What's up doc?

This past week I met with my new adult cardiologist. He agreed with the other doctors that there doesn't seem to be a clear explanation for my chest pain. It could be skeletal from having my arms above my head for the 3 hour surgery, on top of my body going through the surgery itself, but they don't think it's heart related. I can't handle the beta blocker for the fluttering so we're just going to hold out and see if things improve on their own. We're just over 4 months past the surgery so we're hoping and praying for that!
The hardest part is that I don't want the children to see or remember me in pain, but I believe and trust that God knows best, and He will sustain me and provide strength and endurance.
After spending the day at the hospital I always come back thanking and praising God, because you always see so many people in worse shape. And if God can make this beautiful world, and can take care of my salvation, He can handle this! Please don't cross me off your prayer list just yet, but I'm thankful for where I'm at and what He continues to do! Thank you for bearing my burden! You all have blessed and encouraged my heart immensely! There really has been so much good that has come out of all this, God is very evident! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Love you bunches!
Karen


Psalm 41:3 The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Go Green

Or, as one of my brother's friends said jokingly "Nuke the whales!" But that has nothing to do with it, really ... I just wanted to work that quote in somehow. :P

Anyway, today's St. Patrick's Day (you might have already known that). We're not Irish, but who can resist the urge to wear green and encourage others to do so?

A tradition around here is turning our food green. Last year it was green eggs and green biscuits - trust me, if you've never eaten a green biscuit topped with strawberry jam, you're missin' out. That would have to fall under 'one-of-the-grossest-looking-things-I've-ever-eaten'. They still tasted good, they just looked ... gross.

Mom's suggested that we 'have cereal and turn the milk green'. We kids looked at each other, raised our eyebrows, and shook our heads. There are limits.

Dad took Mom to her doctors appointment, so they ended up not being here for lunch. So since we were fending for ourselves, we decided on french toast. And, of course, we turned it green:

Lydia Faith

Lydia has been so entertaining lately! Today she stripped all her clothes off and I said to her, "Lydia Faith, you're naked!" and she responded completely taken aback, "I am?" like she had no idea! It was so funny.

Then she sings constantly, which is really adorable, but she sings everything she knows: "Don't hit, don't push, don't touch a knife honey, it's sharp, I like to go to church, don't go potty on the floor, Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." and on and on it goes!
Here are some more famous quotes:

"Uh-oh, oh, no, this is not good!"
"Don't argue with meeee!"
"I be the mom!"
"Mom, Robbie is obeying me!"
"You know what? I love you!"
"Yes! No! Yes! No!"
"Mommm! Benny's not obeying me!"
"Can I eat this?"
"Can I eat something?"
"I love you all day!"

Consequences

There are consequences to everything ...



... and when you leave your hair in cornrows for 3 days - this is what you get!

Soybean Rows

Well, that's what Dad calls 'em, anyways. This is what we do when we have a lot of extra time:




It took me and mom 2 hours and we made 23 braids. Can't wait to see how frizzy it gets when we take them out!

Valentine's

Daddy does special things with the boys during hunting season, so he took all of his Valentines out for dinner. :) L-R: Emily, Great Grandma, Lydia, Mom, Dad, and Megan (me).
Daniel told Lydia that she was going to go to a 'fancy dinner' - so she was saying 'fanshy din-nuh, fanshy din-nuh!!' And when Great Grandma got the news she went up to put curlers in her hair! They are both pretty dog-gone cute. :P

Then, on the actual Valentines' Day, Dad and Joey came home with roses for all the girls - here's a picture of mine:

Eat Mor Chikin!

Guess where we went for dinner? :)

We were out driving and ready for dinner, so we made a first time visit to Chick-Fil-A. We heartily approved of the food ... and the play place. :)

My heart

We went to our 'top gun' internist and two doctors spent a full 2 hours with us. They went from head to toe. They think it is nerve pain that I'm experiencing, a side effect of them tinkering around in a tender spot. For which there is no cure or solution, it is what it is. They also thought it could be my gall bladder, so I have an ultra sound on that on Tuesday. My heart and all of it's tests look good - praise the Lord!
I had to get a patient card, since I'm now a member of this hospital ;-), and Jeff went to get the car. As I walked down by myself I started to cry, wondering how I'm going to live the rest of my life with this pain. Then in my path was a women with her head screwed to a frame, a man missing a leg, and a child crying. As I looked around my pity party immediately came to an end. Things can always be worse and I wondered what example I'm setting for my children in case that worse ever comes. I know God's grace is and will be sufficient.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good [thing] will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Musa Man!

Matthew has taught Lydia to follow him around the house (Matt would have his shirt off) and say "musa (muscle!) man, musa man!" so I (Emily) went and took a picture of "muscle" man-by the way those weights he has are only 4 pounds-he would say "quick take the picture! hurry! ow!"-those were his real words!



So now whenever Lydia changes and has her shirt off she claims to be "Musa Man!"

1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Heart of the matter...

