Brittainy's Journey

Whirlwind

2010-02-02T19:55:00.004-06:00

It has been a long time since my last post, and that "long time" has been filled with a whirlwind of events.

Lexi's surgery went well, but her recovery was really hard on her. She was extremely sick and in some pain for a full week. My surgery went well, and after three days in the hospital I was released thinking I would be home to snuggle with both the kids and recover with Lexi. Boy was I wrong about that.

Ten days after Lexi's surgery, she began to hemorage in the middle of the night. After a trip to the ER, to be told, "whatever it was has stopped, eat a popsicle and go on home", I called her surgeon in Amarillo who told us to get her up there ASAP to be examined. After seeing her surgeon, who removed a couple of blood clots in the back of her throat, said that she should be fine, but to linger around town for an hour before heading home. After an hour and a half wait, the ride home began. No more than 20 miles towards home and she started hemoraging AGAIN. I called her surgeon as she was rushed back to the clinic. He once again found another blood clot (which had formed between the last visit and the next episode) and he injected the back of her throat four times with numbing medication. By this round we had decided to stay in Amarillo for the night to be cautious. Her surgeon told us that he saw nothing else to do and that we should take her to a movie and to dinner as we normally would, BUT if it happened again she would definitely be going into surgery.

So ... we checked into a hotel room and decided on a movie to take her to after finding something to eat. All she wanted was the icing off of a cupcake and some ice cream, which I agreed to just so she would eat something, and the surgeon also said that cold foods would help keep her vessels constricted. Then it was off to the movies, where we watched The Princess and the Frog (super cute movie by the way) and she enjoyed a Coke Icee. After the movie we went back to hotel and got ready for bed. She was very tired, which was understandable, and we snuggled up to get a good nights sleep. Thinking the nightmare was over. But it was just beginning.

At midnight my daughter sat up in bed, grabbed my arm and began hemoraging yet again. I immediately called her surgeons emergency number and explained to the answering service what was happening. I waited no more than 2 minutes on hold before he was on the phone telling me to meet him at the hospital in half an hour. While making her gargle ice cold water (to constrict the vessels) we gathered the necessary items and was at the surgical center within 15 minutes where we found the staff waiting outside for us to arrive. They scooped her in, prepped her and off they took her to emergency surgery.

A little over an hour later her surgeon came back to the room informing us that the procedure went well and that she was in recovery. She had formed a few more blood clots which was allowing blood to continually run down her throat and into her stomach causing the hemoraging. He ordered a CBC on her for testing and told us to try and rest until later in the morning.

A few hours later, we were informed that she had lost 3.4 units of blood and that her clotting factors were well above normal, especially for a child. These results meant she needed a blood transfusion along with two plasma units to prevent more clotting while she recovered from this surgery. The thing with transfusions is that you need blood to cross-reference. She was severely dehydrated and low on blood. Various RN's and anethesists "dug" on her for a little over four hours, making 16 holes that were entered 30+ times to get a mere 2 ML of blood. They went in her arms, her wrists, her hands, her feet and eventually her groin.

During the last hour of attempting to draw her blood, all I could do was lay my head on her legs and pray. I was lifting my princess for the Lord to heal and to cover her in peace and comfort. At that time I heard the anethesist say, "I can't do this anymore. Not to her. We have to try something different." And as he pulled the needle up it flashed and the blood began to flow. At that moment I noticed 9 people in her room, around her bed, all praying and laying hands on her little worn out body simultaneously. When I say 9 people, I mean 9 people besides myself, my mother and my father. They were surgeons, RN's and lab techs.

Once the blood was drawn, it was a waiting game before the units arrived. The process of the plasma and transfusion took all night long. It began around 6:30 and ended at 8:00 the next morning. The poor night RN had her work cutout for her. With Lexi being such a young kid, there are so many precautions to take. She would come into her room, assess her for 20 minutes, leave and come back 10 minutes later to start over. I felt bad for her, but in turn was ever so grateful for her taking such good care of my daughter.

