Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is The Great I AM.
Rascal Flatts at CMAS:
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
...a sobering reality hits home...
one of the many wonderful perks about living in an international-city environment, is the exposure to people from all over the world. i wouldn't have singled that out as a reason for moving back to this area 6 years ago, but i've been deeply blessed to have my worldview expanded and educated by the individuals i've encountered who initially seem so foreign to me.
with that said, we have some very close friends who we met through our church four years ago, who opened their home (6 weeks ago) to two foreign exchange students who have come to America to learn English. it was, and is, an exciting undertaking and it has proven to be an adventure for everybody involved!
the students are actually two Muslim teenagers from Saudi Arabia who we had the privilege of meeting over dinner at our friend's house last week.
if you know these friends of ours (and you may!), you would be aware that they are driven from a mission-based desire to share the Gospel, to intentionally open their lives and home with others for the purpose of sharing Christ with others. so you can imagine the interesting conversations that have transpired with their two young foreign exchange students.
have i mentioned how kind, gracious, sweet and friendly these teenagers are?
we walked into the house and despite only 3 months of English exposure, they attempted to have an hour long conversation with us and we were astonished by their English! and you can only imagine the sorts of questions my husband attempted to have them answer. it was enlightening and amazing. two kids from across the globe having dinner with us, discuss the intricacies of the Muslim religion and traditions, how they skype with their parents 3 times a day, how the religious unrest impacts their lives, how they want to learn English, and of course, their thoughts on America in general and opinions about our past and current Presidents. :)
they helped isaac with his new puzzles, blocked him from accidentally falling off the couch, watched Veggie Tales with him and took up residence in our hearts, as well as our friend's home.
as you're probably aware, the epi-center of the Muslim religion is located in their country. as the nerve center of this massive world-wide religion, Christianity is not tolerated. Christianity, from what has been personally relayed is in direct opposition to what they believe is true and is punishable by death. i was fascinated that all of us could sit around a living room and openly discuss these opposing beliefs, wholeheartedly associate with one religion or the other, and find a way to peacefully live under one roof. without fear...
the conversations have progressed and grown lengthier and more transparent. our friends have opened the Bible to them, shown them the story of Christ, explained redemptive salvation and answered the questions they may have. these teens are equally engaged in having the conversations and it's been a real blessing to watch this story unfold.
i have been secretly hopeful and prayerful to see them convert...optimistic that they would recognize peace vs war, Truth vs lies, confident hope vs uncertainty. we've checked in with our friends, we've seen the teens on more than one occasion and we've all been excited about this situation.
our friends came over last night and updated us on a new conversation that unfolded this past week.
the boys confessed that their acceptance of Christianity, if they ever were to truly consider it, would mean certain death for them.
these sweet boys would face being disowned and forsaken by their families...the families with whom they video-conference multiple times a day.
they would have a target on their heads and undoubtedly be martyred within three days of returning home this summer and confessing Christianity.
for some reason...i had forgotten, momentarily, about the earthly price they would pay to accept the Bible's invitation to salvation. my heart sank. i choked back tears. i looked at my husband, "i think this is the first time i've known somebody personally who would have to suffer bodily death as a penance for accepting what i'm privileged to embrace freely in America."
it's haunted me for two days now.
they're teenagers from wealthy Saudi families who are being afforded the opportunity to travel and expand their education and who now recognize the tragic social implications of following God and His Word.
how does the same, perfect God make it so straight-forward and painless for me to accept salvation...and yet permit such seemingly insurmountable circumstances into the lives of those in this situation who choose the same thing?
with the set of options they have to choose from, i can't even imagine the mental anguish and difficult process they can possibly face.
yet, history is full of people who have chosen Christ over their next breath.
to lose everything, even life itself, for the sake of salvation. it's a black and white fact of life for them. no exceptions.
stop for a second and imagine whatever your set of circumstances may be. the convictions you hold. the beliefs you have that bolster your way of life. the very core of who you are.
...and then imagine having to die for it.
would it hold up under that kind of weight?
do you believe in it so much that you would trade your life for it?
