A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...

Good morning, Abe.

2012-02-12T19:50:00.003-06:00

January 9th, 2012. 7:00AM.

Hi.

2012-02-12T18:15:00.000-06:00

I'm back. Just FYI. ;-)

Currently, I am listening to my Puccini station on pandora and making chocolate chip cookies... in short, I'm melting.

In the best senses of the word.

*oven beeps* :D Toodles!

Happy Birthday, Bee!

2011-11-18T07:48:00.000-06:00

I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!

xoxo

Homesick for this today...

2011-11-11T16:47:00.001-06:00

Crosby Edwin, 11/10/11 12:28 AM, 2 lb. 6 oz.

2011-11-10T09:53:00.002-06:00

Hang in there, little one. We are praying for you! I love you so much. Love, NiNi

One year ago today...

2011-11-08T12:47:00.006-06:00

Surgery Day, 11/9/10

We reported to the hospital at 1:30pm and sat here in the waiting room before surgery. Dad and I were probably on flrunners.com since the State series was going on :)

All hooked up in pre-op and ready to get my epidural and nerve block

After being put under for the epidural and nerve block, they woke me up again to wait for the operation. I stayed in touch with friends and family at home :)

Still waiting! It was late before they actually got me into the operating room and the surgery itself lasted a few hours.

The finished product: a cystless femur with a plate and three screws! This x-ray was taken at my 6 week follow up appointment. I was already walking at that point, and getting ready to hike, hike, hike on our week-after-Christmas vacation!

Ramblings

2011-10-28T15:53:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to pop around to apologize for the lack of posts lately! To be quite frank, there have been no posts because there have been no pictures. I've been down and out for over a month with some crazy issues with my back. The pain kept me from quite a few outings (I'm SO thankful I was at least feeling well enough for the biking in DC!) so I missed those photo opportunities. I did take advantage of the fall leaves in our front yard on a couple occasions when I mustered the will to take a jaunt on the lawn. I've also been really sick for two weeks with some crazy mystery virus! Two of my sisters and I caught it and had fevers lasting two weeks (or more!), achey bodies, terrible (horrible, awful, miserable) coughs. I've had a shortness/shallowness of breath and wheeziness, much like asthma. Not fun, I tell you! All this to say, I'm hopefully now on the road to recovery with about 47 medications and 300 cups of tea. (Okay, maybe not quite that much... but it can't be too far from the truth! ;)

I am getting better at coping with the back issues, learning its patterns and what triggers it worst... but sometimes it just downright hurts. I mean, let's face it, no one wants pains radiating down their leg, up and through their back and neck... not to mention the bazillion muscle knots that have accumulated from all this coughing! Oh, and I forgot to say that it's getting cold here, which is lovely and all... except when that hunk of metal in your hip becomes a cold hunk of metal. Um, "OWW!"

Gee, I'm tempted to think maybe my body just doesn't like Fall. We are coming up on the one year anniversary of my surgery... hard to believe it's been a year.

And what a year it's been.

Fallography

2011-10-13T14:15:00.004-05:00

Good morning, Washington.

2011-10-09T16:45:00.007-05:00

Below are pictures from our Sunday morning jaunt in DC. It was a lovely fall morning for the outing... and did I mention we were out and back in time for church? I bet we did and saw more from 6:30-10:30AM than many people did all day :) I think we're all agreed that cycling is the best way to see DC. Absolutely fun, refreshing and wonderful! It was a morning to remember!

Iwo Jima at sunrise was breathtaking!

Good morning, Washington.

Life

2011-10-08T14:48:00.005-05:00

Caramel Apple Spice Drinks... mmmm <3

I apologize for the multitude of posts today! The pictures were downloaded and I couldn't resist sharing them right away :)

Life these days is pleasant. It's Fall and the weather agrees (unlike in Florida, where it fights to remain summer all year long...). We are enjoying the crisp, cool air, gentle breezes and sunny skies. It's just a touch cooler outside than it is inside, so the windows and doors have remained open for a few days, unlike earlier this month when our highs were in the 40s and 50s and it was a little too chilly for that (but that didn't stop Jane Ellen and me from keeping our bedroom window open and fan on all night long!). The lush green grass calls us outdoors most days for picnic lunches and read alouds and we like to indulge in a chai tea latte or Caramel Apple Spice on many evenings. We continue to plug along with our schooling, welcome guests in and, sadly, see them off (thanks for visiting, BeBe and Poppy and Sarah Rees!). We spend time with the Hoffmans daily, enjoy fellowship with new friends and we're progressing through Lark Rise to Candleford :) Christene Hoffman and I have instituted a weekly movie night together and occasionally a friend or sibling will join in (so far, we've watched The Italian Job and My Big Fat Greek Wedding... next up is Summer Magic! :) We talk to friends back home on the phone, skype, email, IM, text and snail-mail. We see God provide an abundance of food each week (or a few times a week)-- so much that we cannot help sharing it because there is no room for any more in our freezers! And we go out every now and then to grab some groceries, visit friends, pick some apples, or see a sight. Tomorrow we have an early morning trip to DC planned with the Hoffmans. We're going to bike around, visiting all the War Memorials and be back in time for church (second service, of course)! Whew :)

We are soaking in God's blessings and marveling at His kindness.

He is so good.

2011-10-08T14:44:00.003-05:00

This is what you do when you've got a hurt back and you need to be outside to get proper cell phone signal. One must try to not be in pain. And one also must talk to friends back home. This is what I shall call "the compromise position".

Addie's 3rd Birthday

2011-10-08T14:36:00.005-05:00

We were glad to open our home this afternoon for the celebration of little Addie's 3rd Birthday. I cannot express adequately how much we love the other PC families. It is a pleasure to be living life with them, enjoying the simple pleasures of life and celebrating its memorable moments.

Silliness :D

2011-10-08T14:32:00.001-05:00

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

2011-10-04T20:05:00.002-05:00

"So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." ~2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The Beauty of Simplicity

2011-10-04T12:15:00.003-05:00

Man, I sure miss having access to Adobe Bridge and Photoshop in the studio at the college... I feel so limited with iPhoto, but I'm making do... I enjoyed playing around a bit with these two shots from a random jaunt I took in the backyard, camera in hand :)

To me, these subjects were as good as any Eiffel Tower... Plus, how many people have photographed the Eiffel Tower? Too many to count. But how many have taken the time to notice the beautiful details of this rotting fence post, or the blue sky shining through the leaves of that tree in my backyard?

My most exciting photography moments are the ones in which I discover ordinary things in new ways.

Be positive!

2011-10-02T22:34:00.004-05:00

I've found something to be grateful for, when it comes to not running anymore...

All those jeans that were too small on me last year... they fit me now! (No more man-muscles :)

That's positive thinking, right?

Got Silly?

2011-09-20T07:38:00.002-05:00

I love my mom.

2011-09-17T16:36:00.002-05:00

I love my mom.

Sometimes she buys me Lucky Charms.

And then I love her even more.

Sisters dear...

2011-09-17T15:08:00.002-05:00

... are always near.

Yum. Yum. Yum.

2011-09-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

This love has come on so gradually over the last two months, but tonight's Espresso made by our new Dominican friends confirmed it. I am officially a serious night-time coffee drinker.

Ohmyword, it's so good.

Outtakes :)

2011-09-13T21:32:00.003-05:00

Quite the goofy little Stinker-Face... in case you hadn't noticed! :P

2011-09-11T19:33:00.001-05:00

I photographed a baby bumble bee...

2011-09-11T19:18:00.001-05:00

"... won't my Mommy be so proud of me..."

"Never knew water could be so wet!"

2011-09-08T15:43:00.007-05:00

On Tuesday morning, Suzy knocked at the door, asking if anyone wanted to "go for a romp in the puddles!" with her. I sent Emmy Xiang out to play and followed behind them, camera in hand. Suffice it to say, I didn't last long taking pictures... in I ran to grab coats for Emmy and me (brr!) and I joined them in the fun :)

We came inside and I made the girls hot cocoa (and a chai latte for me!) to warm our cold, soaked bodies. The girls have enjoyed doing some of their school subjects together (they have fun, stay motivated and learn together!), so they studied some Anatomy and Physiology with Mom while sipping their hot drinks.

And did I mention that fall has begun?... Funny, the way we laugh at the official beginning of fall back at home, while here, the symptoms of the season seem to come prematurely!

Go Noles!

