Off to the hospital...

Pray for me...This is far too early to be up.

Thanks,
Heather

Here's the skinny....The Last Supper...

My surgery time has been moved to 9am tomorrow instead of 7am. Thanks for all of you who've called, emailed, told me you are going to be praying for me. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I have no hesitation whatsoever that this is the best decision for me. Tomorrow the hard part will be over and life will be forever altered--in a good way though!

I just thought ya'll would like to know what I had for "The Last Supper". I had a hankering for Schlotzky's tonight so I had their deluxe (double meat) original sandwich on sourdough with no mustard and no onion. Followed by a Sonic orange creamsicle slush. Ummmmm, Umm. Oh, I forgot I also ate a couple Keebler gingerbreadman cookies.

Tomorrow will be a new day, a new beginning. I want to thank my good friend Brenda for calling me and telling me that she is "sacrificially" going to eat a steak for me tonight, along with a baked potato loaded and a house salad with ranch dressing. So glad to see that my friends are always SO ACCOMMODATING!

Well...it's off to bed for me. 4am will come mighty early...I have to pack my overnight bag, shower, shave and paint my toenails in the morning. It's wierd not having Luke here tonight. He's staying at Poppa and Nana's for a couple days.

Thanks for your prayers. I will have Jason update this blog tomorrow and will try to keep my cell phone on in my hospital rm. if you want to call for updates.

Love to all,
Heather

The countdown begins....bye bye diabetes

In less than 24 hours my life will be forever changed. It almost seems surreal that this whole experience is ACTUALLY finally here. Insurance has agreed to cover my laparascopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery. I report to Baylor Hospital Dallas at 5am tomorrow morning with surgery scheduled for 7am.

I'm not scared, just a little concerned about adjustment to the 3 mo. post op liquid diet. No wonder people lose so much weight the first couple months. But...the best of all bye bye diabetes which is the whole reason I'm doing this surgery. I'm so thankful for being blessed with this opportunity to start my "health life" over. Ever since having Luke I've been diabetic which is not fun. I'm so looking forward to getting off my diabetes medication--SOON!

I'm very excited at all the next year will hold for me. Thank you friends and family for your ongoing support. It means a lot to me to know that people trust that I'm making the right decision for my life and family. Thank you God for bringing me through all the rigorous insurance pre-certification requirements.

It is all in God's most able hands. If you could please pray for clear mind and steady hands for Dr. Todd McCarty tomorrow. Also, if you could pray for a quick healing and recovery because a 2 1/2 yr. old doesn't understand "Mommy's Sick".

I love you all.
Heather

My Hat's..The Heather's...

Just in time for your last minute Christmas gift buying. Faith Creations, LLC has been busy crystallizing lots of hats to bring you these beautiful SWAROVSKI rhinestone ladies ball caps. I have black, pink and white. All are custom made by me with 56 Swarovski crystal rhinestone's. They are very shiny and reflect the light much better than cheaper crystal's. The cap features a velcro closure in the back so it's easy to adjust for smaller or larger heads. Each one run's $22 (tax included). Please email me if you are interested in purchasing one (or more, wink!)


Next, I must post this picture of my best friend Heather. Until now, I didn't really have a good picture of the two of us together. We are commonly referred to as The Heather's or H1 and H2 so our husbands don't get confused. I'm so glad for my good friend Heather. I can count on her for anything. She's the bestest friend in the whole wide world. Love ya Heather...

Thank you Sheri for letting me model your jewelry.

End of Nov...and still 70+ degrees...

Amazing weather here in TX. It's the end of November and it's still 70+ degrees. I officially now have 3 full days before my surgery.

I'm not scared, just thinking about how big the changes will be in my life. I know God will see me through as always. If you could pray for my surgery to go well and that I'll heal quickly.

Thanks.
Heather

What I'm thankful for...(not a comprehensive list)

This Thanksgiving I'm reflecting on the many things God has blessed me with. This by no means is a comprehensive list. Just the top things that popped in my head this Turkey Day morning. These are NOT in order of importance, rather a random grouping.

1. My salvation (ok that one IS the most important)
2. My husband and son
3. My new niece Emery Kate who is currently 4 lbs. 8 oz.--She's a miracle!
4. My family both Mine and Jason's side
5. Friends who support me and love me unconditionally. I've got a great group of friends.
6. Our new house---no stairs and a smaller mortgage payment
7. Faith Creations, LLC and all that it's evolving into
8. My upcoming weight loss surgery--Yes, I know this'll be my last BIG turkey dinner But....just wait until you see how skinny and non-diabetic I am NEXT turkey day.
9. My church--I just love that God lead us to Four Corners Church
10. Canon Rebel camera's...although I don't have mine yet Santa...I'm anticipating taking lots of awesome pic's around Christmas Day (hint, hint)
11. My Pokeno group...love getting together with the girls once a month for our little game
12. That my dad is in heaven, no more Alzheimer's, no more dementia
13. That my cousin Ty is in heaven and doesn't have cancer any more
14. Ebay-I'm having so much fun selling stuff on there
15. My creative talents and gifts God has blessed me with
16. That I've discovered Arbonne's clay masque, etc. It's like a face lift in a bottle.
17. Health for myself and all that I love
18. A down comforter--I love how warm it keeps me
19. That my son will crawl in bed with me and say, "Hi Momma" and then lean in to kiss me.
20. Blogs so I can keep up with the goings-on in all my peeps life
21. That my sister and Michael are about to get to bring Em home in the next couple weeks
22. Garage door openers...can you imagine having to get out of the car and manually open it every time you want to enter
23. Baby Wipes...they can clean up anything
24. The Macy Thanksgiving day parade...it's a family watching tradition only Mom's on an airplane this morning flying to KY.
25. Lots, lots more.....too many to list.