...or would it fall by the wayside because it was not something that could be conformed to fit within the limited and sinful and fallen constraints of this world?
what exactly is it that you worship? we all worship something...
some of us worship our position as mothers, our ability to travel, maybe we worship our ease of life, or being in an upper-income society. worship is simply a descriptor for the behavior we exhibit toward whatever it is that takes the most residence in our hearts. what is top priority in your heart? will it undergird you through the valleys of life? ...and will it carry you past the day you die and into all of eternity?
i am so humbled by the ease i experience when choosing Christ. i am moved beyond words to befriend those who do not ever have the hope of sharing in the same ease.
I Timothy 3:10-12
"You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life,
my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me...
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted."
Matthew 16:26
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his life...?"
i shouldn't be so shocked by this since it's written everywhere in Scripture that Christians will suffer persecution.
it's just by sheer grace and blessing that American Christians have not, yet...
i pray i find myself unable to deny my faith...even in the face of certain death.
and i pray for the persecuted church all around the world, even now, having full confidence that every death will produce eternal glory...
**********************
"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death..."
-- C.S. Lewis
with that said, we have some very close friends who we met through our church four years ago, who opened their home (6 weeks ago) to two foreign exchange students who have come to America to learn English. it was, and is, an exciting undertaking and it has proven to be an adventure for everybody involved!
the students are actually two Muslim teenagers from Saudi Arabia who we had the privilege of meeting over dinner at our friend's house last week.
if you know these friends of ours (and you may!), you would be aware that they are driven from a mission-based desire to share the Gospel, to intentionally open their lives and home with others for the purpose of sharing Christ with others. so you can imagine the interesting conversations that have transpired with their two young foreign exchange students.
have i mentioned how kind, gracious, sweet and friendly these teenagers are?
we walked into the house and despite only 3 months of English exposure, they attempted to have an hour long conversation with us and we were astonished by their English! and you can only imagine the sorts of questions my husband attempted to have them answer. it was enlightening and amazing. two kids from across the globe having dinner with us, discuss the intricacies of the Muslim religion and traditions, how they skype with their parents 3 times a day, how the religious unrest impacts their lives, how they want to learn English, and of course, their thoughts on America in general and opinions about our past and current Presidents. :)
they helped isaac with his new puzzles, blocked him from accidentally falling off the couch, watched Veggie Tales with him and took up residence in our hearts, as well as our friend's home.
as you're probably aware, the epi-center of the Muslim religion is located in their country. as the nerve center of this massive world-wide religion, Christianity is not tolerated. Christianity, from what has been personally relayed is in direct opposition to what they believe is true and is punishable by death. i was fascinated that all of us could sit around a living room and openly discuss these opposing beliefs, wholeheartedly associate with one religion or the other, and find a way to peacefully live under one roof. without fear...
the conversations have progressed and grown lengthier and more transparent. our friends have opened the Bible to them, shown them the story of Christ, explained redemptive salvation and answered the questions they may have. these teens are equally engaged in having the conversations and it's been a real blessing to watch this story unfold.
i have been secretly hopeful and prayerful to see them convert...optimistic that they would recognize peace vs war, Truth vs lies, confident hope vs uncertainty. we've checked in with our friends, we've seen the teens on more than one occasion and we've all been excited about this situation.
our friends came over last night and updated us on a new conversation that unfolded this past week.
the boys confessed that their acceptance of Christianity, if they ever were to truly consider it, would mean certain death for them.
these sweet boys would face being disowned and forsaken by their families...the families with whom they video-conference multiple times a day.
they would have a target on their heads and undoubtedly be martyred within three days of returning home this summer and confessing Christianity.
for some reason...i had forgotten, momentarily, about the earthly price they would pay to accept the Bible's invitation to salvation. my heart sank. i choked back tears. i looked at my husband, "i think this is the first time i've known somebody personally who would have to suffer bodily death as a penance for accepting what i'm privileged to embrace freely in America."
it's haunted me for two days now.
