Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV)
If you have ever attended a Christian concert, most likely you have been exposed to Compassion International or Vision. They are organizations that help feed, clothe and teach children all over the world. That is my simple explanation for them anyway. Hearing the stories and seeing those sad eyes of children from very poor countries just tears at my heart. I always want to grab about ten of those pamphlets and run, you know, saving the world ten children at a time. At one concert, my friend Beth and I did grab one pamphlet and our youth group has sponsored a child ever since.
So last year I was doing some online searches to find the perfect child for our family to sponsor. If you go on either of those websites, you can do specific searches and pick birthdates, countries, whether you want a boy or a girl, etc. I did that for a while and kept seeing that most of those children had parents or at least one parent and were living with their families. I don't know why, but I really felt led to find a child who was an orphan and living in an orphanage without any family support.
I think I put it out on Facebook, asking people for suggestions about sponsorship, and my preacher's wife, who is from southern Illinois, sent me some information from Only Believe Ministries, which is based in Galatia, Illinois. I went to their website and was immediately sold. Their mission statement and vision statement locked me in. The purpose of their organization is to feed and clothe the orphans and widows and spread the gospel. Yee-Haw.
Three sisters from southern Illinois started this ministry. They have an orphanage for children and also what they call Grandma's House, which takes care of elderly widows. I had never heard of anyone helping widows and loved that idea as well. Grandma's House is right next to the Jahnavi's Heart Orphanage and Pastor Joe and his wife Sony watch over them too. Right now they are doing a building fund drive to build a new orphanage.
Their organization is very small compared to others, but I liked that. I like that there are real people just a few hours south of me who started this ministry and have committed to keeping it going. Sponsorship for a child is $24/monthly and a widow is $42/monthly. When I think about someone living off of $24 or $42 a month it certainly makes me feel very, very spoiled. Their website also has a store where you can make special purchases either in addition to your sponsorship or just because. I make my monthly payments through PayPal and have never had a problem. You can also do it the old fashioned way and mail a check to Galatia.
We chose a boy and a girl around the same age as our kids and received letters, information and a picture of each of them which has been on our refrigerator ever since. Both children we sponsor were abandoned by a parent and left at the orphanage a few years ago. On Saturday, we received new pictures and letters from our kiddos, Swapna and Negranda. It brought tears to my eyes to see how thankful they are for the very little we share with them each month. I also was totally ashamed because when we began this process, I asked if we would be able to write freely back and forth with the kids and was told absolutely...only we haven't yet (I am so ashamed)...and so immediately our kids (Grace too) sat down and wrote letters to their brother and sister in India. We have school pictures to enclose and send along as well.
I have this dream that when my kids are a little older, Jay and I can take our kids to meet their 'brother' and 'sister' in India...wouldn't that be absolutely the most unforgettable experience of a kids' life...I would guess for both sets of kids...and me too! Hopefully, by then, we'll have established more of a relationship with them...you know, more than one letter a year on our part!
So I challenge you in 2012, if you are able and feel the calling, check out Only Believe Ministries website, www.onlybelieveministries.org or Vision or Compassion, and see if this is something God is wanting you to do. For as little as $24 a month (Wow, don't I sound like Sally Smothers?) you can help feed, clothe and educate a child in another country.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
It sure is bright in here
That is what I keep thinking when I walk into my daughter's newly painted room. Remember, I had posted earlier that I had made a deal with Mad...if she cleaned up her room and got it ready, I would paint it. Ugh, why do I say these things?!
Thanks to her BFF, Grace, the room was cleaned out a couple weeks ago...and Saturday Grace came over and they worked on cleaning her walls...which were covered in pictures of horses, drawings, just a little of everything. Again, I didn't really think they'd do it...
By Saturday evening, the room was pretty well ready to go, so we went and bought paint. Madolyn had a hard time making a decision but eventually settled with a bright turquoise and a soft brown. I was satisfied and away we went. After church and lunch yesterday, I got busy and painted. I finished the two walls that were turquoise and started trimming for the brown walls. I could tell that something wasn't right when Madolyn would come in and look and then leave quietly. At one point she asked, "It will dry darker, won't it?" And yes, usually the paint dries a shade darker than it looks wet...but I wasn't sure it was going to be dark enough for her...she didn't want it to look like "baby poop."
Finally, I told her that I was not mad, but I really wanted her to make up her mind before I was finished. I told her I would stop for a bit, let the brown dry and we would take Grace home, which would give her time to think on it. When we came back, we all agreed that we would just paint the whole room turquoise and dress it up with wall clings, a chalkboard and such. I finished by 6:30 and it looked pretty decent...it's just really, really bright.
