It's Coming......

Christmas that is! 25 days left! Isn't that wonderful. I love it. I love that the candy canes on this blog remind me that Christ's blood purifies me and washes me white as snow. His blood and my righteousness are intertwined together like the candy. I love the extra time I get with family and friends. I love the memories we will make this year. I love the traditions we will follow. And I love that I know the real reason. It is not so that I get the toy for my kid before it's sold out. It's not so that my kid can boast about his new things. And it's not an opportunity for me to go broke. It is an opportunity for me to boast on my Savior. He was ruler 2000 years ago, and He continues to rule in my heart. His birth now gives me life. I honor Him this year and my prayer is that you will too!

A Moment of Thanks

Lice update: it is improving. We got a presciption for it and it seems to be better today. We will be doing a mayonnaise treatment later. Won't that be fun.
So, we didn't get to go spend Thanksgiving with family. Poop on a stick! However, we have been invited to friends for dinner today and I'm already feeling the blessing of that opportunity.
I'm so thankful for many things today and I just wanted to take a moment and record the top ones on my list.

1. Christ
We have been through a lot the past 2 years. Many of you know the bulk of our journey since Jeff answered God's call to enter it to full time ministry. So many of the bumps in the road are still unresolved. There is still a lot of things that could bog me down. But truly, in the scheme of things, it always goes back to this incredible gift I have received from God, my Father. My relationship with Christ has superseded any bump we've ever hit. There has always been peace in the tears, hope in the disappointment, encouragement in the discouragement. There is always a friend who takes on the role of Christ. I hope you know who you are and how you have been used in our lives. There really is no better gift than the gift of salvation.

1. Jeff (aka Puddin)
It is too hard to try to put into words how I feel about my husband. Tears already sting my eyes as I think of the love I have for him and how grateful I am for him. Tears of being overwhelmed by the blessing of him. He is the most incredible, tangible, realistic thing in my life. Those may seem like strange descriptions but they describe my view of him best. He is incredible because he is godly, full of integrity and morality. I use tangible and realistic b/c it is like a really good dream of romance and adoration that you don't have to wake up from. We are best friends and adore each other more everyday. There is no weariness. No discontent. Just joy. Joy of knowing that neither is perfect but there is perfect love. Only the kind you can have when Christ is the center of your marriage. Joy that comes from the sense of the hope that is evident in our marriage when things around us are crumbling. Joy from the way the "one flesh" system that God designed always allows us to persevere through trials. Joy knowing that the trials we face within our marriage, we face together with the same goal in mind, to be victorious. You see, it's not all hugs and kisses, it's sweat and tears. But in the end there's the life of a marriage, founded in God, eternal. And I am so thankful.

3. Cody
Jeff made over-godly, integrity filled, moral. He is just like his dad. He is so compassionate. He hates wrong, unfair, unjust. He loves what is right and pure, sensical, and just. He is tender but strong. He is such a gift to his friends and family. I am blessed to have him in my life. He promotes righteousness in me, and he is only 9 years old. I wish I could list all the examples of where he has held me accountable to my Christian faith. He is an integral part of our family. He is our prayer warrior when things go awry in our home. He keeps us grounded in our journey with God. He has no clue how much of a role he plays in our home. God has already used this boy so mightily. I am very thankful to have him.

4. Macie
She brings life to a dark world. Lately our environment, and yours too, has been grim. The world is going south and Macie reminds me of what's north. She is my biggest challenge and my greatest joy. She sparkles with life. It's in every cell of her being. She does not recognize defeat. She does not bow to any other yet she reveres her God. She understands completely how much she needs a Savior. She is so misunderstood by all of us and keeps us on our toes as we try to keep up with her. She is one of the funniest people I know. She is also extremely compassionate towards anyone less fortunate, human or animal, anything that has life in it. She is Christ's right hand, servant at heart. I need her more than she knows. I can rely on her during strained times. I work harder at parenting her than at anything else in my life. She creates in me a desperate need for Christ and then she is always the answer from God. That is God's sense of humor in my life. I have learned more about myself from her than anyone. And I have learned more about God from parenting her. She is an integral part of my life and I am so thankful for her.

