So I have had so many understanding readers and for that I thank you for continually checking back!
For the past few months I have let many of my phone calls ring through to voice mail ... dodged friends in the grocery store ... and spent endless hours drifting off into some kind of time warp. Believe it or not, I have started this email dozens of times. But through it all I have wondered if 2009 really happened or if it was just a dream and I will wake up and everything be normal.
In May 2009, 8 months into my pregnancy with Chad, I started to loose my eyesight in my right eye.
Two weeks later, it turned into complete blackness.
2 weeks after that, Chad was born.
Two weeks later I had MRI's that couldn't answer questions.
Following our unanswered questions, our prayers were answered.
We picked up and moved to Utah, where we could receive better medical advice.
We packed up our already sold home, and moved to a basement of the first apartment we lived in when we were newlyweds. We lived out of boxes until something became available and Adam commuted 3 days a week back to Page.
We found a doctor. An AMAZING doctor.
An Unexpected answer came.
I have a disease.
A rather rare, and scary disease called NMO (Neuromyelitis Optica) or also known as Devics Disease.
We don't know if the loss of eyesight in my right eye will be the end of it.
Yes I could become permanently blind or even become permanently paralyzed.
Am I worried, YES ... but for today I am living healthy and working through these bits of craziness called trials.
SO where does this leave me? Where do I go from here?
When the clock ticked midnight and it was now 2010, a silent tear appeared and relief filled my body that I made it through one of the hardest years of my life.
So now I will promise to update my blog. I will promise to inspire all of you amazing mothers, fathers, crafty people, and not so crafty people.
So just for today ... I take a few short moments, (and challenge you to do the same) to look at my kids and burn their image into my mind. Just for today I embrace the moment I see the man of my dreams, walk through the door and give me that beautiful smile. Just for today I am enjoying every moment, every second, and every minute ... because tomorrow I might not be able to.
As a thank you for all of you loyal readers, friends, and family, I am going to start off my posting again with a giveaway. One of my dear friends is Liz Kartchner, and if you don't already know, she has written an amazing book called 52 MORE SCRAPBOOKING CHALLENGES.
Be sure to send me a message with your email address. I will pick the winner this Saturday, January 30th! GOOD LUCK Friends!
58 comments:
I had no idea what you were going through! You are an amazing woman and mother!!! I pray that your life will be filled with joy and good health in 2010!!!
My prayers are with you and your family. I hope 2010 is filled with positive things for you!
I am praying for you and your beautiful family. I hope this year is full of good things.
You have been missed in the blog world! Glad to see you are back, and I'm praying for you.
I am deeply touched by what you wrote!
I'll keep you in my mind to Hope for the Best and live NOW!
My SIL has MS...do I Need to say more!
We Need to seize our lives!
Lovely greetings from over the Ocean & a wonderful 2010!
Katharina
from the BlackForestRegion/Germany. ((;
So happy to see you again! And many many greetings from France !!
Thank you for the update on your life. Ever since we received your Thanksgiving card (darling, perfect, adorable) I've been wondering about the difficulties that you mentioned. I'm so sorry that you've had such a difficult time. Let me know if there is ever anything that we can do to help. We live just around the mountain from you now, so we are close. I'm sure my boys would love to have your boys come and play someday. We should arrange something.
I'll be thinking of you. Take care.
Dang, girl! Here's hoping that 2010 is awesome for you...you definitely deserve it! Thinking of you!
I am so saddened to hear of the challenges you have been through. You are an amazingly strong woman who has already done so much with her life at such a young life. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are an inspiration. I was truly touched by your words and feel so guilty for the depression that I have been through for absolutely no reason at all. If you don't mind I'd like to quote some of your sweet words on my blog. Hang in there!!
Alicia
lish@mchsi.com
www.weloveiowa.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I have you and your family in my prayers. Here is to a wonderful 2010.
kelly n
kelly.ann@verizon.net
Thanks for sharing your story. I checked here often, thinking you were just busy with mommyhood, and could definitely relate. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Allison M.
