NO, I'M NOT CHANGING CHURCHES!!

I'm going to get on my soap box for a little bit, because I am tired of explaining this to many people.  

Yes, God has called Shane and Sara to another church.  NO, I am NOT leaving MY church just because the preacher is leaving!!  My Great-Grandparents were some of the first members of Calvary.  My grandparents, and parents were married there, I was baptized there, married there, and Haley has been baptized there.  The only way I will leave is if they chain the doors shut, and then they will still have to pull me away kicking and screaming!

 The preacher does not make the church, it is the members and the people in it.  If it weren't for the members, there would be no church for the preacher to come to! 

and NO, I am NOT mad at Shane and Sara...they are following GOD, and doing what GOD is telling them to do.   I think we ALL need to listen more closely to what GOD is telling us to do.  Isaiah 50:5 says, "The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened.  I do not rebel or turn away."  They are doing what The Sovereign Lord has told them.  I know this.  I feel if you are mad at Shane and Sara for doing GOD's will, not theirs or what you think it should be, then you need to hit the floor and pray! 

I am going to miss Shane, Sara, and Noah dearly, but I know this is what is in GOD's plan for them.  GOD already has another preacher lined up for our church, and I can't wait to meet him!

Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.  Lamentations 3:24-26

This is the end of my soap box.  Thanks for reading. 

Week in Pictures

We have had a busy week...We mainly only had 2 events, but they took up a tremendous amount of time.  So, here are a few pictures from this past week.

Auzlyn at the exact moment she turned 7...10:11 pm March 24, 2010

                                            Auzlyn and her cakes.

Eating cake and ice cream.

 

Opening Presents

 

4-H Fashion Show(Haley made her pajamas)
 

Posing

 

Finishing up

 

Auzlyn, Aubrey and PaPa waiting for the fashion show.

March 24, 2003 Part 2

Let me back track a little.  I had Haley in 5 hours and only pushed 3 times.  The nurses told me not to push to wait for Dr. Darter to get there.  It is kind of hard not to push when your body is telling you "IT'S TIME!!  NOW PUSH!!"  He got there just in time to catch her.  I credit my quick labors to Weekly visits to Dr. Nall, and NO EPIDURAL! This whole pregnancy I had been telling Dr. Darter, when my labor starts, it is going to be fast, so when they call and tell you I'm at the hospital, you better run and get there.


This is about 8:15.  I am hurrying trying to get my legs shaved, I holler at Robby to call his mom to come pick up Haley, he was on the phone with Callie at the time.  I get out, try to get dressed as quickly as possible.  As I am finishing up getting dressed, I holler at Robby AGAIN to call his mom, he is still on the phone.  This time, I think he got the point...I was in the middle of a contraction and in a deep, growling, half yelling voice I said "GET OFF THE PHONE NOW!! CALL YOUR MOM! I NEED TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL NOW!!"  Needless to say, he hung up the phone and called.  Thanks to Leisa, my bag had been packed for about 6 weeks.  Once Bob and Barbara got there, we headed to the hospital.
I remember every little bump in the road just hurting, and me just telling Robby to quit hitting the bumps!  They hurt!

We get to the hospital about 8:40, go in through the ER, and Sonya is waiting on us.  I had to stop in the hallway a couple of times on the way back to the LDRP for contractions.  We finally made it back there, I get all hooked up to the machines and then they check me...I am dialated to a 4.  Sonya goes out to call Dr. Darter and tells him how everything is looking while the LVN is getting me an IV started.  The LVN gets my IV started and leaves the room to go get my antibiotic (I had group b strep with both girls), and soon as she leaves, my water breaks...9:30.  We call Sonya back in, she checks me, I'm at a 7 and all I remember is that LVN RUNNING back out of my room to go get the antibiotic, and Sonya is on the phone in my room calling Dr. Darter.  He had listened to me, and was already on his way to the hospital.   Robby, my mom, and Jennifer S.(who was going through nursing school) were in there trying to calm me down.


