The usual happenings in our family.............

Good Morning,

Just wanted to give you all a quick update.......We received report cards this week. In this house that can be a bit of a scary thing when you have two boys. We were pleasantly surprised with Darryl's report card, however there was still one grade that was not satisfactory that resulted in him losing some privileges. Isaac's was a complete shock since we started the school year with him not finishing his work at school and just thinking it was a social party. He had all "E's" which means he is making expected progress. Rachel's report was a bit of a surprise, as she had all A's with the exception of Math, and she had a B. Russell and I will be meeting with his teacher on Thursday, because we are very perplexed how her grade could go down 7% points from mid-term when she continued to do so well. We have heard that there was something that she didn't get around to giving this period and so it showed up as a zero instead of her removing the grade. Russell said that he would handle it. Rachel is handling getting a B very well. She is extremely disappointed in herself and considers it a bad grade even though she keeps trying to tell herself it is okay. We'll let you know how parent teacher conferences go later next week.

Also, Rachel has made the 6th grade basketball team and so we are starting to have to shuttle her 2-3 days a week to practice, Darryl home from play practice 3 days a week and Isaac to and from Cub Scouts on Monday's. I know that my husband appreciated that I handled all the "running" of children, but I think he has definitely learned to appreciate it even more. Besides getting kids where they need to go, he has to get me where I need to go. At the beginning of this illness the doctor stated that they did not want me driving, so I have to be chauffeured everywhere (which I really don't like).

As for me, physical therapy has done nothing to relieve any of the pain and numbness in my leg. At Friday's visit it was determined that we would stop therapy until after I see the Rheumatologist. The pain/ache had gotten so bad last week that I almost had Russell take me to the ER, but instead I reached out to my wonder Aunt who is a Pharmacist to see if I could take both medications at the same time, and she assured me I could, so that has helped take a bit of the edge off. It has been a rough week, and I am making it my goal to be back in the office the week of Thanksgiving no matter what, even if we have to get me a special parking spot and I have to use a walker or wheelchair to move around in all day. I am so thankful that work has been accommodating and letting me work from home, however I really do miss the interaction with my employees and going to work. Russell and I have decided that we want to be told what this is, even if it is not the greatest news in the world. He (he is still trying to convince me) has decided that we can handle anything that comes our way. It just might mean we have to do a bit of lifestyle changes for a while if necessary.

I know my Sister-in-Law Debbie was hoping for a post about Rachel's trip, but after trying for 2 days to do it justice, I decided that I needed the expert here to help me. Rachel and I will be working on this after basketball practice (and a shower). WE PROMISE!!

Well, I must close for now, time for me to have a date with the heating pad to see if I can get some relief. They are doing "Trunk or Treat" at the elementary school and Isaac really wants to go, so I have to feel well enough for the outing!

Getting Ready for Washington D.C.

Hello All,

This post is to ask for safe travel and safety for Rachel as gets ready embark on her trip to Washington D.C.. I know that she will be safe and that People to People has a great reputation of keeping the kids safe, however, I have to admit that I'm a bit nervous. She is anxious and excited all at the same time. We will drive to Dayton on Monday morning just so we can make sure we have plenty of time and get through security without a problem. She will be home on Sunday (10/21).

She will have a great time and will come back with many memories and friends. Just keep her in your prayers. I'll provide periodic posts to keep you up to date.

Love,
Tina

Potpourri of Events

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long since I've posted. Life has been a bit hectic and I've not been feeling well.

Rachel is getting things together for her trip to Washington D.C.. She leaves on Monday (we start fall break then) and comes back on Sunday. She is going to have such a great experience. She will be visiting Capitol Hill, attending an Embassy Dinner (here is a picture of her in the formal for this dinner), go to Williamsburg, Gettysburg, the Spy Museum, Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They will also have the opportunity to lay a commemorative wreath at the World War II Memorial. That will have special meaning to her, as her great-great uncle (John Bower) died in the war and we have talked about him several times. We also have family members that served in that war, including her Iowa great grandpa Barcus (Ira Barcus), great-great uncle (Jim Mayes), great-great uncle (Henry Roland), and great-great uncle (Lester Bower). I apologize if I have left anyone off the list. Their last night they have a dinner cruise on the Potomac River. I'm tired just typing all the things that they will be doing! We are so very proud of her accomplishment. Rachel also has a tried out to play a flute solo at the Christmas concert and was awarded the honor.

Report cards for the middle school (Rachel's) and high school (Darryl's) come home on Friday and elementary (Isaac's) will come home on the 24th.

As for me, I'm still trying to get a diagnosis on what is going on with my body. Today I had an appointment with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor. He gave me new medicine to address the pain, it is medicine that is directed at nerve pain versus muscle pain. He is also sending me to have consultation for physical therapy. That appointment is tomorrow at 2:00. He said that there were several tests that he would normally run, however since I am going to the Rheumatologist on the 31st he said that he would just wait to see what those results showed before doing any testing of his own. I go back to see him on November 6th.

Darryl is finished with marching band. We did not make it to regionals this year, but there is always next year. I feel bad, as there were several kids that put a lot of hard work and extra effort into the music and performances, however not everyone was as committed. He has started writing some music and the Band Instructor has told him that if he polishes it up a bit, he will have the band play it. Of course that has Darryl all geeked up!

Isaac has joined Cub Scouts......he still doesn't really get it, but all he knows that finally there is something that he gets to do! He and Russell do it together on Monday nights. Next Saturday, Russell, Darryl and Isaac will be going to Fort Knox for a Boy Scout outing and will be gone all day! I'll have the house to myself (Rachel will still be gone), I'm so excited, now if I could only drive!