Yes, there are more but it's time to go watch he parades.

SURGERY DATE HAS BEEN MOVED TO NOV 29

This just in:
The incredible shrinking stomach surgery has just been bumped UP to November 29. That's next Wed. for all of you that are calendar-challenged.

This means I have exactly 8 days to eat anything I want because after that the quantity of food intake will be reduced drastically. Post-op I will be able to eat two thumbs worth of food at every meal before feeling full. Thank goodness I have large thumbs (wink).

I'm having my pre-op stuff done today. Thanks Nana for watching Luke at the last minute. I truly appreciate it.

Here's to a new life change that will hopefully rid my body of diabetes as a result of significant weight loss.

I'm so thankful this is all almost over with. The insurance process is a nightmarish long ordeal getting approved but I'm confident that now that it's been approved this will be the best decision of my life.

That's the latest in the ever changing saga that is Rice-a-roni-ville.

For all of you wondering what exact surgery I'm having it's called the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It's not gastric bypass or lapband. Google it to find any specifics you might want to know answers to. It's a laparascopic procedure with one night in the hospital for observation post-op. Please pray that all will go well with the surgery and recovery. I appreciate it.

Look who I found in my windowsill...

What a cute little monkey I found sitting in my bedroom windowsill. He watched t.v. while I folded clothes. A few times he even "helped".

Also, in big news...I found out that my surgery is going to be Dec 7th. Thank you Jesus for answering my prayers. Thank you to all of you who prayed for me. This is the start of a new life for me. I can hardly believe it's been approved and it's really going to happen.

More details later.... Heather

4 lbs. 7 oz. What a beautiful little angel...

I just had to post this beautiful picture of Brooke and Emery. I think it's one of the most gorgeous taken so far.

I believe this picture conveys the incredible love a mother feels for her baby.

Emery is now 4 lbs. 7 oz. What a big girl. If you'll remember she was 1 lb. 9 oz. at birth 8 weeks ago. The Lord has truly blessed our family with a miracle.

Soon she'll be able to join her family at home. What a sweet little dumpling she is. I cannot believe how big she's gotten and how animated she is with her hands.

I always knew you'd be an excellent mom sis. I'm so thankful for you Mike and Emery. What great parents Em has been blessed with.

I love you, Heather

M.I.C.K.E.Y. M.O.U.S.E....clubhouse

Like his cousin Beau, Luke is addicted to Mickey Mouse. Every morning Luke wakes me up and says, "Dickey Mouse Peez".

It's so cute to watch him get excited about his cartoon shows. Some of his other favorites are : Little Einsteins which he calls: Eye Styes, The Doodlebops which he calls: Do Bops, Wiggles which he calls: Iggles, and Jay Jay The Jet Plane which he calls J J Ay Pane.

It's really funny how he puts his words together. Also, the other night Jason tucked him in while I was at my craft show and J said, "I love you Lukey" and Luke said, "Love You Dei". It was his first time to clearly say that and I missed it. I've been trying to get him to say, "Love You Momma" ever since to no avail. Oh well, it'll happen.

Speaking of happenings my sweet niece Emery might be coming home before Thanksgiving. We're praying for that so that Grandee gets to see her and love on her while she's there for Turkey Day.

Poppa made it back safely from Brazil Sat. so we're happy God protected him.

Last but certainly not least I had another one of my random thoughts today. Here it is. If my parents last name had been Teek, I would have wanted them to have named me Ann.

Love ya'll.

Heather

Nothing new is happening in our world...

We're boring. Nothing new has happened in our world since last post. Just thought I'd update so that the blog nazi's didn't get after me. I'm in a craft show this weekend, hopefully I'll recoup my costs for materials. Looking forward to Turkey Day as this will be my last one that I'll be able to eat all the fixin's with my weight loss surgery planned and all. Still no definitive date set yet, but I do know it'll be before year-end.

Later taters,
Heather

Boycott Bed Bananas...

Ok, my boy had a meltdown this afternoon because I would not let him take a banana into bed with him for his afternoon nap. He threw himself down on the floor and screamed "nuh nuh (banana) go night night".