Now ... we are in a waiting game. Lexi is on limited activity, no recess and no PE until we see a pediatric hemotologist in a few weeks. Her dr's and surgeons believe that the medical mysteries we have had with her for the past year, along with her almost dying from hemoraging out, could very well be because she could have Von Willamsbrand. It is a blood clotting disorder which causes you to bleed-out after surgical procedures, injuries, etc. IF she in fact has this disorder it is not curable but can be treated in advance for future procedures. So it is a positive thing to know and a blessing in the medical field to have the accessibility to so many treatments.

Corbyn has done well throughout all of this considering that his Sissy cannot wrestle and Mommy hasn't been able to lift him. He is such a sweet boy and snuggles with her and I gently and plays just as sweet and easy.

At the beginning of this blog is a picture of Lexi in her "transfusion tiara". She was my little "blood princess". So brave. Words will never describe the event, how we all felt, how Lexi handled it all, and my gratefulness and love for each of my friends and family members that constantly prayed for and over my daughter, myself and my son during the past 6 weeks. God bless each of you!

Serenity now ... Insanity later

2009-12-21T23:32:00.002-06:00

After having a road trip with my daughter today to see an ENT about her tonsil problems he decided within the first five minutes that her tonsils definitely need to come out. Soon. So ... with that being said, her surgery is set for next Monday. Yes ... a week from today!

The next couple of weeks are going to be pure chaos in my household, but I have faith that once this year ends, 2010 is going to be fabulous! With Christmas just a few days away we are doing what everyone else is doing this time of year. Spending it with family and friends while filling each and every waking moment with travels, meals, gift exchanges, photos and memories. So, now I am throwing into the mix a tonsilectomy the Monday after Christmas which will be followed by my hysterectomy just two days after that. The good thing is that my princess and I can snuggle up together while we recovery for a few days.

I am praying for successful procedures, fast recoveries and for my little man, who is only two years old, to understand that this is only temporary and that things will settle down shortly after.

May all of your Christmas vacations be filled with ease and magic!

CHRISTmas ...

2009-12-18T13:52:00.003-06:00

I absolutely love this time of year. I love how the lights put a soft glow in a cozy living room and how they twinkle in the night. I love wrapping gifts for my loved ones and anxiously waiting to see their faces as they open them. I can sit up for hours wrapping gifts at night. I love baking and making Christmas candies. I love my children's faces each morning during December as they wake up to find the Elf on a Shelf, who they have named "Elfie", and as they look in each of their Advent Calendars to see what the "Christmas Angel" has brought to them for being so sweet and saying their prayers everyday. I love the togetherness with family and friends and how old memories surface into the funniest stories, with each person having a slightly different rendition. I love the smell of all things Christmasy. But most of all I love, and I mean I LOVE, that it is Christ Jesus' birthday. He is absolutely the reason for the season.

As I have tried to emphasize on the importance of this to my children they are growing to love that part of Christmas as much as I do. My daughter, who is 6, has already made the statement numerous times that she wants to bake a birthday cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning before opening any gifts. And my son will say, "Jesus birfday" (birthday out of a 2 year olds mouth). The very first gift they received in their Advent Calendar was a daily devotional book for December. A Christmas countdown. Each day we read a story leading up to Jesus' birth, a devotional, a scripture and it has a neat craft for each day as well. They love this book! It is such a joy to experience this with my children.

I have been pleased to notice that more people are making a point to say, "Merry Christmas" to each other and to send cards with it written inside them. I have personally only encountered one lady that told me to have a "happy holiday" and I returned the gesture with, "You have a very Merry CHRISTmas as well". When I said this she in turn told me, "Merry Christmas to you, too". I instantly had the feeling that she was saying "happy holiday" to customers out of fear she would offend someone by saying Christmas. I hope that my insistance in saying Christmas will give her the faith and ability to say what her heart wants to. For HE in no means deserves for us to be worried about others feelings in regards to HIM. Those people need to be reminded that HE is the reason for EVERYTHING.

My daughter's class did a fabulous job on their program this morning during their classroom Christmas party. They recited two poems and sang three songs. Afterwards they performed the reindeer hokey pokey and it was precious. They all wore reindeer antlers and had their noses painted red. It was the sweetest thing seeing those small children work so hard with their teacher to show us what they had been working on. Sweet babies! One little girl ran up and hugged my neck. She didn't say one word to me. She just ran over, wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek before going back to her desk. I do not know what the reasoning was behind the affection, but I hugged her back. Sometimes we all just need a hug. Right?

