Brian's Tree

I would like to share the story of "Brian's Tree". My brother was killed 14 years ago in a car accident. He was actually with his track team and they were coming back from a track meet, when the driver fall asleep. Several of the kids were injured, but my brother was the only one that passed away. That day is still craved in my head like it was yesterday. Gosh, I miss him. But, I know I will see him again one day. About the tree... A month before he was killed him and my father planted a tree at a local Elem. school, which he had attended his whole life. That Live Oak Tree has grown and grown and is beautiful. Now all the local schools in our town are getting built on to and remodeled, which is awesome for our town. My children now attend the same Elem. school and we live right behind it. Through this construction I learned a few weeks ago that the tree would have to be cut down because that is where the drive-thru was being built. I was on the phone; talking to my dad, talking to the principle, finding a tree company that could save the tree. I found one and today the tree was moved. It was moved back by one of the play grounds so that the students can enjoy it and I can see it from my house. Here are some pictures. My heart is so warm tonight and now we just pray that it will take off and survive.

Before

What a Week

This week has been nothing but CRAZY busy. I had a VERY busy week at work. 50 hours and more computer work to get done this weekend. But, I am so HAPPY that Monday we are closed. The kids are out of school and I am looking so forward to just ENJOYING. Today I went and brought the book, "Heaven is for Real". I also brought the kids version and are looking forward to reading it to them tonight. I have heard the book is awesome. Back to the week. Wesley went for his third sleep study and they have determined that his sleep problems are from the Chiari and Brain Trauma. He will be getting a Cpap machine to help him at night. I am hoping and praying that him getting more sleep at night will help his overall health. May even help the headaches some. We will be getting that prescription soon and getting that for him. I know that we have been receiving prayers involving Wesley's job. I am very careful about what I say; because honestly I am a bit angry at some things that have been said about Wesley. Wesley is my angel/hero/husband and I will fight for him and take up for him. So it is hard for me to watch it, but I do. God says to forgive and forget and that is what I am trying to do. But, anyhow, Wesley will be keeping his job. He LOVES his job and is fighting with everything he has to stay at work. He could have already gotten disability (doctors say) a long time ago, but he does not want too. For now, Wesley is going to continue to work as much and as hard as he can. Praise God!! I took Breanna and Kyra to the doctor. Breanna failed her hearing test at school, but at the doctor her hearing was fine. So no problems with Breanna. Kyra got her yearly check-up. She is doing well. She is little, but the doctor was not alarmed by it. Because of our insurance another referral had to be made for the MRI, so we should be hearing a DATE soon. I am thinking March. The headaches have been coming more often. I have not a clue if that means anything or not. I just pray and at this point I know everything is in Gods hands. A few words of encouragement that I would like to share that have helped me this week: By Beth Moore **The giant step in the walk of faith is the one we take when we decide God no longer is a part of our lives. He is our life. **Patience to wait does not come from suffering long for what we lack but from sitting long in what we have. Have a great weekend!!

Crazy Week

This week has been crazy and stressful. I have been crazy busy at work. I had a training class in Dallas on Wednesday so that involved a lot of driving. I really do love driving, but I was a nervous wreck by the time I got to Dallas. The traffic was horrible. To describe my week.. As I am driving I get about 30 miles down the road and I stop to get gas in the town that my grandmother lives in. I visioned myself going to her house. Peace and comfort came over me. I visioned talking to her about what all is going on. Hugging her. And then going into her guest room, sleeping, and hiding from the world. Of course this was just a vision, I kept driving straight to Dallas. But, this week honestly I have wanted to run away. Every morning I TRY hard to read a little. Right now I am reading Beth Moore. I have quickly reminded myself that God has a plan and everything will work out. My God is huge and my God is able. If I don't get what I ask him for, I know I'll get something bigger. ~Beth Moore Wesley is going into the hospital Wednesday night for his third sleep study. We heard from the sleep doctor today. I really like him. He keeps us so informed. He studied Wesley's last results and he wants to do this third study to try some different machines on Wesley. This is what he thinks is going on, but should know for sure after the next study. Doctor thinks that because of Wesley's brain trauma; his brain is telling his lungs to stop breathing when he falls asleep. There is a machine that can help with this and maybe he can finally start getting some rest which will probably make a lot of issues better. This condition can get worse over time and the outcome is not good. But, I am choosing not to focus on that right now until we know more. Prayers are welcomed and I know we are getting TONS!! ((HUGS)) Everyone!!

