Physical Therapy

I had a CAT scan a couple of weeks ago, and the doctor called to tell me he didn't see anything real bad, just degenerative problems that come with age...gee, just what I love on a Tuesday evening, my doctor calling to tell me I'm getting old! Thanks.

He prescribed physical therapy and my first appt. was last Friday. Well, according to the report, I do have a bulging disc (why do I always have something bulging!?) and some other stuff that basically means my spine isn't doing the "S" curve the way it should. Also have some problems with "unstable sacrum", so I get to wear this really cool belt low around my hips to hold me together!! Won't that be attractive...maybe I'll practice my "come hither" look.

Meanwhile, the pain is still excruciating, I can't tell that the therapy is helping at all (I'm going 3 times a week), I have to sit in a reclining position, no lifting and no bending over...I'm in pain, cranky and NO I'm not posting any pictures!!

Prayers please? For Bill at least.

Sea World

Bill and I went to Sea World again last week, and I've got to say, I never tire of seeing all the fabulous creatures God made for us! The highlight this time was the penguins. There are so many different species, but the ones that were the most fun to watch were the "kids" that were running, chasing, jumping, diving and having a great time tormenting each other...just like when our kids were little! Due to the lighting, we couldn't get any pictures at that exhibit, but it sure was nice and cool in there : )






But, I just have to post a Shamu picture...I love that show!











Bill and I did enjoy the Kevin Fowler Band in concert. In case you've never heard of them (I hadn't), they are a Texas band that Bill likes. We had a fun day just hanging out, listening to music and walking around the park.

Elise's cape

I made this cape for my friend Elise from Bentonville. I've never attempted anything of this nature before, but I really enjoyed it. When I finished it, I almost cried it is so beautiful (if I must say so myself!)

This is one of my new friends from San Antonio, Denise modeling the cape for me. Actually, she is from Houston and moved here just a couple of months ahead of me, and we just hit it off right away.

She's quite the model isn't she? I think she may have missed her calling! She's a sweetie.

The cape is made with baby alpaca and is sooo soft!!

Hope it keeps her warm on those cool AR evenings.

Ephesians 3:14-21

This has been a sad and hard week with the death of a brother in Christ in B'ville, who died in a car accident, leaving a sweet wife and 2 precious daughters. It's hard being so far away from my family in B'ville who are grieving and hurting. I have no words of my own, but these words, written by Paul, have been in the forefront of my mind for several days.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."

Carl #2 and Levi #3

These two boys have the very unique honor or sharing the same birthday...3 years apart! When Carl came into our lives, he was this snuggly, loving, easy-going, totally loveable baby! All my fears about whether we were ready for another baby in our family disappeared the very first moment I saw him. He made a quick entrance, 13 days early and 47 minutes of labor! He made his appearance before the doctor showed up to catch him!

Carl found his true love, Crystal, and married her 3 years ago. We are so happy having her be a part of our family. They live in Centerton, AR, where they are now raising their first child, Camden.

Carl has worked for Wal-Mart at the home office in
Bentonville for several years now...I can't keep track!
He works with the buyers, and will soon be traveling in Mexico for a week or so.

Crystal got her cosmetology license in December, and is able to work 3 days a week and be home with Camden all the other days.

Aren't they a beautiful family!?! If you want to see lots more pictures and get to know them better, the link to their blog is to the left of this post...The King Family.

Carl, just like the other boys, loves motorcycle riding, but has given it up for the time being to concentrate on his family. He is a sweet, gentle man, loving, earnest and a great father and husband. We are so proud watching him lead his family and always putting them first. By the way, did I tell you he's my favorite?

When my water broke at 2:30 a.m. on September 8, 1984, I knew my 3rd child was going to born on Carl's birthday. We didn't know whether it would be a boy or girl, but I had been given specific instructions to "bring home a boy baby" from his two older brothers. We brought Levi home the same evening he was born and laid him in Carl's lap who immediately thought Levi was his birthday present!


