Too much Brain to Contain

So, there's a lot going on in our little 1 bedroom apartment with a den (as described by our apartment complex). Just wanted to give a quick update and also to ask for some prayer for our family. We are at a crossroads and there's just a lot going on. 

 UPDATE ON SAM: About 6 weeks ago, Sam went in for his 18 month check up and the doctors noticed his head had taken a major growth spurt and that he was not talking. So, in a pure attempt to be precautious, the doctors sent Sam to get an MRI to see if the two "issues" were related. The MRI came back showing that Sam has Chiari Malformation. Basically, his brain is growing down into his spinal canal. The base of the scull is too small to contain the brain. I need a bumper sticker..."too much brain to contain". Hence the title of the blog. This is unrelated to his head size..that's just genetic and his body should catch up! So, as of now, we have an appointment to see the Pediatric Neurosurgeon at Duke in Durham to see if it's time to have brain surgery to correct this. The condition is not life threatening right now but it is also correctable. The good thing is that Sam is in the early stages of this. It's also hard to determine if Sam is having pain or symptoms from this. Since he is not talking (which may or may not be related) he can't tell us if he is having headaches, or why he is so cranky when he wakes up EVERY DAY. It could be the malformation or it could be just being a 20 month old boy...just saying.! I have been wanting to update the blog about Sam but didn't want to do so until we were close to getting some answers because quite frankly, I got tired of talking about it. We are however, going for his appointment in a couple of days so I wanted to update and ask for prayer for wisdom and for protection for our little one. Being the internet doctor that I am...I don't think we will have to have surgery at this point. Typically, surgery is done when symptoms are disruptive or prohibit growth and I personally don't think they can determine at this point if he is having enough symptoms to warrant surgery...but again, I am not a REAL doctor. I just play one on the internet. So, I am just going to wait and see what ole' faithful Duke has to say on Thursday. 

 UPDATE ON EVA: Eva has started back to PRE-K and loves it. She has great teachers and I love hearing about her day every day when she gets out of class. Most of you know we have battled anxiety with her for about a year now. I am pleased to report that we have not had any episodes lately. She is doing really great. Right now, she is playing soccer with the Y and loves loves loves it! She thinks she is the best player on her team...and...of course she is ;)...I am proud of her for jumping in there when she's nervous and trying when things get tough. We forget how hard it is to grow up. It's tough when the world is so big and new and you have the personality that you need to know what to expect and don't. So, kudos to my baby girl. You are doing an insanely good job at being a kid! You own it! 

 UPDATE ON THE REST OF US: At the end of September, Ryan was laid off from his job so we are in the boat of looking for employment for him. We have some up coming tough decisions to make with jobs, living, health, etc.. and would really covet your prayers for that as well. I am still working three jobs but I love it all. I am still doing the early morning shift a the Y and working at Eva's preschool and I have the pleasure of babysitting an adorable 2 yr old girl two days a week. My kids love it and so do I. The Lord has answered our prayer that we be the ones to raise our kids and shepherd their hearts and I praise Him for that. I know God has great plans for our family. We are beyond blessed and I can see God's hand moving in our hearts and lives. Doesn't mean it's easy though when you go through stuff! So, that's about it. I will update more as we get news on jobs, brain surgery...etc. Thanks for reading!!!

GUILTY!!!!!!! and OTHER Stupid things.

So I know that we have all had those "things" we have to do in life that just seems so stupid. This has been the week of stupidity at my house. On Wednesday, we had apartment inspections...for what? I have no idea. As I was preparing for the inspections, Eva asked "mama, what are you doing?" I said "I am cleaning so the lady can come and look at our apartment to make sure we aren't growing illegal things or damaging the building" and she said of course..."why?" and I said "well, sometimes Eva, adults just have to do stupid things" Maybe this isn't the life lesson of choice to be teaching your kids but this week has been a doozie!  Now this brings me to the subject of my blog. This is totally just my day of going to plain old traffic court from my perspective. 

I got a ticket for speeding a couple months ago. I thought it was stupid and I totally didn't agree with how fast he said I was going. I told him that when he wrote the ticket AT 4:30 A.M and he only wrote it for 9 above the limit. "9 you're fine and 10 you're mine". Apparently he has heard the saying too. 

