Spring Break 2014

For the kids spring break this year, thanks to Carlos and Melannie's help, we decided to go to Disney World for 3 days.  We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and went to 4 parks (Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios) in 3 days.  To say our feet were tired and sore would be an understatement.....but we had a great time.  As the kids are getting older, I'm finding myself longing for as much "family time" as possible, because I know before long, they'll be adults and out of our house.  :(  Time goes by so quickly.  

Hunter & Grace at our hotel

Our family at our hotel

On a ride in Animal Kingdom

Hunter & Grace in Epcot

Hunter at Magic Kingdom

Grace at Magic Kingdom

The kids (& a gorilla) in Animal Kingdom

Grace at Hollywood Studios

Hunter at Hollywood Studios

At the Coke museum in Epcot

One year ago....

March 16, 2014 marked one year since I said goodbye to my dad.  As weird as it may sound, the year has gone by both quickly and slowly at the same time.  I find some days I go about my day without really thinking about him, but then others are really tough still.  Funny how it can hit you all of a sudden...that instant knot you get in your stomach...realizing yet again that he's really gone...that MY DAD is no longer here on earth.  There are so many "what if's" and "if only I had's", but I know it's out of my hands now.  Life is so short...a constant reminder to make the most of every day, every moment. Cherish those you have in your life.  

Zooming Out

Our focus determines our reality; our internal attitude is more important than our external circumstances.   When we are in a low place in our lives, it seems we want to drag others down with us.  We want them to feel sorry for us...to complain and get mad with us.  It takes great strength and determination to dig ourselves out of the pit and "zoom out" (to look for the bigger picture).  It's definately not an easy task...one I fail at almost ALL the time, but a necessary one.

So....as hard as this season of my life has been, I am now striving to "zoom out".  I'm sure this is something I'll have to remind myself of daily, if not hourly, but nevertheless, something we should do.

I'll end with some pictures and the 2 lists I came up with the other day -- 5 things I love about my kids.  When all around us seems so hopeless and unfair, to look for the positive enables us to continue on/to "zoom out".

What I love about you, Hunter:

1) your ability to be sensitive to others 
2) you love to give
3) you're outgoing
4) your longing TRY to do the right thing
5) how you like things picked up and organized

What I love about you, Grace:

1) your outgoing personality
2) your hard work/dedication with school work (homework, studying, etc)
3) the ability to sense a problem/issue, and try to find ways to fix/help it 
4) the perfect mixture of girly-girl and tom-boy
5) the attitude you have that nothing is too big for you to do/accomplish (self-confidence)

My dad, Jeff Edwards

For years I didn't have the best relationship with my dad.  It was distant and one where we saw each other only about twice a year.  It's not what I wanted, but what it became.
On January 2nd, I got a call from my step-mom that dad had been rushed to the ER for respiratory distress.  His blood oxygen level was at 57%, so they weren't really expecting him to make it through the night.

Amber and I drove down the next day to see him (and really say our "goodbyes" to him).  Little did we know that he'd pull through this and live yet another two and a half months.

During those two and a half months, I vowed to travel down to see/visit with him (some while he was in the hospital, some in the hospice house, and some at his home) every Wednesday-Friday...and I am ever so grateful for those days I got to spend with him (and thankful for my family who helped take care of my kids so I could do this).

I feel like our relationship grew stronger during that time, and that is something I will always remember and love.

On March 16th at 5AM, he passed away in his sleep.  He looked very peaceful when I went to see him....what a way to go.

His memorial will be on March 24th at 2:00pm at his neighborhood clubhouse.

I love you, dad.

What a rough few months we've had.....

Whew...where do I start?  You ready for this?  LOL

In September, I had my surgery (total hysterectomy/hernia repair/removal of adhesions from my bladder)...Marty's mom came to help out for 17 days (couldn't have done it without her).

In mid-December, Marty's mom (age 72) found out she needed her aortic valve replaced, so Marty flew up there for 5 days to be with her while she was in ICU.

Then on 12/26, we drove to Jacksonville to spend some days with his family in Ponte Vedra Beach.

From there, we drove to Ohio to see out friends in Cincy for 5 days.
While there, poor Grace got the flu....she had to drive back home sick. :(

On our way back home from Ohio, I got word that my dad was in the ICU in Ocala in respiratory distress (difficult time breathing).  For you with medical knowledge, his pulseox was 57% on admission!

That next Friday, Amber and I drove down there (3 hr drive one way) to see him, and at that point....thought we were saying our "goodbyes" to him.

It's been 24 days since then, and he is still alive....living in a hospice house near The Villages, on 6 liters of O2, and is bed bound.  Amber and I take turns driving down there for days to be with him...and just soak up these last days with him.  Angela lives close-by, so is with him almost everyday.

It's been a very emotionally draining time for us all lately.

