2012 in Review

It has been a great year for the Britt family.  I can say that now that it is coming to an end. 

Tyler turned 16 (January)  and finally go his drivers licence in November.  I have to say he doesn't go anywhere.  I really don't have to share my van at all...fine by me.  Its a lot easier not having him out driving.  He also started his first job, as a bat boy for the Louisville Bats (the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds).  It was a total new experience for him and a little uncomfortable at times, but he did enjoy it.   He will be going back this spring!  He started his Junior year of high school and is doing all of his classes here at home.  He still isn't to sure what he is going to do after graduation, but he is working hard in the mean time.  He just recently started work at PCA (same place Steve works) and he has found it is a bit easier to make money there then at the Bats.  

Samantha turned 14 (April) and has grown into a beautiful young women.  She finished up her first volleyball season with the homeschool team here in town, Heart For Christ Panthers.  She really loves playing and has really gotten good.  She FINALLY got her braces off, and she has beautiful teeth.  She has started her freshman year of high school and it has some what kicked her butt.  The work load is much different and it has taken her sometime to adjust.  She is a very hard worker so that helps.  Samantha started her second season of volleyball and is a starter.  Her game has really improved.  We had a little scare with her knee, but luckily it wasn't anything.  She has some knee issues and has had to do some PT to help it. 

Caroline turned 12 in August, but she is really like 40, just like her daddy.  She has had a somewhat difficult year with different things, but has recently made great strides.  She is like a second mom around here which is helpful at times.  She is in her first year of middle school and it can be hard at times she is always willing to work as hard as needed.  She has great ambitions to be a Physical Therapist.  Caroline started playing volleyball on the Heart For Christ Panthers this year.  She played for the first time at SECC and really liked it and has found her sport.  After just two months of playing she has be come a starter on the JV team.  She now eats, breathes, and sleeps volleyball.  She is looking forward to the 1-3 next August.

Jack turned 9 in May and things are really the same with him. Jack played baseball at SECC this last spring and did really well.  He was signed up for the 8-9 year old league, but they moved him up to the 10 year old league which was really cool to me.  He played really well and loved playing pitcher.  He played basketball through the Upward program and really enjoys that.  I see him playing on the HFC Panthers basketball team in a couple years. He enjoys hanging out with his best friend, Bubba and playing Bionicals.  He is doing ok in school, still suffers with "I don't like this..." at times, but is beginning to get it moving.  Health wise he has done great.  We had his A1c checked back this summer and it was 5.0.  Which is normal.  We keep praising God for his healing.  

Evan turned 6 in January and is the BABY of the family.  No matter how hard we try we treat him like a baby and he proceeds to act like one!!  He has had some issues with the his glands swelling around his jaw.  Finally the ENT suggested removing a tooth.  We had already done a root canal on it and it was a really ugly tooth.  Once it was removed he hasn't had any more trouble. He played  Tee-ball at SECC and enjoyed it.  He is really the most athletic kid!!  Evan has really enjoyed hanging out with new friend Jonah.  Luckily, Evan does go with the flow which is good since we have volleyball practices and games that he has to hang out at.  The concession stands to keep him happy.

This was a really big year for Steve.  The beginning of the year he was trying to get back surgery approved by the insurance company, that stated in January.  Then by May he was really bad.  He was admitted to the hospital for pain management while we waited for the insurance company to do what we pay them for.  After five days and another herniated disk they finally approved the surgery.  The doctor came in on a Saturday to do the surgery which was a spinal fusion and discectomy.  The surgery went well, but he had a lot of nerve damage in this right leg from the bulge that occurred while waiting for the approval.  Once home it was a long recovery, on a walker for about four weeks then about six with a cane.  He was actually off from work for four months which felt like forever.  He is back to work and his recovery is great.  He hasn't felt this good in years.  It is nice to see him feeling better.  He has bought himself a nice bike and is looking forward riding it this spring.  He has one residual issue from the whole situation...steroid induced diabetes.  Bummer!!!  He has been taking meds and watching his diet which is helping.  He has also lost a lot of weight and is trying to get healthy.  He was able to see his dad, Frank, turn 90.  It has been a hard few months for his family as his dad hasn't been doing well.  He was in and out of the hospital in October, was at a nursing home for a short stint for rehab, but he is back at home.  He is bedridden and the kids have had to help take care of him.  Which I think is a blessing because Steve has spent time with his parents he wouldn't have had under normal circumstances.  We continue to help his mom in every way we can.  We are praying that God have mercy on them through this very time.  

