Progress.......

Things here are moving along. Slow but moving...progress is progress...Ty had his first injection about two weeks ago, he will go in on the 17th for another one. I will not be able to be with him, I have a job now working M-F 8 to 4:30. I like it a lot, it is a temp position but something is better than nothing. My sister in law will be taking him for me, because I do not want to miss any days at work and I just started. We are praying we can get the third injection in before the end of the year. We have met all of our deductibles and so everything is covered 100%! yay But once we get his back fixed we need to start working on his neck, doc said one thing at a time.

anyway that is a little of what we have been up too. I haven't even gotten around to Christmas pictures let a lone a Christmas card. I just did get the tree up...

well have to go run errands so if I don't get back here before Christmas....Have a wonderful blessed Christmas!!!

Hope to be back soon. Thank you all  for your thoughts and prayers they do mean a lot to us.
Hugs, Blessings
      and
Merry Christmas,

Putting on God's Armor

Blow is a link, it is worth copying and pasting and listening to the message! I have, numerous times, it is so worth it. It was our Sunday sermon this past Sunday and lets just say that I could NOT keep a dry eye through the entire service. As I type this I have it on once again to hear this very powerful message.
I am assuming that it is touching me right now because we ( our family ) is in the midst of a major crises..... we are sitting still in a stagnate pond. No future in our site and a suction hole opening up, the future looks bleak from where we are sitting in the water, but I am desperately holding on to God's promise and I am,
  Putting on God's Armor....
The message is powerful and real. Some high lights of it are worth repeating...If not for your benefit but for mine later to come back and reread it over and over until it truly sticks.

To Fight a spiritual war we must put on our spiritual Armor: 
It's not a helmet - It's salvation
It's not a sword - It's the word of God
It's not a breast Plate - It's faith and righteousness 

Put on the full armor of GOD!
2 Chronicles 20: 15-17
15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Stand firm, Don't be afraid, don't be discouraged, go out and face them tomorrow in the full ARMOR OF GOD! 

http://fbccov.org/resources/sermon-series-media/

It is so worth the watch or to just listen to so if you have time and want to truly be touched, please copy and paste the above link into your browser and watch!
Blessings,

Venting again.....

Cause I just gotta let it out!!! I have a friend who I love dearly, but she calls me just about every other day and asks me the same question...how are you today? Well I am at a loss as how to respond anymore, I usually say I'm fine (I'm not in a very talkative mood) then she will say you don't sound fine. Well what am I suppose to say? No matter what I say she says it's all going to be fine, things will work out, God isn't going to leave you now look at all you've been through with your kids.....

I understand, I don't feel like I should ask God for anything, I mean after all did He not already give me two wonderful walking and talking miracles.... I know people go through trials and tribulations and it's always easier for those looking in from the outside and those on the inside just can't seem to see inside.

I never wanted to be the mother to tell her kids there isn't anything for them to snack on ( you can have some bread and water). I think above all I hate it the most for my kids. I know that when and if we get to the other side of this storm they will (if nothing else) will have a great appreciation for the things we do have and never to take them for granted again.....Well one can hope that is what they will take away from this all. It hasn't sank in for one of them yet. I will say that my poor Nater he was always and will always be a worrier. He worries more now about all sorts of things. I told him the other day that is not your job that is mommy's job.

I know what ever will be will be and it will be in His time and it's all in His hands....but sometimes I just want to feel the way I feel and have NO ONE tell me how to feel............
Sorry had to vent and get some things off my chest, the stress of it all gets to me! Going to bed.

Goodnight,
 

Me Again.....

Greetings followers...
I am going to try my hand at blogging again! It won't be strictly about the kids anymore because on that front I can HAPPILY say all is well!
Marshall is doing fairly well and working on some things in his education in preparation to attend Seminary college. I always felt that God had Marshall here for a reason. I am praying that things fall into place for him, he feels in his heart that this is his calling and we couldn't be more proud of him...he is a true walking miracle and now he will get to share his story with other people and help them on their faith journey.

