Saturday, May 24, 2008

antiquity pictures of jocelyn

I know I haven't posted pictures for a while and since some of you keep updated through this here are a few. I didn't stop by the apartment, so I will post the antiquity pictures for now and I'll get some more current ones on here soon. Jocelyn was six weeks old in these and now she's almost three months, so it's been a little while. She's so adorable! Everything is going good with all of us, but it's been a hectic day, I had to do two admissions at work and got off late, but I updated for all of you that read this.


Jocelyn's dedication is tomorrow, so that's going to be a family affair and then we are having a surprise birthday party for mom at grandma's. I can say that because she and dad and Landon are at the camper so she can't read this before then anyway!


Here are the pictures:


Thursday, May 22, 2008

test results

Well, here goes, as most of you know I did go to the doctor on Wednesday and that was when I was supposed to get my biopsy results. However, the news wasn't as good as I had hoped, but it isn't as bad as it could be either.
My biopsy came back showing severe inflammation, so they don't know for sure if the cells are precancerous or if they are just caused by the inflammation that is on my cervix. When they tested for HPV, which if you don't know what that is, it is the virus that causes precancerous cells on the cervix. If untreated this could lead to cervical cancer. However, during the "adolescent" stage as they call it, which is between 18 and 24, they say that it can clear up on itself. However it must be watched extremely closely because it can get worse and if so they will have to start a treatment.
So where does this put me? Well, I have to go in for a pap smear every 6 months until further notice. If there is a change for the worse we have have to do some kind of treatment, which we will talk about IF the time comes for that. We're just praying that everything will clear up on it's own and everything will be fine as time progresses, but I'm continuing to pray for God's will in my life and I want whatever He has planned.
If this turns into something more than just precancerous cells then it is a part of God's plan for my life and He will see me through it in His perfect timing. I will go back in October for my next pap smear and I will keep you all posted if anything changes, but I really don't see any point in worrying. It only stresses me out and there is nothing that I can do to change things as of right now. Pray, that's all that there is to do as of right now. God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He will provide in the way that He has in store for my life.



That is all that I have about the doctor, but just as a little side note. There is a woman that used to go to Massillon Weslyan Methodist Church and she is now in a nursing home. I spoke to her tonight and she said she wants to get back to church as soon as she gets over this coughing spell that she has. My mother and grandmother and myself have been given permission to take her out of the facility to attend church, go out to eat, go shopping, or anything else to provide a social life for this woman, but tonight she told me that she is having trouble seeing ever since she got sick. She is praying that God will touch her eyes and her cold. She has a desire to be at church, but her eyes really aren't good. She doesn't get a lot of visitors, but anytime I bring up people from the church, her whole face lights up and she just glows and says how she misses them and wishes they would come see her. Please pray for this little woman, she has such a serving spirit and wants to be in church more than anything. She says she prays that God will make her better enough that she could help the church to get money and grow. Wow, sometimes being in the nursing home and talking to people is just completely humbling. I will be holding Virginia up in prayer and I hope that all of you would say a little prayer for her eyes as you go throughout the day. I will keep you all posted with any changes in her, if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Today's post is an essay that I wrote in college, but I got to thinking about it this week and it makes so much sense in life. We had to find a painting and write about what we thought the painter was trying to say through his artwork. I chose Vincent Van Gogh because he has so much beautiful work. I have so below is his painting, "Boulevard de Clichy". I get swept away in Van Gogh's talent and his way of taking so many colors and blending them together to create something so beautiful! This painting, in my opinion, is about people being to busy to observe life, and I got a perfect score on it, so I must have known a little bit about the assignment, and art! So here it is, I hope you enjoy, and maybe it will open your eyes to art in a whole new way!