they're teenagers from wealthy Saudi families who are being afforded the opportunity to travel and expand their education and who now recognize the tragic social implications of following God and His Word.
how does the same, perfect God make it so straight-forward and painless for me to accept salvation...and yet permit such seemingly insurmountable circumstances into the lives of those in this situation who choose the same thing?
with the set of options they have to choose from, i can't even imagine the mental anguish and difficult process they can possibly face.
yet, history is full of people who have chosen Christ over their next breath.
to lose everything, even life itself, for the sake of salvation. it's a black and white fact of life for them. no exceptions.
stop for a second and imagine whatever your set of circumstances may be. the convictions you hold. the beliefs you have that bolster your way of life. the very core of who you are.
...and then imagine having to die for it.
would it hold up under that kind of weight?
do you believe in it so much that you would trade your life for it?
...or would it fall by the wayside because it was not something that could be conformed to fit within the limited and sinful and fallen constraints of this world?
what exactly is it that you worship? we all worship something...
some of us worship our position as mothers, our ability to travel, maybe we worship our ease of life, or being in an upper-income society. worship is simply a descriptor for the behavior we exhibit toward whatever it is that takes the most residence in our hearts. what is top priority in your heart? will it undergird you through the valleys of life? ...and will it carry you past the day you die and into all of eternity?
i am so humbled by the ease i experience when choosing Christ. i am moved beyond words to befriend those who do not ever have the hope of sharing in the same ease.
I Timothy 3:10-12
"You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life,
my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me...
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted."
Matthew 16:26
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his life...?"
i shouldn't be so shocked by this since it's written everywhere in Scripture that Christians will suffer persecution.
it's just by sheer grace and blessing that American Christians have not, yet...
i pray i find myself unable to deny my faith...even in the face of certain death.
and i pray for the persecuted church all around the world, even now, having full confidence that every death will produce eternal glory...
**********************
"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death..."
-- C.S. Lewis
Friday, October 22, 2010
"momentous, enduring, significant work..."
wow.
hi!
i'm not sure why i've been up since 445am, but i was lying in bed with many thoughts swirling around my mind.
it's been almost a year since i've shared anything personal in this little corner of the internet and this morning probably won't be the day that i start up again. what i want to say about God's workings in my life over the last year would take alot of time and space -- a worthy project, without a doubt -- but for another early morning.
despite all of the events that have woven the days of the past year of our lives together -- i've been truly learning how to train up my child, sharpening my tools as a parent and exploring new ways to make my home a place of peace and organization.
interestingly enough, lately, i've often been asked, "so...what do you do? you stay...home? do you work...?" instinctively, i used to recoil at the innocent question mostly based on some insecurities i have about leaving the world of suits and heels and cubicles and politics in order to be a homemaker. though i boldly decided to be a stay at home and be a mother and wife, and have never regretted the decision -- the shocked looks and inquisitive nature of others caused me to sub-consciously devalue my role in this family and in this city.
through a blog that i currently follow, i was reminded that there is no need to justify my standing in this temporal world to anybody. there was no need for a defensive spirit within my heart.
i am really only accountable to Christ alone -- and it's ok, because though changing diapers and doing dishes seems mundane, i am creating a Home. a Haven. and there is little to be found in this fleeting life that compares with what exists inside the four walls of my house. it is priceless work (for which i don't have much time!) to lay a Biblical foundation for Isaac, doing my best to ensure he understands that his life's value will (hopefully!) never be about education, credentials, popularity, accolades, or any vain, insufficient, and wholly unworthy causes of this world. as a mother in a city full of type-A personalities (me!), that's a tall order, but i embrace it as my life's calling and responsibility.
and in that -- i find freedom from Satan's accusations that i am irrelevant...
as Carolyn Mahaney writes below, I am shaping my child to be an eternal tool for God's glory alone, and that is momentous, enduring, significant work...
her moving blog entry is pasted below...and i need tissues each time i read it:
Nicole was nine, Kristin eight, and Janelle four when we first moved
into our home on a cold February day in 1986. Chad wasn’t even born
yet. Today, a sunny one in June, twenty-two years later, I’m boxing up
(and sometimes throwing out) two decades worth of memories.