2011-09-08T15:42:00.005-05:00

Although, we are living up in Yankeeland, it's nice to be so close to our Southern family, who shares our love for FSU football. Family, food and football-- it don't get much better. Go Noles!

Perfectly Heartless

2011-09-04T17:06:00.000-05:00

Jack. How can you sit there, calmly eating muffins when we are in this horrible trouble, I can’t make out. You seem to me to be perfectly heartless.

Algernon. Well, I can’t eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter would probably get on my cuffs. One should always eat muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to eat them.

Jack. I say it’s perfectly heartless your eating muffins at all, under the circumstances.

Algernon. When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of muffins. [Rising.]

Jack. [Rising.] Well, that is no reason why you should eat them all in that greedy way. [Takes muffins from Algernon.]

Algernon. [Offering tea-cake.] I wish you would have tea-cake instead. I don’t like tea-cake.

Jack. Good heavens! I suppose a man may eat his own muffins in his own garden.

Algernon. But you have just said it was perfectly heartless to eat muffins.

Jack. I said it was perfectly heartless of you, under the circumstances. That is a very different thing.

Algernon. That may be. But the muffins are the same. [He seizes the muffin-dish from Jack.]

Jack. Algy, I wish to goodness you would go.

Algernon. You can’t possibly ask me to go without having some dinner. It’s absurd. I never go without my dinner. No one ever does, except vegetarians and people like that. Besides I have just made arrangements with Dr. Chasuble to be christened at a quarter to six under the name of Ernest.

Love at First Sip

2011-08-31T15:01:00.003-05:00

At the Metro Station

2011-08-29T07:29:00.002-05:00

More of the Yard

2011-08-29T07:27:00.001-05:00

He did it!

2011-08-27T07:32:00.004-05:00

Zacchaeus was a wee little man, but he finally passed me up!

It only took him fifteen years to do it...

Congratulations, brother.

Destination: Pennsylvania!

2011-08-26T07:19:00.002-05:00

While we're in Maryland, we are making weekly road trips/field trips to various places and sites that we want to visit. Last week, for our first venture into D.C., our whole family (plus Suzy) went to the National Zoo. This week, Mom and us four girls are heading to Pennsylvania to spend a day with the Whites! What adventure will next week hold, I wonder? :)

On the Metro!

2011-08-24T16:29:00.003-05:00

My best friend... messy room, and all! <3

Lovely Ladies

Gracie and cute, little Susanna (and a sleepy man...)

My little "Stinker-face" and Dad :)

These were pictures from our first trip into the city, when we went to the National Zoo on Saturday. We brought Susanna along, since MaryLynn was at the Youth Retreat... we had such a fun first outing! Looking forward to many more... :)

Pastor's College Class of 2012 Cookout/Hangout

2011-08-23T14:21:00.003-05:00

A picnic!

Baby Ellen :)

(White sand!! It reminded me of home! :) Tons of kiddos in this year's class. Among the 23 or 24 students, there are I think 60-something children!

Including lots of cute babies... and another on the way!

We are looking forward to building strong, new friendships this year. We've already met a few super cool families and had extra opportunities of fellowship with them! Looking forward to all that God has in store for us this year.

Shake, shake, shake!

2011-08-23T14:08:00.005-05:00

We just had a 5.8 magnitude earthquake... craziness, I tell you! We were reading History aloud together, when the whole house started vibrating, and it got worse and worse until it was shaking like crazy, and we heard things falling over in the kitchen! We ran out of the house, and soon enough the ground calmed down again. Wow! Thankfully, we sustained no damage to our persons or belongings (except for a buzzing sound in the piano). Just some excitement for our day! :)

Five.

2011-08-22T21:32:00.002-05:00

These Summer Evenings

2011-08-18T21:18:00.004-05:00

As we try to be intentional (gotta love CrossWay-isms) about building relationships with the Hoffmans before Dad's classes start, we usually gather as families in the evenings. These evenings go something like this: We usually enjoy food of some sort, be it dinner or dessert (or sad bread pudding...). Dad and Mr. Hoffman play "shoes" in the backyard, while MaryLynn, Gracie, Susanna and Emmy run about in dress up. We talk a lot. And we continue to learn about each other. We simply enjoy each other's company, getting to know one another, and building relationships that will last a lifetime. We share stories, experiences and encourage one another with retellings of God's faithfulness. Occasionally, we'll throw in a little Pride & Prejudice or a sleepover for the girls.

Yes, we like the Hoffmans... a lot.

In the Yard

2011-08-18T20:56:00.004-05:00

(By the way, this is Henry Little... just so ya know.)

Chess

2011-08-18T20:53:00.003-05:00

How Emmy likes to begin her morning. And I like to begin mine by coming downstairs to see this. Precious.

2011-08-16T13:16:00.003-05:00

I just pulled up flrunners.com and my stomach turned a full circle. I miss Cross Country... so very much. Strange, the way God knits things like that so tightly in our hearts.

Only in God's timing. And so, I wait. *sigh*

In the meantime, I think I'll make chocolate cupcakes.

Time for Flitterin'

2011-08-12T21:06:00.004-05:00

Meet Flitter, my mascot for this year. I've had him ever since I can remember, but now he is extra special! I chose to bring him (I've always called him a "he", although he is rather femininely colored... oh well) to Maryland, because "It's Time For Flitterin'"

Enjoy :)

It's time for flitterin'

Dusting off the trunk and flitterin' far

Where the grass is greener

Now and then, comes the time again, for flitterin'

We'll soon be packing up
Stacking up our dreams and bric-a-brac for
Some destination
Don't know where, but we're going there
We're flitterin', again

New places, new faces
New friendships will start
While old places, old faces
Stay dear to our heart

As we go flitterin'
Following a rainbow, flitterin' bright
Over the horizon
Maybe then and maybe there
We'll settle down and never care
For flitterin' flitterin' flitterin' again

Van Gogh?

2011-08-12T20:52:00.002-05:00

Scenes from our Drive to Maryland :)

2011-08-11T07:42:00.006-05:00

This was in Virginia, if I remember correctly.

Sunset behind the mountains... amazing. :)
(sorry for the un-edited state of these photos... just be glad all 680 of them are now on the computer! ;)

We're here!

2011-08-09T12:25:00.003-05:00

We made it to our new house in Maryland yesterday at lunchtime after two ten-hour days of driving. Our host family, the Hoffman family, is wonderful. By God's grace, we are unpacking and settling in quite well. Tomorrow, our first visitor from home arrives. We are excited to see a familiar face! Love to you all... for now, it's back to work! :)

P.S. The weather here is incredible!! Last night, Janey and I went for a walk around the (gorgeous) neighborhood and didn't feel hot and sticky and gross like you would in Florida. In the mornings, it feels like early fall with pleasant breezes. The humidity is barely noticeable and the temperatures are pleasant. Just had to make all you home folks jealous ;)

Digital Photography 1: Project 3

2011-07-29T11:58:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe the semester is almost over! On Monday, I have my Chemistry final, then my photography final on Tuesday.

One week from tomorrow, we will be off toward Maryland for the next ten months. Pastor's College, here we come!

Sport

Photojournalism

Portrait

Public

Candid

Digital Photography I: Project 2

2011-07-19T07:49:00.001-05:00

You are my sunshine.

2011-07-15T16:33:00.002-05:00

More Edits! :)

2011-07-15T07:28:00.005-05:00

A few repeats in here, but some of them have been tweaked. My second project is due on Tuesday (though my only editing opportunities are during Open Lab on Monday and some on Tuesday), so this morning we're off to Baytowne and Seaside to get more photos. I'm really enjoying this class, and I am learning so, so, so, so much! I'm slightly less intimidated now, knowing what elements he studies in my photos when grading. He is very helpful and gives honest feedback. I'm so grateful that he is willing to help us by pointing out things that are hard to notice (like slightly gray lighting and such) when you've been editing and staring at the same picture for a few minutes.

I received an A on my first project (yay!). This was a joy and a relief, because I didn't expect it at all. An A, as described in his syllabus, is: "A= Work turned in on time. Work that clearly exceeds the basic expectations of the assignment. Work of unusual quality or quantity and seriousness of effort."

Kinda scary! But, praise God, if I can't be a chemist, at least I can take decent photos! ;)

Edits 7/12/11

2011-07-12T17:35:00.004-05:00

Feeling a bit rusty...

