7QT: An Update, sweet-loving Saints, and a photo-party

Joining Jen and so many other wonderful bloggers for a round of some quick-takes. It's been awhile, but I have a smidge of time on my hands while both boys are napping (Thank you, Audrea! You coming over to let the kids play and laugh wore my boys out! And was good for my cabin-fever-mama-heart! Love you!).

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Wow! Thank you dear St. Gemma Galgani. You have been such a prayer warrior for me as well as all of you who have been keeping me and my back situation in your prayers! So many things have happened in such a short time and I could not be more grateful!

Since seeing my doctor, getting medication to relieve pain and inflammation, and having an MRI done I have been able to see an orthopedic surgeon. There was a cancellation at their office (this office came well recommended so I'm so very grateful, not only for the appointment, but for our insurance and my husband's work.). This allowed us to sneak in, have some x-rays done, and have a specialist further explain what has been going on with my back.

In the end, I have a herniated disc (Bummer!) in my lower back. The doctor seemed hopeful and positive (Maybe because I cried a little during the appointment because that's just how I do sometimes, but I'm hoping it was not only because of that. My husband was optimistic, so that's a much better indicator!). He gave us his recommendation which will be implemented in a weeks time. Thankfully, medication has helped me tremendously since the weekend of crazy pain, and I'm hopeful that the next step (A shot.)  paired with physical therapy will get me back to normal. Or, at least my new normal. 

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I say new normal only because I know I need to be more thoughtful in how I treat my lower back and spine in general. I had an injury to my lower spine back in high school and it seems that injury has come back to kick me in the rear. Or at least, the injury plus my poor choices when it comes to general movement that involves my spine (Specifically, lower.)

Part of me wants to be thankful that this is happening now and I can make any and all necessary changes that are needed in hopes to have a stronger core with a future filled with less injury. I wouldn't have made any thoughtful changes otherwise, especially on the craze of normal day-to-day mothering with littles around.

So, once we have the shot that will hopefully help heal the herniation, I look forward to the round of physical therapy.

St. Gemma Galgini, thank you for all of your precious prayers and for your continued intercession!

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I'ts still crazy to think all this is happening. It's been tough for us around here with my limitations. Throughout all of this, my husband has been so amazing. I can't say that enough (and, I know I've said it quite a bit in these last few posts.) but he truly has met me where I needed to be met in all of this. From the emotional to the physical, he has been wonderful. He has made the crazy so much less so. 

He has made the crazy, easy. This, my friends, is no easy task. A task, nonetheless, that has been driven by a sweet love that is a gift from Above.

St. Joseph continue to pray for us and thank you for your role in all of this too. Your intersession truly is a gift to our little family.

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Speaking of our little family, thank you, parents, siblings, and relatives for your prayers and presence! The grace that we've been able to experience in these last weeks is no coincidence. I know I have so many prayer warriors in our extended family and friends. 

Our family members have been calling, texting, emailing, and praying. There is a peace that comes from not only your prayers, but the love you have for us. The love is nourishing and has carried our little weary hearts through this crazy bit of struggle.

And, our friends have blessed us so much too! From offering and providing us with meals to lighten our load, to offering childcare, an ear to listen to my tear-filled weariness, so many prayers, company, and lots of love. The friends we have been blessed with here in the Dallas area have always made our hearts smile a smile of disbelief and gratitude at how wonderful we have it here. We are blessed to know so many wonderful families that have been there since the day we met them.

****Funny side story. I just looked up the patron saint of friends/friendship while writing this. Wouldn't you know, it's the patron saint of your youngest! St. John the Apostle, the Beloved. Admittedly, I shed a little tear when I saw our Linuses' patron saint pop up. Holy Spirit, friends! God holding us. The prayers of you and the saints, holding us. Such a gift.****

St. John the Apostle, thank you for your intersession and your continued prayers for our little family!

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Well, I think we're good with the update party. I'm doing well and on the mend. I'm hopeful and trusting as best I can. The boys are hanging in there and we are enjoying our days despite the nutty-antics of toddlers. Also, they are better from that awful Hand-Foot-Mouth virus. Worst virus, ever! Or, at least, a close second after the stomach flu. They are well and we are no longer quarantined so we don't spread said-awfulness. Woohoo!

I'll share a little photo-party for my last quick-take to show the sunshine we've been experiencing.

