That's Cool To Me.....

After the devastating storms
and tornadoes that came through Alabama Friday,
we've had nothing but gorgeous weather this weekend.

It has been a little cool, but beautiful, nonetheless.

By a little cool, I mean 68ish.

That's cool to me.

=)

I've actually had a lazy weekend.

It was nice.  I am going back to work tomorrow.

I've been off since having my 2nd surgery, April 5th.

I am feeling much better.

I still can't sit for long periods of
time and I get tired easily, but feel much better.

I may be saying something different after working tomorrow, though.

=)

I do want to let you know Baby Bronson is doing fabulous.

He has been moved to a room in a Unit with 2 other renal babies.

He is not hooked up to his dialysis machine until 3pm, so, his Mommy and Daddy are able to take him for walks.

They start training Wednesday in preparation to transfer from hospital to home.  Yes, I said Home.
They have to train for 9 days.

After that, they'll have to spend a week in the hospital doing everything for him themselves before he can come home.

So, he will more than likely be home the 2nd week of May.  2nd. Week. of. May.

His Mommy said she is going to try and
sweet talk them and see if it's possible to
double up on their training and get him home sooner.

Keep praying for Baby Bronson and his
Family as they prepare for this transition.

Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
~Isaiah 65:24~   

God continues to hear us.

Miracle. By. Miracle.

He continues to listen.

Miracle. By. Miracle.

He continues to reveal Himself.

Miracle. By. Miracle.

We continue to thank Him.

Have a great week, Blog Friends!

Love you MUCH!

=],

 

Closer To Home.....

Baby Bronson now weighs 7lbs 5oz.

He is now up to 150 on his fill volume
so, they are now able to put him on a machine!

=)

This means he is one step close to home!

=) =)

Can you image that Homecoming Celebration?

I can assure you it will be E-N-O-R-M-O-U-S!

There are so many people who have prayed
for this sweet baby, and he is loved by so many.

Oh, and more great news?

His Mommy got to give him a bath for the first time this week.

How awesome is that?

She says he is still having great urinary output, as well.

Miracle. By. Miracle.

God continues to work in Bronson's life.

"O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?
~Deuteronomy 3:24~

Love you MUCH!

=],

100 Totally Random Gracie Facts.....

100 totally random Gracie facts.....

