Happy Birthday Jesus!

How in the world do you blog about Christmas and do it justice? You can't! I'll attempt. We celebrated the day of Jesus' birth with one special family member missing from our home, but joining us from Heaven. We had a hard time this year without my Dad. It was not the same, but the best present we received was his salvation and knowing he was with the Lord on the most glorious day in the most glorious of places. We missed the big black bag he'd get out to throw away all the paper and watching him opening gifts way too fast for us to relish anything. He did everything way too fast. It's those traits you think of most when you lose a loved one. I missed seeing him have exactly the same sweet reaction to every gift when all he really asked for was "a hug and a kiss". So in a way it was the hardest Christmas for me personally. But it was the sweetest knowing Jesus came to give eternal life and knowing he had bestowed that to my Dad. Even with the INSANE amount of gifts we had this year, we know the best is what Jesus gives us everyday- hope and unconditional love. Thank you Jesus for showering us with these priceless gifts everyday even on your day of birth.

We celebrated the best we could the whole season. We made cookies and handed them out to our neighbors- whom we have truly been blessed with. It was so nice to actually see inside their house this time. It made me realize how little we know them and how we could only benefit by knowing them better- do I smell a resolution? We made ornaments or should I say arguments, John? We went light watching- that was so much fun! Hot chocolate in mugs and popcorn in your car? Crazy! I burnt chex mix- impossible- not for me! We made a pecan pie and it only took 10 hours to bake- yes long story.... We read the Christmas story and Twas the night before Christmas a zillion times. Saw the Kids Crazy Christmas Show spectacular- so cute! Then we took AN AMAZING trip to Oregon- more pics to follow. I can't even begin to describe that awesome place! So for all of that we are so thankful. Merry Christmas indeed!

Dontcha wish your eye was blurry like me!

DONTCHA!

Doc says the cultures came back on ye olde crazy Lefty... And survey says: "rare" staph bug. Good news- the back up meds he had to use are what the "rare" bug is sensitive to- YAY! Thank you Jesus! So still a possibility it will come back, but not very likely.... The cataract is moving in on the right eye pupil though so it probably won't be long til that whole sphiel starts. Always got Dr. Hammy Ham to fix it up though so I'm good. As far as driving goes- yeah probably won't be able to drive til I get the left one all fixed and possibly the right one too. So several months? Again, I'm just thankful that the doctors can fix it at all. I am at tremendous peace with everything and look forward to regaining my sight.

FUNNIEST PART OF THE WHOLE DAY: Y'all get ready. Sitting next to the cutest little kid the other day who asked me if I was doing my homework (I know right? Love that kid!). I explained to him that no I was just working on my Christmas list/budget for my family and that's why there were so many calculations- Thanks Dave Ramsey! I then asked him who he was seeing and he said the same doctor that I was seeing and then told me THE CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD EVER which just so happened to be the reason for his post-op visit. Are you ready and prepared? He had surgery either 1 to 2 weeks ago (couldn't hear that part) because........

A machete fell on my eye

That's right friends. I would have paid money to see my face/reaction. What in the hay do you say to that?!?!?! I just said, "Bless your heart" ('cus I'm a Texan and that's what we say when we flabberghasted and concerned). I went on to tell him how great it was that he could have that fixed and that he was okay. But COME ON. A MACHETE!?!?!? I didn't quite get the story since I was in such shock but it really sounded like he said something about a machete he threw up in the air and it landed on his eye. I have to confess. I barely noticed a machete-eyeball-freak-accident injury on him. It looked like one eye was squinting. God bless his mother. She is a saint!!!! God bless the doctors that see stuff like that everyday and are not fazed. Holy cow.

Moving on...
We're looking forward to celebrating Jesus' bday round these parts. Leelah's starting to ask for toys and doggies instead of oatmeal and lipstick. Dang it she found out how it works! I'm in trouble. Thank goodness I got almost all of her toys at the Goodwill. That's right. Only took an hour to disinfect them! By Golly! After Christmas- the next day in fact- we are all heading via plane to Stayton, Oregon. Thanks Nana and Pop for the trip! And Amy and Matt for booking it! We are super pumped!!! Let me show you where we're staying...

Funny thing- John called the owner the other night to inquire about high chairs. We really don't want to bring Leelah's crusty old booster seat. He found out that they don't have them, but if she quote "gets wiggly we can tie her to the chair with a necktie". Is it just me or does this stuff happen to anyone else daily? I mean seriously people. A NECKTIE!? I love it. I cannot wait to meet her! It's snowing up there so pray for us Texans as we don our snazzy rubber boots and look like Gordon's Fisherman or Serial Killers. Will post pics when we return next week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! God bless you and yours and may your new year be full of joy and blessings!

Bye Bye Bubble!

Tonight as I was eating at the dining table with the fam I noticed that the "air bubble" the doctor put in my eye was a whole lot smaller than it was. Then while I was painting our salt-dough ornaments I noticed it wasn't there anymore! I finally have a somewhat clear eye and I am very grateful for it! Now it's still completely blurred since I have to put in all the drops to dialate it, but it's a VAST improvement. It is still pretty achy and painful, but I am hopeful that will go away soon. I am really looking forward to seeing my doctor tomorrow- literally! The right eye is still full of junk, but it will be fixed eventually. Still unable to drive, but I have taken this time of leaning on others as a learning time. I have also greatly enjoyed all the time spent with my mom, Leelah and John. God has definitely brought me to my knees this year through significant losses and I have really gained so much.

