I am so happy to report that Dex is doing fantastic!!! He is more or less walking on his own, his tail is wagging and he HATES being locked up in his crate.
He has a nasty incision down starting midway down his back. The stitches come out next week and his hair is starting to grow back.
He has also learned that whining might just get him out of the crate. I haven't yet been able to differentiate between the "Mom, I have to pee!" whine and the "Mom, get me out of here whine!" Or maybe he just learned that the "Mom, I have to pee!" whine generally works, regardless so he'll try anything to get out!
Paul has been a fantastic caregiver through this whole process. He has taken on 90% of all of Dex's pre and post op care making sure that doctor's orders are followed. He's going to make a great Dad someday!
Welcome to our little space of the web.
After buying a cute little mill house in Five Points, renovating it and thinking we would never live anywhere else we decided to move. To a rancher. A pink rancher. So not us. But, it will be, with time, elbow grease and good contractors! From the first time we walked in the front door we knew we were home. The new house is right around the corner from my parent's house where I grew up. We are so excited for Matthew and Charlotte to grow up here, riding bikes, going to the pool, playing in the woods... my childhood was filled with freedom and wonder allowed by a safe neighborhood that I could explore and make my place in the world. I am thrilled we can give that to our children.
These days our blog is filled with the adventures of Mateo and Charlotte...mixed in with a few home projects and recipes. But mostly the kids take front and center. Join us on the adventure!
11.6.11
What to do with the super ripe fruit that came in this weeks veg box???
2 orders of grow alabama peaches
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Some milk (maybe 1, or 2cups)
Wash peaches
Cut up into blender
Liquify
Add lemon and milk
I am trying to go no sugar these days...my pcos has led to some insulin resistance and sugar generally makes me feel really bad)
Freeze in an ice cream maker
It came out a little tart so I'll probably add a little splenda to the next batch! The next batch will be made with one canteloupe and a banana...
Enjoy!
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Some milk (maybe 1, or 2cups)
Wash peaches
Cut up into blender
Liquify
Add lemon and milk
I am trying to go no sugar these days...my pcos has led to some insulin resistance and sugar generally makes me feel really bad)
Freeze in an ice cream maker
It came out a little tart so I'll probably add a little splenda to the next batch! The next batch will be made with one canteloupe and a banana...
Enjoy!
31.5.11
Sweet Puppies
This past week has been crazy - both dogs have gone to the vet unexpectedly.
Last Thursday night, Reggie had a seizure. At first we didn't know what was going on, I thought he was going into a toxic shock from something he consumed. So, we rushed him to the emergency vet clinic (in our pj's :-) and the vets there were great. By the time we got to the clinic, he was a little freaked out but able to walk and obey simple commands. We found out that at labs at Reggie's age can develop epilepsy. So, we decided to wait until the morning to take him in for a full checkup at our regular vet. Unfortunately, Dr. Patton couldn't do the blood work until today, but we were confident he was getting back to normal and we kept a close eye on him over the weekend. By Sunday, Reggie was back to his normal happy sun loving self.
Then, yesterday, Dex started acting really weird. We initially dismissed it, but by mid-day it was clear something was wrong. He had problems with steps and refused to jump up on the sofa to snuggle. I called my sister-in-law, Erin, the family vet to find out if we needed to rush him to the emergency clinic or if it could wait until the morning when our regular clinic opened. We came to the conclusion that since he was still able to walk we could wait until the morning.
By the time we went to bed, it was clear he was getting worse. We gave him lots of love and mimos and Reggie wouldn't leave his side (normally they don't sleep together). We got him to the vet first thing this morning. Apparently his vertebrate / discs are collapsing / slipping / fusing. I am not exactly sure of the terminology. He is staying overnight at the vet tonight and probably tomorrow night. He has been given steroids shots to help heal the discs as well as painkillers to help manage the pain. We'll know in the next 48 hours whether or not he'll need surgery.
Reggie is quite upset that Dex didn't come home with him from the vet this afternoon. He keeps wandering around the house looking for him.
21.5.11
Hope
The last few weeks have been rough. But I must say I am in a much better place now and ready for whatever the future holds. I couldn't say that two weeks ago.
When we decided a month ago to not continue with the fertility treatments, it was initially a relief. But then something happened and i fell into a deep pit of despair. I felt like I felt when I returned to the US several years ago. I couldn't go to church without completely falling apart. I was a basket case during my bible study...especially the lesson about how much God loves us. When Paul wanted to talk about adoption, I simply cut him off and told him I wasn't ready to talk about it. You see, I had allowed my mind to be filled with lies.