Me, well it is about the same.  I spend my time trying to do my best taking care of my family.  It was stretched a little this year because of having to handle everything during Steve's recovery, but I have been rewarded with a husband who isn't hurting any more!! We were able to take a two week vacation to Destin this fall and it was very relaxing.  A great advantage to homeschooling!!!  School is going well, but I will say having two high schoolers makes it a little bit scary!  I did start a diet this last year and lost quite a bit of weight through the first 5 months, but with Steve's surgery life got in the way and I have gain a bit of my weight back (getting started again next year).  I applied to be part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew (reviewing homeschool curriculum).  So this next year I will be working on that.   






A whirlwind of a year...ready to start 2013 and see what God has in store for our family!!!

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

Top 10 Reasons We Homeschool

10.  Safety!  That wasn't a thought back in 2003 when we started this journey, but after several years of seeing the horrible things that happen in this fallen world I see it is a GREAT reason to homeschool. 

9.  Family time!  We are able to spend so much time together as a family this way.  As it has turned out Steve's work schedule is great for a homeschooling family.  He works 7 days then he is off 7 days, the days he works his hours are 2:00 pm- 12:00 am.  That way his is with us during our school time.  Also, I think I have been able to develop great relationships with all the kids.  We talk about everything!!!  We also get to take LONG vacations usually when most other people are in school!! 

8.  Friends.  That was a concern when we started, "Maybe they won't have any friends."  As it turns out we have very social kids and they have LOTS of friends.  The older two are always hanging out with their fellow homeschoolers.  I have also made lots of friends (not that I really wanted any :)).  I have great friends who are a great support system to me.  

7.  I can teach my children what I think is important, I can teach them from a Biblical perspective.  EVERY book we use has scripture through out!!!

6.  God called me to homeschool.  When I wasn't expecting it I hear the call and today, nine years later, I'm so glad we listened. 

 ^"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Reason 5-1

  

These are the best five reasons to homeschool...

Letting Go and Letting God

As a Momma to a 16 year old son I am experiencing the challenge of letting go!!  I have always known that they need to gain their independence and that it is important in their development and getting to adulthood, but it is so hard to let go.

Tyler is a great kid, very respectful, trustworthy and dependable.  I don't really have an issue with trusting him or anything like that, but I know that my time with him here at home is really short and I'm starting to have issues.

He has recently gotten his drivers license and handing over the keys is really hard.  I find myself very fearful and anxious about him while he is out on his own.  I actually found myself on my knees the other evening.  He was on his way to our church (about a 20 minute drive) at rush hour for a youth mission project with my oldest daughter.  The fear crept up on me unexpectedly. It was a moment when I found myself humbled before God asking for His total protection.  I pray protection over all of my children daily, but this was a moment when I realized that I have no power over anything.

God has given us these five children to raise, His five children and I am called to raise them up in Him.  Teach them to love Him, follow Him and obey Him.  We have strived to do just that and see those things in Tyler, but ultimately God is in total control.  His Way will always be above my ways.  I am so glad to know that when Tyler is out and about I'm not in control of anything, but God is holding him in His hand and where do we find protection, but in the Hand's of God!!

SchoolhouseTeachers.com

I am so excited to share with you my first "official" review for Schoolhouse Review Crew.

  SchoolhouseTeachers.com  is a website which is a division of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. If you think The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a great resource wait till you take a look at SchoolhouseTeachers.com.  It is filled with tons of resources for any homeschooling family.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers lesson plans, daily activities, unit studies as well as many other things for Pre-K through High School.  You will find MANY other things for every member of the family.  Believe it or not, you can have all this and much more for just $5.95 per month, right now you can actually get your first month for $1!!!!

There is so much offered on the site that at first glance it can be quite overwhelming.  That is why I suggest checking out the Site Tour link right off the bat.  There are two videos that would guide you through the site.

 You can choose literature, math, history, geography, writing and many other subjects for all grade levels; elementary through high school.  There is also Career Exploration, College Choice 

Guidance, Special Needs help and Monthly reading lists.  With all that is available on the site you could use it for your total curriculum or you can choose to use it for supplemental work.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com gives us a great way to add new and fun stuff to a sometime boring school day.  My family has done the Logic lessons and we love them.

