So soon?

Wow, this is amazing. I blogged yesterday and now again today?

Well, we heard a fabulous message last night from Dr. Kaufman. It was almost like he was telling Jr.'s and my life story. Yes! I couldn't believe it. He preached on Abraham and Isaac. You might not see the connection, but believe me, we did! God asked Abraham to give up his most prized possession, his only son. Last June, it looked like we might have to give up our only son. But just as Abraham had the knife raised to obey God, God stepped in and provided a ram. Just when Preston was at the lowest ebb and near death, God stepped in and touched him and gave him back to us. He said he didn't know why God takes us to the very bottom and then steps in; but it is His way. And yes, it is a HARD way. But you know what? God gave us back our son, and what a sweeter, different son we have now. He is so much happier, and sweeter, and our love for him continues to grow. Yes, we get tired. I am with him almost 24/7 and some of his quirks and routines get to me sometimes. Yes, I have taken care of him for 20 years and I am wearing down. And I have been in the valley of discouragment for a while. I usually bounce back quicker than this, but this time, I am just having a harder time getting back up, so to speak. Sometimes I see a small ray of hope, but not enough to bring me out of this valley of discouragement. But maybe over time, I will regain my strength and overcome. Some would say it is time to get back up, and get over it, but unless you have been there, you just don't know. It is easier said than done. So I continue to plod along on this journey. I am going through all of the motions of life, but not having a lot of joyous emotions, but "joy comes in the morning." When my morning will be, is yet to be known.

Another week

Well, another week has passed since I last wrote (will be a week tomorrow.)
Jr. has had a terrible head cold. Starting to feel better now. Preston has had a good week; went to neurosurgeon and things looked good. Missie has been doing school, and ice skating. She went with a friend on Friday for the friend's birthday, and then Hannah and her children came over yesterday and we took the girls skating. Emily spent the night with Missie and is here today, until after church tonight. Jr. took the girls to church this a.m. and I stayed with Preston.
Not sure what other news to put on here. I am enjoying not having to keep the van; and just staying home. If I need to go somewhere I can go when Jr. gets home, or on Sat. It is much easier on me that way.
Well, the board of education in the state of SC has started a virtual school for homeschoolers, via the computer. The student does all their work on the internet and there is a local teacher to check in on us or if we need him or her, and IT IS FREE! But the catch is, they can only accept 200 high school students so Missie might not be able to get in. They have K-12th. So Missie has put her application in to see what happens. It would be great if she does get in, and would save us $1,000 that we have to spend on DVD school for her. With her starting high school this coming school year, she needs more instruction, and my brain is so overloaded I don't feel I can do a lot for her; that is why the dvd school will be good for that. So it is in the Lord's hands; whatever He wills concerning her education, we will accept. The website is http://www.k12.com/
We are all going to church this evening and for fellowship afterwards. That is one of Preston's outings for the week. He usually only gets out a couple of times a week unless he has a dr.'s appt. like he did this week.
So we are doing pretty good here.

Easter weekend

Well, Easter is over. Last night at church, our pastor's wife asked me if we had a nice Easter. Well, it wasn't any different for us than any other time. I then realized that we kind of live a lonely life. We don't socialize much. We don't invite people here very often nor do we get invited. But I guess with all that has happened to us in the last year, we just don't have the energy. I was so tired in church last night. In fact, I was so tired all day yesterday. I tried to get up to go to Sunday a.m. Easter service, and had to go back to bed. Jr. took care of feeding Preston and giving him his meds. and even cooked chicken for dinner. I finally got up at 12:30 and was tired the rest of the day. Thank goodness Jr. is younger than I am, LOL. Anyhow, back to Easter; nothing exciting happened. We have no family to celebrate with, but we are used to that. Anyhow, we are happy to be together as a family, us 4 and nor more, LOL, and be at home and not in Greenville Memorial.
And we have a new member in our household. A beautiful, sweet little puppy. She is spoiled rotten. She sleeps with Missie. She is so tiny and cute. She loves to be held. Even Preston holds her and she sleeps in his lap. I will post a picture of her. Missie has named her "munchkin." But Missie is realizing how much work a baby is, LOL. She is adorable though.
It has turned off cold again. Our propane is gone and it is too expensive to buy more, so we are using a oil filled electric heater, and then tonight the neighbor lent us their kerosene heater. We put it on and it got so hot. So we have the electric oil filled heater on high. If it is cold in here when Jr. gets up at 4:30 he will light the kerosene heater. The joys of winter! And I was hoping the cold was gone since we had run out of gas.
Gotta hit the hay; tomorrow comes whether I am ready for it or not.