Of the more than 8000 days I spent in this home, there were a few
dramatic ones: the day I announced to CJ that “surprise, you’re going
to be a father again!” or the day Kristin fainted and we had to call
the ambulance, or when Mike serenaded Janelle outside her window at
6am, or when Nicole returned from the hospital after life-saving
surgery.
But most of my days looked pretty much the same.
I got out of bed each morning so that I could do everything I did the
day before.
I washed the dishes so they could be dirtied again.
I ironed the clothes so they could be worn and wrinkled again
I wiped noses so they could run again.
I picked up toys so they could be played with again.
I mopped the floor so mud could be tracked on it again.
I cooked meals so that I could go to the grocery store again.
I made beds so they could be slept in again.
Some days I wondered: if I do all I do, only to have it undone, am I
really doing anything?
Today, as I pack up my home in June of 2008, I can see the answer more
clearly than I did in February 1986. Each of my daughters is married
to a wonderful, godly man, Chad will be a sophomore in high school
this fall, and we’ll welcome our seventh grandchild at the end of
August.
I realize that all of the mundane, repetitive days were actually full
of significant, enduring work. A home was being built. A family was
being knit together. Four souls were being shaped for eternity.
This home has spawned three more homes where the same tedious yet
momentous work goes on day in and day out. And God willing, many more
homes will one day be built, day by day, so “that in everything they
may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:9).
hi!
i'm not sure why i've been up since 445am, but i was lying in bed with many thoughts swirling around my mind.
it's been almost a year since i've shared anything personal in this little corner of the internet and this morning probably won't be the day that i start up again. what i want to say about God's workings in my life over the last year would take alot of time and space -- a worthy project, without a doubt -- but for another early morning.
despite all of the events that have woven the days of the past year of our lives together -- i've been truly learning how to train up my child, sharpening my tools as a parent and exploring new ways to make my home a place of peace and organization.
interestingly enough, lately, i've often been asked, "so...what do you do? you stay...home? do you work...?" instinctively, i used to recoil at the innocent question mostly based on some insecurities i have about leaving the world of suits and heels and cubicles and politics in order to be a homemaker. though i boldly decided to be a stay at home and be a mother and wife, and have never regretted the decision -- the shocked looks and inquisitive nature of others caused me to sub-consciously devalue my role in this family and in this city.
through a blog that i currently follow, i was reminded that there is no need to justify my standing in this temporal world to anybody. there was no need for a defensive spirit within my heart.
i am really only accountable to Christ alone -- and it's ok, because though changing diapers and doing dishes seems mundane, i am creating a Home. a Haven. and there is little to be found in this fleeting life that compares with what exists inside the four walls of my house. it is priceless work (for which i don't have much time!) to lay a Biblical foundation for Isaac, doing my best to ensure he understands that his life's value will (hopefully!) never be about education, credentials, popularity, accolades, or any vain, insufficient, and wholly unworthy causes of this world. as a mother in a city full of type-A personalities (me!), that's a tall order, but i embrace it as my life's calling and responsibility.
and in that -- i find freedom from Satan's accusations that i am irrelevant...
as Carolyn Mahaney writes below, I am shaping my child to be an eternal tool for God's glory alone, and that is momentous, enduring, significant work...
her moving blog entry is pasted below...and i need tissues each time i read it:
Nicole was nine, Kristin eight, and Janelle four when we first moved
into our home on a cold February day in 1986. Chad wasn’t even born
yet. Today, a sunny one in June, twenty-two years later, I’m boxing up
(and sometimes throwing out) two decades worth of memories.
Of the more than 8000 days I spent in this home, there were a few
dramatic ones: the day I announced to CJ that “surprise, you’re going
to be a father again!” or the day Kristin fainted and we had to call
the ambulance, or when Mike serenaded Janelle outside her window at
6am, or when Nicole returned from the hospital after life-saving
surgery.
But most of my days looked pretty much the same.
I got out of bed each morning so that I could do everything I did the
day before.