Grace & Hunter in the snow in Ohio

All four of us

My dad with Hunter & Grace

Hunter & Grace on Christmas 2012

HALLOWEEN 2012

We did things a bit different this year....kids are growing up and starting to want to "do things" differently.

Grace went trick-or-treating with some friends from school (thanks Ragsdale's for letting her tag along with you all).

Marty, Hunter and I went to our church party, then drove around and let Hunter trick-or-treat down some roads in a subdivision.

We all dressed up this year (including me and Marty)!  A fun night for all!

Grace as a NERD

Amy as an "OLD MAN"

Hunter as a GATOR'S FAN

Marty as "MITT ROMNEY"

Marty and Amy (Mitt and Old Man)

Grace with her friends

Time -- goes so fast

It's hard not to grow weary in the day to day grind, but when you stop to look back at where you've been, and what your kids were like (and looked like) when they were younger compared to now.....it hits you!  
Lesson: Learn to "stop and smell the roses".  Enjoy each moment you are given...while glorifying God in all you do.  

Grace - 10 yrs old

Hunter - 12 yrs old

My babies awhile ago

Our daily bread

The past 3 weeks have been.....rough.  I had to have a hysterectomy on 9/25.  While the surgeon was doing the proceedure, he discovered many other abnormalities.  To  make a long story short, he had to remove my cervix, uterus, one ovary (due to endometriosis), many adhesions (scar tissue that had "taken over" my bladder), stitch my bladder once he removed the adhesions from my bladder, and repair a hernia (that I didn't even know I had). Because of the bladder issues, I had to come home after 5 days in the hospital with a foley catheter for a week. 

While in the hospital, it was discovered (due to tachycardia - fast heart rate) and some SOB (shortness of breath) that I had atelectasis (partial collapsed lung) in both lungs.  Tis the reason I had to stay in the hospital 5 nights instead of the normal 2-3 nights. I am now having to do breathing/coughing exercises to help this condition.

Today makes 3 weeks since surgery, and I am starting to feel more like myself every day; although I still haven't been cleared to drive yet.

Even though I went through all of this, I am so very grateful for so many things.

*I am thankful for my mother-in-law, Mary who flew down to help with the kids for 17 days.
*I am thankful for my husband who has done so much for me.....from helping me shower, to wiping my booty, to getting up with me every 2 hours in the night to give me my pain meds and help me back into the bed.
*I am thankful for my mom and sisters for all their help with me and my kids---especially since Mary left.
*I am thankful for all the people who have brought in dinner for us these past 3 weeks.....we haven't had to cook for 3 weeks!
*I am thankful for my friends who come to see me -- just to sit with me to chat (to help me mentally...cause sitting/laying at home sure can get to you).
*But most importantly, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior who has been with me every step of the way.  He has shown me so many things in these past 3 weeks -- His grace and mercy is so awesome.

My sister in law's facebook post really spoke to me the other day....she wrote "Give us today our daily bread".  Enough said.  One day at a time.

To those that have helped me in anyway....thank you!  I love and appreciate you all so much!  :)

Grace turns 10

SO...for Hunter's big 10th birthday (2 years ago), we told him he could have a limo for a few hours.  Agenda: pick up him and a few friends (and us parentals of course) at the house, go to Chili's for dinner, then to the Dollar Tree to pick out a few treats, then to Marble Slab Creamery for dessert.


So needless to say, Grace has been looking forward to her 10th birthday, and the chance to have her limo party.  :)


She picked out the hot pink limo.  Invited a few friends to join her, and went out on the town (parentals included).  
Agenda: pick up at house, go to Panera for dinner, then to Aunt Amber and Uncle Nate's house for hair feathers/nail painting/cake/ice cream, then home.


It was fun...LOUD, but fun.  They all seem to enjoy it.  


Big 10th birthday for kids ----- check.  :)

Oh me oh my!

Wow, I've been a slacker at updating this blog!  Time flies.


OK, so.....what a year we have had so far (and it's only 1/2 over).


1. Amber (my youngest sister who is pregnant with her 2nd) was diagnosed with "Complete Placenta Previa" weeks ago (was told there was only a 1% chance the placenta would move), BUT a miracle.....at her last check-up/OB ultrasound, it did!  So now she is no longer considered "high risk pregnancy", and can go about her activities as usual with a normal due date!  God is good.


2. Mom had to be taken to the ER for left arm numbness a few weeks ago (all tests for that -- ruling out stroke/heart attack came back normal).  But while in ER, she got some blood work back indicating her cancer might be back (had breast CA 4 years ago).  BUT a miracle...after seeing an oncologist and having a body scan and several CT scans, NO CANCER (just a tiny kidney stone and some arthritis).  God is good.


