Hearing and speech update....

Last week, I posted here about my journey in addressing my speech issues and auditory processing issues.
I passed the hearing tests with flying colors.
No suprise there.
This week though, I did the auditory processing testing.
A whole other story.
My first two tests I do okay on.
The sweet lady who did my testing told me at that point, she was thinking, wow she is doing good, maybe we don't have a problem.
That quickly changed when the third test started and then the fourth was done.
She looked at me and said "You are suprised are you?"
Yes and no.
At the time, I felt like I hadn't "missed" enough on the test for anyone to see there was a problem.
I anticipated needing to miss a lot of answers for there to be a problem to be acknowledged.
So my suprise was the fact they did see the problem.
Apparantly, there is not a whole lot of room for error on these tests.

It's the little things!! Thanks Starbucks!!

Earlier in January I blogged about getting some super duper delicious Starbucks samples in the mail. 

Today I received this email: 

But the email was sent earlier today at 10:30.  Chances were slim, I was responding in time to earn the gift card.  

And yet this was the response when I completed the survey:  

Talk about happy dance!!!! Especially after this morning's wonderful indulgance.  I have a super sweet barista in my house.  She loves coffee.  Preferably black.  Yet, she likes her sweets too and has discovered how to make me a peppermint mocha at home.  This is what welcomed me to my day this morning after my shower... Oh bliss!! I was gently informed my youngest is in training and contributed the chocolate chips.  They just may need to open their own cafe one day.  

A weekend that was both restful and productive ~ God leaves me so amazed!

It has been a great weekend!
I love weekends at home.
I managed to tackle some big and not so big things on the to do list.

We slept in.  All five of us!  That is a big deal.  Especially considering my youngest is ALWAYS up with the sun.  And there has been a sneaky virus that made it in the front door.  So sleep is essential in healing and recovering and helping the rest of us avoid being introduced to this unwelcomed guest.

Some decluttering and organzing happened with the Ebay piles.
Some listings were posted, some were scheduled, more pictures taken, some of which have been edited.  There is a fresh new pile of things to get done and a plan of attack for getting things out of the house before the weather is warm enough for a garage sale.  I had a few sales, so things are on their way out the door!

Laundry is all caught up..(well until tomorrow!)

Awesome meals were made that are saved for the weekends when school and appointments and practice schedules are competing for time and energy.  AND I managed to find a HUGE pork roast marked down, so it has been cut for two meals and bagged up with marinades and seasonings for 2 meals in the future.

Some reorganization happened in the pantry.  The spice cabinet received an overhaul. It was long over do.  I was tired of empying the whole cabinet just to find what I needed.  Sometimes, there are just too many cooks in the kitchen.  Especially with eager younger ones who desire to be helpful and show some initiative.  Reorganizing the cabinets was meant to be helpful... Someone needs to create an emoji with hair being pulled out and hearts for eyes.  I love the sweethearts...so very much...but sometimes I wish the life lessons were tomorrow and not today.

We caught up on some school projects that were waiting for some Mom time.

A CVS trip with coupons in hand.
Grocerys at Dillons with coupons and loyalty card in hand.

My coupon box was tidied up and reorganized.
Email inbox was cleaned out.

Closet organization and decluttering happened in 2 rooms.

Home manicures for my daughter and I were done.  Colors in honor of the hockey games this weekend!

Home facial treatments done.  I considered a picture of me trying out the Young Living ART Beauty Mask but my vanity and my kids' teasing have convinced me otherwise.  I was called "Mummy."  Kids who woke up while I was doing vision therapy (bar reading) suggested it would have helped them to wake up sooner had I come downstairs to wake them.  I would have startled them right out of their sleepiness.  What dears they are!*!*!  Teenager sarcasm and wit is such a delight.
I did enjoy waxing a few eyebrows... What was that you were saying about "Mummy" earlier?? It really wasn't that bad, but it was sure fun to counter their whine with a good dose of sarcastic wit right back at them.

We tossed a couple of hockey games into the mix. Along with a significant number of hours working through the Star Wars movies.  Half of us want to refresh our memories by watching all 6 before we see number 7 in the theaters.  Fortunately 2 of the kids really do want to watch all of the movies in order!  My memory being what it is, it is nice to not be unanimously out voted on this one.  Movie time has still been productive.  I managed to reach another swagbuck goal so, another gift card will be coming!!

Managed to make it to church post-hockey game this morning.  Completely worked out by God.  Wonderful sermon series happening and the kids are enjoying it.  Connected with an old friend I haven't seen in a few months and has been on my heart.  God just knows and I just shouldn't be suprised, but I always am suprised by how perfectly orchestrated is His timing.