Hump Day!

Well, today is hump day!
It has been a pretty good day. Thank the Lord, Preston's new night time meds. are working and he is sleeping well!!! PTL! He was up at 9 a.m. this morning and had a good day.
We ended up having the aide yesterday and she cleaned Preston's room, and changed his bed, vacuumed, etc. But we are only having her on Tuesdays now. It is too hard on me physically to get up and take Jr. to work to keep the van as he has to be at work at 6 a.m. plus the gas has gotten so high, we are just trying to combine all the trips that we can. Jr. can stop and pick up few things after he gets off work, that we need. So! I will be home every day this week and loving it!
I put some auctions on ebay hoping to make a few $ since this is not the week Jr. gets paid. I still find that hard. I helped Missie with her school today, and did usual house work. This evening I worked on some cards.
Missie helped with supper tonight and made a choc. cake! So that was so nice! I love having her here with me, even though it is not the ideal thing for her. I feel like part of me is missing when she is at a friends, and literally it is. She is my right arm! She gets frustrated with Preston sometimes, but then again, we all do. But overall, he is such a good, sweet boy now.
So that is about all I have to say today. It has been rainy and dreary. Hope the sun shines tomorrow so Preston can sit on the porch in his swing. The fresh air is good for him.
We did say goodbye to our silver ford escort today. They finally came and towed it away. I got a couple of pictures of that. But we love our van; God worked it out for us to get it. The car was so small for us.

The weekend is over!

Well, the weekend is over. Yesterday I cleaned that office with Missie's help for the last time. I hope someone will thump me over the head if I ever get a wild idea like that again! I knew we could use the money, but I should have known I could not take it with my fibro. Anyhow, it is over!!! And to top it all off, because I didn't fulfill the whole month, the lady is not wanting to pay us what it is worth. I asked for $150 for Missie and I, total, because we went 3 times, and it was a huge job. And we did a good job each time. But we will see. Whatever we get goes for a puppy. I promised Missie we would get her a puppy from the humane society. But I don't think we will get the money until the first of April, when the lady gets paid.

We made it to church tonight, and my friend Hannah and her 3 children met us there. It was so nice to be with her again. We have been friends for a long time. I love her like a sister. Then we all ate in the fellowship hall afterwards.

We are making some changes in our lives. We are not going to have the nurse's aide come into our home any more. I am not able physically to get up 2 mornings/week to keep the van. Jr. is going to arrange his work hours to get off at noon on Friday and then we will take Preston on his outing. On Sat. Missie works for 2 hrs. at humane society and then she can also go skating that day too, while we are already over that way. Gas is so high, we just cannot afford to run so much, so are going to try and condense our trips. And I get to be home every day during week which I absolutely love!!! Preston is almost recovered and I can do what he needs to have done for him. So it will be nice to be alone again and not having someone come in 3 times/week. If we ever need someone again, we can always get help.

So that is the latest. Headed to bed soon; last night I slept better, thank the Lord.

Interesting job???? and my card blogspot!

http://normascardsandthings.blogspot.com/

Take a look at all the cards I have been making lately.

I made 10 Easter, 6 apple, and several yellow/blue combo cards.

I made 3 men's cards tonight, but haven't gotten them pictured yet.

I LOVE making greeting cards, have you guessed that yet?

On a different note: On my the way home from town tonight Missie asked me if I had any friends that had an interesting job. I told her yes, myself, that my job was interesting. She seems kind of surprised. I told her I LOVE my job as wife, mommy, homemaker and wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world. I am so glad that is true. I do not yearn to have a career. My greatest desire was to be a mommy, and when I finally did become one, I wasn't about to put my children in daycare so I could work. So I think my job is very interesting, to say the least, living with Preston would make anyone's life interesting! LOL The children and I sat outside in out swing today and enjoyed the lovely weather; what more could I ask for? Our home is too small really, but I love my home and love to stay home. I do not like having to go places every day. That is so tiring and I love being home. "Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Thank the Lord!

