The Power of Weather

This is an image of what came through Birmingham last night.  It was the same tornado
that roared through Tuscaloosa.  The images this morning are devastating, to say the least.
Praying for all those families who lost loved ones and their homes and all their
belongings.  Over 200 confirmed dead - 149 in Alabama alone. 

Safe Place

If anyone is watching the weather right now it is BAD in Alabama.  Tornados took out a large part of Tuscaloosa, very close to where Ted lived while in law school.  And we watched it all live on a tower caera.  Very scary.  We are praying for our cousins in Tuscaloosa and hope that they are safe.  Although we hav tried to get in touch with them, they are not answering their cells, presumably because all the cell towers are on the ground at this point.  The devastation is widespread.  I pray no one was killed.

And as I type we are under our staircase, our "safe place." I am thanking God for iPads right now.  Although the kids are a little nervious (except for Sam who has no clue), they are having fun watching "Despicable Me" and "camping out" under the stairs.  Ted is periodically going out to watch the TV and check the radar (love me some J.P Dice!).  Thank goodness we have not lost power.  Grandmom has not had power all day and I doubt she will for the next few days.   It looks like the worst of the storm is going to track north of us, but it is the real deal.  Over 200 mile per hour winds.  I am nervous.  And requesting a bottle of wine.  No telling how long we will be in here.  Again, thank God for iPads.  Oh, and the next thing we are adding to our house is a generator.  We have had too many scary storms this month not to get one.

Easter

The kids had a great time this Easter, although it was pretty exhausting for Ted and me - Easter egg hunt at the club on Saturday, Easter bunny presents, another egg hunt at church, lunch and another egg hunt at Cher Cher and Papa's, and then the final hurrah (and 4th egg hunt) at Grandmom's with the Holts and all (well, some of) the fun cousins!  Oh, and I apologize in advance - I got a little carried away with all the pictures!

AT THE CLUB:

with Richard Monk waiting for the hunt

loving my new sunglasses!

and they're off!

not so sure about this egg hunt thing!

oh but look at all the eggs I got!

examining their loot

Sam checks out the Easter bunny.  He wasn't scared at all, and went up to give him a hug and a high-five

EASTER MORNING - The Easter Bunny came!!:

coming down the stairs

LOOK!

a little chihuahua!

Ningago!  How did the Easter Bunny know?

so happy!

Sam got monster slippers and was so pleased!

Candy in the morning?  Life doesn't get any better!

CHURCH:

The best I could get of the three of them.  Sam is not an easy subject!

see what I mean?

No Mama!

Ann Park and her best friend, Francie

weeeeeeee!!!!!

Swinging like a monkey!

AT CHER CHER AND PAPA'S:

Mom had the table looking so great and the kids loved the balloons!

Another Easter egg hunt!!

Sam eating m&ms off the ground after they spilled out of the egg!

Sam and daddy having some fun!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST AT GRANDMOM'S HOUSE:

Again, Sam was not cooperating, and remember that this is only about half of the cousins!  LIfe is always fun and exciting at the Holts!!

So if you have gotten through this entire post, I am sure you are exhausted as I am.  Good night!

The Good, the Bad and the Booted

So I have been to the doctor at least twice since I wrote about the boot situation.  Well, the situation is still there, but at least now I have an accurate diagnosis.  I went to the doctor last Wednesday thinking that after almost 3 weeks I would finally get the boot off.  I saw some improvement in the swelling and a lot of improvement in the tenderness so I really was looking forward to wearing two shoes again.  No such luck.  She wasn't nearly as pleased with my "improvement" and decided to do an ultrasound to see if she saw any tears, etc.

When she did the ultrasound there was definitely something going on in there.  She showed me what the healthy areas looked like which was like nice little lines - what you would think healthy tendons would look like really.  Then you could see hte large bags of liquid - or the swelling.  It was all over the place.  Finally, when she got to the area that was the most swollen and tender to the touch the strainght lines kinda started looking more wavy or cloud-like.  So off I went to get an MRI.