So my court date arrived yesterday and I want to start by saying that I made it through the day with no cursing, no bad attitudes seen to the public eye and with being very patient with my kids. I gave those fruits of the spirit and real workout. So, I loaded the kids and a double stroller and lots of noise makers in the car... and headed to Raleigh. The police officer told me they would drop the charges but I would most likely have to pay court costs...190.00 of the 215 total ticket. REALLY PEOPLE!!!???? But I was still going up in the piece to try to save a little money! I also decided that by golly, I am taking ALL my kids (only 2) but that I wouldn't feed them before we went so they would be rowdy! Gonna get my monies worth! Side note: I fed my kids. Calm down and put the phone down. No need to call social services here.

So, our journey began with a driving tour of downtown raleigh with my Eva nagging me about parking..let's park there. Park here mama. "Eva, I can't just park in the middle of the road and besides, I am going the wrong way down a one way street..do you want me to get another ticket?" Due to construction, this went on for about 20 minutes. Not the wrong way stuff...the nagging... I needed a regular parking spot due to the double stroller. So, I finally found a parking deck about 3/4 of a mile from the courthouse. So, I took it. I thought.."oh good, I can park in the shade so that the car won't get  hot. The kids will get to ride an elevator. This is good." So, we get out, I load the kids in the stroller, load all the coloring books, snacks and toys, make sure my car is secure and we start walking to the elevator. Wait, where's the elevator? Over here? no. Over there? no. "excuse me sir, where is the elevator?" "We don't have one in this parking deck" . Oh and by the way...the parking deck was full except on the 4th level, in the sun, almost to the top. MKAY?! So, I walked down the parking deck...around each level...secretly wanting to kick the signs for "reserved parking" for all the public officials...so maybe the fruits of the spirt took a break for a moment...kill me...I was also planning my heart attack for when I had to push 70 pounds of kids in a double stroller back UP on the way back. And the parking attendant was a real joy. I am sure he gets asked all the time..."do you take debit/credit?" but did you have to look at me like I have 4 heads and could you do something besides grunt? Maybe make a sign to tell people you take it..You have a TV, air conditioned booth and I saw that padded chair you are sitting in sir..I guarantee it is softer than my bed...which I have spent at least 6 hours in this entire week so...would a "YES" answer kill you????? So, as you can tell, we are off to a brilliant start. 

I really do love the city. I love the sounds of construction, people buzzing about, the dirty water dog stand on the corner, I love it all! So the walk to the courthouse was pleasant. Showing the kids the buildings and such. So, I see the courthouse and we go in. Double strollers through double entry ways..well, it's a talent that is very unrecognized! We go through security. I find the sign for the courtroom # on my ticket but something's not right. So, I asked the security lady. "Where do I go for traffic tickets?" She states.."across the street. They moved buildings" So, I just knew I missed a sign or something..I did not. I checked on my way out..through the entryway with a double stroller. Oh and please if you ever see a woman with a double stroller or any stroller for that matter maneuvering through a doorway...she definitely WANTS you to stand there holding your starbucks coffee and watch her struggle. She lives for it.

Now, we get to the right building. New fun building. Lots of marble and bow tied men running around looking official. We go through security. I don't mind security. The security lady calls over a police officer to look over the stroller to make sure it's safe...I told the police officer.."I am sure it's safe..but what's in it is not." I was referring to my kids sir. Can't you take a joke!!????!!!!!

I finally found the courtroom...after playing bumper cars with every room and doorway in the place. Since they had changed buildings, none of the room numbers lined up so, there wasn't any clear direction as to where I should ACTUALLY be! So, I found it..Went in and to my surprise...there was a REAL ROBED Judge and a real courtroom..Matlock style and all. So, I "signed in" and I was behind about 40 or 50 people. I sent the secret message to my kids that this was THEIR TIME TO SHINE. After checking in, I said to the kids.."let's just sit here in the front row" and under my breath I said..."and let's sit about 5 feet from the DA and 8 feet from the judge" It was as if the children just knew. They really tuned it up. I kid you not, my rump did not even hit the pew for 1 min before the DA looked at me and said.."maam, what's your name?" He stopped working with the lady he was working with, processed my ticket, walked it over to the judge and BAAAAAM, 3 minutes later I was called up to YOUR HONOR himself! (For a nominal fee, you too can rent my double stroller and I will throw in two free hungry children for the afternoon so you too can get to the front of the line). I couldn't tell if the DA was being helpful b/c he understood or if he was annoyed. I don't care either!

