While I have rough days with my fm symptoms, I know good days are always to follow! Well, I should say our days are what we make of them and the last few days have been pretty amazing! Friday I got the chance to enjoy lunch with Leah at school for an early birthday celebration!   
 And then I came home and finished another scrapbook…Tim calls it a sickness haha, but after three weeks of down time…I finally got pictures organized and into either albums or scrapbooks for all four of the kids!!!  

Tim was also able to come home later in the day on Friday and of all things…we sat on the swings and talked!!! Just me and him, messing around like kids and reevaluating what we both want and need to be changing in our lives in order to improve things between us and as a family. 

And it really didn’t hit me until that evening but Friday was actually a day I was praying for on Wednesday…a day where I prayed Tim and I could spend a fun day together. We didn’t plan it but it just kind of happened where we had a couple of hours to ourselves so we took advantage of it! And while it wasn’t anything too exciting, just us messing around out on the farm, it meant the world to me!!

Saturday was finally the big birthday and we were able to celebrate Leah turning six years old…at Chuck E. Cheese of course!      

 Today I got to visit Leah at school once again for a Mother’s Day celebration. The kids read to all of us moms and sang songs. Then Leah took me around her classroom and we got the chance to read more stories, play games and do puzzles…  

We also had some yummy snacks and opened up my special gifts!  

 

And if that all wasn’t fun enough…we finished out the day with recess!

  After the school day was over Leah and I snuck off to get some ice cream before picking up Asher…getting ice cream is a fun little tradition we like to do with each of the kids after their performances whether it’s Skyler after band or Nathan after orchestra. The smallest things seem to result in the biggest smiles! 

Needless to say it has been a busy few days…but amazing days and once we have a final band and orchestra concert for Skyler and Nathan…it will be the end of our school year! Where has the time gone?!

I also took the leap and started working again today so hopefully I can be back to my regular schedule in no time…that is after I get caught up! Yikes!! Boy, I will admit it was very hard to start working again! I sure did get used to focusing all of my time and energy on the kids…and it was absolutely wonderful!

Either way, I am thankful that I got to have some one on one with all of the kids and with Tim! No big trips..nothing too eventful but it really is the small things where the most joy can be found! 

Enjoy your week!

I know I’ve been slacking on my blogs lately and I actually had one almost done on Wednesday night but then got distracted and never finished it. It’s the type of blog I tend to not want to share because I think some of my readers begin to feel sorry for me. That is the last thing I want, but if I am going to honestly portray what this disease is capable of…I need to share the hard days as well as the good days because this is also a part of our reality. The rest of the week ended up going a lot better and we were able to celebrate Leah’s birthday but I’m too tired to do a new blog and since I’ve gotten a few messages, I’ll share the blog from Wednesday to catch up…

Today was one of those days…a day of symptoms not so much from my surgery, but from the fm. The last few days actually, I’ve slowly been feeling more “off”. Heart palpitations have been more noticeable with the rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath again, to the point Tim even noticed me gasping in some of our conversations. Thankfully it doesn’t last terribly long. 

And then mornings are always rough on me due to the extreme fogginess and yucky feeling. So this morning before getting out of bed, I took a few moments to gather my thoughts…what did I do last night, what day is it today and what do I need to be doing? This is a typical morning but today was worse…and Tim confirmed that when I went downstairs.

He had gotten up early with the kids so that I could sleep a little longer and when I went downstairs and walked in to the kitchen I got “the look” from him, which I know he thinks I didn’t notice. He tried to go about what he was doing but then stopped, looked at me again, looked down to the floor and I knew what was coming…because today, I knew I looked as bad as I felt! Haha! 

And bless his heart he simply said I looked a little more “swollen” today. And it’s funny because my biggest obstacle with this disease is that I “look” healthy but when you finally acknowledge my symptoms and tell me I look rough or I look sick, I get defensive about it. Today, however, I agreed with him. I mean, I felt like the stay puft marshmallow man from Ghostbusters so it was hard to argue!🤓  Haha! So after I got all of the kids on the bus and to school I came home…and I cried. I began to question why I’m not working because while I am feeling okay for the most part from my surgery…this fm junk will never go away. 

