Change is Good!

It's been a strange few weeks.  It was a crazy busy time getting things in order before my surgery.  Then along came surgery day, two weeks ago today!  I never felt nervous or scared or anything but peace about going through with it....until the millisecond I woke up in the recovery room.  I believe my first words were, "oh, I changed my mind."  Without getting too graphic, I never do very well with anesthesia.  No medication they have can stop the visceral reaction my body undergoes after surgery.  I was so hopeful it would be different this time as the docs just cut apart my stomach and moved things in there around.  Nope.  Nothing helped...except whole cloves tucked in my cheek.  Weird, huh?

The girls did very well in my absence.  KC had a few meltdowns and seemed on edge until she heard I was ok after surgery.  AJ stayed with grandma and grandpa for four sleepovers!  She was quiet and a bit withdrawn, but did very well behaviorally.  She was thrilled to come with grandma and grandpa to pick me up at the hospital.  She loved to see my bedroom and try out the funny bed.  She was even happier to have me home.  My precious little caretaker.  She checks my incisions every day to see if they are all gone. 

In the last two weeks I have decided the surgery was worth it... It took the first week to "feel" that way.  But now there's little to no pain.  And the numbers are staggering... I went into the hospital on 265 units of insulin a day and 1000 mg of metformin (a diabetes medication).  I was released from the hospital with no insulin and no metformin.  My docs have also discontinued two other medications.  Not to mention,  I've lost 13 pounds in two weeks.  Since starting the program 10 months ago I've lost a total of 57 pounds. I certainly have a long way to go, but I'm off to a good start. 

I am excited to have this new start in my life. It's an honor and a privilege. I do not and will not treat this lightly.  This is a game changer, my friends.  My goals this year:  1-Starting anew and truly living life and living it to its full extent.   2- No more hiding.  3- Be kind to me, too.

As my little family and I look forward, I see another year of change and renovations!  Both internal and external! We are truly excited to see what God has planned for each of us. 

What's God moving and changing in your life?

Happy New Year!

As we ring in the new year, I can't help but to take stock in what has happened in the last year.  Most notably, I started 2012 with four kids and now I only have one. Well, I guess I started 2012 living with four kids and ended it living with one.  For none of them are ever ours for keeps.  They are gifts from God Himself for us to take care of while they are here. 

I love being a foster mom.  I hope that I will be able to foster and/or adopt again in the future. Most recently,  I was so very blessed to have taken in a wonderful teen mom and her little girl.  They stayed with us for almost two years and left us in January of 2012.  I am so proud of all that momma has accomplished and am excited to see what God has in store for them this year. (Thanks, D for being a part of our wacky life!!) 

Then in December, KC left our house.

Our year was book-ended with loss. 

As we look ahead, we trust.  We trust that God's grace is sufficient.  We trust that He will work all things out for good for we do love Him and are called according to His purpose.  We trust that no matter what hills and valleys we travel through in 2013, and there will be many of each, that He will never leave our side.  We will be strong and courageous as He fights our battles.  And at the end of each day, we will come to Him for rest.  Sounds pretty exciting to me!