Knee news... & PUMPKINS!

So this morning I got a call from the nurse about the results of the MRI of my knee.  Since my knee has continued to hurt I decided it was time to make another appointment to see my Orthopedic doctor.  I honestly thought that he would say we just haven't given it enough time to heal, but he ordered another MRI so that we could compare it from my one in June to see if there had been any healing.  This morning, when the nurse called, I thought she was going to say that there was little to no difference and that I just needed to be patient and realize that injuries can take time to heal.

Instead, she said that the MRI shows that I have further cartilage damage (which wasn't even the main injury), and my doctor is recommending surgery.  That's not what I expected.  So I just repeated, "surgery?"  Then she said "OR...".  Oh good, there's an "or".  She said, "or... the doctor said you can never run again."

"Never...like... never again in my life?"

"Yes," she quickly responded.

I asked her what she meant by that.  Did she mean I could never run recreationally, or train for a race, or does she mean I can't run with my four kids.

When it all comes down to it, that's what I'm most concerned with.  I want to be able to play with my little ones.

A love of running was very new for me.  It just developed last summer when Ellis turned one.  Running was many things to me.  It was a time where I felt like I was doing something for me, a time where I could push myself to get faster and stronger.  It was a time where I would plug my earphones in and enjoy some great praise and worship early in the morning.  It was a time of making some wonderful new friendships, with ladies I would have otherwise never met.  It was a time of appreciating and enjoying God's beautiful creation as I had the opportunity to run in many different locations.  It was for me a passion that I was excited to explore.

As I look back over this past year of running I had a lot of wonderful moments experienced in a short amount of time.  I was able to run 3 half marathons.

I was motivated to do my first half marathon to raise money for a friend in our home school group who is adopting a son.  With the help of friends and family we were able to be a part of helping to bring their son home.  And this family actually leaves this coming Friday in order to embrace their son and bring him home!  It's been a long, faithful, prayerful road for them.  I can't wait to rejoice with them!

 My second half was last minute.  I had a friend who had planned to run her first one with a close friend, and that friend got sick at the last minute, so I was able to jump in to run beside my dear friend for her first half.  Since mine was the month before I was so excited to be able to cross the finish line with her and to remember the many wonderful feelings I had when I completed my race.  It was a wonderful day!

 My final race was local.  It was the Tallahassee half.  My training had been on and off so I was really nervous, but the race began and I took off and had one of the best runs of my year.  I really enjoyed this race, and the best part is that I had my 4 sweet babies holding up signs as I entered the stadium for the final lap to the finish.  I PR'd and placed in my age division.  I felt such a sense of accomplishment.  There were other shorter races sprinkled throughout the year, and I have nothing but wonderful memories of each of them.

When I think about the fact that running may be in my past I am sad, but when I think about these special moments I know I have a lot to praise God for.

This morning, before my day got started, I was reading in Romans and wrote these verses down...

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character, hope." -Romans 5:3-4

An hour later I was thinking of this verse as the nurse was giving me the MRI results.  There are a lot of unanswered questions that I have at this time, but in two weeks I will sit down with my doctor and talk them through.  And I know that he has my best interest at heart, because from the back porch of our new house, I can see the side of his house, so we are soon to be neighbors. :)  It's completely a coincidence that I was referred to him.  (Although, I tend to think many things aren't coincidences, but God opportunities).  :)  He told me at my last appointment that he would have to fix my knee or move.  :)

So I don't know what my future holds in terms of my knee healing.  I did think about a quote that Knox shared in his class this week for his presentation.

"I don't know what my future holds,

but I know who holds my future."

Amen to that!

That's what I plan to cling to. :)

This week we made our annual visit to the pumpkin patch.

Here's a few pictures.  Enjoy!  :)

Universal

This past weekend we joined Andy on another work trip.  This time we dropped off both Ellis and Davis in Ocala to enjoy time with Mimi and Papa, which they did!  Ellis went yard saling with Mimi and Davis worked in the garden with Papa and made him many cups of coffee.  Making Papa coffee is one of Davis's favorite things to do.  Since neither Andy or I drink it, he thinks it's a special treat when Papa is around.