And not working only adds to the stress because I know how much work is piling up on my desk in the office I haven’t been to for almost three weeks! My very few coworkers patiently waiting for me to return so that I can do my job, in order for them to do a certain part of their job!

And it wasn’t just me that I cried for, but everything. Leah ended up with another double ear infection this week, the third one in 5 months, meaning we got referred to an ears, nose and throat specialist for possilbe tubes and removal of adenoids! I know this is common but everything just always adds up to so much!!

Thankfully Asher had a follow up on his ears and all looked great, but seeing the heartache my parents continue to go through while watching the cancer slowly take my grandma away from us, Tim’s brother having to do another bone biopsy because his last round of labs didn’t come back the way they had liked them to. Then Tim’s uncle also passed away…from cancer. 

And of course I cried for my husband…a man who has so much sorrow around him. A man who works extremely hard without a day off and does whatever necessary to provide for our family…even on some of our most difficult days! And when I say our “difficult” days I mean days when my symptoms are so severe that it scares both of us and those not so fun discussions of “what if” come up. 

I hate these days the most, a day like today, because I see the fear and hesitation in Tim’s eyes as he’s walking out the door to go to work. I cried because I want my husband to stay home with me because we have something exciting planned or simply just to be with me for a day of fun…not because he thinks I might drop dead!!

All this within a few days. So much to continually pray for!!

Once I cried some tears…okay, a lot of tears…and did some praying I was better…emotionally anyways. Mom had also called several times throughout the week because I know she sensed me struggling, even though I said I was “fine”. But, my mom has rhumetoid arthritis and sarcoidosis both which affect her body physically as well as her heart and lungs so mom and I can usually tell when each other is having a “bad” day. 

So, I did what I always do…I put on some music…Danny Gokey, to be exact, and oh, by the way, he liked and replied to my comment! Haha😍  And I began to listen to the words of the songs and I did some more scrapbooking. I laughed at some of the pictures and was again able to see how far God has brought me throughout the scattered memories spread out across the floor..broken undeserving me, surrounded by pictures of amazing blessings!  

There is so much heartache and so much grief in this world but God is true to His promises! And while I don’t know what He’s up to with all of our loved ones hurting and struggling so much right now, the situations are no surprise to Him. God has me, He has all of us, and if we can just let down our guard, even just a little bit, and trust Him, these dark days will shine some light.  

This “rough” day ended with the kids bringing home special memories and verses they had worked on over the year at the Wednesday night church program, even a Mother’s Day project😍   

 Look at their smiles…all while sharing with me what they have learned about God!! I’d say it was a pretty good day afterall…and while my day began with tears of frustration…my day ended with tears of joy and gratitude!

Please keep my amazing parents, uncle and grandma in your prayers as well as Tim and his wonderful family! 

Today was an amazing…but emotional day!!! I got to cross another thing off my bucket list, and yes, this really was on my list. Unlike what doctors told me 14 years ago…today I was here to celebrate Skye’s 16th birthday!!! Today I got to take her shopping for some clothes as a gift…today I saw her get her driver’s license and tearfully watch her drive away for the first time more independent than she ever has been. Today I got to fulfill one of my dreams by seeing her turn another year older…the big milestone of 16!😍

The morning started with us going to the DOT to get her official license and honestly, I think I was probably more excited than she was!!! Then we were able to do a little shopping and for the first time ever…no arguments over the fitting of clothes!! 😜

Once home, Skyler left…by herself to go pick up a friend😬 and of course I teared up! It is amazing how many different scenarios can come up in your head as you are watching your kids drive away…the instant worry that sets in! So I probably prayed from the minute she left the driveway until the minute she was home! 

And then if she wasn’t driving the car she was driving the ranger…which can still be as nerve wracking😜     

Thankfully Skyler is a responsibile driver and is careful…in fact, when Skye had returned back home from a friend’s, Leah asked why she drives so slow!! Hey I am okay with that!!

