time in the south & my disk that is going south

 One month ago we headed south for a vacation to South Carolina & Florida.  Since our rental we had reserved in Sarasota started on April 1st we decided to leave a little earlier and first check out Hilton Head, SC.  We stayed 3 nights in Bluffton, which is about 10 miles from Hilton Head. 

When we started out on this trip~I had something that was pinching/hurting in my upper back/shoulder area.  As the trip went on I was in progressively more and more pain.  By April 1st/Sunday the day we were to travel further south to Sarasota...I was in so much pain I could not walk with out tears.  I laid in the van's front seat with more pain that I could about handle.  That was about a 5 hour trip. 

When we got to our rental the kind sweet Aunt of our friends we borrowed the house (who met us there to give us a key)  from saw my pain & offered to massage it for me.  For an hour!  This sweet Aunt used to be a massage therapist.  And she also had had similar pain in the past.

Coincidence you say?  Nope!  That was all GOD.    

 That afternoon the kids were begging to go to the beach, but because of my extreme pain....Donovan took them to the backyard for some shuffleboard lessons.  I hated not being up and around...so very hard when there are blue skies and warm ocean breezes. 

The next morning my cousin Danielle set up a Chiropractic appointment for me.  This chiropractor is a friend of hers from church.  That treatment gave me a little relief and we headed to the beach.  But my nights were sleepless and with extreme pain. 

 I spent so much time in bed in the evenings.  In constant pain.  The next day the pain was at the worst and I went to the chiropractor again.  The chiropractor told me that there was nothing else she could do because my back was in such a bad spasm.  She sent me to an urgent care center and had called ahead to let the Dr. know the situation and he gave me a  Cortisone shot.  Along with pain medication, cortisone pills, and strict instructions to get this taken care of when I get home.  Explaining that this problem was not going away and this was just a "band aid" on the situation to help me have some relief from my pain. 

 The shot did help and while I was still in constant pain, it was less pain than I had been experiencing.   I was able to enjoy some beach time. 

 About a 1/2 mile from the rental we were at, there was this fruit stand that we loved to visit.  One morning we walked there.  All 6 of us. :)

What beautiful colors and flavors this place had. 

 We had some nice evenings there with extended family too.  Dinners out with cousins, boys who loved playing and getting to know their cousins better.  Love that about our trips to Sarasota.

 And as you can see in the picture above....still rubbing that shoulder that the pain followed me wherever I went.

 One morning we got up and went sand dollar/shell hunting.

 Picnics on the beach are my favorite.  And this year my hubby did most of the grocery shopping and picnic packing due to my shoulder/pain.  So very blessed to have that man as best friend and husband.

 One morning we thought it would be fun to do a little something different.  So we headed out to a state park and rent canoes.  Donovan thought we should go on a motor boat tour to try to spot some alligators...but that didn't leave for 1.5 hours so I insisted that we just rent canoes and go ourselves. Since we were supposed to only have 3 to a boat...I took the girls and he took the boys in separate boats.  That ended with him tying the canoes together and us all transferring to one boat.  Him canoeing us to shore in extreme windy conditions.  O.k. I'll say it.  He was right.  I still had too much pain to be paddling a boat.  We did see one alligator on the way back.  But the above picture is the only picture I'm sharing from that disaster of a morning. 

 Another evening we had a cousins get together.  The aunts and uncles were also along~and I so regret not getting pictures of everyone together. 

 And I got to hug and kiss on the newest little member of the extended family~Gray. 

What a sweet little miracle he is!!!

More beach days.  With beautiful white sand, warm ocean breezes, and beautiful blue skies.

 Easter Sunday we enjoyed lunch at Andy & Danielle's.  So sweet of her to let us come after she had spent all morning "working" at church.  It was a delicious ham & potatoes dinner and the boys got to eat lunch on patio with their cousins. 

 Later that evening we went for ice cream. So amazing to reconnect with the people we love. 

So after getting home I tried to set up a Dr. appointment with a neurologist.  Who takes 3 weeks to get an appointment.  Some how I felt like a neurologist was the wrong direction.  And with waiting 3 weeks to even get in....I cancelled that appointment

Coincidence you say? Nope! That was all GOD.  

 Then I made an appointment with my family Dr. who ordered an MRI to find out what is causing so much pain for me.  Only the insurance decided that they didn't want to pay for an MRI until I had 6 weeks of therapy.  What the heck??? Therapy on something that we didn't know what was wrong??

Meanwhile I had heard that my cousin had similar pain for over 8 months finally went in and saw an amazing Spinal specialist in Elkhart.  My cousin was super impressed with this Dr. and highly recommended him. 

I called there to make an appointment and it was 1.5 week wait.  I may seem impatient to you at this point I have had pain for over 3.5 weeks and no relief or clear answers on how to help the pain.  I asked the receptionist if she could call me if there were any cancellations.  She called 5 minutes after I hung up ~to say that in 2 days there would be an opening for me to come in. 

Coincidence you say? Nope! That was all GOD.