I still have some work to do in there, but hopefully soon her room will be put together and my living room will be back to normal...I think her room is going to look really cute when we get finished...although sunglasses may be required for long periods of exposure.
Thanks to her BFF, Grace, the room was cleaned out a couple weeks ago...and Saturday Grace came over and they worked on cleaning her walls...which were covered in pictures of horses, drawings, just a little of everything. Again, I didn't really think they'd do it...
By Saturday evening, the room was pretty well ready to go, so we went and bought paint. Madolyn had a hard time making a decision but eventually settled with a bright turquoise and a soft brown. I was satisfied and away we went. After church and lunch yesterday, I got busy and painted. I finished the two walls that were turquoise and started trimming for the brown walls. I could tell that something wasn't right when Madolyn would come in and look and then leave quietly. At one point she asked, "It will dry darker, won't it?" And yes, usually the paint dries a shade darker than it looks wet...but I wasn't sure it was going to be dark enough for her...she didn't want it to look like "baby poop."
Finally, I told her that I was not mad, but I really wanted her to make up her mind before I was finished. I told her I would stop for a bit, let the brown dry and we would take Grace home, which would give her time to think on it. When we came back, we all agreed that we would just paint the whole room turquoise and dress it up with wall clings, a chalkboard and such. I finished by 6:30 and it looked pretty decent...it's just really, really bright.
I still have some work to do in there, but hopefully soon her room will be put together and my living room will be back to normal...I think her room is going to look really cute when we get finished...although sunglasses may be required for long periods of exposure.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
HuMonGoUs BeAsT we LOVE
Hank the Tank II is absolutely a humongous beast of a dog. He will be six months old on January 10 and he is close to 80 pounds. He is quickly becoming the biggest dog (minus the first bloodhound, dog number...I've lost track, but his name was Buster) we've ever had.
One of my most favorite things about Hank the Tank II is his love for Lane. They are like two peas in a pod. Fortunately for Lane, Hank has almost gotten over playfully scratching him because for a while, a little romp on the floor with Hank equalled Lane sporting a few large scratches across his face or chest. Those two will get on the floor and wrestle and roll around and run and play. Hank even lets Lane ride him like a horse. It is hilarious.
Hank has taken a liking to comfort. He prefers the couch or recliner as opposed to a dog bed, floor or blanket. He used to love curling up in Lane's beanbag, but he's almost outgrown that. Every morning, just like Hank the Tank I, Hank II can be found either sprawled out on the couch or curled up in the recliner. Last night, Madolyn and I were sitting on the couch studying together and he kept stalking us...circling the living room, staring at us...and we figured it out...when he jumped up on the couch and squeezed all 80 pounds into a space about the size of a shoe box...and was perfectly comfortable with half his body smashing half of mine. He went straight to sleep. We were on HIS couch and he was needing rest. Poor baby.
Hank prefers to be on top of whatever is in front of him or in his way. We were sorting presents before Christmas and the kids had made piles so I could figure out what bunch went where. Hank would plow through the living room and instead of taking the open paths, he'd forge ahead, across and over the piles of presents. Didn't bother him a bit. If Lane is lying on the floor or in bed and Lane wants Hank to come snuggle...Lane will holler and Hank will come barrelling over and sit right on top of Lane...literally, right on top of him. And then he just sits there...as if he's not sitting on top of someone's face or neck.
Lately his big thing has been the trash. He simply loves kleenex and wrappers. We blow our noses A LOT and there are always lots of kleenex in the trash cans in every room...I can come out first thing in the morning, and although Hank is snoozing (and snoring) away on the couch, there will be about a dozen kleenex ripped to shreds and their remnants all over the living room floor.
Candy and wrappers have been an issue. The other day Hank kept coming out with gumballs. One after another. Someone would retrieve the gumball, throw it away and not ten minutes later, he was out with another one. Each time, Jay or I would tell the kids "Pick up the candy - Hank is getting it somewhere." And because our children are perfect, we assumed they did as we asked...and then Hank would walk out with yet another red, green or white gumball. Finally, I went in search of the candy stash...because the kids were acting as if they couldn't possibly figure out where the gumballs were coming from...right in the middle of Lane's floor was a huge pile of gumballs, chocolate, Bazooka bubble gum, etc.
So I will take away from Hank a piece of trash, wrapper, gumball, etc...and he will follow me or watch me as I get rid of it...and then not five minutes later, he will walk out with that very piece of trash, wrapper or gumball. You just can't help but laugh Of course, I know what you're saying...how dumb can you be...put it where he can't get it. I know, I know...I'm a work in progress.
