MERRY CHRISTMAS . . . and other stuff

Well, it's been a while since I updated this blog, so here goes. This is the first time, in a very long time, that all of our Christmas shopping is completely done. And our Christmas tree is up & decorated. We got a new tree this year, it is a pre-lit white tree and we decorated it with red & blue ornaments, patriotic!!

Found out this month that Emily Rhyse has a heart murmur and they are sending her to a pediatric cardiologist to have it checked out. Morgan's sneezing has almost completely stopped, she still has a few episodes. She is currently on a round of antibotics after a "diagnosis" that this may have been caused from the Strep infection she had back in July - they are calling it PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections). That's a mouth full. This could possibly lead to having her tonsils out.

Not much else on the home front at the moment. Life is blessed & all is good.

Love, Bella

6 weeks - almost 7 weeks . . .

It has been 6 1/2 weeks of sneezing, at least it has slowed down now, so hopefully it has run its course. Still, no one knows what causes this or how to "cure" it. Morgan is back at school, thank goodness, but still not going to regular class. They had her in the library, where she was not getting her work done, so Ms. Stanley has moved her to a room across from her office so that she can help Morgan with school work. That has worked really well, as Morgan is almost completely caught up with her missed school work. Now, just waiting on the rest of the medical bills to trickle in, like the one from the MRI & CT Scan, got those, but waiting on insurance to pay before we pay anything on them (just those 2 were almost $10,000.00).

Me and my sister went to Texas for Emily Rhyse's first birthday. We had a pretty good time. Emily got lots of presents and ate cake.

Morgan stayed here & went to the Robotics competition with the school. They placed fifth (5th) and she had a good time at ASU, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

That's all the news for now.

Love, Bella

5 weeks & counting . . .

Well, today is a full 5 weeks of sneezing for Morgan. The 2nd nerve block didn't last long, and now she is getting sick, already running 100 degree fever. Seems like she will never get to go back to school. Running out of ideas and patience, so frustrated at this moment.

Love, Bella

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY RHYSE!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY LITTLE ONE!!

LOVE, BELLA & POPPA

Two weeks & three days .... hoping the sneezing has stopped

Well after two weeks, three days and four doctors later, and missing almost 2 full weeks of school, there is no medical reason why Morgan should be sneezing. The only medical information is from overseas and all it says is that after three or four weeks, the people just quit sneezing. That's just wonderful!!

The school won't allow Morgan to attend until she quits sneezing, so now they are sending her work home for her to do. Not sure how that's going to work out, but that's where we are right now.

The only thing left that they can do for the sneezing is to clip that nerve and they won't consider doing that until after 4 weeks of sneezing. I'm not sure I want them doing that anyway, because it is permanent and she will have a "numb" spot on her cheek.

I keep praying that she will quit sneezing and soon.

Love, Bella

Look out El Dorado - here we come again . . .

Well, the MRI they did on Morgan yesterday yielded absolutely NOTHING!! Got a call from Dr. Pillsbury's office this morning saying that he had been on the phone to a doctor at UAMS and decided they would like to do a CT scan. So, back to El Dorado we go tomorrow for the scan. Tried to send Morgan to school today, didn't work, they called for me to come get her - she was sneezing constantly again. I know that she is getting tired of this - just wish they could figure it out. Back to the drawing board, so to speak. Yesterday, Dr. Pillsbury said that he is running out of ideas and has no clue as to what is causing the sneezing. Only Jesus knows, at this point, what is going on.

Love, Bella

Doctor #3

Hopefully it is true what they say - third times a charm. Morgan is still sneezing, only relief is when they "numb" the inside of her nose, which they can't just keep doing. Doctor #3 is running different tests to see what could be going on that keeps Morgan sneezing constantly. He scoped her nose yesterday, found no foreign "objects" in there, sent her for a urine test - which came back negative, and now we go early Monday morning for an MRI,and then to the doctor's office. I was just curious, so while sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office, after filling out paperwork, I started counting Morgan's sneezes, she sneezed over 100 times, one right after the other, no telling how many actual sneezes, because she was sneezing before I started counting & continued to sneeze afterwards, until, of course, they called us back & "numbed" her nose (I think they got tired of hearing her in the waiting room).

So, that's the update for now...

Love, Bella

Sneezing and more sneezing . . .

Morgan has been sneezing since Thursday, September 24, 2009. I took her to her doctor this morning (September 28, 2009) who gave her Singular and two different kinds of nasal spray, all of which DID NOT work. So, we were back at his office this afternoon, and he sent us to an ENT doctor, who "numbed" her nose - YAY!! she quit sneezing, for all of about an hour. NOW, she is sneezing again - not quite as bad as before, but still SNEEZING!! May end up taking her back, will call the ENT doctor tomorrow to see what needs to be done.

Please pray for my baby.

