Praises of a Wife and Mommy

  The more I’ve used my knee scooter through this healing journey, the more I notice others using them too. It’s funny how something as simple as a scooter can become a bridge for connection. I’ve had some of the sweetest little conversations with strangers who are scooting their way through healing as well. It’s a reminder that we’re never alone — God finds ways to connect us right where we are, even on wheels and one good leg! At work, I even have a knee scooter buddy! Her story is different from mine — she’s healed, but she uses her scooter on long walking days because her surgery came with limitations. When she shared that, my heart went out to her. I’ve been praying for longevity in her healing and for continued strength. It’s amazing how God can use shared struggle to create shared encouragement.  Of course, we had to get a picture together — two scooter sisters just rolling through life! And I’ll admit… my smile in the photo was a bit fake.   But to my defense, ...

  Well, the day finally came — cast removal day! I had been praying for this next step, hoping I’d get to graduate from the blue cast to the boot stage, and thankfully… I did!  No new cast — just the boot... with crutches. This appointment felt different from the last one. The first time they removed a cast, I was so anxious my heart rate increased and I had to fight fear.  But this time, I was calm — maybe because I’ve had a little practice at this whole “trusting God through healing” thing. Instead of panic, I just giggled because the saw and vibrations actually tickled my foot. I’ll take “ticklish” over “terrified” any day! Once the cast came off, the nurse wiped my leg with some cleansing solution — and oh my, that felt amazing. After seven weeks of being wrapped up, that poor leg was dry, itchy, and in serious need of lotion, sunlight, and a shave. Seeing my leg next to the other one though… whew. That was a moment. Reality hit. The muscle loss, the odd color, th...

 The first weekend of September, my mother-in-law and her boyfriend came for a visit. I was excited to see family, but I’ll be honest—there was also some nervousness. Would I be too tired? Too sore? Would my healing hold us back from doing things together? They arrived Friday evening, which just so happened to be Eddie’s birthday. With everyone’s schedules, we kept it simple—pizza and then out for ice cream at the shop where my daughter works. Once again, my amazing son was my personal chauffeur, pushing me in a wheelchair all the way to the ice cream place. We laughed so much along the way—sometimes joy rolls right beside us, even on wheels. The next day was my daughter’s cross-country home meet (I already shared that in my “Learning to Navigate Daily Life ” post), and then later we went out for dinner. That night was harder. The restaurant was noisy and full of energy, but after a few days of quiet and stillness, the loudness felt overwhelming. No one really knew I struggled th...

When it comes to Achilles surgery, no two patients are the same. So when my doctor and I talked about a return-to-work date, we agreed that three weeks post-surgery would be a good—though aggressive—goal. For me, it wasn’t just about healing; it was also practical. I’m only in my second year teaching high school , and I don’t have a large sick bank saved up. September 12th became my target date. At times, that day felt so far away , and at other times, it felt way too soon. Leading up to it, I had a swirl of emotions: Some days, I longed for normal routine again.  Other days, I battled fear.  Will I be strong enough? Can I really stay awake a full day? Will my leg be safe in crowded hallways with energetic teenagers? I eventually came to terms with this truth: going back to work, I wouldn’t be at 100%. But I could give 100% of what I had that day.   And you know what? Day one went fantastic. I loved seeing everyone again, meeting the new freshmen, and feeling that fa...

  The first cool days fast approached and suddenly it was 50 degrees outside… and I had no pants that would fit over my cast . Now listen, I hate being cold. The toes already had their struggles, and now my legs wanted to join the party. So, what’s a girl to do? Amazon. Wide-leg yoga pants. Next day delivery.  And let me tell you, when that package showed up, it felt like Christmas morning. Finally—I had pants that fit over my cast and kept me warm. Victory! It made me laugh though, because comfort vs discomfort is such a tricky thing. In life, we aren’t really called to chase comfort. In fact, following Jesus often means stretching, being uncomfortable, and learning to trust Him in the cold, awkward, not-so-pretty seasons. But sometimes… pants that fit really do help. 😉 James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance fi...

