Follow-up to "All in God's Timing"

Did anyone realize that I skipped a part of the story?  There was a picture at the end yesterday, showing new couches, but I never described how we arrived at buying them.

After saying thanks to God for his guidance, I thought furniture was a ways off. I believed we would have a decent tax refund due to different factors. But when we sat down and completed our taxes, it was larger than either of us expected. A lot larger.

So tax refund = money into savings, a new tv, and new furniture. Works for us.

Thanks for reading and all of your comments.

Kristin

All in God's timing

Back in January, Kelby and I discussed buying furniture for our empty formal living room. I really really really wanted couches in the room, so that it could be more functional. While playing in there, we would sit on the hard cold wooden floor. Not comfortable. Thus our discussions on furniture. We went to a couple stores, and even agreed on a couch and loveseat, and recliner chair. For some reason, I was not at peace with going forward with the purchase. Did I mention how much I wanted this furniture? There was even a deal for free delivery. But something was holding me back. That something was God. He was telling me to "wait" even though I didn't want to. We tried to justify the purchase by looking through expenses for that month, cutting even more corners, and came up with a number that we would be comfortable spending. But something still didn't feel right. So we waited on a decision. In waiting on a decision, we made the decision of "no" for now.

A few weeks later, we received the last bill from my hospital stay for having Heidi. I knew it was out there, but didn't know how much it would be after insurance finally covered their portion. When I opened the bill, I was shocked!!!. The bill was $1,052. Can you guess the total amount we had put aside for furniture? $1,054. An answer to an unspoken prayer. In just buying a house, we did not have this kind of money laying around. But God knew we would need it.

So instead of new furniture in January, we paid a hospital bill. Not as exciting, but it was our responsibility.

And thanks to God for the reminder that He has everything under his control, and in His timing. Now, if I can only recognize and listen to His voice all the time.

Heidi standing at our new couches. With a rug from
my parents underfoot. The room is comfortable now!

Wonderful news!

No, not pregnant....



no, not a place to live......



but yes, a JOB!!!! Kelby accepted a job as a Mechanical Engineer for Novelis Aluminum, in Oswego, New York. He starts September 23rd, and he'll be working in a maintenance capacity at the cold mill plant. Thanks for all the prayers! We are super excited for this next adventure. (and especially for a salary!!!!)

It's harder to update the blog from my tablet, as typing on that is tedious. So I have to bum Kelby's computer, as our main computer is in storage.

Today we took Heidi and the dogs for a walk along the Erie Canal. While growing up, I used to ride my bike along the canal, so it was a neat reflection merging my old with my new. Today's temperature was 60 and cloudy, so Heidi was wrapped up in a couple of blankets. Skipper was not having the best of days, so we took it slow and easy.

Heidi has had a burst in development. It is miraculous watching her learn new skills, most of which haven't required any teaching on my part. Just giving her opportunities and time to practice what she wants to learn, shows her inner drive. Fascinating, especially since she can the ability to use all her senses at the same time. Heidi is now sitting totally unassisted, and is propping with one hand in order to use the other hand to play. While on her stomach, she is turning in multiple circles, and rolling around. She has started pushing backwards on the floor. She is making lots of different sounds, and shows great anticipation. Her giggle is contagious. Heidi can now pick up a puff using a partial pincer grasp, and put it into her mouth to eat. She consistently turns to her name, and recognizes sounds such as Skype. Heidi prefers to have me close by, and has started looking for me when someone else holds her (sooo cute!). While nursing, if there are lots of distractions, she will look around the room. Heidi has slept 11 or 12 hours straight at night, but that means her naps are shorter.

We took her in for another evaluation for her head, this time at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics. They also recommend a helmet, for her plagiocephaly. If anything, it is more pronounced since the first evaluation 5 weeks ago. We go back this week for Heidi to be fitted and scanned for a helmet. We are trying to have insurance cover it, but not sure if her asymmetry will be significant enough. Insurance had me write a letter, describing what I have already tried in terms of re-positioning. I used lots of work terminology. That made me glad for my experience.

And now, what you have been waiting for. Pictures.

Heidi, me, Sophie, Skipper (and mom taking the picture) before leaving TX.