1. I am married
2. I have 2 daughters, Haley, 19 and Kylee, 14
3. I love writing in blue ink, it makes me happy
4. I am a terrible driver, kinda
5. Orange jello is my favorite
6. I love taking pictures
7. I am addicted to lip gloss and always have it with me and on, ALWAYS
8. I am a Christian and believe in the power of prayer
9. I recently joined Weight Watchers
10. I love being in my pajamas
11. I don't read music, but I love to sing
12. I love my big Family; we are really close
13. I might be just a little stubborn and strong-willed
14. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite candy
15. I love to make lists; I draw boxes beside each item and when I finished it I put an X in it, if I didn't finish it, I put a / in it so I can add it to the next day's list, see #87
16. My facial expressions say EVERYTHING I'm thinking, good or bad
17. I just turned the Big 4-0, yep, I have 2 twenties on me as my daughter would say
18. Even though I can swim very well, I've never tried to dive
19. I am a Registered Nurse and work full-time
20. Daffodils, aka Buttercups, are my favorite flower
21. I honestly love my job
22. I always wash my face and take my make-up off before I go to bed
23. Mashed potatoes are my ultimate comfort food, they always make EVERYTHING better
24. I love to balance my checkbook, see #87
25. I believe in Miracles
26. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it's like Christmas, without the emphasis on gifts
27. I am sun-phobic and wear, at least, 50 SPF sunscreen
28. I got my one and only tattoo, a butterfly, when I turned 30
29. I've never been arrested, and never been in jail
30. I was anorexic as a teenager, obviously healed now
31. I traveled and sang in a Southern Gospel Group for 10 years
32. I love flip-flops
33. I could almost meet the definition of a hoarder
34. I would rather read a story than watch it, that way I can imagine it how I want
35. I was hurt badly by someone I thought was a friend, and because of that, I don't trust easily
36. When I trust and love, I do it wholeheartedly and passionately
37. I have Auburn Football Season Tickets; there's no better place or way to spend a Saturday
38. I love writing my thoughts down and being part of the Blog World
39. I love all sports, though I've never played, unless you count that 1/2 season of church softball
40. I want to sing The National Anthem at a major sporting event
41. All of my Grandparents are in Heaven
42. I've never ridden a horse
43. I hate to hear people crunching food
44. I love all things Auburn and bleed Orange and Blue
45. I am extremely proud of my Daughters
46. I love seafood, it's probably my most favorite food
47. War Eagle are two of my favorite words
48. I refuse to watch scary movies, even the commercials freak me out
49. I come from a Family of VERY strong women
50. I love Francesca Battistelli's music
51. I just had surgery for the 2nd time in 3 weeks
52. I am addicted to Facebook
53. I hate raisins
54. I want to sing with Willie Nelson, really, really bad.....Willie, if you are reading this, hook a girl up.....pretty please! =)
55. I thought Gucci Mane was a fashion designer, sorry Gucci
56. I didn't know I was blind & needed glasses until I failed the vision part of my drivers exam at 15
57. I eat peanut butter with my pancakes and syrup, yummy
58. I am always cold
59. I've never done illegal drugs, and have never even seen any either 
60. I've been described as dramatic, though I would never, ever in a million years be dramatic ;)
61. I wear contacts but take them out as soon as I get home and put my glasses on
62. I'm not afraid to say what I think
63. I've never been in a Police Car
64. I've been to Honduras twice for medical mission trips and will go again next month 
65. I am a night owl
66. I know, without a doubt, God has great plans for my life
67. I've ridden in an ambulance as a Nurse, but never as a Patient
68. I have a terrible self body image
69. My paper money is turned the same way, face forward, and in order of smallest to highest
70. I am proud to be an American and cry when I hear the National Anthem, I know freedom isn't, nor will it ever be, free
71. I do not like surprises
72. Green is my favorite color
73. I believe everything happens for a reason
74. I always have my Blackberry with me
75. I have a fear of failure and inadequacy
76. I've never shot a gun, or even held one 
77. I have a brother and 2 sisters
78. I will not lay in a tanning bed, nor allow my girls to
79. I had braces for the second time when I was 38
80. I don't understand people who don't put their children first; this makes me very angry
81. Raw celery is so gross, and I won't eat it
82. I've traveled out of the Country 4 times; been to Mexico, Cayman Islands, Jamaica & Honduras
83. I have a lot of friends but not a lot of friends, see #35
84. I hate drinking water
85. After many years in a SUV, I am finally back in a car, I love my Lexus
86. I love smiley faces =), my kids hate it =)
87. I am a Nerd and proud of it
88. All I ever wanted to be growing up was a Mom
89. I've never drank beer
90. I want to lose 30lbs
91. I always have my toenails painted
92. I love Mtn. Dew, not diet.... I want the REAL stuff
93. I was a cheerleader in high school
94. I only like the flat chicken wings, not the drummettes
95. I get tired of being everything for everybody; some days I just wanna be ME
96. My Mom is the best woman I know; she taught me how to be a Mom by being one to me
97. I love researching things, see #87
98. I wasn't close to my Dad growing up, but I'm glad that's changed now 
99. I smile a lot, even when I don't really feel like it
100. I always have a song on my heart, and in my head, and will often sing it aloud wherever I'm at

Love you MUCH!,

 

Oh, no! What now?!.....

Our Fellow Blogger, Kelly, from Kelly's Korner recently had an issue with
someone stealing her kids pictures from her Blog and using them without her knowledge or permission.

This creeped me out.

I spent the morning thinking about what I could do to safeguard my own pictures from such a freak.

This is what I came up with.....

Check it out!

Graceful Expressions

Love you, MUCH!

Nobody's That Perfect or Sweet.....

Something else I've done
during my recovery is watch movies.

I am not normally a movie watcher.

Actually, I don't normally watch TV of any kind.

I'd rather have my laptop.

Movies have always been my sleeping pill, and I
am usually asleep by the time the previews are off.

There's just something about being home,
alone, in TOTAL control of the remote, though.

We have 892 channels on our digital cable.

Yes, it's true.

892 channels.

That's not counting "On Demand", which is
full of free movies, movies to rent, and TV Shows.

The possibilities are endless.

Romantic comedies, such as these, are my favorites.....










And just recently, I saw this for the first time.....




I will tell you, I was pretty ticked she died.

I couldn't believe it.

That funeral scene OWNED me though.

One minute, I was SOBBING my eyes out,
the next, I was laughing uncontrollably.

It was a great movie.

I absolutely REFUSE to watch scary movies and the only
Action Movies I'll watch have her in them.....




I LOVE Angelina Jolie.

I know, there are many people that
don't like her, (sorry Lois), but I love her.

She is so beautiful, and is an amazing actress.

