A New Journey

Shortly after Ryan and I were married (6 years ago), we began praying about being in full-time ministry.  We considered some opportunities, but felt that God was telling us it wasn't time. After three years of working as a Financial Advisor, Ryan took a job with the Air Force as a Project Manager.  We were initially a little unsure about this move, but quickly saw the Lord's hand at work.  A few months after taking this job we began talking with our church about a possible position for Ryan.  Here we are three years later ... For the past two years Ryan has been actively preparing to take a position with Fairhaven Church. As of today, Ryan is officially the Director of Operations!  It has been a long two years of  counting down the months/weeks/days, but we've made it and God has been faithful!  It still seems surreal. We've set up his office and been in and out a lot the past few days. Maybe it'll seem more real when we both sit in staff meeting on Tuesday, though (I've already claimed my spot and told him to seek out a different table ;).   Speaking of which, many people have asked how it will be for us to work in the same place. Honestly, I'm so excited for Ryan and his new responsibilities, but I'm also excited for a new "connecting point" for us as a couple and the opportunity to serve the Lord together.

Here's to a new adventure!

Surgery Day

Today was surgery day. A month ago while doing our yearly Mayo Clinic visit it was discovered that my parathyroid hormones and calcium had elevated, so after discussing our options with the doctor and surgeon, we opted for surgery. Eight years ago, almost to the day, I had this same surgery to remove all but 1/2 of a parathyroid (you have 4). Today 1/2 of that 1/2 was removed with great success. It's amazing that technology allows a gland the size of an apple seed to be shaved down.... So now I am sporting a freshly cut wound across my neck ( of course, just after my last scare was becoming less visible...). Today I am thankful, though. I have the opportunity to receive health care from arguably they greatest clinic in the world, I have a husband who sticks by me through all the ups and downs of a lifelong disease, a family who is willing to do whatever they can to help us out, and most importantly a God who provides peace and healing. I'm just so grateful...

Our Hope is in the Lord

In the past four months or so my relationship with God has been growing and changing like crazy.  For me, there have been a few recurring themes from my Bible study and from the Crazy Love study our community group has been doing that are, honestly, changing my life.  One is, who is the Holy Spirit and what is His role in my life?; another, my God is ABLE!; and... who is God as Healer? For me these are deeply spiritual and emotional questions.  Not emotional like going back and forth can't make up your mind, but awe inspiring, overwhelming, gripping, profound.  I believe my experience today helped me to see more of who God is in all three of these areas.

Our Scary Day....

This morning seemed normal.  I was up with Brooklyn and watching our friend, Romey, and letting Addisyn "sleep in" (which is really what she does every day, but I like to pretend she makes my life a little more difficult than she actually does).  It was about 9:15 and I began to hear some sounds from her room.  Since we were expecting friends to visit at 10, I was anxious to get her out of bed.  When I opened the door she was crying (usually she hurriedly stands up and greets you by pointing to the lion or elephant on her wall).  It was strange, but I thought maybe she really wasn't ready to get up.  I soon realized that she was soaked in sweat.  Yes, sweat.  It was not even 30 degrees outside and she had no blankets so this seemed strange.  I picked her up and she was limp.  I put her on the changing table to change her diaper and realized, besides the sweat pouring off of her, she was completely unable to stay awake.  Even talking to her I could not get her attention.  I quickly took a rectal temperature, for which her legs stayed limp (NOT NORMAL-It usually takes me and Ryan to hold her down) and her temp was only 97degrees.  I was concerned by the lack of temperature... I called the nurse and told her what was going on and she told me to put a cold wash cloth on her first and see if she responds to that, and if not, get to the ER.  There was no response.  I laid her on my bed with Brooklyn sitting next to her and she just laid there.... no movement, no sounds, just laid there. As soon as my friend arrived to watch Brooklyn and Romey, we were out of there and I flew to the ER.  The car was silent as Addisyn fell back asleep in a slump and my mind was fixed on the road.  About half way there I realized I needed to call someone and get people praying for my baby girl.  I called "my Deb" and I could just feel from our conversation that I was right to be concerned.  As soon as we got off the phone I began to cry and plead with my God... because I know He is ABLE to do exceedingly more than we can ask, think, or even imagine.  As we approached the ER there was an ambulance causing everyone to stop and wait.  I looked back at Addisyn and tried to wake her, hoping for any sign that she was even breathing.  I tried two times and really had no response, just enough to realize she was still conscious.  I parked the car and as we walked toward the hospital I noticed a change.  Her eyes were open and she was holding her head up.  As soon as she saw her dad, she reached her arms out for him (the first time she had voluntarily moved that morning) and I knew that God was doing  even more than I could ask or imagine.  You see I went in there fully expecting to be admitted for several days, or even worse.... 