"Mrs. Farrah Nash" the judge said. He called my name. I said, okay let's do this. "How do you plead to the charges of going 50 in a 45." I mean, did he hear himself? There are murderers, theives, drug dealers, child molesters roaming the streets and he wants to know how I plead...I honestly thought that my charges were such a joke. He should have thrown that out. But alas, I was speeding a little so I said..."well, your honor (Matlock style) I guess I plead guilty" and no lie he said..."Mrs. Nash, do you have anything to say for yourself?" I promise I just looked at him with my mouth open for a long 7 or 8 seconds (not 10 but close). Images of Perry Mason, Matlock and all the good ones went through my mind...but I remembered I had two kids and didn't need to get locked up. (except for maybe a couple hours for a good nap and some adult conversation) I said.."well, your honor, I think I have said enough" okay, pay your court fees and you're free to go. 

I then proceeded to the cashier who was an absolute ray of sunshine..she too had a cushy chair and I envied her. She told me "i'm closed, you have to go upstairs to room blah blah blah." With a big sigh, I asked where the elevator was (hoping the same one that built this shiny courthouse wasn't the one that built the parking deck) and she noticed my two kids who where in rare form by now and said.."I'll just take the money" Why thank you so much for doing me this huge favor when I know it's such a sacrifice and I know it's 11:31 so it's got to be close to feeding time for you... So, she took my money..didn't get my jokes...and I had some good material here people..nothing..nada. So, then I proceeded to walk the 100 miles in 500 degree weather back to my car!

When we got to the car..I let out a huge sigh and Eva asked "mama, what are we doing? why did we go to the big buildings and again I said.."sometimes Eva, adults just have to do stupid stuff!"

                                            Below are the real hero's of the day!

                                       When it was all over and back at the car. 

Eva's 4th Birthday in Gabba Land

I will start this post by saying...the day I went into labor with Eva and actually had her, I think was more restful than her 4th birthday party! I will also say...it was absolutely worth it and we had so much fun watching our girl's eyes light up as she saw it all come together and as all her friends showed up to play in Gabba land. It was worth it...as was the labor and delivery of our princess 4 years ago! I want to share Eva's birth story in another post but first want to document the highlights of Eva's 4th birthday party!


My friend Sandra actually captured the party best. Here is the link to her pics:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lnykqg5aamj3lzd/ChmBAQazkm#/

This pic says it all...Eva gazing into the eyes of Plex after she blew out her candles. The eyes that at 12:30am the night before, I looked in the cake carrier and they had slid off Plex's face. I had to re ice the face at 1am...yes. I about had a heart attack!




This is Eva's reaction to her cake! I love love love this!

 Just after blowing out her candles!

This was the Foofa Pinata...I worked about 40 hours on this thing all combined but to make...it cost me 3 or maybe 4 bucks plus the candy inside...it was a steal! And the hit of the party!

Here are a few pics of the decorations...I did a table for each character in their color scheme! I really just went to the dollar store and bought containers in the appropriate color and stuck the faces of each character on them...I think it turned out fun!

 Muno

Plex

Brobie up and down 

Dj Lance Rock table 

Brother in law of the year award goes to Brian. He left with me and Ryan at 7:30 for a party that started at 10 to help us set up! We could not have done it w/out him. 

Me with my cake. The love hate relationship he and I shared compares to none I know. I enjoyed making it but it was challenging...for me! He sits on top of DJ lance's Boombox.  

 Muno pretzels beside of the mini candy bar

 Tie Dye Cupcakes with all the yo gabba gabba colors inside. Such a fun surprise to bite into! (That's what she said)

 Aunt Maegan made shirts for her and Brian to go with the theme! They were great!

 Oh Gary!

 Aaron giving us some cheese! 

The tie eye cake 

DJ LANCE ROCK took the kids on a train and boat ride! 

Eva and Mallory. BFF's from Preschool! They had a blast together

We ended our day with a family picnic and paddle boat rides! It was the best day! Eva said so herself!

I bet his face hurts he smiles so much...here comes my soap box!

sometimes, I just gotta say something...