The day was crazy with Tim being busy on the farm, Nathan going to a friend’s house, all the things going on with Skyler. But at the end of the night we were all able to come back as a family and celebrate Skyler’s birthday! 

We were blessed with delicious dinner again from church and then it was time for cake!!! I was able to dig up a picture from her 1st birthday😍😍   

Don’t smile Skyler!😜     

Lovin the photo bomb😭😂    

Late celebration with cake and ice cream but maybe kids will still go to bed well?! I know I am well past due for my bedtime…especially after a day I have been most active since my surgery!

I hope Skyler had a great 16th birthday and looking forward to celebrating many many more with all of our kids!!!

So today we had another wonderful couple from church bring us over a meal for dinner. What I enjoy most are the quick visits with the people, getting a chance to know even just a little bit about them. 

While we were finishing up our visit with the people from church another friend of ours, Ron, stopped by so Asher took him around the farm showing him all the livestock. 

Thankfully the people from church left before our “fun” began. While Ron and Tim were talking in the kitchen something caught my attention out the window. “Ummm is there a pig in our yard?” And just like that Tim and Ron were outside and sure enough yes, there were NINE 🐖🐖🐖 running around in our driveway! 

Okay, I had a doctor’s appointment in Waterloo this morning so I was sore from driving and being out in the real world 😜so I was definitely no help because I was not moving fast…well, fast enough to snap some pictures before they got them all back in the barn!      

 I am so thankful that Ron showed up when he did. But then again, Tim also says it was Asher and Ron who saw the pigs last so it was probably Ron’s fault! My hubby…always quick to blame others!😉 

Once they got the pigs back in the pen Ron and Tim came back in to pick up where they left off in their conversation…only for me to once again walk into the kitchen about 15 minutes later, and catch a glimpse of something pink outside the window. “Ummm is that another?” And before I finished the sentence Tim and Ron were back outside. And sure enough a few more pigs had gotten out so Tim did his rigging of gates to make sure they didn’t get loose again! 

Once the pigs were all taken care of, it was chore time 🐄🐄🐄 

And as much fun as Asher had with grandpa and grandma…which one day was spent at Cabellas so I can’t tell who is happier…grandpa or Asher?!😍… I was soooo happy to have my little guy back home with us tonight!!

And on a side note, dinner was once again delicious but all the excitement of the day has worn me out so I am off to bed!

Overall, just another day in our crazy life🤓 Good night!

A morning blog but figured I should let everyone know I am still alive!! I am happy to report that the surgery went well and there appears to be no cancer. Praise the Lord!!!

Tim and I had to arrive two hours before my procedure so it was a very early morning for both of us last Friday. We left home at 3:30am and all I could think was how much I wished we were going on vacation instead…because what other reason would anyone be driving this early!

This experience ended up being extremely bizarre and even Tim felt uncomfortable.😬 When we first arrived, we had to go to the 8th floor, which I didn’t even know there was an 8th floor…and we know everything about this hospital!!

I had to get a buzzer and then Tim and I sat in the large waiting room with several other people. Buzzers were going off left and right and the whole scene just took me off guard which I couldn’t help but laugh. Once my buzzer went off with a few others, we were all informed to gather at the hall and then a nurse showed up and walked us to another long hall with several individual rooms. Honestly, I kind of felt like an experiment where we were all taken in groups and then separated and individually led to the unknown…some of us may live and others maybe not?!👀😳

I got all fancied up from head to toe…notice no wedding ring OR Fitbit!! I felt extremely exposed even though just about every part of me was covered! “Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me…dontcha?”😭😜 Tim was able to distract and keep me calm as I got 5 pokes from the needle…three of which were unnecessary, in order to get an IV started. Once 7:30 rolled around it was go time! Tim said he would see me in a couple of hours, kisses were given and I was off. My surgery was set to be done by 9:30am followed by a little recovery time and nurses had even confirmed that most likely we would be on our way home by noon at the latest! How wrong they were…

Once back on the table the nurses put a mask over my face and told me to take a few deep breaths in and out…I remember the first breath in and that was it.

