life

April 20, 2017 {Simple Woman’s Daybook}

April 20, 2017 by Dana

I originally found this post through the Simple Woman’s Daybook in 2009, which has since closed. It was such a simple and fun thing to do that I haven’t forgotten it though I haven’t done one of these in quite a while. The concept is a wonderful one.

For Today:
April 20, 2017

Outside my window, the birds are enjoying the Spring blooms.

I am thinking about life’s mysterious ways.

I am thankful for unanswered prayers and answered ones as well.

From my learning, I am finding that becoming more organized with this blog is very important.

From the kitchen, I hear the teapot whistling.

I am wearing leggings and a shirt because I had somewhere to go this morning.

I am creating new posts for the blog and joy with my children each day.

I am going to make changes we need to succeed in life.

I am reading T.I. Lowe’s A Blue Streak Summer, the third book of the Blue Streak Series.

I am hoping that my children enjoy their day.

I am hearing them play throughout the house.

Around the house I have lots of chores to get done.

One of my favorite things: snuggles with Laycie and Jack.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Finish reading A Blue Streak Summer by T.I. Lowe.
Start reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young.
Set up blog posts for next week.

Finish the movies recorded on TV last week.

A thought to share:
Life doesn’t always happen as we plan. Sometimes God has better ideas for us to follow. His guidance never fails us if we are only willing to listen and follow Him.

A quote I like:
“When I hear someone sigh
‘Life is hard,’
I am always tempted to ask,
‘Compared to what?'”
Sydney Harris

Homeschooling With Doctor’s Appointments {Homeschooling} {Epilepsy Awareness}

April 20, 2017 by Dana

5 Days of Homeschooling with Epilepsy and Other Issues:

Homeschooling with Doctor’s Appointments

Having Special Needs children means you have lots and lots of Doctor’s appointments. Some weeks we have appointments almost daily. Other weeks we get lucky and have no appointments but these weeks are rare. Doctor’s appointments are simply a way of life for the Special Needs family.

Doctor’s appointments were one of the first reasons I chose homeschooling for our family. I knew there was no way I could be at a doctor’s office 3 hours away and be able to get my “normal” kid off the school bus on time. I knew there was no way I could deal with taking my kids out of school, sometimes several times a week without having some kind of issue with our school district. It wasn’t a challenge I even wished to face.

Homeschooling has allowed me not to have to deal with those issues. I don’t have to report where we’ve been or why we weren’t at school that day. I don’t have to tell anyone why we’re stopping school early or even what our doctors had to say at those appointments because the only person I have to report to is me in my state.

But let’s talk about the days when we have appointments and how we deal with school on these days so that we can include learning on days that most parents would consider an educational loss. There’s always learning going on but sometimes it takes a little bit of looking to make ourselves realize it’s actually happening.

We wake early and head hours down the road to our appointments most days. Once in the car, we can listen to audio discs that tell stories of the past. Story of the World is a history program that has audio to listen to. There are also books on CD, podcasts, radio theater, and other audio’s to listen to. Even just music CD’s can be turned into a lesson by comparing different musical eras or artists and styles.

I’ve heard of other parents who do Flashcards when they have more than one parent in the car. Or small games. Reading books aloud is another option as well but this only works when there’s someone else to help out.

Once we get to the appointment, the day is not necessarily a loss either. In the waiting room, there is opportunity to socialize. Sometimes we can play a game while we wait, like I-Spy. We can read books, or play games on the iPad. Coloring is another option, which helps develop small motor skills.

In the actual office, we discuss the different jobs the staff has. We talk about tools the doctors use. We talk about medical terms and anything else we can related to the doctor we are seeing that day.

Sometimes we also use this time to recite poems, songs, or even math facts as well. Playing circle time games to keep the smaller kids occupied. Whatever it takes but it’s all learning, even when we think it’s just play.

After appointments often brings the real fun. Before the trip, I usually look around to find a fun activity or a place to visit that we can enjoy together. These field trips are always educational and help us bond as a family as well.

Some places we’ve been:
Play parks,
State Parks,
Museums,
Riverwalks,
Zoo,
Battlefields,
Historical districts,
Aquarium,
and many more.

