Shawn here:
The day started at 4(:15) AM today. We had to get up early to take Nessa in to have her tonsils and adenoids removed.
Nessa has always been a restless sleeper with light snoring, and some research led Tami to suspect childhood sleep apnea. The only procedure to treat childhood SA is having the tonsils and adenoids removed (with a 95+% success rate), so we made an appointment to have Nessa examined. One quick look and the ENT doctor said "Yup, those are impressive. I can see where they'd cause sleep issues." So we scheduled a tonsillectomy, and today was the day.
Nessa was the first patient of the day, so we had to be there at 5:45. We just left Nessa in her jammies, bundled her in the car, and off we went. When we got there, Nessa got to put on the tiger jammies they showed her during our tour last week, and then she played while everyone talked to Mom and Dad. Nessa was very good and attentive during the pre-op stuff, although she did not like the medicine they gave her to make her drowsy. It also made her loopy, and she was pulling her surgery hat down over her face.
Our associate pastor came in and stayed with us during the pre-op routine, and when we had a moment said a wonderful prayer pitched right at Nessa's level of understanding. I got to accompany Nessa into the OR, just like in Rochester, and stay until she was under. That was not as wrenching this time as a year ago, but I still recommend avoiding seeing your child placed under general anesthesia if possible.
The doctor came out about half an hour later and told us that everything had gone fine. Nessa was in the recovery room for another 30-35 minutes before they paged us, so it was about 8:15 when we got to go back into the private post-op room. That's when the adventure started. Nessa was not happy about how much her throat hurt, and she did not want anything to drink or suck on. She cried her "I'm hurt" cry and pulled in on herself, making it hard to comfort or talk to her. Finally Tami got into the bed and held her, and I sang all of Nessa's old favorites to calm her down as I did when she was little. The combination of the two seemed to work, and Nessa fell asleep. Apparently I was singing a little louder than I realized, because when the nurse came back and saw Nessa asleep she said it must have been the wonderful singing that did it.
Nessa slept fitfully, waking up and crying every so often, refusing all liquids and popsicles, and then falling asleep again. At that point she sounded just like a percolator. (Yes, I'm old.) Every so often the oxygen monitor would go off, so after a time the nurse hooked up a hose and funnel that blew air past Nessa's face (much like my CPAP, but without a mask). That worked when Nessa was asleep, but it kept waking her up and she didn't like it when awake, so it was a bit of a battle for Tami, who was holding Nessa all this time. I was out of the room for part of this, getting some breakfast, making phone calls, and so on. At one point Nessa was awake long enough that we tried putting a movie in, but as soon as it got started she fell asleep again.
The nurse was getting a little worried that Nessa wouldn't drink anything or have a popsicle, and at 10:30 it was time to give Nessa more Tylenol. Nessa wasn't having anything to do with taking Tylenol orally, and after 10 minutes of trying and some increasingly agitated fussing, we gave up and let Nessa go back to sleep. A bit later the nurse came in and gave Nessa a Tylenol suppository, which went fairly easily and did not disturb Nessa. That solved that problem.
I went off again to find something for Tami to munch on and some water. We were both doing periodic Facebook updates, so some folks watched the whole drama as it played out. When I got back, Tami took off to walk around a little. The nurse came in to put a third bag of fluids on the IV. Originally they had planned to give Nessa about 1 1/2 bags, but they were worried that she wasn't getting any liquid and the anesthesiologist ordered the third bag. By this point Nessa sounded more like an electric hair clipper, and the oxygen alarm hadn't gone off in a long time. The nurse talked to the ENT doctor, and they decided that Nessa could go home about 1 PM. Finally, at around 12:30, Nessa woke up and agreed to take sips from her water bottle. That was enough to convince everyone that she could go home, and we got her out the door a little after 1:30.
We got home a little before 2 PM. Nessa seemed a little more alert, and started to watch The Little Mermaid II, but quickly fell asleep again. I went out to get more Tylenol and run a couple of other errands (including getting more movies), but when I got back Tami told me that Nessa was flatly refusing to take any liquid Tylenol. This worried us, so I took the just-purchased liquid Tylenol back and got some melt-away tablets. Nessa didn't want to take those either, but we got one into her mouth. We only wanted it on her tongue, but it went all the way down her throat. We were not her favorite people at that point.
