Random Update and Thoughts

A lot has happened since I last updated so I am just going to write random updates and thoughts as they come to me. Not edited, not planned, not proofed.

• Josie has been out of her cast for over a month now. She is doing pretty well. She is taking steps in her gait trainer but nowhere NEAR where she was before surgery. Her hips are straight and she doesn't cross her legs anymore, but she has definately lost some of her mobility. Not sure how I feel about that.
• The man with the yellow tractor has been back. If you don't know what I am talking about, see a post I made about a year ago. Jon talked to him and he asked about Josie. There are a few more houses going up so he will be around this summer. Praying for the words to speak to him...or more importantly, praying that he can see God through my family.
• Our house sold in Orange City. Bittersweet. It sold for less than we purchased it. Hard hit to take. However, we are thankful that the house is sold and we can move forward.
• My kids amaze me everyday. Mary continues to excel in school, but what I am the most proud of is her humble spirit. She quietly and confidently goes about her day and patiently nudges her peers. I have something to learn from her kindness and even temper. David is a goofball and can't wait for school to be done. He is playing soccer, flag football, and baseball this spring. I feel like a taxi driver. Hannah is finishing up her last week of preschool. She has informed me that when she grows up she is going to be a Princess Geologist. I am looking for a university that offers that major. She loves, loves, rocks and dirt and fills up every container she can find with rocks and dirt.
• I am extremely thankful for our public school system. I have three kids in school with very different needs and academic levels. Their school goes above and beyond to meet their needs. I appreciate the fact that others are able to bless my children and in turn bless me. Josie has brought out the best in her classmates and teachers. I have had more dicussions with her teachers leading to my faith because of Josie. The principal told me that my three kids have made their school a better place. Way to go Nelson kids! Public schools sometimes get a bad rap but they do a lot of things right, too!
• I ran my first 5K a couple of weeks ago. I ran it in 28 minutes. I had no idea what to expect. This was something I never thought I would be able to do. I will do another one and hopefully improve my time. Moving has given me a chance to reinvent myself. I have taken to exercise and eating better. Who knew I would be instructing cardio kickboxing classes at a gym...and liking it! I have met so many interesting and unique people at the gym that I would have never met otherwise. Most are not Christian and church is the last place they would be. I love these people and have learned so much from them. I have had many faith filled conversations with some of them. The best is when out of the blue someone asks me a question about my faith or what I believe. Makes me smile.
• I think I may put a sign up in my yard stating that this is the neighborhood YMCA. There are kids here everyday. I honestly don't know where they come from. Their language isn't always appropriate and I have to remind some of them that we do have rules, but I am glad they continue to come back. I am glad my kids are exposed to families and cultures that are different than ours. Our hoop is going up this week so I am excited to see who that will bring.
• Since moving I really haven't joined any type of small group, prayer group, or Bible study group. I miss it. I need to connect with other women. I need some accountability. It is hard to start or join something this time of year but perhaps in the fall I will actively look to find or start a group.
• If you got this far, thanks for reading. If you are still reading you must care for me or my family, thank you for that. I need all the help I can get, even just knowing that someone cares means a lot to me.
• Have a great Monday!

"Kids Are Awesome"

I received an email from Josie's teacher today that I felt led to share.

"The kids had a great time signing their initials to Josie's cast the other day.

It was a really cool moment. All I said was, 'Let's sign our initials on Josie's cast. Keep it small so there is room for everyone.' I did my initials to show while they watched. Josie was getting a little antsy (wouldn't we all in the same position!), one of the kids started holding her hand and humming to her. I think Mandy suggested that maybe they sing to her. The kids took it from there! They all gathered round and one little girl started them out on the right pitch and everyone started singing and signing the cast. When one song ended, they quickly changed to another of Josie's favorites. They sang 3 or 4 different songs to her while gathered around. Josie loved it!

I wish we had video of it, but we did have a camera to grab! Hope you enjoy the pictures. Kids are awesome!"

I have to say that I have felt a tremendous amount of support from the staff at Josie's school. They have gone above and beyond any of my expectations. In the three years we have had Josie in our family I have noticed that she can really bring out the "good" in people. She is certainly bringing out the "good" in the students and staff at her school. Praise be to God!

Another Josie Update

Just another quick update on Miss Josie. Josie was moved out of ICU and into a regular room yesterday. She is still pretty drugged up so spend most of the day sleeping. She did need another blood transfusion as well.

Today, however, is a different story. Josie is getting a little fiesty. It made me smile. She is slowly getting back to normal. She is only letting me feed her - which is quite normal. She is taking her pain meds like a pro orally which means we are closer to getting out of here! This afternoon we are going to get into a reclining wheelchair and go for a walk around the hospital. Fun times! If she continues to do well we should be able to leave on Saturday.

Thanks for all of your comments, thoughts, and prayers. They were felt and needed. Since Josie was moved to another room, I can't pick up wireless in her room, so my time online is limited. I sneak out to eat and that is when I check email and update.

I will keep you all posted! Thanks!

Shelly

Update on Josie

I will give a quick update on Josie for those of you interested in more of the details. I have a lot swirling around in this little head of mine so I am sure more blog entries will be coming.

Josie had surgery today. We have known this was coming for quite some time, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for this. I will admit that right now I am feeling quite overwhelmed. I am wondering how I am going to handle things when she gets home. I remember these same kind of feelings after I had each of my kids and somehow things worked out just fine. On the other hand, I know myself that much better. I know my capabilities and I know my limits. I am better at asking for and accepting help. Josie, and the rest of our family, willl have to find a new normal for awhile. Josie is a trooper and a fighter. She will come through this beautifully.

Anyway, Josie, Jon, and I checked in here at 6:30am this morning. She went into surgery around 7:45am. She was done around 2:00pm. They tilted the balls in her hips toward the sockets. They were secured with plates and screws. They also released and stretched some of the muscles around her hip. They also had to cut some of the bone in that area as well. Her hamstring muscles were lengthened. Her inner thigh muscles were stretched. They did some other things as well. All together she has 8 incisions. She is in a body cast from her armpits to her toes. There is a hole cut out in her diaper area as well as her stomach. Her cast is hot pink with a purple bar. Her younger sister will be thrilled! The surgery was successful so that is a good thing!

She is in a lot of pain. She is a tough cookie and it is very hard to see her this way. She is in intensive care and will be there probably until sometime tomorrow. She will then be transfered to a regular room. I am not sure when she will get to go home.

To be honest, this is one of those times I question a lot of things. God has called Jon and I (and Mary, David, and Hannah) to care for this beautiful little girl. We want her time on this earth to be comfortable and we want to give her the best life she can have. I wonder sometimes if I can do it. I love her dearly, but sometimes it is just too much. I miss my other kids terribly. It is in these moments that I can feel the presence of God - in my weakness He takes over. I am sitting in a skyway at the hospital overlooking the Mississppi River. The sun is shining. There is a lot of snow. It is beautiful. I think to myself that God created this world and He created Josie. He loves her very much. He is using me to surround Josie with His love. He is using Josie to surroung me with His love. That is enough to get me through another day.