These places always bring out some interest that we can discuss and learn with. Sometimes we only have an hour or so before closing, sometimes we have an afternoon but the time is packed with learning experiences that none of us will soon forget.

Even though you may think a day of appointments is a waste, there’s always a way to make it educational and turn it into a homeschooling day that isn’t a total loss. You just have to take time to think outside the box and look at each individual segment for it’s learning capacity. It’s there but often times we just chalk it up to a wasted day when it can be so much more! Next time you feel your day is a waste, take a step back to reevaluate and see how you can turn it into a learning experience instead.

God bless,
Dana Lambert – Hodge

This post is linked up with the 5 Days of Homeschooling…
Blog Hop from the Homeschool Review Crew!

5 Days of Homeschool Annual Blog Hop - 2017

To Read More…

Welcome to April {Thoughts From Me}

April 5, 2017 by Dana

Welcome to April!

Our April began with the Devil shining her ugly face at us. Petty spite and anger from another at our wonderful life became the focus for a few days. The law has been contacted and shall be handling that as necessary. I refuse to be bullied, stalked, or slandered any more. Mama has always said I should have been a lawyer. Maybe one of these days I’ll listen.

The other month, I posted that I was having writer’s block. Well, the good Lord has seen fit to allow thing to happen that have given me lots to talk about! Talk I will with His guidance.

It was brought to my attention that some of you assume my blog is a “homeschooling” blog. It’s not. It’s a family-life blog that I write as a journal, to share with others who are like us and to spread the word for Epilepsy Awareness, Involuntary Breath Holding Spells Awareness and the other health issues we face. This includes my recent battles for my own health with undetermined female bleeding issues. Homeschooling is a just a part of the mix and always will be.

It was also brought to my attention that some of you don’t know how to pronounce my children’s names.

Winston is pretty simple. He was named for his Papa, my Dad. Win-ston. It’s an easy name.

Emmalee is NOT Emily. It is Emma Lee pronounced all together, though she was named for one of my dear friends Emily. I just really dislike the “ILY” spelling of that name so I changed it to something I liked much better. She’s also named for her Great-Grandmother Elma and the Lee for her bio-Dad’s family name. Her Great Great Grandmother’s name was Emma as well.

Laycie is pronounced the same as Lacy though her spelling is different. “Lay-cee”. I wanted her to be different so I gave her a unique spelling like her sister.

Jackson is just that: Jack-son. Simple like his big brother’s name.

Each of these names were chosen for unique reasons for my children after I prayed about them for a long time. Some of y’all know the story of how I chose Jack’s name when I was unsure about it. I had a photo shoot that day and when I arrived his name was written on a wall. It was then and there I knew it was to be his name. God provides signs everywhere. Just today Jackson was telling me he is Jackson and not any other name. God knows who we are meant to be.

Our life is just that. Our life. I share it for others who are like us that just need someone they can relate to. I know there were many days in my life when I felt like no one understood my life. I know there were others who were like me but I couldn’t find them. Blogs weren’t a thing then and growing up people definitely didn’t talk about Epilepsy. Things have changed now. People are generally more open-minded though there are still many who are not.

Now you can judge me on every single word I post here. You can bash me. You can nitpick all I have to say. But really what good is it going to do? I’m still going to write what I feel. I’m still going to say what I think. I’m still going to be me and keep being me. After all, opinions are like assholes, every one has one.

I, personally, try to keep my opinions on others and their lives to myself for the most part. I am not here to judge and condemn anyone. There is a bigger presence for that and we will all face the truth one day. I’m not the one you need to be worried about because I’m just a little insignificant person on this Earth trying to make it through life just like the rest of you.

So here’s the thing. You live your life and we will keep living ours. We are happy, in love, high on life and there isn’t a soul in this world taking that away from me this time. My children are the light of my life. They bring me indescribable joy. As does my husband.

No one’s spite or jealousy or negative remarks will change that. I know his heart and he has never lied to me. He has changed from the person of his past and he is becoming the person he’s always longed to be with my help and his determination. I’ve done my medical research and I will stand beside him and not give up because I know the truth of it all.

“Sometimes the love of your life come after the mistakes of your life.” (I know mine and Don’s both have.)