About a week ago, he ate a squishy rubber lizard (about 8 inches long, stuffed with these little white beads)...completely, not one scrap left. One minute the kids and I were playing Scrabble on the floor and he was beside us chewing on the lizard...a few minutes later, the lizard was gone. Uh-oh. We couldn't decide if we should try to make Hank puke or not, but we didn't. Then I worried that he wouldn't be able to poop it out...but he's still ticking so it must have went down okay.
Hank the Tank II is for sure a humongous beast, but we are so in love with that chocolate chunk of love...and he is still absolutely precious.
One of my most favorite things about Hank the Tank II is his love for Lane. They are like two peas in a pod. Fortunately for Lane, Hank has almost gotten over playfully scratching him because for a while, a little romp on the floor with Hank equalled Lane sporting a few large scratches across his face or chest. Those two will get on the floor and wrestle and roll around and run and play. Hank even lets Lane ride him like a horse. It is hilarious.
Hank has taken a liking to comfort. He prefers the couch or recliner as opposed to a dog bed, floor or blanket. He used to love curling up in Lane's beanbag, but he's almost outgrown that. Every morning, just like Hank the Tank I, Hank II can be found either sprawled out on the couch or curled up in the recliner. Last night, Madolyn and I were sitting on the couch studying together and he kept stalking us...circling the living room, staring at us...and we figured it out...when he jumped up on the couch and squeezed all 80 pounds into a space about the size of a shoe box...and was perfectly comfortable with half his body smashing half of mine. He went straight to sleep. We were on HIS couch and he was needing rest. Poor baby.
Hank prefers to be on top of whatever is in front of him or in his way. We were sorting presents before Christmas and the kids had made piles so I could figure out what bunch went where. Hank would plow through the living room and instead of taking the open paths, he'd forge ahead, across and over the piles of presents. Didn't bother him a bit. If Lane is lying on the floor or in bed and Lane wants Hank to come snuggle...Lane will holler and Hank will come barrelling over and sit right on top of Lane...literally, right on top of him. And then he just sits there...as if he's not sitting on top of someone's face or neck.
Lately his big thing has been the trash. He simply loves kleenex and wrappers. We blow our noses A LOT and there are always lots of kleenex in the trash cans in every room...I can come out first thing in the morning, and although Hank is snoozing (and snoring) away on the couch, there will be about a dozen kleenex ripped to shreds and their remnants all over the living room floor.
Candy and wrappers have been an issue. The other day Hank kept coming out with gumballs. One after another. Someone would retrieve the gumball, throw it away and not ten minutes later, he was out with another one. Each time, Jay or I would tell the kids "Pick up the candy - Hank is getting it somewhere." And because our children are perfect, we assumed they did as we asked...and then Hank would walk out with yet another red, green or white gumball. Finally, I went in search of the candy stash...because the kids were acting as if they couldn't possibly figure out where the gumballs were coming from...right in the middle of Lane's floor was a huge pile of gumballs, chocolate, Bazooka bubble gum, etc.
So I will take away from Hank a piece of trash, wrapper, gumball, etc...and he will follow me or watch me as I get rid of it...and then not five minutes later, he will walk out with that very piece of trash, wrapper or gumball. You just can't help but laugh Of course, I know what you're saying...how dumb can you be...put it where he can't get it. I know, I know...I'm a work in progress.
About a week ago, he ate a squishy rubber lizard (about 8 inches long, stuffed with these little white beads)...completely, not one scrap left. One minute the kids and I were playing Scrabble on the floor and he was beside us chewing on the lizard...a few minutes later, the lizard was gone. Uh-oh. We couldn't decide if we should try to make Hank puke or not, but we didn't. Then I worried that he wouldn't be able to poop it out...but he's still ticking so it must have went down okay.
Hank the Tank II is for sure a humongous beast, but we are so in love with that chocolate chunk of love...and he is still absolutely precious.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Welcome Back
...is what my Weight Watcher's leader, Gina, will say to me when I walk through those doors next Tuesday night. That is my plan anyway. I think I joined WW in 2008 (maybe) and was hooked immediately. Granted, I didn't have a ton of weight to lose, but the big thing for me was watching my daughter make the same horrible food choices I did. There is a bit of obesity in my family history as well. Those two things, together with my desire to just feel better, motivated me to join...and a good friend was going too, which always makes it easier!