2011-07-11T11:53:00.002-05:00

Bright Colors

2011-07-11T07:46:00.002-05:00

They even cheer up chores!

This is sad.

2011-07-10T21:18:00.003-05:00

Emmy: Can I sleep with you tonight? It's Saturday tomorrow...

Me: No, not tonight. And actually... (In my best nasally, Rebecca Black voice)

It's Monday, Monday

Gotta do school on Monday

Everybody not looking forward to the week (yeah), week (yeah)

Monday, Monday

Gotta do school on Monday!

How did Rebecca Black manage to scar even this unconnected-to-the-world person? What is this world coming to? This is sad.

At least it made Emmy laugh. (And breaking out in song is always fun... ;)

Digital Photography I: Night Photography

2011-07-07T16:57:00.002-05:00

Many thanks to Katrina, my friend and classmate, for joining me in the joys of shooting photos into the wee hours of the morning! Did I mention two nights in a row? :)

Digital Photography I: Movement

2011-07-07T10:48:00.002-05:00

Pre-Chemistry Exam Composition

2011-07-06T19:47:00.004-05:00

When I am weak, You are strong.

When I'm overwhelmed, You are my peace.

When I can't remember, You are all-knowing.

When I call out to You, You are faithful.

When I don't know where to start, You complete me.

Though I am not ready for this test, You are preparing me for future glory.

You are my all in all. In You I trust.

Digital Photography I

2011-06-30T17:02:00.003-05:00

Sunshine on the Shelves

2011-06-21T10:52:00.001-05:00

Sights like this make me so happy inside. There's so much joy in simplicity, if you just look for it. *sigh*

Photography Class Starts Today!

2011-06-21T10:49:00.002-05:00

Yay! :)

These are a few of my favorite things...

2011-06-20T12:50:00.007-05:00

Our bookshelves...

... my "new hip" (though it can be rather inconvenient at times)...

... Busch Gardens...

... baby pictures of our China girl (Oh! She's just so cute and tiny!)...

... The Green Monster (a giant, huge hill at the State meet, which you have to ascend three times during the race... I. Love. Hills.)...

... awesome, insane, scary roller coasters!...

... cousins...

... preventing a shattered femur (bye bye, cyst!)...

... The State Meet (favorite Cross Country meet EVER)...

... dancing with my friends... all the time...

... our annual Christmas Eve Open House...

... Mission San Luis with some of my favorite people in the world...

... dancing (and "brothers")!...

... running (though XC is tons more fun than Track)...

... Niceville HS Cross Country and Track (I lettered in Track! Yippee!)...

... close finishes...

... afternoon naps after Cross Country meets (aka: 4am wake up call, having fun, long bus ride, having fun, racing in HOT weather, having fun, long bus ride home, and having more fun)...

... little brothers...

... snow (and amazing multi-family vacations)...

... my friends...

... the fact that my friends love Jesus...

... more cousins...

... the day we first met Emmy Xiang...

... Civil War reenactments with friends and family...

... sister bonding time in China...

... Elizabee.

Life Amidst Summer School

2011-06-15T17:12:00.005-05:00

Praise the Lord that Chemistry test is over!

Praise the Lord I didn't shoot myself trying to study for it!

Praise the Lord for allowing things to finally come together and make sense (I think... I hope)!

It's time for a nap. I stayed up till 1am last night (though I had every intention of going to bed early, because of said test... yeah, that didn't happen ;). Then, I woke up before 7am wide awake with a song stuck in my head. 'Twas a happy song, but nonetheless keeping me from slumber. So much for lots of sleep.

But, though a little tired, my mood is light, cheerful and easy-going. I feel like a 47 ton burden has been lifted from my shoulders and my mind. Now I can clean up the periodic table spread all over my bedroom floor, organize my notes and lists scattered between three notebooks, and maybe even--no!-- not be stressed! I shall repeat myself: Praise the Lord that Chemistry test is over! :) Now I just wish I knew my grade.

Photography class starts on Tuesday! I'm very excited... :D

Well...

2011-06-11T22:19:00.005-05:00

... my first sister (of the seven BrownBerry girls) is married.

... I've never cried at a wedding. Ever. Period.

... Today, I cried. A little.

... And I sobbed. A ton.

... I am overjoyed at this marriage.

... I am in awe of this most god-honoring, truly beautiful wedding I've ever seen.

... I am incredibly blessed to have such awesome "family". They blow me away.

... I will never forget today.

... I love you, Hannah, my most wonderfullest oldest Berry sister forever, and I love you, Eric, my newest brother.

... Praise be to God!

... And here's to the most truly happy couple I've yet seen wed.

*sigh*

Just cheery :)

2011-06-06T18:52:00.002-05:00

I'm blessed, and I'm happy. For what more could a girl ask?

Christmas Vacation Poem

2011-06-03T22:14:00.003-05:00

Back in December my family (along with some friends) vacationed in cozy cabins perched quaintly atop Lookout Mountain in Fort Payne, Alabama (one of the sweetest little towns in all the South). During the six hour car ride, Elizabee, Mariah, Gracie, and I wrote this little poem to commemorate our trip. Finally, now six months later, Elizabee found the random piece of paper it was scribbled on. Enjoy!

ʻTwas the day after Christmas

When on the open road

Hiking was planned

Maps were scanned

Wheels in a hurry

And snow in a ﬂurry

Vanessa pottied twice

And the girls sang thrice

We counted cows

And observed bare boughs

All through Alabama towns

Mr. Jammer requested more sounds

Walkie talkies beeped

Ten lords leaped

While Hannah Berry sleeped

We in the Jammer van

Were last in the caravan

State lines were crossed

Then we started seeing frost

But all cozy in the car

From cold we were far

Dress-up to play

Weʼll get there some day

But until we do

Merry Christmas to you

Tea Party!

2011-05-31T18:30:00.006-05:00

Jane Ellen and I paid a visit to our sweet Mariah this morning, and brought along a basket containing an electric kettle, tea cups, a variety of teas, and some yummy goodies to enjoy during our little party. It was such a pleasant occasion for us to love on Mariah and spend some quality time with her. After our tea, we chatted for a while, took a pleasant walk around the floor together, allowing Mariah to get some exercise and continue to retrain her body in walking and balancing, then settled back into the small, cozy lobby for some more time to talk and take pictures. Leaving was a sad moment; we so enjoyed the visit!

Friends!

We had this coffee table set up with the tea stuff when Mariah walked in.

Who says you can't have flowers in the ICU? ;)

Such a happy morning with a lovely friend! (photo credit to Mrs. J for this picture)

We stopped to enjoy this little spot during our walk.

Walking the floor :) Mariah was so patient and calm all morning. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be for her to practically re-learn how to walk, as well as re-train the left side of her body.

(photo credit to Mrs. J)

She is so beautiful, determined, strong, patient, sweet and absolutely a joy to be around. I love you, Mariah-- yesterday, today and forever! I'm so grateful God has blessed you with a swift and smooth recovery! To Him be the glory.

I love you, Mariah!

2011-05-28T10:58:00.007-05:00

We are all praying for you!

PRAY

2011-05-27T22:02:00.005-05:00

Calling all believers to prayer...

The J Family (picture taken on our recent multi-family vacation to the mountains after Christmas). Mariah is in the bright blue shirt, second from the left.

I've been dear friends with my dear Mariah for ten years now. She found out yesterday that she had a 3cm mass on her 4th ventricle lobe that was causing pressure from a build up of fluid. This morning, she went in for surgery to have the tumor removed from her brain. We are praising God that the tumor was not the worst kind of cancer, but it still is cancer and will require continued treatment, as the surgeon was unable to remove all of the tumor because of its precarious location on those nerves. Mariah came out of surgery late this afternoon, and was doing very well (we even got to see a glimpse of her as she was rolled from Recovery to her room in the Pediatric ICU). God has been so kind in this situation, and we are praising Him for the mercy he has shown. It has all happened extremely fast, but I know that Mariah's faith is stronger than a brick wall and that will get her through this. Thank you for the prayer, and please continue it over the coming days, weeks and months. I know the J family has been so blessed already by the support of friends, family and strangers, and God has been so faithful to care for Mariah and all of us who love her so dearly.

Coke. Coca-Cola. Soda. Pop. Co-Cola. Carbonated Beverage. Whatever you want to call it, it's all the same. It's Coke.

