"A boy and his momma"....

"Moving on....., down"

I don't know how well you can see what is on Elijah Brooks' outfit, but it is the Alabama Crimson Tide mascot/emblem.  Why is he wearing that you may ask...., especially since my husband is a die hard Carolina Gamecock fan.  Well, he is sporting his Alabama outfit because...., we are moving on down to Alabama!  I am actually still in shock, especially because we are moving to Montgomery...., the place where I was born and raised.  When I graduated high school, I never in a million years dreamed that I would ever live there again.  I left after high school and never looked back, except to see my family. I have lived in SC, TN, SC/NC and never thought I would ever find myself back in AL.  However, Jay has been pursued by another church there and we accepted the call 2 weeks ago and he will be the "Pastor of Family Ministries/Assistant Pastor" of a church in Montgomery.  He will be graduating from Seminary soon and we knew that it was a possibility that the Lord would move us to another church to minister, but we never thought it would be Montgomery.  Our church in SC had extended a call to him as well, but we just didn't feel that this was where we needed to stay...., even though we absolutely adore the people of our church and our friends here.  We just knew for various reasons that this was not where we were supposed to stay.  We are so excited about this new opportunity for Jay!  This position has his name written all over it and he is really excited about it.  We are very excited too that Elijah Brooks will be closer to some family.  We haven't been near family in the 7 years that we have been married.  Montgomery also provides more opportunities for Elijah Brooks than the current city that we are living in....., but more than either of those things, this new position is just a better fit for Jay for many reasons and the Lord is calling us there. We must follow in obedience. Our hearts rejoice that the Lord has provided a wonderful place for us to minister and a job for Jay (especially during these tough economic times...., churches are not hiring very much right now), but our hearts also ache at the thought of having to say goodbye to our dear church/friends here.  They have truly been the hands and feet of Christ to us in more ways that anyone could ever imagine.  They have been our family during these years of Seminary and have loved us well.  We will miss them greatly.  We will also be moving alittle further away from Jay's family, who are on the coast of SC so that will be very hard too.  However, we know that we will always make time to see them and they will always make time to see us too. 

We definitely have our work cut out for us over the next 3 months, but we praise God for His faithful provision for us and we know that He will work out all of the details as we make this transition. 

Alabama....., here we come!  (Still so shocking to write that)! 

"And....., the saga continues...."

As if I have not already been on the wildest roller- coaster ride of my life (and I HATE roller-coasters) already with this silly wrist situation, I have more news for all of you...., and hopefully this will be the end of this conversation! 

I know that yall have been praying for me, I have full confidence that you have been praying.  The day after I scheduled my surgery, I started having some relief...., not alot of relief, but more than I have had in 5 months.  I have been so convicted that I have been relying so much on the wisdom of man and not of God.  The day after I scheduled surgery, I got on the floor face down before the Lord and wept and prayed aloud to God to heal me and give me clear direction as to if I had made the right decision.  All week long, I have been feeling so anxious and restless, like I maybe "jumped the gun" and was moving too quickly.  I haven't been able to sleep because I have been so anxious. Surgery is HUGE, especially with a baby.  That changes everything.  

Long story made short, I CANCELLED my surgery this morning.  I am going to try to wait this out a few more months and see what happens when Elijah Brooks gets up on his feet walking.  After speaking to 6 of my mommy friends who have all been through this exact same thing and have all had to wear braces (crazy huh??),  their's eventually went away..., though it took a very long time.  I am convinced that unless the Lord miraculously heals me,  this is going to be a long road to recovery, but I am trusting Him that I will eventually get well.  I am going to continue wearing my braces every minute of every day and keep icing and taking Aleve and re-evaluate in several more months. 

Just crazy I know.  I promise this will be the last post about this subject for awhile.  Unless I write you to tell you that the Lord has healed me miraculously, just assume that I am still wearing braces daily and trying to manage this and just keep praying for me.  Just because surgery has been postponed, please don't postpone your prayers for healing.  The Lord has already heard and answered some of your prayers for some relief and clarity, so I know He is listening to you all.  Don't stop you faithful prayer warriors!!! 

Won't it be fun to go back and read all of this journal in 10 years and see how the Lord brought me through such a difficult time?  PRAISE HIM! 

Love to you all and THANK YOU! 

