I've been tapped to write 25 Random Facts on Facebook but felt this was a better spot. There are not many things people don't know about me - the down-fall of being talkative. However, it is interesting to think about: "what makes me unique?"
1. I have known David since I was 12 years old. We have been married for 17 1/2 years. Our first date was 21 years ago this past Monday.
2. I'm a proud Texan - born in Waxahachie, TX in 1969.
3. My dream as a child was to be a wife and mom. I chose that over a singing career - my vocal instructor was livid when I announced my engagement. She wanted me at the Denver Opera. Really???
4. "David" is a family name on both sides of our family. Chris is really "David Christopher." At one time, there were 13 living David's between the two of us.
5. I once auditioned for Lionell Harris as one of his back-ups. Made it to the final round!
6. I love movies! Pirates of the Carribean are my current favorites. But I will watch Pearl Harbor if you ask! Oh, and John Wayne movies, too. Love to watch "McLintock!" But I love black and white movies . . .then musicals - they are so happy, and I like. . .
7. I love to read! I currently have 3 books going.
8. In 2002, I weighed 263 pounds. I've lost over a 100 pounds through a surgery that almost took my life and required 3 more surgeries to fix!
9. My ipod collection is very eclectic - jazz, rock, worship, kids, musical theatre - love it all!
10. I've always wanted to ballroom dance.
11. I'm not as organized as I look. My list making and quest for order are an attempt to harness the millions of random thoughts and ideas that go through my head in an hour. Yes, hour.
12. David makes me smile. His wink makes my heart race.
13. I love to go for long drives. Just being in the car with my family, looking at God's world.
14. I play the clarinet.
15. Politics - another passion. I follow talk radio and read newspapers, magazines and watch the news. We must be aware of our world.
16. I've had the Secret Service pull their guns on me when I accidentally walked into a curtained area where President George H. Bush was standing. Hey, I got to see him up close!
17. My best friend lives in Oklahoma. We've been friends for almost 24 years!
18. I regret not studying more in college.
19. I will try most things once. Especially in a competition. I do not like to lose.
20. I love diamonds and pearls - alone or in combination!
21. Ashley is named for a childhood friend's sister who died when he and I were 9 years old. I promised him after the funeral I would name my daughter for his sister. Twenty years later, I did. Ruth is from my dear friend, Ester Ruth, who died while I was pregnant with Ashley. Wilson is my maiden name, her middle name.
22. My middle name is after my aunt, Sharon Kay.
23. My family history can be traced on paper to the 1700's when they came from Ireland - on my mom's side. My dad's family came from Scotland about the same time.
24. I love techy things!
25. A travel trailer fell on me when I was 5 and broke my back. My mother prayed immediately and God healed me. I am in awe the way God has taken care of me throughout my life.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Another Anniversary
January 27, 1999. Before 3:00 am. Horrible screams as our 6 month old daughter's right mid-cerebral artery ruptured in a massive ischemic stroke. Her tiny brain began to swell, her skull expanding - ultimately saving her life.
It was fifteen hours later when the grand mal seizures began and we were sent to the emergency room. Fifteen hours filled with doctor's visits and medications for vomiting. And nearly midnight before we are put into a dark, cold pediatric intensive care unit room surrounded by beeping machines, creeking rocking chairs of tired moms and the muted bustling of nurses.
I will never forget the loneliness as I watched from the PICU room window as David walked across the street from the emergency room to our car and left for home - wanting to be there with Chris when he awoke and assure him things were going to be okay.
Ten years. Three surgeries. Countless seizures and numerous medications. Bad diagnosis after mis-diagnosis. Tears, celebrations. Fears. Pain. More medications. Blood work. Therapies - physical, occupational, speech.
And many smiles. Little girl laughs. Giggles as her brother helped her walk. Laughing when we realized she was caring her walker instead of pushing it. Rejoicing as she skiied for the first time. Cautious fear as she climbed her first moutain with her quad.
Garth Brooks sings a song that so wraps up the life of having a child with a disability: "I could have missed the pain, but I would have had to miss the dance."
Father - I hate the pain. I hate feeling responsible. I hate the tears in the middle of the night. Watching her struggle to crawl and walk and run. The sense of loss of what could have been - should have been. What was stolen from her.
But Father God, I have loved this dance! If you took her home tonight, I would celebrate the beautiful dance of her life - the smiles, her love of children and music and camping and people and her family.
Lord, help me celebrate the dance above mourning the loss.
It was fifteen hours later when the grand mal seizures began and we were sent to the emergency room. Fifteen hours filled with doctor's visits and medications for vomiting. And nearly midnight before we are put into a dark, cold pediatric intensive care unit room surrounded by beeping machines, creeking rocking chairs of tired moms and the muted bustling of nurses.
I will never forget the loneliness as I watched from the PICU room window as David walked across the street from the emergency room to our car and left for home - wanting to be there with Chris when he awoke and assure him things were going to be okay.
Ten years. Three surgeries. Countless seizures and numerous medications. Bad diagnosis after mis-diagnosis. Tears, celebrations. Fears. Pain. More medications. Blood work. Therapies - physical, occupational, speech.
And many smiles. Little girl laughs. Giggles as her brother helped her walk. Laughing when we realized she was caring her walker instead of pushing it. Rejoicing as she skiied for the first time. Cautious fear as she climbed her first moutain with her quad.