I think we have the sleeping problem with Preston solved.

He was get up a.m. get his meds. and then want to sleep again, then couldn't sleep at night.

SO! We figured out that the anti-depressant meds. were making him sleepy during the day. So! We gave them last night and he went to sleep better and got up at 9 a.m. this morning, and has been a happy, talkative boy today! So, I think we have figured it out. I have been so exhausted from not getting to bed until 1 or 2 a.m. that yesterday I was aching from head to toe and felt awful. But things are looking up! I am so thankful that God helped Junior and I to figure this out!

Just had to share!

I hate this time change!

Getting to sleep at night has been a big problem with Preston lately, and then this time change? It was murder last night. He couldn't get to sleep, finally at 2 a.m. this morning I was so tired I fell to sleep and he was still calling but I didn't hear him. Jr. has a cold and has been coughing the past 2 days (which is nerve wrecking too, LOL) and he was up because of coughing and heard Preston calling. Preston asked him for a benedryl, so Jr. gave him one, on top of all the meds. I had given him, and he finally went to sleep around 2:30 maybe. But he didn't get up until noon, ate and went back to sleep until 3:30. Now I am up hoping and praying he will go to sleep soon as I am tired. It is after 11 now, and I want to go to bed. I cannot function without proper rest.

This evening Missie and I went to her best friend's church. Missie had been there before when Preston was in hospital and one family had sent us a love offering, and they have been praying for Preston. Missie has been downhearted and I knew it would be good for her to see Kelly and be with her. By the time we left for home, she was once again smiling, and the church took up a love offering for us. There was a very small crowd, about 15 or so, and they gave over $70. Then the pastor said to make it on up to $100. Isn't that amazing? This was not Jr.'s week to get paid, and by the way, I hate his getting paid every 2 weeks, instead of every week, so we were low on money. God is so good. Anyhow, the service blessed us both, and Missie and I talked on the way home and we prayed. She is really confused right now. Confused and depressed about life in general, with all of its struggles, with Preston's illness, etc. etc. and doesn't feel like the Lord loves her. It was encouraging for her to sing a special tonight at her friend's church; and then a young man preached, and it was like he knew what she was feeling. So God knows what we need when we need it. I am going to take more time to pray with Missie and do devotionals with her; that has always helped in the past and I know it will encourage her again. Our ship has been rocked for sure, and she just needs the little extra help.

So I am impatiently waiting for Preston to fall asleep. Because if I don't, as soon as I lay down he will be calling and I will hear him over the monitor. I am very tired, so I hope it is soon.

Saturday

Well, it has been a busy day. And I am sooo tired and achy. I had to clean that office, along with Missie's help today, because Kim is out of town. And I have to do it at least next week too, as she will be out of town again. I hope I can live that long. Missie is such a wonderful worker; she did entire kitchen again and did all of the mopping, that helps me so much. She is worth her weight in gold! She had already worked 2 hrs. at the Humane Society, so before we got the cleaning done, she was very tired! But we are done for this week, thank the Lord.

I feel a little better this evening, emotionally and spiritually. I have been really crushed by some things going on and I cannot afford to get involved because I am already about running on empty, as Bro. Trussell at church says, and it doesn't take much to send my spirits plummeting. But I heard a quartet from Penns View today and it encouraged me. Even if people are not real, Jesus is! He is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and I have to look to him, not people. He is always with us and keeps us going literally.

Preston is so tired these days, I think part of it is some of his nighttime meds., so with the time change I decided to cut back on one of them that he takes to help him sleep. He doesn't realize I did this, so I hope he can get to sleep ok. I think he worries about not falling to sleep and that keeps him awake, if that makes sense.

