Merry Christmas!

Well Christmas is only 2 days away now and I wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. This has been quite a year and I'm looking forward to a less eventfull new year! (haha)

My recovery continues to go very well. I saw the neurosurgeon in November.  He said my MRI looked great and I won't have to have another for 6 months!  I'm gradually losing the puffiness from my face from all the medications I was on.  I have a way to go still, but it's much better than it was! I still can't get all my rings on my fingers, but that will come with time.

Nathan & Nicole are both growing like weeds! Nathan is almost as tall as me now and Nicole is trying hard to catch up. Nathan has grown up over night it seems since he got his braces. Nicole continues to enjoy her gymnastics class.

Our big news is that we got a dog about 2 weeks ago. For those of you who don't know, we no longer have Dakota. He was a good dog, but I could not have handled an 8 month old puppy while recovering from brain surgery. We found a lady who needed him as much as he needed her and they are a great pair. We hear occassionally from Dakota and he is doing great! Well, since Dakota left, Nicole especially has wanted another dog. So we went to the local animal shelter and found us one! His name is Simon and he is a lab/husky mix. He looks like a lab however. He is good natured, loves to play but is not overly energetic.  He also loves to cuddle which we all love! I think he has been a perfect addition to our family!   

I think that covers most of it for now. We hope you and your families have a WONDERFUL Christmas. We pray that the miracle of this season stays with you throught the upcoming year.  We are so blessed to have each of you in our lives and Jesus as our Saviour.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pictures and Update

Well, I'm beginning to learn more about the new technology I have at my fingertips. I've finally uploaded some pictures using my new laptop!! Whoo-hoo!

Over the past couple of months we have accomplished 40 days of school, Nathan went with Allen and the football team to Ft. Campbell, we've been swimming with friends, football season has started and so has soccer and volleyball.

I've posted a couple of pictures of Nathan being soldier for the day, some of our new hummingbird feeder and Nicole in her new Chinese dress. Our assistant volleyball coach and his wife are from China and they always bring us great gifts back from their travel home.

We are all doing well. I'm still doing well and my recovery has been great. I will have another MRI the end of October/first part of November and see my neurosurgeon in November. I will keep you posted on how that goes.

Summer

WOW! This summer has gone by so fast it's been a blurr. And blurry in more ways than one! haha. The first couple weeks after my surgery were definitely a blurr!

Nathan has celebrated his 11th birthday and we have had fun with friends swimming, playing at the park and a full and exhausting day at the Water park.

We spent the 4th of July in Nashville and watched the fireworks from the bridge for about 5-10 minutes before the sky opened up and poured on us. We were totally soaked even with umbrellas before we made it back to our hotel. It will be a 4th to remember!

I saw my neuro-surgeon that same weekend and everything looked good he said. We did find out that my tumor was the fast growing kind, a grade II, so we will have an MRI in 6 months and keep a close eye on things. It may or may not grow back so in the mean time, we'll follow up with him and see how things go.

Again, I can't tell you all how much I have appreciated your prayers during this time. It has meant so much to me and Allen!

The kids and I will start back to school next week. The schools here are starting early and I want to have some days scheduled in for Dr. appointments and to make some football and basketball trips with Allen and finish in May.

I'd like to post some pictures, but we seem to be having some technical issues with our photo software. I'll post some when I can.

Forward Progress

Well this has been a good week! I'm feeling a little stronger most days but still have to be careful about taking it easy. I was able to wash my hair even before the staples came out! Talk about feeling human again! That was a great day!

The staples came out today. There were about 40 of them going across the top of my head. They came out easily and pretty painlessly which was very nice. Allen and I went to breakfast together then the Doctors and ran a couple of errands for a very nice morning. He's been gone in Nashville this past week and it was fun having some alone time to catch up.

My parents leave in the morning. They have been here since my surgery and have been such a huge help in taking care of things and the kids! Thanks Mom & Dad, you guys have been great. I'm hoping I feel up to going to church in the morning. I've missed being there and seeing everyone to thank them for their prayers and support during this time. The HBC family is the BEST!!

We are looking forward to this upcoming week. Some of our best friends are back in town and we can't wait to see them and have some fun! I'm sure I'll do too much, but I wouldn't change a thing about them coming!!

Good to be Home

It's hard to believe that 2 days after having brain surgery, I'm at home! I just have to Praise God that the surgery went so well and my recovery has been moving right along.

I still look a little scary. Both of my eyes are still black and blue, but my right eye had opened at the hospital and the swelling has gone way down now. They did forget to tell me that the swelling would move into my eyes and face, but that's ok. What can I do about it? The kids think I look funny...like a raccoon with pink eyes instead of black. They are monitoring my progress which is cute. They have been such troopers with all of this.

Today I have been really tired so I've just taken it easy and rested a lot. I figured after yesterday I'd have a little crash, but for all I'm going through, I was ready for it. So that's my progress for today. Plan for tomorrow is listen to my body and rest when I'm tired!

They have started weaning me off the steroids and some of the other medications. It will take a few weeks but it will be nice when we're done!

I'll post more as I can.
Sharon

Face Lift!

Well, I figured since I was getting a "new" look here next week, why not the blog too? I just felt like changing things up a little. I don't exactly burn the midnight oil working on my blog...but it's time for an update.

