Recovery

I have rested a lot today. It has come easily, thankfully, but has also come with a little bit of grouchiness. I think I have just been so tense, that it is finally making its way out. My prayer is that as HE has before, that the Lord will take this. The fear, uncertaintity, pain, anxiety, all of it. I am so thankful for all God has done in my life and I do not want to ruin the next few days by letting these feelings overtake me. I am hoping that it is a combination of all the pain meds, lack of other medicines, and just the stress and that I will continue to feel better and better each day. I continue to be so blessed by my friends and parents. I had a few visitors today, who didn't mind my bobbing head ( I could hardly hold it up I was so sleepy most of the day), my parents came and were here thankfully when my toilet overflowed and their was at least 2 inches of water in 1 bathroom, 1/2 of our VERY long hall and part of the guest room-craziness. The firedepartment caroling was toinght at Landrum-so all the kids, grandkids, families, etc. came and stood in the front yard. It was so touching to get to share that bit of Christmas joy with them and to realize when we have taken the time to do that for other people, just how much it really means. It really meant the world.

I still am amazed to be home-it is the best feeling ever. We love you all!!

A night at home

Well, I got to spend the night in my own house lastnight. Notice I didn't say my own bed, because it is way too painful to laydown, get up, and wiggle around-just not worth the trouble. So my DH and my daddy moved the jumbo recliner we had in our bedroom to the living room so that I could get comfy in it and then try sleeping in it as well. I slept on and off-not more than an hour or so at a time, which is going to get old fast. Hoping that each day will get better.

God has really had his hand on us throughout this and we know that he continues to do so now. We never dreamed we would be home by now, and to be home and able to sit up is even more amazing. Those of you that know me well don't have to worry about me over doing it because I don't feel like it. I don't feel like holding my head up, but my DH did ask me today if I was sure they hadn't done something to my brain instead of my liver-because I told him that the house was driving me crazy. If you know me well you know I like a clean house, but don't keep it that way much. Right now, everything is bothering me, and I guess it is because I can't do anything about it. Everywhere I look I see dirt, or clutter or crud-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

So-we are home and settled in. We would love to see you if you would like to come visit, but we don't need anything! REally, really. My amazing friends brought food for an army last night. So if you feel like you can put up with my narcotics induced haze, and my robe and pj's state, come on by :)

We're home!

I am exhausted and more sore than I have ever been in my whole life, but I am home and in one piece, minus about 1/2 my liver :) It hurts to move, if I stay still I'm good-but then stiff-so trying to move a little at a time. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers-it is so good to be home :)

Santa's Little Helper

Are you on the naughty list? Or have you been nice?? Just how does Santa get those daily updates?? At our house they come from the friendly, but slightly shy and very sly Elf on the Shelf named Frost. The Elf on the Shelf has become a fun holiday tradition for our family. He doesn't talk(Santa won't let him talk to humans), you can't touch him(it will take away his magic), but he flies back to the North Pole every night to report to Santa. The catch is that he hides someplace new each morning. It has become quite the motivation to jump up and find his new hiding place each morning-and a quick reminder that Frost might tell Santa-helps sometimes too.

A peak inside . . .

I love to decorate! Fall is my favorite, such a nice change after having the same stuff up for so long!! But, I also love the fun and excitement that come with decorating for Christmas. I have a thing for trees, big, little, hanging, standing, fat, skinny, I love them all!!! And I love trying to make things different from year to year. This was my first year with a new dining room, which proved to be super fun!! No more icky paneling, carpet, or room encompassing shelves!! Instead, fresh green paint, hardwood floors, and walls with simple furniture. Such a difference. Soo- I got to try some new color schemes and some VERY different things. I used only red, white, and silver in my dining room and I LOVE the way it turned out against the green. I also coordinated my paper and ribbon, I'm not usually matchy, matchy to this degree, but it was fun!! The only thing I don't like is the lack of crown molding in one corner, one of our MANY unfinished projects that loom over our heads. I didn't take pictures of everything, but here a few:

And finally, what we've all been waiting for. . .

Okay, so maybe you weren't waiting, but I've been waiting, forever, for Isaac to sit in Santa's lap and it finally happened!! Saturday night we went Spartanburg City Fire Department for dinner and Santa came to visit! Each child received a present and their name's were called and they got to sit with Santa. I knew what the outcome would be, due to previous bad experiences, however I was pleasantly suprised! Check it out:

A shepherd

Our preschool children had the sweetest program at church last Sunday. Isaac was a shepherd and really enjoyed the chance to dress up-but quickly melted down by the time he was to sing. He went from happy to done, pretty quickly. (But he looked sooooo cute!!) It didn't bother Autumn's Alexa to be on stage-check her out in the 1st picture as Isaac is pouting!! I've got video of her dancing away on stage-I've got to see if I can download it!!

Brithday Party

Last year's birthday party fiasco (due to my sickness) was topped by this year's, due once again to our crazy happenings!! We had to wait until the last minute, not knowing when surgery or appointments would be. SO we went to Charleston on Thursday, came home Saturday, and partied on Sunday-whew!!! Let me tell you, it wore me out!!!!! We kept it simple, well for those that know me, as simple as I could keep it. We had sports themed centerpieces, plates, etc. Had a pizza, salad, breadstick lunch, and then hot chocolate and cake. It was a "swingset" birthday-because that is what Isaac wanted to do-play with his friends on his swing set. It was chilly, but perfect playing weather-and the hot chocolate helped fight the chill. He had a great time and enjoyed playing with all of his friends :)

4

Everything about Isaac's life is still so fresh in my mind-so fresh, that it is hard to believe 4 years have escaped us as quickly as they have. Isaac turned 4 on November 24!

Heather always does this for Carson and Ella and I love it, so I am going to copycat her idea:

Isaac at 4 (with a little help from Isaac):

-loves firetrucks
-still snuggles
-loves to pretend (batman, firefighter, knight,)
-likes snow globes
-enjoys playing Thomas the train
-still doesn't sleep in his own bed all night
-doesn't like his room or his bed
- loves books and being read to
-thinks he is too big for a nap
-can write his name, he has almost mastered the "S"
-loves to swing and play outside
-is sad that now all of our trees are naked
-is eager to give everyone their Christmas presents
-fought off a nasty sinus infection without shots!!!
-tells us he is aggravated :) (can't imagine where he heard that)
-enjoys singing ( we still have to listen to VBS music in the car)

Busy times

Sorry for the lack of posts! I have tons of pictures and tons of updates to do, but we have been very busy :) Isaac turned 4, Thanksgiving, and now trying to get ready for Christmas! I have really enjoyed decorating this year, last year I had just gotten out of the hospital and didn't feel like doing much! But this year I have done a little at a time, trees, then the den, dining room, and finally today the porches. There are still little touches I want to do, but it is coming together nicely!! So-I promise pictures, lots of them-soon. My class is working hard on Santa's Workshop and we are trying to finish up our wrapping and Christmas jobs here!