Hi everyone! On this post I will explain everything that has been going on with our family over the past couple of weeks. I am sure you may have heard bits and pieces and maybe even seen unusual posts on facebook. So here it is.
Saturday morning 6/12/10 I woke up around 3:30 a.m. because something weird seemed to be going on with Johnny. He was making an odd noise and I really thought at first he was just snoring so I tried to wake him up a little so that he would stop. Well I quickly realized that this was not snoring...the noise did not stop. When I tried to wake him, I couldn't. After a couple of seconds his body started jerking and at that point I realized that he was probably having a seizure. This was a first for him. I called 911 and they instructed me to try and roll him on his side. This was not an easy task. He was stiff as a board and still jerking. Let me just say I was scared to death. After I hung up the phone with the 911 operator I then called his dad for him to come quickly.
I have never been around anyone who had a seizure. After about 3.5 minutes Johnny started to come around. When he did finally start to come around I was almost just as scared as when he was out of it. He was very confused and had no idea anything had even just happened. This didn't last very long but while it was happening he didn't know who I was or anything else and he had a really hard time talking. During the seizure he just about chewed his tongue off which I didn't know - I just thought he couldn't speak anymore. Anyway, we went to the hospital via ambulance. Immediately after arriving to the hospital they sent him for a CAT scan. The CAT scan came back showing something.
At that point Johnny was admitted to the hospital for a MRI. We all know that nothing happens fast in a hospital unless it is truly urgent. Starting around 4:30 a.m. Johnny had a CAT scan, the report, a MRI, the report for that, and a visit from the neurosurgeon all by mid-morning. At this point I started to worry just because it was so fast.
Dr. Maher, the surgeon, came into the room and said that Johnny has a hemangioma cavernoma on the right front temporal lobe of his brain. A cavernoma is a mal-formed vessel that resembles a raspberry. Dr. Maher described it to us as a varicose vein on the brain. The seizure was caused from this spot bleeding. The surgeon recommended that this spot be taken out.
Johnny stayed in the hospital until late Monday afternoon. During this time we had lots of visitors and phone calls and all were very much appreciated. Both of our families were very helpful with the girls. They were completely taken care of so that did not have to be another stress for us.
Next, on Friday 6/25 I lost my job. I had been there 8 years as a workers compensation adjuster. There had been major issues with an account and somebody had to go. So...it was me. I have to say I have really been torn as to whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. I was very worried about how much I would want/need to be off with Johnny during his surgery. But, at the same time I knew I needed to be working to bring home some type of income.
Over the past 2.5 weeks I have felt God's presence in our lives more than ever. He has truly been with us every step of the way and will continue to be there. One thing that I have been told that has really stuck with me is that God is not surprised. He was not surprised by the cavernoma, he was not surprised by the need for brain surgery, and he was not surprised about me loosing my job. He has a plan. At this point we are still not sure what this plan might be but, we are learning and in the end it will be clear.
So, there it is. As of today we still do not have a surgery date but, should know soon. Currently, Johnny is not working but will be able to return to light duty once the surgery is over. I am working diligently trying to complete my resume so that I can send it out to every place of business that I can think of. Please keep us in your prayers. I will try to update my blog more often to keep everyone up to date.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Note to Self...
Tonight I learned a very important lesson. First I will set the story up for you.
Tonight started out great. Both girls are spending the night with Virginia. Johnny and I were very excited to have a "date night". We both got home around 6:30. We decided that we really didn't want to go anywhere. However, we did decide to go eat Mexican at the place across the highway. It was really good. We were able to eat our dinner without having to say any of the following statements: "Get Up, Sit Down, Eat your food, Callie quit playing, Bailey stop playing with the decorations on the wall" and the list could go on and on.