Love, Bella

Making the Grade . . .

Well, yesterday was progress report time for the school my daughter attends. And, I must say that this first progress report of the year is SO MUCH BETTER than the ones in the past and I am tickled pink about it. There is always room for improvement but I am so proud of the progress she has made, this her junior year. She is a wonderful, bright, intelligent, young woman - now if I can just get her to somehow believe that we will be doing awesome. I love you Sweet Pea!! Way to go!!

Love, Bella

Bible reading . . .

I read this today: "BETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife." Proverbs 17:1 - and thought what a wonderful scripture, so I just had to post it. It is SO relevant to my life at this very minute. Have I told you how much I love Papa God, he is so amazing.

Love, Bella

Just when all you thought you had were lemons ...

God shows up with some lemonade!! Due to unforeseen and regrettable (but needed) circumstances, I was left without a vehicle and virtually no way to get one. Then God sent two of my siblings in Christ to me, with vehicle in hand, along with keys and a clear title. God is my forever papa and I love him dearly and thank him for what he has done for me, and he is always right on time.

Love, Bella

One Step At A Time

Things are going good, just taking one step at a time. Moving very slowly, trying to think things completely through before making any decisions or taking any actions. God is providing for me and Morgan like never before, and I thank our Heavenly Father for that. He has provided food, utilities, and a vehicle, at a time when we thought we were going to be without, and as always right on time. God is good all the time.

Little Emily started taking her first steps this week, I miss her so much.

Morgan is making good grades so far this year, she has an A in English, A in Computer Graphics, and a B in Oral Communications.

My Mother's birthday would have been this coming Sunday, September 6, she would have been 69 years old, I miss her so much. Her death was so sudden that October 15, 2001, day, I didn't even get a chance to tell her that I love her and to tell her goodbye. There are times that I think I need to call Mom and tell her something, but then remember I can't call her. Mom, I love you and miss you so much.

Love, Bella

Life

I know the old addage about if life hands you lemons make lemonade; but that doesn't make it any easier. Sometimes those lemons are like rocks and you can't make lemonade out of rocks, although you could put them in a hole in your driveway. I know, I know, that didn't make much sense, but life isn't making much sense to me at the moment. It has been (July 11th) a month and 10 days (August 21st)now since life changes.

Morgan started her junior year at Hamburg High School and she likes her teachers - YAY!!! And she doesn't have to go back to the cardiologist until December - YAY!!!

Little Emily is growing and changing so much and I haven't seen her in about a month. Connie says she is balancing herself standing and getting into everything and she is eating food food now. Connie says Tom is kicking tail at school in San Angelo - YAY!!!

This is the 3rd day that I have drank as much water as you are suppose to in a day - it only goes that we should drink that much since the body is mostly made up of water - and that's the drink that God put here for us to drink.

I started this post on August 11th and just finished it today on August 21st. I guess I will end this endless rambling and put this post out of its misery.

Love Bella

AMERICAN IDOLS LIVE TOUR 2009 - July 25, 2009

Danny Gokey

Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert

Kris Allen

Kris Allen

Awesome concert!! Kris Allen had everyone call the Hogs with him!!

July 4, 2009 - Weekend in Colleyville, Texas

Emily Rhyse - Happy 8th Month Birthday!!

Emily Rhyse helping me at work - she kept trying to print everything!! It was funny!! I love you Little One!!
Love, Bella

Swim Meet - Monticello, June 20, 2009

Morgan & Savannah
Morgan
Savannah (breast stroke)
Morgan & Savannah
Morgan (backstroke)
These are photos from Morgan's second swim meet (I forgot the camera at the first one). She had some problems during this swim meet, and we couldn't figure out what was going on (she did really well at the first meet) - then when we got home, she felt achy, said she felt like she was on fire but was cold, sore throat and she started running a fever. So, we decided to take her on to the emergency room - she has strep throat, so now we know why she was having problems. They gave her the "shot" - a one time deal, no medicine by mouth for 10 days. By late Sunday afternoon, she was feeling better, and her fever was gone. No swim practice today, maybe tomorrow. Next swim meet in Magnolia on Saturday.
Love, Bella
ps: Connie, Tom & Emily Rhyse will be here on Wednesday!!

Morgan's Check-up

Morgan in the pilot seat of an F-18 Fighter Jet
Morgan had an appointment with her cardiologist yesterday afternoon. After waiting for an hour and a half, we were finally called back. They did an EKG and then we were placed in an exam room, for another hour. In all, we were there for two and a half hours. But, the good news is Morgan is doing well on her medication and she doesn't have to go back for 6 months unless she starts having problems again. YAY!!!!!

Morgan has also joined the Crossett Swim Team, so our summer is totally full. Catch you later.

God is so good all the time!!!!!!