Tired boy...that's what I get for being out this morning and him not being able to take his nap until 2:15pm.

Gotta love him though.

Heather

Lukeism's...

The other day I said, "Luke come here I have to check you I smell stinky". He came over, I checked his diaper and said, "Nope, you're ok you just tooted". He said, "Yeah, no poo poo". It was priceless.

He's also very addicted to Mickey Mouse clubhouse on the Disney channel. The minute it comes on the t.v. he claps and gets very excited, often shouting Dickey Mouse and Me (Minnie) Mouse and Dah Duck. It's so cute.

Last night he was looking at a book with Daddy and Jason pointed to the cat and said what is that? Luke said, "MEOOOOOW". It was cute.

Also, last night when Jason got home from work Luke ran up and jumped into his arms and said, "Dei's Home". It was precious.

That's about all that's going on right now. Sorry to be so boring.

HUGE ANSWER TO PRAYER...

MY SURGERY HAS BEEN APPROVED BY EL CRAPPY INSURANCE COMPANY!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! Still don't know when it'll exactly happen, awaiting hard copy approval in the mail. I'm hoping before year end.

A few new things...

First, I want to say my sweet niece Emery is up to 3 lbs. 8 oz. and is doing awesome. She'll be coming home in 2-3 wks. Yippee. Just in time for Turkey Day. Talk about Thanksgiving...man that's a huge thing to be thankful for right sis.

Second, I talked to my insurance company today and my surgery for those of you who've been keeping track has been DENIED. However, it was only denied for one reason which was an oversight in reading my Dr's. notes so once my Dr. calls them tomorrow to comply with their "need for info." request and he clarifies a couple items for them then the denial will be reversed and I will be accepted for my surgery.

Third, Luke got a new stuffed Dickey and Minnie Mouse from the Disney Store today. Aunt Brenda came in town and treated him to that little luxury as well as a Dickey Mouse washcloth. She's so good to me. Glad mommy still keeps in touch with her Nestle' boss, she also brought us some chocolate. Not the stuff for baking Christmas fudge, that'll be here soon too.

Fourth, I'm getting sleepy so that'll be it for tonights blog. So, all you people who keep saying update this blog, hope you're happy. Oh, I almost forgot. My friend Blue Eyes is starting her new job tomorrow so pray for her. It'll be a great change for her.

Nightie, night!

Trick or treat...smell my feet...give me something good to eat!

Ok folks...here they are the long awaited Halloween photos. Notice how much slobber my son can make from one sucker. I want to thank Uncle James for sending Luke the captain's hat and aviator glasses. Uncle James is a captain in the US Airforce. I'm proud to wear his hat and glasses. They completed my uniform. I have to tell you a quick funny story. Luke didn't quite get the whole ring the doorbell and say trick or treat thing. The first house we went to in Poppa's neighborhood Luke and Beau rang the doorbell. When the lady came to the door with her big bowl of candy she handed Luke his first. He promptly took it out of her hand said: "Thank You" and walked right into her house. It was so hilarious! It was so cute to watch Luke and Beau trick or treat together. Beau had such manners he'd say thank you to every person who gave him candy. Hope you like the pic's. Auntie Amber has the most awesome camera. If you'll notice in the one picture where Luke is standing up he is dropping his sucker on the floor. The camera clicks so fast it caught a pic of the sucker right before it hit's the floor. Santa....I hope you're reading this! Oh, just in case you were wondering. I went as a housewife for Halloween see my pj's and bathrobe. I also had a nametag that said, "Hello my name is...Housewife" Pretty original huh. Jason was like, "You're not going out like that are you?" I said, "Yep, this way I don't have to wear a coat". Kill two birds with one stone.

My little pumpkin...

Ok, I just couldn't help but share this little professional picture I got taken of Luke. Isn't he just the cutest little pumpkin.

Don't worry friends and family you'll be getting copies of the different poses for Christmas. Yes, I just ruined partial Christmas presents but at least you haven't seen the other pic's so it's still a semi-surprise in less of course you are the 2 people I've already given full copies to. You know who you are. The rest of you have to wait. Is that mean? Oh well, too bad.
Luke has been having some great days. His tantrums are more manageable once I realized that my yelling at him when he misbehaved was at least 50% of the problem. Coupled with prayer and self control God is teaching me that he responds much better to a calmer tone. Even though it's hard when he doesn't listen (which is most of the time these days) I am not so frazzled or anxiety ridden over his behavior because he responded to my calm and gentle demeanor much better than the crazy mommy last week. Rabbit trail....sweet Emery is growing like a weed. She's now 3 lbs. and her Staph test came back negative. Thank you Jesus. Now all we have to do is get this girl home with her mommy and daddy. It'll be here before you know it. Hang in there sis. I'll post more Halloween pic's when my sis in law gets them uploaded to me. After all she has the cool camera now, like Janna. (sticking at my tongue at her)