2011-05-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

:D

2011-05-14T18:10:00.003-05:00

My sister, who is currently in Europe, called me today and in the midst of our conversation she was telling me about how she can get Wifi on the toilet paper aisle at a supermarket there. She casually mentioned that they sell pink toilet paper in France. I about flipped! (If you know me, then you are aware of my passion for all things pink... well, this just knocked my socks off!) So, I suggested (okay, perhaps I begged) that she return to the supermarket tomorrow before she leaves that area of France to buy me some pink toilet paper. I can hardly believe it! Is that not SO cool?!?! It makes we want to jump up and down and squeal! Hehe :)

Fairy Tale Weddings Really Do Happen!

2011-05-13T16:34:00.002-05:00

A Note From The World Traveller, AKA Jane Ellen, who is frolicking about a picturesque French island without me...

2011-05-11T09:14:00.002-05:00

Guess what I found at a little supermarket in Barbatre? Wifi!!!!!! I read all of your emails and will respond as soon as possible. It's amaIng here and God is so good. Love you all! ~ JE

Summer Lovin'... or should that be " Summer Learnin'"?

2011-05-09T21:10:00.002-05:00

Today I had my first dual enrollment class at the nearby Northwest Florida State College. Over the summer semester, I'm taking Chemical Science as well as Digital Photography. I'm really excited about both classes, since I love both Science and Photography. :) The photography class doesn't start until sometime in June (it's a fast-track course), but I'm excited about learning what I can and seeing where those basic skills take me. I'll be sure to post pictures here as I take them for class assignments and learn more about my camera and photography skills. I've been running a little dry in the picture area lately, so I can't wait to get some inspiration and learn new things in this class! Pray it will be a time for me to develop my photography skills and learn more about something I love. Be looking out for lots of pictures later this summer! :)

A Delightful Change of Plans

2011-05-09T20:57:00.003-05:00

I had my first dual enrollment class today, and it lasted all of ten minutes. My professor was out of town so we were just handed our syllabi and told we could go home. What was I supposed to do for the other two hours class was supposed to be going on? Meet up with Annie to hang out for the afternoon, of course! What a lovely alternative to Chemistry class! We chilled at the library (while she ate Peachie-O's and drank Dr. Pepper... she's still celebrating the end of Track season and being able to eat junk food again. Haha!) then walked over to mom's eye doctor to help her choose glasses (and made a great choice, by the way), then picked up Gracie and Emmy from a play date, then mom dropped Annie off for the radio interview with the State qualifiers for Track, and I tagged along just for fun. Ahem, that stinkin' Coach Warren put me on the list, so I had to talk to the radio guy. Among the state qualifying athletes and their success stories of PRs and school records, you have the crippled manager speaking. What's wrong with that picture? :)

Track & Field 3A State Championships

2011-05-07T17:25:00.003-05:00

Left Thursday morning.
(Somehow) survived riding all the way to Orlando with Coach driving... yikes.
Annie and I woke up at 9:00 on Friday morning... felt amazing to sleep in!
FHSAA Class 3A State Championship Track meet all day. Lots of school record smashing. Tons of Personal Records. Fourth (Girls 4x800 relay) and 5th (Boys 3200m) places finishes (yeah, that's out of every runner in the state of Florida).
Endorphins. Like you wouldn't believe.
Seven crazy, hyper, funny, endorphinated, over-tired, happy High School runners at one table for dinner. And, no, of course we didn't put salt in Thomas's water while he was in the bathroom :)

Three honks on the way home... we're glad people were rejoicing with us. What a weekend to celebrate!

Black and White

2011-05-03T21:43:00.004-05:00

Cutie Pie

2011-05-02T09:50:00.002-05:00

Bin Laden is Dead.

2011-05-01T23:08:00.002-05:00

Our friend Jonathan posted on Buzz, "May 1st, 1945: Hitler confirmed dead. May 1st, 2011: Osama Bin Laden confirmed dead."

My sister Jane Ellen just said to me, "Katie, it's so weird to think we're living in History."

Yes, yes it is.

Looking at the Week Ahead

2011-05-01T21:39:00.003-05:00

Tonight we had a scrumptious dinner for Gracie's 13th birthday. For living right near the Gulf Coast, we don't eat seafood nearly enough. Yummy choice, Gracie dear. And Happy Birthday!
I promised Emmy a couple weeks ago that she could sleep in my (twin size...) bed with me on Gracie's birthday, so I have a "cozy" night to look forward to. Before hitting the sack, though, we'll continue in our History reading. She's been joining me for History homework recently. You know, bonding time. :)
Tomorrow I'll be hitting the Exams hard, finishing up homeschool for the year (whew!). Tuesday we are having a little get-together for lunch with our friends at the park to celebrate another school year finished! I need to complete all my Exams by Wednesday because...
On Thursday morning I'm off to Orlando for the FHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championship Meet! I'm SO excited I get to go; I've been hoping for this all year! I can't wait to see the fastest athletes of class 3A the State all at one meet together. It's going to be awesome! Thank you, God! And thank you, Coach Warren!
I'll have to send my awesome, amazing, favoritest big sister in the whole wide world off early, as she is leaving for a two week European adventure dark and early on Saturday morning (no, I'm not the least bit jealous...). She begins with an 8-day stay on a French island, Noirmoutier, to sing with her small ladies' ensemble, Belle Voci. Her stay in France includes a day in Paris, frolicking about the Louvre. Afterwards, she's bound for Italy, spending her last week in Pisa, Florence, Tuscany and Rome. She comes back to us on May 23rd; we'll be ready to welcome her home! :)
I will then return from Orlando on Saturday, exhausted, happy, amazed at the talent I saw, and overflowing with funny stories (you can never know what's going to happen next around those girls... they keep me laughing; that's for sure ;).

It looks to be a fun, tiring, whirlwind of a week. I'm excited... but I'd better get to bed now. There's a little girl waiting for me there, getting more and more hyper by the moment ;)

Pleasant Surprises

2011-04-30T12:13:00.003-05:00

Don't you just love pleasant surprises? And don't you just *love* getting two at a time?!

First, I thought she would never respond to my text (after a week, I forgot about it, to be honest). Nothing's impossible! She responded this morning.

Second, I thought I would never see her again (after all, Ohio is quite far away), but kept in touch anyway. Nothing's impossible! She might be moving back next year! :)

God's plan never ceases to amaze me!

A Flower Amongst the Thorns, Amongst the Lantana

2011-04-24T18:51:00.000-05:00

Saturdays

2011-04-23T18:09:00.005-05:00

Saturdays are for sleeping in after a night of fellowship and celebration.
And going for a pleasant run in the spring sunshine after breakfast.

And piddling around town a bit, dropping a sister at the birthday party and running a quick errand.
Moving furniture around. Amazing how it freshens up the house.
No lunch (why is it that I never get hungry on Saturdays?), just baking away to my merry heart's content. Vanilla, Pear, Cinnamon and Pecan Scones. And Yorkshire Pudding... with Devonshire Cream and Strawberries. Then cleaning up the mess. :)

Picking up my bedroom... re-hang curtains, spread up the bed, put away the clean laundry.

Pondering the loveliness of this little neighborhood. Frankie's family is doing yardwork. Chris and Julie are at their Niceville house for the weekend. Emmy entertains the Schrefflers while they go through Ms. Terri's furniture, and occasionally other neighbors from across the street come over to chat for a bit. The Schrefflers gave a table and some chairs to Chris and Tia, our other next-door neighbors, as well as two beautiful Turkish chairs to the Berrys, down the street. We invited the Schrefflers to join us for Easter lunch tomorrow. They're bringing a ham.

Another quick trip into town to retrieve the birthday party-ing sister and pick up supplies for dying easter eggs this evening.
Reading a bit of History... pleasure school.
Saturdays are for drinking day-old sweet tea... the best kind.

Writing a letter to Betty, my sweet little pen-pal from Ghana. She's eight now. So grown up! It seems like yesterday that we began supporting her through Compassion three years ago.
Replacing the drooping hydrangea with some fresher flowers to adorn the foyer.

And Saturdays are for posting on this blog about the quaint, lovely, most pleasant day I've had.

Or at least that's what this Saturday is for.

Fridge Friends

2011-04-23T10:15:00.004-05:00

Meet Bruce...

... and Phil...

... and Ramona.

Photo credit to Jane Ellen.

