Catching Up!

Hello 2023! Looks like I have a ton of catching up to do! So my last post was me explaining how our surgeries had failed, and truly both Norman and I were at a loss. We were able to only get prescriptions for our pain medications from our DC doctors one last time post surgery, but since the government ended the "emergency teledoc" services, that meant that we couldn't be given any prescriptions unless we were seen in person. And Norman and I could not commit to flying from Oklahoma to Washington DC every single month. We were struggling to find a pain management team here in Oklahoma, but we did eventually find one of the few doctors who does prescribe pain medication. Most of the doctors here only do injections, which I cannot have, so we were really worried for a while. But we did find a new medical team, and they did propose a different treatment plan...the electrical spine stimulator. So in the next few weeks, both Norman and I will be undergoing the trial to see if the device makes a difference for us, and if so, we will have the surgeries to have the device implanted. We are so hopeful, because this has a very high success rate, so we will hopefully get relief from it!

Emma has been with us now for several months, and we enjoy having her here. She moved in with us during the end of summer, but now it just feels like she has always been with us. Eli is driving now, and Chase has completed Drivers-Ed and will be getting his permit this week. It's so crazy how fast it has gone. I still remember going to the hospital to have them, and now they are 16 and 19. It goes by too fast!

For Christmas we surprised the kids by flying to Florida and taking them to Universal Studios to an event called Orlando Informer. It basically is a night time event where they only allow a small amount of guests in the park, and since there aren't as many people there, there are pretty much no lines, and all restaurants are free. Not really free...it is just unlimited food and drinks that you pay for with each ticket purchase. Everyone had a ball, and I made some cute videos of our trip...I'll link below. Norman and I did struggle a lot, and if anything it just highlighted the difficulties we both have with our backs and legs. With Chase and me both dealing with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS, it was a really painful trip. But the kids had a ball, and that was the whole point. So I'd say it was still a success.  Both Norman and I did end up needing scooters, which was a completely new experience, and once we got home It took me about 9 days of hobbling around my room before I even wanted to venture out into the kitchen. It is so disheartening to see how much of a difference I have in my mobility from the last time we went to Disney/Universal and then our Israel trip in 2019. Both Norman and I are praying so hard that this implant truly will help us. For all of my readers who pray, please keep Norman and me...plus our three kiddos in your prayers. Our issues affect the whole family, so please remember the kids. 💗

That pretty much catches me up! I will post some photos below along with some little video links I made of our trip. I hope that those of you who still read my blog are having a great 2023! I'll try to not take 4 months until my next post!!! 😂 Ciao!

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Harry Potter Link!

 

Spiderman Video & Family Snippet 

 

Goofy Kiddos

 

 Christmas Videos!

Family Christmas Video

 

Our House/Christmas Decorations 

 

And here is a picture of the kids with Nana after their Christmas performance. They are both in Spotlight Theater Productions, and Eli has one last semester with them before he graduates. My baby is grown! 😭🤯🥺

New Wheels & Theater Party

Well, after weeks...well, more like months of needing to get the boys vehicles, we finally buckled down and got it done last week. We traded in our expensive (read 'much beloved family car that we could finally afford bc we only needed one vehicle") car to get a more affordable family car with a small enough payment to afford Eli and Chase's cars. 

We are all very happy with our vehicles, and the whole process was made even easier and better because we were able to get all three at the same place. That was pretty amazing, and we were so thankful that we didn't have to go schlepping all over town for 3 different transactions. 

Then last Saturday we hosted the summer party for the kids theater group, and there were soooo many kids, and soooo much food! The day was gorgeous, besides the fact that it was 100° and I believe one of the hottest days of the year. Half of the time was spent swimming, then they came inside to play the Wii before a few of the kids went back out to swim again. By that point we still had so much food left over and I was missing my family, so my brother & sis-in-law and their 3 kiddos came over to eat and do a night swim. I believe we had about 13 kiddos from the theater group over, and I could not be happier with this group. They are so sweet and kind and appreciative of everything. They are an easy group to love! So here are a few photos from their summer party. I will say that as much as I love getting in the water, I won't be sad when they are forecasting snow instead of 100° temps!!! 😜

Here are some photos I took of my brother and his family later on in the evening once the party was over. I know I keep saying it, but I truly am so thankful to finally be home and have the ability to see my family whenever I want or need to.