Another Update (8)

After admitting that I had overdone it on Saturday and Sunday, I really did not learn my lesson.  I thought I did.  I thought I balanced resting and not resting well enough on Monday, but apparently I did not!  By Monday night I was exhausted again, and I spent all day yesterday in the recliner.  All day.

To put into perspective what "overdoing it" looks like for me, here is all that I did.

• Upon awakening Monday morning, I rested until time to get ready for my doctor's appointment (plastic surgeon).
• 10:30--I showered and blew dry my hair.  Both washing and blow drying my hair are workouts.
• 11:30--I drove myself to the PS office.  This was my very first time to drive post-surgery, and I will admit it was hard and very tiring.  
• 12:30--drove myself home from PS office.  This visit was uneventful.  This was my first appointment with him post-surgery, and he just needed to check on me.  I was cleared to walk slowly and short distances without swinging my arms for exercise.  He also told me to start doing some arm exercises so I can get my range of motion back.  I go back to see him again next week.
• 1:00--rested in recliner.  My sweet friend who teaches my children piano, came to my house to pick them up for their lessons so that I could rest.  I rested.
• 3:10--drove Leah and Sam to XC practice (met Olivia, Julie, and Clay there).
• 3:30--walked one lap around the track.  That's 1/4 of a mile.  That's all I did.  Then I sat in a lawn chair until practice was over.
• 5:00--drove all the children home and basically rested until bedtime.

That tiny bit of activity combined with what I thought was adequate rest wore me out completely!  I slept poorly for the first time since my surgery.  I had more than discomfort, I had what I would consider pain, so I took tylenol, but still had a restless night.  

I did stay in the recliner all day yesterday hoping that I would feel better.  I felt pretty good as long as I was reclined, but whenever I walked around for a short period of time, I got pretty uncomfortable.  Last night I tried to sleep in the bed, but it just hurt too badly.  I got back in my recliner.  I guess I will be sleeping in the recliner for quite a while.  In fact, in the reading online I have been doing, that seems to be normal--recliner sleeping.  I had another restless, not able to sleep, feeling like I was being stabbed night.  

And this morning it dawned on me, why I couldn't sleep, and why I was so uncomfortable yesterday despite my resting.  I finished my twice a day Valium on Sunday.  I didn't realize how much that helped with the muscle discomfort (stabbings).  In fact, when the nurse in the hospital first gave me the Valium I told her that I did not need that.  My nerves and anxiety level were fine!  (I thought that was what Valium was for.)  She explained that it served as a muscle relaxer, and would aid my recovery.  She was right!  So this morning I took a non-drowsy muscle relaxer (not sure of the name), and I feel so much better.  I am definitely going to continue taking these before bedtime so I can get some rest in my recliner.

I walked 1/3 of a mile today on our driveway.  Very slowly.  And I did not swing my arms. 

Progress.  Slow, but progress.

A Labor of Love

I don't really even have the words to adequately describe this absolutely beautiful quilt that was lovingly made for me my by some of my friends.  

Heather invited some of our friends to her home a couple of weeks before my surgery to have a quilting bee....these ladies and some of their daughters each embroidered or painted on the white squares of the quilt.  My three daughters each made a square too!  (They kept the surprise from me.)

Then Heather--sweet, hard-working, staying up all night to finish something, Heather--sewed this entire quilt together.  Piece by piece.

It is a masterpiece.

When Heather brought it to me while I was still in the hospital, I just laid there and cried while she told me who made each square.  I was medicated......I was so sleepy, but I was still aware enough to know what a great sacrifice of time each of the ladies had made for me.

This quilt has been my only cover that I have used both night and day from the moment Heather unfolded it and placed it on me in the hospital bed.

I will treasure this quilt for the rest of my life.

When I am fully recovered, and am no longer lying in the recliner for long stretches each day, I plan to keep this quilt lovingly folded at the foot of my bed.  To serve as a reminder of the fantastic friends that I have.  I am truly humbled by their love.

Joy.  And still a little teary-eyed.  That's how I feel every time I look down at my cover these days.

After Mastectomy Day 12

Good Morning!  I have decided to use the word mastectomy in some of my blog titles so it will be more google searchable.  I really hope to encourage and inform women who may need it.

Today's report:  I think I overdid it the last two days.

I was feeling stronger, and I had basically had no discomfort, so I chose to do a little bit of tidying around the house.  At first I said I would set my phone timer and be up and around for 30 minutes, and then get in the recliner and rest.  That worked for a couple of rounds, but I just kept wanting to do one more thing.  On Saturday, I got myself all ready and attended a 70th wedding anniversary reception for a couple from our church.  I sat the entire time, and we only stayed about 30 minutes, but by the time we got home, I was wiped out.  I mean wiped out!  I got in my recliner and slept for 2 hours!  Frustrating.


Yesterday, I did a little bit more picking up around the house.....trying to get the hospital look out of my bedroom and den.  I folded and put away all of the pajamas and other clothes all stacked around my bedroom, tidied up the various books and cards, and put away all of my medicine bottles.  I folded up all of the blankets in our den, and got rid of all of the stacks of my stuff in there too.  I put away several gifts, put all of my cards in one basket to keep and to re-read....and then I straightened my pantry and laundry room.  I think that was too much.  I felt ok while I was doing all of that, but then the fatigue and for the first time in days, some pain set in.  Frustrating.  So I rested the rest of the afternoon.  And then I showered and dressed and attended our evening church service with my family.  And yes.  That wore me out.  I came home straight to the recliner where I stayed until it was time to read to Leah and Sam before bed, and then I went back to the recliner for the night.

Now, that does not sound like a lot of activity for two days, does it?  But somehow, it was too much!  So I had to take a tylenol last night.  I am resting right now and I plan to rest until 10:30 this morning.  And then I have to get ready, because I have my first post-surgery appointment with my plastic surgeon today at 12:00.  And when I get home from that, I plan to rest all afternoon.  I have learned my lesson.  My mind is willing, but my body is still weak!