The LVN gets back and starts pushing the antibiotic in, by this time Dr. Darter is there, and I'm at a 9.  At this point, I am screaming for some demoral and this sweet, little nurse was going to give it to me until Dr. Darter says NO! (how dare him!)  He says by the time it takes affect, this baby will be here and he says with the next contraction...PUSH!  So I push.  The only thing I really remember is Sonya getting in my face, and telling me to stop screaming and push!  I did what she said, and with one and a half pushes...out came my little Auzlyn Grace! at 10:11pm.

We didn't find out what she was going to be, this is the only real surprise God can give you.

Unbeknown to me, standing outside in the hallway was Bob...my father-in-law, Jason...my brother, Kevin & Shallee....brother & sister-in-law, Joseph...brother-in-law.  Shallee was telling me later that night, that all the guys were just laughing at me at how much I was screaming, and she started crying telling them to stop because they just don't understand the pain!  and they don't.  During this time, Leisa and Jennifer P. come strolling up thinking they have gotten there before the baby...but they didn't.  They were in shock that I had already had her.  Barbara shows up with Haley, and she will only let Barbara hold her...she didn't know what to think.

HAPPY 7TH BRITHDAY!!  MY SWEET LITTLE AUZ!!  YOU HAVE BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY AND LAUGHTER INTO OUR LIVES!!  YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUR BABY GIRL!!

March 24, 2003 Part 1

I woke up on this Monday morning, took a shower and started getting ready for work.  Robby and I had discussed that this would be my last day to work...I was tired, exhausted, swollen feet, and just didn't feel good.  It was just 1 week before my due date, and I had a doctor's appointment that afternoon anyways.  I got Haley up, who was 3 months shy of being 3, and took her to my mom's house.  Robby was already gone to work.  I went into the school office that morning and told Mary that I just wasn't going to be able to come back to work after today.  I went down to my room, and basically sat all day with my feet propped up, I did as little as possible.

My appointment was at 2:00.  Robby had taken off work early to go with me.  We got right in to see Dr. Darter.  He came in and said, "My gosh, you look miserable!"  I told him, "I feel miserable, and you better do something about it!"  He preceded to tell me that my Grandpa had been in to see him that morning, and they had a nice conversation about me.  Pretty much, my Grandpa, in all his knowledge, told him that it was time for this baby to come out!  Thank you Grandpa!  After Dr. Darter checked me, I was dialated to a 2, so he gave me the "magic pill" to take when I left the clinic.

I take the "magic pill" and we go pick up Haley and go to Wal-Mart to have her last only child picture made.  This was during her non-picture taking phase.  We walk around Wal-Mart for a little bit, I'm getting tired and achey.  It is finally our turn for the pictures!!  We get the picture taken, after much bribery from Robby, my mom, and myself.  We head home.

I sit down for a little bit, by this time Leisa and Jennifer P. show up at my house to walk.  What are friends for?  We start walking...I am still tired and achey, but we walk.  I don't want to get too far from the house, because the baby had been sitting on my bladder.  We just walk around 2 blocks, come back to the house, so I can use the restroom, and go again.  We do this for about an hour, I'm not really feeling anything, just still achey.  I decide I'm hungry.  We order pizza Leisa and Jennifer P. take their kids to their homes.

After I eat, I decide I need to take a bath and shave.  I am relaxing in my nice, warm, bath and....it starts.

Haley's Pictures

Ok, I'm going to be a Braggin Momma...but hey, that is what we are supposed to do.  Haley had to turn in her pictures for the 4H photo contest Friday...and I have to say, she has some that are just awesome!  Last year, 2 of her photos placed at district, which she was very excited about.  So this year we doubled our number of entries.  I told Robby, if the girls keep this up, we are going to have to invest in a good photo printer.  10 8x10's at Walmart was over $50.  We will see what happens with that.  Anyway, here are Haley's 10 photo entries for this year.

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!!