I know that there is not a woman, man or child out there who enjoys 'dieting' and I would be the first to shout that out. It seems as if the moment I decide I can't have something, it is all I can think about. I become totally obsessed with whatever THAT is. Ugh. What I love, love, love about WW is that there is no forbidden fruit. You can eat whatever you like...as long as you account for it in your day. It is all on a point system. Every food and drink has a point value...it could be zero or it could be 20 (sorry). You get X amount of points per day and you can eat WHATEVER you choose as long as you stay within that amount of points. If you would like to blow your entire day on a piece of cake, you can as long as that cake is within your points. (Which could mean you are eating plain lettuce and broccoli for the rest of the day.)
Of course, it is a little more complicated than that...you get party points (as I call them) that you have each week for those times when you just go over. You get credit for exercise...the type and amount. Most fruits and veggies are now free, but that doesn't mean you can eat bananas all day...I kinda tried that and it sure didn't work. And if you smear peanut butter all over the banana or apple, that is okay...but the peanut butter is not ZERO points. However, it sure does taste yummy.
They do stress the importance of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, liquid, lean meats, oil...yes, oil. I was shocked to learn that it is important to have one (or two) teaspoons of a healthy oil every day (although I do remember Dr. Oz saying on Oprah that oil is important because it helps lubricate our system). The best way for me to do this...besides frying potatoes in olive oil (which is allowed - yes, potatoes are not forbidden) is to pop some popcorn and then drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil on it. It is very tasty actually.
I reached my goal a while back...and then let a few pounds (no, I'm not telling how many) creep back on me. I'm not beating myself up for it...yet...I just need to get back into the groove. I was sooooo amazed by how well it worked...if you follow their guidelines. It was such a great feeling to find something that actually worked and wasn't totally impossible. I stored away for future reference (this gig really works) on the off chance (oh yeah) that I would get off track and gain weight back...because who does that?
I haven't been exercising a whole lot, but have picked up my lunch time walking again. I am trying to sway back into the right eating patterns...although someone left about 15 cupcakes at my house this week and I have eaten four each night the past two nights (not kidding), plus we had this butterscotch pie from Gray Brother's that I ate most of...and I spent New Year's Day cooking...boo. But that is okay, I'm human and I can and will get back into a normal healthy eating pattern. Yes, I will.
I always gauge my out-of-controlness by my clothes. I feel like as long as my clothes fit, I'm okay. Funny, I noticed today that my black slacks are too short all of a sudden. They still fit around my midline, although a little snug, but they must have shrunk in length...ya think? Sure thing.
So as we begin the new year, I am resolving to get back on the Weight Watcher's Wagon. If you're looking for something that really works and is healthy, this is it. It costs $13 weekly or you can pay maybe $50 for a monthly pass and get the free e-tools, which are awesome. I know that it's not rocket science, and that some will say it is silly to pay for something that you can figure out on your own...yes, I've said that too...and guess what, it didn't work because I am the type that needs the support and guidelines they offer. I need the accountability that going to the meetings brings.
I will be writing a few posts on this subject and how our view of our body and food should be from God's standpoint. If losing weight and eating healthier is one of your goals for the year, Good Luck. I'll be praying for ya!
I know that there is not a woman, man or child out there who enjoys 'dieting' and I would be the first to shout that out. It seems as if the moment I decide I can't have something, it is all I can think about. I become totally obsessed with whatever THAT is. Ugh. What I love, love, love about WW is that there is no forbidden fruit. You can eat whatever you like...as long as you account for it in your day. It is all on a point system. Every food and drink has a point value...it could be zero or it could be 20 (sorry). You get X amount of points per day and you can eat WHATEVER you choose as long as you stay within that amount of points. If you would like to blow your entire day on a piece of cake, you can as long as that cake is within your points. (Which could mean you are eating plain lettuce and broccoli for the rest of the day.)
Of course, it is a little more complicated than that...you get party points (as I call them) that you have each week for those times when you just go over. You get credit for exercise...the type and amount. Most fruits and veggies are now free, but that doesn't mean you can eat bananas all day...I kinda tried that and it sure didn't work. And if you smear peanut butter all over the banana or apple, that is okay...but the peanut butter is not ZERO points. However, it sure does taste yummy.
They do stress the importance of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, liquid, lean meats, oil...yes, oil. I was shocked to learn that it is important to have one (or two) teaspoons of a healthy oil every day (although I do remember Dr. Oz saying on Oprah that oil is important because it helps lubricate our system). The best way for me to do this...besides frying potatoes in olive oil (which is allowed - yes, potatoes are not forbidden) is to pop some popcorn and then drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil on it. It is very tasty actually.
