Well, some of you may know that Andrew and I are involved in a new church plant here where we live. I know I haven't written much about it before now, but thought I should "get it out there" so to speak.
Today was our almost first service! It really was just a dress rehearsal to see how long it takes to set up/tear down, test the sound for the band and just find all those little things that we failed to think about beforehand. It was a lot of fun actually. Andrew and I carpooled with another of the band members, our one and only teenager, and arrived extra early. (I wanted to leave time to get lost, since my sense of direction is, well, challenged.) Finally, the others in our crew arrived, minus our de facto band leader in the absence of my mother (who is the actual band leader.) We began set up and finally I called our bass/acoustic guitarist. Imagine my surprise when I woke him up! Turns out he had set his alarm for PM instead of AM!!! Quite amusing, but he showed up about 30 minutes after I called him, which is quite a feat as he lives near me and it's 30 minutes in good traffic and going the speed limit!
We managed to get all set up in around 45 minutes and that really only left us 20 to warm up the band. We did and then people showed up, yay! Our teens mom and a friend and her friend. It was awesome. There was about 10-12 of us all together. We had a nice service of some music and a short discussion time and then more music. We rounded things up around 11:30 and then packed up and went home.
Overall, it went well. Set up was hurried and confusing, of course. Simply because we all had assigned jobs - but no one other than me bothered to look at what their job was! And then they all looked at me to tell THEM what to do. Boy was I laughing when it was all over, wondering how I ended up as the de facto leader. Nevermind my father is the pastor and my mother the band leader, but still!! Regardless, we got it all done. It wasn't without it's errors, issues, glitches, embarassing moments, but we worshipped God with good friends. I pray we make a difference in our community, and truly become the hands and feet of Christ here. It will be quite an amazing journey, but we are very excited to begin the walk.
If interested, check us out at www.quest2819.org. I set up the site, so hopefully you like it! ;)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Labor Day weekend
Wow, has it been a busy few weeks. It seems like just yesterday, it was the beginning of August. I can hardly believe that tomorrow is September. And Labor Day is just way to early in September this year.
Well as stated above, it's been hectic around here. I've been on the road far more than I think I could handle. It started out the 2nd week in August with a trip to Chicago for a trade show training seminar. While I learned a lot of excellent information and useful tips for work, that was 4 days out of the office. I did have some time for leisure where I visited with my "namesake." My mother's best friend from her childhood. We had a wonderful time with dinner and a little tour around downtown Chicago. I decided that Chicago is a nice place to visit, but I definitely would not want to live there. Thursday, the last day there, I had what can only be described as an "episode" where I decided that I just had to get home and right away. The seminar was over at noon but my flight was not until 9pm. But in my agitated state, I booked it to the airport and managed to catch a 2pm flight. Was so happy to be home I just bawled once I walked in the door. That week was also Andrew's last week of freedom!
The next week, third week in August, I again was out for the first three days. But this time I was in Huntsville for meetings. Andrew started his first week as a paraeducator. But, he found out by Wednesday that they were offering him a full time teaching position, to begin the next Monday. We were thrilled! But so began the preparations. We spent the weekend setting up his classroom as best we could.
Then comes this past week. I was gone AGAIN. This time in Santa Clara, California and LA. While it was a very productive trip in terms of the future, I again was unable to get as much done as I would have liked. I have begun to really feel the pressure of all the travel and then the demands of the office as well as my personal life. Sleep has gone by the wayside, stress is way up. Doesn't help that this was also Andrew's first week of teaching, so that meant additional stress for both of us. Andrew, just because it's his first week of teaching and talk about a learning curve! There is so much to take into consideration when setting up a classroom and determining these lesson plans. And Andrew's penchant for perfectionism is leading him to place more pressure on himself and stress himself out even more. That in turn spills out on me. And me being stressed out to begin with, well lets just say it's been a fun week. I'm exhausted, crying at every turn and Andrew is just as stressed but being a guy, he can't just bawl at the drop of a hat. (Why is that, btw? Can anyone answer me that?)
So anyway, who knows how much of this is in reaction to the meds they have me on since the surgery in July. Thankfully, the last shot is Tuesday, then hopefully my body can get back to normal. That and the completion of AstriCon, which will be a complete weight lifted.
