Update!

It's been a while since I posted an update, so I thought I'd share a few things here.

All things considered, I'm feeling pretty well.  February 22nd marked four months post-surgery.  My incision is healing and looking good.  It continues to be very sensitive at the top and bottom and a bit itchy, but that is all part of the process.  I've also been keeping up with my rehab exercises.  I've worked up to 45 full minutes on the treadmill at 3.0, along with the weight lifting reps and stretches they taught me.  It's exciting to see my body changing positively from doing this!  It also makes me feel so much better overall.  The main issue I'm struggling with is the constant ache/pain in my neck and shoulders.  This is also part of the healing process and I've been told it could take up to a year before I feel relief.  Prayers it comes sooner!

On the job front, I'm feeling very much at peace with my decision to decline the offer from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as a per diem consultant.  After a lot of thought and discussion with my family we decided it was going to be too much for me right now.  I am, however, very excited to share that I did join the product development team at Catapult Learning as an independent contractor/writer!  I'm really enjoying this! It's been the perfect position for where I am right now and I feel so thankful for the opportunity!

I've also been doing a little writing of my own.  I've decided to write a novel!  Can't share too much, but I'm very excited about the idea and seeing how it unfolds...even if it takes me forever!

As for Flowers on Footprints, I'm not quite sure where we're headed.  I've been praying a lot about it and I'm hopeful, in time, He will lead me to its purpose.

I'm looking forward to a few trips in the coming weeks!  I can't wait to be back on the beach with my uke, playing songs as we listen to the waves crashing in. It's hard to believe the last time I was there, I was prepping for the biggest, scariest week of my life...and now, it's behind me.

Taking each day as it comes, enjoying the moments with family and friends, and allowing Him to be in control.  I'm thankful. I'm at peace. I'm happy.--and really, that's an amazing thing!

This is the life of a Police Wife: a short story

There’s a dim light coming from under the bathroom door and the sound of a running shower.  I roll over, check the clock—3:47 am.  It’s Saturday.  Yes!  I think to myself.  I might get a few extra minutes of shut eye before the kids wake me up.  I doze back off, waking up to a sweet kiss on the cheek and an “I love you” from my LEO (law enforcement officer).  The door clicks and locks. I look at the clock—4:01 am—and drift back off to sleep.

I’m awake!  The Superman theme song ringing loud from my phone—it’s my LEO.  It’s still dark. What time is it?!  I answer—feeling groggy and unsure of what is happening.

“Hello?” I say, glancing at the clock—4:32 am. 

“There’s an active shooter", he says. “An officer was shot.  I am on my way there now.  I will call you when I know something.”

Did I misunderstand?  I’m so confused.  “An officer was shot?”

“Yes, I will call you when I know something.”

And silence…as the empty, nauseous feeling enters my stomach.  Worry sets in.  The unknowns, the what-if’s, the waiting for a call back. I know the drill. I’ve been here before. But I can’t predict how it will end.  And the awful thoughts of vigils… and funerals… and processions…quickly fill my memory.  

I’m now wide awake, the clock staring back at me—4:46 am.  I send off a quick text: “Please be careful.  I love you.” 

My mind wanders.  Should I get up?  Make coffee?  Watch the news?  No.  That won’t help.  I decide to pray…for my LEO, his fellow officers, for our police family.  I pray for their safety.  But most of all I pray they are all alive at the end of this stand-off. 

And then I wait…

6:57 am—I finally get a text, “It’s over”. 

Oh thank you, Lord!  My heart is racing.  I take a deep breath.  I feel so relieved.  I pray again, thanking God for taking care of them and asking for His presence as the officer undergoes surgery. 

Then, I slowly drift back off to sleep.

If you are ever unsure of the choices in life or scared of the future, look to me and I will help you through. ~God

It's been a while since I posted an update.  I've been working on getting back into the swing of things

:-) I've had 2 exciting job offers, both part-time/work from home education positions, which is perfect while I continue to recover.  I'm not sure both of them will work out, but I'm just thrilled about a writing project I've already started working on and I know if the consultant gig does/does not work out...then it was/was not meant to be.  To be honest, I'm not sure I can handle both!  But I'm relying on Him to show me the way and taking these leaps by faith, not by sight. <3  

Last Friday I celebrated my 35th/1st birthday!  It was a BIG one for me that's for sure.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much love.  AND I am so thankful---for this life, for such a positive outcome, for a successful surgery, for the prayers and encouragement as I continue to recover.

I know I may look fine on the outside, but on the inside I'm still healing, physically and emotionally. I have constant aches and pains in my neck/shoulders, my incision continues to be very sensitive to the touch, making it hard to sleep, and I seem to get angry/upset over things that really aren't a very big deal in the big picture.  I think some of it is the uncertainty of it all.  Just praying it gets better with time. He continues to teach me patience, that's for sure! 

Overall, the cardiologist is happy with my progress.  I continue to work on my rehab exercises--I've worked up to 45 minutes on the treadmill--and I'm now looking forward to spring, our beach vacation, and an eventual opening of the pool!