I reached my goal a while back...and then let a few pounds (no, I'm not telling how many) creep back on me. I'm not beating myself up for it...yet...I just need to get back into the groove. I was sooooo amazed by how well it worked...if you follow their guidelines. It was such a great feeling to find something that actually worked and wasn't totally impossible. I stored away for future reference (this gig really works) on the off chance (oh yeah) that I would get off track and gain weight back...because who does that?
I haven't been exercising a whole lot, but have picked up my lunch time walking again. I am trying to sway back into the right eating patterns...although someone left about 15 cupcakes at my house this week and I have eaten four each night the past two nights (not kidding), plus we had this butterscotch pie from Gray Brother's that I ate most of...and I spent New Year's Day cooking...boo. But that is okay, I'm human and I can and will get back into a normal healthy eating pattern. Yes, I will.
I always gauge my out-of-controlness by my clothes. I feel like as long as my clothes fit, I'm okay. Funny, I noticed today that my black slacks are too short all of a sudden. They still fit around my midline, although a little snug, but they must have shrunk in length...ya think? Sure thing.
So as we begin the new year, I am resolving to get back on the Weight Watcher's Wagon. If you're looking for something that really works and is healthy, this is it. It costs $13 weekly or you can pay maybe $50 for a monthly pass and get the free e-tools, which are awesome. I know that it's not rocket science, and that some will say it is silly to pay for something that you can figure out on your own...yes, I've said that too...and guess what, it didn't work because I am the type that needs the support and guidelines they offer. I need the accountability that going to the meetings brings.
I will be writing a few posts on this subject and how our view of our body and food should be from God's standpoint. If losing weight and eating healthier is one of your goals for the year, Good Luck. I'll be praying for ya!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Resolve: to make a firm resolution to do something.
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12 (NLT)
Happy New Year and welcome to 2012. Isn't this the year it's all supposed to end? I hope you're ready...Seriously, I don't believe in that stuff, but I do hope YOU'RE ready because you never know...
I was reading all the New Year's resolutions on Facebook and then seeing several posts about how others were not going to make resolutions because they fail or they're silly, etc. I have often said the same thing and then I thought, what if we never wanted more, what if we never wanted to be better, what if we said we were good enough to God? Yikes.
Interesting. I found the above scripture. Go, read it again. I like it. We should keep pressing on no matter how content we are with where we're at. What if God decided we were good enough and moved on, leaving us to fend for ourselves? He wants us to press on to be Christ-like. I have to admit that I probably thought I was pretty mature ten years ago...or twenty years ago. I've said many times, I sure hope that people don't still judge me on things I did or said in high school...and even after high school. I am so glad that not only did I not give up on becoming a better person, neither did my Heavenly Father. It's a team effort. I have to want to be better and he is there to help me, support me, encourage me and pick me up when I fall.
Jay and I always encourage our kids to do better...not that what they're doing isn't good enough, but that they shouldn't ever settle. We don't mean that in a materialistic way either. There is a fine line there though...encouraging your children to go to college or a trade school and get a good job that will support them and their families and provide for their futures-without encouraging them to look for the dollar signs. I'm not sure how you juggle the explanation there.
I have had this conversation with my kiddos recently because of a friend they have who isn't forced to go to school (or at least that is our take on it) and how "lucky" he is. I have tried to explain to them that although it may sound fun, not going to school every day, that their future will depend on the choices they make now and whether they go to school and get decent grades. And he may be doing what he's doing right now for the rest of his life. Realistically, that won't provide very well for his future family. So I went on to tell them that they can do whatever they want for the rest of their lives, but they will be going to school...because their goals in life may change (wow, I hope;) and a high school education, at the least, is a must.
And really the typical New Year's resolutions are things we should be working on all year, right? Healthy eating, exercise, more family time, spending less, better organization, committing more time to God, witnessing to others, etc. I know all of those apply to me, yes, I have lots of work to do. And with the passing of another year and the holiday hustle and bustle, it just seems right to start the new year with a refreshed outlook and goals.
So I'm not necessarily making New Year's resolutions, but I am going to resolve to do better and redirect my focus. I do believe that to be happy, you need to be content...but I also believe that we should never stop pressing on...striving to be all that God has planned for us. Happy 2012, friends.
Happy New Year and welcome to 2012. Isn't this the year it's all supposed to end? I hope you're ready...Seriously, I don't believe in that stuff, but I do hope YOU'RE ready because you never know...