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Philippians 2:3-4 

I am going to look after the interests of my family and take better care of myself, and not look selfishly at my to-do list, that actually in the long run is making things harder for my family.  

Our school plan for this week:  I am going to read aloud our Sonlight books to Sam, Leah, and Clay each day except for Wednesday (when Jimmy is off and I have another doctor's appointment).  I have asked the three older children to do three lessons in each subject this week--at their own pace.  All I will have to do is check Clay's math and maybe explain a new concept to him.  I can do this from the recliner.  By the end of the week I may have Leah and Sam do some phonics and math, but only if feel stronger.

Fun News:  I got an email yesterday from Beachbody saying that they had shipped my Insanity t-shirt!  Hooray!  You can't buy those shirts, they only give you one if you can prove that you have completed the entire 63 day program.  I filled out in great detail a 3 page application assuring them that I did indeed do every single day of Insanity, only resting two days towards the end when I was recovering from my first biopsy.  So it actually took me 65 days.  Anyway, my Insanity shirt is on it's way!  :)

I'm Getting Stronger!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7

First of all, let me say that I hope I am not boring my readers with my daily recovery stories, but, I have scoured the internet for blogs written by women who have undergone mastectomies and reconstruction and I just haven't found that many written by women like me--women who are my age, or who homeschool, or are full time homemakers, or just have lifestyles like mine.  So, I want to blog my experience in hopes of helping some lady doing a google search wanting to read about someone like her.  Does that make sense?

So, on to today's report.  Today is day 9 after my surgery.  I have had no pain medication, not even a tylenol in 24 hours!  I still suffer nausea, so I am taking Zofran a couple of times a day. I am not sure what is causing the nausea, but it makes me miserable, so I am taking the Zofran.  I took a shower, washed my hair, put on my make-up, and fixed my hair all by myself today!  And then I took a one hour nap!  

My mama went home today.  She has been with my children for ten days, and she has been at my house with all of us for six days.  But I feel well enough now to be here alone with my children, and I know that she needed to get home to and check on my daddy and grandmother.  Plus my daddy's birthday is tomorrow!  My mama has been invaluable these last several days.  Before my surgery, I thought I would be just fine here at home recovering alone with my family......but my mother insisted that she needed to stay.  Wow!  She was right!  I could have never made it this last week without her being here.  She is just a phone call and three hours away if I need her to come back, but I am going to try to make it alone now.

School--well, we are doing the school of life right now.  My girls are putting into practice all of their homemaking skills, and my boys are doing all of the manly chores.  And they are all earning an A+!  Thankfully, my dear, dear friends are bringing meals to our family six days a week for the next few weeks!  How great is that??  I hope to feel up to reading aloud to the children beginning on Monday, and maybe we can start back to full school a week later.  But, I am not going to push it.  I have many, many doctor visits for the next few months, and we are just going to work around that.  

My reading--so far, I have just not been able to read much except Facebook and blogs. I just get so sleepy and it's hard for me to concentrate.  Several friends have given me inspirational books and I bought a couple of books for myself before my surgery, and of course, I am way behind in my Read the Bible in 90 Days Plan.  I haven't decided if I want to try to spend the next two weeks trying to catch up, or just begin tomorrow where I left off, reading one day's readings per day, and just stretching this plan to 120 days.  I think that is more reasonable.  I can't wait to read all of my new books!  

I cannot thank each of you enough for your Facebook comments, emails, phone calls, texts, and visits.  I treasure your friendships!

Update 7

"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!  For Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near."

  Psalm 75:1

Today is the 8th day after my surgery.  And I feel so much better, and so thankful!  Yesterday I had an appointment with my general surgeon (He is so kind!  He is actually off this week for spring break, but met me at his clinic to see me anyway.)  I got two sets of great news while at his office.

1. I got all three of my drains out!  All three!  I was a happy girl.  So, that meant that I got to take my very first shower in a week last night.  That was wonderful.  It wore me out, and I had to go straight to bed, but it was a wonderful shower.
2. I received the results on my lymph nodes, and they were negative--I am cancer free!  The surgery completely cured me, and the cancer is all gone and had not spread anywhere!  Praise the Lord!  However, my cancer was hormone receptive, and my husband and my general surgeon will be discussing with the oncologist to decide if I will need to take the tamoxifen.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever."  Psalm 136:1

I am off of all pain medication except for tylenol, and I still have to take an occasional Zofran for nausea.  I would really like to sleep in my bed at night, but I can only get comfortable in the recliner.  As I am typing this, I am actually sitting in the bed beside Sam.  This is my first time to sit anywhere besides the recliner.  Progress!  I really did not believe the doctors when they told me how long my recovery would be.  Ha!  I thought--weeks of rest, months before I would be running--not me!  But I believe them now.  It is still a workout to walk around my house!

My mother is still here, and she is doing a super job at keeping my house and watching over the children.  She has been my chauffeur, and has really learned her way around Tupelo while driving the children to various activities.  She has also taken the children shopping for shoes and craft supplies, and I think they are going to be sewing for the next couple of days.

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things  which are not seen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I am truly thankful that I have been through and will continue to go through (the long reconstruction process) this trial.  I am first of all thankful that it was not worse than it was, but even if I had to endure chemotherapy I would still choose to be thankful.  I am thankful for the lessons that I have learned in compassion and empathy and expressing love to others.  Previously, I always took a meal to mothers of new babies, I would try to remember to send get well cards and sympathy cards, and I tried to remember to pray for all of those who asked me to pray for them.  But I did not do as much as I could have.

But I will never look at sick people the same way again.  I know now what to do when people are in need.  That is the biggest blessing of my journey.  I have truly learned empathy and compassion.  I never realized how much a card, a phone call, a promise of prayer, a text, a thoughtful gift, a meal, help with children and just sitting with the person who was scared about her future really meant to someone in need.  It has made all the difference in the world to me, and I will spend the rest of my life doing the same for others.  