Now you maybe wondering who has created all of these lessons, well there are 27 different teachers who have written all of these great lessons.  Take a look at some of the sample lessons here.

After going through the SchoolhouseTeachers.com site one thing I decided to try was the  Dailies, in this section there are TONS of daily activities. Daily Math, Daily Writing, Spelling (Pre-K--High School), Pre-K activities, This Day in History and even This Month's Menu (a recipe for everyday of the month).  We decided to focus on the Daily Grammar .  One of my children has been struggling with grammar and this gives her some extra daily work to reinforce her grammar knowledge.
I also liked the Extras tab on  SchoolhouseTeachers.com site.  Here you will find a free E-book each month, access the Old Schoolhouse Magazine current issue plus back issues and TOS Supplements. There are also tons and tons of downloads; unit studies, Curiosity Files and WannaBes to just name a few.  As a member you can download free homeschool planners: 2013-2014 planner, one for Special Learners, Primary, Intermediate and High School Planners.

My over all thoughts of SchoolhouseTeachers.com are....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.  There are so many things to use for all of my children.  I have five children, 1st grade through a high school Junior and when I find something that I can use with all my grade levels it makes my job a lot easier.  So check it out for yourself and get started today.  Remember you can get all this for only $5.95 per month with your first month only $1

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

A Schoolhouse Review Crew "Newbie"

A few months ago a fellow homeschooler posted that the Schoolhouse Review Crew was looking for new reviewers for 2013.  So I applied thinking "what would it hurt", but to my surprise they did want to see my review.  So I first reviewed The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, check out my review here on my blog.

So starting NOW I will be a lucky homeschool mom who gets to check out some curriculum and tell anyone interested what I think about it!!  Really looking forward to getting started.  Come by and check out what I'm using...

Thankful...Day 23 New Life

Day 23

Thankful the all the youngins who are bringing new life into this world.  Got to celebrate the newest family member's life yesterday.  Patrick and Amanda Higdon are expecting a new addition in January and we were able to celebrate with her at her shower.

Thankful...Day 22 Thanksgiving with the Higdon's

Day 22

Thankful that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with Steve's sister's family, minus Steve and his parents.  It is a great tradition that I love!!

Thankful...Day 21 Mamaw and Pappaw

Day 21

My parents invited my youngest  to stay the night with them tonight.  She felt like she hadn't spent enough time with him.  So Evan is spending time with Mamaw, Pappaw and his cousins Cole and Mia!!!  Thankful that he can go without any trouble.

Thankful...Day 20 For this...

Day 20

I am thankful that I started thinking about what I am thankful for.  Honestly, I thought it would be easy, but there are some day when nothing comes to mind.  I am so glad to focus on what I am thankful for than on what we want!!!  Thankful I can teach my children to remember what they are thankful for instead of just what it is they will put on their list!! 

Thankful...Day 19 Giving

Day 19

Thankful that we have a more then enough.  Enough that we can give when needed and teach our children the importance of taking care of others.

Thankful...Day 18 Family

Day 18

I have been blessed with LOTS of family; aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc.  We have always been close!  Looking forward to shopping with a bunch of them Friday!!!  

Thankful for all my family!!!

Thankful...Day 17 the Way God is Moving

Day 17

Last night our family attended a meeting at CAL-Southwest Campus to learn more about Southeast Christian Church's Southwest Campus, which is going to be built on the 10 acres adjacent to the school.

The official start date isn't quite known yet, but just meeting with the staff was good.  It makes me so excited to walk in and see so many people that I know.  

I am thankful for how God is moving through our community.  I am thankful for how excited the kids are for it to get started.  I has been a long time since we have been able to worship in our own community!!!

Thankful...Day 16

Day 16

Thankful I have a husband who will cut the grass and take care of the leaves!!  I haven't cut grass in over 20 years because he takes good care of me!!!

Thankful...Day 15 Heat

Day 15

Even though I sit here "freezing"  I am thankful that we have heat!!  

Our house may not be really warm, but at list we can warm it some!

Maybe I need some of these!!!

Thankful...Day 14 Southeast Christian Church

Day 14

I am thankful for my church! 