Taken for Granted


Life. Nature. Beauty. All of these surround me everyday, but I never take the time to acknowledge them. Vincent Van Gogh painted The Boulevard de Clichy in 1887 with vivid colors and great contrast. Not only are the colors he uses bright, but also the painting is made of short strokes, which breaks up the picture and makes it look like a blur, as if time is flying by. The painting made me stop and think because of this short stroke method it used. It shows how the world can get wrapped up in life and takes each day for granted.
Van Gogh painted this picture to show us that we need to stop and look at the things around us. He shows that we do not take the time to look at the nature and beauty that is all around us. The inventions of automobiles and the advancement in technology have changed the way of seeing the world even more than it was in 1887, when this picture was painted. Although times have changed, the meaning of this painting stays the same. I do not take the time I should to look at the nature around me. Am I involved in too many activities? Should I stop and look around me when I am going somewhere? These are some questions that this painting has pushed me to ask myself.
By using lighter colors when painting the sky, and bright colors for the fronts of the buildings, it implies that the time is early in the morning, before the sun is completely up. Also, by looking at the people in the streets, I can see that there are only a few women in the streets, and a child or two with them. There aren’t any men out, which would show us that it is the women who have got up, housewives most likely, and they are getting a head start on their day. Seeing that the streets aren’t busy shows us that the town has not yet awakened for the day. Since there aren’t leaves on the trees, and the women are bundled up, and also the white specks on the ground, I am led to believe that The Boulevard de Clichy was painted in the middle of winter. Dawn is a very peaceful time of day, before the hustle and bustle starts, and I imagine birds singing. In the middle of the painting, above the buildings, there is a cluster of birds flying overhead, which goes along with my early morning theory.
There isn’t much detail as to what these women look like, so this means that who they are is not important to the painting. It is cold, yet they have errands to run, so they are walking in the streets as quickly as possible so that they can complete their errands for the day. I am calling these errands because most of the women are alone unless they have a small child by their side. If Van Gogh had been focusing on the village, but not the people, the purpose would have been to show that nature is acknowledged, but life passes by too quickly, but by blurring the whole painting, it shows that we need to stop and look around.
By using bright colors for the building fronts instead of normal brick colors, it helps to bring out the light from the sunrise. Rising on the left side of the painting, and casting a beautiful glow on the building fronts. But, the women do not see this change, and they do not see its beauty as it changes each morning. By not focusing any of the painting, it helps to bring out Van Gogh’s vision on life, and how nature is often taken for granted, whether through people being busy, or just because they don’t have the time to focus on their surroundings.
The human race is constantly in motion; it doesn’t look around to see the world, but is only focused on the goal directly ahead. The woman on the left in blue is crossing the street, but everything around her, including the street lamp, is blurred, this is important to the painting simply because Van Gogh is showing us that there isn’t any part of the surroundings in this town being recognized.
The trees are the only objects that tend to stand out in the painting, and they seem to be pointing at the sun rising over the buildings, as if they are trying to tell these women to take a look around them. Nature is trying to get the attention of these women, even though they are not willing to stop and take the time from their busy schedules. Van Gogh sees that the world around these women is changing, the sunrise is never the same, the leaves change colors and fall off the trees, but the people don’t see this, and need to take a look at the bigger picture.
It has become a daily task for these women to move around the town in the mornings and to prepare for the day, so their focus is on the daily tasks instead of the world around them. Their morning tasks have become natural because they do them every day and it has become their life. These women know that by taking the time to stop and look around, they will only lose precious time from the day, so they have trained themselves to focus on the tasks at hand and not to worry about what is going on around them. The women don’t gather in the street to gossip, because it would be a waste of time, just like it would be to stop and marvel at nature’s beauty. By going out alone, they do not have any interruptions in the day; they can do what is needed of them, and then continue on their way.
I know that I do not take the time to “see” what is around me, and like these women, I do what is required of me and I do not look any further. I push nature aside, and don’t pay much attention to it. I believe that I should stop and look around a little more often, and I challenge you to do the same. Don’t take life for granted; it was given to us to be lived, not to be made into a routine. Be spontaneous and take a look around when you get up in the morning. Instead of getting the paper off the porch, going back inside, getting a cup of coffee, and sitting down before you start the day, stay on the porch a little longer, and take a look around. Listen to the birds sing, and watch the sun rise. That is nature’s gift to us.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

hips, shoes, volunteering

I didn't really explain the reasoning for the ultrasound all that thouroughly, so here it goes. Dr. Handwork was afraid that her hips were loose because her "hip creases aren't symetrical". As far as I understand, if they are loose we'll have to work her legs more to strengthen the muscels so that there isn't a problem further down the road. If they catch it now it won't take much to fix the problem, and that's not saying that there is a problem at all. Like I said in a previous post, Dr. Handwork doesn't feel that there is a problem at all, but he doesn't want to take a risk with her if he is overlooking something. That is why he is having us go to Akron Children's Hospital for a repeat of the original ultrasound done on her on June 4th. I'm truly not worried, like I have said many times I am leaving my life and the lives of my family members in the hands of God, I take it to Him in prayer and I truly believe that He will take care of us. If it's time for another trial in our lives, nothing is too big for God and He will provide for us. He tells us in His word that He will never give us trial that is too big for us, and that is something that I think believers need to take to heart and remember. The Bible doesn't tell us that if we follow God it will be a completely enjoyable and problem free ride, but it does say that we can rely on God and He will take care of His children.

