It's Been a While....

Oh my!! I just realized how long it has been since I last posted!  Everything has been so busy and crazy, and can't seem to keep my head on straight!  Let me update you on the happening's around our crazy world.

All of Robby's test came back fine...the Doctor wants him to go to Houston for testing on some rare diseases, but he won't even consider it might be his shoulder.  We are through with this Doctor...I think we are going to get an appointment with Dr. Pickett to look at his shoulder.

I have started Beth Moore's "Esther" Bible Study.  This is taking up quite a bit of my time....but I am LOVING IT!!  There are times I just have to stop and say "Oh my gosh!! This stuff really happened!!"  It is a very eye opening study!!

Auzlyn got her 100 AR Points!!

Haley and I attended Simply Stunning this past weekend at FBC Vernon.  It is a really neat Mother/Daughter event for preteen girls that tackle issues that these girls are facing.  Allison Martin and Kendra Lakey did the entire conference from music to the lessons...I love Allison Martin!!  She works the church camps that the girls go to in the summer!   Haley got a lot out of this weekend..and frankly so did I.  They covered topics from how to have your quiet time with God, to cell phones..and it is ok if you don't have one, to how to dress, to boys, to bullying and the mean girls, and how God wants you to handle these situations.  They have this event every year, and if you have the opportunity to attend, I would strongly suggest that you go.

Haley is entering the 4H fashion show...which means we have to sew some clothes before March 25.  Haley has never sewn before, so I bought her some material, drug out my sewing machine, and she has been making pillows and just sewing straight seems.  She is getting the hang of it.  I am glad she decided to make pajamas for her project...Super easy with elastic waist!!

Haley and Auzlyn are both enter the 4H photography contest...which pictures are due in by March 12.  We have pictures the girls have taken throughout the year, but there are a few more things Haley wants to go take pictures of.  Now we have to pick out which pictures to use, which category the fit in, edit them, put them on a disc, and go print in 8x10 size.  This really shouldn't take too long.

We have started the 5th 6 weeks of school!!  OH YEAH YEAH YEAH!!  I have already started on my year end activities for school...like PO's for next year, ARDs, inventory, TAKS tutoring.

I am finalizing details and itinerary for our church trip to Great Wolf Lodge over spring break.  I am extremely excited about going!!  I almost think more so than the kids.  Robby and I both need a break from our day to day grind. 

Just 24 more days and my baby will be 7!!  =(  This makes me very, very sad!

With all this said..I hope everyone has a great day!!

What does God have instore for us now??

As many of you know, Robby has had several medical issues over the past several years.  You can go here to get a synopsis of what we have gone through.  Well, a couple of  months ago, Robby started losing grip in his right hand.  He didn't think much about it.  About 3 weeks ago, he went to open a Mountain Dew bottle, and couldn't...This scared him(he won't admit it, but it did).  That night he was telling me about it, and asked if I would call and make him an appointment with Dr. Darter, so I did.

He got in to see Dr. Darter within just a couple of days...and I didn't have to throw a fit with the  appointment clerk, I have before..many, many, many times.  Robby went for his appointment, Darter did a thorough exam and came to the conclusion that he thinks he has some nerve damage in his hand...ok, nothing to serious.  So Darter schedules him an appointment with Dr. Schaeffer...a neurologist...for a nerve test to determine that is what is really wrong.  This appointment was yesterday.

Yesterday around lunch, Robby and Callie head up to Amarillo, while I worked.  Robby says they get to the office, and this neurologist shares an office with an OB/GYN...What a combo!!  The first and only bad mark against this doctor is he has a picture with him and Jeff Gordon.  If you know us, even a little bit, you know we are Jeff Gordon haters, it's just true.  Anyway, they perform the nerve test, then Dr. Schaeffer comes in.  Robby said he was with him in the room asking questions and examining him for about an hour...which is unheard of, especially for specialist.  He has Robby walk, hold his arms up and try to push them down, tap his thumb and fingers together so on and so forth.

When he gets through with all of his tests, he begins to tell Robby what he thinks is the problem.  First off, there is no nerve damage, carpal tunnel or anything of that nature wrong...although, he does have a mild neuropathy in his leg.  Ok, we didn't know anything of that problem.  Secondly, it could be a bulging or ruptured disc...painful, but repairable.  Thirdly, he could have had a small stroke at some point in time...we could manage that with medication.  Lastly, Robby could have some form of Muscular Dystrophy...This is when I lost it!  Muscular Dystrophy, no cure, just management of symptoms that will slowly take over your body until it kills you.

