LIFE HAS BEEN HeCtIc!!!

Yes, life has been hectic, but when is it not?! Lol  I'm sure everyone's life is hectic.  I can't believe it's been 4 months since I've posted anything.

Life's been good.  Actually, it's been great.  I'm thankful to be alive.  Thankful to be healthy.  Thankful to live in the United States of America.  Thankful for a husband who doesn't fuss if the house isn't perfectly clean.  Thankful for so many things, too many to mention.

Last Thursday we took Mom and Jeremy and went to see the kids in Lexington, South Carolina.  We stayed until this past Tuesday, the 16th and came back home to reality.  Sunshine's 12th birthday was Monday.  Can you believe it?  I can't!  It seems like yesterday this beautiful little baby girl was born, and now we're shopping for clothes, she's got a cell phone, she's going in the 7th grade, she went to youth camp without either of her parents, and oh my!  She's turning into a beautiful young lady who has a heart as big as the sky, loves her little brother, and helps out in children's church.  I'm so proud of her!  She melts my heart. 

Easton is at the age that he's so much fun.  His speech has improved drastically, and he is developing his own unique personality.  He's very competitive and does NOT like to lose.  We went bowling on Autumn's birthday because the pontoon boat that was supposed to be rented didn't happen.  The owner of the business wouldn't answer his phone, and no other pontoons were available, so we had to go to plan B.  We went to Lake Murray and Jeremy and East swam, then we went bowling.  It was the boys against the girls, and the girls won.  Mom helped that happen, but East did not like it at all.  He sat down, crossed his arms, and stuck his little lip out.  I showed him his score and that he beat Uncle Jeremy and he thought that was funny.  I love to hear him giggle.  It melts my heart and makes me smile.

It rained every day that we were there, and naturally the day we left it was sunny.  We're having the same weather back home in Florida.  I'm not complaining though after seeing what the people in California and up north are enduring.  Fires in California, and water depletion with a heat wave up north.  Our grass may be growing and needs cut pretty often, but I'll take too much rain versus no rain any day.

Wednesday nights we've been doing a Bible study, "Unstuck" by Jennie Allen.  It's been very enlightening.  Topics are "Overwhelmed", "Discontent", "Sad", "Unstuck", and I can't remember the others.  We have conversation cards that are handed out, and they have questions that the recipient is supposed to answer.  It's amazing how those that receive theirs hits home with the question on it.  Some of the ladies think I pre-pick them out just for them, but it's just God because they hit home.  We've had tears, laughter, and reflection of our lives, and it's been very good.  Instead of rushing it and doing a chapter a week, we've just been taking our time and enjoying whatever the topic is.  There's only one more chapter to do after we finish up "Sad", so I'm not sure what we'll be doing next.

I follow a blog by Kasey Van Norman that is really good.  She was a special guest speaker at our Women's E-Conference in Pensacola this past April and has an amazing testimony.  I posted a comment to win her "He Calls Me By Name" Bible study and won one!  I was pleasantly surprised and ecstatic to receive it.  My friend Tracy won one as well, and she told me that all 300 women that posted received one.  Very generous of Kasey, wouldn't you say?!

Well, sorry for the rambling in this post.  So many things have happened since my last post that I can't post them all. :)  Scott's hours at work picked up another day, so finances are some better.  He was only working 3 days a week, but now he's working 4.  I'm still only working Monday through Wednesday.  Yesterday we received an unexpected blessing in the mail.  A rebate check from our insurance company because of the 80/20 rule.  If they don't spend 80 percent of what they receive in premiums, a percentage is calculated and returned to the subscribers.  It was perfect timing!  I like to say, "God is never early.  He's never late, but He's always on time."  Our car insurance, house insurance, and regular bills come due at the same time, so it's been a little tight.  This definitely will help.