We arrived in Orlando fairly late Friday night, but we checked into our hotel and had time to head downstairs to enjoy some ice cream.  I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to debut my new boots and I figured that this was the perfect time since it was a little chilly out.  : )

The next morning we headed to meet our group.

We started with breakfast muffins while watching Despicable Me 2.  Boys were loving it!

We were split up into groups with a tour guide.  We were paired with the sweetest family from Savannah.  I had the best time visiting with the mom all day.  Andy and the dad had fun talking college football.  : )  If we lived in the same town I have a feeling we'd be good friends.  :)

We began our day on the Minion ride.  (Fyi...it was probably my favorite ride).  There's something about those little minions that just bring a smile to my face.

On our second day, Knox and I ended on this ride while everyone else rode Twister.  I couldn't believe he wanted a picture with the Minion!  This from my kid who is usually apprehensive (understatement) of anything dressed up.

We ran into a few fun floats.

We took this picture (below) for Ellis and Davis to show them Diego, but then decided it might make them sad to realize what they missed.

The boys said maybe we can tell them when they grow up.  I hope they don't feel left out of all the fun!

Side note: On the way back to the hotel as we were walking I said to the boys, "Isn't it wonderful to have your brother as your best friend?"  

To which Drew replied, "brothers..."  So even if Davis isn't always there, he isn't forgotten. :)

We stopped to ride Jurassic Park.  The tour guide said we would get a little wet, but then we watched soaking wet people get off of the ride and decided we didn't want to walk around like that the rest of the day.  All of the women opted out, and then the tour guide ran and got ponchos for the guys.  They didn't get wet at all! : )  I will remember that in the future.

Later that afternoon, our new friends decided they had had their fill of fun, and headed back to the hotel.  We still had the tour guide for a few hours, so first things first, Andy and I (mainly Andy) decided it was time to ride The Hulk.  We were able to leave the boys with the tour guide at the parent swap location and Andy and I loaded up into the front row.

I didn't even really think about what I signed up for, but the launch certainly left much to be desired for me.  The rest of the ride was great!  Even if I was screaming for most of it.  :)

Here we are while waiting to meet up with a friend at the end of the day.

As I uploaded this picture I noticed the ladies smiling in the background.  Since the boys were taking the picture it took a while, so our kiss lasted a little while.  ;)  I'm not complaining, but I didn't realize we had drawn attention to ourselves.  : )

We joined up with friends and hit one more ride before heading to dinner.

I wish I had taken a picture of dinner.  We went to an Italian restaurant on City Walk and it was delicious!  We were also starving, so I don't know if the food was that delicious or I was just hungry.

  I don't know the last time I ate so much.  I could have eaten just their bread for dinner it was so good!

The boys each had a kid pizza that came out looking like a large from any other pizza joint.

We left VERY satisfied and then on the way back to the hotel room decided we needed a sweet treat, so we stopped and grabbed some candy bars.  It was a good night!  ;)

The next morning we got up and met our friends to go back to the parks for a little while.  We stayed until about lunch time and then headed back to Ocala to pick up the littles.

I was so happy to see them and hear about the wonderful time and to see my parents, who looked a little tired. ;)

On the way back into town we stopped by the house to check the progress...

It was definitely a fun weekend!  Hope you enjoyed yours!

It's a start

Today as I was leaving my knee doctor's office, the nurse said to me "I don't know how you do it with 4 kids."  To which I smiled and quickly replied, "me neither." : )

That would typically be the end of that conversation

But as soon as those words left my mouth I said, "I can only do it because of the Lord.  I have to constantly go to Him during my days for help."

We chatted for a minute more before I headed on my way, but I was struck with the thought of how I've been wanting to share Jesus more, and how easy it really was. 

I have had moments where I've hesitated and missed opportunities.  I've had moments where I wasn't willing to be bold and say His name in case I would offend.  I've had moments where I pondered who it is I am supposed to share with.

What I realized today, is that all I have to do is say His name.  It's much simpler than I made it out to be in my mind.  All I did was open my mouth and I allowed His words to flow through me. 

Consider saying His name to someone today.  Maybe it's someone you have been praying for or maybe it's someone you just met.  Say the name of the Lord, and allow Him to do a mighty work!

Fret Not

Today was picture day at our co-op.