Heidi and Grandma, on Grandma's week that she
would be returning to work, except she is now retired!

A major reason we are now living in NY.
I get to spend time with my Grandma.
This makes me happy.

Heidi and me, enjoying the outdoors.

Grandpa is teaching Heidi how to read the newspaper.

Heidi and her Daddy.

Update from Central New York

Everyone made it safe and sound. Our moving truck has been unloaded into a storage unit, and we are settling in at my parent's house. (thanks for everyone's help back in Texas to get the truck loaded!) Heidi has my sister's old room, and Kelby, myself, and both dogs have the guest bedroom. We are making it work. My parents put a lot of effort into re-arranging the house.

The weather is wonderful. High's are in the 60's and 70's, with lows in the 40's and 50's. Great daytime temperatures, and great sleeping temperatures! It's rained a few days, but that just keeps everything green for longer. The dogs love being outside, and we are taking longer walks than in Texas. The dogs are learning the boundaries of the yard, and to not bark at passing dogs.

Heidi spends time outside on a blanket, and today she touched grass. Was not impressed. Will try again. She is now sitting unsupported for a few minutes at a time. She wants to eat anything in sight, therefore I can no longer eat in front of her, as she reaches out for the food, or opens her mouth for a bite. So far, Heidi has tried sugar snap peas, peaches, apple sauce, green beans, bread, as well as cereal. Another post at a later point in time with my baby eating method (it's not conventional!)

Kelby had a face-to-face interview with a company in Oswego, NY. Please pray that we hear good news this week!

We miss all our friends and family back in Texas. If you would like our temporary address, please let us know! We will be keeping our cell phone numbers the same.


~ Kristin, Kelby, Heidi, Skipper, Sophie

Heidi Medical Update

Today, we went to Cranial Technologies, and they are recommending a helmet (DOC band) to help with Heidi's asymmetrical head shape. She will have to wear it for 6-9 weeks, if we are able to start while she is 4 months old. Once she is fitted for the helmet, she will need weekly adjustments until her skull is as symmetrical as they can make it. The helmet will weight 4-6 ounces, depending on the size.


That is the short story. Now for the long story.


For a while now, I noticed that the top of Heidi's head was flatter on the top right than the left. I kept hoping it would change, but if anything is became more pronounced, but still not noticeable to most people. I also noticed that she preferred to keep her head looking to her left, and always slept facing that direction, and sucked her left thumb, as well as rolling over her left shoulder. At her 4 month checkup yesterday, I asked her pediatrician what he thought, and he recommended we have an evaluation for a cranial orthotic. He gave Heidi a diagnosis of asymmetry to cranium - plagiocephaly. (I was hopeful that he would just say I was being overly anal - nope).

I made an appointment with Cranial Technologies - good thing they were able to fit us in today, otherwise my mind would have gone crazy!

They took pictures of Heidi's head, and used a soft cloth to push her hair down so the pictures were more accurate. A Physical Therapist and Orthotist spent a long time with us, going over the results. She has Plagiocephaly . Heidi's presents atypical, as she head lilts to the left, and turns left as well. It is attributed to have started while in-utero (in-utero molding) with not having enough space to move around, and presenting in a very low position for so many weeks. She also has two flat spots on the back of her head, which is not typical for this diagnosis. Usually, a baby has a flat spot one one side, or it is symmetrically flat. Thus Heidi's head is more elongated than they want (parietal narrowing), and we want the back of her head to widen. With her head height unleveling, we want the right top to continue to grow. Her left ear has moderate shifting forward (anterior ear shift), and the area above her left eye is slightly bulging (anterior orbit shift).

They strongly recommended we pursue treatment, which is in the form of a helmet. A helmet will prevent the curved parts of Heidi's skull to not grow, and the flat portions to grow outward. We went over a bunch of different stretches to help elongate her left side neck muscle. The stretches will help Heidi look right, and bring her chin closer to her right shoulder. If possible, they want her sleeping on her back, looking right. For supervised naps, she can continue sleeping on her stomach, looking to her right with her right arm down by her side.

They were very confident that her cranial sutures are all fine, so we are NOT dealing with craniosynotosis. They saw nothing of concern about her brain development. I specifically asked a few times if we needed further testing, and they stated no.

