Life and It's Turns--We just never know where He will lead us!!

I am sitting here and thinking back over the last two months. I haven't blogged in the past two months mainly bc I didn't know what to say, if to say or how much to say. I hope that makes sense. This year I will be 40--yes the big 4 -0 !!!! I still can't think of myself as middle aged--I guess that is what you call it. I have heard that this time of your life is great--hmmm!!! Let's see-- I am waiting!!

I have had a couple of really good times over the last two months and of course there have been the valleys. I have come to accept that there will be valleys (I even catch myself looking for them when I am way up on the top of the mountain) even though I can't stand and sometimes fear them. A loathing almost of those valleys. Okay-- let 's move on bc you can't dwell in the pit!!!

Let's see-- January brought us some more snow days-- not one whole week of school in the month of January:) that was great!!! Also, in January, Chris: had to have surgery on his right ankle. He has been dealing with this ankle for years and over the last two years he really began to feel a lot of pain. He had two bone spurrs removed. One had broken off and the other was embedded into his muscles and tendons--ouch!!! The surgery was more intense than the ortho thought it would be, therefore, the pain was a lot more. Chris isn't one that takes medicine but this time we were giving it to him as soon as we possible could. He was feeling really good until-----Friday, when he had a severe allergic reaction the pain meds. He told me that he felt itchy and his face felt funny. I kept watching him through the morning as the girls and I got dressed for school. I took K to school and H to meet a good friend that I work with (I had a meeting in town that day so I wasn't going out to my school). When I returned home, he said he was really itchy so I told him I would get the Benadryl. I went ahead and finished getting dressed while he and I talked. He told me that his face felt swollen just as I was coming down the stairs. I gave him the meds. and noticed he looked just a little swollen. Soooo, I thought--hmmmm-- might need to call the doctor. Within the 5 minutes it took to talk to the PA and decide we might want to go to the ER (to be cautious) Chris' eyes began to swell shut. OK-- at this point, I was beginning to get very nervous and ran upstairs to grab his shirt and a shoe. Got him ready and we headed out the door-he is on crutches (and keep in mind he is much bigger than I am)-- we get to the car and he starts to vomit!!! AHHHHH!! I look around the neighborhood really quickly and realize that everyone (male) has already left for work. I am thinking getting in the car do not pass out right now and here-- I can't get you off the ground. He some how manages to get in the car and I am racing to the hospital. We don't live to far from the hospital BUT it is about 8:15 and I knew I would have traffic (we do live in a fairly large city) but God was with us bc I was doing about 80 ---no traffic and no cops!! Praise God!!!! I pull up get him out and he falls into the wheelchair (now I kept him talking the whole way--grunts and some words would come from him but I knew as long as he was making some noise --air was getting in and out). They grab him and I park. I enter his ER room--and I see about 6 people working on him at once. I let them know what I had given him and how many (Benadryl) and what all had happened over the last hour!! The charge nurse looks at me and says--sit down!!! I did!! LOL. (I usually can remain calm during times like this but I guess my adrenaline was working OT). They get him settled and assure me that they had it handled. -- We spent a good 5 hours there and the ER doctor said that within the 3 more hours we would never know what just happened. He slept (bc of the benadryl I gave him--which had I not--well, let's not go there ok) and I read. As they were releasing him, the ER doctor said he can never, ever (and he stressed each on of those never, evers many times) Percocet or anything in that family again!!!! Chris informed him he was going back to good old Tylenol and Advil only!!! So he and I got home--he was very relaxed and I crashed --that is I went to sleep right beside him on the couch bc I was still a little nervous it could happen all over. -- he is doing good now foot and no more pain meds. He has to be in his boot for about two more weeks. It is still swelling but we are praying that God will help heal his foot and we can get back to some normalcy!!!