5. My mom and step dad. They rescue me regularly

6. My sis. She loves me in spite of me.

7. My in-laws, the parents and the siblings. I would have chosen them if it worked that way.

8. My Sunday school class. They enlighten me, hold me accountable, think I am way greater than I actually am, and they make me smile often.

9. My dship group. My four girls. They keep my love tank full and they let me speak truth to them. I really love them.

10. Friends. So many of you. If you are reading this blog, you are considered a part of this group. Everything listed above would be different in one way or the other if it weren't for you. I pray God's love and grace fall in abundance on each of you.

Side note: Lucy and Shelly, I miss you, but am extra thankful that our friendship crosses the bridge of time and distance.

Why, oh why?

Bugs! Yuck! What was the point God? I mean does he really have an affection for bugs? I disagree with Him on this. They are nasty. Especially when they are in your hair. Not my hair. Maymay's hair. Lice!! Yes, I said lice! AAAAAAAAAAAAA! Where did my homeschool girl get lice? Someone tell me. For over an hour last night my husband and I tried to comb bugs out of her hair. It was after 12 when we finally gave up and went to bed. I lay there knowing she still had bugs in her hair. For a couple of weeks she has been itching it and we thought it was dandruff. We couldn't see anything odd on her scalp so we just treated with dandruff shampoo. Yet, I've noticed she has still been scratching. Last night about 9pm we finally were able to see one of the bugs. I thought it was a flea. Oh no, worse. So then we really started inspecting her hair closely. It was awful. If anyone has dealt with this before, I would love some advice. I will likely be spending most of my day trying to get these yucky boogers out of her hair. As if we aren't already far enough behind in school. Dag um!!!!!!!!!

Whoo Hoo!!!!

I'm so happy it is Sunday! First of all, I had a great day yesterday. My Father really blessed me. We got some family business done. I finished and glued puzzles I had been working on. Our house is decorated for Christmas (love it). The kids played all day long with our neighbors. it was a beautiful day. Then last night I had a date with my husband. We ate at Chili's and then went Christmas shopping. We do this every year for our anniversary. Normally we are away out of town somewhere. Obviously, we couldn't do that this year. But, that's okay. We went to Chili's for 2 reasons. 1-It's good! 2-It's where we used to eat all the time when we were dating. When we were done shopping we went to Barnes and Noble. It was a wonderful night. Jeff and I have such wonderful memories. Today we have been married 12 years. I love saying that. 12 years. And I love him more today than ever before. We talked last night about how much we have experienced in our marriage and how different it is today in our lives than we ever thought it would be. God has done amazing things and we are so thankful or our relationship with Him and our oneness with each other. I praise God for Jeff!
So, that's one big reason that I'm glad it is Sunday. Another is because it is the first day of church that we have been normal again. I can't wait to teach SS today! We are starting something new and I am totally pumped about it. Then we have lunch with folks from Africa. So excited about that! Then tonight I have discipleship. Four of my favorite people are coming to my house to listen to me share with them what God expects of them in their lives. How great is that! What a blessing to have a captive audience when it comes to teaching the gospel. And I get 2 of those audiences today! I'm beaming!
And finally, another great reason for Sunday this week is my sweet puddin' gets his picc line out today. Whoo Hoo!!! He can actually take a normal shower tonight. People, don't take for granted all that you can do on a daily basis. The Lord has been good to us all!
Happy Sunday!!!!!

Ready for Christmas

I know my layout looks more like I'm ready for Thanksgiving, and I am, but oh how I love Christmas. At Thanksgiving I think about food. I'm just being honest. At Christmas, however, I think about every detail. There's the music that takes me back to childhood. There's church and the continuous legacy it leaves in my whole family's heart as each year Christmas festivities fill our schedules. There's vacation, in other words, Jeff has off and we get to spend much time together as a whole family. We really need that this year. There's gifts. I can't wait to give gifts, I love it. I love how God's love, patience, forbearance, mercy and grace are able to infuse some goodness in me. It is such an awesome time. I'm totally counting the days down! This year at Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for Christmas. Christmas, ultimately, is reprensentation of a relationship I have with the Savior. What's better than that?