Garth Brooks sings a song that so wraps up the life of having a child with a disability: "I could have missed the pain, but I would have had to miss the dance."
Father - I hate the pain. I hate feeling responsible. I hate the tears in the middle of the night. Watching her struggle to crawl and walk and run. The sense of loss of what could have been - should have been. What was stolen from her.
But Father God, I have loved this dance! If you took her home tonight, I would celebrate the beautiful dance of her life - the smiles, her love of children and music and camping and people and her family.
Lord, help me celebrate the dance above mourning the loss.
Terrific Tuesday
Yesterday, January 26th, was the 20th anniversary of our first date! David and I have been together for over 1/2 of our lives now.
When a friend announced her engagement today, it took me back to that first date and to first love and the excitement of an engagement. The pride in my ring. (I still love looking at my ring and remembering the love and sacrifice that brought it to me.) The thrill of wedding preparations and the joy of starting our lives together.
Today, I celebrate love. The love for my husband. The love that has seen us through so beautiful days and some dark nights. The love I still feel in my heart and know in my spirit each time I see my husband.
I love you, David.
Borrowing a line from the new love birds: Thank you for spending eternity with me, one day at a time!
When a friend announced her engagement today, it took me back to that first date and to first love and the excitement of an engagement. The pride in my ring. (I still love looking at my ring and remembering the love and sacrifice that brought it to me.) The thrill of wedding preparations and the joy of starting our lives together.
Today, I celebrate love. The love for my husband. The love that has seen us through so beautiful days and some dark nights. The love I still feel in my heart and know in my spirit each time I see my husband.
I love you, David.
Borrowing a line from the new love birds: Thank you for spending eternity with me, one day at a time!
Monday, January 26, 2009
What do you do?
What do you do when life hands you lemons and you hate lemonade?
What do you do when the song bird outside your windows is really a woodpecker?
What do you do when you have to put on a happy face but all your make-up is gone?
What do you do while you're waiting for those gray skies to clear-up and it dumps torrential rains?
What do you do when you choose to be happy but everyone else around you chooses to be a jerk?
Hmmmm.
What do you do when the song bird outside your windows is really a woodpecker?
What do you do when you have to put on a happy face but all your make-up is gone?
What do you do while you're waiting for those gray skies to clear-up and it dumps torrential rains?
What do you do when you choose to be happy but everyone else around you chooses to be a jerk?
Hmmmm.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thankful Thursday
1. Take Out Food
2. Nyquil
3. Vicks Vapor Rub
4. Hot baths
5. Husbands who cuddle
6. Kleenex
7. Chloraseptic
8. Fire Alarms
9. Email
10. Blogs
11. Hot Tea
12. Splenda
13. Hot Cocoa without Sugar
14. Diet Coke (it hasn't made the list in a few weeks)
15. Great friends at work
16. Children's laughter
17. Puppy dog cuddles (okay, Polly is growing on me!)
18. My Bible
19. Hershey's kisses
20. Hand lotion
2. Nyquil
3. Vicks Vapor Rub
4. Hot baths
5. Husbands who cuddle
6. Kleenex
7. Chloraseptic
8. Fire Alarms
9. Email
10. Blogs
11. Hot Tea
12. Splenda
13. Hot Cocoa without Sugar
14. Diet Coke (it hasn't made the list in a few weeks)
15. Great friends at work
16. Children's laughter
17. Puppy dog cuddles (okay, Polly is growing on me!)
18. My Bible
19. Hershey's kisses
20. Hand lotion
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Woo Whooo Wednesday
Let's Celebrate Life!
Take a deep breathe! Turn your face towards the sun! Enjoy the crisp winter breeze on your face!
And thank the Father for this good day!
Take a deep breathe! Turn your face towards the sun! Enjoy the crisp winter breeze on your face!
And thank the Father for this good day!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Our Saunders Family
Those of you who read my blog have often followed a link to my friend's blog, a place called simplicity. This family, our pastor's, lost their home and belongings in a fire this past week - their their son had emergency surgery and to compound the grief, their dog Lucy passed away during hip surgery.
We are bombarding ABC's Extreme Homemakeover (the Saunder's Favorite Show!) with requests for them to build a house for the Saunder's and quickly. Please follow the link and you, too can add your comments. These will be used to petition ABC for the construction.
http://lovebuildsahouse.blogspot.com/
Many have asked how they can help. There is an account sent up at First National Bank of Durango for the Saunders and donations can be made there. Until insurance is settled, their second greatest needs are financial - personal necessities, food, hospital bills.
Their first is prayer: for peace, for wisdom, for rest, for the children; for God to redeem this tragedy for His glory!
Thanks!
We are bombarding ABC's Extreme Homemakeover (the Saunder's Favorite Show!) with requests for them to build a house for the Saunder's and quickly. Please follow the link and you, too can add your comments. These will be used to petition ABC for the construction.
http://lovebuildsahouse.blogspot.com/
Many have asked how they can help. There is an account sent up at First National Bank of Durango for the Saunders and donations can be made there. Until insurance is settled, their second greatest needs are financial - personal necessities, food, hospital bills.
Their first is prayer: for peace, for wisdom, for rest, for the children; for God to redeem this tragedy for His glory!
Thanks!
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