On another side of life, newborn shoes are too small for Jocelyn and we bought her a pair of ones, but they are still a little big, she's in between sizes right now, but growing sooo quickly. It's hard to believe that she's almost 3 months old now! She's still our pride and joy, and we wouldn't trade her for anything!

Mike and I have decided to start volunteering at New Pointe. Mike is going to work in security in the children's area. It's really impressive, the amount of security they have to insure that the children are safe and only leave with their parents! However...he will have to work as security for both services, but they volunteer one month on and one month off, so in the rotation we will both be in service with each other every other month. As for me, I will be working with the Rhinos! Thats the name of the class for 3 and 4 year olds. There are two rooms of Rhinos, each room has four small groups of about five kids. That's where they break down for an hour to have their lessons. I'm really excited about it. Jocelyn will be in the nursery while we volunteer. I will be teaching one month on and one month off as soon as they complete my background check. The application is similar to the one I filled out when starting at the nursing home. Although it asks more about the spiritual aspect of your life than a job application. And anyone working with the children must have a background check to be in the "kid zones".

Saturday, May 17, 2008

national scrapbooking day

That's right, today is the day that I've been looking forward to for quite some time now. I took the day of to honor the day and do nothing except work on my scrapbook. I had ordered a new cricut cartridge off of ebay called base font, and it came in the mail just in time for my day... so why am I blogging you might be asking yourself... well, it all comes down to unmotivated!

Mike took Jocelyn to his mom's or WalMart or somewhere and so that left me at home to work on my scrapbooks with NO INTERRUPTIONS. Now, if you are a scapper, then you probably are thinking that he is wonderful for doing that, especially if you have kids, and I greatly appreciate him for it...but I just can't bring myself to scrap in a house all alone! I did get a little bit done, but nothing like I was hoping for.

On top of all that, it's raining and so I can't even go take a walk or enjoy the day outside. Isn't it just grand to live in OHIO?

So now I think I'm going to try to get some work done in my book, and if that doesn't happen, there are always dishes to do as I wait and look forward to the chinese food that my husband is going to bring home with him tonight!!!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

update on jocelyn

As some of you know, Jocelyn had to have an ultrasound done on her hips. She saw the doctor again and when the guy that reads his results talked to him, he was iffy about there being a problem. Dr. Handwork said that this guy has never told him that everything looks good but there COULD be a problem, or it COULD just be in the method used to take the pictures. Therefore, to be on the safe side, he has decided to repeat the ultrasound at Akron Children's Hospital. They are used to doing pediatric ultrasounds, so he would feel more comfortable if they repeated the test. Though when he took a closer look he said that he doesn't feel there is a problem, but you don't want to take a risk with kids. I don't know if that's how he really feels or if that was just to put my mind at ease.

Other than that Jocelyn is a beautiful, healthy, little girl, full of smiles and always bringing smiles to the faces of those around her. She my little bundle of joy and she is the light in her daddy's world. I never get tired of watching him with her, the happiness that radiates between them never gets old!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

good always?

So many people start going to church and serving God, and they are like, "Life is great, God is good, He's providing SO much!" But then, as time passes, there are trials and people give into the temptations of life. Then we stop hearing about how good God has been and those people start wondering what they did wrong, all of a sudden they don't think God is good anymore, but that's not the case! God never promised that a life following Him would be rid of trials and temptations. If it were, our love for God wouldn't mean all that much. We can't live in a perfect world here on earth, it's not reality, but one day, when I'm in heaven, I know life will be perfect, when I see my saviour's face and he says to me, "My child, come to me!" That is the day that I look forward to, it gives me the strength to get through all the trials of life, whether I get through them easily, or I have to fight what seems like a continuous battle.

The answer is yes...God is ALWAYS good! If you are ever doubting that, all you have to do is look back over your life...look at ALL that God has done for you. There are so many answered prayers in my life that I have no doubt that God is real, and God is good...ALWAYS!!!!

I just pray that in my life, I will live out just that. To let people see through me that even on a bad day, God is still good, and one day I will meet Him face to face and be in awe by God's mercy and grace. Don't let the little things in life get you down...God will see you through in His time.

I know it's hard to see it when you want something now and God says to wait, but it is so worth it!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

What would you do for a klondike bar?