I am just in awe of how much God managed to help us accomplish in one weekend.  Recapping the day/week/weekend/month/year can be such a good thing.  Not exhausted from the weekend.  Instead I feel refreshed and overjoyed.  Much was accomplished.  Lots of laughter.  Some frustrations and life lesson angst.  So much joy, hugs, love, apologies, forgivenes, snuggles, and just comfortable in one another's presence while we hang out filled this weekend.   So very grateful for the tender mercies He poured out on us this weekend.

4 ingredients for each day to be a success

I love finding old notes laying around.
Tonight, I found this one:

4 ingredients for each day to be a success:
1. Gratitude
2. Kindness/Love
3. Learning
4. Work Ethic

Oh the memories.
I had been chatting with the kids about what makes a day successful.
What would be the four most important things to have in each day.

To find something in the day to be thankful for.
To demonstrate love and kindness to someone AND to receive love and kindness from someone.
The second part can be tricky, because sometimes it is more about perception.. sometimes love and kindness is being demonstrated all day long, it just doesn't look like what we are expecting.
To learn something.
To work and do it to the best of your ability that day.

Even on the worst of days. The sickest of days.  All four of these are possible.  Because the idea is based on what you are capable of that day. Not based on what you were able to do yesterday or a month ago or will be able to do in a week.  Just today.  

Checking out my hearing and speech... new stuff on the horizon!

I am so super excited!
Just before the holidays, I received a recommendation to contact a speech center here in town.
They aren't very well known, at least to my medical providers.
A frustration all within itself.  But I keep reminding myself God's timing is perfect and to trust in His timing.

Today, my first appointment.
I had spoken to them on the phone.
Kind people.  Compassionate people.
Again no promises.
Vision therapy has gone as far as it can for now.
My vision issues can continue to get better on their own and I have exercises to continue and one more follow up appointment.
However, I am still slow and the thought is it is an issue with processing.
I have testing results that concur.
So... I called.
Because insurance is the way it is.
They must have tests to prove I can hear and I don't have a hearing problem, that is what we did today.
Perfectly good hearing!  In all the normal ranges.

One of the best parts about today, is what I would normally shed tears over.
Life has been rough the last couple of weeks.  Worn down and exhausted, by the time I was called for testing, my speech was declining and just short of a train wreck.
God's timing is perfect.  He knew how life was going to roll.  He knew I would struggle.
He provided the perfect opening in the schedules for this appointment to happen.
Those doing my hearing tests heard my speech.
The speech specialist I spoke to on the phone came by to introduce herself.
She was able to hear my speech.
The best part was no one was alarmed or upset.
They weren't frustrated or angry.
They didn't talk down to me.
Didn't get frustrated.
They were kind and interested and encouraging.
What triggers?  What helps?
Explaining, I live life in such a way to minimize issues as much as possible, but I can't prevent sick kids, crazy upside down days or weeks or noisy stores.
It was so good to have my speech problems in a setting where I just might be able to find help.

Something New and Old and Precious.. Much to be grateful for!

I tried something new!
Not necessarily new new, but new to me since the accident!
So incredibly proud of myself.

The singles group at church had a bowling night.
I don't do too well in loud and noisy places.
But with my Ear-asers, I can normally enjoy myself for a little longer.
These ear plugs are amazing!

Before going, I had already decided I would just hang out and visit and cheer everyone on.
I had had a leisurely morning, but the afternoon, early evening hours had been challenging.
So off I went.
I just wasn't prepared with a sudden burst o discontent.
I wanted to "play," I didn't want to just sit and watch.
When I found out I could pay for just one game...
I decided what did I have to lose if I couldn't finish?
Then I was like, what if I fall?
What do I have to lose? My pride...
Well, I have lost that pretty much already.. so why not!
With a quick prayer that I wouldn't fall and encouragement from friends...
I bowled.

I did it!
8 frames in, I was tired.

Zone perfect deals!!

I love smart phones!  Especially when shopping.  They are perfect for quickly documenting a price, a memory and sharing an exciting deal with a friend.

So when I was grocery shopping and grabbing snack/protein bars for my hockey player to have on hand I was particularly happy to see the the following shelf price to pair with my $1/2 coupon.  Oh, happy dance!

My friend who enjoys this brand as well, was impressed and happy for me but within days, I received the following text! 

What an amazing score!! Her deal completely squashed mine!  I was only able to get single bars but she got into boxes!! Woohoo.  I wish I could say I managed to get to the store and score her deal but I didn't.  Love, love having couponing / deal seeking friends to share fabulous scores and victories with! 

So proud of this guy!

He worked hard for just under 2 weeks.  

The drama!  The tears! The frustration!  

Perseverance... 

A steadfast Momma (Some would say stubborn).... 

Encouraging siblings... 

Perspective shared... 

Dismay and Discouragement were challenged and chased away... 

And then VICTORY! 

Just don't understand this kitty...