I was reading all the New Year's resolutions on Facebook and then seeing several posts about how others were not going to make resolutions because they fail or they're silly, etc. I have often said the same thing and then I thought, what if we never wanted more, what if we never wanted to be better, what if we said we were good enough to God? Yikes.
Interesting. I found the above scripture. Go, read it again. I like it. We should keep pressing on no matter how content we are with where we're at. What if God decided we were good enough and moved on, leaving us to fend for ourselves? He wants us to press on to be Christ-like. I have to admit that I probably thought I was pretty mature ten years ago...or twenty years ago. I've said many times, I sure hope that people don't still judge me on things I did or said in high school...and even after high school. I am so glad that not only did I not give up on becoming a better person, neither did my Heavenly Father. It's a team effort. I have to want to be better and he is there to help me, support me, encourage me and pick me up when I fall.
Jay and I always encourage our kids to do better...not that what they're doing isn't good enough, but that they shouldn't ever settle. We don't mean that in a materialistic way either. There is a fine line there though...encouraging your children to go to college or a trade school and get a good job that will support them and their families and provide for their futures-without encouraging them to look for the dollar signs. I'm not sure how you juggle the explanation there.
I have had this conversation with my kiddos recently because of a friend they have who isn't forced to go to school (or at least that is our take on it) and how "lucky" he is. I have tried to explain to them that although it may sound fun, not going to school every day, that their future will depend on the choices they make now and whether they go to school and get decent grades. And he may be doing what he's doing right now for the rest of his life. Realistically, that won't provide very well for his future family. So I went on to tell them that they can do whatever they want for the rest of their lives, but they will be going to school...because their goals in life may change (wow, I hope;) and a high school education, at the least, is a must.
And really the typical New Year's resolutions are things we should be working on all year, right? Healthy eating, exercise, more family time, spending less, better organization, committing more time to God, witnessing to others, etc. I know all of those apply to me, yes, I have lots of work to do. And with the passing of another year and the holiday hustle and bustle, it just seems right to start the new year with a refreshed outlook and goals.
So I'm not necessarily making New Year's resolutions, but I am going to resolve to do better and redirect my focus. I do believe that to be happy, you need to be content...but I also believe that we should never stop pressing on...striving to be all that God has planned for us. Happy 2012, friends.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
My Super Hero
Last Friday my BFF had his very first surgery. I will admit it was rather nerve-racking. Nothing major as in life or death, but major enough for us. Jay suffered from Chronic Ankle Sprain which is a real condition, although the name sounds pretty basic. Having played sports all of his youth and being a pretty aggressive fellow, it took its toll on his ankle(s). Finally, we both agreed that enough was enough, we are still young (yes, we are) and we have young, active children. It is better to tackle this now rather than waiting.
Jay researched and found the surgeon he wanted at a hospital my grandparents have utilized for their knees, hips and legs over near Indianapolis. He called, they accepted his request and an appointment was set up. Jay liked the doctor right away and the surgery was scheduled. I was amazed how smoothly it went down.
So last Friday was the day. The Quackdaddy decided to come with us...just in case Jay would get sick or something on the way home (I hadn't even thought of that). Naturally Jay and I thought the only reason he would want to come along is because there is this AMAZING restaurant over there that we frequent when we are anywhere near. Quack assured us that was not his intention and I told him that we probably wouldn't get to eat there because the surgery would be quick and I may not want to leave the hospital.
We arrive on time (amazing, I know) and they quickly get Jay back and prepped. Here's a funny...they come to get me about 15 minutes after taking him back and tell me I can come back and wait with him until it's time, and oh, you have a relative back here. Who? So I go back and the lady washing Jay's right ankle is not a relative of mine, but we shared the same great aunt (and my brother and family actually live in that great aunt's house where the nurse used to spend time in the summer!) How weird is that? I know, it's not unheard of, but it was ironic when she asked if Jay knew any Kannmacher's and he said "I'm married to one."
Jay's surgery time was 12:00; we had to be there at 10:00...They didn't come get him until about 12:45. Jay had been fasting since the night before and was getting irritable (understandably so). I had eaten breakfast but had missed my snack...I was ready to gnaw on my thumb when they came back to get him, I can only imagine how he was feeling. I had my purse full of snacks but didn't feel like I could eat in front of him. (I will say when he went to use the restroom, I crammed a cutie orange down.) As they wheeled Jay away, his last words to me were, "GO EAT." (He loves me.) Dad and I were gone within minutes.