So maybe I'll head to bed now. If you are reading this, please pray for us. While these troubles are very minor compared to what many others have to deal with, I feel very much at the end of my rope and just need God's peace and faith in Him that whatever happens in the future, I will be taken care of. Not that I really doubt it. I dunno, maybe I do since I worry. I don't want to worry, I want to trust. And while at times I have absolute peace and trust in Him, it seems that at night, all of that peace and trust disappears and all I'm left with is my fear. Especially those early mornings when I can no longer sleep, but its too early to rise. *Sigh* I just want to enjoy where I am right now. Is that too much to ask?
Well as stated above, it's been hectic around here. I've been on the road far more than I think I could handle. It started out the 2nd week in August with a trip to Chicago for a trade show training seminar. While I learned a lot of excellent information and useful tips for work, that was 4 days out of the office. I did have some time for leisure where I visited with my "namesake." My mother's best friend from her childhood. We had a wonderful time with dinner and a little tour around downtown Chicago. I decided that Chicago is a nice place to visit, but I definitely would not want to live there. Thursday, the last day there, I had what can only be described as an "episode" where I decided that I just had to get home and right away. The seminar was over at noon but my flight was not until 9pm. But in my agitated state, I booked it to the airport and managed to catch a 2pm flight. Was so happy to be home I just bawled once I walked in the door. That week was also Andrew's last week of freedom!
The next week, third week in August, I again was out for the first three days. But this time I was in Huntsville for meetings. Andrew started his first week as a paraeducator. But, he found out by Wednesday that they were offering him a full time teaching position, to begin the next Monday. We were thrilled! But so began the preparations. We spent the weekend setting up his classroom as best we could.
Then comes this past week. I was gone AGAIN. This time in Santa Clara, California and LA. While it was a very productive trip in terms of the future, I again was unable to get as much done as I would have liked. I have begun to really feel the pressure of all the travel and then the demands of the office as well as my personal life. Sleep has gone by the wayside, stress is way up. Doesn't help that this was also Andrew's first week of teaching, so that meant additional stress for both of us. Andrew, just because it's his first week of teaching and talk about a learning curve! There is so much to take into consideration when setting up a classroom and determining these lesson plans. And Andrew's penchant for perfectionism is leading him to place more pressure on himself and stress himself out even more. That in turn spills out on me. And me being stressed out to begin with, well lets just say it's been a fun week. I'm exhausted, crying at every turn and Andrew is just as stressed but being a guy, he can't just bawl at the drop of a hat. (Why is that, btw? Can anyone answer me that?)
So anyway, who knows how much of this is in reaction to the meds they have me on since the surgery in July. Thankfully, the last shot is Tuesday, then hopefully my body can get back to normal. That and the completion of AstriCon, which will be a complete weight lifted.
So maybe I'll head to bed now. If you are reading this, please pray for us. While these troubles are very minor compared to what many others have to deal with, I feel very much at the end of my rope and just need God's peace and faith in Him that whatever happens in the future, I will be taken care of. Not that I really doubt it. I dunno, maybe I do since I worry. I don't want to worry, I want to trust. And while at times I have absolute peace and trust in Him, it seems that at night, all of that peace and trust disappears and all I'm left with is my fear. Especially those early mornings when I can no longer sleep, but its too early to rise. *Sigh* I just want to enjoy where I am right now. Is that too much to ask?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Lazy week and bye bye debt
Lisa and I are just kind of taking it easy for the next week. I will start my teaching job a week from Monday. I sold off about 1/2 of my vending business. It was nice to finally be able to write the check to pay off my student loans. We are debt free but the house now. Hopefully in the next 2 years we will be totally debt free. It takes discipline and sacrifices but it will be worth it when we are debt free. Last weekend we spent a few days in Columbia for a short vacation, it was nice to get out of town for a few days. Hoping I can get the rest of my vending sold soon, or I will be running after school to get it done. It would give us a nice chunk of money to pay down on the house.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Oh crappy day!