Amelia has made a great transition to High School! Last year at her last year at Jr high school, we weren't sure she was even going to make it to high school. She just finished her first 9 weeks and I am super proud to say she had done awesome on her grades! She has mostly A's and B's and she was even studying for her exams....hmmmm had to wonder if that was really my child!

Now Nathan, well he is following in his sisters Jr high footsteps. He didn't do so well this first 9 weeks. We haven't gotten his grades but we think he might end up with a D on his report card. I decided to let him have his freedom the first 9 weeks, he didn't do so great at his freedom so now I have to pull the reins in a bit and stay on top of him and his home work. Well dad will more than likely be the one taking over that position.

Moving on to Ty, dad. It seems as though he/we just can't seem to get a break. In my previous post I mentioned that he had started a new job. We were doing great, we were digging ourselves out of a hole and doing wonderful....It started in about end of July he came home complaining about his lower back hurting, it was coming and going. Well on August 17th it came with vengeance and has not left, we have been to the emergency room  and 4 different doctors and still no plan of action other than he is unable to work at all. We have gone completely through our savings. He will not be able to return to his current job ever!! What we have found out so far is that he has 3 disc in his lower back that have no "cushion" or  "jelly" between them (degenerative disc disease), possible herniated disc in upper back and maybe something wrong with his neck. I am sure that some if not most of this is related to his last motorcycle wreck that he had in December with the Sheriff's department. We have another MRI to do on Monday from the top of his head to his tailbone and then back to the doctor on Nov 7th, from there we are praying they will have answers and a course of action. I am looking for a job for now, praying that we don't lose our house. I was hoping to find something in a clerical position or a receptionist, but I haven't been in the work work for over 12 years and people just don't want to give a 40 something stay at home mom a chance....so it is looking like I will be looking for something at Hobby Lobby or World Market anything right now to help pay the bills.

I am trying to stay positive and keep the faith. I know deep in my heart that this is a test from God and well unfortunately right now I'm not doing so well at the test. I know that things happen for God....it's His will His way....I am just trying to understand...we have been faithful Christians, go to Church on Sunday, try to read my bible during the week  and do my best at what He asks us to do. I am usually a positive person, even with all that we were handed in dealing with our kids. It's the had we were dealt and we played it....but this time I feel like I was dealt a poker hand and the game is rummy!!! It sucks to not have any income coming in and struggling to find a job. I know that this happens all the time  to other people and I guess you keep bopping through like never thinking that it could be you and then one day it is you! I am still struggling with my right foot in pain and it is hard to put a shoe on with a back, but I have no choice but to suck it up and deal with it and find a job. I really didn't want retail because I knew I would be on my feet most of the day...but I have to do what I have to do to keep our family from drowning.

I promise though in the future my post will not be rants and I will try to keep myself upbeat and positive. I know this is a trial and we must all go through them. I am praying for many things...1) they figure out what is wrong with Ty and treat him, he has been in constant pain and I worry about him with the pain meds that he is on. He has been warned about becoming addicted to them so let's hope he is hearing us. 2) that I find a job that will help some with the bills and that we can continue to pay for the health insurance for Ty to continue to receive great care. 3) for the kids to adjust to the new normal that will be coming in their lives and that they understand a little about the money situation. That sucks big time when you have to tell your kids no for things that aren't that big. 4) for Ty and I the knowledge and wisdom to make the right decisions for this family

Well if you have stayed and read all the way to the bottom I thank you. please if you could or would say a small prayer for us. I am hoping to come to do some more blogging sometimes letting it out helps. Sometime they may be short and sweet. I want to get some pictures of Amelia to put up, but she won't let me take a picture of her but yet she take millions of selfies....go figure!

Until next time.....Keeping the FAITH!

School

These two, yep those two are my babies...babies no more! They are ready to start school tomorrow! Amelia is starting (gulp) high school tomorrow. If you could say an extra prayer or two, both she and I are nervous. I think I am more worried about her size she is so tiny....But those she is small she has big attitude! I love that girl. Nate will be in Jr high...I swear this is not possible I just blinked and they grew up right before my eyes!

