Inservice

I received a call about a month ago regarding our annual in service at work. My manager requested that I attend, if possible. Okay, no problem. I'm excited to be included in the meetings. I like to stay current with my information as much as possible. That said, I made arrangements for Josiah (thanks, Mrs. Susan!), and while Mackenzie was in school, I headed to the meeting. Realize I'm on a PRN (as needed) basis. That means I really don't work very often. (Except for two weeks during the year while I'm working for Employee Health giving flu shots and flu mist to all the hospital employees.)

I arrived at the meeting at 8:00am. As I stood around visiting with fellow employees, our manager came in and double checked to make sure everyone was on the clock. Yep, we were all clocked in and going to get paid for attending the meeting. Pretty cushy if you ask me! Then she made sure we had all enjoyed the breakfast that was provided for us! Nice. Free food is always good. That's when we saw it.

At least a dozen girls filing in the doorway to our "locked" lobby. (We closed our doors today and had no patients scheduled at all.) They were dressed professionally in black and carrying some things. Wait. They are setting up in our lobby, making themselves quite at home. That's when our manager announced that instead of a meeting, today was a surprise day of appreciation from our management and providers to all staff. We were to enjoy manicures, pedicures, 15 minute massages set up in our exam rooms, and a free breakfast, and a free lunch, and even door prizes, too. All these luxuries while being clocked in and getting paid. One of the doctors had even written a letter of gratitude to the staff.

I am truly stunned. She had kept it a surprise from everyone for fear that someone might have chosen to not make arrangements for their kids in order to come in on a pampering day. She wanted everyone to receive the day of appreciation. I, for one, can truly say that I am appreciative! What a nice gift. What a fun day. And I know it came at a cost for our doctors and office as we were on the clock and not seeing any patients at all today. (Realize no raises were given this year in order to allow everyone to keep their jobs.) I am grateful to be included in such a fun day, and so very thankful for a wonderful job.

Happy Birthday, David!

Happy Birthday, David!!!! :) We love you, and we are so proud of you. We've had fun celebrating your birthday with you today. My favorite part was the cake that the kids helped decorate! He, he. It was made with love. ;) Thanks for being just exactly who you are. We love you!

Ober Gatlinburg!

We spent the day yesterday exploring Ober Gatlinburg with armbands, which gave us access to everything! (Since the kids are under age 6, they were both FREE with our paid adult admission. Nice!) Here's our attempt to get a picture of the four of us. Josiah would not look at the camera. Oh well! We were at the top of Mount Harrison. Gorgeous view from up there! It is hard to understand how anyone can even attempt to deny a Creator God.
I love this picture of Mackenzie with the Smoky Mountains in the background!

This is the only picture Josiah cooperated for, but I think it turned out to be pretty cute! :)

Mackenzie rode beside me on the ski lift to the top.

Here's a picture David took of Mackenzie and me on our way up.

I snapped this one of Mackenzie beside me!

Here's one of David and Josiah as we were just beginning our upward journey.

This gives you an idea of how few people were there today...notice the other empty lift chairs! We did not have to wait in lines hardly at all. Very nice with small kids. :)

David and Josiah going up, and you can see the Ober Gatlinburg area in the background. Ober Gatlinburg is high above the town of Gatlinburg.

The main reason we went up to Ober was to do the Alpine Slides! You ride the lift halfway up the mountain, and ride the slide down. The kids both giggled all the way down. They LOVED it.

Since they were under age 7, they got to ride in our laps. We all completely enjoyed the Alpine Slides.

Here's David and Josiah, having just finished a fast ride down the Alpine Slide. Josiah thought it was great! :)

The kids enjoyed the park area with jumping balls at the base of a slide!

Josiah went head first! He is all boy, and he was fun to watch as he played.

Josiah in the jumping balls.

Josiah climbing the ropes up to the top of the playground area.

Mackenzie climbing the same ropes.

Mackenzie and Josiah on the kiddie rides at Ober. (Also included in our arm band passes!)

Josiah found a HUGE caterpillar. Both kids enjoyed seeing and touching it. People nearby were stunned that he picked it up! :)

We all had a GREAT time and really enjoyed the day together. Most definitely some wonderful memories made on the mountainside.

