How can something so small hurt so much?

One night in July, I woke up with a terrible pain in my stomach. No matter how I moved around, the pain would not subside. It went on for an hour or two and was like nothing I'd experienced. The next day I told my family, and we all just assumed it may have happened because of the food I'd eaten. I didn't think much of it after that because it didn't happen again...until one evening at the end of August. This time, the pain was in both my chest and stomach area. I hurt enough that part of me wondered if I was having a heart attack. Yet, once it went away, I managed to convince myself that I was fine, and I didn't have it checked.

This happened a few more times, and again and again I would end up blowing it off after the fact. But this week I finally realized it was something that I needed to deal with, even though I think part of me was terrified of what the results might be. What if I had something really wrong with me? Well, after it started to happen last night, for the 3rd night in a row, I decided that Jeff and I would be taking a trip to the ER.

A sweet friend came over and watched the kids, and Jeff and I made our way to the hospital. Thankfully, there was no one in the waiting room, and I saw a doctor within half an hour of arriving. They ran several tests on me, and we found out I have gall stones. The doctor was quick to tell me, "Not just 1 or 2, but a LOT of gall stones." Basically, what Jeff saw as they did an ultrasound showed a gall bladder full of black. The doctor went on to say that with as many stones as I have, having surgery and removing my gall bladder is the only option. It is day surgery, and the recovery period is relatively short (a few days).

I left the hospital so relieved--relieved to know that there really was something going on to cause the pain, and relieved to know that it was something that could be solved without too much trouble.

I will talk to my doctor this week and will then talk to a surgeon and set up the surgery. I have a feeling I will grow more nervous as the time nears. I have never had surgery, and the idea isn't overly exciting. However, I am trying to remember my "relieved" feeling and not focus too much on the nervous feeling.

I would appreciate your prayers as the time nears--for my pain level between now and then, for the surgery itself, and then for my recovery afterwards. I'll keep you posted.

It's All About Trust

What do you think of when you hear the word, "Confide?" Maybe you think of slumber parties where you'd share secrets with your best friend. Maybe you remember the first time you told someone that you love him. Or maybe it's a word that you don't particularly like....Keep reading here.

Neighbors

Can I tell you guys something? I love our new neighborhood. I mean LOVE it. Besides the great trees and nice houses, I am finding that we live in a wonderfully friendly neighborhood. We lived in our previous house for 7 years. Do you know how many of our neighbors we knew at least a little? 2. Seriously--2 families off of the entire street. Granted, we had an alley at the other house, so there was less playing out front (especially because our old backyard was so great), but that just seems terrible to me....and of course I know that part of (a lot of?) the problem was me. Obviously I did not reach out or I would've known more people. However, part of the issue was also that no one had young children and no one was really out and about on our street....Whatever the case, we were ready for a change.

And now...now, we live on a section of the street where there is life. Our street is a half-circle, and it is a REALLY LONG street, but our little area is perfect. We already know at least 6 families (or at least a few members from 6 different families) on our street. There are 3 other kindergartners (within about 7 houses) on our street. There's also a boy Josh's age two doors down. We have spent the last 2 days playing for 1-2 hours at a time with the kids in the neighborhood. Our kids can run from house to house and it has struck me as such a blessing. We prayed that we would live in a neighborhood with young children, and God has certainly provided. I am so thankful!

How about you out there? What's your street/neighborhood like? Is it a place that brings you joy, or are you wishing for more? Leave a comment; I'd love to hear.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Dorothy and Batman!

I Am Such a Soccer Mom

We missed a soccer game this weekend because of Baylor Homecoming; however, we had a make-up game on Sunday (from a previous rain out), so we made it back in time for that. Prior to this weekend, our team was 0-4-1 this season..not exactly something to boast about, but thankfully the girls don't really seem to notice because they're too busy having fun.

I almost didn't go to Sunday's game because we were going to a birthday party right after and Josh was really in need of a nap after such a busy weekend. But he wanted to go the game, and I hated to miss the game (what if Emily scored and I missed it!?)....So, we went.

When we got there, we learned that we'd won the day before, something like 10-1. We couldn't believe it--and they did it with just 3 girls. (We play 3 on 3 but have a team of 6.) I thought, "Oh no, our only win and Jeff (coach) and Emily weren't there." On Sunday's game, we were playing a team who had creamed us last season, but we quickly noticed their star player was no longer on the team....We stayed fairly even (but actually always stayed ahead, remarkably) during the first half. Then we got to the 3rd quarter, and our girls decided to bring it. I think we scored at least 5 goals in that period alone--and 2 of them were Emily's! They were her first and 2nd of the season, and she was so excited....And I was so glad I didn't miss the game! The first one was a tip in after a player from the other team had so kindly brought it near our goal; on the second one, her teammate passed it to her, and she kicked it right on it. (Oh, and I should mention, this is after she'd been hurt earlier in the game by a soccer ball to the cheek.) Yay Emily!