Within an hour Addisyn went from limp and lathargic to drinking an entire glass of milk, having some water, eating gold fish, and devouring a cereal bar.  We were sent home 3 hours later with no medication, a slight temperature, and a new girl.   You see, God showed Himself to me today, in a BIG way.  I am so glad that I serve a God who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond what I could ask, think, or even imagine.  The doctor said it was low blood sugar, I think it was Someone else.  Thank you, God, for healing my Addi today.  

Advocare.... Day 4

Today is the 4th day that I've been doing Advocare. So far, so good!  Today I checked in on the scale and was pleasantly surprised.... 4 pounds and 1/2 inch lost in 3 days!  That makes for a total of 9 pounds since May 1st and a little over 3 iniches.  The best part is that I can officially say that I am at pre-pregnancy weight (a huge success for mothers!)  The great thing about Advocare, or more specifically the cleanse portion, is it's not at all about starving yourself.  It's just about eating lots of fruits and veggies and coming up with more creative "snacks" (such as a rice cake with peanut butter and half a banana on it... yum!)  We are even vacationing right now (in Chicago and heading to Michigan) and I'm making it work. 

The 24 day challenge ends the day before my birthday.... perfect timing!  I'm so excited about feeling good... 20 days to go....

A Healthy Life

Ryan and I have been talking about the importance of modeling a healthy lifestyle for our kids for a few months now.  We have always wanted to get into great eating habits and make exercise just part of our routine, but there always seemed to be a reason why it wouldn't work.  Workouts take too long, fresh food is too expensive....  And, you know what? It's true.  But at the end of April we decided it doesn't matter anymore, living a healthy lifestyle is going to be a priority for us.  So beginning May 1 I decided that we were going to eat dramatically different.  With the exception of a handful of meals I have eaten salad two times a day (and yes I'm making sure to get protein) and a healthful breakfast with minimal snacks and RARELY something sweet (a cookie).  Rarely is in all caps because typically I would eat sweets throughout the day.... not a good idea!  We have also decided to start running and are beginning with training for a 5k.  This is week 4 of training and going very well so far... I'm even enjoying it!  So we are definitely on the right track.

After hearing some stories and learning more about AdvoCare (a nutrition system, I would say) we have become very interested and are going to begin adding it to our diet.  I will begin the 24 day challenge next week (when it arrives at my house) and am so excited for the 10 day cleanse in particular.  So I decided I'm going to blog a little bit about my journey, see what happens, see if I can lose the last of the dreaded baby weight, and most importantly see how incredible I'll feel.  I am really excited!  This past four weeks I have felt so good (and lost 5 lbs and 3 inches so far)... I'm so glad to be getting healthy and make it a lifestyle; not a fad!

Doctors Appointments = No Fun!

Addisyn update:
At 4 days old Addisyn was taken to the NICU for a temperature of 95.  Two days later we discovered that she has grade 2 urinary reflux (those aren't exact medical terms).  After day 7 of being in the NICU we were told that at 6 months old we would review Addisyn's reflux with a Urologist.  Yesterday Ryan, Addisyn and I went to Dayton Children's to meet with the Urologist and discuss future treatment.  The first thing this doctor asked us was why were sent to him.  I think he saw the look of shock on our faces and back pedaled a bit while telling us that he works in Columbus and just began coming to Dayton so he doesn't know the way the Dayton Pediatrician's order/refer/schedule things yet.  So we explained Addisyn's situation to which we were told that in another 6 months we will take Addisyn off of her medication and "see what happens".  Although I appreciate his philosophy on not wanting to put her through the testing that could determine if it has cleared up on its own (because she has to be catheterized- ouch!) and although we appreciate that he didn't overreact to the situation, I'm not sure how I'm going to feel when we take her off medication to see if she gets a UTI.  Six weeks after Addisyn was born I had a kidney stone that then caused me to have a UTI and those are PAINFUL!  Why would I want to inflict that on my one year old child?  Ryan and I looked at each other on the way out and said "well, that was a complete waist of time."  6 months of waiting for answers and the only answer we got was... wait another 6 months.  I understand fully and completely that Addisyn's situation isn't really that big of a deal.  But, not only do we want to know if she's made progress (because this date has been on our calender for so long), but we also don't want to be giving her a daily antibiotic if it isn't necessary.