 The place where I have learned more about Jesus and have grown to have a personal relationship with Him.  So excited that they are starting a satellite campus out in our end of town, Southwest Jefferson County.  We have an informational meeting Sunday, can't wait to see what's happening and where we can help!!! 

Thankful...Day 13 Smoke

Day 13

"SMOKE"

I'm thankful for our little dog, Smoke.  He makes the kids so happy!!!

Thankful...Day 12 HFC Panthers

Day 12

I'm thankful that my girls are able to plan on a competitive volleyball team.  When you homeschool all the things like games, uniforms, score keepers, cleaning up after, concessions etc. is the responsibility of the parents.  I'm thankful for all the families that have worked so hard taking care of the details!!!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

I have been homeschooling for 8 years now and love it, but I felt like there was more I could do for other homeschooling families.  So I have applied to be a curriculum reviewer for the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  I am being considered and my first review (hopefully not my last) is of a magazine for homeschooling families, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a homeschooling company giving homeschoolers many different resources as long as helping them find many of the new and old resources.  The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a wonderful, monthly homeschooling publication, that is reaching people worldwide!  Each issue (over 150 pages each month) is packed full of information, insightful stories and great curriculum ads.  There are many well known people from the homeschooling community who contribute their wisdom to the magazine; Andrew Pudewa, Mark Hamby and Malia Russell (from my own homeschooling community).

I have spent the last weekend reading through the Old Schoolhouse Magazine November  2012 issue.  Honestly, there is so much information in it that it could take me the whole month to read it all.  Of course, like other magazines there are some articles that I skipped over, but the majority of the articles were very interesting and helpful.  

In the November issue there's an article Homeschooling a Struggling Learning: Where Do I Find the Time?, that has given me lots of suggestions for how to handle this aspect of my homeschool. I have a daughter who struggles with many different areas of learning and with four other children to teach I have a real struggle helping her.  The article has given me lots of ideas for helping her. The Special Feature: The Amish was a set of articles about the Amish people and their life style.  I shop at an Amish owned store and was very excited to learn more about them.  

I have saved the best for last, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, is FREE!!!  Yes, you read that right,
F-R-E-E!!!!  You can download it to your laptop or even download the app for your Apple product, Kindle Fire or Android.  I have it on my iPad and it is a great way to read through a great magazine.  You can find the article you want by just clicking it in the table of contents.  No magazines laying around the house!!!  What a great resource it is for us and a blessing for families who might not be able to afford such a great a wonderful resource.

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Thankful...Day 11 Homeschooling

 First day of school 2010

First Day of School 2011

First Day of School 2012

Day 11

I'm so thankful that I am able to homeschool!!  It is such a blessing to be able to send all these important years with my kids.  This year I have a junior, freshman, 6th grader, 4th grader and 1st grader.  It is challenging, but it is so worth it!!!  

Thankful...Day 10 NASCAR

Day 10

I'm thankful for NASCAR!!  I know it sounds crazy, but I love to watch.  I love everything about it.  Know lots about it and look forward to spending my day of rest watching.  Thirty-six weeks a year, my pass time!!

Thankful...Day 9 The Cross

Day 9

Today I'm thankful for the Cross...nothing more to say!!!

Thankful...Day 8 My Parents

Day 8

I am so thankful for my parents.  They are always there for us when ever we need them and are great grandparents.  My dad loves to take my kids fishing and hunting and my mom loves to spend time with the kids.  I also thank them for letting me borrow their lake house this weekend to relax.

Thankful...Day 7 Time Away

Day 7

I'm thankful for my time away.  A couple times a year I'm lucky enough to go away for a weekend at my parents lake house with some friends.  Just me and some girls hanging out.  Thankful that my husband realizes that I need it!!

We leave tomorrow!!!

Thankful...Day 6 Freedom

Day 6

Thankful for the freedoms that we have here in our great country.  Thankful that the values and morals I help teach my children will one day help them make the right choice when voting for our leaders. Thankful I can teach my children that above all else the Bible is what we follow.  

I guess it is only fitting on election day to make the freedom we have what I'm thankful for.

Thankful...Day 5 My mom and sister

Day 5

Thankful for the women God has put in my life especially my mom and sister.  We don't spend the time together that we should, but I love being with them.  Praying that my girls feel the same way when they are old like me!!!  LOL

Thankful ...Day 4 Steve

I'm a couple days behind...

