Around The Home

Well this past week we spent half of it on Beaver Island, so here is what went down the rest of the week!

We wash our cars…Mazy washes her scooter! Love that she appreciates what she has and wants to take care of it!

This made me chuckle. I got Mazy all ready for her bath and I thought she was in already, but apparently she had to grab her doggy because she said he wanted to watch. So since doggy “took” her step stool, she was a genius and then grabbed a laundry basket, turned it upside down, and used that to get into the tub. We’ve got a creative one on our hands!

On Saturday my sister, mom, and I checked out the local farmer’s market. Didn’t realize til my mom pointed it out, that my sister and I dressed almost exactly alike! We’ve been known to do this before!

Saturday we had a surprise visit from our friends who live about an hour south of us! Mazy sure enjoyed having a buddy to play with for a bit!

My “svedish twin” and I! Story: one time Tracie and I were on an elevator and this woman in a dead serious voice asked “Are you Svedish twins?” We were bit taken back, but almost wanted to say YUP! We definitely been mistaken as sisters numerous times!

Getting Mazy’s hair done to go somewhere can often be a bugger, but sometimes she is ALL about getting her hair done! Before church, she told me she wanted not just one, but TWO braids, which I was THRILLED about. I LOVE to braid hair, so I milked this opportunity for all it’s worth!

Since this is a shorter post, thought I’d give a heart update too. Things are still pretty up and down, which can get frustrating and is a bit of a downer at times, but things are looking up once again! A week and a half ago, I had a blood draw and my fluid levels were quite high. The highest they’ve been since my last surgery. And the thing is, I shouldn’t be retaining any fluid after surgery. So to first of all be retaining fluid, but then be retaining this much, is something the doctors do not have an answer for. So they increased my water pill to twice a day on MWF, and then increased another one of my heart meds, in hopes my body will retain the potassium I am taking. I am on a high dose of it, but am still a bit low, so just trying another method. I get QUITE tired, but I can get through each day, and am thankful for the days when Mazy understands that Mommy just needs to rest and lay down for a bit! God knew I needed a little nurturer and “mommy” of a daughter! She is just the sweetest little girl!

As of last week’s blood draw, my fluid levels are down significantly, which is GREAT. Very comforting! My next appointment at the U of M is August 22, which I am eager to hear what they say. Also, I am still thankful for the communication that I have with U of M. They check in weekly, if not twice a week, with me. Even though my heart issues are still incredibly up and down, I feel I am under good care. Like I was told in May, they are just going to try and solve all the heart failure issues with medication first and so far, I’m able to remain stable for the most part!

If I’m honest with myself, I would be quite surprised if I make it the 10-15 years before my next surgery, like I’m “supposed” to, to get my valve replaced. With all the issues I am having, when I really shouldn’t be, it makes me think my heart problems definitely aren’t going away anytime soon. Does it make me worry? Not really. Do I worry about another surgery? Not at all. Do I wonder? Absolutely. Do I feel at peace with it all? Most of the time. I truly have a whole lotta trust in what God is doing. I definitely have my moments and get quite sick of all this happening, but I truly do trust that God has a good plan for me. Good may not mean easy or without struggles or pain, but good in the sense that He has this grand purpose for me that I could never replace. Nor would I want to. I am truly thankful for the journey He has taken me on and I’m eager to see what the rest of the journey holds. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m ready. Because God has all that I need. And He will give me all I need, to accomplish His purposes!

And I must say, I need to buy stock in toilet paper! These water pills, man…

I also joked with Dan that I should write a blog post about where all the public restrooms are in grocery stores, restaurants, you name it! If I’ve been to that building, I’ve been to the bathrooms! The worst feeling sometimes is being somewhere and not know where the bathrooms are…well have no fear, Kristin knows!