Here is where the trouble began. We decided that we wanted some kind of dessert and we really needed toilet paper. So, no, it was not romantic at all but we went to Walmart. When we got there I was pushing the basket and I didn't have my purse so I put my keys in the front part of the basket. I did have sense enough to pull the little flap thing up so they wouldn't slide through the leg holes. We we walked around and picked up a few things. After we paid there were several baskets sitting right there so, as lazy as it was, we left our basket with all of the rest of them. About the time we were walking away one of the people that work there took all the baskets away. We walked to the car and were about to unlock the car when I realized that I didn't have the keys. So Johnny stood by the car while I ran in to get the keys. I went to the place where we had left the basket but it was gone. I went to the Customer Service desk to see if they were there. Nope didn't find them. About that time Johnny came in and asked if I had lost the keys. Yes dear, I have lost my keys and No I can't seem to find them. Johnny started walking up and down the isles looking on the floor. Then I went up and down the isles asking people if they had found any keys in their basket. Finally, I came across an older couple and when I glanced in their basket I saw my key chain dangling in the seat. I know they thought I had lost my mind. I think when I saw them I might have said "Oh my gosh" a little loud. The couple looked at me kind of strange and I started rambling something crazy about how they had saved my life. They had absolutely not clue what in the world I was talking about until I grabbed my keys out of their basket. They didn't even know they were in their basket.
About an hour later we finally left Walmart. Really I couldn't help but laugh a little. I know it was a crazy thing to do. I know I should not have put my keys there. I know they really could have fallen out. Johnny wasn't really mad but I think he just thought I had a little more sense than to leave my keys in the basket. My sweet husband finally said " Melanie, I think somebody must have beat you in the head with every limb of the dumb dumb tree!". So, this was not exactly how we planned on spending our night alone but it worked out fine.
So, note to self...NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAR KEYS IN THE BASKET AT WALMART!!!!
Tonight started out great. Both girls are spending the night with Virginia. Johnny and I were very excited to have a "date night". We both got home around 6:30. We decided that we really didn't want to go anywhere. However, we did decide to go eat Mexican at the place across the highway. It was really good. We were able to eat our dinner without having to say any of the following statements: "Get Up, Sit Down, Eat your food, Callie quit playing, Bailey stop playing with the decorations on the wall" and the list could go on and on.
Here is where the trouble began. We decided that we wanted some kind of dessert and we really needed toilet paper. So, no, it was not romantic at all but we went to Walmart. When we got there I was pushing the basket and I didn't have my purse so I put my keys in the front part of the basket. I did have sense enough to pull the little flap thing up so they wouldn't slide through the leg holes. We we walked around and picked up a few things. After we paid there were several baskets sitting right there so, as lazy as it was, we left our basket with all of the rest of them. About the time we were walking away one of the people that work there took all the baskets away. We walked to the car and were about to unlock the car when I realized that I didn't have the keys. So Johnny stood by the car while I ran in to get the keys. I went to the place where we had left the basket but it was gone. I went to the Customer Service desk to see if they were there. Nope didn't find them. About that time Johnny came in and asked if I had lost the keys. Yes dear, I have lost my keys and No I can't seem to find them. Johnny started walking up and down the isles looking on the floor. Then I went up and down the isles asking people if they had found any keys in their basket. Finally, I came across an older couple and when I glanced in their basket I saw my key chain dangling in the seat. I know they thought I had lost my mind. I think when I saw them I might have said "Oh my gosh" a little loud. The couple looked at me kind of strange and I started rambling something crazy about how they had saved my life. They had absolutely not clue what in the world I was talking about until I grabbed my keys out of their basket. They didn't even know they were in their basket.
About an hour later we finally left Walmart. Really I couldn't help but laugh a little. I know it was a crazy thing to do. I know I should not have put my keys there. I know they really could have fallen out. Johnny wasn't really mad but I think he just thought I had a little more sense than to leave my keys in the basket. My sweet husband finally said " Melanie, I think somebody must have beat you in the head with every limb of the dumb dumb tree!". So, this was not exactly how we planned on spending our night alone but it worked out fine.
So, note to self...NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAR KEYS IN THE BASKET AT WALMART!!!!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Odd Humor
Once upon a time there was a little girl named Georgiana. She lived on the beach in Georgia, Savannah that is. One day she dug a hole in the sand and a wild horse fell in it. She helped the horse out of the hole and the horse let her ride on his back. She rode up and down the beach all day long. The next day the horse was gone so she just said, "Oh well". She went home and lived happily ever after.
By: Mark Carroll
Dad wrote this story tonight for Bailey. In an odd sort of way it really is funny! Just thought I would share.
