Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sam Turner--Request for Prayer

It has been a while since I updated on Sam's illness. He was doing well, finished up all of his chemo and laser treatment and the tumors had scarred over (gone)--several eye exams completed with good reports. Monday, he went for another eye exam and the tumors have begun growing back in one eye--3 tumors, about the same size as when they started. He had to begin chemo again today. Please, please keep sweet Sam and family (mother Beth, father Brandon, and big brother Brooks) in your prayers. I simply can't imagine what they must be going through at this point. They have always been such an inspiration to me of strength and faith during trial. Pray that the Lord's hand would continue to uphold them and that the Lord would heal this sweet child without complications and with the least amount of pain possible. We know He is able! When we gather in His name, He is there. Let us gather mightily!

Too much time has passed

So...I have been terrible about blogging. I will attempt to catch up. Warning, this will probably be a long ramble.

It seems as if I would have more time since Barrett started 3-K and is gone for 3 hours each day in the week and Jace is at MDO 2 days a week, but somehow I seem to get less done. On the days they are both gone the times vary and I feel like I spend much of the day in the car.

Barrett continues to love 3-K, except for the days he stays all day. That has been a rough adjustment for him. I have had the privilege of adding a new title to my resume. I was asked to be a clinical instructor for Auburn University at our hospital. I am doing that 2 days a week and the boys both stay all day at their "school" those days. Jace has adjusted just fine. Barrett not so much. Yesterday I picked him up and his face was all red and swollen, big alligator tears streaming down his face. His teacher said he spent much of the day in her lap and after trying all the gentle approaches, she said, "Barrett all that crying is starting to hurt my ears. If you don't stop crying, you are going to have to go sit somewhere else." She said he just looked at her, took a deep breath, paused, got down, and went and cried somewhere else. Said it just broke her heart. I can so see it though.

It has been so interesting to see the differences in the boys personalities. Barrett will let you baby him to the end. Very cautious about trying new things. Feels safe as long as you are in sight. Very much a mamma's boy. My snuggle buddy. Jace is Mr. Independent. No qualms about entertaining himself. Ever the adventurer. If he can't reach something, he will go get the stool out of the bathroom so he can. Too busy to snuggle much, so I CHERISH each one. Very much a roll with the punches and if life throws you lemons, make lemonade kinda guy. Except when he is sick or teething--then a bit of a drama queen. Barrett on the other hand is quite the stoic with pain or sickness unless it is imagined or made up and then it is dramatic. Barrett has an enormous imagination. Lately that imagination has morphed into manipulation/lying at times. Trying to teach him against that and in the best way possible. Any advice from mothers who have dealt with this before is welcome.

About my new title of clinical instructor. I just started not long ago and it has been a learning experience. For one, I am doing clinicals on a med-surge floor. I have never worked med-surge except to orient for these clinicals. And two, I have never taught before. I feel a bit out of my element. I feel like I am on a wobbly pair of training wheels and need to gain a bit more confidence. I am such a perfectionist. I just hope that I put my students in good-stead for their future in school and once they get out. I am very much enjoying it though. Will be thankful when I feel comfortable taking off the training wheels and riding solo.

Other career news...I have begun the application process for graduate school. I have decided to go back and get my masters in nursing. Hoping to start next fall in the nurse practitioner program at UAB. Excited and nervous about it. Haven't done the school thing in quite some time and never with having to balance life as a wife, mother, and employee as well as a student. A bit daunting to think about, but I know I can do it. Just hope to do all of the above well. I have always performed well under pressure!

For all the time that has elapsed since my last post, I feel like there is a lack of exciting news to share. Sorry. May think of more later. If I do, I will share.

Barrett has his Halloween part at school tomorrow and then there are Fall Festivals this weekend. Excited about the boys dressing up! I'll post some pics Sunday evening.