We're planning on meeting the kids in Orlando in a few weeks.  They'll be going for National Fine Arts, in which Sunshine is participating.  I'm excited about seeing her perform.  I've never been, and to watch her will be a privilege.  We'll also go to Disney with them while there.  Last time we went was 3 years ago and East was 3.  It should be fun with him being almost 6 this time.  I'm looking forward to making special memories.  I'll be cashing in some of my coins that I save to be able to do it. 

Until next time, stay cool, be safe, and enjoy each and every day.  Live life, love what you do, and learn something new each and every day.

Debbie :)

MIRACLE BABY

Today we celebrate the birth of our first born child, Jeremy Scott Carpenter.  He was such a tiny baby, only weighing 5 pounds 3 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long, and he was born at 2:56 AM, March 14th. 

I was almost 18 and didn't have a clue what to expect.  I'd worked all day at my dad's car dealership, came home and washed clothes, and then went to bed to get some much needed rest.  Around midnight I started having contractions and asked Scott if he would take me to the hospital.  I wasn't sure if I was in labor, since I didn't know what it was. haha  I would soon find out!

When we arrived at the hospital we were ushered into a room with several beds and curtains separating them.  Another girl looking really pregnant in the next bed introduced herself to me as Marina.  She was 16 and having her second child.  Whatever I didn't know was expected, she filled me in...and scared me half to death. 

Before long I was taken to the delivery room and given anesthesia.  Not just a little, but a lot.  Enough to knock me out for several hours, because when I awoke and looked at the clock it was around 6:30 AM.  I was groggy and I thought I was having my baby, but it was the after contractions following delivery.  The nurse had me look at my wristband stating I had had "Baby Boy Carpenter". 

What I didn't know is that the medication that was given to knock me out, had also went straight to Jeremy, or "Baby Boy Carpenter".  Scott and I had not agreed on a name yet.  The movie "Jeremiah Johnson" was very popular at the time, and he wanted to name him that, so we hadn't agreed on a name in the event it was a boy.  If it was a girl her name would be Joy.  Anyway, we found out later from his medical records it had taken 6 1/2 minutes for him to breathe.  However, the doctor had come out and told Scott that he had a fine, healthy boy.

As they were taking me to my room they wheeled me by the room where all the babies were so I could see mine.  He was beautiful.  Tiny, with a head full of hair, and he looked so fragile and delicate.  He was also blue.  I thought that was strange, but the nurse tried to reassure me he was fine.  This is what he looked like:



I never did hold him in the hospital.  That evening the doctor contacted my father and asked him to give us the news that they were going to have to transport him by ambulance to Sacred Heart Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  We were told he was extremely sick and they didn't give us much hope.  Immediately our family, friends, and church family began praying for a miracle.  The nurse ended up giving me some medicine to calm my nerves and allowed Scott to spend the night with me (which was against hospital regulations at that time) after he had followed the ambulance to the hospital in Pensacola for Jeremy's arrival there.

Jeremy was born early Friday morning and as soon as I was released on Sunday we went straight to Sacred Heart so I could see my precious baby.  We had finally agreed on the name Jeremy Scott.  The doctors told us Jeremy only had 24 hours to live.  He had double pneumonia, spinal meningitis, scleremia - which caused his limbs to be stiff and feel like leather, congestive heart failure, a busted blood vessel going to his brain, kidney problems, and he was premature.  We had to scrub and clean our hands and arms and put on medical gowns and masks before entering the NICU. No one prepared us for what we were going to see when we walked into the room.  Tiny babies were everywhere in little beds.  Heart monitors were beeping continuously, and if one went off, the nurse would rush over and gently shake the baby so it's heart would start beating because it forgot to breathe.  They had also neglected to tell us they had shaved all of Jeremy's head except a strip down the middle that looked like a mohawk and that he had tubes in numerous places to give him medication or retrieve blood samples.  He looked so pale, pitiful, and helpless laying in the bed.  The nurse that had just taken a sample of blood forgot to turn the valve switch, and a little blood oozed out.  I started feeling faint and almost passed out, and they had to rush and get a wet washcloth and wheelchair for me to sit in.  This is what he looked like when we saw him in the NICU that first time:

We would go and see him every day as much as we were allowed to.  Every day we could feel the prayers of everyone, and every day he improved little by little.  One thing at a time began to get better.  After almost 4 weeks we were told we could take him home.

