say EASY? What I meant to say was easier. It sure wasn't easy!!! I am now siting in my couch recliner, where I have been most of the day. I feel good, except for the feeling of being majorly punched in the gut. So sore. Sorry now that I didn't have those tummy muscles in better shape.

But, I am enjoying being waited on by the hubby and kiddos. (I have a hard time sitting down and getting up, so help is needed. ) I am surround by magazines, gifts from the mom-in-law and chick flicks, borrowed from the hubby's secretary. I also have felt the prayers.

I'm hurting, the pain meds make me feel like I'm in a fog, and I'm tired of not being able to do anything, but overall I think I have been a good little patient. I pray that this surgery, when I am back on my feet will have done a uhaul on my energy level and that overall I will just plum feel better. I've told everyone I will hopefully be a new woman in September.

Thanks for the prayers.

Please say a prayer...

Tomorrow is a BIG day for our family.

My father-in-law starts chemo.

I have surgery scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (a little nervous about that!)

And my kiddos will be enduring their second day of school. (6th and 8th grade, what a hard age.)

UGH! Please pray that our family doesn't go crazy with the timing of it all. As I told my hubby last night, through a few tears, "there is too much going on, I can't focus on ANYTHING!"

Overall, I am doing well. I have stuck with the doctor diet the last few weeks. I have done my best to prepare for this day. I have even kept busy so as not to dwell on it all (I have told you all before about my fear of doctors, needles and hospitals, right?!). Anyway, today is filled with a little bill paying (doctors want their money upfront these days, it seems...), laundry washing (last time I visited the hospital hotel we were caught off guard and Kev had to go shopping for underwear and a change of clothes) and stocking the refrigerator with the basics (so of course dad doesn't have to do last minute shopping to feed the tribe upon our return).

I am not sure when I will return, but I am sure to have plenty recovery time to play catch up here in blogland. Thanks for all the support and prayers.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.

Celebrating 50 years...

Whew! I survived... weeks of planning finally came together in one big celebration, celebrating two of my favorite people. Well worth the busyness, the tired feet and the need for a BIG nap. If you are just tuning in, then I will do a little recap. My in laws just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last week, so us kids put together a little shindig for the beloved couple. Since my hubby and I live in the same town as his parents, a lot of the party planning fell my direction, but if you know me well, you know I love that kind of thing. Anyway, I'm sure you would rather look at the picture album than read my rambling...

Fifty years ago

The anniversary couple.

The cake.

The table decor. (My mother-in-law used gladiolas and magnolia leaves at her wedding, so we used those in the center pieces on the tables.)

The food. Fruit with a fruit dip, a cheese ball, a hot chicken dip, mom-in-law's favorite punch and ice water were served.

The photo table. There were scrapbook "guestbook" pages made by yours truly, for the guests to sign, a box for cards from guests, beloved family photos, a bouquet for the couple from my brother-in-law and family, and her wedding dress, which she made. The wedding dress was pink, so that is where I got the color scheme for the party. I went with her dress and flower color rather than Las Vegas gold.

What's a party without a party favor. These were handmade by a friend for the big day. Cute, huh?

The family took pictures on Saturday. Here is my favorite of the anniversary couple.

Here's the whole gang.

This is my favorite. My hubby, being the student minister that he is, insisted we take a "silly" pose. I love it!

Well, it was a busy weekend for sure, but a lot of fun. There was a huge turnout and Grandma and Papa enjoyed their big day.

Hope you had a GREAT summer. My kiddos go back to school this Thursday, so summer is officially over. We've bought school supplies, signed up for the upcoming soccer season and shopped for first day of school outfits... YEP! Summer is over. :( Did I tell you my son is in middle school this year? 6th grade. A new kind of chaos is about to begin...

Have a great week, friends. I'm going to try and find the time to stop by and say "hello."

Celebrating BIG...

I'm still here. Still puttering around nonstop. Oh the busyness of it all.

I've missed my bloggy world and all the encouragement I find here, but family, health and work do come first.

This is a week of celebration for my family.

This week, on my side of the family my dear great Aunt Fay turns 100.

100 YEARS PEOPLE!!!

Oh the things she has seen and lived through with stories to tell. She really is a special person and very loved by her family.

This past weekend, my family had a big shindig in her honor. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend. Keeping pretty close to home these days until my surgery. But according to my mom, she enjoyed the day, surrounded by those that love her.

Just so you could see how beautiful 100 can be, I swiped a picture from my sister's album from the party.

And if that wasn't grand enough, I mean how many people can say they have an aunt who is 100? Not many, I am guessing. Anyhow, my in-laws are celebrating their wedding anniversary this week, and it is a BIG one. Drum roll please.....

50 YEARS!!!

I'm just thinking that in today's world, that is something to celebrate. I can only pray that God sees fit to allow me the blessing of being with my honey that long and more.