They had told us the surgery would last about 90 minutes and then he would have a short recovery period. We ate lunch quickly and were back within an hour...and waited...and waited...and watched every other patient we had seen go in, come out. At about the 2.5 hr mark, I inquired and they assured me everything was fine, it was just taking longer. We continued to wait. We watched a maintenance man wheel out large carts of trash. The first load was piled and then covered with a white sheet, which had the outline of a body. I asked him on the second pass if he had a 36 yr old white male underneath that sheet because we were missing one. He assured us he did not.
It had been about four hours when I went back to the recovery room and asked the nurses sitting there what in the world was going on. The one had just come out of the surgical room and said they were finishing up. About 20 minutes later, the surgeon came out to talk to me. He explained that he had just about finished up Jay's ankle and was 'stressing' the graphs he had attached to the bones when one tore. Apparently the graphs he had used were new and the material wasn't what he liked. He said that there was no way he was leaving ANY of them in there knowing one had torn...he took everything out and started over with the graphs he normally used. So basically it was two surgeries instead of one. He was very, very nice about everything and assured me that there was no concern as far as Jay's ankle, he was just "pissed off" that that happened.
He also said that at some point Jay has broken a piece off of his fibula and it had slid down and attached to his ankle, and his ligaments and tendons were so shot that they could pull his heel/ankle in and out with ease. Yuck! No wonder he had trouble with pain in his ankle!
So on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. their time) on a holiday weekend, as all the lights were turned off, and I think the nurses were walking out with us, we wheeled Jay out the door and shoved him in the truck (ha). I drove home and was pleased that both my dad and Jay were there to coach me in how to drive or else we might not have made it. It was lovely weather for a drive, I might add, and if I had my choice, I would be delighted to have the opportunity to drive it again just for giggles. Jay was a trooper when we got home and we got him up the front steps and in the house without Hank the Tank II knocking him over.
Oh, and the fail-proof, pre-set, you-can't-mess-this-thing-up machine Jay was given to use to compress and cool his ankle, with a compression cuff for his opposite calf, alerted immediately that it wasn't right...I called the number, talked to a gal, was cut off twice, tried her suggestions, nothing worked and I was spent. The one giving us problems is the compression cuff for his good leg, so we're just going to wing it until his follow-up Thursday. Jay is faithfully using the cooling/compression on the repaired ankle so we're hoping that is good enough.
Amazingly, Jay has been great. I know he has to be uncomfortable, and although I've been annoyed a time or two (like getting a text at 2:00 a.m. from the living room that the dog has puked after I had just been up an hour before to help him with medicine and to go to the bathroom) I've had it pretty good. I even swung that compression/cooling machine around and whacked his bad ankle...fortunately, the numbness was still in full effect or there could have been serious ramifications. I figure the hard part will be when he starts feeling better and wants to go, go, go...and he can't.
I am sick to death of football, but I've kept myself busy with organizing, cooking, laundry and Scrabble and I did retreat to the basement and get that room organized...yes! Oh, I also escaped to Walmart with Lane and went to a visitation for a church member...and today I'm at work...kids are back to school tomorrow and then my Super Hero will be flying solo...until Thursday when the Quackdaddy will take him back to Mooresville for a follow-up which will, I am sure, include a trip to the fabulous Gray Brother's Cafeteria. We really liked the doctor and we have no complaints with how things were handled there. It is a fabulous place and that restaurant located just a few miles away is an added bonus :)
Jay researched and found the surgeon he wanted at a hospital my grandparents have utilized for their knees, hips and legs over near Indianapolis. He called, they accepted his request and an appointment was set up. Jay liked the doctor right away and the surgery was scheduled. I was amazed how smoothly it went down.
So last Friday was the day. The Quackdaddy decided to come with us...just in case Jay would get sick or something on the way home (I hadn't even thought of that). Naturally Jay and I thought the only reason he would want to come along is because there is this AMAZING restaurant over there that we frequent when we are anywhere near. Quack assured us that was not his intention and I told him that we probably wouldn't get to eat there because the surgery would be quick and I may not want to leave the hospital.
We arrive on time (amazing, I know) and they quickly get Jay back and prepped. Here's a funny...they come to get me about 15 minutes after taking him back and tell me I can come back and wait with him until it's time, and oh, you have a relative back here. Who? So I go back and the lady washing Jay's right ankle is not a relative of mine, but we shared the same great aunt (and my brother and family actually live in that great aunt's house where the nurse used to spend time in the summer!) How weird is that? I know, it's not unheard of, but it was ironic when she asked if Jay knew any Kannmacher's and he said "I'm married to one."