Day 4

I'm thankful for the man that God brought into my life 24 years ago.  I knew 5 years before that we would be together one day...just took him a couple extra to years figure it out.  He has made me the happiest women in the world.  

Praying that I continue to be the wife that God intends me to be for him!!!

Thankful...Day 3 The boys

Day 3

Today I'm thankful for the boys I am getting to raise.  They are a blessing to me each and everyday!!  Thankful that they have the dad they have to show them by example the kind of man God wants to be.  Thankful that one is still little enough to "snuggle" with me, one that is a great example to his younger brothers and sisters and one who "tests" me, but loves to wrap his arms around me all the time.  Thank you God for this many men to raise!!!

Crazy how much they have changed since this was taken just last October!!!!

Thankful...day 2 The girls

Day 2

Today I am thankful for the daughters that I have the privilege of raising (with God's help!!).  They are both such wonderful blessings to me.  Thankful for one who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to get it and for one who is always willing to help with whatever needs to be done.  Grateful for all the volleyball games we get to watch them both in.  Thank you God for giving me two loving and special girls to help  you grow into Godly Wives and Mothers.

They have both REALLY grown up in the last year!!!  WOW!!!

Thankful...day 1

I can't believe this year has gone so quickly!!  Many life changes for us this year and many things to be thankful for.  I'm going to take each day the next month and post the things I am thankful for.  Feel free to add yours.

Right now I'm thankful that my father-in-law is still around for my children to know and love.  He is a young 90 years old.  He has spent the last few weeks in the hospital and is now in a senior living home to get the physical therapy he needs so that he can go home.

Our children are the youngest of the grandchildren (they range from 41 to 6) and they have had lots of years to get to know him, learn from him and learn how to love the Lord "with all their hearts."

I am thankful for the man who is half responsible for the wonderful husband that I get to call mine.  I am thankful for the man who loves the history of this country enough to share what he remembers with the young-ins. Thankful that the Lord has let us keep him here for all these many years!!

I am thankful for Frank H. Britt...

Weight in, Tuesday on Thursday. Oops.

Same story here.  Feel like a broken record!!!  Weight hasn't changed.  Which is fine with me as long as it is not going up.  My "workouts" are still happening.  I still don't like them, but will keep doing them.  I guess I'll just keep keeping on!!!!

Weight in...

I'm a day late posting this, but crazy times!!  The scale isn't my friend right now.  My weight hasn't changed in about a month.  It isn't going up, but it isn't going down either.  If I'm honest with myself I am not eating exactly like I was.  I'm not doing terrible, but not as good as I could be.  I have been walking which I still H.A.T.E!!! I am able to watch Direct TV on my iPad that helps. I'm doing it because I need to and I think it "excites" my husband!!!  wink wink ;)  I do have a sense of accomplishment when I finish and a feeling of wet!!!  I'm really looking forward to Steve being able to do some stuff with me.  He has diabetes (thanks to steroids) now so we are working on that diet as well as trying to help him loose some weight.  He still isn't able to exercise and that could not happen till the beginning of next year.

This week I am going to continue to walk everyday and get back on my weight lose diet!!!

Have a great week!!!

This ISN'T What God Wants for Me!!

I have come to realize that the way I feel about myself isn't the way God wants me to feel.  God loves me even fat, but he has given me this "vessel" and I have not taken care of it the way God wants me too.  But he gives me GRACE!!  He gives me HOPE!!!  He gives me STRENGTH!!!

This week I am going on His strength to over come all those defeating thoughts that have been my reality.
"May these words of my mouth and this mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

My weight hasn't changes in the last week, but I have increased my activity.  I have walked 6 of the last 7 days.  I am going to focus on making sure I find 32 minutes everyday to walk.  I know that the weight will come off.

Love my walking shoes!!!!

Weight...

Well, the wagon is much harder to get back on then I thought.  I don't see myself going back to where I was when I started.  I see myself being what God has intended me to be, healthy. I do better with structure and I haven't had much structure since May.   Going to work hard to get back in control of my sin and overcome it.

On a side note I did walk yesterday for 31 minutes yesterday...good start!!

Losing Weight

So I started my weight loss in January and it went really well for 4 1/2 months.  As of Mother's Day I had lost 29.8 pounds.  So excited.  Had lots left to loose but that was a great start.

Then life happened...