By: Mark Carroll
Dad wrote this story tonight for Bailey. In an odd sort of way it really is funny! Just thought I would share.
Rain Rain Go Away!!!
Today is a nasty nasty day. I think we will all stay home and be lazy! Most of the time I am not very good at planning, unless it is planning a party or something and I am All About That! Anyway, last night when I was at the store I knew today would be gross and that the girls would drive me crazy if they were not occupied. SO, I purchased a big pack of copy paper and water color paints - I thought that would take a while. Then I bought construction paper - my girls love nothing better than colored paper, scissors, and glue. I also have the stuff to make peanut butter playdough...that project may have to wait for a different day though. I'm not quite sure I am up to that :).
As for me...I think I may bake. I have really been in the baking mood this week. I know I have everything to make an apple crisp. So I will let you knwo how that turns out. And I am so sure I will wash clothes and dishes (the story of my life).
Well I am needing some breakfast. So, I hope everyone has a good lazy day and stays out of the nasty weather!
As for me...I think I may bake. I have really been in the baking mood this week. I know I have everything to make an apple crisp. So I will let you knwo how that turns out. And I am so sure I will wash clothes and dishes (the story of my life).
Well I am needing some breakfast. So, I hope everyone has a good lazy day and stays out of the nasty weather!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I have a new project.
When I start a project of any kind I need to feel instant gratification. I do like to be creative and do new things but with all of these things I need to see a result...and I need to see it pretty quick. I am not good with details. Even with something as simple as coloring a picture, I am going to choose a picture with very little detail. The pictures I would generally choose would be something that a 1st or 2nd grader would color. Another example would be that I love going to Sips n Strokes. If you have not heard of this, it is a place where you go for 2 hours. At the end of that 2 hours you leave with a canvas that you have painted and it actually looks pretty good!
All that being said, I usually don't take on "projects". When you say the word "project" to me that means something that is going to take a really long time to complete. But, I feel like I am currently working on a "project".
So, to explain my project, first I must tell you two more things. 1) I like to eat. If you have ever seen me or been around me for any amount of time you know this. 2) I like to bake. I love anything sweet. With all that being said, I have a new friend. This new friend has a HORRIBLE problem! She is allergic to basically everything! To my knowledge she is allergic to eggs, milk, beef, nuts, seeds, and tomatoes. Think about it...SHE CAN'T EAT ANYTHING!!!! How in the world can I be friends with someone who really can't eat??? So...I have made it my mission to find something that this girl can eat! For heaven's sake she is skinny as a rail! You can see bones!!!
I began my search with cake. Her birthday is coming up and everybody should be able to eat cake for their birthday right? So I ask her...What do you normally eat instead of cake for your birthday since you can't have milk or eggs? Nothing. She gets NO sweets! She gets chicken. Finally, after searching on the internet I come across a chocolate cake and chocolate icing that does not have milk or eggs. First I planned on waiting until her birthday and making this cake but I just could not stand it. I had to know how in the world you could make this without milk or eggs and it actually taste good and look like a real cake. So, tonight I made the cake. It turned out really good. It looked and tasted good. Go figure??? So while it was still warm I had to take this cake to her. Unless she is a really good liar - she like it!
Really I don't see how in the world she would Not like it. While I was there she let me taste some fake peanut butter she had purchased. It was made from soy beans. It was NASTY!!! It didn't smell or taste anything like peanut butter. Then she all of these different mixes she had bought that she could have.
There you have it. She is now my project. She better take me for all I'm worth right now because I have a very short attention span and pretty soon my ADD will kick in and she won't get anything else. So anyone out there who actually read this whole rambling post - if you have any recipes or food ideas that might fatten up my poor dear friend, please comment on this post with your ideas.
All that being said, I usually don't take on "projects". When you say the word "project" to me that means something that is going to take a really long time to complete. But, I feel like I am currently working on a "project".
So, to explain my project, first I must tell you two more things. 1) I like to eat. If you have ever seen me or been around me for any amount of time you know this. 2) I like to bake. I love anything sweet. With all that being said, I have a new friend. This new friend has a HORRIBLE problem! She is allergic to basically everything! To my knowledge she is allergic to eggs, milk, beef, nuts, seeds, and tomatoes. Think about it...SHE CAN'T EAT ANYTHING!!!! How in the world can I be friends with someone who really can't eat??? So...I have made it my mission to find something that this girl can eat! For heaven's sake she is skinny as a rail! You can see bones!!!
