Bible Study

I am currently involved in this Bible Study with my Sunday School class ladies. I just have to say that I love this Bible Study and boy has it hit some strings for me.

I wanted to share a little bit about tonight's gathering. One thing that the author talks about or should I say asks about is why we risk opening up to other believers. I would say that this can be hard for me b/c I am one who doesn't necesarily open up to a lot of people with deep things or things that are bothering me. Normally, I will go to my mom or a few close friends. Then during the study later on I really opened up (to me at least) about how when we were going through the blood problems with Zachary I did my best to stay focused on the Lord and not "tunnel vision" with the problem. When I would start to feel overwhelmed or couldn't stop the tears; we would pray for me, Les, Zachary, our doctors, etc. It would usually calm me down until I hit my next bout with fear about the possibility of losing Zachary (this is what I think that I struggled with the most until we saw the hemotologist that had worked with Les' niece when she was born). Anyways, my main point in telling this is b/c I want to give glory to God for taking care of my baby and for also directing the doctors and their decisions. There is never once during the last 6 months that I didn't give glory to God. I would cry to the doctors with good and bad news and praise the Lord. Our one favorite doctor at Children's Plano will usually tear up when I cry too and I just tell her that God is the one who has healed Zachary and got him to this point. She is a Christian too; which I have found out after the fact and that is always a neat thing.

Anyways, one thing that I am going to try to do and work on is to be more open with fellow Christians when I need prayer, going through a hard time, etc.

Thank you, God for the ladies in my Bible study and for what they mean to me so far. I know that this Bible study is just going to get better and better - too bad it's only 6 weeks long!! ;)

Baby Dedication

Today, Les & I dedicated Zachary to the Lord. We promised to raise him in a Christian environment and to teach him the ways of the Bible. Les and I were both raised in a Christian home, so that helps that we have an example set for us.

We had a great time in Branson last week, but it's always nice to be home too. Zachary has been recovering from the trip the last few days, but he had a GREAT time and was a GREAT traveler. He didn't sleep much in the car, so him and I played constantly while driving. When we were at shows, he would sit in someone's lap and just watch the show. I couldn't believe how well he did on trip. I am extremely proud of him and I know that Les is too. I couldn't have asked for a better baby last week! He went and went AND went like the energizer bunny!!!! HAHAHAHA

I hope that everyone has a GREAT week!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures Only!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed all the recent pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As the rain ceases for a little while

Here is a poem that just came to mind as I made it up......LOL

Rain, Rain, come and stay;

Please don't go away;

We're becoming fond;

As you fill our bigger pond;

The dogs can swim;

On a whim;

Please don't delay;

We're not ready to pay (for the water).

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha................I am in a silly mood!!!

We leave for Branson in 6 days!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH, I'm so excited, I just can hide it, I'm about to lose control and I think I like it.

Off to check on Zachary now.....BYE!

Zachary

His blood work went very well today and he did awesome! He, of course, cried when they stuck his arm, but he didn't start crying up until then. He was such a big boy! As soon as Annette (his normal phlebotometist) starting putting on the turniqut; then he started to tear up. Then it was over before he knew it.

Anyways, his red blood cell count (hemoglobin) was 9.4; which is great for him! He gets 3 months off now and I couldn't be anymore happier.

His weight was 16 lbs and 2.2 ounces. He was 25.28 inches long - grown an inch in a month!

He is doing great. He has his 6 month check-up tomorrow and will be receiving 3 shots - he received 2 of them this past week when we were there for his ear infection.

He is currently jumping away and having a ball - he has been jumping now for about 45 minutes and STILL having fun.........hahaha

Till tomorrow...............can't believe he'll be 6 months old! I took some really cute pics of him yesterday and they are cute. :) I'll post some pics once I download them from my camera. I have a few more ideas of some pics, so maybe Z and I will go and try to get those pictures now! :)

just a few things.....

* I get my stitches out THIS Friday...YAY I am so excited b/c my hand is starting to pull more with it healing. It feels weird!