Well from one extreme to the other isn't it? Almost feels like there must be something to counteract everything. So for every good there is a bad? Had my post op appointment today and it turns out I have Stage IV endo. Doc said that means it's been growing in there for 7-10 YEARS. Years! That means it more than likely began growing when I became very ill back in 2000. Coincidence? Hmmm. I think NOT. Basically that tells me that the doctors before really weren't listening to me. Stress causing it, yeah right. Someone tell me please why it had to take 8 years and two miscarriages before the REAL reason for my stomach/weight issues to be discovered?
So what does Stage IV endo mean? I'm not entirely sure as I have adamantly refused to google it. I haven't wanted to know. Too much of the information out on the internet tends to be bad news and I just can't bear to look at it that way. All I know is that it was all over everything. Pelvic floor, uterus (both inside and out), probably bladder and intestines (hence the STOMACH/DIGESTION problems), one of my ovaries was just covered in it. It is unequivocally the reason for my miscarriages. Hands down. It caused the poor egg quality, it hindered the progesterone development. It probably was the cause of my extremely irregular cycles.
So where to from here? Doc lasered out as much of the endo as he could during the surgery. He has placed me on pseudo-menopause until December, which will starve out/kill any remaining endo he couldn't get to. Then we have to get pregnant FAST. We have about 6 months before the endo starts growing back. After birth - I have to go on the pill that only allows 3 cycles a YEAR. Then get pregnant fast again. Thing is, with the drug regimen the doc is putting me on - I have an increased risk for multiples. So that thing I had growing up about always wanting TWINS? Well it's a real possibility now. Funny how these things work out, huh?
So mostly, I think I'm ok. A bit frustrated that the wait is going to have to be so long. I want it and I want it now on some things. Mostly angry that all these things were related - that I can pretty much deduce that this all STARTED back in January 2000 when I first became ill and I had to FIGHT that doc to even consider that something more was wrong with me than just STRESS. 3 months and 20 lbs and a little internal bleeding later - oh I guess something WAS wrong. What is wrong, oh I dunno?! I've heard it said that's why it's called a medical practice but why do I have to be the guinea pig? Grr. On the positive side, doc seems pretty confident that I'll be pregnant by March of 09. December seems a popular month for milestones in my life.
So what does Stage IV endo mean? I'm not entirely sure as I have adamantly refused to google it. I haven't wanted to know. Too much of the information out on the internet tends to be bad news and I just can't bear to look at it that way. All I know is that it was all over everything. Pelvic floor, uterus (both inside and out), probably bladder and intestines (hence the STOMACH/DIGESTION problems), one of my ovaries was just covered in it. It is unequivocally the reason for my miscarriages. Hands down. It caused the poor egg quality, it hindered the progesterone development. It probably was the cause of my extremely irregular cycles.
So where to from here? Doc lasered out as much of the endo as he could during the surgery. He has placed me on pseudo-menopause until December, which will starve out/kill any remaining endo he couldn't get to. Then we have to get pregnant FAST. We have about 6 months before the endo starts growing back. After birth - I have to go on the pill that only allows 3 cycles a YEAR. Then get pregnant fast again. Thing is, with the drug regimen the doc is putting me on - I have an increased risk for multiples. So that thing I had growing up about always wanting TWINS? Well it's a real possibility now. Funny how these things work out, huh?
So mostly, I think I'm ok. A bit frustrated that the wait is going to have to be so long. I want it and I want it now on some things. Mostly angry that all these things were related - that I can pretty much deduce that this all STARTED back in January 2000 when I first became ill and I had to FIGHT that doc to even consider that something more was wrong with me than just STRESS. 3 months and 20 lbs and a little internal bleeding later - oh I guess something WAS wrong. What is wrong, oh I dunno?! I've heard it said that's why it's called a medical practice but why do I have to be the guinea pig? Grr. On the positive side, doc seems pretty confident that I'll be pregnant by March of 09. December seems a popular month for milestones in my life.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Oh happy day!
Our prayers have been answered - partially! Andrew was offered a position today with a middle school here in town, as a paraeducator. Now it's not what we were really hoping for as it's not a full time teaching position, but it is with an excellent school that is very excited to have him and there is the possibility of moving into a full time teaching position very quickly! We are trusting God in His plan for us right now. So please continue to pray for us, for continued growth in our careers and our family and that God will continue to work towards our dreams coming true!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Wow
I just have to share. I feel awesome! We had a wonderful weekend. Andrew had good interviews on Friday, we had a good time with friends all weekend (Dinner Saturday night and then a baptism all this afternoon.) For the first time in a long time, I feel refreshed, even if exhausted. Still it feels good.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Laproscopy
Wow what a week! I have been absolutely wrecked all week and all because of one little procedure. Of course I'm a bit harder on myself than I really should be but...oh well!