We ended up winning, and I have to tell you: It is so much more fun than losing all the time! I couldn't get over how a little girl soccer game could be such a sweet victory, but it was....maybe because we'd lost so many earlier this season....Whatever it is, it left us all feeling pretty happy. Our girls are finally getting it, and at least half the team plans to come back for next season. We only have one game left for the fall, and I look forward to seeing if they can pull out one last win.

GO LADYBUGS!

Oh Baylor, How I Love Thee

This weekend was Baylor's 100th Homecoming celebration. We headed down on Friday afternoon and made it to Waco in time for dinner. As soon as we'd gotten checked in to the hotel, we went to McAllister's (Emily's favorite restaurant)--as we walked in, I noticed a Baylor cheerleader. Emily was just beside herself, and then the sweet cheerleader came and talked to Emily and gave her five. I think Emily's weekend was perfect at that moment...So thank you, random Baylor cheerleader, for making my daughter feel special.

After dinner, we headed to campus and met up with Gran and Larry (they went to OSU, and that's who we were playing) and spent some time at Extravaganza. We saw the bears, rode the ferris wheel, the kids jumped in the bounce house and slid down the big slide, Emily got her face painted, we watched the fireworks, saw the bonfire, bought some Baylor items, and we visited with some friends. Another highlight for Emily was seeing several of our favorite friends from church. (Yes, my girl loves people....) We stayed up way too late and then called it a night.

Saturday morning was the parade--also known as the time when my children collect TONS of candy from all the people in the parade who are throwing it out. This year they didn't just smile and wave to the parade people--Josh and Emily were yelling, "Over here!" so that the ones throwing the candy would notice them. And evidently it worked, because they must've gotten 100 pieces in less than 2 hours. From there we walked around a little, took our annual pictures with Judge Baylor, and looked at the parade floats up close. The game was at 11:30, so we didn't want to be too late getting over there.

This was the kids first game, so we were just sure they wouldn't make it the whole time....We got there a few minutes into the first quarter, and then we actually stayed the entire time--all the way through "That Good Ole Baylor Line" at the end. The kids were kids of course, but they did a great job. Josh enjoyed eating--popcorn, candy, etc, and Emily liked watching the cheerleaders (of course), the crowd, the bear--mostly everything but the game I think.

Once the game was over, we said goodbye to Gran and Larry and headed over to the Suspension Bridge. We ran up and down the bridge and the kids thought it was really cool that they were able to walk across a big bridge. (Simple pleasures, right?)

At that point, we were all exhausted after a fun weekend and we headed home. However, Josh and Emily both asked to stay one more night, so next year we may be staying two nights instead of one. The kids are getting old enough to really enjoy all the activities, and we love spending time at our college home, so it's a win-win situation (unless you're the football team of course)....GO BEARS!

All Boy

Several times in Josh's 3 years of life I have had people make the comment, "He is all boy!" While I agree (and think it often myself), I started wondering today what exactly they mean when they say it.

For example, today I thought it as he was throwing his little plush basketball over and over trying to hit the wall in his room (so that the ball would bounce back to him). Earlier this week, Jeff said it as Josh was jumping all over the couch in a not-so-safe fashion. Often I think it as he is growling at me or bouncing so hard on his trampoline that the whole thing is shaking off the ground. Other times I think it as he is knocking Emily down with his "bear hugs" or as he pretends to be a super hero or bad guy.

But, what makes a boy "all boy?" Josh is the best snuggler I know. He has a kind heart and tells me every Monday and Wednesday (his school days), "I'm gonna miss you, too" before he goes to school (without my having said a thing). He loves his sister and so wants to be a part of her life, asking her about her day when she gets in the car each afternoon (and then asking Jeff about his day at work once he comes home).

Somehow I don't think those are the qualities that lead to all of the "all boy" comments; however, I tend to think they are actually some of the very things that makes him into exactly what a well-rounded little boy should be. He is rough and gentle; he is tough and sweet. Yes, that seems just right to me. And whether that makes him "all boy" or just the perfect boy for our family, I am so glad he is who he is...and so glad I get to be a part of his life.