I have learned the antidote to personal stress and anxiety--prayer for others--and I now write down and pray for anyone and everyone who asks for prayers.  I bought a Count Your Blessings journal before my surgery, and while I am going to fill it with lists of my blessings, I am also designating pages for prayer requests.  I plan to keep this book with my cell phone (which is always at my side) and I record the prayer requests as they come in on Facebook and in emails.  I plan to also carry my blessing journal to church and record the prayer requests announced there too.  

God's Word is true.  We are to be thankful in all circumstances, and He does work all things for good for those who love Him.  I am so thankful for the lessons I have learned about caring for others.

After Mastectomy Day 5

<sup>Who knew that running a marathon and walking from my bedroom to my kitchen would have so much in common--requiring extreme effort and resulting in unexplainable fatigue!  Today is day 5 since my surgery, and while I am feeling a little bit stronger, and I am still shocked by how weak and pretty much worthless that I am.  I know that the doctors told me that I would need to do completely nothing for one week, and then gradually increase my activities over the next month,but I had no idea what that really meant!  Basically all I do is sit in a recliner and sleep.  I wake up periodically to visit with my family and friends, and then....it's back to sleep!  I am taking less pain medication today, but I am extremely nauseous. I am trying to be patient!  I am ready to be back to normal, and it is discouraging to think that "normal" may be a couple of months away.


So far I have not been able to do any reading.  I just can't concentrate, and then I fall asleep!  But I did accomplish something big today!   I took a sponge bath, sprayed dry shampoo in my hair, and changed my pajamas--all by myself!  I almost feel clean!


I hope to have a more exciting update soon.  I am still so thankful that I made it through the surgery without complications.  I am thankful for my mother staying here and keeping my household running.  I am thankful for my friends for visiting, sending beautiful flowers and sweet cards, and for bringing delicious food.  Most of all I am thankful for my wonderful husband.  He has taken the best care of me!</sup>

¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Colossians  1:10-12

I'm Home!

I came home yesterday afternoon, after staying one night in the hospital.  I am taking pain medication around the clock (Jimmy typed a spreadsheet of all of my medications so we could keep up with everything!), so I am sleepy.  I am resting fairly comfortably in a recliner.  So far, my recovery has been much better than I anticipated.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers!  I felt a real sense of peace the day before my surgery, and I know it was because of all of you praying for me.

I'll blog more when my mind is clearer!  :)

Megan was right when she said that I have never felt more loved!

After Mastectomy Day 1

Hello everyone!  This is Megan, Roan's sister-in-law.  Roan asked me to update this blog for all of you to stay updated on her surgery and progress so far.

Roan arrived at the hospital this morning around 6 am for all the pre-op formalities.  Her surgeon visited with her to go over all the specifics of the day and prayed with her.  I don't know about y'all, but I'm so comforted to have such a caring physician taking care of my sweet friend!  Once the versed was in effect, the nurses took her down for the sentinel injection.  This was a pretty quick procedure.  Jimmy, Lynn, and I were glad to see her return in such good spirits.  When it was time for surgery, we gathered around her as Jimmy prayed over her.  It was a sweet moment as we asked God to hold Roan in the palm of His hand...just as He has every day of her life.  The surgery went extremely well.  They did end up taking two lymph nodes, and they will give the final report on those in the coming days.  The surgeon was very pleased, and he kept us updated every step of the way.  They completed the mastectomy and began the reconstruction process all in about two hours. After a little over an hour in recovery, she greeted us in her room with a smile and with a kiss for Jimmy.  Currently, Roan in resting and enjoying her "magic button" as she admires her beautiful flowers and greets her sweet friends and family who stop by to visit.

I know I can speak for Jimmy and Roan when I say that we could never thank you all enough for all the prayers, kind words, support, flowers, visitors, food, etc.  Roan told us about something she recently read from breast cancer survivors.  When one lady shared her diagnosis with a friend, the first thing out of the friend's (and fellow breast cancer survivor) mouth was...'You'll never feel more loved.'"  Roan said that she was exactly right...because Roan has never felt more loved.  She has been overwhelmed, touched, and humbled by all of your love, care, and concern.

Please keep Roan and her family in your prayers this week as she begins to adjust to this new journey.  We are praying for Roan to remain as comfortable as possible and to get the rest she needs.  We are praying earnestly for good pathology results later this week or early next week.

We are also praising God for the good things He has done!  We are so thankful for such a good report today!  We are thankful for the compassionate doctors and nurses who have taken such great care of Roan...and been very helpful and informative to us.  You should know that Roan remembers each of their names, tells us about them, and has Lynn write them down in her notebook.  We are thankful for all of YOU who continue to lift Roan up in prayer!  We are thankful for God's comfort and promises through this bump.  And, we are thankful for Roan!  We are thankful to our Father for blessing us with her sweet life and her precious friendship!  We are thankful that, even now, Roan is glorifying God throughout her trials!

Until our next report...we remain joyful, patient, and faithful in prayer!   

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

Update 4

Well, my surgery is tomorrow!  I am as ready as I guess I will be.  My house is clean, I am almost through washing/drying/folding all of our clothes, and I will be meeting my parents this afternoon to give them my children.  This all still seems surreal to me, especially since I don't feel sick, and tomorrow after the surgery, and all of my cancer is removed I will be feeling poorly for a while.  But I plan to bounce back as soon as possible!  I have already decided that I will run another marathon, post-mastectomy.  Lynn mentioned yesterday that we should run the New York City Marathon.  I am not sure about that exact one, but we will be picking out a really cool one for us to train for and run.

In my Bible reading this morning I read the following passage in Lamentations.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

 

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I hope in Him!”

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him.