Each baby was assigned to a specific nurse.  Our nurse's name was Mrs. Harris.  She was so patient, compassionate, and kind with us.  Looking back now, I realize we probably looked like babies ourselves to her.  I was only 17 and Scott was 19, but she would gently explain Jeremy's progress with us and answer any questions or concerns we had.

I saw Mrs. Harris about 2 1/2 years ago when my great nephew Tripp was born at Sacred Heart.  She happened to be in the hallway.  She looked just like she did when Jeremy was there, only a few years older.  I talked with her, and she told me that back then she had just completed her RN degree and Jeremy had actually been her first patient!  We never knew that.  She said she'd love for him to come visit her so she could see how he was.  So far we haven't followed through, but one day soon we hope to.

The day we brought Jeremy home and the nurse escorted us out of the hospital, she told us how her and the other nurses knew he was a miracle because they had witnessed his improvements for themselves.

Jeremy's first picture at seven weeks old.  Isn't he adorable, even though he looks like a little old man?  It took a while for all that thick hair to come back in, and when it did it was almost blonde.

Jeremy didn't crawl like most babies.  He dragged his torso and legs and pulled with his arms like he was paralyzed to get to where he wanted.  He couldn't sit up like most children either.  You had to prop up a pillow or something, or he'd fall right over.  No one could tell me what was wrong with him though.

When Jeremy was 4 years old I took him to a new doctor in town.  He ran some tests and told me that Jeremy had cerebral palsy.  I didn't have a clue what he was talking about, but I felt relief that at least we had a diagnosis. 

Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects thousands of babies and children each year. It is not contagious, which means you can't catch it from anyone who has it. The word cerebral means having to do with the brain. The word palsy means a weakness or problem in the way a person moves or positions his or her body.  A kid with CP has trouble controlling the muscles of the body. Normally, the brain tells the rest of the body exactly what to do and when to do it. But because CP affects the brain, depending on what part of the brain is affected, a kid might not be able to walk, talk, eat, or play the way most kids do.
 

Jeremy was fitted with metal leg braces that ran from his hips to special shoes for him to wear.  He also was fitted with a brace to wear at night to stretch his hips.  Later he was then fitted with the shorter ones until he had surgery.  It never slowed Jeremy down for a minute.  He wore them for almost 3 years, and then when he was 7 he had surgery to stretch both achilles tendons.  He had to wear casts in the middle of the summer for 6 weeks that were from his foot to the top of his thighs.  Not fun!  He recently had surgery to remove a bunion, straighten his big toe, and stretch one achilles tendon.  He still needs surgery on the other.  Surgery has improved greatly, and he only has to wear a foot cast like a boot now. 

Jeremy's legs were stiff and wouldn't bend.  This is how he would sit.  He couldn't sit Indian-style, or cross them.  He couldn't sit with them straight out.  For us, it would be very uncomfortable.  For him, it was normal.

 We went through all kinds of testing to make sure we wouldn't have to go through what we did with Jeremy.  I had no complications during my pregnancy with Jeremy.  My OB/GYN doctor told me if the same thing happened again I would be in the medical books.  The medical profession felt that there was a germ in the birth canal or the delivery room, and that's why Jeremy had all the major medical problems he encountered.

  

His baby sister, Joy Danielle Carpenter, was born five years later and was perfectly healthy.  I had no complications during pregancy, was only in labor 2 1/2 hours and delivered her by epidural.  I had wanted a boy first, then a girl, and God granted me the desires of my heart.  She's been fantastic with him and never made fun of his disability. 

 

We are proud of Jeremy and the young man he's become.  Everyone will tell you he always has a smile on his face.  He never meets a stranger.  Our desire for him is to be a Godly man with integrity and character, pursuing Him and serving Him with all of his heart, mind, and strength.  We pray for his future wife and that she'll be the perfect helpmate for him, complementing and completing him.