Well, the saga continues...My heart is still giving me fits, so when I called to see if I could move my doctors appointment sooner, after explaining all my ailments, the nurse recommended that I get to the ER immediately. I think it's just standard for them to say that when I call. There was no way Jeff and I wanted to leave in the evening and pull an all nighter, so we decided we'd wait until the morning. After all this has been going on for weeks, months.

We ended up being there the whole day. I had the attention of 4 doctors, and we came up with, well, nothing really. The good news is that it's not pertaining to my amplatzer, that seems to be healing just fine. So no infection, blood clots or position problems. My heart may still have trouble adjusting to the new arrangements and amounts of blood flow since things were sealed properly. I'll have another heart monitor to see what that shows. They also decided to graduate me to an adult cardiologist - I feel so grown up! Then they signed me up to their 'top gun' internist assuring me that this doctor is the problem solver of all problems. One doctor even said, "I need to keep that name for my own family!".

These doctors are so amazing and so kind, we've been very blessed with such wonderful care! Though we did get our bill from my surgery. I was in the hospital from 8am until 3pm and rang up a bill of $28,292.00 not including the doctor and anestician. Thank God for insurance!

Phillipians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have had a fabulous Christmas celebration! Matthew woke up at 5:30 and I got up to make sure he was going back to bed because I needed to, and he hooted and said, "Whohooo! Only 3 more hours!" And went back to bed taking a gift bag holding a gift that he made to bed with him.
Megan made cinnamon rolls, and we followed that with our traditional omelets: 3lbs ham, 30 eggs, 1lb cheese, 1 green pepper, and 1 small onion, 2 dozen english muffins and 2 large cans of orange juice! We had a wonderful day and had friends from church come over for dinner and had such sweet fellowship with them! What a glorious day!

20 YEARS!!

Well, this is a little late, but as with anything else, it just takes us a bit longer to get done.

It was 20 years ago, December 16, 1989, 4pm, that our vows were said and our fate was sealed and we were pronounced husband and wife. This anniversary was an exciting celebration as we got to go to Phoenix, AZ. We hadn't done something like this in about 8 years so we were very excited! Jeff had to work some, but when his boss heard I had heart surgery he was insistent that I come along for some special treatment! I had lots of R&R and a couple of massages!








When I asked Jeff what I should wear for dinner he jokingly said a 'prom dress'! So I went to Good Will and found the frumpiest, gaudiest, dark purplish satin of a dress (washed it!) and tucked it in my suitcase. For $5, it was worth his reaction! He came out and saw me in it and looked away not knowing what to say. I relieved him when I turned around and asked him to zip me because the dress was a few sizes too small. He laughed in relief and said, "I thought that was a bit out of your character!" because I haven't worn a prom dress, well, since the prom. Every night he wooed me with many compliments of how pretty and beautiful I was, but I think he was worried I might put that prom dress back on!



It was such a wonderful time together. We laughed how we never get to sleep in the same hotel room when we travel because we can't fit into one room as a family, we usually have a 'boys' room and a 'girls' room. The weather was pretty cold, in the low 60's, but I swam anyway. The water was heated and I had the pool all to myself!

It was great to have fun together, talk and not have to think of or mention medical issues. I had a detoxification massage thinking that would be a good idea to cleanse all the medicines and nuclear stuff that's gone through me lately. I was sick for 2 hours afterward. Though I hadn't felt that good for that long during the massage in a long time.

I also had the opportunity with 4 people to talk of and witness of Christ, that was wonderful and very exciting as well.

As good as it is to get away, it's awesome coming home! The little ones did great and were happy when we called everyday. The kids were all up waiting for us as we pulled in after midnight! We talked and hugged and nobody got back to sleep until after 2am!

There are so many blessings to count! It's been an emotional time for me as there have been many times I didn't think I would be here to celebrate Thanksgiving, our anniversary, or Christmas. It doesn't matter that I don't feel well, I'm here. I don't have tubes sticking out of me and I'm with my family. I had a wonderful conversation with a dear friend from church, she's a widow and her kids are grown and on their own. She was saying how much she looks forward to seeing her Lord and her husband again in heaven. She was ready to go! I just started crying because I feared that God might be offended that I wasn't as excited to meet Him, as she was. Not just yet, I wanted to raise my children, celebrate more anniversaries with my husband, I love my life here, feel needed, and didn't feel ready to leave it just yet. She shared that she felt that way as well when her children were young, and that's a God given spirit to fight for life and protect it, that what I'm doing is good and how important it should be to me, and how important it is to God. So God has had a lot of work to do in my heart still!

It's been hard on Jeff and the children I know. But how my heart is blessed how Jeff has taken care of me. In sickness and in health. Even when the airport lights and escalators gave me headaches and made me dizzy, he held on to me. He doesn't like to swim, but he was my lifeguard. As soon as he awakes he has started laundry, cleaned bathrooms, never letting his vacuuming wane! (He truly loves to vacuum!) I don't know how or why I got to be so incredibly blessed, but I thank God every day!

So since we were already so spoiled from our trip, on our actual anniversary we just went to dinner and did a bit of Christmas shopping. Then we topped it off with a stop to the ice cream shop! Very sweet!