I began my search with cake. Her birthday is coming up and everybody should be able to eat cake for their birthday right? So I ask her...What do you normally eat instead of cake for your birthday since you can't have milk or eggs? Nothing. She gets NO sweets! She gets chicken. Finally, after searching on the internet I come across a chocolate cake and chocolate icing that does not have milk or eggs. First I planned on waiting until her birthday and making this cake but I just could not stand it. I had to know how in the world you could make this without milk or eggs and it actually taste good and look like a real cake. So, tonight I made the cake. It turned out really good. It looked and tasted good. Go figure??? So while it was still warm I had to take this cake to her. Unless she is a really good liar - she like it!
Really I don't see how in the world she would Not like it. While I was there she let me taste some fake peanut butter she had purchased. It was made from soy beans. It was NASTY!!! It didn't smell or taste anything like peanut butter. Then she all of these different mixes she had bought that she could have.
There you have it. She is now my project. She better take me for all I'm worth right now because I have a very short attention span and pretty soon my ADD will kick in and she won't get anything else. So anyone out there who actually read this whole rambling post - if you have any recipes or food ideas that might fatten up my poor dear friend, please comment on this post with your ideas.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Fun Fun Day
Our day today started out busy. We decided that we could go to Payton's rag ball game this morning, which started at 10:15. It is always fun to watch those games. Rag ball is really t-ball for beginners. They don't keep score or anything so really it is more of the kids learning what to do when and how. Today was their 3rd game and I think that my knowledge of t-ball, baseball, softball, whatever is about on the same level with these 4 year old kids that played today. The Lord truly knew what he was doing when he gave me my girls. There is nothing At All that appeals to be at the ball park. It's hot, there are bugs, there is Lots and Lots of dirt, and there are ball games going on that I know nothing about. So, needless to say I am very glad I have a dancing girl and not a ball playing girl.
Oh, speaking of dance...Bailey had her picture made at dance this week...here are a few pictures of her with her friends. These girls absolutely love each other. If at all possible they will be together. Bailey, Brianna, and Alyssa.
Sorry...these pictures really are cute, I copied them from facebook so I couldn't make them any bigger. But, if you are interested you can go to my pictures on my profile page and see them a little better.
Next, we went to Brandy's house for the afternoon - I had bought some material and t-shirts so she could help me sew a few skirts and then put something on the shirts to match. They all turned out really good. I was really proud of myself. It was really a team effort. I really did most of the sewing except for the parts I really didn't know how to do. And...I didn't stuff on the t-shirts because I really didn't know what buttons to push. Oh well! We completed 4 outfits - 2 for Bailey and 2 for Callie.
Last, we all had dinner together. Jeff grilled some chicken and then we had yellow rice and salad. Oh and for dessert we had apple pie and ice cream. Yum Yum!
So...as you might imagine...I am pooped! So I will be going to bed now. See Ya!
Oh, speaking of dance...Bailey had her picture made at dance this week...here are a few pictures of her with her friends. These girls absolutely love each other. If at all possible they will be together. Bailey, Brianna, and Alyssa.
Sorry...these pictures really are cute, I copied them from facebook so I couldn't make them any bigger. But, if you are interested you can go to my pictures on my profile page and see them a little better.
Next, we went to Brandy's house for the afternoon - I had bought some material and t-shirts so she could help me sew a few skirts and then put something on the shirts to match. They all turned out really good. I was really proud of myself. It was really a team effort. I really did most of the sewing except for the parts I really didn't know how to do. And...I didn't stuff on the t-shirts because I really didn't know what buttons to push. Oh well! We completed 4 outfits - 2 for Bailey and 2 for Callie. Last, we all had dinner together. Jeff grilled some chicken and then we had yellow rice and salad. Oh and for dessert we had apple pie and ice cream. Yum Yum!
So...as you might imagine...I am pooped! So I will be going to bed now. See Ya!
Monday, April 12, 2010
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