I washed the dishes so they could be dirtied again.
I ironed the clothes so they could be worn and wrinkled again
I wiped noses so they could run again.
I picked up toys so they could be played with again.
I mopped the floor so mud could be tracked on it again.
I cooked meals so that I could go to the grocery store again.
I made beds so they could be slept in again.
Some days I wondered: if I do all I do, only to have it undone, am I
really doing anything?
Today, as I pack up my home in June of 2008, I can see the answer more
clearly than I did in February 1986. Each of my daughters is married
to a wonderful, godly man, Chad will be a sophomore in high school
this fall, and we’ll welcome our seventh grandchild at the end of
August.
I realize that all of the mundane, repetitive days were actually full
of significant, enduring work. A home was being built. A family was
being knit together. Four souls were being shaped for eternity.
This home has spawned three more homes where the same tedious yet
momentous work goes on day in and day out. And God willing, many more
homes will one day be built, day by day, so “that in everything they
may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:9).
Friday, January 8, 2010
...still learning that life only has One Absolute
Well, today I found myself,
After searching all these years,
And the man that I saw,
He wasn't at all who I'd thought he'd be.
I was lost when You found me here,
And I was broken beyond repair,
Then You came along and
You sang your song over me.
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time,
In my life.
Make a promise to me now,
Reassure my heart somehow,
That the love that I feel,
Is so much more real than anything.
I've a feeling in my soul,
And I pray that I'm not wrong,
That the life I have now,
It is only the beginning.
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
For the very first time
I wasn't looking for something that was more,
Than what I had yesterday,
Then You came to me,
Then You gave to me,
Life and a love that I've never known,
That I've never felt before.
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time
...in my life.
--Third Day
After searching all these years,
And the man that I saw,
He wasn't at all who I'd thought he'd be.
I was lost when You found me here,
And I was broken beyond repair,
Then You came along and
You sang your song over me.
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time,
In my life.
Make a promise to me now,
Reassure my heart somehow,
That the love that I feel,
Is so much more real than anything.
I've a feeling in my soul,
And I pray that I'm not wrong,
That the life I have now,
It is only the beginning.
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
For the very first time
I wasn't looking for something that was more,
Than what I had yesterday,
Then You came to me,
Then You gave to me,
Life and a love that I've never known,
That I've never felt before.
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time
...in my life.
--Third Day
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
hiatus
hi⋅a⋅tus –noun, plural -tus⋅es, -tus.
:::::
well, if it ain't already evident, i no longer have time to blog.
or energy.
or both.
life's been building up for a while.
and yesterday was a reminder that you can only cut a pie into so many slices.
i am not made of magic.
i am just as shocked by this revelation as you are.
so until i can walk on water, again, and guarantee...you know...that yesterday will never repeat itself, i will be taking a blogging hiatus.
time is precious.
life is short.
health is a precarious thing around these parts.
personal relationships are paramount.
...and all things of lesser value will have to wait.
and if you start to miss me too much, call me.
it's hard to remember, but i'm pretty sure that's how it worked back in the 90's...
one day we'll be back, new and improved...
with much love,
the morgans
| 1. | a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc. |
:::::
well, if it ain't already evident, i no longer have time to blog.
or energy.
or both.
life's been building up for a while.
and yesterday was a reminder that you can only cut a pie into so many slices.
i am not made of magic.
i am just as shocked by this revelation as you are.
so until i can walk on water, again, and guarantee...you know...that yesterday will never repeat itself, i will be taking a blogging hiatus.
time is precious.
life is short.
health is a precarious thing around these parts.
personal relationships are paramount.