The next thing I remember, I’m pulling the tubes out of my nose telling the nurses I want to go back to sleep! Apparently my recovery was not as smooth. After surgery, I had a difficult time waking up. My oxygen saturation levels were low and due to the meds I had received during surgery, it was extremely difficult for them to wake me up. Several times I vaguely remember taking the oxygen tube out of my nose and then I would go back to sleep and wake up with the tube back in. I was not able to stay awake or keep my oxygen up on my own so of course this became a big concern.

But FINALLY, my body cooperated and I was able to keep my levels up although I was still extremely sleepy. 7 hours later I saw my husband’s smile with a hint of worry across his face. I think he was more relieved to see me than I appeared to see him as I simply told him I didn’t like anyone at that hospital and he needed to take me home now. 😁 The doctors were all wonderful though and did a fantastic job dealing with me given my health history. They were prepared and did what they had to do to keep things moving in the right direction. I just feel bad if I got grumpy with them! And I really thought this “grouchy” gift was for Tim but now I’m not so sure?!  

We are also EXTREMELY grateful that our friend Brian showed up at the hospital and was actually with Tim the majority of his waiting time! Tim has struggled waiting with my routine angios and other procedures in the past and those only take a few hours, they’re routine and he knows what to expect, but this? He would have been a hot mess waiting an entire day by himself! So thank you again Brian for distracting Tim and being a blessing when he needed it the most!

I have been sore and extremely tired and even joked with Tim if doctors did compressions because my chest has ached as well!  But, I am recovering slowly and have had tremendous support…being spoiled with meals every night for us, help with the kids and actually this is the most I’ve been away from the younger two ever and it’s hard🙁…two nights on the weekend then Asher stayed at grandma’s again a couple of nights during the week! Man did I miss them!! I will admit I had a few moments where I began feeling like an inadequate mommy again with them gone but thankfully I immediately put those thoughts to rest!

In fact, kids come home telling me how much fun they had with all of their grandparents or Asher came home and said how much fun he had at his friend’s house…which he still talks about his buddy😉 Their smiles are absolutely priceless! This is the first time we have accepted so much help and my kids are loving it! In fact, instead of them being at home bored with me and seeing how sick I am, they are able to have fun and not focus on my “ouchies!” And I am not tempted to overdo anything with them gone, giving me the chance to recover faster so that I can have better days with them sooner! 

And then just so many continued prayers have been a huge encouragement! It is so amazing how God’s love shines through so many of you and Tim and I simply cannot thank you enough!😍 Not to mention being an amazing example to our kids!!

I am thankful that everything turned out well from this surgery and for now, I am patiently pacing myself and resting a lot…obviously I am entertaining my cousin, 😂 then sorting out and printing off pictures from my phone or simply enjoying quite a few movie nights😜  

And I of course have to give a shout out to our friends who went on a massive texting rant my first night home or second night?Haha, I don’t know and thought it was just my meds but nope, these couples really know how to make me laugh!!  I won’t give out any names but we will always have…😂🤕😂😜  

And even though Tim and I have had some not so happy moments with each other, haha…little silly gestures like this make me love him even more…surprisingly 😍😜  

Thank you all for taking the time to help us out especially when we know how busy so many of you are! You really have no idea how much you have all been there for us in every single way whether with the kids, meals, praying or simply checking in to see how I am doing and offering any help to us that we might need! Have I mentioned how blessed we are?! 😍 

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week!

What a busy but fun weekend! It started off with a good ole Fitbit challenge on Friday…that lead to a torturous day of competition between me, my husband and family!! Haha!

In fact, I was in Iowa City so while I was in the car 4 hours out of the day, without Tim there, I got lost due to this being a different doctor so needless to say I was able to get some extra steps in😉

My appointment went fine…all the fun filled labs, ekg and testing for the presurgery physical. A lot of time was also spent discussing my fm and the risks involved with what is to come. It was confirmed that even though this has to do with all of the female issues I’ve been dealing with, this will be a more invasive surgery, requiring me to be completely under with a breathing tube etc., therefore, I was strongly encouraged to continue with my nebulizer all the way up to the morning of surgery. They want to “make sure and keep the airways open!” Geesh!! Talk about making it sound all scary and serious!!

