Changes

Erik has become the "incredible shrinking man" and well, I guess I am on the way to being the "incredible shrinking woman". According to my cousin that is. Erik has been working on his weight for some time. Losing it that is. I am very proud of him. He has lost a good bit (nearly 5o lbs. I must add!!) and he has been working out. He is going to be a man with muscles one of these days! I also started working on my weight issue at the beginning of September. Now, I will add that we are doing this with the help of our doctor. It's never been easy for either of us (and my medical issues have cause me weight gain for almost 5 years now) and having help from the doctor was what we needed. We are watching what we eat, exercising, and drinking PLENTY of water. It is so important that we take care of ourselves. The health problems that plague our families is amazing. I don't want to be a statistic and I want to have kids one of these days and I want to be around to enjoy them! I can say for myself that I have more energy, I am less tired, and am not hungry all of the time. This is a good thing! My doctors visit today was a good one. I have lost some weight (woo hoo!) and the doctor is proud of me. He high-fived me twice and hugged me! He is an amazing doc. I am happy to have found him. He does care about his patients. My sister Melissa is being very encouraging. She is working out and is under the same doctor's care. I see this year as one of healthy living. Our bodies are a temple of the Lord. I have to remind myself that often. If you think about it, pray for us. We need encouragement because as anyone knows, changing your lifestyle can be tough. Thanks!
Another change is the fact that I have submitted information and started working on my application for Grad School. I am going to work on my masters with Walden University--online. I am deciding between Reading and Literacy or Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. This is HUGE step but I think I am ready to take it. It will be another chunk of time out of my life, but I know that it will benefit me in so many ways.
Well, now you know the CHANGES in Barlikville!

Playing around

Well, thanks to my friend Merritt, I see how cute my blog can be. I just wanted to say thanks to her because now my blog is seasonal! I hope you enjoy it!

Just something a friend shared with me...

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

by Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin'' I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Well, it's been a little while. I have been extremely busy. I have worked many nights this week past 6:00. It can take it's tole on you. Last Sunday I worked all day on school work. Today however, I said enough is enough. I will work on this evening (which has become a normal Sunday routine for me) but that's it. I guess we have to remember that there is a time for everything and that means resting and enjoying time off. This week will be equally as busy because I have conferences scheduled. Friday is a 1/2 day for students and conference day for the other 1/2. I always need prayer on those days. I need prayer for my words to be comforting, gentle, and to be understanding of what the parents have to say. This is a crucial time for the students and it gives the parents an understanding of where their child is academically, socially, and sometimes emotionally. But...
The upcoming weekend will be a lot of fun. Erik and I are heading back to Atlanta (the first since our move home to SC) to see the Braves play and go to the Georgia Aquarium --we have not been because it opened right before Erik lost his job. I am very excited to have a weekend away with him. I hope we will get to see some friends and maybe go back to North Metro Church, where we attended while living there. We are excited!
Yesterday we celebrated my newphew's 6th birthday. My sister had a big BBQ. It was yummy. The most fun I had was playing Guitar Hero! Oh my...that is a fun game. My sister said it helps if you know the song, thank goodness I did! Erik and I don't have a game system. Does one of the original Nintendo's count?? I want a Wii very badly and I am asking Santa for one!
Well, as you can read, not a lot going on. Momma is doing better. She continues to feel tired, but she is having physical therapy 3 times a week. For that I am thankful. Keep her in your prayers too. Until my next update....

Update On Momma

Hey everyone...just a really quick update. Momma got to go home on Friday! Yeah! Basically, she is off the meds for her heart (we are a little nervous about that, but we know God is in control!) and she is to take it easy. She is tired, weak, and still a little sore--to be expected after a wreck like she had. Keep praying! She needs to get her strength back and has to walk a little each hour to keep the blood flowing good! :) Thank you for praying. God does hear the prayers of the faithful!

Family Update

Hey...I just thought I would update you guys on what's going on with my momma. Sunday she wrecked her car. She was pulling out of the grocery store and she was hit. She was taken by ambulance to the ER. She was sore and shaken, but other than that, she was OK. Well, they wanted to do a CT scan because her head was hurting. They found some bleeding (I don't know what they even call that--hematoma??). In order to make it stop, they had to take her off of her blood thinners. She is on them because her bodies make clots and she has stents in her heart. Well the problem with that is she could develope a clot and it could cause an anurism (sp?) or an embalism. So she has been under constant supervision in the ICU. They did another CT scan today and they found that she is now stable. We are thankful for that! But they also had to do a 2nd CT scan this afternoon because she had tingling and was shaking really bad during the first one. They wanted to check for a stroke or seizures. It's one thing and then another. Tonight they are moving her to a room 1 step down from ICU! Yeah! The neurologist said that if she is stable for 2 more days, she could go home. However, they also recommend she stay off of the blood thinners for 3 weeks! Yikes! Her doctors will have to work closely together to find a "happy medium", as they were saying.
So, please pray for my Momma. We want her to be better and to come home. Pray she stays stable and that they can find that happy medium. Thanks! I will keep you updated.