That's life

Lately I'm running on empty...too much on my plate. Not enough hours in the day. Too many prayers to pray. My stress level has been right up there in the clouds, but that's okay. It's all going to be just fine. My mantra the last few weeks has been that I'm giving it to GOD! I know that he's got this...and about a million other little things, and not so little things. I said it to my mom before they wheeled her in to surgery. "God's got this?" I'm remembering to be thankful for all the blessings. A nephew that is in remission. A mom who had a blockage repaired. AND then a mitral valve replaced. He's doing big things with my prayers. I'll even go so far to throw out a hashtag blessed!

But all the stressers in my life as of recent have left me a little more unavailable to my kids. And you know what??? I don't feel the least bit guilty about it. My in-laws came for the weekend, and Mitch was preparing for a trip overseas for work. It's October! So that means we needed a trip to the pumpkin patch, our annual Boo at the Zoo, and pumpkins needed carved. But I felt like I needed to be with my mom. Sometimes it's hard to feel like you're being pulled in different directions. But I have complete clarity this weekend. I wasn't going to be able to do all the things with my kids and that's okay! It's 100% totally fine.

On Saturday while they headed to Pumpkin Creek Farms, I headed to Memorial Hospital in Springfield. While they were out enjoying a beautiful fall day, getting lost in a corn maze and eating pumpkin donuts, I was helping my mother get to and from the bathroom, urging her to eat, and making sure she was comfortable. Did my kids miss me being there? Maybe, but most likely not. They were fine, and in the completely capable hands of their amazing dad. They were making memories with their grandparents.

On Sunday they got up and went for a hike in Spitler Woods, because it was another amazing Indian summer day here in Central Illinois. They had lunch at their favorite mexican restaurant and went home to carve pumpkins. That afternoon they got their costumes on and headed to Boo at the Zoo. Their day was totally made. And I'm just thankful they'll have the memories. Sometimes, that's life.

Mitral Valve

It’s been two weeks since I got the call from my mom. She was having shortness of breathe and the Dr. Waters at DMH told her to come get checked out. The EKG made it pretty clear that something was wrong. Mom said even she could spot the difference. Unfortunately, due to the heart attack, her mitral valve was damaged and would need repaired or replaced.

A few days later she had a Trans Esophagael Echocardiogram that confirmed we were headed for open heart surgery. On Wednesday, October 16th we dried our eyes and filled the waiting room whike they prepped her for surgery. It was around noon the nurse came out and told us she was off bypass and that all went well. He went over what recovery would look like and said the doctor would be out soon. At 12:40 we talked to Dr. Pyle. He said he tried to repair but it wasn’t working so he replaced. Overall she did very well. He could still see bruising from her heart attack four weeks earlier but that was to be expected.

A few hours later we finally got to see her in recovery. Nothing about her recovery went as planned but Dr. Pyle said sometimes you have to take a few detours to get to the final destination. Later that night the breathing tube came out. Friday the chest tube came out and they moved her to a regular room. That leads us to today...

Back in September she gave us a big laugh. While she was in the ER after her heart attack she told Matt that if anyone took a picture of her they were out of the will. She wasn’t having any pictures with her hair not combed and no lipstick on. It gave us a chuckle under scary circumstances.

Fast forward a month and here we are. She’s 3 days post open heart surgery for mitral valve replacement. She’s hangin in there. That’s her giving a thumbs up in the background. Not the most flattering picture of me, but who cares!!! So thankful to be on the other side of this major surgery. And even more thankful for all our prayer warriors! #keepemcoming #lovemymom #prayerispowerful

Oktoberfest 2019

We had a great day at the YDSC Oktoberfest. These kids swim hard and swim kind. Hattie swam her breaststroke for the first time...never mind she started with butterfly, lol. Leah dropped 10 seconds in her IM and a second in her 50 breast. She dropped time across the board! Bug dropped 7 seconds in her IM and 2 seconds in her breaststroke. They left it all in the pool. Thankful to our team/parents for rallying and putting on a great home meet. It all ran smoothly and we’re proud to be part of the Gator Family! 

Season Opener at BNSC

We kicked off the swim season today at the BNSC Rachel Dean Memorial. We were fortunate to have some aunts and uncles come cheer us on. We had some really solid time drops but the highlight for sure was being able to hug these kids. We sure have missed the Strong’s. Can’t wait until the next time!!!

Her Heart

" A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." -The Wizard

If there was ever a quote to hit me like a ton of bricks and make me think of my mom, it's this one...well, this one and quite a few bible verses.

Life happens, sometimes when you least expect it and sometimes when you are right in the thick of it, and you don't know how much more "life" you can take. It's a roller coaster and you just hold on for the ride.

It's no secret that the past 6 months have been rough...and that's putting it mildly. We all got the wind knocked out of us when Jackson was diagnosed with AML last March. It was a punch to the gut that we never saw coming. But the thing about my family, is that we rally...and not just my immediate family. The whole lot of us rally! Aunts, uncles, cousins...we pull together and get through it. Amazing things happened with fundraisers, and blood drives and more, all because we are loved.

My mom, not even sure where to begin. Everything good in me is because of her. I have the best parts of her and still will never be half as amazing as she is. And I know that because I see the community, the friends and the family that treasure her so. The outpouring this past few days has been spectacular. I made phone calls and her friends cried with me, and let me know that they were lifting her up and love her so.

Saturday started out as a good day. Jackson had been out of the hospital for a week and we were so excited to see him at the JFL Football game in Mt. Zion. It did all of our hearts good seeing cousins together again. When Gigi got to the game she said she wasn't feeling great and thought she had heartburn. After the game she was coming back to our house to watch the girls while Mitch and I got away to St. Louis for a belated birthday celebration. When she arrived we gave her something for her heartburn and I went up to pack. When I came back down I could tell she wasn't feeling well and I asked her if she was okay to stay. Knowing my mom I knew she would never admit that she wasn't up to it, especially in front of the girls.