Mandi, I am so sorry for what you are going through. Your words were truly touching and a little reminder for all of us. Keeping you in my prayers.
Carly S.
So sorry to read about everything you have gone through. Praying you get some answers in 2010.
Mandy, I can not even believe what you must be feeling going through this! I will be sure to pray for you as you continue your journey!
I can't even imagine what you have been going through. Here's to a better 2010, my thoughts are with you!
You are certainly in my prayers. Thank you for reminding us what is truly important. Best wishes to you and your precious family.
Missy
Mandy, I had been wondering about you! I have been reading you blog and missed you fun posts. I will say a little prayer fo you and your family. I am sure your boys are a pretty good cheer squad and help you stay so positive!!
Take care, Michelle
(p.s. I already have Liz's book, so no need to put my name in the hat. Just wanted to pop in and say hi.)
So sorry to hear of your troubles. I pray that God will hold you in his loving embrace as you navigate the uncertainty. I will continue to check back and follow your journey. God Bless.
Oh sweet girl....wow....that is quite a story you've told. I will add you to my prayer list and pray the Lord will guide you and be your peace each day.
Thank you for updating us blog readers, you have touched my heart today. I will have you in my prayers and thoughts.
wow, that's so scary. *hugs* you're in my thoughts and prayers
So sorry to hear that this is happening to you. Hope that 2010 brings you much joy and hope.
Love reading your blog.
Megan
servingtheson@hotmail.com
I have missed your blogs & didn't realize that you & Liz are friends as I check her blog every day aswell. So sorry to hear that you have been having a hard year, life throughs some hard things at us all. You & your family will be in my thoughts & prayers. Thank you for sharing with us, only wish I could help in some way. So glad that you've found a great Dr. Bye Wendy
I have missed you...your blog post was so touching, even had tears in my eyes...
Sending prayers your way. Yes, we do take things for granted, but perhaps it's time to take a step back and appreciate what I do have right in front of me.
Thank you....
my prayers are with you. Thanks for this giveaway; I am a huge fan of Liz and I have been wanted this book.
Wow. You're a strong woman. I, like so many others, just figured that mommyhood was keeping you busy. I certainly remember those days. :)
You have my thoughts and prayers as you go through this step of your life.
I have the book already. It's a great one.
Angie
You are in my thoughts and prayers....many hugs, Sarah
I've missed reading your blog and had hoped that you were just busy with your two beautiful boys and that was what was keeping you away. I will be praying for you and your family.
LouAnn
Wow...you are truly in my thoughts and prayers! It's funny how God makes us realize just how precious even how precious something such as eyesight can be. I was in the hospital myself twice towards the end of 2009 and it really put into perspective for me how precious good health really is. Prayers and hugs to you and your precious family!!
Tammy M.
tlmcclain@sbcglobal.net
I have been missing your blogging, but had no idea you were going through such a hard time. I'll add you and your family to my prayers. Have a great weekend!
Cindy D
txcreagerfan@yahoo.com
So sorry to hear the challenges you are facing. Will add you to my prayer list for healing and peace through this trial. Blessings to you and your family.
Wow. Those are powerful words and I hope that I take them to heart. I will definitely do my part today to remember every detail of my little boy and my sweet husband. Hang in there. I am in Utah and if you ever need ANYTHING let me know. Our prayers are with you.
jorgensonwv at hotmail dot com
Melissa
So sorry to hear all that you've been through recently. I hope for the best for you and your family.
Mandy, so sorry to read of what you are going through. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. What an inspiration you are for me.
What an inspiration you can be for others, though that may not be your intent. I hope that you continue to find joy in today, in your husband, in your sweet boys and in life.
Mandy, I am so sorry to hear that you are faced with such a scary thing. My hope and prayers are with you and your family. It is so brave of you to come on here and tell the world when you could easily just disappear. I look forward to hearing more from you on your wonderful blog in the future.
Wow! I will keep you in my prayers! I hope there are answers soon--and lots of healing.