With all this being said, I want to wish every single one of you a very Merry CHRISTmas and a fabulous new year. I hope to be back and blog before 2010 begins, but I will be enjoying my children and family and may not think of it before then.

May God bless each of you with safe travels, happy hearts, smiling faces, memories, hugs, pictures, full stomachs and the love of HIS birthday surrounding you. You are all special to me and I am blessed by each of your friendships. May you remember that HE had the birthday and we received the gift! Merry CHRISTmas to you all.

Motherhood is NOT for Sissies ...

2009-11-14T12:05:00.005-06:00

I have officially decided that I need more time in each day the Lord blesses me with.

It seems like the older I get, along with the additional wisdom, I am not getting any better with time managment. And that is something I dearly need help with.

For the past few months I have been juggling a job, two children - one of whom started kindergarten this year and the other that has recently entered the "terrific two's" - marriage, friendships, a side job (candle sales), my daughter's school activities, my own school work, Christmas shopping and also trying to keep my home clean and running smooth.

Now I know that I am NOT the only woman that juggles all of these things. But it always seems to me that all of the other Mom's are Super-Mom's. They look well rested, they seem to be able to schedule time for "fun" activities and "girl" time. How do you do it? That is my question for the day.

I am a firm believer that Motherhood is NOT for Sissies. Period. I am a tough woman. I function on an average of 4-5 hours of sleep each night. And ... to top it off, I cannot seem to get it all done even at that. Frustration and stress? ... well, that has been replaced with twirling, which makes sense to those of you that read my previous blog. Maybe I should learn to multi-task and cook dinner, do laundry, shampoo carpets, clean bathrooms, treat wood floors, etc while twirling. ??? (smile)

My daughter, the sweetest girl on the planet, told me yeserday that she was going to ask Santa for something special for Christmas and then give it to me. When I asked her what she was wanting she told me, "Momma, I want Santa's elves to make you a pretty button to push when you need help doing all that you do to make us all so happy. That way it would just magically do itself for you." Super sweet kiddo!

It isn't like I put my children off to clean by any means. For those of you that have seen my house, you know that isn't happening. I enjoy my children each minute I have with them. I stay up super late doing homework and laundry so that I can enjoy them for the couple of hours I have with them before bedtime each night. So ... for her to sweetly think of such a thoughtful gift for Mommy ... well, I thought it was precious.

Now if I could just find me an elf that could make one of those things she speaks of ...

When in doubt. Twirl.

2009-11-12T11:41:00.003-06:00

Today is one of those days that I simply need to reboot and start over. I need to empty my head and start fresh. Literally.

This morning started out with Lexi's sonogram appointment. Although I have every faith it will produce normal results, as a mother of a 6 year old daughter going through all of this, I am stressed to the max. I am worried about her and just want her to feel good and like a "normal kiddo".

Now, with all that has gone on with her and myself, my Papa is thrown in the mix. A few weeks ago they thought he was trying to have a heart-attack, while on a trip out of town. But the test results showed no signs of actual "attack" occuring. So after 48 hours in the hospital he was released and allowed to travel back home. He made an appointment with his local physician who referred him to a cardiologist in Amarillo, which in turn did a stress test and other testing on him. The stress test came back normal, but we found out last night that the visual exam, not so normal. So ... with that said we are now praying that the heart cath he will be having in December will produce normal results, or at least answers that we can then use to make decisions for repair and a fast recovery.

So ... with all that is going on I just wanna scream ... but my new motto is, "When in doubt. Twirl." I am going to learn to use my stress and direct it towards "twirling". Literally. One of my favorite quotes from a movie, Dazed and Confused, is "I just wanna dance". Well, I'm going to dance through all of this stress and mental mumbo-jumbo that Satan is throwing at my family. My kids twirl all the time instead of standing still. It makes them giggle. I'm going to use the same method as an adult. I'm going to giggle and twirl!