On a side note, this afternoon I watched The Break-Up and was none too pleased. It was basically about a couple breaking up. I guess I missed the funny parts. I just thought it was too real. I mean jeez. Who wants to watch a couple argue?

Random Thoughts and Goings-Ons Pics

Today was an odd day of firsts. I took care of some business for my mom and my family. I applied for my father's grave marker through Veteran's Affairs. We never had the chance to take care of this so it is closure and I have to say I'm still in shock. Today someone even told me, "I was sorry to hear about your father." I never thought I would hear anyone say that to me. Isn't that only said in movies? Apparently not. Maybe it's just the sadness I get from watching Life Aquatic (great movie by the way) and seeing Bill Murray who was my dad and I's favorite actor. Was? Is? I really don't know how to tense verbs when speaking of my dad. Still in shock. Please pray for our little family. We will celebrate the Lord's birth and are so thankful for Him. However, it will be tough.

Our days are not really what I would call "normal". My mom had to turn down a realty show producer today. She had applied to be on a realty show and made it to the final round. But due to my many eye issues and surgeries, she had to pass. I know God will reward her with better things. It's okay if you don't believe me. I hardly believe the things that happen to me or around me every day. I will tell you that I am a Christian Aggie so that means that I'm double honest.

On a fun note, Leelah got to wear her new purple boots today. We got them at Walmart with my gift certificate- thank you Grandpa! As soon as she put them on she went into diva mode and gave us this over the shoulder I'm too hot for school look. She's hilarious. She cracks me up constantly. Thank you God for this everloving blessing. Today we decorated sugar cookies and distributed them to our neighbors. Leelah's thoughts, "I like handing out the cookies to all of the people in their houses." It was great to give them out. I hope they didn't think I had Ebola on account of the insane bloodshot eye though... I promise they were plague-free!

I know this has been a random post and I thank you for reading thus far. Please to enjoy some of our 2008 Christmas Greatest Hits including: That Big Ol' Galleria Tree, Gillian's Bday Dinner, Leelah and Rebecca at Ceramics by Tess, Leelah's Christmas Tree, Our Ugliest Christmas Sweater Party for our Bible Study Class, Leelah and a huge pretzel humanoid, Me after surgery, and many more!

Eye made it!

Doing okay today. Surgery went well! Praise the Lord! I am saying through a "pool" of liquid in my eye which is actually an air bubble, and I didn't have to have the gas bubble put in- no retinal tearing. So I am happy. The bubble should dissipate by next week sometime. Looking forward to getting a clear eye! Right now eye is completely bloodshot- I mean scary blood red.
I did throw the always at ease doc for a loop when I told him what meds I was allergic to. He did not like that I said vancomycin since that's his fave antibiotic to use in endopthalmetis killing. He is anxious to get the culttures back to see what kind of germs were in the eye. He said that he is hoping it wasn't one of the "really nasty" ones. I pray that it isn't since those are especially hard to heal. But as for now I will take life by an inch. Thank you for your prayers. They are felt! I go in next week for another check up.

Monday

Vitrectomy got moved up to Monday- Thank God! Please pray all goes well and for no more eye pain and clear vision! Will update later next week...

Eyegate continues....

Next surgery (left eye vitrectomy) on Jan. 8th! At this point it's more of a to-do-list type thing I got to knock out. No big whoop. But it is feeling "angry" in that eyeball. Kinda like Dr. Mario in there with a bunch of germs jumping around. Oh wait- yeah so last week I went to lens doc and this week to retina doc both confirmed that I have an "indolent" (college boy talk) infection from the lensectomy surgery going on. What happened was during the lensectomy the germs on the white part of my eye (everyone has them I'm not "dirty") get scrubbed off all except for about 1% and guess who got those bad boys jumping in to mess it up? Me. Of course! The girl who made an intern quit from watching me give birth! I'm high maintenance y'all. You will NOT see a post of my birth story for Leelah and you should be thankful! So the vitrectomy on the 8th will take out the germs hopefully. In some cases (have heard that before!) the infection might come back. Then I would have to have the lens removed and be without for 6 mos and then have it put in again. SO prayers this does NOT happen. I wouldn't really mind, because I'm thankful I can have anyone fix anything with my eyes at all. I would just prefer to not go through that.

Things are good though. I found out finally that there's a vending machine in the Baylor Eye Clinic but it's heavily guarded.... Like in Harry Potter - Sorcerers Stone. When you go there 1-2 times per week and spend 3-5 hrs there each time. COME ON DUDE. My mom and I joke that we'll bring thermoses (thermosi?) full of soup and a sleeping bag next time. But seriously, my docs are brilliant and are well worth the wait!!! I HIGHLY recommend them and praise God for their talent, skill and courage to work on challenging googlyeyed folks.

Did I mention my 2 yr old daughter asks to toast our drinks when we eat now? Does that bother anyone else? Leelah is growing up too fast. I love that little kid! Pics of trees coming soon....

Dancing with the Engineers

John and I tore it up at his office Christmas Party this past Friday! We had an absolute blast coming up with crazy What If situations and laughing. We got all gussied up and this is what happened: extreme goofiness. Sure things all started out cordial and fancy, but as ush we took it to crazytown U.S.A. Lots of fun.
I snapped instead of sung to Carly Simon's You're SO Vain- what? Yeah who chose that!? I would much prefered "Lady Lumps" or something fun.



We also did the "Whiteman's Overbite". John shredded on the air quitar for which I have a pic however our external hardrive is not cooperating. John you are free from embarrassment. This time!