So...we're coming up on Week 3 of our work out that we've done really well at, and the last 4 days I've been unable to do anything due to a nasty stomach bug I can't seem to shake. Although, I think I've lost more weight in the last 4 days than in the last 3 weeks...hmm.
These last few weeks have been wonderful because my husband has been home, but crummy because I have been sick most of that time with either a upper respiratory infection and now this stomach virus. I'm preparing to have my 4th ear procedure this coming Friday, and as long as there are no unexpected findings (aka, another tumor), it should be a quick procedure with no real operation needed. The dr will reconstruct my hearing bone and I am expected to come out of it with almost perfect hearing. I'm excited about that!! However, he did tell me at my last appointment that he would not be surprised if he finds another tumor, which kind of disappointed me, but I'm hoping he was just trying to prepare me for the worst case scenario. As much as I'd like to do this procedure and be done with it, I know this is something I'll have to deal with forever, and am trying to embrace it as something God has given me for a reason. I'd never heard of a cholesteatoma until I had it, and since then, I have had the opportunity in the most random of places to meet a few different women that have also had this and those have been blessings. It's always nice to know you aren't the only one to deal with something, but also to see how they have managed and vice versa. Not to mention, it is a way for me to share about my faith and how God has carried me and my family through the last few years of dealing with this. I know that this could be something much more serious, and that it's not, I'm thankful. Neither of my children seem to have the issues that I had at their ages with my ears, and I'm thankful for that as well. The fact that there are surgeons that know how to correct this problem and restore my hearing, I'm just in awe. God is good, isn't He?
Next week, my baby girl is going to "graduate" from kindergarten. I can't believe so much time has passed that she will be going into first grade. Brian will be starting 4th grade next year. How did they get this old? How did I get this old? I pray that I don't miss all the little things that matter. I often find myself frustrated when I'm trying to finish up my day of work in the afternoon right after they get home from school, and feeling torn between them and work. I try to take a few minutes away from my desk and give them full attention, getting them started on homework and a snack, so I can get finished around the same time they do. They are both such blessings to my life, each with their own personality and characteristics that make them unique and special. Brian has entered that age of goofiness that all boys seem to go through at this age, and is ever the entertainer. Rachel is all girl, but enjoys the outdoors as well, and is testing the waters of sassiness each day. The challenges of teaching them how to not only behave and be respectful, but to be young Christians as well, is ever present and the battle to teach them how to recognize the difference between wordly things and Godly things is a tough one. But nevertheless, it is a battle that Richard and I are committed to fighting, and prayerful about.
Richard returned to work today for the first time since he got back from his deployment. He'll have to take off for a few things over the next few weeks, but I think he was kind of ready to get back into a routine. He was able to spend a few quality days fishing last week, and was happy about that. We are still waiting to get our date night alone. We were supposed to go this past Friday night, but my stomach bug had different plans. So, hopefully in a few weeks after my surgery, after the "men in the family" fishing trip, after this, after that...we'll get to have a date night. Those have always been important to us and we've always tried to make them a priority in our marriage. We did get to go to lunch and movie on his birthday last week, and that was a nice treat, as we hardly ever do daytime dates. It was actually less expensive than a normal date, because the kids were at school, we didn't have to pay a babysitter, we were able to order off the lunch menu (cheaper prices) and we paid for a matinee movie. I love that man, and I'm so happy to have him back home safe and sound. I've hated being sick the last couple of weeks, but what a difference it is to be sick when your sweet hubby is home to help tend to things, and with a happy, willing heart.
As I said in my title, this was much about alot...just the different things on my heart and mind today. I've rambled on long enough...
"My our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and stregthen you in every good deed and word." 1 Thessalonians 2:16