So ... good luck to all of you trying to commit me when you see me in the grocery store twirling in front of the canned veggies or the milk. It isn't shopping ... it is retail therapy. It isn't craziness ... it is de-stressed twirling.

And for those of you being fantastic prayer warriors for all that I am going through. I love each of you for being my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you a million times over!!!

A New Year ... Literally.

2009-11-09T00:33:00.007-06:00

Well, it is officially my little man's birthday. It is 12:34 am and he is now the big TWO. Yesterday, Saturday, was a big day for the Taylor clan. After getting up and preparing the kiddos a little breakfast, and watching Space Chimps, which by the way is a super funny animated movie, we got dressed and started loading up the birthday goods to take to Popoo and Nana's house for Corbyn's birthday party.

Holly Moya made the cake, and as always she outdid herself. It was fabulous! Just what I imagined for his John Deere party. The kids had cake, helped Corbyn open his gifts, swang, jumped on the trampoline and then rode in the John Deere gator. They were all so cute running around and playing. Little people that are growing up way to fast.

When the party was done, I loaded all of the goodies he was blessed with from his friends and family. He literally hit the motherload in the gift department. I think he got every John Deere toy, tractor, book and clothing item made, as well as lots of handsome clothes from Popoo and Nana to go along with the toys. He will be styling and profiling while he plays with his big green tractors.

He had such a great time today. And ... he fought bedtime until he finally crashed about 11:45. Just to go to sleep with a handful of his new tractors.

So, happy birthday my little prince, the little man that completely stole the last half of my heart (because his sister stole the first half). I love you, Corbyn Talbert! With that said ... may we have the Terrific Two's.

A Weekend of Preperation and Fun ...

2009-11-06T23:01:00.002-06:00

After a long week, the weekend is upon me and I pray that all of the preperations I have done are enough. November always starts a busy time for me all the way around. Not only is it the time of year we start getting really busy at work (which is a great thing) but it is also the first of a string of birthdays in with the holidays.
Today we celebrated my Dad's birthday. After work, my family went to my parents house, where we joined a couple of dear family friends, for a delicious meal my Momma cooked. Mexican cornbread, beans, salad, tacos and pound cake with fresh strawberries. Yum! Dad received some really nice gifts and we had a wonderful time visiting. The kids were so excited it was Popoo's birthday. They were so cute with him.
For the past week, I have been getting things situated at work for our Open House this Saturday. After dinner at my parents, I went back to work to finish setting up a few things, and placing food in the fridge so that I don't have to rush as bad in the morning. I know that tomorrow will be a huge success, as it always is, I am just a little stressed about it because although I know how Sharon wants things done, she isn't there to say "yes" or "not so much" to me. I am so grateful that she has so much trust and faith in me, but I still like her approval and it is her business. I hope that after taking pictures of all that we have done she can enjoy it as if she were there.
After tomorrow's busy day at work, we will be attending my next door neighbor's sweet little girl's first birthday party. She is such a little princess. Adorable. I am so excited that we get to be there for the celebration. First birthday's are always so sweet.
Tomorrow is also the annual Christmas in the Park for our community. So, tonight I helped my Mom and her best friend put together their center piece for the table they are hosting. I wish I could be there to support them and enjoy the evening ... but maybe next year.
Then on to Sunday ... the big day for my son's birthday party. He is turning 2 on Monday. I can't believe it. Where has time gone? And of course he has to have a John Deere party. I'm looking forward to seeing a bunch of little toddlers running around and playing hard, and of course the cake that Holly is making as well. Yum! It will be lots of fun I'm sure.
So ... hence the title of this blog, "A Weekend of Preperation and Fun ..." because that is exactly what this weekend is. Lots of preperation, planning and fun!

This is A Day to Rejoice in Him!

2009-11-02T20:14:00.003-06:00

My daughter, Lexi, who is 6 years old has always been a child of God. Literally. She is constantly amazing me in her faith and even at times reminding me of the better way to live and the direction to look in. I honestly believe that without a doubt this child, my very own daughter, is destined by our Savior to do amazing things in this world.

She prays daily, and without prompting or reminders to do so, and she will tell you without hesitation that God talks back to her. I for one, long to hear God talk back to me. I listen and have decided that when His timing is right (as it always is) He will tell me what I need to hear. But with Lexi, she will tell me things that only God could tell her.

