Madely, the Worm Whisperer and the Worm Eater

A couple nights ago Madeline announced that she will not longer go by Madeline, but that she is to be called, Madely (pronounced Natalie, with an M instead of an N).  When we actually started calling her Madely, she laughed and laughed and laughed.  Now she tells me that it's her silly name and that we can call her Madely when she's being silly.  I love it!!!  She's so funny.

I have dubbed Madeline the Worm Whisperer.  On a walk, Monday, Daddy told Madeline that if she picked up the worms that are alive on the sidewalk and placed them in the grass, they would live.  So, our walks now take much longer, as our sweet girl attempts to save every worm from a concrete death.  It's so sweet to watch how excited she is when she finds a live worm that she can save.  She usually shouts, "MOMMY, I found one!  I'm putting it in the grass".  You, of course, can imagine how devastated she was when Bobo made it to a worm before she did.  Unlike, Madeline, Bobo is not in the business of saving worms. . .he just likes to eat them.  GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are a couple pictures Roxann took of our Worm Whisperer.

  

It all started. . .

Once my sweet boy was old enough to squirm, I noticed that my back was often in pain. Thankfully, it was nothing horrible. . .just enough to notice.  Then something dreadful happened this summer and autumn. . .I had pain so horrible that I was crying and wishing someone could just knock me out.  In October, as we drove down to Disney, I almost had Matt find a way to fly me down, as an hour into our car ride I started to experience excruciating pain that did not go away regardless of my position or how much pain medicine  I took.  Because I refused to give into the pain, I kept running and training for the marathon in November.  Low and behold. . .I ran the marathon and the excruciating pain basically disappeared.  Yes, my back still hurt, but it was very manageable.  Then. . .a couple months ago, the pain returned with a vengeance, running through my buttock, down my leg and into my foot.  Horrible, horrible, gut wrenching pain. . .and I know pain. . .I almost did not make it to the hospital in time to give birth to Madeline and therefore experienced a completely natural childbirth.  Thankfully, a few weeks ago, an MRI revealed a large disk herniation at L4/L5.  It was so encouraging to know that there was a diagnosable, physical reason for my pain.  A couple Friday's ago, I had epidural cortisone injections in the L5, S1 regions of my spine, in hopes that it would ease my pain and bring back some muscle function in my feet and toes.  Though my hopes were high, the injections provided minor relieve for only 1 day.  So, this Friday we will try another round of shots at L4 and L5.  And if these don't work, I'm looking toward the big "S" as soon as possible.  

Though it's no fun to be in pain, I am so grateful that I live in a time and place where my pain can be treated.  And I continually remind myself that God's grace is sufficient and that "A cheerful heart is good medicine", Proverbs 17:22.  And I know that I can trust the Lord.  He has a plan for my life and he might be using this experience to shape, mold, and refine me.  If nothing else, I am growing in compassion for people who have pain or chronic illnesses.  I pray that He is using this as a grain of sand that He will refine into a pearl.  

Below is a picture of a spine, herniated at L4-L5.  While I hoped to post my own MRI images, I can't seem to open the files on the CD they gave me.  

So. . .if anyone needs a great recommendation for a non-surgical back specialist. . .come talk to me! :)

Pet Insurance???

Well. . .we avoided the surgery, but an overnight stay at the vet, an IV, multiple xrays and special food all cost a pretty penny.  Elisa and Dana both strongly encouraged pet insurance when we asked them about it.  Anyone have a carrier that they love??? 

Bobo, Bobo, Bobo

Okay, I admit it.  I miss the pitter patter of his feet.  I miss his cocked head and cute face.  I even miss saying, "Bobo, DROP IT" and "Bobo, get OFF that pillow".  Alas, the worst has happened. Bobo has finally eaten that "thing".  That "thing" that will not budge out of his stomach.  What that "thing" is, we will find out tomorrow morning. . .following surgery (I'm going to have to change vets if it's a pair of my underwear from the hamper!).  Elisa, warned us and warned us. You need to be more careful. . .you don't want to pay me$$$$$ to remove something from inside of Bobo.  To be honest, when she first said this, I thought, "don't worry, because there is NO WAY I would pay $$$$$ for ANYTHING for a dog".  Well, that was before "a dog" became my "Bobes", as I like to call him.    

This is a warning to all you puppy owners with small children.  BEWARE!  Though we were not perfect, Bobo stayed in the same room with us at least 90% of the time and he was also placed in his crate when we went out or could not attend to him.  However, he still managed to eat things, and now we are paying the price.  After this surgery, I have a feeling that he will be on a leash in the house, as there is NO WAY I will pay $$$$$$ twice for a dog!!!

Easter Morning at the Wells'

All "season" we had avoided talk about the Easter Bunny.  It really was not intentional, but since we don't do the Easter Bunny and since we don't often visit the mall, his name did not come up.  It was so funny to watch the kids' faces on Saturday night at Harris Teeter, when two people in a row asked them if the Easter Bunny was coming to their house.  Their response to these people, who were strangers, were blank stares.  They had no idea what was being talked about and it probably sounded absurd to them that there was a bunny coming to their house. So funny.  When we got home, we explained to them that some people believe that the Easter Bunny comes and delivers candy to their homes, but they we believe that Easter is celebrating Christ's death and resurrection, and that one of the ways Mommy and Daddy like to celebrate this is by giving them baskets of goodies.

An Egg Hunt in the Cul de Sac

All the kiddos pose for a picture.  When we began this yearly tradition, five of the children in this photo were not even alive yet!  Our neighbors continue to be a great source of joy and blessing.  As usual, the moms got together on Friday and filled eggs.  Saturday, the dads took the kids into the Brister's back yard while the moms. . .and Jeff. . .hid eggs.  Of course, Shanda was on her game and directing everyone.  Such a wonderful time.

The girlies.  

Chillin' with Daddy.  Ryan is probably contemplating how he's going to talk Daddy into ONE more piece of candy.

Our friends and neighbors, the Beckers.  We love them!

It's the girls.

Ryan, on the hunt.

Oh my goodness, I laughed out loud when Maddie started this.  It was too funny to see her with the basket on her head as a hat.  

Okay, Daddy, I want to know what you said to get them to giggle and make faces like this!  I'm sure it had something to do with poopie and underwear. 

Big sis and little bro.

Easter

Jackson, showing off his fishing technique.

Madeline, reeling something in.

Pastor Mike catches a fish and the kids gather around to touch it and throw it back into the pond.

Our proud boy with his first catch.

My sweet fisher-girl.

The disciples did a lot of it, so we thought we would follow their example on Easter, and go fishing. Well. . .not really, but we did go fishing! Pastor Mike, Courtney, and Jackson busted out the fishing poles, dug up some worms, baited hooks, and gave us a lesson in fishing. It was AWESOME. Madeline and Ryan had a great time, as did Matt and me. Ryan, with Pastor Mike's guidance, caught fish after fish, and Madeline, with a little perseverance and help from Mike, also made a catch. So, thank you Windley's for a memorable Easter celebration. And thank you God, for your Son's Resurrection, and the gift of eternal life through Christ.