Nessa kept sleeping, Tami kept watch, and I kept busy doing whatever else. Finally, about 6:30 PM, Nessa told us she was hungry, and she ate an ice cream bar. As I type this she has been awake for over an hour and is watching The Little Mermaid II again. We still have to figure out how to get more Tylenol into her before bed, and how to get her to drink more liquid tomorrow (the IV fluids will keep her hydrated until about noon), but she is responding like the Nessa we know and love. She's talking about what's happening in the movie, telling Tami what's going on--that's our Nessa. :-)
All in all it's been a tiring day. Tami was almost wiped out, but has come alive a little after getting something to eat and seeing Nessa revive. I'm going to crash any time now. I think it will be early to bed for everyone. We know that today will have been more than worth it in the long run, but it's scary to see your child in pain and not be able to help or comfort her. That's a pretty good definition of feeling helpless.
I want to thank everyone for the prayers, positive thoughts, and well-wishes on our behalf throughout the day. We truly felt surrounded by love and care, and Tami even said at one point that she was floating on it. It helps so much to know that others are sharing your burdens, even in a small way, and that you are not alone. Thank you.
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Keeping my options open...
The fact that it took me nearly two weeks to write this note either means that I'm very busy (true, I think) or that I'm more than a little conflicted about what to announce to the world (likely also true).
Friday March 27th I was "let go" from my position with ECi La Crosse due to a "workforce reduction." That is the official word.
I expected it to some extent. I actually expected it months ago, but then when it didn't come started to wonder when and if it would ... until Thursday when it became obvious that something was happening in my little cooperate world.
Honestly I felt relief at the moment when it happened. I didn't have to wonder if it would happen or when it would happen any longer, and I now would have time to focus on finding that new job that I had been wanting for a long time. Or, I could focus on contract work and moving toward other opportunities. (For the record, I'm keeping my options open at the moment.)
I think back to the other times that this has happened in my life (thankfully not recently), and this feels so different. Is the situation different or am I different?
People ask me how I'm doing and I quickly reply, "Great!" without even thinking about it, and then when we start talking I can see them get confused when I tell them I'm not currently employed and explain what happened. And yet so often I still really do feel great. I can only conclude that I do not identify *how I am* with my employment status. I say this while certainly understanding how being unemployed can bring a lot of stress on an individual and family.
I had been praying a lot lately about my future path (and continue to do so!). I have not yet told many people but I feel strongly about pursuing a path of serving others -- but what that path is and when I am to pursue it still has not been revealed to me. One option I am considering is becoming a Lutheran Deaconess or working in ministry in another way; however, those are opportunities primarily in the future if for no other reason than I need to continue on the discernment path, and then if I continue to feel called I must apply, and so on before beginning the education process.
Yet, in some way I know that my current situation is a part of that future path. I'm not sure how yet, but as is each leg of the journey, this is an important one.
Presently in addition to checking out contract opportunities and many local job opportunities, I am also continuing to work on various opportunities with The Raw Divas, and hope to have an ebook out soon!
I have to admit that I also hope I will be able to catch my breath a little bit and catch up with the many things I have been putting off -- from posting photos to writing elaborate personal blog posts! :-)
So stay tuned for more photos, details about Nessa's birthday, and of course our request for prayers as Nessa gets her tonsils out at the end of the month. Of course many of you that see my hurried bits and notes on Facebook already knew much of this ...
Love and belief to all -- and send any job opportunities my way. ;-)
Friday March 27th I was "let go" from my position with ECi La Crosse due to a "workforce reduction." That is the official word.
I expected it to some extent. I actually expected it months ago, but then when it didn't come started to wonder when and if it would ... until Thursday when it became obvious that something was happening in my little cooperate world.
Honestly I felt relief at the moment when it happened. I didn't have to wonder if it would happen or when it would happen any longer, and I now would have time to focus on finding that new job that I had been wanting for a long time. Or, I could focus on contract work and moving toward other opportunities. (For the record, I'm keeping my options open at the moment.)
I think back to the other times that this has happened in my life (thankfully not recently), and this feels so different. Is the situation different or am I different?
People ask me how I'm doing and I quickly reply, "Great!" without even thinking about it, and then when we start talking I can see them get confused when I tell them I'm not currently employed and explain what happened. And yet so often I still really do feel great. I can only conclude that I do not identify *how I am* with my employment status. I say this while certainly understanding how being unemployed can bring a lot of stress on an individual and family.