Our Little Soccer Girl!

Mackenzie has asked to play soccer for quite some time now. Funny part is that I really don't think she knew anything at all about soccer! That said, David happily signed her up as she is now old enough for local leagues. The two of them picked out soccer gear (in pink!) for her. She was sooo excited! She talked about her first practice for 3 whole days before it actually occurred. These pictures were taken the first day of practice.
My soccer cutie all decked out!

She was so excited that she wanted to wear her uniform to practice the first day, so she did!

Even her shoes have pink on them! (And, of course, we had to pick #24 for her jersey!) ;)

Here she is at the first practice with her teammates. She had just kicked the ball and still has her foot in the air.

She is just about to kick the ball in this picture.

I took these pictures today, two practices later, at the first game. I thought the pic of the pregame huddle was cute! You can see Mackenzie's profile on the far right, as Coach Chris talks to the team.

Here she is after the game, totally worn out and hot.

When I asked her, today, if soccer is all she had hoped it would be, she shook her head no. When I asked her what about it surprised her, she said, "Well, you just run after the ball. All you do is run. I'm worn out!" That cracked me up. We decided we'd finish out this season (only 2 months total) and then let her decide whether or not she wants to play in the future. Just from watching her on the field, I'm guessing this is our first and last soccer season for Mackenzie! He, he. I do think she makes a cute soccer player, even if the sport's not for her. :) I'm proud of her for trying something new. (Speaking of which, she's also taking violin lessons at school!)

Thanksgiving

Yeah, I know it's not really "Thanksgiving" time just yet...but my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving and praises this week, and I want to record a few thoughts. The most glaring thing that I am thankful for this week is my health. This may sound funny as I cannot even lift my children yet, but I am incredibly thankful for my health. I know that I am continuing to recover from the emergency appendectomy a little more each day. I am thankful to be alive. I realize the appendicitis could have ended so very differently, either in rupturing and not being identified in time for treatment, or in unplanned surgical complications. It is totally possible that I would not be here, able to type this post at all. I am thankful.

I am thankful to be able to hug my two precious children. I am thankful to be able to hear their excitement as they tell me all about school. I am thankful to be able to "breathe them in," so-to-speak. I am thankful to be able to watch my children learn and grow.

I am thankful that the kids are enjoying school. I am relieved that they made the transition to Kindergarten and Mother's Day Out so beautifully. I realize that many children struggle and cry during those kinds of transitions. I'm so thankful that mine marched right on and are embracing the new opportunities before them each day. Josiah could not wait to get to school. He is so excited and loves it. Mackenzie does, too. They are both blessed with wonderful teachers. Josiah announced proudly on Tuesday, "Mom, Mrs. Missi taught me the days of the week! And we learned about the letter A." I have loved hearing his thoughts about school. And, Mackenzie loves Mrs. Haluska and school, too. I am thankful.

I am thankful for my precious most wonderful husband, David. He is a blessing beyond words. He has stepped right up anytime I cannot (like during and after the surgery) to tend the children and take care of our family. He goes willing to work each day to provide for us. He comes home and jumps right in to our busy activities, excited to be with us. He helps around the house far more than his fair share as I am not healed enough to do my usual chores. He is a source of encouragement, love, stability, and friendship for me. I cannot imagine life without him. I am so very thankful for him.

I am thankful for friends who have also stepped right in and helped out when our family needed so much more help than usual! I am thankful for the extra help with the kids that friends (Cindy and Tina) provided. I am thankful for the meals that friends (Cindy, Sara, and Geri) so generously provided. I am thankful for all the other friends who have continued to offer help anytime it is needed. I am thankful for all the emails and facebook messages from friends. I am thankful for friendship.

I am so incredibly thankful for a Lord and Saviour who loves and cares for us. I am thankful for a God who we can talk to and trust. I am thankful for a God who provides and heals. I am thankful for a God who orchestrates my world and who knows my needs even before I know them myself. I am thankful for His Sovereignty. I am thankful for His blessings. I pray that I can do my best to live each day for Him. I pray that I use the opportunities that come my way, and that I will hear His voice when He speaks.

The list could continue on and on, but those were the burning things on my heart this week.