At this point, all of the what ifs go running through my mind...
         What if we have to have back surgery?  What if it was a stroke?  What would we have to do to alter our lifestyle to prevent any subsequent strokes?  What if he had a massive stroke that leaves him bed ridden?  What if it IS Muscular Dystrophy?  How will it affect his body?  How fast will it progress?  How am I going to tell my kids?  How are my kids going to handle this?  They have already had sooo much loss in their young lives, how will this affect them?

This next Wednesday we go for an MRI of his head and c-spine, blood work, and x-rays.  The good thing is Dr. Schaeffer said he would do everything he could to figure out what was going on.  If he couldn't figure it out, he would send us to Houston.  We could go to Dallas, but Houston has the best facilities and doctors.  So I feel very comfortable in the hands of the doctor. 

I have been thinking and praying what I need to do.  While I was in the shower this morning, Travis Cottrell's song "I Am Persuaded" just popped in my head.  The first verse and chorus says:

I believe Your love is faithful
When all my hopes have crumbled
It is standing strong and able
When everything else fails
I believe Your love will cover me
Through every storm
I am persuaded

Nothing in life
Nothing in death
No mountain high
No ocean depth
No power below
On earth or above
Can separate from Your love.

I know this was God telling me that HE would be there, HE would not leave us, and that HE would get us through this storm because HE has gotten us through many other storms.  HIS love will not leave or forsake us, HIS love will always be there no matter what we do.

I typed the word "strength" in my Bible reader on my ipod...and one of the verses has just stuck in my head.   Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.  1 Chronicles 16:11  So I am going to keep seeking Him.  I am not going to let up on my readings.  I am going to go to God daily on what I should do and He will lead me. 

I apologize for the length of this blog, but I just had to get it all out, and how I was feeling.  This blog has become very good therapy for me!!

One Phrase Update...

OH MY GOODNESS!!  It has been a while since I have blogged!!  So let me give you a quick, one phrase update on what has been going on....

I got completely caught up with laundry over the break...and am staying caught up

Started reading "Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize when God Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer...so far it is EYE OPENING!!  I already have a list of friends who want to borrow it.

Started a Daily Devotional series that I am enjoying so far..

I TURNED 33!!!

I have been working out with my Biggest Loser Wii game....lost 4 pounds in a week!!

Haley's check up in Dallas...everything still holding it's own...go back in July...which means SIX FLAGS!!

Haley and Auzlyn got to start piano lessons back with Winna.....YEAH!!

Haley started wearing deodorant =(

Planned a church trip to Great Wolf Lodge for Spring Break...Super excited about going!!

Auzlyn is being tested for GT...I don't know what I'm going to do with her!!

Robby has been making some really cool pens and flower pots on his lathe...I need to post about them with pics.

Talked to my Dad after 6 months...but haven't talked to him since

Had a marathon day of ARDS

I think my dog is going to have puppies...if so, they will be here the end of February

Used my new GPS in Dallas...it was GREAT!!  We got everywhere we wanted to go so easily!

I got to eat at Salt Grass Steak House...YUMMY!!

I have been cooking more at home.

Aubrey actually went to Sunday School with me!!

I have only been drinking about one or two Dr. Peppers a week...instead of day!

Still haven't found me any boots

Haley's long sleeve shirts that I bought her 2 months ago, are now 3/4 sleeves

Auzlyn is getting more prissier, and bossier everyday.

I have broken up at least a dozen fights between the two girls

I am in the process of making Bella a new cage cover...she has literally chewed her other one up

These have been some of the highlights from the last several weeks.  Of course, there has been the usual cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework, so on and so forth.  But it has all been fun, and tiring.  I do miss the days of staying up late and sleeping in, but it will be summer before you know it!! 


So, I just have to post a picture of Aubrey doing her "bulay" She is just to stinkin cute...and is getting where she actually likes me again!!

Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone's new year is off to a great start! Our holiday season, for the first time in two years, was without any medical procedures. All I can say to that is Thank the LORD!! The last 2 years we have had 2 foot surgeries, gall bladder surgery, and a scare with colon cancer. God layed his hand on us, and took care of everything!

This year I am planning on listening to God more. To help me do this, I recently purchased "Discerning the Voice of God, How to Recognize When God Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer. I am so excited about reading this book. I feel it will answer my questions on is that really God talking to me, or do I just think He is because no one else will volunteer for this? This has been my question for a while, and I just don't know..I'll let you know what I figure out.

I am also planning on eating healthier, and becoming healthier. This will make me feel better all the way around. I have to get me healthy because I am setting a bad example for my children. They eat what I eat, and drink what I drink...so it is time I change. I am not getting any younger. I have a feeling this will be a slow process, but we will get there.

These are my two major goals for this year. I also have the same ones that I have every year like..keeping up with the laundry (I have all the laundry done right now!), keeping the house cleaner, so on and so forth...we will see how those go!