 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

For the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-26

Many friends and readers have told me that since hearing about the early detection of my breast cancer, they have been motivated to schedule a mammogram for themselves.  Fantastic!  Please do that!  Early detection is so important! I was guilty of taking my good health for granted, and I did not take seriously my doctor's recommendation of having a mammogram two years ago.  I did not want to make the time for another appointment, another school day disrupted.  But, thankfully, this year I chose to have a check-up and do all of the recommended tests for women my age.  I encourage you to take care of your health too.

I am not sure when I will be able to update again.  I appreciate all of  your encouragement and prayers.  Saying, "thank you" seems so inadequate, but I have been enormously blessed by all of you!

Homeschooling Home Economics

As I have mentioned before, this year I am teaching my two oldest girls a fairly comprehensive Home Economics course, that I created specifically for them.  I have been pleased with how it has gone.  I still need to take pictures of the long tiered skirts they finished back in January.

Today, I have a post at The Homeschool Classroom that describes how I taught budgeting money to my girls.  I plan to write a series of posts for The Homeschool Classroom that will describe other aspects of our Home Ec course this year.

We had a congregational singing at our church service last night, and I was reminded of God's promises to love and take care of us through all situations as I really listened to the words of the songs. One song we sang is called There's a Rainbow in the Cloud.  I do believe that.  I am looking for the rainbow right now.  I know that the outpouring of love, support, promises of prayers, and words of encouragement from my family and friends have been to me a rainbow in my clouds of fear and anxiety concerning my surgery and recovery.  I also know that God has a purpose and possibly a bigger rainbow!  I am still thankful.  I am still scared.  But I am trusting in the Lord to help me these upcoming days.

There's a Rainbow in the Cloud

Alton Howard, P. West

As I journey here mid the toil and tears,

There's a rainbow in the cloud

He will safely lead, I must have no fear,

There's a rainbow in the cloud.

After storm and rain, fields of golden grain,

There's a rainbow in the cloud,

Winter's cold and pain, summer's harvest grain,

There's a rainbow in the cloud,

When the storms all pass, comes a brighter day,

There's a rainbow in the cloud,

In that City fair, there's a crown to wear,

There's a rainbow in the cloud,

There's a rainbow that is shining,

There's a rainbow in the cloud;

When life's race is run, and the victory's won,

There's a rainbow in the cloud.

Update 3

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

I met with the plastic surgeon yesterday, and we have a plan!  My surgery will be next Wednesday.  I will be having the bilateral mastectomy, a sentinel node biopsy (lymph nodes), and the beginning of reconstruction.  In a few months, I will have a second surgery to complete the reconstruction process.  I will be staying in the hospital for one or two nights, depending on how I feel, and I will have to rest completely for a week, and then gradually resume my activities after that.  I can't remember when he said I would be able to run, but it was either after one month or two months.  I plan to begin walking as soon as they clear me to do so!

I now have a few more days to do what I think I need to do before my recovery period.  I checked many things off of my "to do list" yesterday.  I still need to go to Walmart for my monthly shopping, and I plan to gather and/or purchase the books I plan to read while resting.  I am still a little behind in the Bible in 90 Days plan, so I will use my down time to catch up on that too!  

I am still so thankful that this surgery is all that I have to do to be well!  I know how much worse things could be, and I am grateful for my situation.  I am looking forward to putting this bump in the road behind me!  

Thank you again, so very much for all of your kind, encouraging words and promises of prayer.  It means so much to me!  My friend, Esther, emailed me the words of this hymn, and it is perfect.

"Day by Day"

Carolina Sandell Berg, A.L. Skoog, Oscar Ahnfelt

Day by day and with each passing moment,
strength I find to meet my trials here.
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
gives unto each day what he deems best.
Lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure,
mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord himself is near me
with a special mercy for each hour;
all my cares he fain would bear, and cheer me,
he whose name is Counselor and Power.
The protection of His child and treasure
is a charge that on Himself he laid;
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure"
this the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
so to trust your promises, O Lord,
that I lose not faith's sweet consolation
offered me within your holy Word.
Help me Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
e'er to take as from a father's hand,
one by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
till I reach the promised land.

Update 2

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6.

Yesterday I had the MRI, and let me just say, that was a terrifying experience!  It ranks up there with my root canal last year!  I am claustrophobic, and the combination of lying on my stomach with my face down in a donut-shaped pillow plus not being able to move, and of course being inside a tunnel with jackhammers pounding in my ears for about 30 minutes, about did me in!  I really thought that I was going to crawl out of the machine for the first five minutes or so.  I just kept repeating to myself, "medical technology is a good thing".  Then I calmed myself by recalling how I had survived the 85 degree Andrew Jackson Marathon, and next I began praying for anyone I could think of and reciting Scripture.  I bet I said Psalm 23 fifty times!  Finally, it was over!

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever."  1 Chronicles 16:34

Later in the day Jimmy and I met with my general surgeon, who is so kind and understanding.  After he and the radiologist discussed the results of my MRI, and after he explained everything to Jimmy and me, I now have my surgical plan--a plan that will completely cure me and also reassure me that the cancer will not return.

Bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

I do not have a surgery date yet, but I will after I meet with the plastic surgeon this afternoon.  It will be one day next week.

I am so thankful for all of my family and friends who are offering to help out in any way.  My parents, of course, want to do anything for me, and they are going to do what will give me the greatest peace of mind while I am in the hospital and recovering--they are taking my children to their house to stay for several days.  I will not be worried about my children at all while they are at Mims and Pops's house!  My mother has two sewing machines and a serger which she will set up for my girls.  They are planning a sewing/crocheting/crafting marathon!  My parents have thousands of Legos for Clay and Sam to play with, and of course they will eat yummy food, watch TV, and in general have a mini-vacation.

My sweet sister-in-law Megan visited me Tuesday, and she came to help out!  She folded all of my laundry (which was a lot!), vacuumed and vacuumed and vacuumed, checked some schoolwork, cleaned three bathrooms, and took my girls to Hobby Lobby so they could buy a birthday present.  Thank you Megan!