No seriously, today for national nursing home week it was what would you do for a klondike bar day. The staff had to pick pieces of paper out of a bowl and do what it said to get a klondike bar. Guess who had to come up with what they had to do? Yes, the answer is ME! So, tell me...What WOULD you do for a klondike bar?


Sunday, May 11, 2008

happy mother's day

Well, I have pretty much made it through my first mother's day! I planned the meal for the day and didn't want grandma to have to cook, so I contacted Naomi and my mom to have them bring sides, then I made chicken parmesan and pasta with sauce. It was a good meal, and not just because I'm partial to my own cooking! The only problem with the day was that it was all rainy and yucky outside:(

We started a new series at church this morning called "What Lies Beneath". It was really touching today, I was going to put up a link to the online message, but it's not up for today yet. You can check out the series by clicking the New Pointe Community Church link on my "Sites I keep my EYE on" section. It was all about how God knows us, even below the surface, and he still loves us no matter what.

Jocelyn is being dedicated on Sunday, May 25th at New Pointe, if anyone is interested let me know. I need to get going, but I'll post more soon.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

the KING'S TABLE

What can I say? I have been moved.

Tonight was first Wednesday at New Pointe and John Bunn was preaching. He talked about how King David and Saul's son Jonathan were BEST friends, and Jonathan helped David find strength in God, and he challenged everyone to be that kind of friend. Even after Saul and Jonathan were dead, David went back to see if there was anyone left of Saul's family that he could show God's kindness to. The only one left was Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son(the name means "big shame") and he was living in Lo Debar, meaning without pasture. The town had a bad reputation and was known for its poverty, and Mephibosheth was lame in both feet, but that didn't matter to David, he told them to bring him to him at the palace or whatever they called it back then. David told Mephibosheth that he would always sit at David's table.

Mephibosheth had NO family, he was lame in both feet, but yet he was invited to the KING'S TABLE!
We, followers of Christ, are invited to sit at the KING'S TABLE, we are seen as children of him and we are always invited to His table. First Wednesday is always communion, and tonight there was a table set up, a long table at the front of the church and we were each invited to come and sit at the table of God, the KING'S TABLE. I sat there and was just moved to tears. John's point was that as we come and sit at the table of God, he sees us as His children and He doesn't think about all the wrong we have done...our "lameness" is covered by the KING'S tablecloth.
I just sat there and wept in God's presence and prayed to Him for His forgiveness and for the price He paid by sending His ONLY SON JESUS to earth to die on a cross for MY SIN.
GOD is so good, how long will it be before the rest of the world sees that truth?

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Married Life Live

So tonight we had MLL at the church. It was so much fun we laughed the whole time! It was great, and the food was good too. Too bad that the next one isn't for another 3 months :(

We were ringside for the big fight in the ring and everything was all decked out in boxing gear. I can't wait until the next one! I loved it, and it brought a new thought to mind. If we look at marriage as if we are "I" then we are going to clash constantly, because we are competing against our spouse, like they are our enemy. But if we look at marriage as if we are "one" then we will think as a team thinks, so we are teammates in our marriage and we are in the game together. Marriage is worth fighting for, and when we play as a team we use each others strengths to make things work.

It's late and I need to get to bed, but there are my thoughts of the night.

Friday, May 2, 2008

13 hours!

Well you see...until our new business manager starts, I still have to work a long day on Fridays. Not as long as before I was on maternity leave, but I have to be there for at least 10 hours. Which it really isn't that bad, but tonight I was there until 9 pm, which is a long day when you consider the fact that I got there and started working at 8am! I'm almost caught up from being gone for 2 months...that's another reason I stayed so late. After I get caught up I shouldn't have to stay late too often. Which will be a relief being that I've stayed late nearly every night this week. And then today I had to go pick up lunch and then I came back and took bites of my lunch in between phone calls, so I didn't even really get a break. I hope to go in tomorrow at 8am, at least by 9am and I work until 2pm. Normally I go in at 10am on Saturdays, but like I said, I want to get caught up.

Tomorrow night is MLL (Married Life Live) at our church. It's like a date night for married couples and then there's a little bit to encourage your marriage, and dinner...a whole night of fun by the sounds of it...but this is our first time going to it, so we'll see. The title of it this month is "Fight Night". It's supposed to be about the bickering in marriages and how to keep the small things small.

Anyway, I have to go let Naomi's dog in, and then my kid and husband just got home, so I'm going to see them, and Mike and I are supposed to watch a movie tonight...if I can stay awake!