I was able to cut Preston's hair today. It looks like a literal hole in his head where he had the last surgery. I hope it is ok; and doesn't require more surgery. He pulled a staple out last night. I don't see any more staples. He goes to dr. on 27th unless they having something open sooner. Dr. Johnson was unable to leave the country right now, for some reason. I am glad he is still around. He takes mission trips to other countries, but right now I feel better knowing he is in US.

My family in Canada are being pounded with a terrific snow storm and sleet too. But so far they are all safe and warm; for that I am thankful.

I am headed to the shower and to lay down.

Lord, Prop me Up!

I got this in an email today and thought it was good. I realize that sanctified people don't yield to bitterness, etc., but we do yield to discouragement, etc. Anyhow, if you look at the picture of the barn long enough you should see Jesus.

LORD, PROP US UP

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.

After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, "Well sir, you see, it's like this...I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time, it's withstood a lot of weather, it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall. Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.

I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning, at times.

Sometime we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward discouragment, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't. So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.'"

I have needing propping up a lot in the last year. Still do, I guess. But we know God is there to prop us up; we just have to ask.

My rainbow

After some quite severe storms today, there was a rainbow. "When it looked like the sun wouldn't shine again, God put a rainbow in the sky." It was so pretty. I got the best pictures of it that I could.

Today has been an alright day overall. My heart has been so heavy over things I cannot talk about on this blog. It is not in my personal life or with my family; but other things that make one's heart heavy. Junior and I were talking tonight. I told him we have a lot of problems it seems, but we have a lot of blessings too. He agreed. I told him to could make it as long as we are together! He also agreed to that. We have to so much to be thankful for. That rainbow reassured me again that after the storms of life, there will be a rainbow. It has been proven in our lives over and over.

Missie is much better today. Bless her heart; I felt for her yesterday. She had been talking about going to Penn View and live in the dorm when she is 15 and finishing high school up there. Last night she told me she didn't think she was ready to go because she couldn't imagine laying in a dorm room all day alone and be sick and not have me there, and she told me she loved me. Maybe by the time she is 15 we will be moved up there. Anyhow, she has been able to eat some today, and is feeling much better. We are still praying that Preston will be protected from this terrible stomach flu.

Monday blahs

Well, it is Monday. But it is not a typical Monday in that Missie started throwing up at 6 a.m. this morning. She has been throwing up all day. She is so weak and trembly. I am hoping she will keep down a few sips of tea she drank earlier. We just hope and pray Preston doesn't get this; he usually has to go to ER once he gets started throwing up. I pray God will protect him from this stomach flu.

Well, yesterday was a very down day for me. I was sooo tired and went back to bed after I ate breakfast and slept until 1 p.m. Jr. got dinner and took care of Preston. I ached all day all over. I think it was because I helped clean an office on Sat. I was offered a cleaning job at this huge office. We needed the money so badly and Missie was going to help me and I was going to pay her and she was so excited about making some money. But physically I am unable to do it. I sure wish I was like I used to be before this fibromyalgia hit me. I love cleaning and used to clean houses before my children were born. But I don't know what I was thinking because I cannot even clean my own house all in one day like I used too. But I wanted to try this so bad. But I have had to give up the idea. Life will go on without the job. Jr. can get a little overtime again which will help us. Anyhow, I ached from head to toe yesterday and my left arm was going numb and my hand also. It finally dawned on me in church last night that I cannot do this job, no matter how much I want to. I know, my skull is thick sometimes. My mom already had told me she didn't think I was able to do it. How is it that moms always know best?

On a lighter note, my brother is to bring my mom and stepdad down to see us~~~~but I told him I am not getting my hopes up until I know they have left Canada. It has been years literally since any of my family have been to see me. So we will see if it materializes. It is about a 20 hr. trip and will be hard on my mom and stepdad. I wish they could fly and rent a car. But we will see what happens. If it doesn't work out for them to come, they will pay for Missie and I to fly up. I actually get more relaxation if I go up there; it gives me a much needed break. But I would love for them to see our home, etc. I hope they can be here over a Sunday, but I am not sure they will be. I would love for them to get to go to our church.

Gotta clean up the kitchen. My helper is sleeping at the moment; but that is good. I just hope she won't throw up anymore tonight.