Funny video

If you have a large family you understand...enjoy!

Too long away and other ramblings...

I was doing so well...just haven't seemed to be able to find much time for writing.

We had a good week for Thanksgiving. Karl was off all week so that was great. We spent the week with his family. We drove back and forth with Emma and Autumn...despite the 3 hours in the car each day it was still easier than trying to pack all of us into one bedroom each night. The oldest three kids got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa and visit with them and their aunt, uncle, and cousins. I think they really enjoyed that, and it was fun for us to see them each day too. We ended the week with an Auburn football win, hot wings, and pie. On to the SEC championship we go!

I started my diet today....vegetarian...until Christmas, then I'll take a hiatus again until the New Year probably. Well, not really a hiatus. I plan to continue to eat as healthfully as possible, but I also plan to indulge in some of my favorite holiday foods. I'm using the book Eat to Live, and just discovered this web site, too. I used the book several years ago and lost 7 pounds in one week. I'm hoping I can get the same results this time. I'll also be checking out the web site to see if it can help me.

I took Logan shopping for jeans last week...did not go out on Friday....I enjoyed that before I had kids and have gone a few times since too, but I was with family and I wasn't planning to drag 5 kids around from store to store anyway. I had checked all the kids clothing needs a couple of months ago, but somehow missed that his jeans and pants were all too short. So, we went to Old Navy and got three pairs of jeans and a pair of dress pants. Those should get us through the terrible winter here in Florida. I was tempted to go out to Old Navy at midnight Thursday (that's when they opened).....I do love their clothing.....but I resisted. I opted for the few hours of sleep I get each night.

Struggles....

Some of you probably remember this post. Let's just say that I've really had to hold onto those thoughts over the last 6 weeks. Though I realize that my challenges could be much worse, I have definitely been struggling with some trials in my life. During a time that should (and is in many ways) be joyful, I have had some joy stealers crop up and I have had to fight the temptation to wallow in self-pity....I have sometimes lost. It is tough to trust......even though I believe God has a wonderful plan and it is best......when I don't understand. I'm not going to share details, but I am still asking for prayer. My health is good....the infusions are over and all indications are that the infection is not gong to return this time....but still keep me in your prayers. Last time it was a week before we knew I had relapsed and the infusions just ended for me on Friday. Thanks.

There are some other issues that I need prayer for....personal struggles that I have to learn how to handle and that I need to give over to God. It's really hard...I can't see the point or the big picture....I know in my head that He does, but living it out is proving to be a challenge. I know this sounds mysterious but that's just because I'm not gonna 'air our dirty laundry' online. ;) Please know that I am depending on all of you for support in this area and I appreciate you all.

A link to a recent post...

Check out what we did today over at Woerner Family Academy.

Her new ride...

For quite some time we have been looking for a bike trailer...you know the kind little kids ride in that is pulled behind your bicycle? When researching prices we fond they could be anywhere from $250 to more than $800 depending on how 'fancy' they are. So, we kind of figured that option was out for us....and we have bought a second bike seat (used for $3) in the meantime. However, last week I saw in an email from our home school group that a family was selling theirs for.....$55! I thought there would be no way we would get it, surely someone else would have claimed it, which is what has happened a couple of other times I tried to get something that way. But, we lucked out (God-designed) and were the first responders....meaning we got it! Karl and Hailey went to pick it up yesterday and Karl tested it out with Emma in it this morning. It looks great...almost brand new...and works perfectly. She had a blast taking her first ride with Daddy, her two brothers, and older sister. Check out the photos.

Autumn's 1-month check-up

Karl took Autumn to her 1-month check-up this morning since I was in the middle of my IV therapy. There were no shots today. She weighs 8 pounds and 13 ounces....hasn't gained a lot but is gaining. Actually, she was just 7 lb 10 oz when we were there last, so she's gained just over a pound since then. She measured 22 inches long, so I believe she's doing much of her growing by getting longer. The doctor just said to keep feeding her every three hours, which we're doing anyway. His words according to Karl were, "She's not a hefty gainer." But that's okay, she's making progress.

Annoyances, too

I read a bloggy friend's post this week and her title was 'Annoyances'. I thought....I could really post about that too.....but didn't because I try to keep things positive here. However, I have often wondered if I give the false impression of perfection in our home. I definitely don't want people to read my blog and think things are always happy and that we have it all together, etc. WE DO NOT. We have many struggles just as anyone else. So, I decided that it would be okay to list some of my annoyances today. ;)

• getting a call and the automated voice on the line asks me to hold
• speaking on the phone with a representative for a company and being treated rudely
• a peripheral line in the arm for an extended period of time
• when one of my children decides to tell me "No" in her cute little toddler voice...cute, but still annoying
• my husband can call the same company and get business done quickly...VERY annoying
• The Cat in the Hat cartoon on PBS.

All of these things are balanced out by the following:

• I feel no shame when hanging up on an automated voice.
• The peripheral line is my 'life' line...helping rid me of this infection.
• When my 20-month-old tells me no, I can just as easily tell her "yes" and she will (usually) comply.
• The TV channel can quickly be changed to something we enjoy much more (maybe even to OFF).
• My husband is 'the king' and I can use him to get things done when others don't listen to me...I love that man!

By the way...the true King is Jesus and He is ultimately the One who helps me realize these 'annoyances' are helping me to grow in my Christian walk and to rely more fully on Him.