Steve was put in the hospital to help with pain and that turned into a 9 day stay and surgery.  Which meant eating whatever I could find or what people would bring me.  Lots of bagel, pretzels, chicken fingers, fries, hamburgers and fruity desserts (off of Steve's tray),  All of that plus the last 7 weeks of taking care of his needs, running teenagers where ever they want to go and trying to keep the house going has helped me gain about 5lbs back.  That isn't much, but boy when you get off the wagon it's really had to get back on!!!!

That leads me to today...

BACK ON THE WAGON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two Week Follow up

We went in for Steve's two week follow up with the doctor today.  He is doing as expected and improving all the time.  He is having trouble with his right leg being extremely weak and giving out on him.  This is a result of the L3 L4 bulge that occurred while he was in the hospital waiting for surgery.  The surgeon said that because of the fragment of disk that they removed during the discectomy it would cause the residual issues. He will be starting physical therapy in two week 3X per day.  So for the next two weeks he will continue to do the same thing he has been doing.

So thankful that everything is going so smoothly!!!!

Well on His Way

Well, Steve is almost two weeks out from surgery and a little over a week home from the hospital and I think things are going well.  His pain is being well controlled and he is not yet bored.

He is getting up (with help) and walking around the house a lot.  He did go out and walk around the driveway the other evening which was nice.  With lying around most of the time when he does get up to walk or shower when he is done he is worn out.  Looking forward to him being able to start PT and get on the way to a FULL recovery!!!

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
                                                                                                                       1 Peter 5: 10-11

Being Blessed by Family and Friends

Things are going so slow.  Steve seems to be getting better one minute then having lots of pain the next.  He feels best when he is walking even though he still uses a walker and his right leg is still weaker than the left. He is not real stable walking and needs lots of help to get up.  When sitting there is a lot of pressure on his spine which is the fusion.  That explains why they only want him to sit 20 minutes three times a day.  When lying down he has to change position about every two to three hours or he get extremely stiff and he needs help to do that too.

I am really surprise how much help he needs, but this is what God has called me to do!!  I keep telling Steve, "I signed up for this."  Because I need to be here to help him with all this I have had to depend on LOTS of family and friends.  Everyone has been very gracious to help us out giving the kids fun things to do and keep them busy.

He goes back to the doctor on June 4th and hopefully by then he can handle most things on his own.  Its good this happened after school was out (sort a) but the kids are busy with baseball, t-ball, volleyball and work.  I have had to ask for help getting them to there things.  Tuesday's are the worse.  Jack has baseball at 6:30, Evan has T-ball at 7:15 and the girls have volleyball at 8:00.  Luckily all activities are at church.

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend.  My sister is keeping everyone, but Tyler (he works Sat. and Mon.) Saturday and Sunday night.  They, of course, are good and can help around the house, but they need something fun to do.  Steve and I have had very broken sleep.  He wakes up about every two hours to get up and change is position so with the kids gone we can get some rest through out the day.

Thanks for praying for Steve and our family during this time.  We can really feel God through all of it!!

Home at Last, He is Home at Last!!!

Finally home.  We made it here at about 3:00 PM, three hours later than we thought but finally here.  He is doing pretty good.  Still having incision pain and stiffness in his back when he sits, but that's to be expected.  He has what seems to be weakening in his right leg (the leg affected by the L3-L4 bulge).  It is a bit concerning, but most likely something that will improve over time.

We (well the kids) moved our bedroom around yesterday so that he can lay and watch TV comfortably.  I will be sleeping in the recliner until he is more comfortable.  He was able to get the MLB Extra Inning on Direct TV.  That way he can watch EVERY baseball game being played.  He will be laying around for about 4 weeks, with trips around the house and sitting in a chair for about 20 minutes three to four times a day.

This has been a long, hard road for him, but God's hand has been in all of it.  Even when you think he isn't around you look back over what has happened and you see his fingerprints everywhere.  When the first surgery was denied and denied he felt so defeated.  But now that we see just what happened this last week we see God was still in control.  If Steve had had the surgery earlier he would of then had to have the discectomy later once it bulged.  God is so Good!!!

Thanks for all the prayer!!!

Almost Home...