I won’t find out exactly what time my surgery is until the day before and will be praying all goes well so that I can be home that same night…because I think you all know how well I do in hospitals!😁😂

But anyway, back to the Fitbit challenge…and due to HIPAA privacy acts…I won’t share with you the names or details but ‘cough cough’ I won with almost 30,000 steps!😉😂 Hence the title of my blog after being referred to as that! Haha! And yes, sadly little things like this totally make my day…not just winning but the fun and silliness that goes along with it!

Then Saturday, Tim and I were finally able to get out for a date night, something we haven’t done in a couple of months. We just did dinner but it was nice to have some quiet time although we really didn’t know what to do with ourselves once we were away! Plus, we were both a little sore from our challenge the day before🤓

This morning my parents came to church with us and as long as my mom and I didn’t look at each other, then I didn’t cry! Right away the pastor referenced to having a loved one in a nursing home, which my grandma is not in yet, but it is extremely difficult for my dad to see his mom, for us to see our grandma deteriorating so quickly from the cancer. 

After church was over the pastor and other members did a prayer for my upcoming surgery which is always very comforting, just the support from our church family is absolutely amazing…except for the fact that my mom exposed me and Tim….pointing out the more we joke with each other, are the times when more prayers are truly needed for us…she is absolutely right though😉

But, I would also like to point out, when Tim and I first started our small group almost two years ago, we couldn’t go one sentence without “harsh joking,” our coping skills for getting us through all of the struggles we have had to face but now, well, while we still give each other a hard time on occasion, we have both come a long way…but still something for us to improve on! Haha! 

After church my parents took us out to lunch and anyone looking for some delicious food and great service with a friendly atmosphere…The East Bremer Diner in Waverly is the place to go😍 😉 It was nice to sit and catch up on things with my parents as their time has been consumed by helping with my grandma who is battling leukemia. The kids even sat well and colored so that we actually were able to carry on a conversation!

Once our tummies were full we had to rush back home to get Leah ready for dance pictures. Have I mentioned how awesome of a big sister Skyler is?!😍   

I can’t do hair so I just harassed them with pictures…
         

So that was our weekend before we start our busy week of preparing for me to possibly be down a few weeks. 

Truly blessed to have all of the support that we do and it definitely puts our minds at ease knowing that so many continue to pray for us and that help is available to us in any form that we might need! 

And you know who you are…thank you for the McDonalds pieces…it made me smile!!😉😄 

Hope everyone has a great week!

What a week it has been, and it’s only Tuesday. I think everything that can go wrong for me and Tim has gone wrong. Issues with each and every kid, cars not running right, issues with cows, work and my symptoms have come on full force again…a reminder that the upcoming procedures are definitely a must!

Kids are fighting constantly, Tim is crazy busy and I’m pushing through the pain so that I can continue to juggle my job, the kids, the house. Have I mentioned the mind blowing painful symptoms that double me over and stop me in place? 

So after three days of this, I finally got a few minutes away to myself today…I went to get milk! And truly, any of you moms out there reading this…a 10 minute trip to the grocery store and back is almost as exciting as walking o the beach at times! Haha! That 10 minute trip of just me and some reconnecting with God…complete silence until back home!! Then breathe, regroup, take another breath…and walk back in to that crazy house of madness that I am honestly blessed to call my family…and I should point out…it was just Tim and Asher home at the time 😜

Anyway, that’s all the break I need but after the last few painful and stressful days…my alone time turned to frustration as a truck flew past me and kicked a rock up in to the windshield. It was so loud that I actually swerved and ducked down, thinking something was coming through my window! I immediately saw the little hole and break it had left and for a split second, I was about to let all of my frustrations out. 

I called Tim and he simply joked “you seem to bring on bad luck every where you go!” And that one comment…I felt the tears start to swell up. He of course followed by saying not a big deal even though I continued to insist that it would probably lead to a crack across the entire windshield.