So update. Last Friday, I had what's known as a laproscopy and hysteroscopy. For those of you who don't know, the laproscopy requires they cut a hole in my belly button and stick a little camera and laser thing in there and scope around my innards looking for stuff. Same with the hysteroscopy. The report? Well the doc found a lot of endometriosis. I'm not sure how much entirely because I have yet to talk to him and mom and Andrew only spoke with him for a few short moments. All I know is the doc was surprised at how much he found for someone as young as me. (Awww I'm still young - even if I feel about 60!) So what does this mean? Well the doc lasered as much out as he could get to, and they have given me drugs that will put me into a short menopause for two months. The combination of these two things should kill every last bit of it. Then after that, God willing, our next little one should stick and you won't have to deal with any more of my lamenting posts!
So I'm not entirely surprised with this, seeing as how I have such a family history of it. And had you asked me earlier this week what I thought, I would have told you I was angry. And I was then. Not sure about what, maybe that they actually found something and it just proved how deficient I really was. I honestly can't tell you. But my wonderful husband pointed out to me that at least they found something that can be corrected! It's fixable. Of course this greatly increases my chances of NOT making it to a natural menopause, but in terms of having children, it's fixable. So I thank God for that. And I will rely on Him to see to my future. Anyway, right now I feel very optimistic and positive and excited. It's been this way for the last few days. So I'll take it!
Oh! Doc also said the endo was probably causing all of my tummy and back aches through out the years. Joy! That means I should be feeling like a completely NEW person, physically, once I have healed completely from the surgery. (Still waiting for my body to say it's done giving me trouble with the whole healing bit).
And on another completely different topic - Andrew interviewed for a few para educator positions here in town. These are all part time, non certified positions, but we feel that this would be a good way to get his name known in the schools and lead, fairly quickly, to a contracted position. So it looks very good on both of them so far! Looks like he may have to make a choice over which one to actually take! :-D
So update. Last Friday, I had what's known as a laproscopy and hysteroscopy. For those of you who don't know, the laproscopy requires they cut a hole in my belly button and stick a little camera and laser thing in there and scope around my innards looking for stuff. Same with the hysteroscopy. The report? Well the doc found a lot of endometriosis. I'm not sure how much entirely because I have yet to talk to him and mom and Andrew only spoke with him for a few short moments. All I know is the doc was surprised at how much he found for someone as young as me. (Awww I'm still young - even if I feel about 60!) So what does this mean? Well the doc lasered as much out as he could get to, and they have given me drugs that will put me into a short menopause for two months. The combination of these two things should kill every last bit of it. Then after that, God willing, our next little one should stick and you won't have to deal with any more of my lamenting posts!
So I'm not entirely surprised with this, seeing as how I have such a family history of it. And had you asked me earlier this week what I thought, I would have told you I was angry. And I was then. Not sure about what, maybe that they actually found something and it just proved how deficient I really was. I honestly can't tell you. But my wonderful husband pointed out to me that at least they found something that can be corrected! It's fixable. Of course this greatly increases my chances of NOT making it to a natural menopause, but in terms of having children, it's fixable. So I thank God for that. And I will rely on Him to see to my future. Anyway, right now I feel very optimistic and positive and excited. It's been this way for the last few days. So I'll take it!
Oh! Doc also said the endo was probably causing all of my tummy and back aches through out the years. Joy! That means I should be feeling like a completely NEW person, physically, once I have healed completely from the surgery. (Still waiting for my body to say it's done giving me trouble with the whole healing bit).
And on another completely different topic - Andrew interviewed for a few para educator positions here in town. These are all part time, non certified positions, but we feel that this would be a good way to get his name known in the schools and lead, fairly quickly, to a contracted position. So it looks very good on both of them so far! Looks like he may have to make a choice over which one to actually take! :-D
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