3 weeks post Christmas... I can't bring myself to pack up the Nativity.  I like it setting out.  So does a certain kitty.  He loves to lay on top of Jesus! Curls up and naps with Jesus.  We find him in this very spot regularly.  He would prefer I didn't notice or make a fuss about it.   

That is his, "Must you disturb me with the picture taking clicking noise? Be gone with you!" look.

Joy Dare 2016

For several years now I have been doing the Joy Dare.

Some days, I follow the daily challenges.

Other days, I just journal the gifts as God provides. 

But journaling and counting the many blessings God gifts me with is a huge blessing.

It helps me keep my focus on Him and beyond my circumstances.

 

Not that I do it perfectly. 

Not that I don't get overwhelmed by the hard in life,

because I do.

But these journals... they remind me of His love, His faithfulness, His mercies.

He is gifting us treasures minute by minute if only we choose to See and Acknowledge them..

The cooling wisp of a breeze on a hot day,

the heart shaped cloud,

the tulips blooming on just that day I am sitting in my car waiting and I see them...

Glimpses of beauty, sweetness,

little "memos" of His love

perfectly placed for me to discover at that moment.

 

So on the hard days, I can look back. 

On the hard days, I look close.

I journal. 

On the good days, I journal.

As the days go by, the number gets larger.

At the end of year I have over 1,000 gifts.

Over 1,000 memories of love shown to me by

my Everlasting, Heavenly Father. 

And yet, I know there were far more than that,
I just couldn't journal them all.

This past month, I made some journals as gifts.

I had paper.  I had ink in the printer.
I had the binding supplies.
I got busy.

 I had some coloring books I had downloaded.
Found a free journaling template to download.

I have been sharing the books with those that would like one.

They are the size of an 8.5x11 piece of paper.

I found the printable here

found this free printable here

These coloring pages are from here.

The book was available for free for a while. 
Now I think it is a 1.99

New Year!

Wow it is a new year!

Looking back over the last year, I find myself with a mixture of emotions. So much has changed.

A year ago, I was so afraid.  So heart broken.  I worked hard to hold onto my faith that God was good. And now...
I struggle with fear so much less.
It is still there... the unknown can be so scary.
But I am not in its grips like I was. 
I have learned a little bit more about what it means to trust in God. 
So much to learn. 
The kids and I are healing.
We are learning to have a voice. 
We are learning to stand up for ourselves. 
We are learning to be okay with rejection. Because rejection does not mean we have necessarily done anything wrong.  Sometimes it means we have done something right and are moving forward. 


There is so much to be excited for and to anticipate in this coming year. 
New friends. New experiences. 
New hope.
Happy Exciting New Year!

BECAUSE WE CARE... stones can comforting

My girl and I recently had an opportunity to learn how to make these rocks/gems of comfort.
It was a really neat learning opportunity for the both of us.  Even beyond the craft project itself.

Because We Care is an ministry aimed to provide comfort to those in the hospital facing really hard stuff.  Started by a nurse that faced human suffering bravely and yet was feeling the burden and heaviness of her job.  One particular day, the family of someone she had served gifted her with a stone.  A simple and yet beautiful gift, that would over time become a source of encouragement and courage to continue to do what she did well.  

Mail box freebies ~ Happy Suprises!

I love free samples!  

I love getting them in the mail. 

Often times I sign up for them and then forget. 

Which is perfect, because who doesn't love a perfectly wonderfully good suprise.

Especially in the mailbox.
Something delightful instead of bills. 

My children love it too. 

These created quite the stir. 

My coffee loving daughter was quick to let me know she knew how to convert

those k-cups into perfect cups of delicious-ness, 

since we don't own a keurig. 

The question I have is, 

will I get even a taste before they are gone?

My carmel loving son, just about melted when he saw the salted carmel flavor. 

Thank you Starbucks for the smile in our mailbox! 

New Year's in pictures!

My youngest made my bed. 

Supposedly, Ted was cold and wanted to be comfy. 

Oh, how I smiled when I walked in my room and saw this.

What I didn't take a picture of was that my "sleeping
 pillows were on the floor beside the bed...

to make room for Ted!

Late night of clue...

We were all so tired, we couldn't think straight or remember what was just said!

A few kids decided to make wild accusations all in attempt to end the game sooner

so we could start the movie!

Before the movie!  We broke out the glow sticks.

and noise makers.  We knew some would not make it to midnight.

So we celebrated loudly before settling in to watch.

ice cream and bubbly 

(sparkling juice!)

in fancy glasses

Then we watched Ant Man. 

I had no idea. 
I thought it would be an animated movie, something like Bug's Life.

Nope, Ant Man is a Marvel Super Hero!

Oh my, such a fun movie. 

So happy, the children picked.

Very good memories were made.