And as my first few tears started to fall while I was going into that familiar spot of “why is there always something?”, “why does everything have to be so hard for us?” Blah blah blah, I stopped and thought “really?” The physical pain, the emotional stress, the obstacles with our kids, watching my grandma battle leukemia, hearing how Tim’s brother and sister are dealing with their cancer battle…all of the challenges so far this week I have been able to pray over and not let it get me down. Putting complete trust in God with every situation has been my coping skill….the only coping skill that works!

And now a little rock cracking my windshield is going to be my breaking point?? No pun intended😜

And just like that I was over it!! I’ve already got a few stories to go with the dents and scratches that are already on the van so who cares?! I mean yes, of course we want to take care of our things but even Tim shrugged it off. I am an accident waiting to happen, we already know this! Haha! 

And I know this all seems so silly but to me it was victory today! Tim and I have had a lot of struggles in our marriage and honestly, if this would’ve happened a few years ago, which it did…with a lot of things😬…Tim was quick to blame me. He was always able to point out something I did or didn’t do that caused whatever negativity was going on in our lives…no matter how small.

But today, he didn’t even think twice about the windshield and said he would see if there was anything he could do after looking at it!! And when I walked in the door he was laughing and telling me about something Asher had done while I was out! He made the situation what all these little situations have always been…no big deal!

And yet these little things are what actually used to put the most strain on our marriage! So this of course reminded me of our good and angry series we are doing at church. God uses these situations in our marriage to grow us and the enemy uses them to tear us apart. One of my biggest comebacks to Tim and his harsh words was always to give him the silent treatment. Boy, I couldn’t wait until he would get home just so I didn’t talk to him!

And you bet while I was thinking this series on good and angry would be perfect for Tim…last week’s class actually pointed out the “silent treatment” and I was so ashamed at how insulting that truly was! 

The class showed me that in my moment of not talking to Tim…it was a moment that I was treating him as if he was dead to me! But that’s never what I was intending!! I just wanted to get across to him how much he had hurt me with his words or his actions! Which I also know is not right to do!!

I mean honestly, I am fighting for my life and we’re going to waste our days arguing over him not appreciating the meals I cook for him or me not appreciating how hard he works or not helping more around the house?! 

Tim and I have had a rough last few days and we could have let these little things that really don’t matter in the end, get to us. We could have used several little things as fuel to take our frustrations out on each other but we didn’t and boy am I grateful for that. And I also know it’s because we both do a lot of praying and try to react the way we know God wants us to react! 

Instead, Tim has done silly little things to make me smile such as leaving monopoly game pieces on the counter for me to play…and only Tim will understand just how big of a difference this little gesture made to me on one of my horrible days…  

He even got up with the kids a morning so I could have a few extra minutes of sleep or  one night he played with the kids outside so I could get a few things done around the house!  

So, no point really to my blog except appreciate the little things because they can mean the world…but also don’t stress over the little things that can tear your world apart by letting them become bigger things than they should!

Thank you Tim for the little things that have made some of my rough days a little more enjoyable 😍

While I am trying to raise awareness for this disease, it is always difficult for me to listen to the interviews or to read the articles after I have finished them…especially when my doctors are interviewed and quoted.

I don’t know why though because it’s not like they aren’t saying anything I haven’t  heard…but, it’s just different seeing it on paper…another confirmation of how sick I really am in writing I guess?!

I have often been accused of not taking the disease serious, or blowing off doctor limitations and at times, yes, I have done both! I have even been scolded for joking too much but honestly, if you really think about it, what is my other option? 

So, when I read these articles and hear the dramatic quotes or words throughout, I still tear up because I do fully understand the severity of my situation. And while I also joke and push myself, I have learned my limits and do listen to my body.

I am fully aware of how this disease is crushing my vital organs and arteries that I need to survive but, I am not going to let this disease crush my spirit. Even though I am in pain…I still have the right to smile and laugh and enjoy life with my family! 😍😉

Here is the link to my most recent article!