I had been praying a lot lately about my future path (and continue to do so!). I have not yet told many people but I feel strongly about pursuing a path of serving others -- but what that path is and when I am to pursue it still has not been revealed to me. One option I am considering is becoming a Lutheran Deaconess or working in ministry in another way; however, those are opportunities primarily in the future if for no other reason than I need to continue on the discernment path, and then if I continue to feel called I must apply, and so on before beginning the education process.
Yet, in some way I know that my current situation is a part of that future path. I'm not sure how yet, but as is each leg of the journey, this is an important one.
Presently in addition to checking out contract opportunities and many local job opportunities, I am also continuing to work on various opportunities with The Raw Divas, and hope to have an ebook out soon!
I have to admit that I also hope I will be able to catch my breath a little bit and catch up with the many things I have been putting off -- from posting photos to writing elaborate personal blog posts! :-)
So stay tuned for more photos, details about Nessa's birthday, and of course our request for prayers as Nessa gets her tonsils out at the end of the month. Of course many of you that see my hurried bits and notes on Facebook already knew much of this ...
Love and belief to all -- and send any job opportunities my way. ;-)
Thursday, April 02, 2009
To Nessa On Her 4th Birthday
Four years old! Wow! It seems like just yesterday that you were only three…
It’s been another year full of changes. It might not seem to others like you’ve changed all that much: you’re only a couple of inches taller and a few pounds heavier than last April 2nd. But your mommy and I know how many things are different.
The biggest change has been your diet: with your Celiac Disease diagnosis we all had to change what we eat, but what a difference those changes have made. You don’t get sick nearly so often. You’re a picky eater like I was, so it gets tricky to feed you sometimes, but at least we know everything you eat is helping you to grow and not harming you.
Your attention span is getting longer. You can sit through an entire movie, and if you like it you can sit through the same movie over and over. When you play you can concentrate on one toy or one scenario for a long time before switching to another, especially if you’re playing by yourself. If you have several choices you like, you still want to do everything, but after sampling them all you often settle on one and stick with it for a while. Your play scenarios are getting more elaborate, and you’ve started adding things from movies you’ve seen and stories you’ve heard. I love to listen to you play when you don’t know I’m doing so, and to hear the things that come out of your imagination.
You’re getting better and better with language. Although you often want to play a role and speak like you’re younger than you are, at other times you astound me with sentences you put together and the ideas you express. You have the classic four-year-old hesitation & repetition when your brain gets ahead of your ability to frame the words exactly as you want them to come out. I know I’m not as patient with that as I should be sometimes, and I’m sorry. But it’s so much fun to listen to you incorporate new thoughts and expressions into your speech.
You can do so many more things than you could a year ago: put together puzzles, write your name without help (even if the s’s often turn into z’s), color a picture using different colors in each area. You’re getting good at climbing, and are learning how to use items to help you do things. You recognize more words every month. Your mommy and I wonder when you’ll unlock the reading code and be able to read to us. You’re also starting to make up songs, much to my delight.
You’re still learning how to get a handle on your emotions, but that’s OK. It’s hard to want so much to do something and to not be able to do it. You have an independent streak a mile wide, and someday that could be a wonderful thing. You’re learning that God will listen to you when you are having trouble, and that sometimes that helps.
Your mommy and I love you so much, Nessa Rose…more and more with each passing day. Occasionally we’re wistful about days that are gone forever, but I’m so excited about the girl you’re becoming and everything that’s ahead of you that I don’t think about the past much. You are still my greatest joy and my greatest treasure. Thank you for being my little girl, and for helping your mommy to make my life rich beyond measure.
Happy 4th birthday, Nessa Rose!
Love,
Daddy
It’s been another year full of changes. It might not seem to others like you’ve changed all that much: you’re only a couple of inches taller and a few pounds heavier than last April 2nd. But your mommy and I know how many things are different.
The biggest change has been your diet: with your Celiac Disease diagnosis we all had to change what we eat, but what a difference those changes have made. You don’t get sick nearly so often. You’re a picky eater like I was, so it gets tricky to feed you sometimes, but at least we know everything you eat is helping you to grow and not harming you.
Your attention span is getting longer. You can sit through an entire movie, and if you like it you can sit through the same movie over and over. When you play you can concentrate on one toy or one scenario for a long time before switching to another, especially if you’re playing by yourself. If you have several choices you like, you still want to do everything, but after sampling them all you often settle on one and stick with it for a while. Your play scenarios are getting more elaborate, and you’ve started adding things from movies you’ve seen and stories you’ve heard. I love to listen to you play when you don’t know I’m doing so, and to hear the things that come out of your imagination.