Its Gonna Be a Good Day

I don't know why, it just is. I'm demanding it. JK! I don't make demands about things that are in God's control. But, I'm asking Him for a great day today. He made it and He can do it. Jeff is off to his first physical therapy appointment. He had NO fever last night at all. WhooHoo!! My nephew is at home. His doctors will meet next week to discuss the next step. His testing showed some hope of a partially working bowel. That is really great news. The colostomy is still the plan but instead of looking like a lifelong thing, they have hope now that it could be temporary. We still haven't heard anything from our realtor. I know many of you are praying for this and have been for a while. Don't stop. We could get the call any time. Pray that they are unsettled about any other house out there. Pray they can invision our house as an amazing home for themselves. Pray they know for sure they want it.
We are decorating our house for Christmas today. I'm very excited about it. We also have someone bringing a meal for us today. I'm very excited about that also. I'm telling you, its gonna be a great day!!!!!!!!

Jeff had a 100.4 temp last night. This is not too concerning since it would have to be 101 or higher to have to call MD. He is really tired today as am I. Yesterday brought bad news and good news and our emotions are amuck. The bad news is that my 9 year old nephew has to have a colostomy. Yes, I said 9 years old. Can you imagine? I hate it so bad and my heart is so heavy today, as is everyone's. My kids don't know yet and it is going to be hard on Cody. Brannon, my nephew, was told last night and I'm not sure how he is handling it. My sister, his mom, is doing better today according to my mom. Please pray for all of them. The whole family includes: dad-Chris, mom-Debi, kids-Brannon, big sister Kayla, and little brother Jackson. It is the McCutcheon family.
We haven't heard from the realtor yet. All we know is that the buyers are interested in our house and another house. Please pray for them to find great favor in ours. We really need this.

Home

Yes, we made it. This has been a very long and exhausting day. We are hoping Jeff has no fever tonight. The house showing did produce an interested buyer. PLEASE pray this amounts to an offer. I'll have more to post tomorrow.

Dag um...

I'm not in the best mood this morning. That's the first prayer request: my attitude.
They only checked Jeff's temperature at 9pm last night. No other time. He woke up feeling hot but assumed it was the covers and didn't call the nurse. So did he have a fever? We don't know. So, we can go home today and risk having to come back b/c of fever tonight, or, we could stay one more night and confirm he is afebrile and go home tomorrow with assurance that the picc line was the problem. We want to go home of course, but the thought of coming back gives me a migraine. Do you hear the attitude in my voice. Really, I'm trying. Jeff is feeling bad because he didn't call them to check his temp and now there is this unknown. So pray that we make the best call on what to do today. Also please pray for my nephew Brannon who is hear having procedures done because his bowel is not working. Long story that maybe I'll right about later, but please remember him. This is Cody's best friend. And for those of you wondering, we haven't heard anything about the showing yesterday. Thanks for the prayers

Another note

Jeff got his new picc line today. He IS staying another night to see if there is any more fever. If no fever, we go home tomorrow. If fever, ortho gets involved. So, I guess we'll see. Keep praying!

Good News/Bad News

Bad first: No growth on the picc line still
Good News: No fever last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is really great news!
General update: My kids have had enough of their dad being in the hospital. Macie completely took it out on me this morning and I totally gave it back in return. Our home was not pleasing to the Lord this morning and we were all seeking forgiveness for our inability to handle it. Thank you Emily for reminding me of what is most important right now.
Jeff is in good spirits today. We are pretty sure he is staying another night to see if he can have 2 nights without fever. Not sure if we will see Ortho today.
Please continue to pray. And remember to throw up an extra prayer for our home showing today. Thanks friends

The Latest

First of all, thank you to everyone that had encouraging words for me at church today. Jeff did spike another fever last night. They are continuing to do xrays and cultures, which means more sticks. During the day, he is basically fine. At night he's feverish and achy. The picc line was removed yesterday and being cultured. We are hoping that it is positive for bacteria because then we know what the problem is. The bad news is that it has not grown anything as of yet and it has been over 24 hours. This means that they may have to re-tap the knee joint to see if bacteria is breeding there. That is bad news for Jeff b/c it is a very uncomfortable procedure that he does not want to have to go through again. If they tap the knee and there is infection there, he will have surgery again to clean it out again. We really don't want that. So, I'm hoping the picc line grows a whopping amount of bacteria tonight, they then have an official diagnosis, he gets a new picc line and we go home. You can pray that with me. Side note: our house in Spartanburg is showing tomorrow. Please say an extra prayer for that. It is scheduled to show between 11:30 and 12:30. Thanks!!