Also, I am asking you to keep my Haley Brooke in your prayers. Many of you know, I passed on my scoliosis gene to her. (Sorry sweety!) Her curve has been holding it's own at 18 degrees for about 2 years now. But (big word) she has started her growth spurt, and to me, her back is looking more curvier, and she has been complaining of it hurting. We go Scottish Rite on January 20th for her check up. I know that is a long way to go for seeing the Dr. about 10 minutes, but (big word again) it has the leading research facility for scoliosis. We are part of the study, and that is how I found out we actually have the genetic marker. If her curve progresses to 20-25 degrees, we are looking at wearing a brace. Believe me, that is no fun, especially for a pre-adolescent girl who is already going through many changes, both physically and emotionally. Just keep Haley in your prayers that God will give her the strength and understanding for this journey.

I hope everyone had a great break. School starts back tomorrow. I don't know if I will be able to get up, but I imagine I'll be pretty tired tomorrow! Have a Great Year everyone!

One last thing..Congratulations to Shawn and Shaley and their new baby girl!

What we got for Christmas

Haley got...


.

Auzlyn got..

.

They also got many numerous other items, too.

I got everything I asked for in my last post...and Robby got his Playstation 3.

All in all it was a GREAT CHRISTMAS!!! HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS WAS AWESOME, TOO!!

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas Lists

Every year Robby asks me to what I want for Christmas. After I think and ponder for a while, I tell him. Several years ago he started asking me to print a picture of what I want of the internet. It has worked out very well...with a few surprises along the way.

The first year we started this I asked for a new one of these.... A Parallel Bible...this is 2 Bibles in one! You can't beat it! My Bible I was using was the one my church had given me with my maiden name engraved on it...Robby went the extra mile and had my new name engraved on it!!

The next year, I started collecting these......
This was an easy year...I believe I got 3 houses for Christmas that year.

Last Christmas I had 2 BIG things that I wanted....


I wanted an itouch....and a Callaway Big Bertha Driver (if you are not a golfer, these drivers can be quite expensive.) So, I was expecting one or the other...not both, which is okay (my birthday is just 3 weeks after Christmas, I would ask for which ever one I didn't get for my birthday!)

Christmas morning came, the girls opened their stuff, Robby opened his stuff, then I opened mine. Robby handed me a small wrapped box...the size of an ipod box...and to no surprise, that is what it was. Then he got up, went into the other room and came back with a long, skinny box. Well, there is only thing that could be in a box like that! I just sat there for a while just looking at it. I was in awe! I would have NEVER believed he would have gotten me both! As I am sitting there, the girls are jumping up and down telling me to open it, Robby is saying open it, so I open it. There it was...my Callaway Big Bertha Driver! I was so excited that I started crying! Here I am on Christmas morning, in my pajamas crying over a driver!! I kept telling Robby, we can't afford both of them, we have to take one of them back! He wouldn't let me...which is fine. I use my ipod on a daily basis...I have all of my important info in it, and my driver added about 20 yards to my drive (which I so desperately needed!)

So this year, I am asking for a new one of these...one of these, with lane assist...Robby NEVER drives in Dallas, and he's not too good with a map, this will help me out alot!

and of course one of these.....We will see what I actually get and if there are any surprises!! I'll be sure to let you know!!

Deeper Still

This past weekend, Leisa, Erika, Sara, Melissa R, Noemi, and myself went to Oklahoma City for the Deeper Still conference. It was AWESOME!! Leisa, Erika, and I left about 8:30 Friday morning and headed that way. We had some Christmas shopping we needed to do before hand! We had so much fun!! We laughed until we cried and our bellies hurt! We stayed up late...in fact, we only "napped" about 3 hours Friday night. We ate and ate and ate some more!! It reminded me of when Leisa and I were in high school going to the Dawson McAllister Conferences, except we didn't have any adults to tell us it was time to go to bed, or we had to be in the room by a certain time...scary thing! We had a blast, and learned sooo much!!

The conference itself was just awesome! Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer all had wonderful messages that hit home each in it's own way. I will blog more about each of them later, for some reason, I am feeling compelled to go back through my notes, reread the texts in the Bible, and write about how it impacts me. Now, I have never done anything like this, but I feel God is leading me to do it, so I will. It might take me some time to get all 3 of them done, but I will!

Travis Cottrell and his Worship team did the music. It was AWESOME! There is nothing like being in a big arena with 9,000 other women singing Praise and Worship songs! There were a couple of times, when they would quit singing in the microphones, the music would stop, and it was just accapella...it gave me goosebumps every time...you could just feel the Holy Spirit moving through that room!

If you ever get a chance to go to one of these, or any other conference, GO!! It will change your life!

I will post some pictures later...I forgot my camera, but Erika took hers and she is supposed to send me a copy of them. Hurry up, Erika!!