You’re getting better and better with language. Although you often want to play a role and speak like you’re younger than you are, at other times you astound me with sentences you put together and the ideas you express. You have the classic four-year-old hesitation & repetition when your brain gets ahead of your ability to frame the words exactly as you want them to come out. I know I’m not as patient with that as I should be sometimes, and I’m sorry. But it’s so much fun to listen to you incorporate new thoughts and expressions into your speech.
You can do so many more things than you could a year ago: put together puzzles, write your name without help (even if the s’s often turn into z’s), color a picture using different colors in each area. You’re getting good at climbing, and are learning how to use items to help you do things. You recognize more words every month. Your mommy and I wonder when you’ll unlock the reading code and be able to read to us. You’re also starting to make up songs, much to my delight.
You’re still learning how to get a handle on your emotions, but that’s OK. It’s hard to want so much to do something and to not be able to do it. You have an independent streak a mile wide, and someday that could be a wonderful thing. You’re learning that God will listen to you when you are having trouble, and that sometimes that helps.
Your mommy and I love you so much, Nessa Rose…more and more with each passing day. Occasionally we’re wistful about days that are gone forever, but I’m so excited about the girl you’re becoming and everything that’s ahead of you that I don’t think about the past much. You are still my greatest joy and my greatest treasure. Thank you for being my little girl, and for helping your mommy to make my life rich beyond measure.
Happy 4th birthday, Nessa Rose!
Love,
Daddy
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
100 hundred things I'm thankful for at this very moment...
I decided to take a moment to simply list out some of the many things I am thankful for ... I started with some big ones of course, but then I just kept listing every single thing that came to my mind that I appreciate having in my life. With a grateful heart I share this list with all of you. May we all have hearts of gratitude this season (and daily!).
2. My Husband -- Shawn -- my best friend, lover and true partner
3. All 3 of my wonderful girls ... each have been a blessing in their own right, including Emily who continues to bless me with lessons even as she waits for us in Heaven
4. My Health -- this year I have been blessed beyond measure with a return of good health and I am thankful beyond words
5. Family -- not the just the delightful ones that live with me, but those that we travel to see on Thanksgiving, Christmas and more
6. FOOD -- pure wholesome food that seems sent straight from God to me (sometimes via our friendly CSA, market or family farm). I have learned an entirely new appreciation for food and its healing powers this year
7. Our Church -- our Good Shepherd family continues to bless us in many ways and I am thankful for the community for faith and fellowship
8. Our jobs -- even with tight deadlines or crappy projects at times, our jobs always provide us with more than merely a pay check
9. My family's health and safety -- between a car accident and Celiac diagnosis I do not take these things for granted ... we have been blessed in so many ways
10. The Internet and the communities and opportunities is brings me
11. Shawn's grateful heart and ability to share all of those things with me
12. Nessa's smile
13. Megan's smile
14. Laughter
15. Instant Messaging -- and the winks and more from Shawn via IM each day
16. All the Raw Divas -- the knowledge and support they have brought me is incredible
17. All my BES (Body Enlightenment System) buddies
18. Goodwill!!!! (I'm truly becoming addicted to the selection ... and how else do you refill your closet when you remove everything that is suddenly too big?)
19. The Green Smoothie Blog -- an opportunity to grow and learn with other fantastic contributors.
20. GMAIL -- there is no other way I would be able to manage my massive email inbox
21. ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Association) and the wonderful women that make the organization what it is -- I use what they taught me a decade ago, each and every day
22. The Off Topic list and all my wonderful friends there :-)
23. The ICAN Loss and Recovery list ... I never want new members but I'm so thankful for the community we've become
24. Facebook -- I've rediscovered old friends and gotten to know new friends better ... addictive but wonderful
25. Our own blog :-) ... communication as well as keeping memories for us!
26. Our van ... sometimes I feel guilty driving it but it's ever so useful at this time in our lives
27. Heated seats in our van (yes, this deserves its own line!)
28. Cell phones
29. My new Blendtec Blender ... worth every penny when needing nutrient-dense food to heal!
30. My massage therapist/yoga instructors ... again an important part of healing...
31. My chiropractor ... especially thankful during my post-accident recovery time :-)
32. Our home ... plumbing problems and all ... it has been a wonderful place to grow and nourish our family and it will indeed be hard to say goodbye when the time comes
33. Quilts!!! All the quilts that my mom made and gifted us do get used constantly ... especially now that cold weather is here!