**Zachary had a MUCH better night last night. He started waking up around 4:30 AM, but went back to sleep on his own and then started crying around 6:15 AM. I got up and he was crying, but he looked like he was still sleeping, so I grabbed his boppy and paci and put him and those items in the middle of our bed. Which by the way didn't leave Les and I much room....hahaha....we have a full size bed. :) Zachary was able to sleep from 6:15 - 7:45 AM or so. I got him up after that and gave him a bottle. He was then ready to JUMP JUMP JUMP!!!!

***We leave for Branson in about 1 week, so excited! We're starting to look at things that we want to do this year. We saw a few shows last year, but we'll try a few new things this year. :)

****Friday night is Homecoming at my high school (Allen!). I think that Zachary and I might try to go - we'll see!

*****I started reading a new book and I am so excited. I have been wanting to read this book for well over 2 years now. It is "My Sister's Keeper." Yes, that is the one that has a movie made to it. I am borrowing it from my friend, Kristy. So far it is good and I am enjoying it, but saddened by the events of the book too. How can a mom and dad treat their daughter like that?!

*****On October 24th at 9 AM, I am going to be walking in a Memory Walk in honor of my mother-in-law, Doris. If you would like to join me or donate - please e-mail me or leave me a comment and I will send the info to you.

I guess that's all for now, but I'll write more tomorrow. Zachary has his blood work in the morning to check his red blood count and I will give everyone an update on his results.

What a night!!!!!!

Whew, glad that last night is over and I'm hoping for a MUCH better tonight. Zachary's ear infection didn't go away with the meds and last night he woke up close to 11 PM SCREAMING. It wasn't his "hunger", "sleepy" cries, but of one that we haven't heard much. I knew something was wrong and told Les that he must be in pain. Well, Les was changing his diaper and he started grabbing his ear. It was a pretty rough night b/c he would only sleep 1 1/2 - 2 hours at a time and then wake up crying. Him and I eventually moved to the couch and he slept on his boppy pillow on one end of the couch and I had my legs propped up on either side of the boppy so that I could feel when and if he moved. Les and I took him to the doc this morning and he started on a new/stronger med this afternoon. We're using tylenol and olive oil in his ears too and that has seemed to help with some of the discomfort. He is still trying to smile despite the pain. He wanted to jump, so he jumped in his jumperoo several times today for about 20 - 30 minutes at a time. :)

I get my stitches out THIS Friday and I am excited about that. I wonder what it will feel like once they're out. Will it still be a little uncomfortable if I move it weird or will my middle finger still be restricted and not able to open my hand 100%?! I am nervous b/c I don't know if it will hurt or not, but definitely ready for it to me done.

Well, I am going to bed to try to hopefully sleep better than last night. :)

GOODNIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick Update

Surgery went well and was over within 45 minutes. They knocked me out around 7:15 AM and my first memory was seeing Les and drinking apple juice at around 8:35 AM or so. Soon after that, I was on my way home with my hand. I have to say, I was rather surprised by the incision because it is a good inch long. The way that he ended up cutting, it has pulled some of the skin from my middle finger and I can't straighten it all the way yet. I am hoping that when the stitches come out Friday - that it will relax some and I will be able to straighten my hand.

I found out yesterday that it is NOT cancerous. I was very relieved by that b/c that thought was in the back of my mind, but I tried to just not even think about that. There is a scripture in the Bible that talks about not worrying about tomorrow b/c today has its own worries. I just kept that in my mind.

My parents have been great to help us out by keeping Zachary. I am getting there with him, but I can't put him in the car seat, change his diaper, and things like that. THANK YOU, MOM & DAD!! WE LOVE Y'ALL VERY MUCH!!

I hope that everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!!! Les is off on Sunday and Monday, so that's exciting to have him on a holiday - I hear the lake calling our names......hahahaha

As someone said recently, "she's always at the lake and that's why she's so tan." Well, definitely NOT entirely true b/c we go at night to keep Z out of the sun, but I love the outdoors and don't sit inside just watching TV all day. :) Z and I love going to the park, Les and I enjoy hiking this newly completed trail (we hiked 6 miles of it last Monday night and it was great!). So, that's why I am so tan; not b/c I spend all my time at the lake. :) No biggie though, but before people make comments that sound not so nice when they come out, make sure you know the person you're talking about and what they do. Anyways, that wasn't supposed to turn into a rant, but it's out and I feel better.....hahahaha BUT, I'm glad that you noticed my nice tanned skin.....LOL