For example, and this was our first encounter with her relationship with God stepping into this level of faith and communication. Two years ago, she was 4 years old, her and my mother were leaving Dallas from a visit with my father and heading home. She kept telling my mother that they shouldn't leave, it wasn't time for them to leave. My mom thought, as any adult would, that she just didn't want to leave her Popoo and the swimming at the hotel. Further down the road to home, they made it just almost to Vernon and a storm hit them. Mom was driving on the highway and Lexi was in the backseat covered by a blanket due to the hail busting out the windshield on them. After making it Vernon, my mom called me and I got into my car to go get them. When I got there, Lexi wasn't scared anymore. She was quite calm, actually. My mother drove her car on home with my father in law with her, and Lexi got into the car with me. Once on the road she told me out of the blue that "daddy" was going to get a new job and would be home with us every night one day soon. Now ... the only people that knew my husband had a job interview for such a position was the two of us. The interview was going on as I was driving to Vernon and I was informed of it only an hour before. Nobody knew but the two of us! I then asked her who told her such a thing and she told me, "God did, Mommy. He told me that we needed to stay with Popoo, too. So that bad storm wouldn't scare me and Nana. But we're okay."

Now with that long story being told, I will let you know that a month later my husband got the job he interviewed for that day and has since been home with us everyday and has not missed anything the kids have done. Previously he was working in Oklahoma and was gone for 2-3 weeks at a time just to be home for 1-2 weeks before leaving again.

Since this day, my daughter, over the course of two years now, has continually amazed me with her communication with the Lord. Which progressed into her overly sensitive and sympathetic personality towards all people. She honestly and openly loves every person she meets. She believes that they are each friends that God has sent to her.

I know that this has been a long blog, and it does have a conclusion. A glorious one! Since my children were born I have prayed with them each day and we have read bible stories together as well. My daughter has recently started attending a bible study for children at our church and is absolutely loving it. Well ... tonight when I picked her up, she asked me if I knew what being baptisted meant. When I told her that I did and that I made that decision a long time ago, I asked her if she knew what it meant. She told me, "Momma, it means that you let God into your heart forever. That you want to live like Jesus did. That your heart has a door and that if you let God open it your heart turns to gold. It even means that you are saved and that you go to Heaven."

WOW! Right? Such big words for such a small person. I was utterly amazed in my precious daughter. And then she said it. She tells me, "Momma. If I am old enough, I have made up my mind to be baptised. Can I get baptised while being 6?" Praise God! My daughter has just made a huge decision all on her own. She understands as much as she can for her age, and in most cases more than she should be able to understand. My prayers have been answered and my daughter is truely an Angel of Him.

For those of you that have shared in my joy tonight. I love each of you. Thank you for praying for my family as I have yours. Thank you for being a part of my daughters walk with the Lord.

11-02-09 will forever be a blessed day in my calendar! Now, we must visit with the church in making arrangments for her baptism!

Halloween, Halloween Trick or Treat!

2009-11-01T11:06:00.007-06:00

Well, yesterday was yet another busy day for Momma Taylor and the little munchkins. After working at the store and starting the decorating process for Christmas (yes it is that time of year for businesses), I did Lexi's makeup for the kids to go to my nieces birthday party (because that just isn't something that Daddy's can do you know) and off the kids went for cake and fun.

After closing the store and a quick refresh at home on the kids, who were the Queen of Egypt and a Cowboy, off we went for trick-or-treating and fun at the Pumpkin Palooza.
They had a great time going to the few homes we tricked for treats and then after getting to the church, and trick or treating the vehicles we went inside for fun games and more tricks.