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/life/health/fungus-foe-waverly-woman-battles-fibrosing-mediastinitis-20160325

NOOO…I am not pregnant! 😄🤓 But, Tim did bring home some baby pigs today and the kids were ecstatic!  

And while I wasn’t as excited like they were, it did bring back memories of when Tim was managing some livestock buildings. My first experiences of what it was really all about and what my life was becoming😳 And I wouldn’t change it for the world😍

I would help him load out and while Tim would be downing the coffee, I remember trying to sleep in his office, using coveralls as a pillow and chairs lined up for a bed…waiting for that 3am scheduled semi to back up…and waiting patiently for the truckers and Tim to stop chatting so that we could get it over and done with. 

And while it was a dirty and difficult job, I did like being there with him…even if my “helping” was probably causing more work for him😜

We eventually switched over to cattle which is definitely more demanding due to the schedule and feedings throughout the days. But after six years of hard work and dedication…very few days off over the years and extremely challenging working situations…I am happy to share that Tim got one of the top dollar prices for the weight range this week at the sale barn making “the list”!🐄😉

 

Yeah, who knew I would ever get excited over something like this right?! But I am very proud of the work he does to provide for our family and the work he does to make sure the cattle stay healthy whether it be our own cows or whoever he is working for. 

I am sure this seems silly and unimportant to many of you but to Tim, who has sacrificed time and sleep and energy…this is a nice acknowledgment! Especially since someone pointed out to him that prices haven’t been this high in six months so hopefully this will continue to help get his name out there for future sales!

Leah and Asher also took some time to go feed the ponies… 
And the boys went on a bike ride…well kind of😍  While the last couple of days have been rainy and cold, we still took every opportunity to get outside when the sun was shining!  

We are definitely ready for the nice weather to come and stay!

Tim always says I need to blog about cows because it’s in my title! Haha! So, there you have it…a blog about livestock. 🐷🐄

Praying for you all to have a safe and meaningful Easter weekend!

 

So, my Friday ended as good as my Monday had started…with the all too dreadful eye appointment. 

I called Tim to let him know what I had found out but my trembling voice and sniffles had already warned him of what was to come.

Yep, eye surgery…again…on my left eye…making it the 5th surgery for that eye in 2 years. 

I broke the news to Tim by saying the bad news is I need stupid eye surgery again but the good news is, the doctor wants to wait 3 months and do another checkup and then schedule surgery at that time. Where is the good news you ask? Well, I have my other surgery in about a month with an 8 week recovery so I will have a full week from complete recovery of one surgery before I schedule the eye surgery!!😳🙄 

The doctor confirmed that my fm is a major culprit for all of these eye surgeries needed as obviously it causes my blood and body to lack oxygen, which diabetics are already at higher risk for these type of vision concerns…so my fm is adding fuel to the fire. And unfortunately he also confirmed that while laser surgery usually works extremely well…my situation is “different” and most likely this will have to be ongoing. But, I guess anything to prevent me from having vision loss right?!

So needless to say I’ve cried and I’ve laughed because seriously, over the last two years can’t I have one follow up appointment that is simply that…a follow up…not a set up to another problem?! Even Tim shook his head and can’t understand why one part of my body can’t be normal. But then again… 

So, other than that!😋 We did have a reporter come over from the Cedar Rapids Gazette who is writing a story on my illness and we are excited to expand some awareness outside of our local town!! She did a great job of asking questions and will also be contacting my doctors in regard to fm so we are looking forward to reading the article! And of course I will share it😉

I also took Asher and Leah to watch a couple of their cousins play in a dodgeball tournament, which I have to say was pretty entertaining…especially watching the adults play! 😂 

Once Tim got home we were able to get a few things done around the house before he had to turn around and head back to chores! 

So, with that being said, we are all managing over here. The one thing Tim and I have learned is that life is hard…extremely difficult at times. Surrounding ourselves with strong people in faith and love has been an amazing support to both of us!

Every day we are faced with opportunities that we can either grow from or let crush us…and while we continue to have our tremendous share of challenges, well… Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thank you for the many needed prayers.