I got the MRI on Thursday morning and had to wait until today to get the results because of the Easter weekend. I really didn't want to wear the boot over Easter, but I did.  See - you can even see it as I was hobbling away from Sam in this picture (proof that I am wearing it!):

So I went this afternoon and got the results.  As usual, there was good news and bad news.  The good news is that there is no fracture (which we knew from the x-rays) and no damage to my tendons.  So where is the pain and all the swelling coming from you ask?  Well, the first radiologist totally missed it.  His report noted nothing but swelling.  My doctor was not convinced that this persistent swelling after being booted for an extended period of time was from a simple sprain.  Instead, she got a second opinion from the first radiologist's boss and he confirmed her suspicions.  I have an injury, or small tear, to the retinaculum.  Huh?  

From the way she described it (and what I have read on the internet, which has proved to be a bad thing, as usual) the retinaculum is a webbing like membrane that covers the ankle bone and tendons and prevents the tendons from shifting all over the place, resulting in consistent rolling of the ankle, especially when exercising.  Injuries are common - especially in bad sprains - but usually resolve without any help from a boot, etc. on their own.  The bad news for me is that mine is worse than most and not resolving on its own, as of yet.  That is mainly because there is not much blood flow to that area, according to my doctor.

Because this is actually a pretty important area of the ankle, healing is essential.  So I am in the boot for at least three more weeks.  I don't even go back to see my doctor for three more weeks.  Looks like me and the boot are forming a long-term relationship.  One that I did not want, but will agree to if it prevents surgery (something that I read all about on the internet so I am staying away from there!)  

The thing is that we are going on our annual Upchurch family vacation in four weeks.  I go back to the doctor on Monday, May 16 and we leave on Sunday May 22.  I really really really don't want to be in Palmetto Bluff (one of my favorite places in the universe) in this boot.  So pray.  Pray hard.  This thing has got to heal.

Amazing Grace

My mom sent me this link of the Four Tenors, or II Divo, singing "Amazing Grace" in the Colleseum in Rome.  It truly brought tears to my eyes.  For anyone who does not know, this group was put together by Simon Cowell of American Idol fame.  He searched the world for the "four best male singers."   In the order here, they are David (from America); Carlos (from Spain), Sabastian (from France) and Urs (from Switzerland).  Three of them were opera singers, and Sabastian was a self taught "pop" singer.   They were pretty reluctant to come together as a group, but they are completely AMAZING.


http://www.clarrissegill.com/videoclips/amazing_grace.php

Easter Fun

I have been trying to think of something fun and different to do with the kids this Easter and I came across Peeps S'mores!  I mean, how much fun is this (even if you are like me and don't like Peeps)!  I think that we might have to try these for dessert on Easter Sunday.  I know that my kids will get a kick out of them! 

Another amazing dessert

Why is it when you are trying to lose a couple of pounds (I have put on a few since I have been in the boot and not able to exercise), you find the most amazing desserts online and find yourself salavating over them while waiting on your grilled chicken salad, no dressing, to be ready in the cafe downstairs.  Well, maybe not all those details apply to you, but they do to me.  Right now.

I was browsing some of my not-so-typical websites while waiting on that delicious salad (mind over matter) and came across this on Our Best Bites.  I mean, Peanut Butter Caramel Shortbread bars?  You have to be kidding me.  And they are super easy to make?  Sign me up.  But, maybe in about a month when I have dropped about 5 pounds.  Sorry Ted.  You would LOVE these.

Here is the recipe, but check out all the step-by-step pictures on Our Best Bites.

Peanut Butter Cup Caramel Shortbread Bars

Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour by Our Best Bites

1 c. salted butter at room temperature
1 c. powdered sugar
2 c. all-purpose flour, lightly spooned into measuring cups and leveled with a knife
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. caramels (1 14-oz. package Kraft caramel or 2 c. homemade caramel)
1-3 tablespoons cream (1 if using Kraft caramels, 3 for firmer or homemade caramel)
3 cups mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (about 1 1/2 11-oz. bags)

Preheat oven to 300. Spray a 9×13″ pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl or the bowl of your mixer, combine the butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla until the mixture comes together. Lightly press the shortbread dough into the pan. Prick with a fork to prevent the crust from bubbling. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and run a knife around the edges of the bars. Allow to cool completely.