Christin Update:
So, now it's my turn.  11 years ago I injured my right shoulder playing softball.  I did physical therapy for a little while, continued to do stretches in the "training room" at my high school, but was told I pretty much had to stop playing sports for 6 months in order for it heal.  Yeah, right!  Didn't happen... wouldn't happen.  So now.... 11 years later my husband has convinced me that it is time to get this thing fixed.  Last week I had a CT and an MRI for what the doctor was sure was a tear.  Well, it's not.  You may think that's good news, but for me, it's not.  Essentially my shoulder is extremely inflamed and I need to be on anti-inflammatory medication for a few weeks before starting physical therapy (which will cost $75 per visit).  Did you read what I wrote above?  I've already done the physical therapy thing without any success.  So maybe it's just pain I'll have to endure...forever...(at least I know it doesn't have a tear so I don't need to "baby" it at all).

That was our week.... a week of few answers and just more questions.

I hate to end on a bad note, though, because I have been given another day to live and fulfill the purposes that the Lord has for me... and for that I am very thankful!  The upside to our week is that Papa, Nana, Uncle Parker and Tilly (doggie) are coming to visit in two short days!  Brooklyn is beyond excited to have them here and keeps saying they are coming in a few minutes.  We also have the opportunity to serve kids with special needs and their families this weekend as we throw and EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA for them at Fairhaven Church.  It's always such a blessing.


Looking forward to the rest of this Holy Week.... remembering the AMAZING sacrifice that Christ made for me when He died on the cross and rose again over coming death.  Thank you, Lord, for your continued sacrifice!

My Ramblings and What Nots...

Sometimes I feel as there is so much to say, and yet, I just don't have the words to use.  The Lord has really been working in my heart and life to strengthen my weaknesses and build my character.  It's hard to have people point out your flaws, but so amazing to see how God can use the criticism to mold you into the person He wants you to be.  That is all I care about.  Who does HE want me to be and what can I be doing to continue developing into that person?  I am so thankful that I was brought up in a Godly home and no matter the circumstances (and we've seen some pits), I was always shown that following Christ wasn't what we did on the good days, but what we did ALWAYS!  So, thank you, Dad, for being the strongest man I know...

 Well, that was way more open than I typically chose to be....

For those of you who maybe just want updates on my beautiful little girls... here it goes.  Addisyn continues to be the sweetest little baby I have ever met!  I'm not even exaggerating.  Often when we want her to take her pacifier to help her fall asleep, we'll have to keep saying "Stop smiling!" because she is constantly dropping it. ;) She is just the sweetest little blessing and what we feel God sent us to "off set" the "terrible twos".  Addisyn is a laid back people watcher.  She plays with her toys when she wants to, but is perfectly content to just lay on the ground and watch the people around her.  She loves to sit up, but currently has no interest in rolling over.  In fact, laying on her belly is one of the only things I can think of that I know she will not enjoy. 

Brooklyn is, simply, awesome! :)  She is dramatic, sweet, EXTREMELY caring and concerned for any and all, girly, and often naughty!  We are amidst the whining, crying, stubborness, saying "no" phase of life (well, is it really a phase?), but she can be in time-out one minute and the next minute have us rolling on the ground laughing.  Brooklyn loves her sister and is always concerned for her well being.  I can always count on her to provide a pacifier or burp cloth in the nick of time.  She is excited for the day when Addisyn can play with her (and so are we!). 

 I love both of my girls so much and I am so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to have this experience of motherhood.  I don't take it lightly or for granted.  In the past few months there have been many losses of babies or babies with complications in "my" world.  My friend (and awesome hairstylist) Aimee, lost her little girl in her 22nd week of pregnancy, her friend (whose blog I read constantly) just lost her son after two short weeks, and my very good friend, Kat and her family, have been facing so much with their sweet baby Carter since he was born in January.  I remember how shaken I was when we had to take Addisyn to the NICU at 4 days old for a 95 degree temperature.  We didn't know or understand what was going on or how bad the outcome would be and it was hard not to consider the possibility of losing her.  I can't imagine being in these ladies shoes, but I am so thankful that they have all clung to God.  I am just so thankful!