I feel like I'm running the last leg of a marathon. Funny thing is, I am not a runner. In fact, I hate running but with all of you cheering me on and encouraging me, I feel like there isn't anything I can't do. You all have prayed for me. You have sent cards. You have reached out to me, across the miles through Facebook and emails. Your comments have been a tremendous help in my healing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I won't lie - there were times when I felt like giving up. Thankfully, J has been wonderful as I wet his shirts with my tears. One thing that rang out in my second trip out of three stays in the hospital, was that there is a purpose in this. At that moment, I was more vulnerable than I had ever been. I had to learn to ask for help to the bathroom. I had to let go of others seeing my body, scars and all. I had to learn to answer questions like, "Are you passing gas? Have you had a bowel movement?" Questions that I learned to answer even with...

I can't fully imagine what Gabby Douglas' mom has gone through as she watches her baby girl doing what she loves - GYMNASTICS. I was a gymnast's mom. My daughter, Jarebear once was following close in Gabby's shoes. She was training at a US Gymnastics training facility with the full focus from her coaches, that the Olympics was her goal. Then, the unthinkable happened...a vault accident that injured two vertebrae in her spinal area. The blessing in that was had it been a inch closer to her spine, it would've had a horrible ending. Like Gabby's mom, I never imagined my Jarebear to get as far as she did. I enrolled her in gymnastics after seeing how shy yet limber she was at the age of 3. She possessed bravery the very first time she was placed on a high beam, at 4 years old, by waiting until the coach looked away to turn a cartwheel on the beam and literally stick it! Before class was over, the trainers were asking if we would consider her training at their fa...

I am not tough enough. I write blog posts that make it seem as if I have it all together (at times) and honestly, I am far from it. I am at a hard spot right now. There have been some complications in the surgery and once again, I may end up back in the hospital. This will make it three times in three weeks. I have snotted and cried and called out to God so many times, I'm sure he's wanting to change his name to Joe. I don't understand why things happen as they do but they do. I am showing you my stuff here. Last night, after crying through bouts of nausea and pain, J held me. I couldn't help but think I was a burden...that he didn't sign up for "this". He reassured me that I was his joy and not even close to a burden. I have blogged years now and some of you have been with me from the beginning. I have tried to reveal the real me but at the moment, the real me is a sniffling mess. I am holding on to the positives though. I have a husband that ...

I love birthdays! I don't dread getting older. In fact, I actually embrace another adventurous year and look forward to living life with abundant joy. Yesterday, Simone and I had a chance to enjoy a little girly time. Even though she was still somewhat groggy, my twin sis made an effort to enjoy the short remaining time we had left of my visit. The one thing about the two of us being together is that we will either find trouble or trouble will find us. When we're together, it's like there's an unwritten rule that we WILL get into mischief. Simone brings out my sense of daring. Maybe because I know that she has my back and that if I ever ended up handcuffed and carted off to jail, she would easily don a matching pair of cuffs so that I wouldn't face confinement alone. Yesterday I raided the the medical supply cabinet in Simone's hospital room to find goodies that had huge happiness potential. I had a blast whipping t...

Since Simone is currently laid up, I thought it would be perfectly fitting for me to step in. So, I'm kid..er..blog-napping Chocolate Covered Daydreams for a bit. Many of you know my twin sister and have faithfully followed her journey of self discovery, spirituality, marriage and family life. I bet you've already realized that she is THE most amazing woman in the world. Unfortunately, I am writing this as I sit beside Simone's hospital bed. Truth is, Simone suffers from "bad timing" syndrome. Let me give you a recent account of the happenings. Warning: I am going on very little sleep so I may ramble a bit and misspell a few words, so bear with me. As you may remember, Simone recently underwent fundif...never mind, I can't remember what the actual name of the surgery is but I do know that it was to treat hiatal hernias. She had been recuperating; dealing with a total liquid di...

I made it through the surgery but dealing with lots of pain right now. I was worried about eating a full liquid diet for weeks but I really don't feel hungry as much as I am tired. I know that this too shall pass. The doctor says that the surgery was a success and for that, I am so thankful. I look forward to being able to visit with all of you soon. Thank you again!!

I'm here for a quick minute. Just an update...youth group was great. I felt really at ease talking to the teens. I hope that some seeds were planted. I'm going to be out for a bit....reminding you all to keep me in your prayers on Wednesday...surgery time. I will be back when I am feeling up to being online. In the meantime, here's a glimpse of my life in pictures lately.  Talk to you all soon!