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Honestly, my biggest fear since I felt such crippling back pain a few weekends ago has been the fear of this hindering our chances to carry another child. I've mentioned this to every doctor or specialist that I've encountered since (They probably thought I was crazy.). However, during our appointment with the orthopedic surgeon I was assured with a smile and a bit of a tear that we would be just fine, physically, given treatment and diligence. After that, he shared he understood because he had five of his own. My heart felt lighter the moment he responded to me.

God's Will be done, of course! Because, obviously, only He knows what our future holds regarding future little ones, but I'm hopeful and will remain prayerful.

Sweet Mother, pray for us.

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Now, onto the little insta-photo-party of our last few weeks.

We've been having lots of arts and crafts lately. I've put on my crafty pants and we've been having some fun.

A Blueberry-Lemon Bundt cake to celebrate the Exultation of the Holy Cross and the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Double feast sweetness. The boys love baking which makes my baking-loving-heart happy.

Especially this boy. He really enjoys baking. So much so, he's been asking to bake a cake for any and all family that visits us. Excited to bake something for Uncle A and Bekah this weekend!

Mama and her Linus.

Bigfoot and his googi-oggers.

Brothers. 

Sunshine and exploring.

Linus and his sweet smile. The same smile he has been sharing so often these days.

Crafty-pants for the win. We made crowns and Bigfoot kept running around calling himself Printhe.

Prince Linus.

Linus and Lily. Oh, how these boys love their fluff!

Sweet prayer pillowcase that was gifted to all Edel '14 attendees has brought my little one a beautiful prayer and sweet sleep. I recently brought it out for Bigfoot since he's been leaving his room often in the middle of the night. Today, right before he fell asleep for his nap, he gave the guardian angel a kiss. He melted my heart. So thankful for our guardian angels!

***Last, I won this beautiful, hand-designed/drawn work from Rakhi! Friends, this piece is even more beautiful in person! I really encourage you to go check out her Signs of Love etsy shop! Not only does she have beautiful wall art pieces, but also cards, journals, and custom designs! She's wonderful and you can tell that this was made with love, care, and prayer!***

Will post another picture once I find a frame for this loveliness.

Thanks for stopping by and prayers for a beautiful, love-filled weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

the present moment // crazy beautiful

We had some late morning water painting play just a day before craziness hit our home. We thought the craziness was already present with both boys having Hand Foot Mouth, but then things decided to take a turn for the worst (if you can believe that!). 

One cannot love without suffering. He [Jesus] showed us this very clearly upon the cross, where He was consumed for love of us. And it is still the same every day in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar... Since love makes lovers one in likeness, if we love, let us model our lives on His. 

-St. Margaret Mary Alocoque

Thinking about // How quickly things got crazy. Linus had a hard night on Friday. The very same day we were out and about water painting. My back pain was on the up and things were looking good since the boys were slowly but surely healing up.

I never knew that I was going to wake up Saturday morning, barely able to stand on my own two feet. I couldn't walk, sit, stand, lay down, get up, or anything without an insane amount of crippling pain in my lower back. It was nuts and very scary. We went to my chiro who I had been seeing and she basically referred us back to our primary care physician in hope to get medication to help relax the inflammation and pain I was having. Only, since it was a Saturday I was supposed to endure the pain through the weekend. Come Sunday morning, my pain was worsening (something I didn't know was possible) so we made an appointment with a nearby Urgent Care facility. Upon arrival we were told to go to the ER since the pain I was having was not something they could help with.

Soon enough, we were on our way to the ER. I was crying both from pain and fear. We drove past our Church where we would not be attending Mass and my oldest told me I should say Hi to Jesus. Tears just kept streaming. It's a scary thing to be in so much pain. Hoplessness and fear that you won't be able to get back to a normal place of movement again started hitting me so hard. Fears of not being able to tend to my babies or that maybe we wouldn't be able to have any more babies because of this problem. Thought, thoughts, and more thoughts just kept streaming.

We arrived at the ER and they brought me in, asked some questions, then gave me a shot for the pain. Something that made me nauseous into the evening (bleh!). But it did take the edge off in the pain department. The next day we started getting in touch with Neurosurgeons to try and see if we could get an appointment, but low and behold, we needed an MRI which could be ordered by our PCP, so then we needed that appointment to get the other appt, etc, etc, etc.

Thankfully we found a PCP that had an early appt the following day. We signed up and said many a prayers. I'm so glad Holy Spirit brought us to this doctor. She was wonderful, quick to take action, and scheduled us for an MRI the very same day. She sensed the urgency from seeing my lack of mobility and gauged the pain I was still in despite the pain medication I was taking. She prescribed a few other medications in place of the others (they were making me so ill!) as well as gave me two more shots. My bottom has never seen so many needless in such a short time span but has never been so grateful for it too!