Love, Bella

ps: If you haven't sponsored a child through Compassion International, check out their website and sponsor a child today in the name of Jesus!! There's no feeling like it!!

Emily Rhyse is 7 Months today!!!!!

Bella & Emily Rhyse 3 days before she turned 7 months old
Little One, I love you so much and miss you!!!

Love, Bella

Photos from our Memorial Day Weekend . . . . that's all . . . . nothing else

Connie & Tom
Connie, Tom & Emily Rhyse
Morgan, Bella & Rachel standing on an F-18 jet (how cool is that)
Poppa & Bella at the top of the Hunting Island Lighthouse
The Family

Growing Up Too Fast ............

This is my baby girl, Morgan Ann, and her friend, Aaron, at the Prom. Can you believe it, my baby at the Prom? Woe is me!!!!! But, doesn't she look fabulous!!!!!

Love, Bella

Water, water and more water

This was what we woke up to on Monday morning. The water was so deep that I couldn't get my car out to go to work, I had to take the truck. I try not to complain about the rain, because when July and August hits, we are going to be wishing it would rain. And besides, I'm sure God knows how much rain we need.

Love, Bella

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

To ALL Mothers and Grandmothers, Happy Mother's Day!! I lost my Mom in 2001, and I sure do miss her. Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, I love you. My Mom was my best friend, we talked everyday, and I miss her cooking - no one can cook like Momma, her milk gravy, homemade biscuits, cinnamon roles, rice pudding, fried potatoes, and pinto beans.

Love, Bella

Today........

Today was a good day, we went to the movies and Morgan and I saw "Hannah Montana" and Poppa went to see "Wolverine." We really enjoyed watching the movie, just the girls. Now just sitting at home, finishing the laundry and watching "Twilight."

I'm trying to write more on this blog, but sometimes, like now, I just can't seem to come up with the words. I thought the more I try to write, just maybe, it would come easier.

Planning a trip to see Emily Rhyse over the Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait, and bringing Hope home with us. Just two days of fitting in months of missing, holding and kissing Emily Rhyse. See you on the 22nd Connie and Emily Rhyse.

Love, Bella

Wow!!

"A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

”Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Now, aren’t you glad you are a “cracked pot” too!

-Author Unknown"

I found this quote on this blog: http://jonesbones5.com/ and just had to share it. Absolutely awesome!!!!

Love, Bella

Morgan Ann

This is my baby daughter, Morgan Ann, and it seems like this year (all of 2009) we have spent an awful lot of time at the doctors' offices, either at her regular doctor or at the cardiologist's office. Morgan has been put on a beta blocker which seems to have "fixed" her racing heart problem. But now, she is having these pains in different areas of her body and they can't find out why. Please pray that the pains would stop completely and for her body to be healed.

Love, Bella

Clementina

I would like for everyone to meet Clementina. She is the little girl that we sponsor from Nicaragua. When I received this photo over the weekend and read the letter from her, I had to hold back the tears. She is so precious, and I feel so blessed to be able to be a small part in her life. I would ask that you all add Clementina to your daily prayers. And, if you are not already sponsoring a child through Compassion International, click on the link to the right and sponsor a child today, in Jesus' name.

Love, Bella

Armadillo Festival

Just relaxing, trying to recoup from the busy weekend. Morgan and I participated in the 5k run - 1 mile walk on Saturday (we did the 1 mile walk), and it liked to have kicked my tail. I am so out of shape. Morgan wants me and her to participate in the 5k run next year (oh my). Hmmmm, I guess we better start "training" now or I'll probably have a heart attack.

Ooh lala, we got to see an "Elvis Impersonator" and he was really good.

Can you believe there was actually a small team (3 people) there that are doing a documentary on armadillos, so be looking for it to come to your local PBS channel!!! It was too funny!!!

That's all for now.

Love, Bella

Emily Rhyse - 6 month birthday

HAPPY 6 MONTH BIRTHDAY, EMILY RHYSE!!!!!

Love, Bella

Sick

I've been sick now for over a week, have this awful cough and can't get rid of it. I think I have been running a low grade fever also. Cough so much until it makes my head hurt and it just makes me feel yuck. Poppa has the same thing, so not sure what it is. Hope Morgan doesn't come down with it.

Missing my Emily Rhyse so bad.

Love, Bella

Blessed Beyond Measure

I was thinking today (I know, can you believe I was actually thinking) how blessed we are. We live in a country where we are allowed to gather in Jesus' name without fear of the government hauling us all off to jail. We have a roof over our head, we have more than enough food to eat (you can just look at us and tell that), we have running water in our homes and electricity. Our kids are allowed to get an education in order to better themselves, instead of looking for food at the local dump or farming for it, or having to get a job to help support the family.

I think of these types of things when I hear kids, including mine, complain about cleaning up their rooms, or helping wash dishes after we eat. There are children in the world that do not have a room of their own to keep clean or enough food to eat, much less a dish to put the food on that needs to be washed.