I think that the following Sunday evening-- I was watching a Hallmark Movie and on my Facebook when I was a "friend request" pop up. I was about to turn in for the night, the movie was over, it had been a very long week and weekend and we were all tired!!! But I wanted to check my Facebook one more time (I am addicted I know that) and I am so glad I did. CAUSE ---- My best friend from college, that I haven't seen or talked with in almost 10 years, found me!!! I had looked many times on Facebook, online for her since we had moved back up here. In fact, many nights I would dream of her and wake up in a panic wanting so desperately to find her. AND there she was, I let out the biggest scream, started crying and my family thought I had gone crazy (you know that runs in the family--lol). Well, to say that my crappy weekend ended on a most wonderful note doesn't even begin to describe my feelings and emotions. And you know what -- she lives within 10 minutes of me!!!! We didn't even know it!!! To say that the past month hasn't been great-- we have talked (or text) at least everyday and have seen each other a lot. I can't believe how He lead us back together and His timing was PERFECT!!!

Then I ate something that landed me sick for almost a week. I suffered through the weekend of stomach pains, good hours and bad hours, until on a Monday night when I was hurting so bad that I just wanted to go to the ER. Chris and Mackenzie tried to get me to go on Friday but NO stubborn me wouldn't go. We even went to J-town on Saturday for a quick trip and back on Sunday. I felt better as long as I ate like a bird!!! But on Sunday, I thought whatever I had was gone (no symptoms) and ate as I normally would and within an hour after I ate-- I was getting sicker and sicker. I went to school on Monday morning (you know that stubborn part of me -- "I'll be better once I get going" attitude that I have) and then left and headed to the dr to seek some help and relief. The Dr. scheduled a CAT Scan on Tuesday but I didn't make it-- the pain was worse than my appendix and given birth to H--(my epid. didn't kick in until she was out). So I spent about 4 hours there and they finally got the stomach pain, cramping, nuisance and me calmed down. I really wanted to die!!! They kinda of decided it was food poisoning of some kind but we will never know for sure bc I couldn't give them anything to test (you know when you are that sick and don't eat--it is kind of hard to do certain things). I had to be out of work until Thursday-- they wanted me on antibiotics for 24 hours or more-- so those lovely little ones that I work with would not get me sicker. But it took another 4 or 5 days after I went back to work to be able to eat with out feeling sick. So whatever I ate (and I did eat some Nutter Butters--peanut butter --but not on the recall list but I have since found out we really don't know how big this issue is) -- I was the only one that ate it in the family and to say the least -- I hope that never happens again. I finally pulled a whole week of school this week since Thanksgiving. (We have had snow days a lot this year). But all is good now and we are rested.

My trip to J-town that I mentioned, well that was for Olivia's bday. I can't believe that sweet, beautiful miracle baby is now 4!!!! I can't tell you how much I love that little girl (and her mommy). I said I would never miss a bday and so far so good!!! She is a mess but a joy every time I am around her. I couldn't wait to see G-- that weekend (she and O share a birthday) so I took G a good little present that we both enjoyed together. I had really gotten to where I missed my best friend a lot-- I need to see here and spend sometime with her. I got in a little time with her and it was worth every minute. She has this new man in her life--well to say the least --he is REALLY good to her and she is so Happy!!!! He is what she needs and I am sure she is what he needs. I am so happy for her!!! She deserves it--of all the people she deserves a little happiness. God's timing once again!!!

Today, my oldest finished playing bball for the season. There team was in the county rec championship game but they lost. A good season though!! I love watching her --not too many years and she won't be doing this. H-- finished indoor soccer this last week. She loves soccer (I think I have said that before). She got MVP for her little team!! Way to go!!! She starts outdoor soccer this weekend. Yeah-- and winter isn't even over--it will be cold!!!!!! No complaints though-- I have this nice new UNC lap blanket (that my wonderful dad mad me --with Hannah's help) that will keep me very warm for her soccer and K's softball. I am prepared.

Well, I think that might get you caught up on our life. Not for sure but that is a good start. I am off to bed. Hope all of you are good. Love you all!!!