After leaving her office, I felt hopeful and thankful that we were able to get a doctor that was so responsive and helpful. Apparently getting same-day MRIs are very hard to come by. Since seeing her, with the medication she provided, I have been able to regain walking ability, standing on my own, and am able to sit for longer lengths of time. This is a HUGE improvement if you can believe that!

We should hear back about the MRI either later today or sometime tomorrow and then will be following whatever next steps we need to so I can full recover and get back to tending to my babies and my home.

Feeling so crippled does something to you. I have cried so many tears these last few days and all for the gratitude of my husband and how has been caring for me in a time of sickness. He has been my hero these days, caring for our boys, making meals, all the while, helping me get from point A to point B.

So all of this, all of this is what I keep rehashing in my mind. Over and over again. Praying for a future of recovery and amazed at how quickly our turn for the worst took place. It's amazing, the opportunities of suffering that can be allowed in our lives. So much good has already come from the many prayers we have been shared from family and friends. So much goodness. God knows and sees my mama heart yearning to mother her family and home. And, I see how He meets me. How he has met me in so many different places.


Praying for // Healing. That I may be able to recovery fully and come out of this stronger than before. Not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. I'd also love to pray for any of your intentions during our trials, so please email me or share some in the comments. I will joyfully lift them up while we're figuring all this craziness out.

Also, praying for my husband. That God continue to bless him with the amazing peace, goodness, and strength He has already been blessing him with. Also that He continue to bless him with this beautiful servant's heart that he has had for myself and our boys throughout this trying time.

Lastly, I'm praying for our boys. They know something has been up and being so little don't have the words to express whatever they may be feeling. In turn, we have been having rounds of tantrums and acting out that isn't normal for them (especially my 3 year old). It has been hard for them as well as for us. So, if you could join me in praying for them as well and that we have the grace to help them communicate whatever they may be feeling during this trying time for our little family.


Thankful for // All the gifts and blessings He has shared with us during this difficult time. Amazing strength and presence with my husband. I don't know how he's been enduring so much and being so amazing all at the same time. He has been so very selfless and I am forever grateful for how he loves me.

It's almost as he knew I would need family during this time. My mom recently took a new job that brings her up to Dallas ever few weeks. It just so happened she was coming to our house yesterday to stay the night and flying back home this afternoon. Having her here for that short but perfect time was such a God-send. She played with the boys, took them outside, made us breakfast, cleaned our kitchen, washed and folded clothes (all this and more in such a short time!). Such a gift!

My brother has been so encouraging during my times of discouragement. He's a physical therapist so he knows a thing or two about all that's going on with me. He has helped me work through this medical system that can be crazy, given us referrals, watched the boys while we went to the MRI and will be watching the boys again tomorrow afternoon so my husband can get back to work at work rather than from home. So thankful for all he's done and continues to do.

Friends and family have been offering to share meals with us and just reaching out in such a beautiful way. Our friends and family are so good and their prayers have been such gift!

And, I'm just so thankful that after all this medication (Oy!) I am back to walking slowly but carefully and more importantly, on my own! So so so very thankful!

Thankful for the fact that the boys are almost fully healed from that terrible virus called Hand Foot Mouth! Their blisters are nearly gone and thankfully healing up well! This virus was definitely a tough one but we got through it and I couldn't be more happy that it's behind us!

Also, I'm thankful for meeting a new saint. Saint Gemma Galgani has been there for me in the prayer department, I know. I have crossed her name so many times and never took the time to get to know her until now. Until I had crippling back pain, something she is all too familiar with. I'm so grateful for her prayers and look forward to getting to know her more throughout this journey!

It is true Jesus, if I think of what I have gone through as a child and now as a grown up girl I see that I have always had crosses to bear; But oh! how wrong are those who say that suffering is a misfortune! 

-St. Gemma Galgani

Remembering // The sweet time we had outside on our patio painting with water. The boys loved every moment. As did their mama. It's fills my heart to see them enjoying being outside as well as each other.

So, I know this was a lengthy Currently, but it is where I currently am. Things are crazy and unknown but there is a hope that things will be known soon and there will be a plan for full recovery which is good. I want to remember the crazy and the beautiful because it's here where I learn and grow in love and goodness. It's also where I grow to trust and hope in Him alone. All this and a huge dose of good ol' humility. 

Ever had insane back problems? What prayers/saints got you through?