"No medal for mommy"

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

Okay, so I guess I won't win, "Mother of the Year" award .  This morning while I was fixing EB's breakfast, he was crawling around on the floor like he always does.  After about 60 seconds, I realized that he was being awfully quiet (radar goes up).  I rounded the corner and much to my surprise...., and disgust...., I found my sweet, darling 9 month old beautiful baby boy, with a handful of cat THROW UP in his precious little hand making it's way quickly up to his mouth.  Before I could get it out of his hand, he shoveled it with 4 fingers into his mouth....., and SWALLOWED (it was fresh throw up so he didn't have to chew)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

He smiled after he swallowed and went about his business of exploration. 

I almost threw up. 

I realized today for the 1st time, "Game On"!  No more sitting around cooing at us! 

"Up Close and Personal"

"Call to Prayer part 2"

I am sure you are tired of reading about tendonitis of the wrist, medically known as, "DeQuervain's Syndrome" and nicknamed, "Mother's Wrist".  However, I do have an update that I want to share so that you all can continue your prayers on my behalf. 

I have been in therapy about 4 weeks now, going 2 x's a week for cortisone treatments.  Even with great insurance, we are having to pay for most of this out of pocket and have racked up a lovely bill. I will not deny that I am not "somewhat" better, but not better enough that I can pick up Elijah Brooks without wearing my braces and terrible pain.  There are some things that I can do alittle better, but cannot pick him up without awful pain.   There really seems to be no end in sight as far as the specific pain upon lifting him getting better any time soon, so we have had to come to a crossroad and make a decision about the next option.  I have agonized over this decision for weeks now, knowing that there are no guarantees to complete relief of the pain after surgery, especially for someone who cannot stop the very motions that caused the problem in the first place.  However, it seems that at this point, the odds are in my favor to proceed with the surgery which will open up the tunnel where the 2 irritated and inflamed tendons run and give them more room to glide.  We have prayed and prayed and prayed for wisdom about this decision and feel that at this point, I have nothing to lose and it just might do the trick.  I am nervous as all get out obviously, but mainly because I won't be able to pick up Elijah Brooks AT ALL for at least 2 weeks, maybe longer.  I am nervous too about the "what if's".  I haven't exactly had the best of experiences when it comes to surgical recoveries.  But, I am praying that this will be different and will be exactly what I need to end this frustration.  I will have them operate on the left wrist first to see if I get relief.  If all goes well, I will go for the right one too.  Sounds like a fun fall to me!!!   

In all seriousness, please I beg all of you, PRAY to the Lord for healing.  There are some days that I am just so frustrated that I cannot bring myself to pray.  I need all of you who believe in the Lord Jesus to go before His throne and intercede for me.  

Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning, August 25th (not sure what time yet, but think it will be morning).  

Prayer requests: 

1. total healing and for it not to come back once I resume normal activities again (huge fear) 

2. quick recovery 

3. no complications (like radial nerve damage) 

4. Elijah Brooks' heart as he has to be without mommy for a long time.  Pray for him as he will 

    be cared for by many people during this time. Pray for him to stay healthy during this time. 

    It would be so hard for me to see him sick and not be able to hold him. 

5. Jay's strength through all of this (he starts Seminary classes full time the day after surgery) 

6. All of the wonderful people who will care for us during this time 

7. Anything else you want to pray!! 

I have been doing alot of thinking throughout all of this.  I am not trying to be "Mrs. Super Spiritual" at all..., because believe me, I have been embarrassed at times by the way I have dealt with this.  But over the course of the last few weeks, God has been working on my heart, bringing me to a place of acceptance.  I accept that this is His "difficult Providence" in my life right now and that this is somehow aiding in my sanctification and making me more like Him..., though I feel very far away from that.  This has not exactly been what I expecting the first year of my son's life to be like.  Starting with a very difficult delivery of him, I have completely lost track of the number of times I have sat in a doctor's office for various complications and I have lost track of the number of checks I have written to Presbyterian Hospital, Caromont Family Medicine, and the Hand Center of the Carolinas.  I have had to die to so many expectations of what new motherhood would be like and what I had envisioned being able to do with my son. I have prayed that the Lord would not allow all of these medical issues to rob me of the joy of motherhood. As I sat and rocked him last night, I thanked God aloud that I was not praying prayers of healing for my sweet baby, but that it was me.  Every mother would take on pain just so her child wouldn't have to.  I also thanked God, not for my tendonitis, but that my tendonitis was caused because of my beautiful, healthy, and STRONG baby boy.  What a blessed way to get tendonitis!  

The Lord is GOOD.  Even His "difficult Providences" are GOOD.  

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the many prayers you have already said on my behalf and for the many prayers to come.  