 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

--Debbie 

Death By Chocolate

While visiting my daughter Joy and the kids this past week, Scott, Easton, and I decided to meet her downtown Colulmbia, South Carolina, one day after she got off work.  We walked down the neatest street to check out a 'special' little shop.  If you saw this sign and you were really trying to eat healthy foods, you would probably run...as fast as you could...the opposite direction.  That's what I should have done, but I didn't. 

I went inside and the aroma was oh so delicious.  I think I gained 5 pounds just taking in a deep breath of the wonderful smells throughout the store.  We approached the counter and saw all of these delectable goodies.

This cupcake shop looked like something that would be on Food Network or Cupcake Wars.  Very cute.  Very quaint.  Every kind of cupcake flavor you can imagine.   So these are what we chose:

Scott chose red velvet, which is in the left corner.  Joy chose black and white in the center, and I of course, chose death by chocolate!  What else would a chocoholic pick?!  That's Easton playing his Nintendo DS in the corner. :) 

"Death by chocolate".  Doesn't it look yummy?  Just the name tells you it's got LOTS of calories, loaded with sugar, and the entire thing has got to have a TON of chocolate in all of the ingredients.  It was soooo rich.  Remember: I've been eating healthy and haven't had any sugar other than natural sugar from fruits, so this cupcake was delectable, delicious, and dreadfully rich.  Mmmmmm.....

I know. 

I should've been strong. 

I should've resisted the temptation. 

Even the scripture about 'fleeing from temptation' came to my mind, but I didn't flee. 

I didn't run. 

I willingly walked into that little cupcake shop, ordered a cup of coffee, the chocolate loaded cupcake pictured, and I ate every single little morsel of it.  I enjoyed every single bite of it as I ate it.  And rather than feel guilty that I had just partaken in a delicious chocolate cupcake, I decided that I had just had imperfect progress.  Our Wednesday night class just completed Lysa TerKeurst's book, "Unglued", in which she mentions imperfect progress.  I may fail, fall, stumble, or mess up, but I'm making progress - imperfect progress.  Any progress is better than none.  I just know what my weakness - my temptation is - so I don't have chocolate in my house.

I've been eating healthy since February 18, so if I messed up this past week, then I think that's pretty good.  From a person who felt she had to have something sweet after every meal, to no sweets, this slip up wasn't the end of the world.  The "death by chocolate" cupcake didn't kill me.  I'm still here, and I'm still determined that even if I slip up once in a while, I'm doing great! 

Debbie :)

 

Worth It All

On July 15, 2001, I found out what 'liquid love' is!  When you experience the birth of your first grandchild, that's what you feel.  There's no other feeling to describe it.  I thought I knew what love was when I gave birth to my two children, but knowing that my baby was now giving birth to
her baby, oh wow!  Tears of joy.  Tears of happiness.  Tears of overlowing at this miracle
of life who was so tiny, yet so perfect.  My "Sunshine", Autumn Rayne Henderson.

Needless to say, I was a proud "gram".  My grandbaby lived about five minutes away.  I
could go see her every day.  But then something happened.  When she was about 18 months
old my daughter Joy and her husband Cory went to "visit" a church in Panama City, Florida,
about 2 1/2 hours away from Milton.  Little did I know this "visit" would turn my world upside
down.

A few weeks after this "visit" they told the family they felt God was calling them to be youth
pastors at Callaway Assembly of God.  I was devastated, heartbroken, and overwhelmed.
My perfect little world was unraveling right before my eyes. 

You see, I'm very family oriented.  Our families all live within 5 to 10 minutes from us, and I
guess I  take that for granted.  So when Cory and Joy broke the news to us, it felt like they
might as well be moving to another planet.  I cried and cried about this decision.  I let God
know about it too.  I told Him how unfair it was.  I reminded Him Sunshine was my first
grandbaby, and that I wouldn't be near to watch every day events in her life. 