PS. Jessica: got your text. thanks for checking!

I Mean Really!....

Not going home today. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! That's me screaming silently in my head. Jeff is screaming audibly. Not really, but he has hit a few things. Here's the deal. At 11:15pm last night his temp. was 101.9. Not good. He didn't sleep any last night. He has had more blood cultures done. They are taking out the picc line today and culturing it. They are also going to xray his knee. If picc line does not show infection they may have to re-tap the knee. This would not be good news for Jeff as it is very painful. Of course, infection in the picc line is not favorable either b/c it is so close to the heart. Another issue is that he has developed a knot in his neck, kinda like a crick. He can't lay on his side like normal and he can't tolerate me touching it. They are going to start him on a muscle relaxer today to help with that. Frustration is putting it lightly. We miss the kids. He has been stuck up in the teens amount in the past 48 hours or so. We already know he will have to have new picc line put in before going home so that he can continue to get the antibiotics he needs for the MRSA. Please pray that this resolves soon. Pray for Jeff to be encouraged today. Pray for me to be whatever I need to be for my husband during this trial. Thank you.

The Baptist Hilton

Hello from Winston! First, Jeff is fine. They have done several blood cultures and so far they are all negative. No urgent concern at this point. We are in the stage of just trying to figure out the culprit of 2 nights of fever. Since his last fever was 10 pm last night, he has to stay again tonight to be afebrile 24 hours. We are hoping that he doesn't spike fever again tonight. Please pray that with me. So if all goes well, we will be home tomorrow. I will update then. Thanks!

It continues...

Yes, here we go again...
Jeff maintained a fever of over 101 all yesterday and most of night. He was admitted and lots of test are being ran, blood cultures, ultrasounds, exrays, etc. this morning he is like regular ol' puddin. We are just sitting around waiting for the news. The prayer request is that no infection has reached his heart. That's the big one for now. We will likely be there until Friday at earliest. Thanks for your prayers. And fyi, my mom, "mimi", has the kids at our house. Yea! for mimi's!!

Here we go again???

Hello friends. We have had an interesting 3-4 weeks. Most of you know the jist of all that has happened, but I will still give a quick overview. It all started with Jeff noticing a pimple on his left knee. 4 days later he could barely walk, had basically no range of motion in his left leg, and was in enough pain to ask to go to urgent care. 2 days later we were at Baptist ER having fluid removed from his knee joint for testing, then home with new antibiotic plan. 3 days later we were at Baptist again being re-evlaluated. 5 hours later Jeff was in surgery having his knee cleaned out of infection. 5 days later we returned home but this time with a much more extensive plan of care. He has been getting iv antibiotics at home through what is called a picc line, for the past 2 weeks. His stitiches were removed yesterday and there is still a small wound that we are treating but the leg looks good. He drove to work yesterday and today which was great for all of us. He starts physical therapy next week to try to regain the muscle strength in his leg that he has loss from imobility. It has been a tough road for him considering he has never really been sick or needed medical intervention before. However, he has taken it in strides and continued to do as much as he can.
Well today has brought question. Last night, we were having one of those meetings where you discuss the business of marriage and life: finances, upcoming holidays, decisions that have to be made concerning our spartanburg house, etc. He was really stressed and had a hard time resting. He also was suffering with neck and back pain, which I thought was odd. It was a rough night but he was okay this morning and went to work like normal. He calls me around lunch to ask if the strong antibiotic he has been getting may be hurting his kidneys. This happens easily and he is having blood work done weekly to check on that. Anyway, it didn't sound like that was the issue, but more like he just had a back ache. Well then he calls at 2:30 to say he's coming home. Red Flag! Red Flag! Jeff never leaves work sick. He gets home, hits the bed and is just achey. Low grade fever, fatigue, neck and back ache. I'm on the phone calling the home health nurse right away. I'm still waiting to hear from the doctor. It may be that he is reacting to having so much antibiotic in him and it is making him feel yucky. He may just need good solid sleep. Or it may be something that takes us back to the hospital. Please pray for him. I will update when I know something.