Levi found his love and soul mate in Searcy, AR while attending Harding University. They were married 2 years ago and we couldn't be happier with Levi's choice to be our daughter-in-law. They live in Searcy, AR where they are raising their first child, Gavin and will be welcoming their second child next month.





Levi will graduate from Harding Graduate school this December in Business Health Services. He also manages a Sear's store in Beebe, AR.

Laura is a stay-at-home mom who thoroughly enjoys every day with her son as he grows. She will soon be a very busy mom with two little ones to love.

This picture is from when Gavin was first born, and I don't have any of the three of them now that he is bigger, but you can click on the link to the left of this post and see all of the great pictures and read about the lives of this family...The Life of my Love.

Levi is a man of incredible drive and discipline, working full time, completing his graduate degree in 15 months and still putting his family first and capturing precious moments with them. Levi really enjoys cooking...especially grilling, and is very good at it. He is a generous, kind, honest and devoted father, husband and son. We are so proud to see him lead his family and live his life for God. By the way, did I tell you he's my favorite?

Prayers please

I just got a call that my best friend (and sister-in-law), Betty will be having a stint placed in one of her heart arteries tomorrow. This is her 2nd stint and is in a precarious location in the artery, and Doctors say there is a risk of heart attack during the procedure. Please pray for healing for her, that God guides the hands of her physician and for God's peace for her, my brother and their kids.

Sisters...all kinds

My sister, Debra, was diagnosed in January with breast cancer...she has faced the chemo, mastectomy and radiation with amazing bravery and faith in God to carry her through this valley and heal her.
My sister-in-law, Betty from Arkansas, and I took a little trip in the spring to spend a few days with her and it was so beautiful we took a little tour of Skyline Drive in Virginia.

We laughed, cried and enjoyed just being together.















In June Debra and I spent 3 weeks together when she had her mastectomy. Much of the time it seemed like we were little girls again sharing a bedroom, secrets, laughing and giggling in the dark and faking as if we were sleeping when Mom came to check on us. Then reality would hit when it was time for her pain pills or to "strip her drains". It made me realize how deeply thankful I am to have a God that see, feels and hears me...and also comforts and gives me peace. Jill, another sister-in-law from Ohio, was able to spend a couple of days with us during her surgery and the first couple of days back at home...it was GREAT having her there. She is a nurse, and has such a gentle way about her and calmly assured us that we could take care of Deb's medical needs...peace...God sent her too.

After a mastectomy, the woman goes home with a couple of drain tubes that might be left in place for 6 or more weeks. I referred to "stripping" them earlier and that is a procedure to get the contents into a little ball at the end of the drain line so you can measure output...eww. Anyway, the drain is about 3 feet long and can be quite um...unsightly when you are out in public, so we tried several things to hide them when we went out...then I remembered that Debra (Queen Knitter), had made a little coin purse a few months earlier, and had not actually used it for anything. It is adorable and was just the right size to hold the drains (and the little ball things), and she could tie it to her belt loops and it just looked like a cute accessory.

When we went for her appointments and back to the chemo lab to visit other patients, she showed them the little bag and everyone fell in love with it and those who had already gone through the surgery wished they'd had something like it...so, a great idea was born...Debra decided to make the little bags and take them to the cancer wellness center that had been so supportive and helpful to her throughout her diagnosis and treatment. They already hand out packets to cancer patients filled with goodies that are all ideas born very similarly to the idea of the "drain bag". The Center was thrilled with the idea to have another item to add to the packets for patients who needed them.

From there, she talked to some yarn shops in her area who are all donating yarn, acting as drop-off locations for the bags, and giving discounts to those involved in making the bags. Deb has already picked up several bags from "Never Enough Yarn", the shop that was first on the band wagon. A new knitting group has started at the wellness center, all survivors, and they want to make the little bags for others.

Here's a couple that we've made recently...and some from the yarn shop. The name for the project is Sisters Helping Sisters.





People really do want to do good things for others...everyone needs a chance to get in on something like this...check out a group in your neighborhood and see what kind of a difference you can make in someone's life.