 

Last night I laid out all of the outfits, ironed shorts, packed shoes, a brush, and my camera, so that we would be ready.

 

We headed up to the room at the appointed time and when we found out pictures were a little behind I knew I'd have several opportunities to snap a picture of the kids in their matching outfits.  I was so glad I would have time to get just the right picture of my crew.

 

So I tried....

 

 

and I tried again....

 

and again....

 

We even switched locations!

 

NOPE!

 

Finally Drew said to me, "I don't think you are going to be able to get a good one." 

 I realized that he was right, so I put my camera away.  (Btw-these are only a few of the outtakes!)

 

I don't know why sometimes I'm so insistent on having my own way.  Everything is not always going to go as planned.

 

I did my best to be prepared today as I brought everything we could need for pictures, yet when it came time to snap my pretty picture, I couldn't get the one in pink to cooperate.  :)

 

This past Sunday at church, I picked up Ellis in the nursery and they told me she went potty.  (and earned an extra cookie for it too!)  I thought, "what a good day she had."  Big girl.  :)

 

 

 

Then we walked out to meet up with the boys and I got to hear their Sunday stories.  Usually I just hear about what they did in class but I was met with...

 

...Davis, who was wet from spilling water all over himself...

 

 

 

 

...Knox, who made a get well card for our dog, Rex (who was put to sleep in the Spring)...

 

 

 

....and Drew, who got stung on his finger on the playground.

P.S.  He's showing his hurt finger.  : )

 

 

So church didn't go as expected, but they still had a good time in their classes, and we enjoyed a fun family lunch at Panera's after.

 

Tonight I was listening to Pastor Jon Courson teach on my favorite verse, Psalm 37:4.  He was actually teaching on Psalm 37:1-7.  It's his most recent teaching from this past Sunday.

 

Click here to listen.

 

I planned to only listen to 15-20 minutes, but it was so good I couldn't turn it off and listened to the entire message.

 

Pastor Jon explained that David was writing this Psalm to his son Solomon to prepare him to be King.

He opens this Psalm by telling him to fret not.

 

Courson said there's a saying about worrying.

 

Worrying is like a rocking chair;

 it will give you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.

 

I fret all of the time.  I fret about the house we're building, I fret about how things will go while Andy's out of town, I fret about getting school done with the kids, and I fret about getting a good picture.  : )

 

But, sometimes life just doesn't go as you planned.

Courson said we are either fretting or trusting.  Life goes fast and this is the only opportunity we have to walk by faith and trust the Lord.

 

This made me think of the movie UP.  It was on TV this afternoon and the kids and I watched part of it before we left for football practice.  We didn't see it all, but we did see the beginning.

 

The beginning gets me every time!  When it shows the life of Ellie and Carl from the time they met as children until she passes away, it makes me tear up.  (and sometimes cry)

 

 

 

 They had so many dreams and it didn't go as planned.  But, they always seemed to make the best out of what they were given.

 

Yes, I know this is a cartoon, but I love the message of this part!

 

It's late so I won't get into everything Courson taught, but I did learn something new about the beginning of verse 4, where it says to "Delight yourself in the Lord..."

 

He went into detail about this and talked about what it truly means to delight in the Lord.

 

He said, what if we were asked what our passion or hobby was, and we were able to truly answer with, the Lord.

 

"Delight"

He is my pleasure, He is my hobby.  When I have free time I desire to spend it with Him.

 

This is not where I am, but where I desire to be.

 

Last year one of my main hobbies became running, but that has been taken away at this time due to an injury.  I haven't been able to run for months, but I still go to the gym, which is a hobby, but now (with the wise counsel from a workout buddy), I'm also going to take a break from that to see if my knee will heal.

 

Slowly I am feeling like my hobbies are being stripped away.  I know that's a pretty strong way to put it, but it's how it feels.  I'm not choosing to put them aside.  I physically can't participate in them.

 

So what better time than now to draw closer to God, share my desire with Him to truly "delight" in Him, and let Him become my biggest passion.

 

Courson closed by sharing the first words of these 7 verses. (KJV)

 

Fret Not

For

Trust

Delight

Commit

And

Rest

 

What wisdom and power there is in the Word.  When life doesn't go as planned, I pray that we will all remember to fret not.