But then He reminded me of something.
They weren't moving to another state.
They weren't moving to another country.
They were only moving a few hours away.

Another thing also happened that changed my heart attitude.  I was coming home from
work one day and a song by Rita Springer, "Worth It All" came on the radio that I'd never heard before.  Coincidence?  No, I don't think so.  I think God was speaking directly to me, heart to heart.  I had to pull over off the side of the road and bawl my eyes out.  It became my "heart
song", and to this day it still makes me cry.  It's that special to me.  I'd like to share the words
with you and let you know that if you're going through something, God knows all about it...
and He cares.  He truly does.

"WORTH IT ALL" by Rita Springer

I don't understand Your ways
Oh but I will give You my song
Give You all of my praise
You hold on to all my pain
With it You are pulling me closer
And pulling me into Your ways

Now around every corner
And up every mountain
I'm not looking for crowns
Or the water from fountains
I'm desperate in seeking, frantic believing
That the sight of Your face
Is all that I need
I will say to You

It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this

In August of 2011 my children did move to another state.  God called them to be youth
and young adult pastors at Christian Life Assembly of God in Columbia, South Carolina.
We drove with them and their belongings, and another grandbaby, my precious grandson
Easton Alexander Henderson, who was born September 19, 2007.  Another miracle
baby.  More tears.  Bittersweet.  Excited for this new move in their lives, but sad at knowing
that now they're 8 1/2 hours away.  A heavy heart letting them go, but knowing "it's gonna be worth it all."

Determined To Make A Change

It's funny that my first blog post would be about changing.  Changing my eating
habits, getting rid of the sugar and junk food in my life, and getting healthy.  And
that, folks, takes determination.

I come from a family of small people.  My mom probably weighs 110 pounds.
My sister probably weighs 100 pounds.  My daughter probably weighs 95 pounds.
My aunts are not very big either.  You get the picture.  When I married my husband
at 17 I only weighed 108, but I thought I was big even then.  Boy, what I would give
to go back to that weight.  I started putting on the pounds in my 30's, and that's
when the real fun began.  I got so desperate that I went to a doctor and got the
weight loss medicine, fenfluramine/phentermine, better known as fen-phen.  I
lost weight, but then the scare came out about heart problems.  I prayed to God
that nothing was wrong with my heart.  As far as I know to this day I am perfectly
healthy.  I've tried dexatrim, rasberry ketones, green tea supplements.  You name
it, I've probably tried almost everything, but my weight has yo-yoed.  I've gradually
put on a few pounds every year, but this past year my weight has escalated to
the most I've ever weighed.

You might wonder if I exercise.  Yes.  I can keep up with the best of them.  Our
church has an exercise class two times a week with circuit training and I love it.
You might wonder if I overeat. The anwer is no.  My husband will tell you that if
anything, I don't eat enough.  It's very frustrating!  I'm one of those people that if
I just think about food, the weight seems to pack on.  For real!

When your clothes start getting smaller, you're in the biggest size you've
ever been in, and you refuse to go to a larger size, you make a conscious
decision that you're either going to accept your size, or you're going to do
something about it.  I chose the latter.

Today I started a detox.  I'm removing sugar from my diet.  I'm a sugar and
carb eater.  I crave sweets, especially chocolate.  I am going to drink more
water and less coffee.  I'm going to eat healther foods instead of fried or
fast foods.  If I don't do this, I don't have anyone to blame but myself. 

I want to have a better self image about myself.  I want to be able to pick out
any of the clothes I have and look good in them.  I'm not talking about being
a skinny girl, just a healthy girl.  I want less weight on my feet so they don't
hurt.  Overall, I am in good health, but I could be in even better health if I lose
this additional weight that's creeped on over the years, and then jumped on
this past year.

I am asking God to help me have wisdom with the foods I eat, to make the
right choices so that my cholesterol, blood pressure, and my overall health
is the best it can be.  With His help, my determination and will power, I believe
that this time is going to be different.  I have a goal to achieve! 

Debbie :)