Jay's surgery time was 12:00; we had to be there at 10:00...They didn't come get him until about 12:45. Jay had been fasting since the night before and was getting irritable (understandably so). I had eaten breakfast but had missed my snack...I was ready to gnaw on my thumb when they came back to get him, I can only imagine how he was feeling. I had my purse full of snacks but didn't feel like I could eat in front of him. (I will say when he went to use the restroom, I crammed a cutie orange down.) As they wheeled Jay away, his last words to me were, "GO EAT." (He loves me.) Dad and I were gone within minutes.
They had told us the surgery would last about 90 minutes and then he would have a short recovery period. We ate lunch quickly and were back within an hour...and waited...and waited...and watched every other patient we had seen go in, come out. At about the 2.5 hr mark, I inquired and they assured me everything was fine, it was just taking longer. We continued to wait. We watched a maintenance man wheel out large carts of trash. The first load was piled and then covered with a white sheet, which had the outline of a body. I asked him on the second pass if he had a 36 yr old white male underneath that sheet because we were missing one. He assured us he did not.
It had been about four hours when I went back to the recovery room and asked the nurses sitting there what in the world was going on. The one had just come out of the surgical room and said they were finishing up. About 20 minutes later, the surgeon came out to talk to me. He explained that he had just about finished up Jay's ankle and was 'stressing' the graphs he had attached to the bones when one tore. Apparently the graphs he had used were new and the material wasn't what he liked. He said that there was no way he was leaving ANY of them in there knowing one had torn...he took everything out and started over with the graphs he normally used. So basically it was two surgeries instead of one. He was very, very nice about everything and assured me that there was no concern as far as Jay's ankle, he was just "pissed off" that that happened.
He also said that at some point Jay has broken a piece off of his fibula and it had slid down and attached to his ankle, and his ligaments and tendons were so shot that they could pull his heel/ankle in and out with ease. Yuck! No wonder he had trouble with pain in his ankle!
So on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. their time) on a holiday weekend, as all the lights were turned off, and I think the nurses were walking out with us, we wheeled Jay out the door and shoved him in the truck (ha). I drove home and was pleased that both my dad and Jay were there to coach me in how to drive or else we might not have made it. It was lovely weather for a drive, I might add, and if I had my choice, I would be delighted to have the opportunity to drive it again just for giggles. Jay was a trooper when we got home and we got him up the front steps and in the house without Hank the Tank II knocking him over.
Oh, and the fail-proof, pre-set, you-can't-mess-this-thing-up machine Jay was given to use to compress and cool his ankle, with a compression cuff for his opposite calf, alerted immediately that it wasn't right...I called the number, talked to a gal, was cut off twice, tried her suggestions, nothing worked and I was spent. The one giving us problems is the compression cuff for his good leg, so we're just going to wing it until his follow-up Thursday. Jay is faithfully using the cooling/compression on the repaired ankle so we're hoping that is good enough.
Amazingly, Jay has been great. I know he has to be uncomfortable, and although I've been annoyed a time or two (like getting a text at 2:00 a.m. from the living room that the dog has puked after I had just been up an hour before to help him with medicine and to go to the bathroom) I've had it pretty good. I even swung that compression/cooling machine around and whacked his bad ankle...fortunately, the numbness was still in full effect or there could have been serious ramifications. I figure the hard part will be when he starts feeling better and wants to go, go, go...and he can't.
I am sick to death of football, but I've kept myself busy with organizing, cooking, laundry and Scrabble and I did retreat to the basement and get that room organized...yes! Oh, I also escaped to Walmart with Lane and went to a visitation for a church member...and today I'm at work...kids are back to school tomorrow and then my Super Hero will be flying solo...until Thursday when the Quackdaddy will take him back to Mooresville for a follow-up which will, I am sure, include a trip to the fabulous Gray Brother's Cafeteria. We really liked the doctor and we have no complaints with how things were handled there. It is a fabulous place and that restaurant located just a few miles away is an added bonus :)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
So what do you think?
I have taken off a few days to tend to my patient...and now my question for my readers is what do you think? Should I continue on with my blog? I've been at it since July and have enjoyed it so far. Some days I have trouble coming up with something to write about and some days, I can write several posts. I usually think of things when I am having trouble sleeping and make lists...then forget them.
Let me know what you think and if you have a favorite post from the past...also, if you have a story you want me to tell that I have neglected, give me a shout. Happy 2012!!
Let me know what you think and if you have a favorite post from the past...also, if you have a story you want me to tell that I have neglected, give me a shout. Happy 2012!!
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