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

While Mom and Dad were on their 3-day honeymoon, this was the project we did - gingerbread houses made from graham crackers.


Robbie's attempt, "My artistic career peaked a long time ago, and this ends it."
Then it collapsed:

You really can't tell how messy the table is from this picture - I assure you, it was well covered in icing.


This is the finished product - the ones that survived the move!

Pictures that my Brothers will Love

These pictures are so fun, I couldn't resist sharing them. :)

Put away your clothes!

When you're on laundry duty, how do you nag your siblings to put away their clothes? Daniel decided to try a new tactic:

Zacchaeus

Thanksgiving Dinner

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration! So much to be thankful for! We went to the highways and byways and gathered all we could for dinner! We even invited the checkout lady at Wal-mart when we heard she and her husband were going to be alone! (She didn't come, but we'll try again for Christmas!) We cooked the biggest turkey we've ever had. We forgot to weigh it but it was over 30lbs! Daniel and I wrestled it to make it fit in the pan - that was hilarious!

Matthew 22:9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'

What heart surgery has taught me...

I am so happy to report that as of Saturday, things have taken an up swing! Every day seems to be a bit better. My heart rate still drops low, but not as often, and the few other issues (migraines, dizziness, loss of vision) are most likely temporary. So here's what I've learned (so far)!

1. There is a sign along the highway on the way to the hospital that says, "Prepare to meet Thy God!" So I have spent a lot of time pondering this. There were many times over the past couple of months where I wasn't sure my heart would withstand another beat. Thought I might have to pull out my famous Fred Sanford imitation! So I've seriously considered: was I ready to meet my Creator? Do I truly believe what I've read in the Bible? Am I certain of my salvation?

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test."

John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Has my walk matched my talk? Would God be pleased with my life? My thoughts? My service? Do I show genuine fruit and evidence of God working in my life?

2. Always be ready for a trial. There was one week from the time we knew I would have to have surgery to the time the surgery was scheduled. I was so thankful for Jeff and his leadership and protection. He has encouraged and allowed me to be a keeper at home so I could be with our children. I didn't feel panicked that I had to quickly teach or prepare our children for this time. I didn't feel as though I had to make up for lost time. I've been allowed to spend time and invest in their lives all along and have no regrets in doing so! This was also a huge blessing to the older kids as well, as things seemed to fall in place and prepared for such a trial. Not that things have been easy, but they certainly could have been a lot worse, a lot more chaotic and uncertain!

1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

3. Prayer works. I really didn't think I could handle staying awake through the surgery, but after Jeff prayed with me I had such a peace, such a comfort, that I knew it was evidence of God. Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." And whenever Ben is asked to pray he prays for "Mommy to get better!" God is answering!

4. Allow others to be a blessing. It took me four kids before I could do this with out any guilt. I had to swallow all pride and give up the fake front that I could handle it all myself. So at that point I purposed that if anyone wanted to help or offered to help I would gladly and gratefully accept. It is always better to give than receive, but by God's design He wants us on both ends of the spectrum. It has blessed my heart to feel the out pour of love from the cards, gifts, visits, and meals. It has been a wonderful example to my children for them to see such blessings and serving hearts as well! And most of my kids know that making a meal for our crew is like feeding the 5,000, so we have all been blessed indeed!

5. I have a deeper compassion for those who are chronically sick, in wheel chairs, in hospitals, and in dire situations. I also have a renewed appreciation that I can walk, be with my family, see and touch, and all the blessings that God has bestowed on us!

2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

6. I have learned to love big! No one is promised tomorrow, tell those you love that you love them! Show them! We have always hugged and kissed every morning, every nap time, every evening and anytime someone leaves to go somewhere. You can tell them on the phone, in a letter or even a fax! Love them like there is no tomorrow! Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" For none of us truly know just when that appointment will be! We all will eventually leave - leave them loved!

7. And lastly, I've learned to count my blessings! I am SO incredibly blessed! Jeff and the kids, friends and family have labored in love and have taken such good care of me! My cup runneth over and over! God has protected, provided, and proven, in so many ways!

Isaiah 63:7 "I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us-- yes, the many good things He has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses."

Raccoon

It’s not very often that you see a racoon a couple yard’s from you. (But thank God we were in the truck)



Did you know that it’s only 10 day’s from Thanksgiving?

Matt

Recovering

We went to the heart Dr. on Tuesday, two weeks after my surgery, and he was concerned about 2 things, a possible infection or a possible blood clot. First we had to draw blood to check for infection and if that proves negative, which it has so far, then he will put me on a stronger blood thinner (I'm just taking aspirin now and will have to for 6 months). That evening my heart rate started dropping, being on the beta blocker is suppose to keep it low, but mine has dropped down into the 40's. This was becoming painful, my heart was beating slow and hard like a base drum and would hurt up to my jaw bone, and force me to cough. I couldn't sleep well for 2 nights, so for fear I would turn green and grow one eye, we agreed to stop the beta blocker. He said that people usually have a hard time coming off of this so we'll have to get through the hump to see if it helps. I'm amazed at how long it's taken me to get back to normal, but still so much to be thankful for!
Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.