34. My wool socks and wool slippers ... that house I love is a wee bit drafty. ;-)
35. My new size 12 jeans that fit!!!! :-)
36. Our Honda Civic ... although I prefer not to actually drive it, it's very reliable and the gas mileage is great.
37. My hair stylist that always works magic
38. Our credit union that is being helpful as we make plans to consolidate, pay off debts, and become students again (are we crazy or what?)
39. Being able to watch Nessa and Megan play and giggle together
40. For all the people that remember Emily Lin each year (she would be 7 years old and in 1st grade ... and ever so beautiful with brown eyes, I just know it)
41. For the beautiful memorial stone that we have at Emily's grave and for all those that help us decorate it each season.
42. For my parents that go out of their way to see all of their grandchildren as much as possible.
43. For all of Nessa's grandparents being there to watch her when Shawn and I need to go do things like visit seminaries for a weekend. :-)
44. For Nessa's daycare and the wonderful teachers there that not only stimulate her mind so she's learning new things faster than I can keep up, but, and this is really important to us, they feed her food safely (gluten and also dairy free) -- they are SO good and we are so blessed to have that center as part of our lives.
45. That my husband seems to actually like doing dishes ... or rather he likes a clean kitchen enough that he is more than willing to do the dishes (I am SO lucky).
46. That my dear husband doesn't mind cooking even more often because I'm busy making (not cooking!) my own food most nights (sometimes I do both but we do like to eat before bedtime too).
47. That my dear wonderful [inset more adjectives] husband is more than willing to do the grocery shopping - even when it includes a long list of vegetables and fruits that not very long ago he would have had no idea how to recognize. :-)
48. That my entire household loves to listen to and sing Christmas music (bring it on!)
49. That my parents are here on earth to get to know my daughters and all of their grandchildren.
50. That Shawn's parents are here on earth to get to know their grandchildren.
51. For the family I "married into" ... you won't hear me complaining about in-laws. :-)
52. Shawn's sparkling eyes. When Irish eyes are ... (you get the idea)
53. Megan's contagious giggling
54. Megan's big hugs
55. Megan's email messages -- even when it's just a big smile or "love you too" message
56. Nessa's quiet "I love you mommy"
57. That Nessa loves to read ... when she snuggles in to read on my lap it's the best!
58. The Bible Study groups at church
59. My rebounder ... the only way I get my 20 minutes of exercise most days (it must be working!)
60. Hot water ... especially in the morning
61. Our food co-op
62. The Farmer's Market (and farmers!)
63. Our CSA and our ability to be a part of a CSA this year!
64. Sisters!
65. Our 90 day Bibles and the blessing that it is to read through it together with Shawn :-)
66. The ability to have intelligent and interesting dinner conversations ... not just with Shawn but also now with Megan ... and Nessa is starting to ask good questions too ... what a blessing to have intellect and curiosity!
67. Doctors that were able to help us -- especially the Mayo Clinic and Allergy Associates with Nessa's Celiac
68. EMTs and First Responders!
69. People who stop after and accident to check on us and just be there.
70. Teddy bears for Nessa to hug!
71. An abundance of books to read!
72. Friends that understand
73. All the support and enthusiastic well wishes we/Shawn is receiving about our news that Shawn has entered the ELCA candidacy process and is applying to seminary
74. The stimulating intellectual communities at Luther Seminary, Wartburg Seminary, and the ELCA synods
75. The wonderful staff, volunteers/students at Wartburg, including those that opened their homes to us, that make us feel so welcome (they even were able to happily accommodate my food needs)
76. Megan's school and the teachers and friends that have helped her thrive there
77. Megan's trumpet that I love to hear her play :-)
78. My little MP3 player
79. Pod casts and recorded teleseminars
80. Wisconsin Public Radio!!!
81. Friends that are photographers!
82. Google ... sure helps satisfy my curiosity in a hurry!
83. Amazon ... they always have what I'm looking for
84. e-Bay ... for when Amazon doesn't have it or I want it used
85. Social Networking online ... connections and more info!
86. All the of the wonderful people that write helpful books about Celiac and avoiding gluten
87. The Celiac support groups (Raising our Celiac Kids and more!)
88. HyVee in Dubuque ;-)
89. Friends and family that love me/us no matter what
90. Coconut oil ... and finally discovering a healthy oil that I love (and I no longer need to buy expensive facial moisturizers!)