We finally had a visit for someone in the doctor's office.  Don't know why the doctor can't come in or the Physicians Assistant, but we get the nurse practitioner.  Anyway, she checked out his incision and it looks good.  Asked about his pain level and what kind of pain he is feeling. They are ready to send him home tomorrow (Yeah!!!!).  So today they will take him off the morphine and make sure they can keep his pain level down with oral meds.  That will also help with his walking around not to have to push his IV everywhere.  He is still having high blood sugars because of the steroid, which he hasn't taken since Saturday.  They said we don't have to worry about them at home which seems weird since he has been getting insulin for a week.  I will probably continue to check his levels once we are home to just make sure all is ok.  Still think its weird they don't want us to worry about it.  How do you tell a wife that worries about everything not to worry about her husband's blood sugars?????  Anywho, we are so  ready to get home and the kids are ready for us to be there.  Hoping that by this time tomorrow I will be fixing dinner for my family and taking care of my husband without the nurses around to interfere!! If you're a nurse just joking!!!

Thanking God for this wonderful blessing and praying that he continue to heal and gets back to his life.

Hoping to Live Pain Free

I did have some company during the surgery.  I thought I would be by myself and thought that was what I wanted, but not so much.  Ended up Caroline need some Mom-time so Dani brought her and Samantha up to the hospital.  Samantha ended up staying too.  We really enjoyed being together and just talking.

The surgery went well yesterday.  It lasted about three and one-half hours.  The doctor thought everything went just as he expected.  He said that the disc at L3-L4 was worse then the MRI showed.  There was actually a large piece of disc that had broken off (about 2 inches long) that was laying on the nerve.  He did the discectomy at L3-L4 and another at L4-L5.  He then did the fusion at L4-L5.

Steve did really well. Was in his room within 90 minutes very awake and ready to eat.  The nerve pain he had down his right leg (thanks to the bulge at L3-L4) was completely gone.  That was the only pain he had been having the days prior to surgery.  He was so glad to have that gone.  He was of course experiencing incision pain, but the pain brings healing.  I helped him eat most of his dinner (Samantha finished it off) and he was able to keep that down. Jason brought the boys up for a quick visit which I really enjoyed.  I do miss the kids.  Steve's mom and brother Mark also came up and stayed a bit too. I think he had a good evening.

He was ready to go to bed around 11:00 (so was I!!).  The first hour and a half were great, felt like we slept for hours.  After that it seemed that the nurse and assistant were in here every half hour.  Wish they would learn to come in at the same time.  Praying that Steve has a better day today and can get some rest.  They will be getting him up and that should be pretty painful.  He did take a Valium this morning as a muscle relaxer, but it had an adverse affect on him.  He was fidgety and when he would fall asleep he would quit breathing.  He finally ate his breakfast and they helped with the breathing.

Surgery Day!!!!

Well, yesterday we found out that the insurance company finally approved the surgery.  As I type Steve is back in surgery.

We were so relieved when the PA gave us the good news and even happier when she said the doctor was doing the surgery on Saturday instead of Steve having to wait any longer (or before the insurance company changed their minds). Steve has had lots of pain in his right leg the last couple of days, the morphine he has been on didn't help that pain at all.  We are praying that this surgery will take away at least 85% of his pain.

We haven't really had much notice when it has come to all the twists and turns this week has made.  Trying to coordinate where five kids and a little dog can go for multiple days and nights has been really hard.  Thankfully my mom, sister, sister-in-law and brother have helped us out so far.  Tomorrow all the kids will be going to different places (I'm sure they could all use a break from each other.).  They will be getting to spend time with their friends.

The surgery is suppose to last three to four hours.  He has been back now for about 70 minutes.  I hate waiting.  I'm sure the pain he will have after surgery will be really bad, but it is the pain that comes with healing!!  He will probably be here until Tuesday, then home for months of recovery.  No sitting up for longer then 20 minutes at a time, no riding in a car and no lifting anything more then 5 pounds for the first month. He will then start some physical therapy and recovering enough to get back to work.

Since I really haven't been home since Monday I have lots of work to do at the house; laundry, dishes, etc.  The kids will get some of that stuff done when they are there Monday night.  I can't wait to get my family back together under one roof!!

Steve update...