While I was in the car I texted her that we didn't have to go, that the Cardinals play all the time and it wasn't a big deal. That we could even still find a sitter. But she thought she would be fine. I texted her when we got to St. Louis and she said it was coming and going and that she was taking the girls to a movie. An hour later I got a call that she needed me to have someone come to the theater to get the girls. She was dizzy and lightheaded and had called my dad to come to Decatur. I hung up and found someone. I texted her that Ashlyn was on her way. Not even 10 minutes later Cynthia called and told me that the mom was in an ambulance on her way to the hospital and she wanted to know where the girls were. I told her the girls were taken care of.

On the way home I called Laura.Thankfully she was in Minneapolis and was able to make it to Decatur to be with us. After midnight they got mom into a room on the Cardio floor. They wouldn't say that she had a heart attack but they said her troponin levels were elevated which indicated damage to the heart. After she got settled in her room I had to take care of my mom for the first time in my life. I helped her get to the bathroom, helped her get comfy in her bed and got her a washcloth so she could wash her face. I got home late that night and I doubt anyone slept well.

The next morning I started making phone calls. And at the hospital Dr. Waters got started with her heart cath. It went very well and when it was done he told us that she had a 100%  complete blockage in a main left artery on the back of the heart. He was able to place a stent and believes that she will recover nicely. We were so relieved to hear the news. Fast forward, and she has very limited restrictions and should be back to normal in no time with the exception of a few new prescriptions.

Saturday night I was really beating myself up. I should have made her go get checked out. I should have stayed home. But the more I've thought about it over the past few days, God was holding us in his hands the entire time, right where we were supposed to be. He is the ultimate healer and he knew the plan. What if she had left Decatur and this had happened in rural Illinois on Route 121. How long would it have taken an ambulance to get to her and get her proper care. Instead she was blocks from DMH. What if it had happened at  home.  Would Sarah Bush be able to offer her the same amazing care that she received at DMH...I'm not a fan and so glad she was here. My sister, what are the odds that for once she was close enough to get here...Not 24 hours away in Arizona. Her tournament could've been in Hawaii. It was so incredibly comforting for us all to be together. Moms nurses on Sunday were even named Natalie and Joanna. What are the odds!?!? My brother was in Shelbyville and made it here in no time. All the pieces fit together exactly like they were supposed to for us to have the positive outcome that we did. You can't convince me that wasn't all part of HIS master plan.

So for now, I'm counting my blessings with a grateful heart. My mom is such a special lady and we all are better for having her in our lives. We have the best of the best and we don't intend to take that for granted. We can't thank you enough for all the prayers, messages, calls. The love and support for our family has once again been a tremendous blessing. And a HUGE thank you to Ashlyn...everyone should have such an amazing young girl for a neighbor. One who jumps in her car and doesn't miss a beat when your kids just witnessed an ambulance leave with their grandmother and they are stranded at the movie theater. And to my husband, there aren't even words for how wonderful you are at holding me up and carrying the load for our family. I couldn't do life without you. Seriously, guys..Sunday night my fridge was full of meals he prepped for the week. Every mom should be so lucky! In the meantime, I'll be trying to figure out how to spend as much time as possible with my mom...because she's the absolute best.

Isaiah 43:1-2, "See, you have nothing to fear. I, who  made you, will take you back. I have chosen you, named you as my own. When you face stormy seas I will be there with you with endurance and calm. you will not be engulfed in the raging rivers.

Reunited

My heart is happy...this gang is together again! Colby is playing JFL this year and today they played in Mt. Zion. So of course we went to check it out. It wasn’t the outcome the Trojans were looking for but they had a strong showing. Super proud of Bub for going out and giving it his all. But even more so the girls couldn’t wait to see Jackson! With his ANC being low this was our first chance to see him. Kiersten sat under the umbrella and kept him entertained. It was awesome to hug our buddy. Uncle Mark even came to town for a little bit of the game. Back in August his employer hosted a blood drive in Jackson’s honor. They also raised $1300 for the family...which was incredibly kind. He had beautiful framed pictures to give to Matt and Cynthia from the event.

We are looking forward to more family time together in the near future and continuing our prayers that his numbers continue to increase so he can get his central line removed sooner rather than later.

Grandparents Day 2019

I love this week for my girls! They celebrated Grandparents day at school this week. Monday was Grade 4 and Kiersten’s turn. For the first time, Gigi got to check out PE. They worked on a family tree and she even got to stay and have lunch with Bug. 

Today was Leah’s turn. Hard to believe that this is her last Grandparents Day. She’s so lucky that Gigi has joined her for every single one. Papa has made an appearance more than once, too! Last year and this year both were on 9/11...and oddly enough she has the same teacher this year too. They talked about 9/11 and then worked on a class quilt.

Last but not least was Hattie. This was our third time with Mrs. Hatayama, but Gigi’s first time going to art class. And of course she got to go to the book fair too. Thanks for joining the girls this week at school, Gigi...you’re the best! 

Friendship bracelets

We’ve had a great Labor Day weekend...swim practice, pedicures, a sleepover and a birthday. Our plans today got derailed a bit, but we still made the most of the day. Fort Daniels was calling, so a hike was in order. Then the big and the middle spent a few hours working on bracelets with me. I showed them a few that I did back in the day. They have a book and I learned the fancy names for my old school styles. We mastered the Chinese staircase and the fishtail. And I remembered that the knotted diagonal takes way too long and I won’t make that mistake again. I hope you’re ready Gherardini girls...Bug can’t wait to show you what she learned!