91. Raw Food bloggers
92. Vegan bloggers
93. Celiac / Gluten Free bloggers
94. Our kitchen table
95. My dehydrator ... what I can create and the food I can save from spoiling by using it!
96. "Ice Cream" made by a Champion Juicer (thanks mom!)
97. Having to think about which shoes to wear in the morning
98. A choice of wonderful warm winter coats, hats and mittens
99. Having abundance to share (Nessa donated to Toys of Tots last weekend and it was so nice to see her doing it)
100. Grace ... my life is filled with Grace -- thank you God.
1. My God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and my growing relationship with God
2. My Husband -- Shawn -- my best friend, lover and true partner
3. All 3 of my wonderful girls ... each have been a blessing in their own right, including Emily who continues to bless me with lessons even as she waits for us in Heaven
4. My Health -- this year I have been blessed beyond measure with a return of good health and I am thankful beyond words
5. Family -- not the just the delightful ones that live with me, but those that we travel to see on Thanksgiving, Christmas and more
6. FOOD -- pure wholesome food that seems sent straight from God to me (sometimes via our friendly CSA, market or family farm). I have learned an entirely new appreciation for food and its healing powers this year
7. Our Church -- our Good Shepherd family continues to bless us in many ways and I am thankful for the community for faith and fellowship
8. Our jobs -- even with tight deadlines or crappy projects at times, our jobs always provide us with more than merely a pay check
9. My family's health and safety -- between a car accident and Celiac diagnosis I do not take these things for granted ... we have been blessed in so many ways
10. The Internet and the communities and opportunities is brings me
This picture of my family is the background for my computer monitor at work right now so I get to see it a lot, and it always reminds me of just how blessed I am. Oh, and I love how Nessa is showing us the stamp on her hand (or simply not letting it get covered by her sweater!). :-)
11. Shawn's grateful heart and ability to share all of those things with me
12. Nessa's smile
13. Megan's smile
14. Laughter
15. Instant Messaging -- and the winks and more from Shawn via IM each day
16. All the Raw Divas -- the knowledge and support they have brought me is incredible
17. All my BES (Body Enlightenment System) buddies
18. Goodwill!!!! (I'm truly becoming addicted to the selection ... and how else do you refill your closet when you remove everything that is suddenly too big?)
19. The Green Smoothie Blog -- an opportunity to grow and learn with other fantastic contributors.
20. GMAIL -- there is no other way I would be able to manage my massive email inbox
21. ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Association) and the wonderful women that make the organization what it is -- I use what they taught me a decade ago, each and every day
22. The Off Topic list and all my wonderful friends there :-)
23. The ICAN Loss and Recovery list ... I never want new members but I'm so thankful for the community we've become
24. Facebook -- I've rediscovered old friends and gotten to know new friends better ... addictive but wonderful
25. Our own blog :-) ... communication as well as keeping memories for us!
26. Our van ... sometimes I feel guilty driving it but it's ever so useful at this time in our lives
27. Heated seats in our van (yes, this deserves its own line!)
28. Cell phones
29. My new Blendtec Blender ... worth every penny when needing nutrient-dense food to heal!
30. My massage therapist/yoga instructors ... again an important part of healing...
31. My chiropractor ... especially thankful during my post-accident recovery time :-)
32. Our home ... plumbing problems and all ... it has been a wonderful place to grow and nourish our family and it will indeed be hard to say goodbye when the time comes
33. Quilts!!! All the quilts that my mom made and gifted us do get used constantly ... especially now that cold weather is here!
34. My wool socks and wool slippers ... that house I love is a wee bit drafty. ;-)
35. My new size 12 jeans that fit!!!! :-)
36. Our Honda Civic ... although I prefer not to actually drive it, it's very reliable and the gas mileage is great.
37. My hair stylist that always works magic
38. Our credit union that is being helpful as we make plans to consolidate, pay off debts, and become students again (are we crazy or what?)
39. Being able to watch Nessa and Megan play and giggle together
40. For all the people that remember Emily Lin each year (she would be 7 years old and in 1st grade ... and ever so beautiful with brown eyes, I just know it)
41. For the beautiful memorial stone that we have at Emily's grave and for all those that help us decorate it each season.