So that was my day. On one hand, I am glad that this is my background, as it made it easier to understand and ask questions. And I have worked with more kids than I can remember who have worn this type of helmet. But on the other hand, I worry even more.

Please pray that we are able to get in this week for more specific measurements for the helmet, with no issues with insurance. And that we can fit the helmet next week. I'm thankful that there is a location outside of New York City, and one in New Jersey, so we will be able to continue treatment up there, just with lots of time driving in the car. Please pray that my mind stays calm.

Friendships will be missed.

We have made wonderful friends during these years in TX. I will never forget those friends who opened up their lives and hearts, and I learned to let them in. Friendships go through a natural progression as we grow and mature. Some friends are placed into our lives for a season. Others will be forever in our hearts, no matter the physical distance between.

One such couple, Lad and Joan, are my "adopted" Texas grandparents. And now with Heidi, they are her "adopted" great-grandparents. It works well in both directions. Heidi has more people to love on her, and pray for her, and show her Godly examples. And they receive lots of hugs and smiles in return. 

A huge unexpected benefit of not working right now, is that I can spend quality time with people during the day while Kelby is at his internship. Last week, I spent time with Lad and Joan. Joan attempted to teach Heidi "sooo big." And I taught Joan how to set up a blog, Journey With Joan. You will have to check it out!

And since I have learned that most posts can be boring without a picture, here is Skipper getting in on Heidi's photo shoot. How do the dogs always know when something soft and squishy is on the ground???? And speaking of Skipper, his latest medical update: first heart medication did not help his blood pressure, so now he is on a second medication. We go back next week for a check. Now, I have to shove 4 pills a day down his throat. Praying that this combination brings his blood pressure down to a safer level!

Skipper

Official Notice to Move

While I am thinking of it, I wanted to remember to write down my other reasons for starting the blog up again. We are moving at the end of August. At least, we are moving out of Texas. We don't have a specific location, yet, as that will depend on where Kelby finds employment. I just looked at the calender; it is 9 weeks away, or 2 months left to go!! Eeekkk. We have discussed this idea for a long time now, and had to wait for Kelby to finish his degree. But now the closer it comes, the more real our decision feels. I will not miss the Texas heat or the emphasis on spending money/shopping, but will deeply miss the friendships we have formed. I have lived in TX for 9 years now, the majority of my adult life. That is a lot of connections and memories that have to stay behind in Texas. I came here directly after receiving my undergraduate degree, in my green Ford Escape, with all of my belongs in the back seat and trunk. As I start to consider packing, I realized I will be leaving TX with a husband, a child, 2 dogs, two cars, and a huge moving truck. Wow. I have accumulated lots! :)

Ok, longer tangent than I expected up there. Back on track.... I have friends who do not use Facebook. And FB seems to be the place where most updates occur. I wanted to give these friends a way to keep up to date with our lives, without me having to send "update emails." Emails sounded like too much work! So back to the blog I came. I hope our friends will continue to read about our lives, the interesting and mundane.  Who am I kidding, they probably just want to see pictures!

As well, I have always liked the thought of a journal, but am never good at the follow through. Through the purpose of letting friends know what is going on in our lives, it holds some accountability to the idea. It is also a great way to keep record of our lives, and I can easily turn the blog into a memory book.

Back to the moving plan, I guess I think about it often, as it seems like it will be a lot of work. I gave official written notice to our apartment complex, that August 31st will be our last day. That really made it sink in, and no turning back! As of right now, we will be homeless September 1st. Unless, of course, we already have a new place to live.


PS. prayers for Kelby to find a job would be greatly appreciated!

PPS. and since most people enjoy pictures, here you go. This is one of my favorite pictures that first week Heidi was here, taken by my mom. Doesn't she look little!

Kristin and Heidi, April 2013

Tortured by Bugs

Two days ago, Kelby convinced me to go fishing with him. We packed up his fishig pole and the dogs and drove to the nearest state park. It was evening, but the bugs didn't seem bad. Boy, was I mistaken. I watched the dogs, took burrs off of Sophie, and read a book. Kelby had a few bites on his line, but was not able to reel in a fish. I knew I had a few bites around my ankles, but they were not bad. That turned out to be a HUGE understatement!