Xiang Xiang Gongzhou

2011-04-21T19:04:00.005-05:00

During lunch today, the topic of Emmy Xiang's adoption came up in our conversation.

Emmy: Was I expensive?

Mom, Jane Ellen, Katie and Gracie: Very expensive.

Emmy (waving arms in celebration): Yay-hoo! I'm expensive! I'm expensive!

Haha! Oh, little one... you were expensive. But what can one expect when purchasing a Princess? ;)

The Wise and Witty Wardrobe

2011-04-17T20:30:00.001-05:00

Coach

2011-04-10T20:01:00.003-05:00

I find it *far* too easy to get sidetracked on flrunners.com. I'm one of those people who likes to know all the *statistics* on distance runners in the state... you could call me a stalker.

Or you could just call me a *coach*.

Two days! Only two days! :D

2011-04-06T21:57:00.004-05:00

Though others might be getting excited about Prom coming up on Saturday, I have my own reason for impatiently awaiting the day.

On Saturday I am allowing myself to try running again! I absolutely cannot wait.

If it goes smoothly and I don't encounter any issues as I begin to run again, praise God! However, if the problems (pain in my right hip flexors) return, it's back to the doctor for me!

Pray for me, if you think of it. I would love it if I come to find that my hip was miraculously healed over the last few weeks while I've taken some time off, but I've prepared myself for that not to be the case. If I do end up going back to the doctor with hip pain again, please pray with me that they will discover a PROBLEM! It may sound strange, but I would honestly prefer it if they found a real issue and could know how to treat it, rather than if they told me, "We're not sure what's the problem. Do some Physical Therapy, and toughen up."

"Look, people, I've "toughened up" for seven months now, and I'm beginning to think this issue goes beyond needing to be tough..."

Anyways, all that is to say I covet your prayers over the next few weeks/months. I'm so curious to see how it all plays out... whatever the case, God is so infinitely good, and his kindness to me is immeasurable.

I love these girls!

2011-04-04T20:23:00.004-05:00

Together, we laugh, we play, we cry, we love, we forgive, we pray, we celebrate, we support and, last but not least...

...we go to the beach! :)

Our Masterpiece

2011-04-04T19:58:00.003-05:00

"IF INTO THIS CIRCLE YOU ENTER, DANCE A LITTLE JIG, AND STAND IN THE CENTER."

The Gulf of Mexico... looking as beautiful as ever.

2011-04-04T19:40:00.009-05:00

April Fool's!

2011-04-02T20:14:00.005-05:00

I had the best April Fool's Day yesterday (well, maybe besides the times we've given Mammy heart attacks about medical emergencies with Gracie, or that China was taking Emmy Xiang back, etc...)!

First, I texted my mom saying that our bus had broken down on the way to our Track meet in Pensacola, and she fell for it. Then, I got an April Fool's Day "gift" myself as I went to purchase a t-shirt from the meet. On the back of the shirts were listed all the schools that participated in the meet, even our very own "Miceville High School"!

I think Niceville just got a new mascot. :)

What I'm Doing

2011-03-18T18:09:00.008-05:00

Wishing with all my heart I could run.

Contenting myself once again with the same old hip exercises.

Remembering often what a sweet friend once told me: "We will make it through this!"

Grateful for the grace I've freely received, and praying with all that I am that God will open her heart to it also.

I miss running, not just the physical satisfaction (though I do feel lazy and weak), but also the relational aspect of a close-knit team. I miss that middle/long-distance run with a dear friend, steps in rhythm, sometimes small-talking, sometimes taking turns sharing from the heart and lending a listening ear.

But I'm grateful, too, for the season I'm in. I'm building experience and learning so much; maybe I'll even be a coach someday.

Wondering what's wrong, or what I'm doing wrong. Why does it still hurt? Why wasn't three months off enough? Why did it not start hurting until now, approximately 6 weeks into an insanely easy running routine (with no increase of milage/effort during that time)? What is going on, and why?

Hoping it won't always be this way. Praying for healing. Asking for your prayers, too.

Encouraging the discouraged and strengthening the weak with reminders of God's faithfulness, and being encouraged and strengthened in return. Grateful beyond words for the prayers and encouragement of friends, sisters in Christ, who care for my soul daily.

Pondering a blossoming friendship... it's a beautiful thing to watch. And so perfect in timing; as spring fills the air, new blossoms bloom everywhere... it paints a visual picture. We're growing so close, and really encouraging one another as believers (and for my part, being challenged by her transparency, openness, humility...). We're good for each other (meaning: we tell each other things the way they are... blatantly, but in love). I love you, Annabelle.

Hardly believing it's been over four months since my surgery! I was at the park yesterday (such a lovely day for the park, too) and realized that the last time I'd been there, I was hobbling around on ever-so-stylish crutches just a few days before we were off to Gainesville for surgery. How time flies! In hindsight, that is. In the moment, not so much.

Listing my To-Do's for Spring Break... well, my if-I-make-time-these-are-the-things-I-really-ought-to-be-doing List. I actually like the look of it; not overwhelming, but just enough.

Giggling over the wit and charm of Jeeves and Wooster... oh, that Jeeves. ;)

Counting down the weeks till we (don't say it!) move. Twenty, point five. Sigh.

Thankful for the past, yes, even the hardships. Blessed in the present, yes, even in the frustration. Always aware that what's to come is for His glory and our good, even when we can't yet see it.

Zoom, zoom! :D

2011-03-16T15:55:00.000-05:00

Birthday Breakfast

2011-03-16T15:50:00.000-05:00

Knowing that breakfast is by far my favorite meal, my dear sister Gracie awoke early yesterday, my fifteenth birthday, to prepare a delicious meal of Swedish Pancakes, Bacon and Grits... Swedish and Southern... trust me, they go perfectly together. Thanks, dear Gracie!

Tossed in Oil and Herbs

2011-03-14T21:47:00.001-05:00

Goldilocks

2011-03-09T11:07:00.000-06:00

Perfect Score

2011-03-08T19:07:00.000-06:00

I'm *quite* excited about my birthday coming up in just a week. I like the number 15... I'll be turning 15 on March 15th, and you know what's really super-duper cool?! This is just awesome: fifteen is a perfect score in Cross Country. Doesn't get much better than that in my opinion.

It might not excite you, but it makes this girl's heart quite delighted. Just because... :)

Surgery Story

2011-03-08T12:09:00.010-06:00

Before I forget some of the details, I want to jot down the crazy story of my hip escapade over the last few months... it's been an adventure for sure, a tough journey that's still not completed, but one full of God's grace. I've lived to tell the story, so tell the story I shall. :)

"Last year, November 9th-- a date which will live on in infamy..." 'Tis true, but where my story actually begins is June 14th, 2010 at 6:45 AM. Shyly, hesitantly and feeling dreadfully alone, my best friend Elizabee and I walked up to wait for the first preseason Cross Country practice to commence. We stood aside from the one or two groups of friends and acquaintances, and tried not to look sickly nervous. Finally it was time to run. So we ran. And ran. And ran. And did all the normal runner things to do like stretch and run striders and sweat (a lot). And the next day we did it again. And again the next day. And so on until we became quite comfortable with the team, though still a bit shy, and at ease with our daily routine. Somehow (looking back, I realize we are just plain crazy) we ran through the dog days of summer (and wore out one pair of training shoes...), logging literally hundreds of miles. But every day I reminded myself that one day, when I stood on the starting line at that State meet it would all be worth it. The miserable, I mean horridly wretched summer heat was all part of a bigger picture. I had a goal, I had a purpose, and I was determined to run my very legs off in order to make it there. Summer ended. At least summer break did. All that meant was that instead of running at 6:45 AM, we now had to run at 2:00 every accursedly hot August (and September, October and November) afternoon. But there was still a hope, a dream of standing there on that cool, misty November morning (always cool, misty weather at State!) beholding my beloved Green Monster, shaking out my legs and arms, and taking those last deep breaths before -- CLAP!-- off we go! Then, just 5 kilometers later, I would cross the line amidst a herd of runners collapsing all around. Summer had ended. Now it was time to put on my race face and "punch it, punch it, punch it," as Coach Fralix would scream, through the season. My mind was there, I was ready, and my mile intervals were coming along more beautifully than I expected. I always knew this was going to be a good season; it just had to be the one. Ready to break the chains and let loose at any moment, my mind didn't even consider, much less comprehend the possibility that God would have other plans.