Some encouraging words from one who knows...

Sharing this link I found on a friend's blog. Definitely worth a read.

Our weekend

Yesterday, it took over two hours for about a quarter of my antibiotic to 'drip' into my IV, so we suspected there was a problem. It should only take about an hour for all 250 ml. After speaking to the nurse and trying several different things with no change, she instructed us to just be done for the day and that she would replace my IV tomorrow (today). She put in a larger one this morning and the 'drip' is working just great. When she removed the old one she showed us the 'problem'.....the catheter was folded over, so not allowing the fluid to go anywhere. She said it must have gotten pulled somehow and that's what caused the issue. Anyway, now things should go better.

We've been having cooler weather this weekend. It was in the high 40's Friday night, in the 50's Saturday night, and has been cool and windy during the days....enough for us to enjoy wearing jeans. Real football weather. We watched a little football together, celebrated Auburn's 10th win of the season, and generally enjoyed a relaxed weekend.

I tried watching yesterday's church service online but I eventually lost connectivity. I plan to try again today. Karl dropped Logan off at the church for his service then picked him up when it was over. Logan did not want to miss a week....he loves church and I'm so glad. The others would have liked to go but aren't old enough to be on campus without parents also on-site. Hopefully things can get back to 'normal' around here soon.

Please continue to pray for me and my family. The stronger antibiotics appear to be working....my concern now is will this eradicate the infection or will we have to deal with a reappearance? I'm trusting that God will have favor on us and that this will put an end to it. Thank you for your continued concern for me and mine....I love you all and am so thankful for my friends and family, near and far.

The first all-nighter...

I forgot to mention that Autumn had her first all night sleep-fest, which means so did we! When I woke up Thursday morning to her cries and checked the time (it was still dark) I was amazed to see that it was 6:49 a.m. We had put her in her bed at 11 p.m., fully expecting to awaken and feed her between 1 and 3. It felt great and I had a silly smile on my face all morning...."this schedule thing is working!" was my thought. Of course, she has not had another night like that but I know they will get more frequent soon. That's why we always put our babies on a schedule......it regulates their eating and sleeping patterns, causing them to sleep through the night sooner...a wonderful thing all around. I'm sure formula feeding will help as well. Anyway, just wanted to share...I know you're all thrilled for me. ;)

Home care

Karl called the doctor's office yesterday to find out if they could send a nurse to our home each day instead of having me go to them. The answer ended up being yes...our insurance is pretty awesome apparently. Yay! So today Kristina came and got everything set up. She will come each morning for the next 12 days to get my IV hooked up, then Karl will flush it for me when it's done. She's very nice and I'm so glad we get to do it this way....much easier.

And so it continues....

Wow, things change quickly. After seeing the doctor earlier in the week I thought everything was fine. However, when my incision (beneath it actually) began to look red and feel hot again, I called the OB. She had me go in to see her this morning...and she said the infection is back. She actually sent me to an infectious disease doctor, to find out if he thought I needed another round of Bactrum or a stronger IV antibiotic. We're going with the IV antibiotics....14 days of office visits to have antibiotics 'infused' into my IV. They are leaving the line in......it's covered to stay clean and dry while I'm home. The good thing is, the office is open every day so I can go on the weekends too...which will help since Karl is the one staying with the babies when I am not here. This is causing quite a disruption to his work (and to our family in general) but we have to do what's necessary. More prayers are sought on our behalf. Thanks so much.

His ways are not our ways...

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

There are many plans that I've made in my life. I have always been a big planner...and I still prefer to know what is coming. However, I have learned to go with the flow a little better than I used to (still a work in progress, though!). I have learned that often, my plans do not include the best things for me...even though I may think they do. God knows what is coming, what His plan is, and even though when I look at what is happening, it may seem 'messed up'....He has designed my life perfectly. He orchestrates everything to work for my good...even if others' intentions are not so good or at least were without His counsel. Just because I've learned these things, that doesn't mean I don't still have moments (or days or months!) where I struggle with His plan. I do ask why...I do shed tears....I do sometimes feel helpless and even hopeless. But I so trust my Lord. He is the one who has made such changes in me...He is the only one I can credit for any good found in me. My successes are all because of Him and my failures...well, those are all me.

Once again (it seems like I am constantly needing to learn this lesson...) I am at a place where I am questioning, wondering why, and just having to trust that His plan will prevail...despite how things may look. I can ask why this is His plan, or is it His plan, but ultimately I have to let things go....and let God. So please keep me in your prayers. We are enjoying our new addition and she is doing well...the family is doing well overall, so no need to be worried. I just need some support through prayer and I'm asking my faithful readers. Thank you...I know you all really do remember to pray for me and I am so grateful.

Infection Update

My visit with the OB today went well. Though I am still having some pain it is normal....not from any remaining infection. Apparently the 'lump' is quite common and I have one on each side of the incision...it's just the left side that hurts. My doctor said the pain will gradually lessen and that by about 8 weeks postpartum the 'knot' (as she called it) should be gone. As far as the incision goes, things look great. All infection is gone....no redness, drainage, or chills remain. I'm thankful that the antibiotics did their job and I can now stop worrying about that part of my recovery...and move on to just letting my body heal. Thanks for the words of encouragement and prayers. ;)