All of yesterday more and more bites showed themselves. By last night, I was in tears, as they hurt excessively. Kelby stopped at the store on his way home from work. Then we spent an hour trying to come up with a solution to stop the itching. NOTHING has helped. Today I have not been able to focus my mind, except to try and  prevent myself from itching. It's hard to count all the bites, but I think I have around 40. Yes, 40 large red splotches.

We think they are chiggers (which we do not have in the Northeast). They are between my knees and shoulders, and concentrated on my butt. We believe they can last over a week. This will be a looooong week. Kelby has a couple, but my body seems to react much stronger than his. Skipper also has some on his legs and feet,  and he keeps licking and scratching. So I am not alone in my misery. I have not had this type of reaction since I found out that I am allergic to Tylenoll. But this experience helps me to understand what my kids go through when they fight different allergies.

Currently I am sitting in the bathtub, with the coldest water that I can tolerate. Pray that God takes away the itching, and heals my skin.

Woohoo

Kelby's celebration dinner, for nailing a mechanical engineering internship this summer. And it is even paid. It is a huge answer to prayer. We are super excited to be able to spend evenings and weekends together.

Sophie is home

Kelby picked up Sophie from the vet this afternoon. When I arrived home after work, she was in a cage, and was standing, wagging her tail. I would definitely say that she is on the road to recovery. Her right hind leg and hip is shaved, and there is a row of stitches along her knee, heading upwards. She has a cone around her head to prevent her from scratching or biting at her leg. There is no bandage or cast on her leg, so we will have to be extremely careful.

Skipper has been very careful. He went up to her and sniffed for a minute, and went back to his spot on the couch to sleep. Sophie ate a little food, and tried to walk around. She hobbled on three legs. When she tried to turn to the right, she fell over as she is not yet putting weight on that leg. She is on 2 pain medications, and sleeping often.

The vet was pleased with the surgery. It will take her a few weeks to a few months to fully recovery. But so far, so good! :)

Thank you all for your prayers and phone calls.

Our sweet Sophie

Sophie is scheduled for surgery this Tuesday. We drop her off at the vet in the morning, and not sure if we can pick her up the same day, or wait until the next day. Her right hind leg, the knee keeps popping out of joint.  The first time, we couldn't get it back in place, so off we rushed to the emergency vet (expensive bill!). That night, even without much activity, it popped out a few more times. The next day Kelby dropped her at our vet, and they did lots of tests, bloodwork, and x-rays (expensive bill #2). Sophie is now taking a pain/anti-inflamation pill, and Kelby would like to wrap our apartment in bubblewrap to try and keep Sophie safe. It's been hard trying to keep her from running and jumping. She is wanting to be close to us, more so than in the past.

We will keep you updated. Prayers are appreciated.

Pray for Kelby

We received some unfortunate news regarding Kelby's knee this past week. A surgeon told us that Kelby needs exploratory surgery on his left knee, as the MRI and X-rays showed a severe lateral torn meniscus. During the surgery, the doctor will decide if it can be fixed, or just cut out the torn pieces. The doctor was not very promising on the odds of being able to fix this kind of injury. The life-long implications are overwhelming, as many of our goals and dreams may need to be rewritten, depending on the outcome of the surgery.

Please pray that Kelby's surgery goes smoothly, and that the knee can be fully fixed. That his pain is minimal. That his recovery time will be short. A long recovery means that much more time off from work. Pray that Kelby is spared from having "old man knees" for the rest of his life.

His surgery is on November 17th.

Thank you!

Prayers needed

My close friend, Lindsey, is in need of your help. She was in a softball accident March 26th, and the point of impact was her eye. She broke her nose, but of more concern, the bones around her eye. The doctors did surgery to reposition all the bones, but there is still a lot of swelling. Due to the swelling, we don't know about her vision in that eye. She will need plastic surgeries down the road. Prayers are needed for her vision to be restored. As well, she didn't qualify for disability from work, so financially everything is hard with medical bills and a morgage. If you want more specific information, let me know.

We appreciate your prayers.