Catching Up

We were truly delighted to have my dad and Lisa (Poppie and Lili) come to visit this weekend. We loved getting to see them, and we appreciated the extra help with the kids while I'm still recovering from surgery. Josiah would not stop playing long enough to smile for the camera, so we have a couple fun pics!
Josiah, just being himself, with Mackenzie, Lili, and Poppie. :)

And a couple weekends ago, we met up with my mom and Mark (Nona & Mzee) for a weekend getaway just before school started. We were able to spend two night in a hotel, with was great fun for everyone, especially the kids, and enjoy some time together. We even visited the zoo and did a little shopping! I love the above picture of my mom coming down the slide at the zoo. She and the kids had a great time! :)

Here is the best picture I got of Nona, Mzee, Mackenzie, and Josiah together that weekend. I wish I had snapped more pictures, but this one of them riding the carousel will have to do!

We are thankful for family and the wonderful memories made together.

Appendectomy!

Our last 24 hrs was a little crazy, to say the least. However, I never cease to be amazed at the timing of our Lord. He is one amazing God and can do amazing things! To Him be the glory.

I had a "stomach ache" since Friday night, with no other symptoms. It was dull enough that I, being a good RN, ;0 ignored it until Monday night after we celebrated Mackenzie's birthday. I then headed straight to bed. I felt terrible. It was 6pm. I could not sleep because the pain was so intense. I started vomiting, which I thought would bring some relief (believing at this point that I had a GI virus). There was no relief, but I continued to vomit frequently as the pain increased until about 2am when I decided the ED sounded like a GREAT plan. I needed help. David had already suggested to head on in sooner, but I'm stubborn and did not want to be seen at an ER with a GI bug.

At 2am I was ready to go. We called our neighbor, who graciously came over to stay with our two sleeping kids. David drove me in to the hospital. Amazingly, they were NOT busy! They were quick to get us in a room and get the initial set of labs, all around 3am. My WBC was 15.7 and my glucose was 158--I'm not sure what to make of that...might have to get that checked out as that is too high. Anyways, they suspected appendicitis so they sent me for a CT scan after giving me Zofran and Dilaudid via IV. When they came in with the results of the CT, they had already consulted the surgical resident. Another neat thing, the resident, before paging the attending MD, asked David's preference on surgeons since David works at this hospital--WOW. That was nice. Come to find out, David's choice surgeon IS the one who was on call! Again, God is good. They wheeled me on to the OR prep area, while David signed my consent forms. Dr. Akin arrived and asked several questions. After answering more questions from more individuals, well...that's all I remember! ;) The surgery lasted 1 hr and 28 min and went completely as expected! I am grateful that my appendix had not ruptured, making the whole ordeal as smooth as possible. Pray for the individual in the ER whose HAD ruptured already. Dr. Akin did their surgery immediately after mine was finished. It was much more complicated. Again, I am thankful.

Because I was the first surgery of the day, I had the entire recovery room staff all to myself initially. We had SO much fun back there! Those RN's are great. They were on top of it and catered to my every need, even before I asked. They laughed as I woke more quickly than anticipated and began to spell the word they were struggling to spell. They decided I was just determined to wake up; they were right! This was the first time I'd every been under general anesthesia and actually intubated.

Dr. Akin was good to be in touch with David who was, in the meantime, taking our children to school. Another blessing: this was the first day that BOTH kids were in school simultaneously. Like I said, God's timing is amazing. David was able to come join me about 10am. By this time, Dr. Akin had decided that he really did not need to admit me for the night as originally planned. He made sure I had all the supplies at home, just in case I should need to reinforce the dressing. I am SO thankful that he decided to send me home! I had not asked and was not expecting this, but tis very nice indeed. So, off to ambulatory care I went for a couple more hours. They prepared my discharge papers, and Dr. Akin came by one final time. David went for the van and the staff rolled me out in a wheel chair. I'm home and so very grateful for what could only be God's timing.

Whew. That was a long story. ;) Please continue to pray as I recover. (They were able to do this laproscopically, so I have 3 puncture sites...lined up like buttons on a snowman! Ha. One just below my rib cage, in the middle. The other just below it in my belly button. The last one lined up just below that one. Too funny. At least I'm symmetrical. He, he.)