It was a Wednesday. Mile intervals, my all-time favorite speed workout, if I remember correctly. I felt a little achey in the right hip, so I stretched and iced that evening, thinking that some TLC would take care of it just like it always did for other aches and pains. After all, I never get injured. Uh huh, right. The soreness never went away, so finally, about a week or two later I decided maybe I should mention it to Coach. Like myself, he didn't think much of it, so I continued the day's workout, 3x1200m followed by 2x800m. But every time I'd begin another interval that darn hip would tighten up to the point that my stride was restricted. This made me quite uneasy. Suddenly, my confidence level went way, way down. For the first time in my running career it seemed I might have a real injury on my hands (or should that be "hips"?), but I chose to ignore it, continuing my training as normal, though the workouts became gradually more painful. Eventually, it became an all day, all-the-time pain, not just an I-get-a-little-tight-and-sore-when-I-run pain. Time for a strict ice and stretch regimen, as well as another little chat with the Coachy-poo. The season carried on, and no matter how careful I was about "listening to my body" during workouts and caring for the "injury" (though, being in denial, I would still only call it "sore," "tight," or "achey") it would not get better. After our second meet, in which it hurt so bad I had to slow down, I had another talk with Coach. It was time to get down to business and get this thing better. He suggested the much despised by Katie "maybe you should take some time off" plan, to which I replied, "Um... well... maybe... well... I might...um... be able to... um... take off... till... um... Monday?" You see, this was on Saturday, hence my "might be able to take off till Monday" was really only one day off running (ya think I'm addicted?!). He STILL talks about me saying that, and thinks it's just the funniest thing he's ever heard. I'm glad he thought it was funny, but I wasn't joking. Somehow he convinced me to take off till Wednesday... it was tough, to say the least, and it didn't even help. So I kept running through the pain, then I'd take a few days off (or even a week when really desperate! *gasp*), then I'd try it again for a week or so, then I'd take off again, all the while icing and stretching religiously. No improvements. My last hurrah of the season was the Southeast XC Showdown in Hoover, AL, where I experienced minimal hip problems! The day after the meet, Sunday, I ran 3 miles at an easy jogging pace with no signs of any hip issues. Then, on Monday, October 11th, I felt IT. Oh yes, half a mile into our warm up I felt the all-too-familiar, dull, achey sensation. I stopped promptly, knowing I shouldn't push it if my hip flexor was hurting again. At that moment I decided to just LET GO of my dream Freshman season and not run until the injury was gone for ever and ever, Amen. So instead of running for my team I became the coaches' helper by recording the girls' splits during workouts. Staying involved with my team and being with my friends each day kept my spirits boosted, plus I came to really enjoy being a mini-coach. :) I still went out to practice every day and I still attended every meet as Niceville High School Cross Country's #1 fan and supporter! It was whenever I was walking around at a meet that BOTH hips started hurting (I mean, really, really hurting) that I knew something was wrong which needed to be checked out. "Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said..." that she could see me in a couple days to figure out what my issue was. I'd been told multiple times by a couple people (but mostly by one very caring, concerned and supportive friend) that I should see a doctor, but I just never did it... I guess I never wanted to accept the fact that I had a real problem. When we saw my awesome doctor, she checked me for scoliosis (and detected none) and took an x-ray too see if that might assist her in a diagnosis. I was sent home with an "I honestly have absolutely no idea what is causing the pain!" and a referral for Physical Therapy. The very next day I was at practice when my mom called me to say the doctor's office called our home to request that I come in for additional x-rays ASAP in order to rule out any cancer, as they later noticed something "disturbing" in my initial x-ray. That was a wake-up call, and the first sign that we were in it for the long haul! When I went in for more x-rays we were able to determine that what the doctors had seen was a "unicameral bone cyst" measuring 7x4cm located within my upper left femur. Dr. Gwinnup said to hold off on the PT until we could address the cyst problem. She referred me to a local orthopedic doctor, sent my files to him, and set me up for a consultation appointment two days later. We got home from the doctor's office and not an hour later did the phone ring. It was the doctor, saying she was "very concerned" with the size and location of the cyst and with how it was causing the bone to become paper thin in that area. As a result, I was at risk of fracturing my femur (yeah, snapping it in half...) if I hit it just-so or put too much pressure on it. Dr's orders: absolutely no weight on the left leg, hence crutches. (If you care to see my awesomely awesome crutches click HERE and HERE. Warning: you might pass out with overwhelmedbyKatie'samazingcrutchesitis.) Then, another hour later, guess what happens! Another phone call from the doctor... this time, to say that the local orthopedic doctor took a look at my films and decided the task was beyond his skill/experience, so to send me to Shands Hospital in Gainesville to the top-notch, head of department Orthopedic Oncology Surgeon. To recap, over a 24 hour period I went from being a High School XC athlete with some hip flexor injury to being a girl with a fragile femur, banned to a chair until she can find herself some crutches, waiting to schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor in a far-away town, and possibly having surgery to remove a gargantuan cyst from her bone, with a cancer scare thrown in there! Talk about a whirlwind. About two fairly uneventful weeks passed, though one occurrence took place which haunts me to this very day. The M-word. Shall I say it...? (MRI... *GASP!*) My dad told me it wouldn't be too bad; he slept through his! I, however, would throw a big, huge pity party in the honor of any remote acquaintance who has to experience such an atrocity. You may beg to differ, but that's only if you enjoy 6:15 AM appointments in towns 30 minutes away where you have to lay as still as death for almost an hour, meanwhile you're going numb from the waist down and wishing that your head would go numb so your brain would stop throbbing from that ponytail digging into the nape of your neck while a giant device sounds like it is machine-gunning you, and, to make it all oh-so-much better, you have country music blasting through your ears. Ahem... I'd rather jump off a cliff. Rant over. Anyways, on Sunday, November 7th we arrived in Gainesville to meet our lovely host family, the Goettlings, then on Monday morning I attended my appointment with the surgeon. He looked over my x-rays, MRI (*shudder*) and took a CT Scan, and by evaluating those images decided that surgery was the best treatment method for me. One little detail: surgery would take place the next day. After that appointment, it was a rush about town to get everything in place and all my pre-operation blood work, paper work and details in order. This is where my memory begins to get foggy (all that medication didn't make me loopy in a funny sense, but I have a hard time remembering what took place, and in what order, from the day of surgery until a couple days later! Sometimes if I think hard I remember something new... it's a fun game I can play with myself :). Hopefully, as I write this out, I'll recall more. I reported for surgery at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, November 9th -- a date which will live on in infamy-- and got all geared up (though, perhaps hooked up would be more correct!) for surgery. I remember texting Jane Ellen and my friend Holly (and I think Annie, and maybe Casey, too... don't know for sure) in the pre-op room. I also remember that Mammy and Pop came with me to the hospital, and came to see me in the pre-op room. I remember us waiting in the waiting room, and Mrs. Goetling, our host mother, waiting with us, too. I think Mammy and Pop may have been there when I got out of surgery, too, but don't remember for sure. I remember Mammy taking pictures before surgery. I also recall that a man (a pastor, I think?) from the Gainesville church came to see me in the pre-op room and prayed with us for the surgery to go well. It was an encouraging visit, especially since someone who didn't even know me came to care for us. The nerve block was really strange; that I remember! One minute, I could bend my leg, then a minute later I couldn't. Then I could bend my foot, and soon just wiggle my toes. Eventually I couldn't move or feel a single part of my body from the waist down; it just seemed like there were a couple of stray legs in my bed. :) I remember the super sweet pre-op nurse I had; she was a beautiful middle-aged woman with a caring voice. When the IV lady came in, my first IV messed up (my left hand was so bruised and all sorts of colors for a month afterwards!) so she had to do it again, but in the right hand. (Then, when I came out of surgery, I had another IV in my left.) A new recollection: I want to say I was texting Sammy, Annie and Casey as soon as I was out of surgery, but don't remember that too clearly. I just remember my parents getting a kick out of the fact that I was laying in a hospital bed, having just come out of anesthesia for a four hour surgery, happily chatting away. I remember my bed being wheeled down the corridor to the operating room (the sun was shining brightly through the windows... right into my eyes!), as well as being transferred to the operating table. It took quite a few people to move me because I was totally unable to help, being paralyzed from the waist down! They told me to move over as much as I could, then they would scoot me the rest of the way, but I tried so hard and couldn't budge. They said that I must have had really good anesthesia to be that way. They rotated me just enough to slide a plastic board under me which they used to flip me onto the table. Haha :) The operating room was huge, and on the wall I faced were multiple TV screens displaying various x-rays and images of the bone and cyst. They got things situated for a few minutes, then they put me under... next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room. I don't remember ANYTHING from the time I came out of the anesthesia until the next morning, mostly because I spent most of my time in the hospital either sleeping or talking with my parents and amazing brother, who is at UF (which Emmy calls "the Alligator school") Stephen Berry. My poor mom had to watch Summer Magic about forty-seven times during the four day hospital stay... it was the only movie that could keep me sleeping, and thus out of pain. We watched Return to Me (one of my all-time favorites...) a few times and the first part of Cranford once, but Summer Magic could truly work some magic (like my pun?). Something about the light-hearted background noise was relaxing. Mom has probably memorized Summer Magic, and I felt bad asking to watch it over and over again (and then sleeping through the whole thing, while she endured it once more...), but it seriously offered more relief from the ENORMOUS pain than any medication. When it would finish, I would wake up and say, "Can you start it over again, please?," then close my eyes and rest. Allow me to now say I have an awesome mom. I have an awesome mom. On Friday (the day I was released from the hospital), my dear, dear friend Angela and her mom, Mrs. Elizabeth, came to see me! What a joyous surprise! We spent time catching up with them, while arrangements were being made for my release. (Mrs. Elizabeth and Angela, I'm so sorry for vomiting my water all over the floor when y'all were there, but they forced me to stand up, knowing that even the slightest movement made me dreadfully nauseous. Nasty epidural and oxycodone... the stuff made me miserable. Again, I'm immensely sorry...) Anyhow, the reason they forced me to stand up was so I could get into my wheelchair to be taken out to the car. Freedom at last! We stopped by CVS to fill my pain medication prescription, made a quick trip to the store to pick up gifts for our sweet host family, stopped by their house to say good-bye and give the gifts, then hit the road for Tallahassee. I am so grateful for