42. For my parents that go out of their way to see all of their grandchildren as much as possible.
43. For all of Nessa's grandparents being there to watch her when Shawn and I need to go do things like visit seminaries for a weekend. :-)
44. For Nessa's daycare and the wonderful teachers there that not only stimulate her mind so she's learning new things faster than I can keep up, but, and this is really important to us, they feed her food safely (gluten and also dairy free) -- they are SO good and we are so blessed to have that center as part of our lives.
45. That my husband seems to actually like doing dishes ... or rather he likes a clean kitchen enough that he is more than willing to do the dishes (I am SO lucky).
46. That my dear husband doesn't mind cooking even more often because I'm busy making (not cooking!) my own food most nights (sometimes I do both but we do like to eat before bedtime too).
47. That my dear wonderful [inset more adjectives] husband is more than willing to do the grocery shopping - even when it includes a long list of vegetables and fruits that not very long ago he would have had no idea how to recognize. :-)
48. That my entire household loves to listen to and sing Christmas music (bring it on!)
49. That my parents are here on earth to get to know my daughters and all of their grandchildren.
50. That Shawn's parents are here on earth to get to know their grandchildren.
51. For the family I "married into" ... you won't hear me complaining about in-laws. :-)
52. Shawn's sparkling eyes. When Irish eyes are ... (you get the idea)
53. Megan's contagious giggling
54. Megan's big hugs
55. Megan's email messages -- even when it's just a big smile or "love you too" message
56. Nessa's quiet "I love you mommy"
57. That Nessa loves to read ... when she snuggles in to read on my lap it's the best!
58. The Bible Study groups at church
59. My rebounder ... the only way I get my 20 minutes of exercise most days (it must be working!)
60. Hot water ... especially in the morning
61. Our food co-op
62. The Farmer's Market (and farmers!)
63. Our CSA and our ability to be a part of a CSA this year!
64. Sisters!
65. Our 90 day Bibles and the blessing that it is to read through it together with Shawn :-)
66. The ability to have intelligent and interesting dinner conversations ... not just with Shawn but also now with Megan ... and Nessa is starting to ask good questions too ... what a blessing to have intellect and curiosity!
67. Doctors that were able to help us -- especially the Mayo Clinic and Allergy Associates with Nessa's Celiac
68. EMTs and First Responders!
69. People who stop after and accident to check on us and just be there.
70. Teddy bears for Nessa to hug!
71. An abundance of books to read!
72. Friends that understand
73. All the support and enthusiastic well wishes we/Shawn is receiving about our news that Shawn has entered the ELCA candidacy process and is applying to seminary
74. The stimulating intellectual communities at Luther Seminary, Wartburg Seminary, and the ELCA synods
75. The wonderful staff, volunteers/students at Wartburg, including those that opened their homes to us, that make us feel so welcome (they even were able to happily accommodate my food needs)
76. Megan's school and the teachers and friends that have helped her thrive there
77. Megan's trumpet that I love to hear her play :-)
78. My little MP3 player
79. Pod casts and recorded teleseminars
80. Wisconsin Public Radio!!!
81. Friends that are photographers!
82. Google ... sure helps satisfy my curiosity in a hurry!
83. Amazon ... they always have what I'm looking for
84. e-Bay ... for when Amazon doesn't have it or I want it used
85. Social Networking online ... connections and more info!
86. All the of the wonderful people that write helpful books about Celiac and avoiding gluten
87. The Celiac support groups (Raising our Celiac Kids and more!)
88. HyVee in Dubuque ;-)
89. Friends and family that love me/us no matter what
90. Coconut oil ... and finally discovering a healthy oil that I love (and I no longer need to buy expensive facial moisturizers!)
91. Raw Food bloggers
92. Vegan bloggers
93. Celiac / Gluten Free bloggers
94. Our kitchen table
95. My dehydrator ... what I can create and the food I can save from spoiling by using it!
96. "Ice Cream" made by a Champion Juicer (thanks mom!)
97. Having to think about which shoes to wear in the morning
98. A choice of wonderful warm winter coats, hats and mittens
99. Having abundance to share (Nessa donated to Toys of Tots last weekend and it was so nice to see her doing it)
100. Grace ... my life is filled with Grace -- thank you God.
In gratitude,
~Tami
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