Thoughts like "How can you call yourself a woman when you can't do the main thing that God designed you to do." "Your family must be so disappointed." "Your family won't love you if can't provide an heir." and on and on and on. The shame and accusation that I was allowing to permeate my thoughts held me in complete bondage.
Not able to make any progress I called Karin. Karin is my therapist and an amazingly intelligent and insightful woman. I have been seeing her since I was a teenager and she has helped me through so many different situations. If you ever need a good therapist, call me. She is amazing.
With Karin, I was thankfully able to process.
This actually all started the day that my brother called to tell me he and Erin were having sweet little Abby. Then I found out that Christy was pregnant with Noah. Hilary with Finn. on and on... I had similar thoughts that to me seemed insane. So I just didn't think about them. I said to myself, "That's crazy." and tried not to think about it.
In retrospect, what I should have said was, "LIES! THAT IS NOT TRUE!" Somewhere along the way I allowed myself to believe the lie that because I have not gotten pregnant and had a child, that I am less of a woman, that my family is disappointed with me, and that God doesn't love me and is punishing me for my sins. So month after month of trying to get pregnant became more about proving those accusations wrong than the desire to have to children.
The breakthrough came during a bible study lesson on Spiritual Warfare (I am taking part in a bible study program called "First Place for Health". Click on the link if you'd like more info.) The beginning of the lesson asked us to identify any strongholds at work in our life. I initially scoffed at the idea that strongholds were at work in my life. The list included things like depression (check), anger (check), insecurity (check), fear (check), shame (check). I was shocked and relieved to discover that maybe I didn't have to live in this pit any longer.
Later in the lesson, I was lead to this verse from 1 Peter 5:
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
WOW! What an amazing promise. This was the truth I needed to replace the lies.
When we decided a month ago to not continue with the fertility treatments, it was initially a relief. But then something happened and i fell into a deep pit of despair. I felt like I felt when I returned to the US several years ago. I couldn't go to church without completely falling apart. I was a basket case during my bible study...especially the lesson about how much God loves us. When Paul wanted to talk about adoption, I simply cut him off and told him I wasn't ready to talk about it. You see, I had allowed my mind to be filled with lies.
Thoughts like "How can you call yourself a woman when you can't do the main thing that God designed you to do." "Your family must be so disappointed." "Your family won't love you if can't provide an heir." and on and on and on. The shame and accusation that I was allowing to permeate my thoughts held me in complete bondage.
Not able to make any progress I called Karin. Karin is my therapist and an amazingly intelligent and insightful woman. I have been seeing her since I was a teenager and she has helped me through so many different situations. If you ever need a good therapist, call me. She is amazing.
With Karin, I was thankfully able to process.
This actually all started the day that my brother called to tell me he and Erin were having sweet little Abby. Then I found out that Christy was pregnant with Noah. Hilary with Finn. on and on... I had similar thoughts that to me seemed insane. So I just didn't think about them. I said to myself, "That's crazy." and tried not to think about it.
In retrospect, what I should have said was, "LIES! THAT IS NOT TRUE!" Somewhere along the way I allowed myself to believe the lie that because I have not gotten pregnant and had a child, that I am less of a woman, that my family is disappointed with me, and that God doesn't love me and is punishing me for my sins. So month after month of trying to get pregnant became more about proving those accusations wrong than the desire to have to children.
The breakthrough came during a bible study lesson on Spiritual Warfare (I am taking part in a bible study program called "First Place for Health". Click on the link if you'd like more info.) The beginning of the lesson asked us to identify any strongholds at work in our life. I initially scoffed at the idea that strongholds were at work in my life. The list included things like depression (check), anger (check), insecurity (check), fear (check), shame (check). I was shocked and relieved to discover that maybe I didn't have to live in this pit any longer.
Later in the lesson, I was lead to this verse from 1 Peter 5:
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
WOW! What an amazing promise. This was the truth I needed to replace the lies.
2.5.11
Huntsville Utilities Update
Huntsville Utilities At 4 p.m., TVA dispatch requested Huntsville Utilities hold any additional electric load until further notice.