And while we're talking, let me go ahead
and tell you, I don't really like this actress.....




**INSERT GASP HERE**

I know, I know, EVERYBODY loves Jennifer Aniston.

I don't.

**INSERT GASP #2 HERE**

Ok, someone please send emergency
personnel to my friend, Lois' house.

Not only does she totally LOATHE Angelina,
she equally ADORES Jennifer.

Don't get me wrong, Jennifer
hasn't done anything to me personally.

I just don't like her.

She is pretty, which is a strike against her
from the start, but she's just so perfect and just so sweet.

I mean, seriously, nobody is THAT perfect or THAT sweet.

Nobody.

Except maybe.....Me!

**INSERT DOUBLED OVER, BELLY LAUGH HERE**

Just kidding, just kidding.

=)

I've got to go call Lois and make sure they have her hooked up
to oxygen and she's receiving proper emergency medical assistance.

I love you, Lois!

Seriously, there is another good movie on that I'm about to watch.....



Love you MUCH!

=],

Schedule? What Schedule.....

I'm not really sure why it's 4 in the morning and I am still awake?

Could it have anything to do with the
7 hour nap I took today at 6pm?

I'm sure it has A LOT to do with it.

Except, can you really call a 7 hour nap a nap?

Probably not.

I know, I know, one might ask why
I would take a 7 hour nap at 6 in the evening?

I was tired.

Really tired, obviously.

Plus, my schedule has gotten off really bad since surgery.

What I really mean is, I have no schedule.

I suppose that's not a bad thing until I have
to go back to work and actually be on a schedule.

Yeah, that will be bad.

Until then, I guess I will enjoy it.

I do feel better.

I am still laying around mostly.

When I say laying around, I mean laying around.

Literally.

I'm still not sitting up very well.

I'm sure that will get better as time goes on.

I am taking pain medicine when I need it.

I am doing much better with that.

I am just so ready to be back at 100%.

I know my family is ready for that as well.

One thing I have been able to do is catch up on your blogs.

Isn't it funny how most of us have never met, yet we KNOW each other?

I mean, I know your favorite foods, I've seen your vacation pictures,
I know all about your husbands, your kids and pets, the things you
love and hate about your jobs and yet we've never, ever met.

Non-blogging people don't understand that.

I've also found some new blogs.

I've enjoyed reading your stories and getting to know you.

We all have a Story.

Would you rewrite yours if you could?

Would you change a scene here and there
or would you have the exact same storyline?

That's something to think about isn't it?

I mean, Our Story is what made us into the person we are today.

Good or bad.

That's really too deep to think about at 4 in the morning
but is worth expounding on at a later, more refreshed time.

I really wish all of us could get together for a big Blog Family Reunion.

Wouldn't that be fun?

Let's plan it.

I'll host it at my house.

I think it would be great!

In the mean time, I think I am gonna try and sleep for a bit.

Hope your weekend has been and continues to be fabulous!

Love you MUCH!

=],

It Is What It Is.....

I am alive....barely.

I have done better today with taking pain medicine, until this afternoon.

I guess, I get relief and then forget to stay ahead of the pain.

So, what ends up happening is by about 9:00pm, I am hurting
so bad that I can hardly stand it.

This is the second night in a row I have done this.

Yes, I am a Nurse.

Yes, I know better.

It's not like I mean to do it.

I don't lay here thinking, "Oh, I think I'll go
without pain medicine all evening, so that when
bedtime comes, I'll be in excruciating pain."

Again, I am not anti-pain medicine.

Actually, very far from it.

I always encourage my Patients to stay ahead of
their pain and not try to be brave and do without it.

See everyone thinks I am trying to be Superwoman and not take it.

That is not true.

Again, this may be TMI, but it is what it is.

I had a tear that was repaired vaginally.

In fact, it was a rather painful surgery.

Narcotic pain relievers have side effects.

One of the major side effects is constipation.

Now, think about it for a second.

Vaginal surgery + Constipation is not a pleasant combination.

I have tried to avoid the narcotics for this reason, not because
I think I am, nor am I trying to be Superwoman.

I have decided if I have to take colace, which is a stool softener,
by the handfuls, that is what I will do.

I can't continue to hurt like I have been tonight.

It really is a catch 22.

I have medicine that will alleviate the pain, yet I am
afraid of the side effects and am reluctant to take it.

That, in and of itself, is so frustrating and crazy.

So, what ends up happening, is I am hurting terribly and
I give in and take it,like tonight, but have to wait for it
to work.