We have declared a hiatus from school for now.  I am distracted, and I just keep thinking of one more thing to do, one more errand to run, before I am house-bound for a short time.  I am hoping that while I am recovering I will feel like reading aloud to the children, but that is all that I plan to do school-wise, until I am feeling back to normal.  

"My brethren, count is all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."  James 1:2

I am still trying to stay positive.  I know that I am fortunate that my cancer was diagnosed early, and that it is curable without months of treatments.  That really is a blessing.  But, the anxiety of the entire situation is sometimes overwhelming.  I can cry at the drop of a hat (and I am not a cryer).  I am afraid.  I can't put my finger on what I am afraid of, but it is still there---maybe it's the unknown of the discomforts of the surgery and recovery, maybe it's the lack of control that I have of the entire situation, maybe it's the fear that I will not regain my physical strength (I wonder if I will be running a half-marathon or doing Insanity again anytime soon?).  But, just like God's Word says,

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You." Psalm 56:3

So, I am praying about my fears, and trusting that God will carry me through it all!

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4

Update 1 and a Road Trip

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I was overwhelmed yesterday by your kind comments, encouraging words, and promises to pray for my family and me.  I appreciate that so much!  

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Well, I had a change of plans yesterday!  As I was driving to the clinic for the MRI, a nurse called me saying that the MRI machine was down, and they would have to reschedule my MRI for Wednesday.  That also means that my appointment with the surgeon was rescheduled for Wednesday as well.  So more waiting!

"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord."  Psalm 27:14

So, I am given today to be used as a normal day for me.  We will have a full school day plus art lessons.  I also plan to catch up on laundry and do a good bit of housework.  Also, I have gotten two days behind in my read the Bible in 90 days plan, so I want to read extra today to try to catch up a little bit.

I was spontaneous last week! Last Wednesday night Jimmy and Kelly talked me into buying tickets for the musical Wicked.  So Friday afternoon I took my three girls on a little road trip!  We followed Lynn and her children to Birmingham where we met our friend Leigh and her oldest daughter and Lynn's husband Kelly (who was already in Birmingham for guard duty).  We all enjoyed a nice dinner at Macaroni Grill, and then we attended the musical.  It was fantastic!  We laughed, cried, clapped, and cheered all the way through.  This really was a nice distraction for me (as Jimmy and my friends intended for it to be).  We spent the night in a hotel, and Saturday morning we had Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A for breakfast, and then we shopped at Target for two hours before heading back home.  It was a good road trip!

Jimmy and the boys had some fun while we were gone too.  They visited Jimmy's parents and family Friday night, and on Saturday they attended a blacksmithing demonstration.  Jimmy took pictures of their day, so I will blog about that next!

Thank you again, friends, for your encouragement and prayers.  This bump in my road is just that, a bump!  I will be on my way to recovery soon, and hopefully before we all know it back to my normal way of life!  Leah is training diligently for her first 10K in May, and I really hope that I will be able to run that with her.

"But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

A Bump in the Road

I have been traveling along this well-planned road of my life, taking care of my family, juggling homeschooling, housework, exercising, keeping us all on a predictable routine.  Even though one of my New Year's goals was to choose to be more spontaneous, and I have really tried to do that, for the most part my days fly by like a well oiled machine.

And then I hit a bump in the road.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"  Philippians 4:6


Beginning February 7, I have undergone repeat mammograms, ultrasounds, ultrasound-guided needle biopsies, surgical biopsy, and day after day after day after day of waiting on pathology reports.  It has been a long almost three weeks.  Friday, I finally got the diagnosis:

DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ)---which is non-invasive breast cancer.

"casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7


I am having an MRI later today, and I will be meeting with my surgeon tomorrow morning to discuss my next surgery, which will most likely be later this week.  The good news is that this type of cancer is cured surgically.

"in the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."  Psalm 94:19


I had no symptoms.  I consider myself healthy.  In fact, I had put off even having my first mammogram for over 2 years.  My doctor recommended that I have a mammogram the last time I had a check-up, when I was 40.  Now I am 42.  For some reason, back in January I decided to make an appointment for a check-up with my OB/GYN, and I made the appointment for the mammogram for the same day.  January 27th.  And that's when the questionable areas were first detected.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."  Psalm 56:3


Jimmy has been perfectly loving, comforting, and supportive throughout this entire process.  I could not ask for a better husband, and I certainly don't deserve him.  Lynn, my dear friend, who has run countless hours with me and endured two marathons with me, has been a rock for me. She has accompanied me on doctor visits, and always asks the right questions.  She also stayed with Jimmy the entire day for my surgery (she even arrived at the hospital before we did!).  She has coordinated food being brought by other dear friends to my family.  She has kept my children.  I have many other friends and family who have also kept my children, and helped out in other ways as well.  I have been surrounded by love and support, and most of all encouraging words and prayers.

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4


My prayer throughout the last couple of weeks has been for God's will for me.  For strength to handle His will, graciously, even thankfully.  That's what the verse in my blog header says....give thanks in all circumstances.  God's Word is true, and it is to be obeyed.  I am to give thanks in all circumstances, so I am trying.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3


One benefit of all of the anxiety I have had is that whenever that feeling of anxiousness creeps up on me, I immediately begin praying for other people.  I bring to mind all of the email prayer requests I receive, people who need prayer in my church family, my personal family, friends who are enduring hard times, anyone who has expressed a need for prayers that I am aware of......I am praying for them!

I will keep you all posted of my upcoming surgery plans.

"Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in You."  Psalm 86:4 (NIV)

My ABC Book Post

Today, I have a post over at The Homeschool Classroom all about the ABC book that Sam and I are making as part of his Kindergarten.  I have included some pictures of our actual book, so you can hopefully get some ideas, but also see that the book is actually Sam's book.  While I used a scrapbook and some scrapbooking supplies, I let Sam create the items that are put into the scrapbook, and I allowed him to place the pictures and stickers wherever he would like.  You can tell!