We all have mistakes in our past. Every single one of us. There is no one better than another. It’s how we choose to live after these mistakes that make a difference.

I have personally chosen to learn from the mistakes of my past and move forward but some people chose to dwell on these mistakes and allow them to destroy them inside instead of embracing what God has blessed them with. They become so wrapped up in the “wrongs” they fail to find the “rights”. They feel owed. But let me tell you. None of us are owed anything from one another. None of us are owed anything in this life.

We all start from nothing and we are hear to learn God’s Love, Mercy, Grace, Faith, Hope and all the things He wishes us to know. But even He doesn’t owe us anything because we were given the greatest gift we could ever receive: Life upon the Death of God’s Son.

God Forgives. God Loves. God gives Grace in our mistakes. God gives Mercy even to those who we feel do not deserve it and He expects us to do the same. Not an easy thing, I know but it can be done. I personally live my life trying to do just these things.

It’s easy to hold a grudge. It’s easy to let the hatred we develop when we feel wronged overtake us. It’s hard to follow God’s guidance and allow ourselves to let go, lay it as His feet and Forgive others.
Life is a learning process. We come in this world to learn, to develop, to follow the things He is teaching us. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we succeed. But no matter we continue to live.

Being consumed with the life of others does us no good because we are here to live our own lives. Being upset because someone has gotten the better of you and acting out does no good because that person is still going to get the best of you in the future and their words really should not matter. We are all just people. Just here living. Make the best of it and let go of the rest.

God bless all of you,

Dana Lambert – Hodge

And Then Life Changes Again {Severe Anemia Awareness} {Thoughts From Me}

March 30, 2017 by Dana

I’ve been busy and haven’t updated. I know I’m terrible to just leave you all hanging. So what’s happened?

Well, I had my doctor’s appointment and ultrasound on Monday to prepare for surgery. Do you know what my ultrasound showed? Not a darned thing! There were no cysts on my ovaries which is awesome because I’ve never had cysts on them. There was no fibroids or damage showing to my uterus Scar tissue seen on camera was normal. My uterus was normal. Everything was NORMAL. My uterine lining was slightly thickened in the middle which can simply be caused by my time of the month and did not worry my doctor.

So with all this new knowledge in my mind, I asked the doctor was surgery my ONLY option. He replied that to stop the bleeding completely, yes it would be but if the bleeding was controlled by the med he had given me and it continued to remain controlled we could wait on surgery. He said we can do the meds for a few months and see if they help. Then I can come off of them and see if the bleeding has stopped. I was more than joyous at this.

He decided to do an uterine/endometrial biopsy to make sure that I don’t have cancer. After he did it, he took a look at the sample and said it looks normal for a women of my age who is still in child bearing years. But the sample will tell the story, if I do have cancer or not.

If I have Cancer, then of course the uterus comes out immediately. If not, we discuss the options at a later time. My instinct tells me I am fine and that my insides are healthy. If they are healthy, I wish to find other options for my treatment and have them remain where they are at.

So for now, the surgery is NOT HAPPENING! Meds are happening and I’m totally ok with that. I’ve had no bleeding since starting the meds except mildly after the biopsy was done. And yall this is the mildest period I’ve had in a long time now, so I’m very happy!

My thought is that maybe I am indeed in perimenopause or even menopause and that’s the cause of the bleeding. But only time and testing will tell.

Monday, I also saw my regular doctor and we discussed my constant tightness and pain in my back. She felt it and said I was definitely tense more than I should be so she issues a mild pain med and muscle relaxer for me to try for a month to see how that works for me. If it’s not worked well then she will issue xrays for me to see what’s going on back there.

At this point, the pain is so intense that any time I do physical activity I’m left in so much pain I can barely move. This is not normal for a 37 year old and I told the doctor I just want to know what’s wrong. I don’t wish to take tons of medication I don’t need. I truly just want to know why I feel as I do. So hopefully, we can find those answers by working together.

On a joyous note, Donald and I got married last Thursday. Today makes it an official week! We told very few people and decided spur of the moment to get it all done and over with. We do plan to have a wedding later but we wanted the legal and stressful part done for ourselves. We are so happy to know that we are following what God has planned for us together and for our family! The kids were excited to know Mommy and Daddy are married as well.