I am drawn up in a nervous jerk because it hurts so bad.

I can't relax.

Tears stream down my face.

I just want it to stop.

I take everything I can and try and be patient to allow
it to work but it seems as though time stands still.

Finally, I feel a slight twinge of relief.

I am a strong woman, not a wimp at all,
but this has kicked my butt, literally.

I made improvements with pain control today and I
will continue to do so tomorrow.

I am trying to remember I am only 2 days
post-op, for goodness sakes.

I do appreciate all the well wishes, calls, txts, cards,
visits, food and prayers that have been sent to The Father on
my behalf.

I am immeasurably blessed to have such amazing Family and Friends.

I am expecting nothing but total success from this repair
and hope to be back to my normal self before long.

I know this post is scattered all over the
place and for that I do apologize.

I am under the influence of the good pain medicine now, which
is now working quite nicely.

I must apologize if you had to deal with me while I was hurting so bad.

I know I could not have been a pleasant person.

Please accept my sincerest apology.

I really mean that.

On a bright, positive note, the cutest 5 year-old boy came today.



I opened the door and was thrilled to see this smiling face.

It makes everything better.

He will be spending the weekend with us.

He looks like he has grown at least a foot.

He has played and played today and has been the sweetest boy.

Oh, I wish time with him would stand still and never end.

That's selfish, I know, but it is how I feel.

He is so cute and has been in the most loving mood since
he arrived earlier today.

I am thankful for this time with him.

Well, Blog Friends, my pain medicine has more than kicked in.

While it has, I am going to try and rest.

I hope I have not scarred any of you from my honest posting tonight.

Like I said earlier, it is what it is.

Love you MUCH!

=],

Consider Yourself Warned.....

Surgery went well yesterday
but I have been hurting miserably.

When I say miserably, I mean MISERABLY!

It's not like I expected not to hurt,
I just wasn't expecting to hurt so bad.

I apologize, in advance, if this post is TMI.

If you are afraid it will be TMI, then don't read any further.

Consider yourself warned.

He was able to repair my tear and place
a mesh-type material to provide reinforcement.

I had both a catheter and vaginal packing
post-operatively that was quite painful.

I was REALLY glad to get rid of both of those.

I have only been laying down so far, no sitting yet.

It feels like my insides are falling out
and someone is trying to hold them in place with a knife.

I made the mistake of trying to manage my pain with only
Ibuprofen, which I SHOULD NOT have done.

I decided I NEED the good stuff
and ibuprofen does not equal the good stuff.

Sorry, Ibuprofen, please don't take it personally.

I have pelvic and lifting restrictions for 6 weeks.

I have GOT to get well so I can go to Honduras next month.

Sorry, I haven't updated sooner
but I, honestly, just haven't felt like it.

Please say a prayer, or two, for a quick recovery.

I know, I've really gotta take it easy this time.

Believe me, take it easy I will.

I don't have any other choice.

Love you MUCH!

=],

Same Song, Second Verse.....

For the second time in 3 weeks, I found myself
in the Hospital waiting for Preadmission Testing to be done today.

I will be having surgery again, in the morning, to repair a tear.

It's not anything anyone did or didn't do.

It's just one of those things that happens sometimes.

I am not, in the least, looking forward
to it, not that anybody ever does.

As bad as I hate it, and I hate it
REALLY bad, it is something that must be done.

He did say if I had it done now and of course,
did well, he will clear me to go to Honduras next month.

We are already down Nurses this year so,
it is imperative I'm able to go.

We will be flying to Honduras May 14th
so that will give me almost 6 weeks to recover.

Please say a prayer that surgery goes
well and I recover nicely and quickly.

I will update as soon as I can.

Last time, they basically had to pry my
phone out of my hands to put me to sleep, Lol.

=)

I did ask if I could redeem "Frequent OR Miles."

This routine is becoming all too familiar.

Hopefully, the second time is the charm and there will be not be a third.

Love you MUCH!

=],

Heaven On Earth.....

Can you imagine a Festival devoted entirely to this.....



Yes, it's true.

Today, we are celebrating
CHOCOLATE
at
The Alabama Choclate Festival
in Rainbow City, Alabama.




I am hoping to see some of these.....



Well, not just SEE them.....

=)

Have I died and gone to Heaven?

I like to think of it as Heaven on Earth.

Literally.

Wish you all were here.

I will be a good Blog Friend, though, and eat some for you.

Aaaaaah, the sacrifices we make for Friends.

After all, that's what Friends are for!

Love you MUCH!

=],