We are drawing near to our 100th Day of School mark.  We are on day ninety-something, but we will be taking a short break from school (I plan to blog all about it soon....very soon) before we actually get to Day 100.  We have about five or six letters left to learn, and the the whole alphabet will be covered.  Wow! This year has flown by in some ways.

You can click here to read the ABC Book post.  Happy reading!

Haircuts

Yesterday we had a much needed official day off from school.  And our entire family got haircuts, all seven of us!  Jimmy took the boys to the barber shop, and I took the girls to the beauty shop.  Everyone looks great!  The girls all got about one centimeter trimmed (that's all they ever want), and I got a somewhat different style--a little bit off the length and lots of layers.  I was so overdue a haircut!  My friend Kathy who lives three hours away asked me to put a picture up on my blog so she could see it.  I will try to do that at some point.

I also visited a friend with a new baby (I loved that I smelled like a baby for most of the day after holding him!), got the oil changed in my van, and bought some fabric to make a new apron.  The weather was beautiful here yesterday, and Jimmy took Clay and Leah for a run at the park.  Leah is training for her very first 10K--the Coke 10K in May.  She is following the plan that Coke Commit to Be Fit has published on Facebook.  This week's assignment is to run/walk for 20 minutes, three times this week.  She is doing great!  I plan to run this race with her.

Today is back to school and a meeting for Sam's homeschool kindergarten graduation!  I cannot believe that my youngest child will be finishing kindergarten this year.  Next year I will have a 12th grader and and 1st grader---so I will be finishing up my homeschool days with one, and really just beginning with another.  I wonder if I can do this for twelve more years?  Of course I can!  There isn't anything else I would rather be doing!  :)

I haven't exercised for a week now!  Since finishing Insanity I have taken a break to let my body rest and recover.  I am planning on starting back running in a couple of days.

On another note, I have had a stressful situation to deal with over the last two weeks.  My husband, children, family, church family, and dear friends have been overwhelmingly supportive and loving.  I will probably blog about the whole ordeal.....I just need to get my thoughts together.  So to my readers who know me in real life:  THANK YOU!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

My First Apron

Julie, modeling the apron!

I recently finished my very first apron.  I used Simplicity pattern 2492 and fabric purchased from Hobby Lobby.  I am pleased with how it turned out, however, I did not like using the bias tape that edged the entire apron.  So for that reason, I will not be using this pattern again.  I have already bought a new pattern that I am going to try for my next apron.  It is called the Funked Out Apron No. 12 by Lila Tueller Designs.  It is very cute!

I normally wear an apron whenever I am cooking.  I currently have three that I wear:  two made for me by my sister-in-law Megan and one made by my friend Heather.  I am happy to have another apron to put into the rotation (especially since one of the aprons I have is a Christmas one!)

I'll post pictures of the next apron when I finish it.

Something To Ponder

The other day Olivia, my oldest daughter, told me something that Sam, my youngest child, said to her.

I am glad that I am not the oldest, because your school takes too long and you don't get many hugs.

Now, the part about school taking too long doesn't phase me one bit.  That's life.  The older you get, the more work you have.  But the part about not getting many hugs broke my heart.  Little children are keen observers, and they are painfully honest about what they see.  I hug and kiss on Sam all day long because he is my baby (even though he is 6), but when I really thought about it, I realized that I really don't hug my older children that often.  How terrible!

Then I began to ponder.  When does it happen?  When do you go from hugging and kissing your children every time you walk by them to not remembering if you hug them aside from telling them goodnight?  When you are holding a young child in your lap, how do you know if it is the last time they will sit in your lap (because they are growing up?)?  I always felt that way about nursing my babies/toddlers.  The last time that I nursed them, I didn't realize it at that time that it was the last time.  I would have lingered.

So, I have been hugging my older children more.  Brushing their hair back.  Making sure that I touch them, put a hand on their shoulder.  In front of Sam and when he is not around.  It makes me feel great, and I know that they enjoy it too.  

Sometimes we just need a little to child to remind us.

Our Valentine's Day

 We began the day with muffins baked in heart papers.

 We ate our breakfast, lunch, and snacks on heart paper plates.

 We placed our Valentines at each person's place at the table.  Jimmy and I gave the children a heart filled with candy and a new pair of running socks.  The children made Valentines for each other and for Jimmy and me too.

 Julie crocheted a Valentine for each member of our family.

 Julie and Olivia gave me this cute coffee cup!  I lost my favorite coffee cup sometime back in December.  This new one is the perfect size!

 Later that afternoon I took Sam and Leah to a Valentine's party at a friend's house.  The children made Valentines.  This one was made by dotting paint with a pencil eraser.

Julie braided Leah's hair into a heart shape for the day!

I Finished Insanity!

Tuesday was my 63rd and final day of the Insanity Workout.  I am a graduate!  I have downloaded the paperwork to fill out to get my Insanity t-shirt.  You cannot buy these t-shirts, nor will they give you one unless you prove that you have completed the program.  I am looking forward to receiving and wearing my Insanity t-shirt!

I did not take before and after pictures, and I forgot to take any body measurements (except for my weight) before I began.  However, on day 22 I took several basic body measurements--waist, hips, thigh, arm, etc.  I measured myself again on day 63, and I was shocked!  I lost 8 inches total!  1 in. in each arm, 1.5 in. in each thigh, 2 in. in my waist, and 1 in. in my hips.  I would have never guessed!  I am so glad that I measured.  My weight increased by 3 pounds, so I am guessing that toning up really does develop muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat.

Looking back, the program was not really that hard, however I was intimidated the first week.  I recommend this exercise program to anyone who wants to lose some weight or simply tone up and increase your body strength.  I would not recommend this to someone who is currently doing NO exercise, but if you are already in pretty decent shape, then you can do it!  I will confess that during some (ok a lot) of the workouts I felt like I was going to throw up!  It is an intense workout!  But I kept telling myself, if I can run a marathon, surely I can do a 50 minute workout!  Shaun T., the instructor is very encouraging, and I enjoyed trying to keep up with the other participants.

