Friday, September 13, 2013

Life stops for now

I'm in GA for my infusion, #20 I think. 

I am exhausted. My mom woke me up this morning to tell me that my sister had shot and killed her boyfriend last night......so many overwhelming emotions. I mourn for the man who lost his life and cannot begin to imagine his daughter and his parents heartache this morning. My heart breaks for my nephew when he has to be told what's happened...for my parents and their guilt knowing that their child killed someone else. I don't know what happened yet, I only know she shot and killed him and she is being charged with first degree murder, and from what I could look up on the Internet (not the best source, but my only availability as I sat for my infusion this morning answering family phone calls and trying to get our bearings), she will have life in prison or the death penalty. I feel like I'm in a bad movie............ Prayers are needed for ALL involved in the horror. 


Sunday, September 8, 2013

Happy Grandparents Day!

Happy Grandparent's Day!!! 

Here is our pics from Grandparent's Day Picnic at our school. Papa came to see Tip and Bebe came to see Ella McCray. Being far from my family, I'm glad we have my in laws....but I still miss my mom and dad too. We love you DoeDoe and Pa and Bee:)

I'm also happy to say that I'm still feeling great and enjoying my job (or mission) teaching first grade in a wonderful Christian school. God is so good!


Monday, September 2, 2013

First Dove Hunt

The kids were excited to go to their first dove hunt. Around here, this is a big event and a part of life. All the men disappear during hunting season; be it squirrel, dove, turkey, deer, or duck. And after having kids, Cliff gave up hunting while the kids were small and while I was sick (with my lupus) so now that the kids are getting older, Cliff was ready to introduce them to hunting. We went to one of our good friends annual dove hunt. They cook and have tables and t.v.'s set up out in the middle of a few fields. It was great. Tip enjoyed shooting and retrieving the dead doves with Cliff and Ella McCray enjoyed playing with her friend Ann Charlotte. 
Today is Labor Day and we have no plans:) And I'm so glad....the only thing we did today was watch Cliff and his friend Clay move a couple more of our horses over to a new area they had finished fencing recently. I grew up riding horses, and after Cliff breaks these, I hope my kids will have the same memories and love of animals that I grew up with.















Friday, August 30, 2013

Shame on Me: Being NORMAL takes its Toll

BIG APOLOGIES: I've been normal, or feeling normal. Free from Lupus. And that means I've been busy and active, which means I haven't posted in a LONG time. So for that, I'm sorry. This blog began as a therapeutic way to vent and share my experiences with Lupus. But lately, I find myself symptom free...in remission. So I've been living my life nonstop!!!

I've returned to teaching. First Grade! At a private, Christian school and I couldn't be happier (or busier) okay maybe I could:) 

I have been enjoying my health....and after 5 years of constant poor health and problems (and constant doctor visits- an average if 5 appointments a month) I am truly feeling blessed.

I give all my glory to God! He has blessed me with my disease (and possibly fatal chronic illness) and now blessed me with my health. But honestly, I probably didn't appreciate my health until I lost it. Average I guess. To not appreciate something until its gone. Maybe that's why I view my disease as a gift, because God  granted me the vision of mortality and struggle. My life seems precious to me now. Whereas before, I focused on the daily life I was living and was more focused on what was wrong than what I'd been gifted!
My kiddos have had strep and been feverish for the past week, forcing me to take off and stay home. But they feel better and I try to always see the positive....like the fact that its JUST strep and nothing more serious and that and hat I have.a job that I was looking forward to returning to:) here's a couple pics since last post.....I'll try to post more often even if I'm going 90 miles a minute!!!





Sunday, August 11, 2013

I need a new phone

So I have to update about camping...the kids and us, had a great time together. We ended up sleeping in our own beds after Cliff said he had to get up at 5 and the kids were still giggling and whispering at a little before 11, but I think that we would have made it through the night if we were somewhere other than our backyard!! But fun was had...as a family:) Our cousins even came over for s'mores around the fire pit after it got dark! I'd be willing to do it again:)
 I haven't posted in a while for the regular reason, I've been busy and going since I feel well. I've gone back to teaching and finished one full week, going from 6:00 in the morning until 10:30....that would make anyone tired, so I think I'm doing well. It was also the first day of kindergarten for my oldest, Ella McCray and Tip started PreSchool for three year olds and then goes to aftercare until I'm done teaching. A big move for all of us and a bit taxing. I'm due for my infusion this Friday, so things are wearing now anyways. I also need a new phone. My phone's memory is full and I can't take anymore pictures, I'm sure I'm due for an upgrade anyways...too much to do in a day!! But at least I feel we'll and can live a normal life!






Sunday, July 28, 2013

Life is Good, Even With a Chronic Illness

My life has been great lately....I would contribute it to having lost my health and livelihood and then, regaining it. If you've read my blog before or you know me then you know it's because of my Benlysta treatments. I go full force now...And I'm a go-getter, especially after being on the sidelines for 5 years.
I also love my home here in Covington, Tn. It's country, and quiet, and God fearing, and hardworking, and everything I didn't have growing up. My children will go to a Christian school and ride 4-wheelers, collect fresh eggs from our Papa's house down our road, grow up with lifelong friends, ride our horses, go fishing and hunting with their parents, get muddy, and camp in our back yard...which brings me to what we are doing tonight...camping in the backyard! We are staycationing in our yard, maybe next year we can take the kids to the lake and camp, but this week Cliff is working and I go back for teacher in-service on Wednesday, so we promised the kids we'd camp this summer and although its not exactly what I had planned, the kids are super excited!! Ill let you know how I feel after a night on an air mattress!

























Wednesday, July 17, 2013

My Blessings: My Babies

I would consider lupus one of my biggest blessings, but my biggest blessings come in two small packages, my babies, Ella McCray and Tip. Here are some memorable moments with these two...they make my life fuller each and every day. Glory be to God.