Russell had a mini-vacation this past weekend. He went on his annual fishing trip with his brother's to Lake Cumberland. They had a great time and enjoyed fishing and having trout for lunch. Russell said that the fish tasted really good! They played several games of cards and enjoyed spending time together with his brothers.

Well, I think I have bored you all enough, so I will close for now. Please pray for Rachel that she has safe travels next week and has the experience of a life time!

Love,

Tina

Thanks Les...........I think!!!!

So I've been tagged! The deal is I have to list 7 random things about myself and then tag 7 other people. So here it goes......

1. I was born and raised in the GREAT state of Iowa
2. I said I would NEVER live in Kentucky and guess where I am living now!!!! (Never say never - something I strongly teach to my children)
3. I have 3 half-sisters who are older than me (1 I have met and 2 I do not know)
4. I love being a Mom (I'm not cut out to be a stay at home Mom and I have high admiration for those that can stay at home)
5. My best friend is more like a sister than a friend
6. I am right where God intended for me to be in my life (even with the latest trials)
7. Baby Copeland (born with Trisomy-18) whom I don't know or even know her family (found their blog through a friend of a friend) has taught me more in her short 8 days of life and touched mine more than she or her family can ever know. I know that one day I will get to thank Copeland myself!!

Now I have to tag 7 people.......I'm not sure that I know enough people to tag!

Also, here is a link to the blog about Copeland. I would ask for prayers for her family, as she died yesterday at 8 days old. Their family blog is an incredible testimony to a very strong faith. It touched me in a way that I cannot even begin to describe. It sure put what I am going through into perspective and doesn't make it seem nearly as bad.

Oh yeah, and thank goodness it is raining..........I am so happy and thankful for rain!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day everyone! Love you all!

Update on Tina's Appointment

Good Morning,

It is with a bit of a heavy heart that I write this post today. As you know yesterday was the appointment with the Neurologist. Well, we didn't quite get what we were expecting (not that I really knew what to expect). He said that I do have some nerve impairment in the left leg, in fact he could get no reflex from my ankle at all, and my knee response was less than what he had gotten in the right leg. He said that due to all the Staph-MRSA infections that I've had in the last 3 months, that he could not do surgery. He said that I was assured to get an infection just from the incision alone, since I seem to get them without even being cut or scratched. So, for the time being he has referred me to Rehab Therapy/Pain Management doctor. I don't care what they do, but I just want to be rid of the pain. I feel like I could even go back to work if I didn't have this ridiculous pain that makes even getting a shower difficult! So once again I am back in a holding pattern, waiting on the Neurologist to call with my appointment to the new doctor and all I hope is that it is not 4 weeks away! Please pray that they can see me this week yet. I would love to feel even the slightest relief from all this pain.

The Start of the Weekend

Good Saturday Morning,

Our weekend started at 7:00 AM to the blaring alarm clock, and another band competition. Today's competition is very close to home, right next door practically in Carroll County. Which makes the day a bit shorter for band, and a welcome relief as the temperatures today will be in the 90's once again. Band uniforms and 90 degree weather don't really go hand in hand! Russell has already left to take Darryl to the High School and help get them ready to go. Russell and Rachel will be getting ready to leave again at 11:00. He and Rachel have to pick-up the pizzas for the band (the Band Boosters always feed our kids lunch on competition day), and then go up and feed the kids, and then head for the competition. We perform at 2:30 today. It is killing me that I can't be in the "middle" of this exciting chaos! Instead Isaac and I will be at home. Isaac has to work on his room today, as he has managed to scatter Lego's, soldiers, train pieces and Lincoln logs all about his room, not to mention the numerous socks (no wonder he has so many mismatched socks)! He has to work on his room before the neighbor boy (also named Isaac, who is Rachel's age) can come over and play. I called to see if I could "hire" him to help with Isaac this afternoon, as it is really hard to try and keep up with him when the weather permits him to be outside. He has always been able to move faster than me, but now he really goes faster than me.

I continue to heal from the face infection and now am growing more apprehensive about Tuesday and the Neurology appointment. On Friday, Russell picked up the actual "films" of my MRI and the written report. I should have never read the report, now I am trying to figure out exactly what it says and what some of the information means.....please pray that all goes well on Tuesday.

I'll try to get another post out here tomorrow to let you know how we did at the competition, if I don't it is because I am not able to sit upright long enough to type a post.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

At Long Last Darryl's Band Pictures

Hi Everyone,


After a fashion, here are the pictures I took of Darryl on Saturday at the competition. I must admit it felt great getting "sprung" from the house for several hours (it was actually all day). Russell was so wonderful to me on Saturday. We had a rough way to go just to get to the entrance, and then he graciously took me over to where the band was getting ready so I could wish them all good luck and give my son a hug (this was the first time this season I was seeing their show). He then took me over and got me situated in the stands and returned to the band to do "Pit Crew" duty. Our band did a great job and improved their performance in comparison to the week before. Okay, now it is time for me to brag about our son!!! He made me so proud of him on Saturday watching him out on the field doing something he so dearly loves to do. He looks awesome on the field and know where he should be, when to get there, all the while playing withoug missing a beat. I know I am bragging, but he is one of the few out there that really looks outstanding! I was so proud to be able to say that is my son!



Now, as for me......I'm doing better with the infection on my face. We saw the ENT today for a follow-up and they were happy with how well it was healing. He has referred me to a specialist so they can try and figure out why I keep getting staph aureus and cellulits. Maybe someone will figure it out. The trip to the Neurologist is getting closer and I'm so thankful. I really am wanting relief for the back pain. Soon, very soon, I keep telling myself.

Well, it is time for me to go and lay down for a while so I can hopefully feel up to helping a little bit with dinner.