I am resting for the next week or so, and I am still unsure of my next exercise plan.  I want to do some sort of combination of running and strength training.  I don't want to lose these muscles that I have built up!  I don't have any half-marathons coming up, but I do plan to run the Coke 10K in May with Leah.  This will be her very first 10K.  She is following the training plan that the Coke Commit to be Fit is publishing on Facebook.  She is running 3 days a week, and has just built up to 20 minutes per session.  She is so excited, and I am looking forward to running this with her!

Making Your Own Readers

Today I have a post at The Homeschool Classroom describing the readers Leah, Sam, and I have made.  We were inspired after reading The Year of Miss Agnes as part our Sonlight Core B.  They are so, so simple to make, and if you have beginning readers, I hope you will want to make some of these books too!

Click here to read the post.

Menu Plan Monday

I know that it's only Sunday, but my Mondays are busy with outside of the home activities, so I decided to go ahead and post this week's menu today.

Sunday:  leftovers for lunch, cereal for supper (We always eat cereal for supper on Sunday nights.)

Monday:  7 can soup (crock pot meal since we are gone all afternoon)

Tuesday:  penne pasta with bacon and spinach

Wednesday:  roast (crock pot), homemade macaroni and cheese, black eyed peas (from my freezer--I put them up last summer)

Thursday:  spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce

Friday:  shrimp and grits

I will serve a green salad and homemade bread with most meals.  Our lunches consist of leftovers or baked chicken strips diced and served in a flour tortilla or over a green salad along with fresh fruit and raw carrots and broccoli.  Breakfasts are mostly self-serve because I am exercising and then showering in the mornings.  The children choose from frozen waffles (I know, unhealthy!), peanut butter and bread, scrambled eggs, or oatmeal.  I always eat a Clif granola bar and drink lots of coffee!

Shrimp and Grits

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup uncooked quick cooking grits

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 Tbs. butter

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

6 slices bacon

2 pounds shrimp, peeled

1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley

2 tsp. chopped garlic (in a jar in the produce section)

Bring broth to a boil and then stir in grits.  Cook, stirring occasionally 5-7 minutes, or until thickened.  Remove from heat.  Stir in salt, pepper, butter, and cheese.  Set aside and keep warm.  (I remove some of the grits for Olivia before adding the cheese--she does not like cheese!)  Cook bacon, drain on paper towels, and then crumble.  Cook shrimp in bacon grease.  You can drain some of the bacon grease off if it looks like too much.  (I always drain most of it off.)  Add lemon juice and next 4 ingredients.  Cook 3 minutes.  Stir in bacon.

Spoon grits onto individual serving plates.  Top with shrimp mixture and serve immediately.

Please visit OrgJunkie for more menu inspiration and recipes too.

My Saturday

This has been a long week for me, and I am glad that it is now Saturday, and I can take a breath.

It's actually snowing here right now (in Mississippi!), and I am making my weekly grocery list.  It really is too cold to get out and buy groceries, but I am....Jimmy ran 22 miles early, early (5:30) this morning with friends, so if they can run in the snow for hours, surely I can ride in my warm van to Kroger!

Jimmy took me out for a coffee date twice this week--after supper, just the two of us, and that was just what I needed.

We have our family Bible study tonight at our dear friends' house, the Princes.  We enjoy a meal together after our study, and I am planning on taking a salad and my yummy pound cake.

I have completed 60 out of 63 days of Insanity.  Just three more days to go!  I am ready to say that I am an Insanity graduate.  Like most things in life, this exercise program seemed so intimidating at first.  But now that I am almost at the end, looking back it seems like it wasn't so bad.

I haven't gotten my children or husband any Valentine's Day happy yet.  I need a creative idea that doesn't involve candy.  I guess I will scour Pinterest for some fun ideas!

Sam's 100th day of Kindergarten is coming up soon, and I would like some new ideas for celebrating that too.  If you have any good ideas for 100 day celebrations or Valentines, please share!

The Best Pound Cake

I first made this pound cake several months ago after I tried it Jimmy's Aunt Julie's house.  I am not a big cake fan, but this cake is delicious!  Julie requested it as her birthday cake, and I definitely had better success with this cake than with my decorated cakes!

Here is the recipe:

3 sticks butter, room temperature

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs, room temperature

3 cups cake flour

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp, almond extract (optional)

The mixing instructions are very important, and must be followed exactly.  When Aunt Julie gave me the recipe (from her neighbor), it had no directions.  I have read several cream cheese pound cake recipes and tried various ways of mixing this cake.  This is the way I have found that the cake turns out the best.

Cream together butter and cream cheese (they MUST be room temperature).  Add sugar, and beat well.  Add the vanilla and almond if using. Next add one egg, and then a little bit of the flour.  Repeat this until the eggs and flour are all mixed in.  End with the last bit of the flour.  This makes a lot of batter, and I use my big Kitchen Aid mixer. 

Grease and flour a large bundt pan with smooth sides.  I think it may be called an angel food cake pan.  This cake will not fit into a fluted regular sized pound cake pan.  I use crisco to grease the pan--just put some on a folded up paper towel and coat the entire cake pan.  Sprinkle the pan with flour, shaking around to coat the pan.

Pour the batter into the pan.

Place pan in an unheated oven. This is important.  Do not preheat the oven.  Put the cake in the oven and turn it on to 300 degrees.  Bake the cake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, and then check by inserting a butter knife into the center.  If it is still gooey, cook for 5-10 minutes longer.  In my oven the cake will cook completely in 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!  

Delicious!

Please visit any of the following 4 Moms, 35 Kids blogs for a dessert recipe link up today.

Raising Olives

Smockity Frocks

The Common Room

Life in a Shoe

Olivia Is Driving!

