Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
A few weeks ago I had a little wake up call… In a conversation with someone close to me it was mentioned during our discussion that I wasn’t as “positive” or “cheerful” as I used to be. Unfortunately, I did not react very positively to the comment. The comment hurt. It struck a raw chord, something I already knew in my heart, but didn’t realize how much it was effecting the people around me.
I know the comment wasn’t meant to be mean, but to call out some things that are going on my life that they have noticed recently. I am truly thankful for people in my life who are honest, even if it hurts a little. This was a sincere concern about me and the things I have been struggling with these last few months. When someone feels comfortable enough to speak the truth even if it is difficult to say you know they care deeply about you, your spiritual growth, and the struggles your hanging onto.
My first reaction was that I had a reason to be a little more frustrated recently. It has been a tough few months. I herniated a disc in my neck back in October and I am still in pain from it. It has been a very slow and painful recovery so my first instinct was to excuse my behavior. This person knows how much I have gone through these past few months so it was seen as the excuse that it was. The purpose for the comment was to encourage me to take my focus off all the crazy stuff that has been going on and focus on the good things that God is doing in my life as well as the lives around me.
After a couple weeks of praying, wrestling with it some more, thinking about it, and admitting I have been grumpier lately I decided I needed to do something specific. In addition to prayer, having someone I had to be accountable to, I also needed a daily activity to refresh my memory of the good in my life. I wanted something that would redirect my focus back to the many positive blessings everyday that have been overshadowed by some other more stressful items going on in my life. What I decided to do is to write down at least 10 things I am thankful for each day. I titled my list “Counting My Blessings”. I hope that this activity will encourage and help turn my focus more on the positive things in my life. I want to appreciate and enjoy the amazing blessings I have been given. To be content with the season I am in at the moment.
I want to be accountable to you as well. The following are snipits of some of the things I am thankful for this past week. Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:
Monday – Thankful for the car ride into school where I can chat with the girls about life, their days, and more!
Tuesday – Thankful that Jake reads devotions to the girls and patiently answers their many questions about God, life, the bible, and so much more.
Wednesday – Thankful for a chance to catch up with someone I have known for years, but haven’t seen in awhile. Her twin grandkids are now 3 years old. I remember how excited she was waiting for them to be born. It was great catching up for a few minutes.
Thursday – Thankful for a fresh snow fall so the girls could have a day off school and we could build a snowman, go sledding, hike in the woods, play games, read, play, and have fun together.
Friday – Thankful for additional time with my girls since school started two hours late due to black ice today.
My Sweet Family Bringing Surprise “Get Well” Wishes!
Balloon and poinsettia plant from my husband and daughters!
It has been a little more challenging these last few months with the herniated disc in my neck. It gives me a whole new appreciation on many things in my life. I am very blessed to have a loving husband and caring kids that have pitched in numerous times on items I usually take care of these past couple of months (cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, wrapping Christmas gifts, and so much more)!
Earlier this week I had my second epidural steroid shot in my neck. The last shot had two weeks of side effects and I had a tough time bouncing back from it so I was really nervous about getting another one a week before Christmas. Thankfully with the help of the doctors this second shot has been much better! I was able to take nausea medicine as soon as the nausea hit me so I didn’t get as sick from the shot. Also, we figured out after the procedure that I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive from the tape they used during the shot. Thankfully, we now know what caused the reaction so we can treat it accordingly. Jake and the girls surprised me with a balloon, plant, tasty treats, and Dunkin Donuts this week after my shot. So sweet and thoughtful of them! Love my family!
Even though I am more tired, stiff, and sore after the shot I can already tell it will not be as long of a recovery this time around (thankfully). I am praying that this will be the last epidural shot I will need to completely heal my neck. I am ready to get off the pain medicine and start living life normally again. I have come along way since October and hopefully I will be back to normal soon. I am truly grateful for all the family and friends who have prayed and encouraged me throughout this journey, you mean more to me than you will ever know!
The girls brought home a “Get Well Soon” balloon for me. Thankful for their thoughtfulness!
The red poinsettia plant is beautiful and festive this time of year!
Since I wasn’t as nauseous this time around Jake surprised me with Dunkin Donuts for breakfast the morning after my shot! Thanks Babe! You’re the BEST!
Dunkin Donuts to share with the family! Can you tell I like chocolate from his selection!?
Thankful for Family & Friends
Beautiful flowers from my brothers family!
A big thank you my sister-in-law Becky and my brother Lee for the beautiful flowers, dinner, and stopping by to see me this week! Their thoughtfulness brightened my day! It was great getting a chance to catch up, get a little fresh air, and see my sweet nephews play for a few minutes. Thankful for my family and friends!
It’s been a wild month, who knew how much a herniated disc in the neck clamping down on the nerves could cause so much pain in multiple areas of my body!? I am thankful for the doctors who figured out what was wrong, what was causing the shooting pains down my neck, back, left arm, and numbness in my left fingers this past month. I am not a big fan of doctors or hospitals, but praying that the epidural steroid shot in my neck earlier this week will fix it so I can get back to life as normal. I had the fun side effect of nausea, dizziness, and vomiting with the shot as well so that has been a challenge this week. The ceiling fans spinning, people walking by, reading, and even the TV would make me sick. A box of no-salt saltines, tums, a little bit of rice, and a couple of other bland foods have gotten me through the last few days. The good news is food is starting to smell good again and the room isn’t spinning anymore so hopefully that it is good sign.
I want to thank my family and friends who have been going through this journey and praying with me. Your notes, texts, emails, messages, and calls have been huge encouragement during this time. I am truly grateful for my amazing husband, Jake, who insisted that we continue going to the doctor until they were able to figure out the cause of the pain and who has pitched in helping me, driving me to the hospital/doctor appointments, helping around the house, cooking, cleaning, running errands, grocery shopping, taking care of the kids, balancing a very busy work schedule, and so much more. He has been such a blessing and encouragement during this time. I love him so much! The girls have been a big help around the house, pitching in when needed, giving me hugs, making their own school lunches, and taking good care of me too. I am a blessed!
Although, it has been a little extra crazy this past month it has made me slow down and reflect on my own heart and life. God is good all the time. We may never know why exactly we have to go through times of pain, but He ultimately is in control and can use it for His good. The medicines have helped some with the pain, but they have also made me a lot more tired and foggy feeling. Daily activities and multi-tasking have been more frustrating and helping the kids with homework has been very stressful while taking the meds. The kids especially have noticed a few things I missed or have not done correctly during this past month. I know that it has taken a toll on them too. Praying that the treatment I am doing now works so I can get back to taking care of myself and my family again.
Karlie told me a couple days ago “I am tired of you being broken Mom!” Me too kiddo!