Appts.

Around working today I called and got some appts. made. We have not heard when Wesley will go in for his third sleep study, but it should be soon.He was sick over New Years and is still recovering. I go to the Dr. Friday. I had to have a CT Scan completed on my sinuses, before Christmas. The doctor thinks I have bad sinus problems. We will see, I think I believe him. I will get those results Friday. I made Kyra's yearly well-check. The doctor will check weight, etc. I am waiting to hear back on her MRI appt. Breanna had a hearing test completed at her Pre-K and she failed. So it was suggested that I get her hearing checked. I am taking her when I take Kyra so that the doctor can check her hearing. I honestly do not think she has any hearing problems, but I guess we will see. Better safe then sorry. I feel that a few things were taken care of today, around work that I am up to my eyeballs in. And now I sit with my eyes barely open waiting for the girls to go to sleep. Yes it is 11:00pm. I am pretty sure Wesley allowed them to nap earlier while I was at a PTO meeting; even though he says he did not. I chose to smile :) Goodnight!!

To Continue..

After getting back from Disney World we enjoyed the summer. I am still working with Child Protective Services and I love my job. Many ask exactly what I do there.. I am a "Ongoing Worker". This means that I work with families for 6-12 months that HAVE NOT had their children removed. They may need help with Drugs, Parenting, Counseling, etc. That is what I do. I love helping people. Wesley is continuing to work as much as he can. At this point he is not ready to "give up", he wants to continue to work and hopes that with time he will get better. In August it was time for the kids to go back to school. Haley started the 8th grade, Blake the 4th, Kyra Kindergarten, and Breanna Pre-K. This was the year that Kyra and Breanna would part ways and be at different schools. Kyra's school started a week before Breanna's. For that week Breanna just laided around and slept; no joke. It was sad. But, they both ended up adjusting. They are always thrilled to see each other at the end of the day.

After school started life got VERY busy and has stayed that way. Blake turned 9 in August and Kyra turned 6 in November.

Time continued to fly and now Christmas is over and the new year is almost here. A Chiari Update.. Kyra throughout this year has done pretty well. She has not showed any other signs of problems besides the headaches. When she gets a bad one we just give her Tylenol and comfort her. If she has a crying fit; it will bring a headache right on. When we had her yearly MRI in March 2011 nothing had gotten worse and the doctor did not want to do any surgery on her at this time. That was an answered prayer for us. Wesley continues to be a different story. He stuggles almost everyday. Without going into great detail; doctors are now trying therapy on him, a Tens Unit, and just managing pain. His biggest problem are the headaches and when they get really bad, which is often, he throws up and gets sick. At present time he has had two sleep studies done and they have found that he has severe issues with sleeping. After the 1st of the year he will have a third sleep study completed and the doctors think he may have another condition that is caused from Brain Trama. More on that as we find out. That is where we are. Kyra will have her yearly MRI in March. Everything will be ok with God on our side. I have faith that 2012 is going to be great. Happy New Year!!

2011 in Review

What better way to get everyone up to date then to end 2011 with a "Review". I had "Fred" my gallbladder removed in Feb. 2011. I am so glad I did. My tummy problems got a lot better. In March Haley turned 13.

Time flys so fast. Haley keeps us very busy. Throughout this year; she has played softball, volleyball, is in cheerleading and band. She continues to keep her grades up. In 2012 she will be a freshman; is that possible?! In May Breanna turned 4. It is hard to believe that my youngest is 4. Somedays it makes me sad. Other days I look forward to what is to come in the future.

The end of May Kyra graduated from Pre-K. That means it was time for Kindergarten. That means mommy was sad.

Breanna finished her first year of Pre-K. Breanna and Kyra will be a year apart in school. They do EVERYTHING together. They sleep together, eat together, play together; so we knew that Kyra starting Kindergarten would be hard because that meant they would no longer be at the same school.

In June we were blessed to be able to take the kids to Disney World. My mother went along and if it would not have been for her we would not have been able to go. The trip was not cheap. We had an AMAZING time. All went pretty smooth. Wesley was sick two days while we were there, but with my mother being with us we were still able to do everything we had intended on.

We had a blast... To be continued......

Merry Christmas

More to come later but for now MERRY CHRISTMAS. We are so blessed and thankful for all the prayers, love, and support.
Merry Christmas!!!