  Okay, let’s be real for a minute—showering with a cast is basically a workout in itself. Between wrapping, balancing, and praying not to slip, showers have become… less frequent 😂. And don’t even get me started on shaving. My trusty cast protector works so well that it has created the perfect greenhouse for hair growth. The other night, my daughter sat down next to me, looked at my leg, and just started laughing uncontrollably. Apparently, the section of my leg that hasn’t seen a razor in nearly a month now looks like it belongs in a wildlife documentary 🦍. So here’s my question: when I go in for my next appointment, should I bring a razor and sneak in a quick trim before they recast me? (Don’t worry, I’d stay far away from the actual incision—no risks here! 🙅‍♀️) Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” And let’s be honest, in this season of pain, recovery, a...

  “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” — 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV) This week, I have been so overwhelmed with gratitude for my church family. They have been showing us love in action in such a practical and powerful way—by bringing us meals. And not just any meals, but healthier, yummy meals that bless both the body and the soul. Normally, Anthony or I would handle most of the cooking in our busy household. But with both of us recovering from surgeries, meal prep quickly became one of those heavy burdens that felt overwhelming. Having brothers and sisters in Christ step in to fill that need has lifted such a weight off our shoulders. Not only did they feed us, but I also now have some new recipes to add into our family rotation. What a gift! These meals were more than food—they were reminders that we are not walking this road alone. The love and care of our church family has truly been the hands and feet of Jesus to us. “Carry each other’s bur...

 Tuesday was Anthony’s turn. His bicep tendon repair surgery was scheduled for the 19th, and Baylee and I were there with him. My own pain was minimal that day, but my nerves were all over the place—especially since the hospital didn’t give many updates while he was in surgery. I had my knee scooter with me, so every now and then I wheeled myself around the waiting area just to ease the tension. After what felt like hours, a nurse finally told us they were almost finished and he would soon be in recovery. Baylee and I decided to step outside for a quick walk/scoot to breathe some fresh air before seeing him. When they finally let me back to recovery, I could tell right away that Anthony wasn’t himself. He was very loopy, his arm and hand completely numb, and his balance was off. A nurse brushed it off with a comment that he wasn’t on anything that strong and “should be fine.” But he wasn’t fine. He was weak and unsteady. My heart ached seeing him like that, and I silently prayed ...

 Monday came quickly, and with it my follow-up appointment at the orthopedic specialist. Just like in the ER, they had me lay on my stomach and performed the test to check my Achilles tendon. The doctor came in, looked at me, and said the words I knew were coming but still didn’t want to hear: “You will need surgery to repair this. Even if we don’t get an MRI, we can schedule surgery for Thursday.” They removed the splint from the ER and fitted me with a boot, crutches, and prescriptions for pain. From there, we headed straight to the hospital for pre-surgery testing—a blood draw and an EKG to make sure I could safely undergo the procedure. It felt like a blur of appointments, paperwork, and waiting rooms. After that, we made what would be one of many pharmacy runs. They sure prescribe a lot of medicine for this kind of injury and surgery. By the time it was all done, my husband and I decided to stop for lunch. Sitting across from each other, we couldn’t help but feel both tired ...

August 16, 2025 – A Night to Remember It was a night filled with energy, joy, and worship. I had no idea that a moment of dancing would turn into a moment that would shape the next several months of my life. We were dancing to "Church Clap" —a song that always brings so much fun and excitement. I was fully in the moment, clapping and moving with the beat, when suddenly I felt a sharp, intense pain in my ankle. It was so jarring, I honestly thought someone had kicked or stomped on me from behind. The pain stopped me in my tracks. Trying to stay calm, I carefully made my way to a chair. Panic started to set in as I realized I couldn’t put any weight on my right leg and that it felt strange. Deep down, I knew something was seriously wrong. I sat there, overwhelmed and confused, when I saw my husband come over. He knelt by my foot, looked up at me, and said, “It’s going to be okay.” Then he began to pray.  He is a physical trainer and knows the body well... I could see in his...

My dad had his surgery today and everything went GREAT!  The doctor got the polyp and it was a lot less invasive then we thought.  They actually were able to go through his belly button...HOW COOL!   The polyp was benign so NO CANCER!  PRAISE GOD! Thank you all for praying for him.  :)  He saw the doctor this evening and was already asking when he can go home and if he can go to the golf course and just ride on the cart and not play.  LOL