I saw that Dr. last week and because of loss of mobility and strength in my arm he ordered an MRI & X-ray.  This time the insurance did pay because of the Dr. being a specialist and because I'm losing strength in my arm. 

That also was all GOD. 

So yesterday I got the diagnosis.  Finally!  I have answers!!!  I have one disk in my back that is bulging and the disc just under that is very badly herniated.  They are scheduling surgery for me and I'm asking for prayer today.  Prayer that the surgery can be ~BEFORE my Dr. is out of town for 9 days starting May 1st.  And prayer for me that I can keep from passing out from anxious feelings that keep rising up in me.  Somehow it panics me a bit to think about them going in through my neck to preform this surgery. 

Thank you friends.

  

our Belinha

A view from my kitchen window.  Our four walking to the bus stop to walk Belinha.  My heart is so full to watch all 5 walk up the drive. 

Today marks one week since Isabela has come to live with us.  Our lives have been so blessed & enriched to have her here with us.  Because we already have a daughter Isabella....we have been calling our exchange student Belinha.  (That would be pronounced belinia)  Which she tells us was what her family and close friends called her in Brazil. It is like Bella, and the {ina} added is for "little girl" because she is the youngest in her family. 

She is so willing to learn new things, games, & foods.  This makes it so fun to teach her about life in America.

 Along with doing new things....A first for her is the upcoming prom.  L.O.V.E.D. taking her prom dress shopping. 

Belinha has an amazing life skill of relating to all sorts of people.  Over the past weekend we had her with 3 different sets of our friends.  She can relate so well to others of all different ages, and different life backgrounds very well.  She inserts herself into conversations and it is very obvious that she loves people.  No mater if our friends are at least 10-15 years older than her.  She finds a way to relate.  My favorite thing is listening to the different questions that our different friends ask her. 

Ranging from how politics are in Brazil, to what is the pop culture, who are the popular music groups, and what is the religion?   I never knew I was so interested in Brazil.

Our dinner last night.  We enjoy so much having another adult around the table....never knew what we were missing.  She is a doll.

Our little Suzy likes to follow her like a little puppy.  They are good friends and I enjoy watching this friendship grow.   Belinha is very tender & loving towards her.

WOW! What a fun week.  Right now I'm scared to death of ever letting her go back to her home.  My heart is already involved & I keep thinking this feels like an adoption that is going to go bad in 3 months.  :) :)  {Rosangela and Carlos in case you are reading....Don't worry I will give her back to you in May.}  I need to enjoy the moment...I know!!  :)

Quote of the day:

After school when I picked up William & Suzy

William: "Dylan has a crush on Elaina.  And Elaina has a crush on Dylan.  I told Dylan he should get a new hobby."

We are adding 1 to our family.

Ha! Got your attention didn't I?

I love to do that.

So....Last fall my sister-in-law & husbands brother invited into their home an exchange student.  I remember thinking WOW! They are brave & hospitable.  How did they know if they would get a good kid?  How would that dynamic change their family?  And then later how would it change our extended family get together.   

 But you know what?  This worrier by nature learned to know and love the exchange student.  My sil and bil taught me without knowing...How to give the gift of your family, how to open your home, and your heart.  Although at the time~ I wasn't thinking we would ever do anything like that, I just thought it was nice that they were.  :)

We've spent time with her over the months...and learned something outside of our little bubble.  And it's been fun.  And you know what? It did do something to our family get togethers....It enhanced them.  She brought fun & a sweet smile.

So when we got a call last week asking if we would be willing to host her for the remainder of the school year we were a little more open minded than we would've been even a year ago. 

 {Donovan's brother, wife, & family moved to another school district/town last week.} 

 We thought about it, prayed a lot, talked a lot.  And said YES.

I'm always pretty amazed how God stretches us.  Something we thought we'd never do....He opens the door and helps you to think beyond yourself. 

So tonight we welcomed another Isabela (she uses 1 "l" & our Isabella uses 2) to our home tonight.  She comes to us from Brazil and celebrated her 18th birthday last month.   

So that brings our count up to 3 girls & 2 boys....2 of them being "Isabella".  

{we're working on nicknames}  

Already loving how she captivates our kids. 



pin it & do it....part 4 & 37 years

Yesterday I celebrated 37.  WOW! That USED to seem old to me....Getting very close to 40ish feeling.  But now....50 will be the new number when I feel "old".  I'm not feeling that old yet...should I?  

  So anyways...enough of the "old" talk.   I had an invite for breakfast yesterday with one friend and an offer for a chauffeured trip of shopping in my town of choice from another friend.  So before I left for the day..I did a little pinning & printing off of the computer. 

Take a little guess where I was copy/pasting before I left for the day??  Yeppers!  Pinterst.  Because I love all the outfit ideas...but who can remember all the great combinations when you are AT the store???  Not me!  SO I printed them off....Just some ideas for the day.  When Donovan saw the printed page....He said, "What's that??? You're TO Do list for the day??"  Well yes, yes it is.  Perfect!  I love a TO Do list like that.  And with my objectives in hand I headed out the door.  But not before hubby snapped a picture, handed over some cash, and gave me a little kissie. 