Christine
oh no--I am so sorry to hear about this--my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!!
Hi Mandy,
I am so sorry to hear about what has happened! But the way you are approaching life is inspirational!! So thank you. And i wish you they very best in the days to come.
Megan
meganpowell.k@gmail.com
Mandy-
Oh my goodness-I am praying for you. I am so impressed with your positive outlook-I read your post and tears came to my eyes. When I get home from work I'm going to to turn off the TV and just snuggle with my boys for awhile. Thank you so much for that reminder-I need to embrace today.
Christina
christinalakes@gmail.com
Your outlook is inspiring! I wish you the best in 2010!
ps: so glad you are back blogging - you were missed :) kristi b
Mandy,
You're post touched me today and filled my eyes with tears. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers! You have inspired me to be a better mother and person!
I am so glad you're back, I finally wrote a message a few weeks ago asking if you were ever going to post again. I really was missing your great ideas.
Take care and looking forward to your next post!
Kacey
jknosantos@surewest.net
My husband is currently deployed to Iraq and we have 3 children, 3 and under. While my situation doesn't come close to comparing with yours I definitely join with you to seize the day! Today is a gift!
God Bless!
Barb Martin
you and your dear family are certainly in my thoughts and prayers. thank you for your beautiful words and for the needful reminder to cherish each day and what it may bring.
stacy t.
happythomasfamily@gmail.com
Praying for you during this difficult time!
Angel Rajewski
marajewski@charter.net
Praying for you and your family....i've so missed your posts...glad you are back!! :)
Crystal Grosse
crystalgrosse@hotmail.com
You are an inspiration. Stay strong! So glad to see that you are back.
Here is too a great 2010!
Karen F.
bryan1387@hotmail.com
I wish the best, you are a strong person, I can tell from your words, Heavenly Father loves and is with you and your family.
As a regular visitor of your blog....I assumed you were just busy, busy, busy being a Momma....I am so sorry that you are going through this trial. I have seen the mighty hand of God do many miraculous things....keep believing.
Mandy, thanks so much for the update! I pray that 2010 will be a great one for you and your family. You are an amazing woman with a beautiful family!!
You are amazing. Lets get together.
Love you.
I am so sorry to hear about what you are going through. You sound very strong and you have a beautiful family to get you through it. You are in my thoughts and I am happy to see you on your blog again!!
Jill
jaschneider@wi.rr.com
Mandy, I just wanted you to know that you did do as you wanted by inspiring others! I read this post and cried! You truely are heaven sent and are meant to touch lives! I have been stuck in such a rut for so long and every time I tried to get out, it seemed to always pull me back in. I started to feel as if I had no choice, but then I came across your blog and read this, and it touched me! Your words meant so much to me I cannot ever express how thankful I am for your strength and spirit. I now look at my life differently with fresh new eyes and more feelings of how blessed I am! I don't want to take anything for granted and I have realized that even when things aren't fine and dandy there is always something to be thankful for! I hope I'm able to inspire others some day as you have done for me! Thank you for helping me to be a better me! Taking things day by day and not overwhelming myself is the way to do it!
-Shio-
So glad you are back and completely understand why you took the break. I wish the best for you and your family in 2010 and beyond.
I enjoy your blog and am so glad to have you back.
So glad you are back. I don't know you personally, but I have missed your blog. I am so sorry to hear how rough things have been for you. I encourage you to post. In this amazing cyberworld we live in, you may run across those who are sharing the same trials as you and may even find information, etc. that will help you in your journey. Praying for you in Idaho. And welcome back! You were missed.
Breaks are good for the soul sometimes. What a difficult experience you're going through. I'm glad you've found some answers. Prayers are with you.
(((Mandy)))
I decided to give a check in here and was thrilled to see that you are posting again. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Those boys of yours are so handsome!
I am new to your blog, but came across it after watching a video tour of your new scrap space (beautiful by the way, I love your black desk). Many blessings and prayers to you that you will have a healthy 2011.
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