The doctor came in yesterday and confirmed the bulging disk at L3-L4. He thinks ideally doing a discectomy and fusion at the same time is the best thing to do. He was very apologetic that Steve seems to be just lying here in limbo. Of course that's the fault of our insurance company. He suggested getting an epiderial steroid injection to help with the nerve pain, but Steve really didn't seem to interested in that. This morning in walked a pain management doctor wanting to go ahead with the epideral. Steve has reluctantly agreed. My concern is, if it helps with the pain will they not approve the discectomy?? Then he would end up back in pain someday. Anywho he is getting the injection sometime this morning. Insurance: we are still where we were. Steve has talked with the insurance broker through his employer. She is trying to get some information for him. We do know that the claim is pending just not sure why.

Insurance is a Pain in His Butt

We have had a crazy year so far. Steve has been dealing with back pain for ever and this year it has become unbearable. He started the year with an MRI and a visit to his neurosurgeon. The surgeon suggested a new device used for a spinal fusion at one level, L4-L5. The device, the Aspen Device, was denied by the insurance company, but not the surgery itself. The surgeon sorta appealed the denial in a very basic manner. The insurance company then said the device was an approved device, but the he was not a candidate for fusion surgery, "Not medically necessary". That led us to work on an appeal of that decision which led Steve to have epidural blocks (the third time in 6 years). They didn't work this time either. He then went in for a second opinion. That neurosurgeon didn't like the Aspen device and felt Steve was a prime candidate for a traditional spinal fusion. Since he only had one level of diesease it could take away 85% of his pain. So, they sent the information in to the insurance company, that was two weeks ago. Here we sit today...at Baptist hospital East going on night two inpatient. Over the weekend Steve pain level become so high that he couldn't get any relief. So on Monday morning his brother (Steve's primary physician) called his surgeon and explained what was happening and they decided to admit him for pain control. We still had no response from the insurance company, but they are paying for ALL of this hospital stay. He has been on morphine and steroids since Monday night. The steroids cause high blood sugars so he is also receiving insulin. Yesterday the ordered another MRI to see if things have gotten worse. Then last night he started getting pain in his right hip and down his leg. He thought maybe that the disk had bulged again. Once the NP came in today we still have nothing from the insurance company and the MRI shows he now has a bulging disk at L3-L4. That means he will also need another discectomy. So right now we are on day two of hospital stay waiting for the surgeon to come in...tonight or tomorrow. So I will be staying the night too! Praying that the insurance company finally does what we pay the for and approve the surgery so my husband can begin to live the normal life of a 44 year old man. PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER.

Wasting Away

Well, I started yet another diet this year, but this one is very different.  The diet isn't different (Weight Watchers online) just the way I feel about it.  Not sure what changed in my mind, but I started January 1, 2012 and have lost 16.8 (as of February 26, 2012).

Pre-diet

I really feel good about doing it.  Usually I lose my focus about week 3 and quit, but this time I've done really good.  I haven't had one week with out a weight loss.  I can even see a difference by the inches I have lost.  After about five weeks I put on a pair of jeans I could wear at Christmas and they fit and were comfortable.

I know my focus hasn't so much been on the food I'm depriving myself of (haven't had Mc Donald's all year) or the exercise I need to do, but on God and what he wants for my life.  He wants me to be happy, healthy and excited about life.  I can see all those things changing with in me.  If I think about eating something I shouldn't (a box of saltine crackers) I just say a quick prayer and the craving passes.  ITS A MIRACLE.

Pre-diet

The kids have been very supportive too.  They all ask on weigh-in day, "How much did you lose this week."  The are the ones encouraging me about my choices and how I'm looking.  Hope this is a battle they see me having to go through and make better choices and NEVER have to battle their weight. Evan is the only one who isn't so supportive...he NEEDS some Krispy Kreme donuts bad.  I told him that is something I DO NOT want to tempt myself with just yet.  He is excited for me to have my trip to the lake so while I'm gone they can have them.  Fine with me...

Better Late then Never!!!

Its been a while since I have sat down and focused on my blog.  I have missed some great things to blog about, but I try and get them on here.

Number 1:  Last July we got us a little dog!  He name is Smoke, yes, he is named after my favorite NASCAR driver.  He is a 9 month old Shuh Zhu and very crazy.  He has been a great addition to our family and we really do enjoy having him.

We got him in order to try and help Samantha get over her fear of dogs.  The thought was that if she was around a puppy and got use to it as it grew she wouldn't have such a strong fear.  Well, it worked!!!  She was a little timid at first, but warmed up to him quickly.

He is a blessing to our family even if that's hard to remember when he pees on EVERYTHING!!!