 So Rose invited me for breakfast...I thought we were going out somewhere, So I asked (the night before) to move the time up a little...to give more time for shopping before the kiddos got home.  Well little did I know the honey was doing a homemade breakfast complete with all pretty things.

She spent so much time making this special....so many little touches. 

 She sure knows how to make a girl feel special.

We share a love of Pinterest...and from there she got some delicious dishes she served us yesterday.   Ham, Cheese and Hash Brown Frittata.  Oh my ~Yumminess.

 Along with Homemade Cinnamon Roll Cake.  Coffee with my favorite creamer. And Jack Johnson on Pandora.  And candles.  And a prayer of blessing.  EVERY SINGLE of my 5 senses were fulfilled. 

Another fun surprise was that our friend Carol joined us!!!!  These 2 ladies I have grown closer to over the last 3 years through small group and they have poured so much wisdom onto my life.  I am so blessed by them both.  Yesterday was no different.  Carol was able to speak truth into my life about a situation in my life and give a prospective of another woman in another season.  I think we can do so well to listen to advise like that.  (And Rose ~hope you don't mind I posted the pre-make up face~I know I kinda rushed you that morning by moving up the time!! SO sorry! But sweet friend your the kinda friend who it makes no difference what you are wearing or doing....or how you look.  I could be sitting in our robes in the fast food drive thru with you~and I'd be happy) 

 

 Some of the treats I opened that day.  Are they for Donovan or me?? I'm not sure.  Well except for the purse!  I'm very sure that's for ME. 

 And next came shopping.  I had an offer by my friend Julie to take off for the day, chauffeured by her, to where ever I wanted for birthday shopping.  :)  COLOR ME HAPPY!  I love me some shopping. 

I couldn't help myself but snap a picture of the cute little silver tray you use when purchasing jewelry at Forever 21.  It's just more fun with silver platters.  I was laughing at myself while trying to discreetly take a picture of Julie.  Trying to ensure the 21 year old's and under  didn't see me taking picture in the store of my friend caring a silver platter of jewelry.  Yep.  It's my birthday and I'll take the picture if I want. 

After tons of stops at all my favorite shopping spots....we enjoyed some Chick-fil-a.  And then a Starbucks Strawberries and Cream.  With whip.  With soy.  For free from my friend.  Awwwww..thanks Julie.  I love your laugh, and smile, and stories, and heart.  You are a good listener and friend <3

And wow.....thanks Rosetta for the gift card you mailed.  And Bobbie for the $$$$ you mailed to make my day even more enjoyable.  You sneaky little lady!!  What the world???? How'd I get so lucky???   

I came home later that afternoon....and we packed up the kids for a family dinner at Carrabba's.  Oh yumminess.  So very fun.  It seems they were on their very best behavior and it went so well to have them all there.  Despite a busy night at the restaurant.  Despite the fact that it was past 7 until we ate.  I was livin' the dream!

But it didn't end there.....this morning.....Came my sister in law, Arlene and family.  With more treats!  A cute little zipper pouch~that she made off of Pinterest.  In my favorite colors.  Awwww....so sweet.

This little cutie pie came in the mail for me.  Along with more fun things from my cousin Sherri.  OH MY GOODNESS!  So much fun to get another year older.  My mother in law also dropped some treats off for me while I was gone for the day.  And lots of cards and treats in the mail.  What a fun day!  You friends of mine sure know how to make a girl feel special!!!

Isn't that sweet??? LOVE!

And here's my "What I pinned and did".....some things to complete outfits ideas I got ideas from off of pinterest.  :) Yippee!  I can hardly wait to go somewhere and trick it up!!!!

Love you friends.  Love all you that encourage me to keep going on this blog especially!  Your comments make me smile.   

When the cat is away the mouse will play

This is your congenial fill-in blogger (Mr. Livin' the Dream) with a notice for all you blogospherians out there.  My dear wife has no idea that her blog has been hacked by the birthday police.  She is presently hard at work helping some poor soul squeeze a new, little person into this world and she would be dismayed to find out that her platform has been commandeered for such a frivolous purpose.

Tomorrow the 17th my little love muffin turns 37 and I thought that this would be a nice way to document the occasion.  So in the spirit of good, birthday cheer, I have copied and pasted some cheesy photos of celebratory nature. 

Feel free to drop her a note and let her know how awesome her husband is and tell her that she doesn't look a day over 36 - she would LOVE that. And believe me, she looks closer to 26 but we wouldn't want her to get a swollen ego now would we?  Thank you guys, this is gonna be AWESOME! 

Posted by:  the hacking hacker

pin it & do it....part 3

When I started this gift (the day before I was going to give it) I had no idea how time consuming it would be.  Oops.  Needless to say (2 hours later) I was glad I was done.

Note to self:start homemade gifts the week BEFORE you want to give them.

Would be a great gift for an Anniversary too! :)

He Loved it...I think your hubby would too!  (or wife) :)