Huntsville Utilities urges customers to PLEASE practice conservation measures. These would include, but are not limited to:
Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning is a major drain on electricity. Please plan your use along the following:
• Turn the thermostat to between 78 to 80 degrees. The higher the better as far as energy used.
• Use of the air conditioner in the morning is less of a pull on the system.
• During the peak hours, between 3-7 p.m., please limit use of air conditioners and raise the thermostat.
Keep use of all unnecessary electronic appliances during the peak hours to a minimum.
Water
Please continue to conserve water.
Do not:
• Water your lawn
• Wash your car
• Use water recreationally.
We are requesting that home and business owners please turn off their lawn sprinkler systems. When their power is/was restored this was probably forgotten. This a major drain on the water system and unnecessary with rain in the forecast.
PLEASE NOTE: As more and more customers are restored there will be confusion as to why “my neighbor has power and I don’t.” Your neighbor may be on a different line or there may still be trouble somewhere along the line such as a downed tree or pole. Please be patient as we work through these system repairs. We will respond as soon as possible. You may report your outage to 256-535-1200 if you have not already done so.
Once again, Huntsville Utilities would like to thank it’s customers for their patience and understanding in this crisis situation. We are eager to restore power to all of our customers. We will continue to provide updates on the restoration effort as available.
Huntsville Utilities urges customers to PLEASE practice conservation measures. These would include, but are not limited to:
Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning is a major drain on electricity. Please plan your use along the following:
• Turn the thermostat to between 78 to 80 degrees. The higher the better as far as energy used.
• Use of the air conditioner in the morning is less of a pull on the system.
• During the peak hours, between 3-7 p.m., please limit use of air conditioners and raise the thermostat.
Keep use of all unnecessary electronic appliances during the peak hours to a minimum.
Water
Please continue to conserve water.
Do not:
• Water your lawn
• Wash your car
• Use water recreationally.
We are requesting that home and business owners please turn off their lawn sprinkler systems. When their power is/was restored this was probably forgotten. This a major drain on the water system and unnecessary with rain in the forecast.
PLEASE NOTE: As more and more customers are restored there will be confusion as to why “my neighbor has power and I don’t.” Your neighbor may be on a different line or there may still be trouble somewhere along the line such as a downed tree or pole. Please be patient as we work through these system repairs. We will respond as soon as possible. You may report your outage to 256-535-1200 if you have not already done so.
Once again, Huntsville Utilities would like to thank it’s customers for their patience and understanding in this crisis situation. We are eager to restore power to all of our customers. We will continue to provide updates on the restoration effort as available.
21.4.11
The end of Part One
Part One of starting a family has come to its conclusion. After several years of dealing with infertility and over a year of different treatments that have taken their toll it is time to move on.
During church on Sunday we both got quite emotional and had to leave shortly after communion. As we walked to the car we both agreed that it just didn't make sense to invest more time and money in something that may never work. At the end of the day God is in charge, not the fertility specialist and we can align the stars over and over again, but ultimately God decides when life is created, not technology, not me, not Paul, only Him.
I am not sure exactly what happens next.
We are still coming to terms with our decision to end the fertility treatments. Month after month of waiting, hoping, praying, dreaming... Month after month i have cried for the child that we will never know.
I know with everything in me that God has a family for us...I just don't know exactly what that looks like. One thing is to get pregnant and start a family. The path is simple and set in motion from the moment of conception. With adoption there are so many paths with many different outcomes...I am confident that God will show us our path.
During church on Sunday we both got quite emotional and had to leave shortly after communion. As we walked to the car we both agreed that it just didn't make sense to invest more time and money in something that may never work. At the end of the day God is in charge, not the fertility specialist and we can align the stars over and over again, but ultimately God decides when life is created, not technology, not me, not Paul, only Him.
I am not sure exactly what happens next.
We are still coming to terms with our decision to end the fertility treatments. Month after month of waiting, hoping, praying, dreaming... Month after month i have cried for the child that we will never know.
I know with everything in me that God has a family for us...I just don't know exactly what that looks like. One thing is to get pregnant and start a family. The path is simple and set in motion from the moment of conception. With adoption there are so many paths with many different outcomes...I am confident that God will show us our path.
3.4.11
Abby's first birthday!
So last weekend, I made the long haul to Charlotte, NC to celebrate Abby's first birthday with Erin, Whit, mom and dad. We had a blast! Scroll down to see the pics of Abby's cake face - too cute!
Abby's First Birthday!
Abby's First Birthday!
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