Here's to a quick and successful surgery!  CHEERS! 

"Happy 9 months Elijah Brooks"!

My sweet Elijah Brooks is now 9 months old!  He is crawling all over the place now and is "cruising" along the couch holding on with only 1 hand.  He has such strong legs!  He received a fantastic report at the doctor this week.  He is a whopping 22 lbs and 30 inches tall...., which puts him in the 99% for his height!  Praise the Lord for a strong, healthy boy. 

He is still drinking breastmilk (although I have pretty much had to stop nursing because of my hand situation.., the pump and I have become very good friends)!   He has come a long way in his eating of solid foods too.  I haven't found a fruit that he doesn't like and he is really starting to do so well eating his vegetables.  He didn't like green peas last month, but now that he can pick them up himself (Mr. Independent), he has decided that he likes them!  He loves cheese toast and yogurt too.  According to his blood work this week, he is slightly anemic, but nothing that a vitamin supplement won't take care of.   He has 2 bottom teeth and has 4 top teeth coming in at one time!  All 4 across the top have decided to emerge at once.  I guess it's better to just get it over with at one time.  He has actually turned into a very good sleeper, despite the rough months at the beginning.  He takes 2 good naps a day and is sleeping 10-12 hours a night consistently.   He continues to love music and people..., loves, loves, loves people!   He has not experienced separation anxiety...., yet!  I am told that it will come, but so far, he has never met a stranger.  His personality really has not changed that much...., he is still a very happy and laid back little boy.  He is starting to show when he is frustrated though...., he will clinch his fists together and shake them when he is mad!  He makes the funniest noise too..., I can't explain it, but Jay and I just die laughing when he does it.  He LOVES his mommy and daddy, which just melts our hearts.  He is starting to cuddle and nestle up under our chins when he is tired.  I could sit with him like that for days.  Sometimes he wants to be rocked, but other times he very much just wants to be put in his bed.  He is getting so easy to read now, which helps so much.   I am sure part of that is just his age, and part of it is that we just know him so much better.  He is not demanding of our attention...., he sits and plays so well by himself.  Jay's mom told me that Jay was the same way.  We love to sit and play with him obviously, but I am thankful that he is content not being stimulated all of the time.  

As always, I could write for days about him.  He is the love of our lives and we thank God for our most treasured blessing every day. 

"Happy Anniversary"

Today, my sweet husband and love of my life, celebrated 7 years of marriage.  He very rarely has a day that he can take off from work/school, so it really meant alot to me that he took the day off so that we could spend it together.  Our dear friend from church, Brenda, took Elijah Brooks to her house for the day so that Jay and I could enjoy our day together.  She came and got him at 8:00 this morning and then we went walking together.  It may not seem like anything glamourous, but when we are out walking, we have the most in depth and meaningful conversations and it is out time to reconnect.  After we walked, he came back in the house and made an appointment for me to have a manicure and pedicure.  I haven't done that since probably my own wedding!  I really don't pamper myself very often so this was a real treat to just sit back and let someone else take care of me.  Since I am still battling the pain in my hands, I haven't been able to do my own nails so this was definitely a much needed treat.  It seems like hairstylists always want to have a conversation with you when you go to get your hair cut...., even if you don't want to talk.  However, it seems like the workers at a nail salon never want to talk to you...., they just talk to their fellow worker friends in a language that I don't understand.  I was actually kind of glad to just sit there in silence and not have to talk to anyone for a whole hour!!  That was a treat in and of itself.  Afterwards, we drove to downtown Charlotte and had lunch at a very swanky restaurant in an upscale part of town...., again a very nice treat for 2 people whose main dining establishments in the small country town where we live include places like, "The Eagles Nest", "Jackson's Diner", "Courtney's Bar-B-Q", and yes, "The Dirty Dive"!!  Although, the swanky restaurant that we had lunch at today was called, "Roosters"....., which now that I think about it, doesn't sound too swanky.  You will just have to trust me on that one. 

Okay, and now for the kicker...., and quite possibly, maybe the best part of our anniversary celebration:   WE TOOK A NAP!!!  Is that sad or what that I was that excited about getting to take a nap? 

It was such a wonderful, ordinary, low-key day and I loved every second of not having to share my beloved with anyone else.  He is the love of my life and my best friend and I am so blessed.  He is everything that I want and nothing that I deserve.  

Happy Anniversary Jay. I love you with everything that is in me. 

"New Adventures"

Poor baby sucking on the shelf in the fridge as he struggles to get 3 teeth in at ONE TIME!!