Most all of you know that about 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor in my right forehead area. After a few days in the hospital, consultation with a couple of surgeons and research, it has been decided that the best treatment/cure for me is to have it removed.

Although it sounds really scary, I'm very lucky. The type of tumor it is and it's location are good and can be taken care of easily (if that sounds proper?...). Easily that is if you are a well trained neurosurgeon! haha. My Dr. is top notch in his field, this is his area of expertise and he works at Vanderbilt which has all the latest, greatest technology. We feel I'm in excellent hands...and know that God dropped us right there!

God has just covered us with friends to help, prayer and love. He has truly blown me away! I admit, I'm nervous about the surgery and recovery, but I have such a sense of Gods peace and that has been such a comfort.

I can't let another moment pass either without thanking a VERY SPECIAL group of ladies in my life. You all have absolutely blown me away girls! To even know where to start saying thank you...I don't know where to begin. Just know I love you all and every tiny thing and every big thing you have done has touched me deeply!

Ok, so my surgery is scheduled at Vandy next Wednesday the 20th. I believe I get to be the first case which means I won't have to wait around all day. If that's the case, that's an answer to prayer!! God will have to double dose his mercy if I have to wait! LOL! We anticipate about a 3 day stay at the hospital. Once I'm up, moving and eating, they let you go home!

Grandparents are coming to stay with me and the kids! I'm so grateful for such a wonderful family and their willingness to drop everything for this. The kids are, needless to say, excited about the "endless" grandparent party! Nathan & Nicole have both been great about everything going on. We've tried to keep things pretty normal and answer any questions they have had. Nicole did have a cute one the other day...she asked what they were going to do with my brain "tuner"! They haven't seemed to be concerned and for that we are grateful.

We will try and keep everyone posted via email or the blog as to my progress. Thank you all again for your love, support and prayers!

Catching Up

Ok, It's been forever since I've updated my blog. My apologies, but it has been very busy around here. I'll try and do this in sequential order and post some pictures.

January: Nathan played Upward Basketball again this year. His season was January - the first part of March. He really enjoys playing and had a good time.

Dakota has continued to grow. He's much more filled out than getting longer or bigger, but that's good. He's all done with his shots and can now play safely with other dogs.

Nicole is still in gymnastics and loving that. She thinks she may try and play Upward BBall next year. I hope she does, but we'll see.

February: This month Kentucky was hit with a major ice storm. We were without power for about 3-3 1/2 days. Thankfully we had heat so we managed ok. We were some of the very lucky people to get our power back so soon and did not suffer any damage to our house.

Basketball is in full swing. All the games are important and big and MSU is playing for a tournament spot.

Allen and I celebrated our 18th Wedding Anniversary this month. He took me to dinner and the Basketball game at Murray State! Imagine that! It's not the first anniversary or Valentine's Day I've spent at a ball game...just comes with the territory.

Both sets of grandparents have been to visit and the kids participated in our homeschooling science fair.

March: March begins with Nicole's birthday. My baby turned 8 years old if you can believe that, I can't! Also, her birthday marks a grand Murray tradition...Our Dairy Queen opens for the season. She has been talking about her birthday and DQ opening for months now. So despite the cold temperature and snow on the ground, Allen went and stood in line (yes, there was a line) for ice cream. I told Nicole, her daddy must really love her!!

On the heels of her birthday comes our conference basketball tournament. First round was here at home then we headed to Nashville for a couple of days for the next round.

Last week Allen was off for Spring Break. He was sweet enough to stay home with the kids and I got to go to Texas to see my sister and meet my new nephew. My brother came down from Colorado and my parents form Arkansas, so we had a little family reunion. I made sure and got my fill of all the food I can't get in Kentucky. Was able to spend a little bit of time with some friends and shop. We took my niece to the zoo and we all went to the King Tut exhibit at the DMA. (Dallas Museum of Art).
It was a great week and went by way to fast, but it's good to be home with my family again.

Well, I seem to be having trouble with the pictures. I'll go ahead and post this and do the pictures later.

The Twins

Nicole recently had her good friend Laurel over. Jennifer and I had taken the girls out to lunch then Laurel came over to play. The girls had a great time doing their hair and Nicole's American Girl Doll's hair. They came out of her room and Allen joked that he couldn't tell them apart! I think they look adorable!

Koda Pictures

I think Koda is feeling very comfortable now as a member of our family. He has some very typical Eskie traits. Something we affectionately refer to as psycho running. This involves running around the house at top speed, literally "flying" onto the couch and jumping to the other and continuing in a circle.

He also has a thing for his water bowl. Water IN the bowl is not near as much fun as standing in the bowl or turning it upside down. This wouldn't be so bad, except his water dish is inside!! Bandit was known as the "water dog" at our kennel because he would scratch out all his water in the bowl as soon as it was filled up.

We have someone coming out tomorrow to measure the yard for a fence. YEAH!! A fence will be great for him to get out, explore, and tear around the yard. I'm thinking this will save MY sanity! He definitely needs stimulation and entertainment or he becomes a chewing tyrant! I'm thinking that will really help the housebreaking process run more quickly and smoothly!

Nicole and I gave him a bath tonight. He didn't absolutely hate it, but he wasn't over excited about it either. I'll post a picture of him after his bath.

Well that's all the Koda news for now!


Sporting the wet dog look

Resume the sleeping position