We, as Americans, have spoiled our children. We have made them "bad" - no one else did that, just us, all because we didn't want them to go through what we did as kids or have to do all the chores that we were assigned to do. But, we, instead, are raising lazy children who do not know how to do anything, and they certainly don't want to contribute to the household by doing a few odd chores. Instead, it is facebooking and myspacing on their own personal computers; and texting on their own cell phones. We have literally ruined our children.

Need I remind you that these are the same children that will be taking care of us when we are old and not able to care for ourselves. They are our future; they will be running this country; they will be making decisions for all of us.

I pray that God puts a fire under our well-fed butts to start raising our children they way He set out for us in his Word. Jesus, please forgive me for raising such lazy children and help me to get them back on track.

In Jesus' sweet name, Amen!

Love, Bella

CMA State Rally/Seasons of Refreshing at The Hub, Marble Falls, Arkansas

This past weekend, April 17 - 19, 2009, my husband and I attended the CMA State Rally/Seasons of Refreshing at The Hub in Marble Falls, Arkansas. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, mountains, curves, and we saw a beautiful rainbow. Services were awewsome, as always. It was a great time in fellowshipping with all our CMA friends, and worshipping the Lord.

Poppa and I, during a break, went to Mystic Caverns and took the tour through the two caverns - it was awesome, and we saw a little bat. We spent a lot of much needed time together, without all the distractions that we normally have. It was very refreshing.

Thank you Jesus for the wonderful weekend!!

Love, Bella

Another Update - Morgan Ann

On Morgan's last visit to the cardiologist, Morgan was put on a beta blocker to slow her heart rate down - still wearing the heart monitor until March 7th. Ever since she has been taking the beta blocker, she has not had to press the button on the heart monitor to record her heart rate - which is good - means the beta blocker is working. Dr. King, the cardiologist, still wants Morgan to see the eletrophysiologist that comes to Monroe from New Orleans, that appointment has been set for April 2nd. I almost forgot, Dr. King did also say that there is the possibility that Morgan will grow out of this - he said for some reason teenage girls are prone for this to occur.

On another note, Poppa and I missed working the Pastor's Retreat on Iron Mountain last year (2008) for financial reasons and Morgan's school issues and we were hoping to work it this year, but vacation scheduling and doctor's appointments will not permit us to work again this year. We, however, will be attending the CMA Arkansas Seasons of Refreshing/State Rally in April.

I am totally missing my grandbaby, Emily Rhyse, and am not sure when I will get to see her again.

I am learning a lot of patience in all of this - maybe that's what God had intended for me to learn through all of this - because I have definitely wanted quick answers and even quicker actions, because I have been so scared with Morgan's heart rate running as high as 180 bpm and that is when she is just sitting around. I was thrilled when the doctor said that it was not life-threatening.

Keep us in your prayers. I am rambling now, so I guess I will go for now.

Love, Bella

Update

I didn't realize that it has been so long since I posted, not that anyone is reading this anyway. Morgan had her stress test on Monday, February 9, 2009, the doctor said she did good. We go back to the doctor (cardiologist) on February 18, 2009, to get all of her test results. It is like I can't function with this looming over us, the not knowing. I feel like a robot, get up and go to work, come home, go to bed, start all over the next day. There have been several times when Morgan's heart rate was recorded in the 140s and her not doing anything, and at least once, that they know of, it was 180 something. This can't be good for her to have such a high heart rate all the time.

Missing Emily Rhyse.

Love, Bella

Update - Morgan Ann

I had to pick Morgan up from school yesterday because of chest pains, so I called the cardiologist to see if he could possibly go ahead and see her and yes he could. They did another EKG, which came out okay - PRAISE GOD!! They also did an ultrasound because they thought they heard a leak in the mitral valve of her heart - preliminary results showed everything okay - PRAISE GOD!! Her pain is in the muscle where the breast bone and the ribs come together, very painful - so 30 days of anti-inflammatory medicine. She will have a stress test done on February 9 and we see the doctor again on February 18.

Relieved, Mom

Update - Morgan Ann

Received the call from Dr. Stanley's nurse, the cardiologist saw the same thing on the EKG and wants to see Morgan on Thursday. So, please keep us in your prayers.
Thank you, Worried Mom

Morgan Ann

Please pray for my daughter, Morgan Ann. I took her to the doctor on Friday, she was having chest pains, this being the second time for this to occur. The doctor sent her for a chest x-ray and an EKG. The chest x-ray was okay, but the EKG showed "a delay in conduction." The doctor has sent her test results to another doctor for a second opinion - now we are waiting to hear from that.

Thank you,
Worried Mom

Missing Emily Rhyse

Didn't realize I could miss someone so much - sure wish I could see and hold little Emily Rhyse.
Love, Bella