grandparents who live halfway between Gainesville and home, because I couldn't imagine trying to make the 5-hour trip without the break. It was a long enough drive as it was (not to mention that I'd thrown up my previous dose of the "good stuff"). We reached Mammy and Pop's place, I hobbled slowly in, laid down on the couch, and was forced to eat half a stinkin' piece of toast before I could take my pain medication. It was a rough night, to say the least. I began to doubt that I should be out of the hospital, and had a major pain-attack (I had three during the whole process: one in the hospital, this one the night I was released, and another when I got home. Basically, I became suddenly in utterly extreme pain, barely able to breathe, every muscle in my body contracting like a spasm. It was much like a seizure, except caused by pain and I was conscious and hyperventilating. It was almost impossible to relax. I could barely breathe. It was unquestionably the most painful thing I've ever experienced, to the point that I honestly don't think I could've physically handled any more pain... were it any worse, I would have gone numb, unconscious or just plain died. But these pain attacks ended in fifteen minutes or so, and then I was so exhausted that I could sleep through the night. I awoke the next morning, called to my parents across the hall for help getting out of bed (when we got home, we rigged a system where I would call them on my cell phone from my bed when I need assistance... ;), and got settled on the couch. I had a scanty breakfast, still not possessing an appetite (hey, the benefit of not eating for five days is that you lose 10 pounds! :), and then received a call that was the highlight of my entire day. It kept me going, and was like a refreshing 4-mile autumn run after just having such a hard night. Bee called from the Regional Cross Country meet, which happened to be taking place in the same town I was in... I kept trying to think of how I could go out there and see my girlies, but there was no way with the insane pain and annoying immobility. Hearing Anna and Alise's soft, soothing and sensitive "Hi, Katie" was so sweet, and I later heard that Bee made them promise to be really calm on the phone since I was tired and hurting so much. They did a great job, for talking to them was encouraging, and then speaking with Casey for a while was so great. I love my girlies so much; they sure take good care of me! After forcing half a piece of toast down and soaking in the joy of talking with friends, I prepared to have Mom and Mammy help me get cleaned up. It was painful at times (sitting on a bar stool with my legs propped up on another stool in front of me, leaning back with my head over the kitchen sink...), but getting my hair washed felt amazing. After freshening up, I took some time to rest ( being force-fed and bathed is hard work, ya know!) before we embarked on the home stretch of our journey to good ol' Samana Way. The ride felt quick and smooth, which was a blessing, as I was nervous about the bumps, sitting, even reclined, for 3 hours (I was barely able to sit in short increments, so I wasn't sure if the angle would be comfortable), and of course I wanted to time it so that my pain meds were most effective during the ride. When we arrived home, I was relieved, but physically and emotionally wiped, which would explain why I could hardly see where I was going as I hobbled into the house through my gushing tears. Those were tears of exhaustion (longest week of my entire life), of pain (hugely intensified when upright), of relief (so good to be finally home), of weariness (ready to be out of pain for just one moment, please God) and admittedly, I was a little overwhelmed at first coming home, but it was not my family's fault at all. They were so considerate of me, giving me space and time when I arrived so I could just focus on getting from the car to the couch, what suddenly seemed like an impossible task. My brain had simply had enough, and didn't even want to give the effort to move. It was hard. It hurt. I was weeping (and didn't really know why). I thought coming home would be a celebration, but found myself discouraged by a rough two days out of the hospital. I thought maybe I wasn't ready to be at home yet. But God was faithful. He got me inside, got me to the couch, and allowed me get some rest and enjoy visiting my family. The couch was my home for the next week or so, and it was mostly comfortable, except that my body kept sinking into the couch on the side where the incision was (O-U-C-H!). I couldn't switch sides on the couch, because I only knew how to get up and down (okay, be lifted up and down...) on that side, since that was how my hospital bed was situated. For the most part, though, it worked great and the location was central, so I could visit with my family while I was awake and could easily get their attention when I had to get up, since I couldn't move at all without assistance. I loved sleeping in my own bed again at night. Beside my bed we placed a bar stool with water, tissues, cough drops (besides just having surgery, I had a cold and it was the wrong time of the month... great timing, huh?!) and my cell phone, so I could call Mom and Dad when I needed help with anything. Dad would come in every couple hours with my pain medicine and his handy-dandy medicine chart that showed which medicine (Oxycodone, Ibuprofen or Tylenol) I took at which time. I slept more that first week than I have in any other week of my life. In the hospital, as I said earlier, I slept almost all day every day (and night), and when I got home I slept from 9-7 each night and took a nap or two during each day. Between the heavy medicines, my body healing, and the exhaustion just from pain, I was so tired. Eventually I progressed to where I could sit upright, and that was heavenly. One of the best things about my daytime spot on the couch was that I got sunshine pouring in on me every afternoon from the big living room windows. It was nice to soak in the warmth of the sun, even though I was inside for days at a time. The sunshine, having family around and having amazingly supportive friends were all great encouragements to me through the difficulty. So many people, even people I didn't know really well, came to the house bringing me cards, flowers, smile and hugs! I was blown away at how many people took time to care for me when they heard about what happened. (Steeles, Merediths-card, Stoners, Pierces, Ann) My family took such good care of me and my friends were diligent to check up on me by calling, texting and emailing me often. A few girls made arrangements to come visit me, and their diligent efforts to come see me were evident, even though things came up for a couple of them and they couldn't make it. One week post-surgery, to the day, I had to go see my local physician. The main reason was so she could make sure all was progressing well, but we also needed a new prescription of my narcotics since I wasn't ready to come off them yet (and she also gave us some anti-nausea medicine to help with the sickness it sometimes caused). That was my first outing after surgery and it went pretty well. Sitting in the chair was not fun, but by God's grace I turned a huge corner on that day. Something about one week made all the difference in the world! I was still hurting and tired, but things were finally looking up after such a tough first week. Finally, I was able to move around a bit (still on crutches, of course) with tolerable pain! Mobility, though minor, had returned at last!! Also, I could bend my knee and inch (well, what was supposed to be my knee... my whole leg was swollen bigger than my thigh normally is!), and that helped the swelling and stiffness a tiny bit. To top off a good day, I had the immense pleasure of being visited by my dear, sweet friend Sammy! She came over after school, brought me cookies, sat down at the end of my couch and we just talked and talked for a couple of hours. I didn't realize she could talk that much; it was awesome!! Haha! It blessed me so much for her to sacrifice her afternoon to come sit and be a friend to me, and I'm sure it was evident that I soaked up the fellowship! I really did miss being with my friends, and was so happy to be back home with my whole family again. I could never repay my friends and family for all their care, love and prayers. I was incredibly blessed during this whole time. Amazing. Through week two my progress was astonishing! I could bend my knee more and more until it was enough to make some of the swelling go down. It felt so good to be able to move my leg again, too, as it had become extremely stiff and unbelievably sore (the side of my thigh is still tender after a year!). Over the next couple days I became increasingly mobile on my crutches, was able to start wearing pants again (yay!), came completely off my heavy pain meds (the pain was controllable with just Ibuprofen and Tylenol), and each day I would try to touch my left leg to the floor to see how it felt. Every time it would send screaming, shooting pains in circles around my thigh and down my leg. Every day. Until the two week mark was right around the corner. Then I was able to apply equal pressure on my legs, standing straight. Big, mega, huge accomplishment. I would have been happy to stay there for another week, thinking that improvement was enormous, but God had different plans. Within 24 hours I was walking. In fact, the first day I was able to walk without crutches I waddled all the way down to the Berry's house (approximately 150m), celebrated Elizabee's birthday, then walked back. And just a few days after that I went Black Friday shopping for seven hours, and didn't use my crutches once (I brought them in case I got tired and wanted to use them for a while). That sealed the deal: I was finally getting better. I continued to improve, mostly focusing on trying not to waddle, then to bend my knee (practically re-learning how to walk...), and eventually reduce the limp. I attended my Cross Country banquet on December 12th and was happily reunited with many of my friends who I hadn't seen in forever (at least it felt like forever, having been through so much during that time!). But the whole night I was freezing. Shivering. Absolutely, positively could not get warm. I didn't eat much. And I was fuh-reeeezing. Wouldn't you know it: that night I came down with a high fever, "severe chills," (if you love The Importance of Being Earnest, you got that joke... :) and woke the next morning with a sore throat. After four days of an increasingly sore throat and relentless fever, I went to see my doctor (once again... total count: I visited that doctor six times over 6 weeks!), and after all sorts of tests (I wonder how much blood was taken from my body over those few weeks between blood tests for anemia, blood tests for mono, blood for my pre-op appointment and more blood they took at the hospital before and after surgery...) I was diagnosed with Bronchitis! What a great way to spend Christmas break, haha! But, I recovered quickly with some antibiotics and 6 weeks after surgery I went back to see my surgeon for the 6 weeks post-op appointment, which went very well. However, I was taken aback (as in jaw-to-the-floor) when I saw the x-ray of my leg. They told me that they put in a plate and three screws, but made no mention of a BOLT. That thing is huge! It's a strange feeling to see something like that and know it's inside your leg. (It's also strange to feel something like that in your leg!!) Anyways, the doctor released me to be a normal person again and to resume normal activity as I felt able. So what did I do the very next week? I ran. It was only about 50 meters (a quite painful 50 meters, too), but so heavenly. :) After realizing that running was going to hurt for a while, I decided to postpone pursuing that quite yet, and just to focus on getting over my sickness and continuing to improve range of motion in my leg. What still amazes me is that I was not at all inhibited on our hiking trip with the Berrys and Jammers the week after Christmas. I hit the strenuous trails and rock formations for 4-6 hours each day, and felt like normal Katie once again! I'm so happy I was able to enjoy the snowy woods; I would have been satisfied with spending time at the cabins had I not been ready for hiking yet, but it was great to be able to hike with the others! God was so kind! After the first week, things continued to progress rapidly, and here we are today. I don't limp. I can bend, stretch and move freely. And none of it was my doing. I give God all the praise for allowing the doctors to discover the cyst on a "fluke," for providing a smooth recovery, and for teaching me invaluable lessons along the way. May He be glorified through it all!