...and all things of lesser value will have to wait.
and if you start to miss me too much, call me.
it's hard to remember, but i'm pretty sure that's how it worked back in the 90's...
one day we'll be back, new and improved...
with much love,
the morgans
Thursday, November 5, 2009
what a week...!
before i dump a bunch of photos onto the internet, i should update you all on the health situations.
it's been quite a week. no bon bons and ellen over here this year. oh, no. it's been back to back appointments, tests, appointments, visitors, costumes, and more appointments.
the rheumatoid specialist diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and put me on a bunch of meds to hopefully regulate my pain. he was a very wonderful doctor and i liked him alot. he validated, listened, explained and made a plan. can't all doctors just follow suit??!
that was friday.
friday afternoon, 4 of chad's friends from california came to town and the chaos began! it was truly a joy to see them and we had back to back festivities lined up, including capitol tours, city bus tours, dinners out...the works! quite a nice diversion, honestly.
did i mention HALLOWEEN??? :)
the guests enjoyed a fun night out on king street while we took isaac to our old neighborhood on the Hill for some fun. he was none too interested in the people (actually a bit scared), though he thoroughly enjoyed running up and down the sidewalks...alls well that ends well. i never want to see a dorothy OR scarecrow costume again for as long as i live! :)
they left on monday afternoon, and i packed my bags for my prescribed sleep study overnight at a sleep clinic.
needless to say, i failed.
the rheumatoid specialist said sleep is a huge issue with people with fibromyalgia (FM), so he wanted to confirm it. i had no idea but apparently there are 4 levels of sleep...4 being the deepest, most restorative sleep. i never made it out of level 2 the entire night. who knew.
then again, can you imagine sleeping with all these cords? and this wasn't even HALF of them!
i was sent home packin' at 5am. i wouldn't recommend the experience to anybody. avoid it if at all possible! :)
and tuesday did not let up.
i had a full cervical and lumbar MRI at the hospital that morning, at which point, i promptly fell asleep during the procedure, despite the hard cold plastic i was laying on, and the headgear you have to wear to block out the loud sounds. go figure!
(did i mention chad left town for three days on tuesday? let's just call it The Perfect Storm.)
highlight of the day? VOTING! the polls seemed quite deserted when i went to cast my vote, so it was quick and painless -- and the results were exciting and fulfilling. two thumbs up for Virginia!!! GO MCDONNELL!!!!
we continued the chaos on wednesday with a chevy chase appointment for an EMG. people. words cannot describe the torture that 2 hour rollercoaster was. the first hour involved electrical volts being directed at every nerve from the neck down. the second hour involved needles being shoved into major muscle groups, like...oh...calf, thigh, forearm...and then places that seem impossible, like the top of your foot, your ankle, and fingers. i'm not being dramatic when i asked him if i could leave early. i half sat up on the table and declared the test DONE. sadly, i lost...and succumbed to the full hour of chinese torture.
and that brings us to today! we had a fun morning at isaac's coop playschool, but too bad he's got a pedi appt at 3pm given he was up all night crying for some unknown reason. i mean, really.
daaaadddddyyyy, please come home STAT!!!!
and then tomorrow, we conclude this oh so glorious week with oral surgery (extractions, bone grafts, etc) at 230pm.
but not before i have a photoshoot in the morning, while isaac tags along with chad at 7am for a doctors appt since CHAD is sick as well. when both parents are down for the count -- WHO TAKES CARE OF US??? :)
i anticipate a less than awesome weekend, for sure.
but such is life right now and somehow we've crawled through it and can only pray next week will be a bit more smooth and seamless.
oh, and in case you're wondering -- no results are in from any of the mentioned tests. i will receive the full reports next week. which is fine. one thing at a time...
if you're getting the impression that i'm exhausted, you are correct.
so that essentially brings you up to speed on our previous 6 days. or was it 6 years...? truly the longest week of my life. how grateful i am for everybody who's stepped up to help out and take isaac off my hands during these most vulnerable and helpless moments. despite it all, i am blessed...
the.
end.
it's been quite a week. no bon bons and ellen over here this year. oh, no. it's been back to back appointments, tests, appointments, visitors, costumes, and more appointments.
the rheumatoid specialist diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and put me on a bunch of meds to hopefully regulate my pain. he was a very wonderful doctor and i liked him alot. he validated, listened, explained and made a plan. can't all doctors just follow suit??!
that was friday.