3. At my annual GYN exam a few weeks ago, it was discovered via pelvic ultrasound that I had a "large complex mass" on my left ovary and needed surgery to remove it (and possibly the entire ovary).  Once the cyst was removed, it would be sent to pathology to determine if it was malignant (cancer) or benign.  BUT a miracle...once in surgery, it was discovered NO MASS (= no cancer), but rather excessive scar tissue that was pulling my bladder and uterus up into a ball.  I will need another surgery for this (a hysterectomy) in the near future, but am thankful no cancer.  God is good.


So....yep, busy year we've had so far, but see God's hand in it all, and am thankful for His peace through it all.  God is good....all the time.  :)


Looking forward to a great summer.  Kids last 3 days of school are this week, and then we will be in summer/relaxation mode.  :)

CRAZY TIME!

It's another school year already...and it's already CRAZY! It's a good crazy though. :) I'll take any day when I am going "crazy" with:

* taking the kids to and from school/skating and clogging practices/church activities/friends houses,

* doing homework (even if it's hours of homework) with them,

* tucking them in at night, only to have them ask EVERY night to lay with them just a bit longer, or tell them another story,

* washing their hair and body for them because they have a hurt elbow or cut chin,

* sitting with them in the hospital when they've just had the worst headache in the world,

* teaching them (sometimes the same lessons over and over) about what the Bible says and how we are to live, or

* just being there for them whenever they need me (or don't think they need me).

I am truly thankful and blessed. Amazed to think God has allowed me to raise HIS children in this world. He trusts me! He picked US to be Hunter and Grace's parents. Wow...now that is a job! But a good crazy job! :)

As we go about our days, each day seems to go faster than the one before. Time is flying by, and I just don't want to waste any time....don't want to waste anytime with my kids, husband, family, friends....but most importantly waste any time doing something that just doesn't matter in the end...isn't glorifying to God...isn't encouraging to others...isn't making disciples...isn't knowing Christ more, and making Him known to others.

My prayer this school year is to die to myself. Lay down my life for others. Raise up my children in the way they should go....so in turn they too will have the same goal...to KNOW CHRIST AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.

forYOUforMAG

My sister, Amber and I make and sell crocheted hairclips, headbands and pins. 50% of the profits go to The Magdalene Project (a non-profit organization that helps rescue, reveal and restore victims of human trafficking).

Check out what The Magdalene Project is all about at
www.themagprojectnow.com 

My daughter

I am pleased to announce that my 9-year-old daughter is crocheting and selling items...giving 50% of the profits to a family in need....the Lowe family. They are our cousins who live in the DC area. You can read about their story at http://www.momofsix.com/
Grace's website is http://www.foryouforthem.blogspot.com/ Check it out! :)

Spring Break 2011

This year for the kids spring break, we rented a beach house at St. George Island with Marty's mom (Nana) and another family from our church (The Nunez family). We stayed 3 nights/4 days. We had beautiful weather, and had a great time playing cards, reading books, taking walks on the beach, cooking/eating, swimming, and just plain....relaxing!

Grace is 9 years old!

I know everyone says it, but really....where does the time go??!! She was just a baby! We are so blessed to have 2 wonderful children. They grow up so fast. It's amazing how fast time flies by!

Grace celebrated her 9th birthday 1) on Saturday at Skate World with a few girls from her class and speed skating team --- A lady from Marty's work made her a "speed skating" birthday cake for this party, and then 2) today (Monday -- her actual birthday). They didn't have school today, since it was a "teacher planning day", so she lounged around in her pj's all morning, then we went to the mall. Every year they get to pick what they want for dinner, so she picked to go eat at Panera (her favorite restaurant) and eat some broccoli and cheese soup. We came home and had some cookie cake and opened presents.

Thanks to all of our family and friends for the birthday wishes for her....we are so thankful to have you all in our lives!

A speed-skater in the family

Grace has been taking speed skating lessons twice a week for 6 months now. She absolutely loves it!

Today was her first speed skating competition (here in Tallahassee). We had to be there at 5:00 AM to get her ready (checked-in and warmed up)

for the races that started at 6:00 AM. She raced the 200 meter and 300 meter rookie AND novice races, and even participated in 2 - 2000 meter relay races today.

Even though she didn't place, we are so very proud of her, and look forward to many more meets in the future!

GO GRACE! We are so proud of you and love you so much!

Well, we made it 6 years without the diagnosis in our family, but Hunter was officially diagnosed with it today....poor buddy has the flu (high fever, cough and body aches). Yah, I know---bad nurse/mom Amy...it's true...I didn't get my kids vaccinated this year. Slap on the hand for me. Lesson learned.

Praying no one else gets it, especially since 1. Grace has her first speed skating competition THIS Sunday, and 2. little Ford is just 6 weeks old (the Wienerts are living with us for awhile while their home repairs are done).

Praying for a peaceful, relaxing weekend. Sometimes we need something like this to slow us down....to remind us just how blessed we are. Blessed for family, health, food, shelter.

As a FYI....Hunter has his own website -- check it out at http://www.hdfitz.blogspot.com/