Now I will share a little song I re-wrote. It is a pretty accurate depiction of my almost-daily conversation with Elizabee. I do often complain about how "I hate my hips!," and have been telling her for some time that I would re-write this song. So the deed has been done, and here it is.

I Hate My Hips, sung to the tune of I Love My Lips by Larry the Cucumber, Veggie Tales star

Narrator: "One day while running with her friend Elizabee, Katie confronts one of her deepest emotions..."

Katie: "If my hips ever left my legs, packed a bag and bought some L’eggs, I'd be so glad, I'd not be mad."

Elizabee: "I see. You'd be so glad, you'd not be mad?"

Katie: "I'd be so glad."

Elizabee: "Alrightie."

Katie: "If my hips said "See ya, hon'! I don't like you; you make me run!" I'd be so glad, I'd not be mad."

Elizabee: "You'd be so glad, you'd not be mad?"

Katie: "I'd be so glad."

Elizabee: "Fascinating."

Katie: "If my hips said, "Toodle-oo! I have had enough of you!" I'd giggle with glee, and I'd agree!

Elizabee: "Oh, Dear! You'd giggle with glee, and you'd agree?"

Katie: "Yes, I'd agree!"

Elizabee: "Hold it. Did you say you're frustrated? Fascinating! So what you're saying is that if your hips left you..."

Katie: "I'd be so glad, I'd not be mad, I'd fill with glee, and I'd agree! I'd be so glad!"

Elizabee: "You'd be so glad?"

Katie: "I'd be so glad."

Elizabee: "Why?"

Katie: "Because I hate my hips."

Elizabee: "Oh my... this is more serious than I thought. Katie, tell me, what do you see here?"

Katie: "Um, that looks like a hip."

Elizabee: "What about this?"

Katie: "It's a hip!"

Elizabee: "And this?"

Katie: "It's a hip, it's a hip, it's a hip hip hip! It's a hip, it's a hip, it's a hip hip hip! It's a hip, it's a hip, it's a hip hip hip! Hiiiiiiiips! Hip hip hip."

Elizabee: Katie, tell me about your childhood.

Katie: "When I was just in 9th grade, I tried to run, and got x-rayed. Leg had decayed. Hurt like a blade!"

Elizabee: "Oh dear! Leg had decayed? Hurt like a blade?"

Katie: "Leg had decayed."

Elizabee: "I see."

Katie: "One fine day I did not race, I just wrote down the others' pace. Both legs hurt bad. I called my dad."

Elizabee: "My, my. Both legs hurt bad, you called your dad?"

Katie: "Both legs hurt bad! Two days after I didn't race, I went to Doc and prayed for grace. It looked bad. So I just waited till they said I had to see a different doctor and "get on pink crutches right now!" and then I couldn't see that doctor, so I had to see a different doctor and he said I had to have surgery the next day, so I got surgery the next day and I couldn't move for days because my leg was so swollen and when I could move it hurt so bad, but now it feels better. I even can run. Took lots of : Gusto!"

Elizabee: "It looked bad... Gusto? How do you spell that?"

Katie: "I don't know."

Elizabee: "So what you're saying is that when you were young..."

Katie: "Leg had decayed, hurt like a blade. Both legs hurt bad, I called my dad. It looked bad... Gusto!"

Elizabee: "I'm confused..."

Katie: "I hate my hips!"

Narrator: "This has been Transformed Tunes with Katie. Tune in next time to hear Katie say..."

Katie : "Elizabee, have I ever told you how I feel about my crutches?"

Elizabee: "Oh, look at the time!"

A Truffle Day

2011-03-08T11:04:00.000-06:00

There are days when you just need a little chocolate...

My Pride and Joy

2011-03-07T18:01:00.002-06:00

Man, I love these babies... they're so happy! And so very pink! They just make me want to giggle! Hehe :)

Spring is here!

2011-03-07T11:10:00.004-06:00

Temperatures are rising...

... birds singing...

... buds blooming...

... all God's creation stirring.

Warmth, beauty, and joy. Yes, I think spring is here.

A Look at Olustee

2011-03-07T10:34:00.002-06:00

I really love the non-posed nature of this photo... and the lighting... and the Spanish moss... and those good-lookin' models... ;)

Photo credit: http://www.meetup.com/photo-545/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1279402

deep breath sigh

2011-03-01T17:50:00.002-06:00

Ever feel like your brain is so fried that you don't know what to do, because you're so stressed, but you don't know what you're stressed about, because you haven't done anything productive, because your brain is so fried that you don't even know what to do, because you're so stressed, but you don't know what you're stressed about, because you haven't done anything productive, because your brain is so fried that you don't know what to do?

Am I alone here?