Combine the caramels and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring each minute, until the mixture is smooth. Spread evenly over the cookie crust, then place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for 30-60 minutes or until the caramel is solid.

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the unwrapped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups until melted and smooth, stirring each 45 seconds. Spread over the cooled caramel. Place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until the chocolate layer is solid. They can also be placed in the freezer for less time if you’re in a hurry. Cut into squares and serve. Store leftovers in a cool area or the refrigerator to prevent messy disasters.

Are you drooling yet?

Karate update

Oh and the karate video should now be working.  I just watched it again and laughed out loud at Sam's dancing in the background.  Hysterical.  I need to try to just zoom in on him.

Holy Week

“[W]ho, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”


Philippians 2:6-11

God bless you and your family this Holy Week!

Booted

So for those of you who don't see me often, I have been in a boot for over a week now.  Boot as in this:

Thank goodness I am in the smaller of the two but it is still a HUGE pain in my rear.  Long story short, I have an old ankle injury in one of my tendons from my cheerleading days.  I have started doing this ballet-type exercise classes (see here) which I absolutely LOVE, but apparently my ankle does not love it all that much.  I rolled the ankle in class (thank goodness I did not fall) and continued the class even though it hurt.  I went home and iced it and all seemed well.  So I went to another class the next day and the next.  Then my ankle got really big and was really sore.  I went to a sports medicine doctor that Ted goes to all the time and she gave me a little brace and said to stay off it for a week.  I did as the doctor ordered, but the swelling did not subside so that is why I am in the boot.  I go back on Monday and am praying that she will just prescribe me some physical therapy and I can get un-booted. 

Karate

When I was uploading/downloading (which one is it?  I have no idea) the video of the kids riding the old-fashioned stick horse, I cam across this video of Ward.  We must have filmed it a couple of months ago, right after he got his yellow belt.  He doesn't get the coda (sp?) exactly right, but it is still prettey impressive.  But what really cracked me up about this video is Sam listening to the iPod in the background dancing.  I laughed out loud.  Maybe you will too.

Good night!  Yes, I know that it is only 8:20, but I am tired and heading up to bed.  Don't make fun of me.  I know that you are really just jealous!

Oh and as an aside, the meeting with our social worker went really well this afternoon.  She said that she has almost completed our homsetudy and hopes to get it back to our agency soon.  I am praying that it gets to Russia this month and that we will find out what region we are assigned to in June!  Then I will be in full-on  research mode to find out all I can about that region!  Pray that it continues to go smoothly!

A typical night

Here is a video of a typical night in our house.  Ted could not help but videotape what was going on as he walked in the door from work.  A girl has to do something to keep the kids happy - especially considering that we don't watch television on school nights.

At least they are creative, right?

Meeting today

If you are so inclined, please think about Ted at 3:00 today.  We are having our last meeting with our social worker and I am so anxious to get everything wrapped up and sent to Russia.  It is very frustrating to know all the work that we have already put into this process and Russia doesn't even know we exist yet!  Here's hoping and praying that it all goes smoothly today and our packet can be sent to Russia by the end of the month!!!

Adoption update

There is not much new to say on our adoptions process other than it MOVES VERRRYYYY SLLLLLOWWWWLY.  I talked to our social worker yesterday and we are trying to schedule our last visit for some time next week.  At this visit, she will talk to Ted and I together and then individually.  It is the last step in our homestudy and I am very anxious to get it all over with.  After she completes all our paperwork, our entire packet heads to Russia!!  It will take about a month to be translated and then we will be assigned a region.  I am praying that we hear about our Region some time in May, but most likely it will be in June.  Pray for patience on my part.

I am getting used to waiting and am certain God is using this entire process to test my patience.  One of the things that keeps me sane, however, is knowing that our child is already ours.  She has already been picked out and was born to come live with us and be a party of our family.  So every day, week, month, that passes and I hear nothing is not nothing.  It is God's timing, not mine, and that is oh so very important.