The Dreaded Chinese

Okay, so about a month ago I took two of the GHG's (Group Home Girls) to the Doctor. They were there for their Well-Child Check-ups. As we were leaving the Dr asked if he could examine my throat, odd-but okay. He then asked me if I had a thyroid problem. I said, not that I was aware of, which he responded to with "You should have it checked by your Dr". I'll admit, this brought on a new sense of panic for me. I have no idea what happens or what to look for when dealing with a faulty thyroid. So I came home and immediately went to WebMD. I typed in thyroid and found exactly what I was looking for......trouble. Out of 10 symptoms to look for, I clearly had 9 and possibly 10. So what the heck?? How did he know I had a thyroid problem? Well the first indicator was that I looked like crap. I think the second indicator was that I have suddenly taken on a lovely yellowish tone. The third might have been the excessive baggage I seem to be carrying under my eyes. And if none of those were clues it just might be the puffiness of my face and butt! So what can be done about a defective thyroid? Get medicated! Which I'm sure I'll be doing here soon. I just need to find the time to schedule an appointment. Until then, my eyes will still look as though they have packed for a 3 month vacation, my face and butt will continue to look as though I've been stung by a bee and can't find the Benadryl. And that lovely skin tone called yellow will just be mistaken for a cheap brand of sunless tanner. And to top it all off! I've been craving Chinese food! (What am I pregnant too??) What's the big deal with that you might ask? Well, I don't like Chinese food! It makes me ill! No really, I get ill. So what did I do on Friday night? I gave into the craving and ate the Chinese food. Within 4 hours, my body let me know how much it truly hates Chinese food. And it hasn't been happy with me for the last 2 days. Remember on the movie A League of Their Own? When Madonna poisons their chaperon? And the Dr said he never knew a woman to puke that much? I could have given her a run for her money. So what does that have to do with my thyroid? I'm not really sure, but I bet its lack of functionality is making me crave The Dreaded Chinese!!

The Gift of Life

I know Tara is going to just love me for posting this picture. (Don't Do Drugs Kids!! This is what happens when you're on morphine for 4 days straight). So why was my sister on morphine for 4 straight days you wonder? Well, because my sister chose to give the gift of life. Tara went in on Tuesday April 15th to donate her kidney to her dear friend Alvin.

Alvin has been on dialysis for several years and has gone through 54 donors. He was hospitalized earlier this year for 6 weeks, and his wife Candice knew that if they didn't find a donor soon, it would be too late.

Tara soon learned that she was a match for Alvin and the surgery was scheduled. After a day of grueling patience, tolerance and prayer we were finally told that everything went well. Tara's kidney was transplanted in Alvin and it immediately began working. Tara spent 3 hours in recovery and was then brought to her room. She really struggled with this hospital stay. She was struggling to breathe and was in some intense pain for the first few days. We struggled with the nursing staff to do their jobs correctly and really struggled with the lack of communication the whole medical staff seemed to suffer from. I have never seen a hospital floor run so inadequately, it was rather horrifying knowing that my sister's life dangled in their incompetent hands. Once we were finally able to get Tara to a stable point we asked for her immediate release. And again, this seemed to be too much for the nursing staff to handle. But once we were able to put the nightmare behind us and Tara came home, her recovery has been making leaps and bounds. As for Alvin, his recovery seemed to be advancing faster than Tara's and it was wonderful to see the immediate difference the kidney made in his life. Everyday he looked better and better. To see such the difference this made in his life is just humbling.
I have always known that Tara was a special gift that the Lord placed in my life. That I needed her loving spirit to help guide me along. I take her for granted. I'm so accustomed to always having her in my life, and it never surprises me when she puts others before herself. But this donating a kidney experience has really opened my eyes to how many people in this world don't know what its like to have such a selfless spirit always around. So many times we heard from people what a truly giving person Tara is for doing this transplant, and how they wouldn't be able to it themselves. I caught myself saying (in my head of course) well Duh! Tara would do anything to serve others. But looking at this from an outsiders eyes, it has really opened mine to see how many people truly couldn't do such a selfless act. I know Tara, this is who she is, this is what her spirit is built upon, its why my life has always been so blessed to have her in it. So I need to say Thank You to Alvin and Tara. Thank you for teaching me that everyone here in this world has a specific plan that has been mapped out for them, designed for them by the Lord, to teach and test them. This truly was a specific task the Lord set up for Tara and Alvin to go through. And it was so amazing to see Tara follow through and do what was asked of her and do it with such a loving heart. How grateful I am to have such an amazing example to follow.

Shopping with Ireland

Today I went to Wal-mart with Ireland. I always love shopping with Ireland!! She has the best chitter-chatter. Today she told me all about how her brother Broc doesn't like to be called Broccoli and she thinks that's funny. So I asked her if she wanted me to start calling her Carrots. She said "UH!! Noooooh!!". I said I could call Zona Asparagus if that made her feel better. She asked "What's Asparagus?" and I told her its a cross between Broccoli and Carrots. She put a funny look on her face and said "I think that's what my next sister is going to be." I just love having these conversations!

Happy Birthday Broc!!

Happy Birthday Broc!! Want to know how cool this kid is? Here are a few of his favorite things:

• GhostRider
• Transformers
• TMNT
• Superman
• Batman
• The Flash
• His New Bike
• His Clubhouse in the tree in the front yard
• Hunter
• His Dad
• Temporary Tattoo's
• Push-Up Pop's
• Smores for Breakfast
• His little brother Zona

Want to know some of his dislikes? Here ya go!!

• His sister Ireland
• Max eating his food out of his hands
• cleaning the living room
• Daylight Savings (he has to go to bed when the sun is still up)
• Staying indoors

Broc is one cool kid!! I hope you have an awesome Birthday Big Guy!!

We love you!!

(Max, Ellie and Me)