 How did this happen?! Momma is getting old!! I hope they will let me take pictures tomorrow! I will post if they do!
 Have a blessed day everyone!!

3 years post BMT!

I'm a day early with this but, who knows what tomorrow brings. (isn't that a song)  Tomorrow will be Amelia's 3 years post transplant. When I look at her it's hard to believe that just 3 short years ago she was fighting for her life. Today she is thriving, she just finished school on Friday as a Jr high student and next year she goes to high school.......GULP.....I'm not ready for that!She is blossoming into a beautiful girl. Health wise she is doing awesome, no problems what so ever and barely even sick this past school year, I couldn't be more please with her progress. We will do all the little check ups with the dermatology, ENT, Eyes and Endocrine, all routine once a year checks. Last year when we arrived home from our Disney trip we got a very special phone call from the U of M letting us know that if we wanted to the 2 year waiting period was up and we could learn all about our donor. Well we were thrilled to be able to find out who the kind hero was! His name is Dennis and he is 26 years old from Germany. We have a small language barrier, but thanks to translation apps on both of our phone we are able to stay in touch! He is and ALWAYS will be our hero, he gave the precious gift of life and just from the little bit that we have been conversing he seems like a really super sweet person! Amelia wishes that she could meet him in person, but well truth be told, not sure if we could ever afford a trip to Germany and he promises that if he ever gets a chance to come to the US we will be where ever it is that he is going to meet him!

As for the rest of the family we are all doing really well. We have had some major changes take place here. My husband (Ty) has been doing great. Last year he had a cyst  in the brain, well come to find out it turned out to be nothing. We were so relieved and grateful.  Last July he had an injury during work where he tore the tendon that holds the bicep down off the bone and was out of work for quite a while with that. He had to have surgery to repair it. He was out on light duty for about 4 months then went back to work full duty. Five days into his full duty he had mandatory training on the motorbikes, the one he hadn't been on in 6 months. Well he had a wreck that again put him out of work. He had tree broken ribs and torn ligaments in the knee. While out we had been talking and trying to find another job. We prayed that God would provide the way and show us what path to take. On March 5th he retired from the Sheriff's dept and he bout a truck and trailer and went into business with a company that his brother is working for. He is so much happier, healthier and very much less stressed, so much that he has lost 30 pounds!

Marshall is doing well also, he has had a few jobs here and there. As far as health goes he is doing well we just had a check up with the head and neck cancer specialist and we are good to go for 6 more months. We will see the dermatologist when Amelia goes. Right now he is in therapy for a frozen shoulder and for stability and balance. Something he will always have to work on.

Nathan is also doing great, getting big. He just finished his last year as an elementary student and now moves on to the Jr high school....I'm still trying to process this... Not sure I am ready for all this growing up that is going on around here.  He did a full year in the band and learned how to play the trumpet, he is looking forward to doing more with it next year as he will have band every day as an elective.

And me...well I have been suffering with foot pain for quite a while now, I am trying everything but surgery as it is a very extensive surgery and would be 8 weeks non weight bearing and then 6 moths of physical therapy. So at all cost I am trying to avoid surgery. Then I have also been suffering with an eye infection in my left eye. The doctor says it is clearing up, but it has left me with very blurry vision in the left eye and at times it feels like I have something slimy in there. I will probably end up needing glasses or one contact to clear up the vision.
There is never a dull moment around here! These three keep me on my toes for sure. Summer has just begun here so we are going to try and enjoy some swimming, thankful my mom and dad have a pool! maybe we will be able to squeeze in a quick trip to the beach! I hope not to be so long with another up date!

Hugs and Blessings!

Wow! I can't believe that it has been almost a year since my last update. Well as they say no news is good news. I have a ton to fill you all in on.....if of course there is anyone out there still interested in our journey. I promise to sit and write some hopefully tonight or tomorrow especially with Amelia's 3 year anniversary coming up! I will also try to add some picture..but big changes around here and happiness all around. Here are a few pictures of my beautiful girl! She is growing up so fast! PS she takes a lot of selfies...lol

update coming soon!