friday afternoon, 4 of chad's friends from california came to town and the chaos began! it was truly a joy to see them and we had back to back festivities lined up, including capitol tours, city bus tours, dinners out...the works! quite a nice diversion, honestly.
did i mention HALLOWEEN??? :)
the guests enjoyed a fun night out on king street while we took isaac to our old neighborhood on the Hill for some fun. he was none too interested in the people (actually a bit scared), though he thoroughly enjoyed running up and down the sidewalks...alls well that ends well. i never want to see a dorothy OR scarecrow costume again for as long as i live! :)
they left on monday afternoon, and i packed my bags for my prescribed sleep study overnight at a sleep clinic.
needless to say, i failed.
the rheumatoid specialist said sleep is a huge issue with people with fibromyalgia (FM), so he wanted to confirm it. i had no idea but apparently there are 4 levels of sleep...4 being the deepest, most restorative sleep. i never made it out of level 2 the entire night. who knew.
then again, can you imagine sleeping with all these cords? and this wasn't even HALF of them!
i was sent home packin' at 5am. i wouldn't recommend the experience to anybody. avoid it if at all possible! :)
and tuesday did not let up.
i had a full cervical and lumbar MRI at the hospital that morning, at which point, i promptly fell asleep during the procedure, despite the hard cold plastic i was laying on, and the headgear you have to wear to block out the loud sounds. go figure!
(did i mention chad left town for three days on tuesday? let's just call it The Perfect Storm.)
highlight of the day? VOTING! the polls seemed quite deserted when i went to cast my vote, so it was quick and painless -- and the results were exciting and fulfilling. two thumbs up for Virginia!!! GO MCDONNELL!!!!
we continued the chaos on wednesday with a chevy chase appointment for an EMG. people. words cannot describe the torture that 2 hour rollercoaster was. the first hour involved electrical volts being directed at every nerve from the neck down. the second hour involved needles being shoved into major muscle groups, like...oh...calf, thigh, forearm...and then places that seem impossible, like the top of your foot, your ankle, and fingers. i'm not being dramatic when i asked him if i could leave early. i half sat up on the table and declared the test DONE. sadly, i lost...and succumbed to the full hour of chinese torture.
and that brings us to today! we had a fun morning at isaac's coop playschool, but too bad he's got a pedi appt at 3pm given he was up all night crying for some unknown reason. i mean, really.
daaaadddddyyyy, please come home STAT!!!!
and then tomorrow, we conclude this oh so glorious week with oral surgery (extractions, bone grafts, etc) at 230pm.
but not before i have a photoshoot in the morning, while isaac tags along with chad at 7am for a doctors appt since CHAD is sick as well. when both parents are down for the count -- WHO TAKES CARE OF US??? :)
i anticipate a less than awesome weekend, for sure.
but such is life right now and somehow we've crawled through it and can only pray next week will be a bit more smooth and seamless.
oh, and in case you're wondering -- no results are in from any of the mentioned tests. i will receive the full reports next week. which is fine. one thing at a time...
if you're getting the impression that i'm exhausted, you are correct.
so that essentially brings you up to speed on our previous 6 days. or was it 6 years...? truly the longest week of my life. how grateful i am for everybody who's stepped up to help out and take isaac off my hands during these most vulnerable and helpless moments. despite it all, i am blessed...
the.
end.
Friday, October 30, 2009
10:30 AM
well then.
i had an appt with the rheumatoid specialist on Nov 9th.
then it got bumped up to Nov 5th.
then it got bumped up to 1030am today.
i could not be more thankful, as my mind AND body need answers...
update forthcoming!
in the meantime, enjoy some matchy-matchiness. ;)
thank you Nickerson Studios!!!!!
(wedding photography partners and best friends!)
i had an appt with the rheumatoid specialist on Nov 9th.
then it got bumped up to Nov 5th.
then it got bumped up to 1030am today.
i could not be more thankful, as my mind AND body need answers...
update forthcoming!
in the meantime, enjoy some matchy-matchiness. ;)
thank you Nickerson Studios!!!!!
(wedding photography partners and best friends!)
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