All Those Things

 There was some worry that I had an appendicitis so I was sent to the hospital for a ct scan this week. I couldn't help but think how completely inconvenient it would be if I had to have any kind of surgery. I am a wife, a mom, and a full-time teacher. The funny part is that I said to Tim, " I really hope I don't need surgery because I have my last evaluation at work Monday. I don't want to be in pain while I'm teaching!" Tim told me that I was nuts. Later, I realized how silly I must have sounded. So many other thoughts raced through my mind:  Would I be able to hold MG, give her a bath, feed her, wash the laundry, clean the dishes, play with the dogs, cook dinner for Tim?? Wait a minute...my cooking usually consist of popping something in the oven and I could still do that. Anyhow, I did not have an appendicitis. All those little things that make me tired sometimes are really things I welcome everyday. I love every moment I can do something for someone I care about. I thank God for all the blessings in my life.

p.s.    My CT scan did find cysts on my right ovary and inside my kidney, cervix, and uterus. This could be causing my pain. However, my pcp doesn't think these are a real concern considering all my blood work is okay. The cysts should go away on their own in 1-3 months.

God Bless,
Shawna

Thankful for Good News

A few months ago, I noticed a ridge on Makayla’s forehead. I didn’t think much of it, until it became more visible. I brought it up to her pediatrician who said we would watch it over the next few years. He eventually referred us to a neurosurgeon here in town. So today, Tim and I took Makayla to Children’s Hospital. Makayla has Metopic Synostosis. Metopic Synostosis is a type of craniosynostosis, in which the joints (sutures) between the bones of the skull close prematurely, resulting in abnormal growth of the skull and sometimes the brain. Many children end up having surgery on the skull in order to correct the problem. Thankfully, Makayla has a very mild case and will not need surgery. Of course, it will be monitored over the next 5 years, but the neurosurgeon is pretty sure the problem will correct itself. In other words; her brain will not be affected and the ridge will smooth out. Praise Jesus!!!!

Next week Makayla will be getting an allergy test. There have been two different occasions, during the last two weeks, that she has gotten very sick. At first, we were told she had the stomach flu, but I wasn’t buying it. The second time it happened I knew it wasn’t the stomach flu. Next week we should find out which food she is allergic to. Other than that, Makayla is doing very well! She has started rocking back and forth up in the crawl position. I think she’ll be crawling here in the next few months!  She is a very happy baby, and babbles all the time. Just the other day, it sounded like she said “Dada”…of course you know Tim is eating that up. She absolutely loves our two dogs and two cats! It is so much fun to watch her pet and talk to the animals. I know that I say this all the time, but the days seem too short! I feel super blessed to have such a wonderful husband and daughter. I love being a mom, and feel God has given me so much to be thankful for.

God Bless,

Shawna

The More I Seek You

The days seem to be going by so quickly these days. Some days, I am positive someone hit the fast forward button….and at the wrong time. I am still trying to organize my time. You see, I was so sure of my priorities…God, family, friends, and work. So why did I often not have a quiet time with God?

A QUIET TIME (in my own words):

A time when God is truly first.

A time when I am 100% focused on Him.

A time when all the worries of the world slip away.

A time when everything else is second.

I do strive to seek Him first, yet many days I fail to ask for guidance, for patience, for forgiveness, or for strength. As always, I am reminded that I cannot do this alone. I need to seek God every day. At the end of 2009, I made a commitment to myself to study God’s word on a weekly basis. Tim bought me a wonderful devotional that I began on January 1st. The book is a 52-week devotional, Into the Word. So far it has been a wonderful spiritual study guide for me. I have discovered something so beautiful over the last few weeks: The more I seek Jesus, the more I find Jesus. The more I find Jesus, the more I love Jesus.

My prayer is that we (you and me) always find a quiet place to go; a place to feel God’s presence, to hear Him speak, to open our hearts, to thank Him, to love Him, and to realize we need Him!

Lyrics | The More I Seek You lyrics

I have made this my song for 2010.

2010 Resolutions

As I embark on this continuous journey in 2010 I am embracing God's incredible love. I resolve to be more patient, more loving, more compassionate, less bossy, to cook more, not take things too seriously, to trust better, to listen rather than speak, to devote more time to God and His Word, to worry less, to eat less (lol), to lose weight, to read more, to wash my car, to make more friends, to pray more, to plan better, to spend more quality time with my family, to be a better wife and mom, to laugh more often, and to realize more each day that God is for me.

I haven’t been a blogger for very long, so I still consider myself a newbie to it. Honestly, I’m not even sure if anyone at all reads my blog page, but I still want to write it. I enjoy taking the time to think about special moments and capture them in writing (or typing). This year, 2010, I am resolving to slow down and enjoy every single moment. I am reminded of the most important things in my life; God, Tim & Makayla, family, friends, and my job. Basically in that order. This blog is about my journey in life as a mom, a wife, and a follower of Jesus Christ.

A little about me…

  I am first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. He is my joy and inspiration, and the reason I am here. God has blessed me with two incredible gifts; my loving husband, Tim, and our beautiful daughter, Makayla. Tim is a very loving and supportive husband with compassion for others that I wish every man had. He is the love of my life and my very best friend. He gets me and loves me unconditionally…no matter how hard that may be sometimes. Makayla is such a sweet baby, with giggles and grins that always light up the room. She is a gift from God! She has opened my eyes to the tiny miracles and inspirations around me,that I often fail to see. My journey hasn’t always been an easy one, but I am learning so much along the way. Please join me as I continue this journey as a wife, a mom, and a follower of Jesus Christ.

God Bless,

Shawna