Don also bought himself a little truck this week for a small price. It’s a great vehicle for him to work with and carry off our trash. I’m really proud of all he’s done to change his life and ours as well to make it better. We’re only headed upwards from here.

Him getting a new truck means we can find seats for the van for me and the kids so we can officially have a family car again. This is another great thing! I miss our family adventures and can hardly wait to begin them all again soon!

So this is our end of March update. This is where we are in our life. Looking forward to the future and our love and life together as we continue on this journey.

God bless,
Dana

One Week To Go {Severe Anemia Awareness}

March 22, 2017 by Dana

One week to go…

In one week my life will change. My ability to go forth and multiply will be gone. My heart will never be the same.

I’m trying to remain positive but it’s hard. Monday we go for my ultrasound to see what’s causing my bleeding. My doctor feels uterine fibroids but won’t know for sure until the ultrasound.

Having my children has been a blessing. I never imagined I would be sitting here waiting for my uterus to be removed. I never imagined there would not be a chance to have “just one more” baby.

I know I’m blessed to have four beautiful children. I know many women aren’t as lucky as me. Still this is part of me that I don’t wish to let go of. And yet, I know to continue to enjoy my life with my children and family, I need to have this hysterectomy done.

I look forward to playing with my kids, to camping, to learning, to enjoying our day to day life again. I look forward to not having to worry about having extra clothes “just in case” or how much blood am I going to lose before it stops again. I look forward to not having worry, to just being able to enjoy life and worry about the little things, like paying a bill or buying the kids that new movie they’ve been wanting to see.

In one week, I will be coming out of surgery and stuck in a bed for 12 hours or more. I will no longer have my uterus and may not have a cervix or ovaries depending on what they find. In one week, I will barely be able to move from the pain of losing an important part of my body. In one week, my life will be forever changed, hopefully for the better.

The Answer From The GYN {Severe Anemia Awareness}

March 9, 2017 by Dana

Monday I saw the GYN.

It feels like it was a month ago but it’s only been a few days. The visit didn’t take long. He checked my blood work. He checked me. And we talked.

He asked was I completely done having children. My answer was yes because I had my tubal. He asked me very seriously was I finished, without considering the tubal, was I done. That was a hard question for me to answer.

He said my uterus is slightly enlarged but not terribly. He said I had two options to stop the bleeding: medicine or a hysterectomy but in the end it would probably be the later for both options. In his opinion it is best to go ahead and take out my uterus.

I’m 37 years old. Except for Epilepsy, I’ve been fairly healthy up until now. I hardly get sick. I make educated health choices.

I’m 37 years old and my uterus is giving out on me. My days of having babies is ending and very soon. My head says this is the right thing to do for my health. My heart is broken.

I’ve had 4 babies and I’ve loved every moment with them. I’ve loved carrying them within my womb. I never once thought the option would no longer be there. I’ve never once thought I’d be without something so important as this.

But here I am. And my only option is to let it go, to say goodbye to this beautiful part of me that God has allowed me to bring forth my most beautiful gifts in. To let go of it for my health so I can live for my children.

My heart says, “just one more”. But then isn’t that time already passed. I said goodbye to babies when I had my tubal.

I regret that. I regret giving up the ability to have children. I regret not allowing myself to have that one more baby. But then that one more would have led into another and maybe another. I don’t think the desire to have more children will ever leave my heart.

And I’m thankful. I know so many women never get their sweet gifts from God. He blessed me with 4 and two I’ll only know when I get to Heaven. I’m thankful for that. For the opportunity to love His children, my children in this lifetime.

So here I am, making this huge choice for my health, with my heart in pieces and hoping it’s the right answer for me. I need to be healthy to enjoy the time I have with my children during their youth as that’s quickly passing every day. I want to be there to see them grow and prosper.

My surgery date is March 29 with some pre-op stuff on March 27. I picked the closest date so I could just get it over with. I’m hoping that it’s quick and easy for me with no complications. I’m hoping it’s like those 4 c-sections in comparison to pain. I won’t know until I get there, but I pray for quick healing and ease in moving forward.

For now this is where we are at.

God bless,

Dana