Happy Anniversary, Grandma and Papa! Love you guys oodles and oodles!

I know I have been scarce these days, but life has been on the busy side. There is work, church, getting the kiddos ready to start school next week, preparing for surgery next week and planning an anniversary reception for my in-laws. Hopefully, in the days ahead I can find time to "catch up."

Hope you are having a wonderful week...

Up to my Elbows in Bleach, Rooms get a New Look and Prayer for a Special Man.

Whew! How did you like that for a heading? Lots going on around here and I never know when I'm going to get a chance at the computer, so I felt the need to pile it all in.

Bleach?

Well, got to work this morning and realized that one of the babies that had a very infected bug bite yesterday, is in the hospital today with the good possibility of staph. Fun. Anyway, I spent my morning bleaching toys, wiping down changing tables and highchairs and mopping floors. The best part? I still smell like the lovely aroma of BLEACH. Well, at least I SMELL clean. :)

By the way, baby is going to be OK.

Prayer request?

See these men?

I love them both to pieces. That is of course my hubby and his favorite man in the world, his dad. Papa has been having a rough go of it lately. He has cancer and has had it for a good long while. In fact for years, I forgot he even had it, for it didn't cause him pain and it was the very slow moving kind. Fast forward a few years and it isn't so forgotten. Now hormone treatments aren't enough. There has even been talk of radiation. Yet, what I know for sure is that he WILL HAVE TO START CHEMO AT THE END OF AUGUST. Please pray for him. He hasn't been feeling too well lately and...

In case you are wondering, you didn't remember wrong or misread. Yes, my mother-in-law is just getting over and healing from her own radiation treatments. She is being watched closely right now as well. So, if you don't mind, say a prayer for her too while you are at it.

And then there is my dear, sweet hubby. He is having to deal with us all... including my sick gallbladder. He is a trooper for us all. Pray for continued strength as he continues to juggle it all, as well as all the emotions that come with it.

Thanks friends.

God is good and I totally believe He will see us through all of this.

And now, can I have a drum roll please...

Here are pictures of my hard work. Please forgive the blurriness, my camera was losing charge so I snapped real fast...

Here is the new and CLEAN AND ORGANIZED KAYLA'S ROOM...

I forgot before pictures, but you will just have to trust me that you COULD NOT see the floor. Three trash bags later, she was a very happy camper.

Now for the little man's "Man Cave..."

What do you think? My son and I didn't do too bad on our own without daddy, did we? He LOVES it and that is totally what really matters.

Well, got to run for now. I know I am so behind on my reading too. I will try to catch up real soon. Have a great week! Oh, by the way, it is WEDNESDAY! :)

So Random...

My hubby and baby girl are back from camp and had a GREAT experience. There were decisions made for Christ in our group which we are very excited about. In fact the hubby baptized two teenagers tonight at church. God is good!

Jordan and I finished his "man cave." He LOVES it. I am so thankful for the time with him this week and that he has such a sense of accomplishment with his room. He is proud. Truth is, I had to tease my hubby a little bit, 'cause Jor said I yell a lost less at him than his daddy or papa when showing him how to do something. Of course I had to tell the truth to my son... I didn't know what I was doing either. :) I promise pictures to come.

Yes, Aunt Jo, I know about the "photobucket" block in the middle of my blog. Don't know where it came from or when. It was there when I came back from my stay at the hospital hotel. In fact I had to change the colors of my blog because that was messed up too. The hubby has tried to get it off. I have tried to get it off. So far, as you can tell, neither of us have been successful. Any suggestions? I don't want to lose my blog or erase anything... Does everyone see it?

Still on the diet. Haven't lost any more weight, but I do have my energy back which is exciting. Still plugging along...

I have, since my illness, rediscovered the "Gilmore Girls" reruns. Something about those two just plain makes me smile.

I have to go back to work tomorrow. NOT too happy about that. I really have enjoyed the time off. Maybe one day again I can be a stay at home mommy.

Did I tell you Kayla LOVED her CLEAN, ORGANIZED room? Well, she did. Of course I don't know what she was happiest about, her clean room or me finding the lost Ipod? Either way it was a win win situation for ME. I might show you a picture of her cleanliness in a later post...

Can you believe it is already AUGUST?!!! Where did my summer go. Bought school supplies the other day. This is in my "I don't get it file..." If it is on the school supply list and every kid in middle school and high school is going to need at least one composition notebook (Jordan needs three.), why wouldn't our Walmart have them? Seriously. Oh, I take it back, they had one box, but my SON was not interested in an "Alice in Wonderland" composition notebook.

Well, I have laundry to do, two suitcases in fact, so I think I will grab me a quick bite to eat and go attack it.

Have a great week friends.