Actually, Olivia got her permit almost a year ago, but I have not ridden in the car with her driving......

Until Today!


Olivia and I had to go to town today, and as we were getting into the van, she ran back into the house to get her permit.  She asked, "Can I drive?"

I panicked!  I have let Jimmy do all of the driving lessons.  I know that Olivia needs more driving practice, but I have been too nervous to let her drive me.  I potty trained the children and taught them how to read, but teaching them to drive is a different story!  I am so thankful that Jimmy has taught her to drive!

So, I told her that I would prefer to drive to town, but I would let her drive us back home.

And I did!  She drove us all the way home, including down a busy street with multiple traffic lights.  We made it home safe and sound.  I was very pleased at Olivia's driving skills.  She is a good driver!

I am thinking that I am too young to have a child who can drive!

A Good Book

Today I finished reading Moccasin Trail by Eloise Jarvis McGraw aloud to Clay (and Olivia, Julie, Leah and Sam sometimes too).  It is one of our books for Core D/E (American History) in Sonlight.

It is an excellent book!

Moccasin Trail is set in 1844, a time when many brave pioneers braved the elements and numerous dangers to travel west in to the wilderness of the Oregon territory.  Jim is an 18 year old who ran away from his family back east eight years ago.  Following a tragic encounter with a bear, Jim was rescued and then raised by a tribe of Crow Indians.  Later, part of his original family make the difficult journey out west, and Jim joins them for the latter part of their trip.  Most of the story revolves around Jim's inner conflict---is he a Crow Indian or a white man?  Where does he belong?  Does his family really want him back?  Does he really want to live with them?

Throughout the book, many gruesome things are described, but I know that's how life really was for these people.  I am so thankful that I live in the time and place that I do!

If you are studying this time period in your homeschool, or you simply want a good book to read, I highly recommend Moccasin Trail.  I am adding it to my list of all-time favorite books.

A couple of more things--I would recommend this as a read aloud for your children because of the dialect.  My children prefer me to read books with dialect different than ours out loud to them.  Also, there really are some gross parts.  I think this book is best suited for ages 9 or 10 and up.  Clay is almost 13, and he really enjoyed it.

One more book that I have read aloud recently, and LOVED was The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill.  I read this book to Leah and Sam as part of Sonlight Core B.  We all loved this book!  I have a blog post about it due to be published on February 16 over on The Homeschool Classroom.  I will post a link to the article on that day.

Tomorrow, I begin reading Across Five Aprils to Clay (another favorite of mine),and I am currently reading Little Pear to Leah and Sam.  Little Pear is ok.  Not a thought provoking or life changing book or anything.  But we have read worse!

I love, love, love reading aloud good books to my children.  It is my all-time, hands-down favorite part of homeschooling!

The La La Loopsy House

Olivia made Leah this cute little house for her miniature La La Loopsy dolls.  She used a shoe box, scrapbooking paper, scraps of fabric, and several odds and ends that she found in various places.

 the front of the house

 an inside view of the whole house

 the bedroom

 the bathroom 

the kitchen

Spending time on Pinterest has put me in a craftsy mood, and I normally don't even like to do crafts!  Mostly I have rekindled my interest in sewing.  Earlier this afternoon I cut out an apron for me and most of a capri pants and top outfit for Leah.  Having a designated space for all of our sewing/scrapbooking/crafting supplies plus my fabulous crafting table inspires me!

One of the advantages of homeschooling is that my children have time on most days to spend in creative pursuits.  They work really hard completing their schoolwork and chores, but unless we have somewhere to go, they always have time for their hobbies.  They also work on their projects after supper until bedtime.  As my younger children are growing older, I am finding that I am having a tiny bit more discretionary time as well.  So, I am getting to spend some time in creative pursuits of my own!

I'll post some pictures of my apron and Leah's outfit when I finish them---it may take me a couple of weeks or even a month--I just work on my projects a little bit at a time.

Clay's Knife

Ok, I had pictures of the wrong knife.  Clay actually fine-tuned his railroad-spike knife, but I don't have picture of that.  These are pictures of a knife that he made out of a saw blade.  He still used his forge and grinder, but he started with a different material.  

 He made a handle using paracord, and he hand sewed a cover for the blade out of leather.

The finished product!

Girls Night Out

Last week Lynn invited me to attend a Girls Night Out painting event with her.  She also invited our friend Leigh and Lynn's mama, Kitty.  Now, painting is not really my thing, but Lynn and I haven't spent much time together outside our church services since December 3---she and I are both taking a short break from running---so I was up for spending some fun time with her!

When I told my children that I was going to a painting class, Olivia laughed!  My whole family is well aware of my lack of artistic ability!  Anyway, Tuesday night I went, and we had a fun time!  The teacher was really sweet and encouraging, and she broke the painting down step by step so even a novice like me could be successful!

 Lynn, Kitty, and Leigh, beginning our canvases

 Here is the paint palette.  Pretty colors!

 First, we drew with pencil.

Then, after about three hours, this is what we ended up with!

My children were impressed!

Sam's 6th Birthday

Saturday was Sam's 6th birthday!  He was so excited the night before his birthday.  We began our day with Sam opening his presents, and then we had bacon and eggs for breakfast.  His cousin, Joey, spent most of the day with us.  Sam and Joey played legos all day long!  Later that afternoon we all went to Joey's house for supper.  We all really enjoyed our visit with Joe and Leanna and their four children.  

Here are some pictures from Sam's big day.

 a gift from Leah

 posing with his gifts

 He liked the cake!

 blowing out the candle

 the Lego-themed table

 Olivia hot-glued a lego on each fork--cute!

 Sam's presents

One last picture of the lovely cake!

To be such an ugly cake, it tasted so good.  I determined that the problem with the cake was the icing.  I miscalculated the amount of water when doubling the recipe, and I never could get the consistency right!

Happy Birthday Sam!