I had started typing a couple lines on FB for my status update in regard the topic of this blog but then I decided that wasn't the place. I don’t really like to make my facebook  political or controversial. I like it to be a fun place so I can see into my friends lives and them into mine..not a soap box. So I decided that my blog is THE EXACT best place for me to chat about this particular grievance.

This is the status update from a very popular pastor in America. He shall remain nameless but  his name rhymes with Hoel Whosteen...just saying...okay here it is...

"If you’ll just keep moving forward, being the best that you can be, God will give you favor and cause people to want to be good to you."

Now let me clarify one thing. I am not “anti tele-evangalist” nor do I like to judge their hearts. I believe that God does use some of them and they genuinely do reach people..some. of. Them. So I like to try to stay neutral on the topic but that above quote just gets my goat.

If I am wrong please message me but here are my thoughts on the above quote.. JESUS WAS PERFECT AND LOOK HOW HE WAS TREATED! What makes us think that our works will give us more favor with God and make people treat us better than Jesus was treated…really?!. What a warped view of our heavenly FATHER! I am in no way saying I am theologically sound on every topic or know scripture like I should but I mean there are some basic truths Pastor Nameless is leaving out here. Some pretty big ones.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world”

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you”

God is loving, just, and full of grace and full of mercy. But, he loves us and pours those things over us because we are so wretched. Not because of our works or the “favor” we  seem to try to earn. The whole reason he had to die was because of our totally wicked hearts and he loves us and wants to save us. He also has a PLAN for us and a plan to accomplish his purpose and to receive the glory he so deserves. Sometimes that plan may not include “people wanting to be good to you” I can’t find that in the Word anywhere.  But it always includes his unmerited love, his peace that flows like a river and his grace and mercies unending. He never promises that people will want to be good to us because of our works but he does promise to give us the strength, courage, peace and endurance we need when the troubles come (after all, we live in a sinful and fallen world)  and “people” aren't being “good to us”.

Sam's Elmo Party Weekend

Sam turned 1 on January 27th. We were planning to go to Ryan's parents house for his birthday party when just as we had the car loaded, half of us started throwing up with the noravirus. I thought we wouldn't live to see this birthday weekend happen! But alas, we recovered and rescheduled and this past weekend, we hit the road. Sam is a big boy so to start off his special weekend, we turned his seat front facing! HE absolutely squealed like a pig with excitement! He loved it! Eva was happy too!

So excited to face forward!

Fun side story. I was tasked with loading the car since Ryan didn't get off work til 5:30 so I loaded the car, and kids and then rode to pick Ryan up at work. About 45 min after this pick was taken, I was standing in dunkin donuts while Eva had an "accident" in her pants...not the wet kind...the solid and juicy kind..We had to unload her clothes from the top of the car and get her cleaned up and re-dressed for the journey. The wonder of traveling with kids is well..interesting to say the least! But I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love them so much!

So, after picking daddy up and leaving a trail through the parking lot and entrance to Dunkin' Donuts, we were on our way! We arrived late to Ryan's parents house and we quickly went in to party mode. We all pulled together to take care of the kids and start decorating! Thankful for family to help make Sam's day special!

Sam's high chair decorated and ready to "smash"

Banner and hats. Easy homemade decorations. I loved making this fun stuff!

Sam's 1st year banner

Uncle Reggie and Aunt Joy. Sam took a real "liking" to Reggie!

Family at the party!!!

My brother John

My niece Madison

Just before we had our prayer!

 On Saturday I woke early and started preparing all the food for the party that was to start at 2:00.

The food! Cheese ball, Monster Marshmellows, Dorthoy's fish bowls, fruit kabobs, cornfetti popcorn, gold fish and a mini candy station. and of course cupcakes made my grandma!

Sweet friends Alecia and Phil McRae and their son Peyton!

The guilty 4 that broke Elmo's leg. Their payment was a pic for me!

Present time!

Smash cake time

Thanks Amber Trull for the delicious smash cake! So pretty and so tasty..apparently!

Ma Gladys!

 After the party was over we had fun just hanging out with friends and family and then went to be early and woke early to SNOW! We left for home once the ice was gone and then stopped for lunch where....SAM had his FIRST FRENCH FRY! He loved it of course!

All in all, it was a great weekend and I know Sam felt cherished by his friends and family! He is one special boy! I am so thankful that God has blessed our family with his hungry boy!