The kids both threw hoops over pumpkin stacks, threw hacky-sacs into hanging buckets and did the cake walk. Then they had their pics taken with their favorite Bobcat Senior, Sarah Jo, before Lexi had her fortune read by a fortune teller. This certain "teller" was amazing. Lexi was in complete awe of her. She told her that she could see in her crystal ball that Lexi was a big sister to a little brother and that she helped take care of him and teach him how to be nice and good. She said she could also see that she loved school and was a good student. By this time Lexi was a firm believer that this woman could see her life in that fantastic clear ball with a light flickering inside. After reading her fortune she handed her a "seeing eye" to look into the crystal ball with. When Lexi did, the fortune teller asked her if she could see the light shining bright. Of course Lexi could ... so the fortune teller then informs her that the light she sees is the Light of the World, which is Jesus, and that Jesus shines a bright light in all of us. It was amazing how this wonderful woman was sharing the light of Jesus with all the children in such a fun way. They will never forget that message!
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I hope all of you had a fabulous, spooktacular and safe Halloween. May you all find creative ways to enjoy all of the candy that now fills your homes

Forgotten God?

2009-10-30T08:53:00.000-05:00

It has been a really long time since my last (and one and only) blog. I really need to get better at being a blogger since I have so many friends that are good at it ... Right? But what do you blog about? Most of you know my day to day routine and what is going on so I feel like typing about it is kind of mundane. Maybe not. Give me feedback on that.

With that being said, I was thinking about something last night that is still on my mind and on my heart. In this day and age, with the world seeming to have more and more "bad" happening daily, I have to wonder if our God is becoming a forgotten God. ?? You may be wondering what I mean by that, and it is simply this. We all pray, we all attend church - or don't but that personally to me does not mean your faith is lacking, and we all "know" that there is a God that is watching over us and answering prayers when He knows the time is right for them to be answered. And by my saying "we" I mean those of us in our "circle" of friends and aquaintances. There IS a bigger purpose in God's eyes than this. Or at least that is what I believe. And I personally have been trying harder to be a better woman of God.

He has given us a gift. Literally. I want you all to think about this. With Christmas fast approaching what are we all doing? Shopping for Christmas gifts for our friends and loved ones, right? We love seeing their faces light up when they open up a gift that we have wrapped up so pretty and neat especially for them. We thrive in the excitement it brings them to see the thoughtfulness we put into something just for them. Isn't that what our Lord has done for us? He wrapped His gift to us perfectly and so beautiful. Just for us. Each and every single one of us. And most of us (and I include myself) have sat with this gift still wrapped up nice and neat (collecting dust) without opening it. Some of us honestly haven't even lifted one end of it or taken the bow off of it yet. I personally am beginning to re-open my gift that God has given me. I want to be better at voicing God's love to each of you and to new faces alike. I do not want to "suffocate" the precious gift of life and unconditional love He has given me. All of the blessings he has honestly bestowed on me and my family.

So, I challenge all of you to look within yourselves, and during this holiday season while you are shopping for all of the perfect gifts to wrap up for everyone you love, remember to unwrap the amazing gift that your Father has given to you already. Because no matter what is going on in your life, or the mood you may wake up with, He still loves you. And what He wants you to do is to love Him back and to love others. Share His word. The faith he has given you the choice to have. Enjoy the holiday. Enjoy the tradition of gift exchanging and indulging in the delicious food everyone prepares. But also remember the Reason for the Season, and not just during the season. Remember daily. Treat Him as your best friend, because He is the best friend you will ever have. Some of us do not go a day without calling our "best friend" to chit chat. So don't go a day without calling Him and telling him about your day and thanking him for having the day you just had.

It's just the beginning ...

2009-04-08T11:46:00.000-05:00

Okay, so a few people have been telling me that I need to create a "blogspot". So, after many months I have finally created my very own blog account. I have to admit that I have been a bit leary of it, since sometimes what I have to say or what I am thinking, may offend people ... so I guess I will have to learn to simply "filter" my thoughts when typing. No big deal, right? (ha)

Today is a new day for me. After a major surgery and a really hard recovery, I am finally feeling better. Not great. But better. Yesterday was my first day to somewhat attempt my "usual normal routine" and I am feeling it today. My entire body is hurting and I am so wore out. But, I am ready to try and tackle a new day, one step at a time.

So ... without further mundane ramblings, I think I will start getting ready, with the sounds of "Bee Movie" and Lexi playing Spongebob games on the computer playing in the background. Life as a Mom is great. I wouldn't trade it for anything! I honestly do not remember what I did before kiddo kisses and cartoons, and they will grow up faster than I want. I know.