December 2012: Growing Strong in Good and Bad

  This December was so different for us. We had some pretty awesome things happen; as well as some tough moments for us. The month began on a hard note. I had to leave December 6 for Omaha, Nebraska for surgery that would happen the next day. Soon as I got into Omaha I received a call from one of Joel's teachers. Joel had an accident at school where he had cut his head right above his eye playing outside. It was hard for me to deal with because I was not there to know how bad it was, and not to hold him. I had to call a dear friend who is like a grandma to Joel. She went to see how bad it was. She called me and tried to describe it to me. I just wanted to know he was okay really. We all made the choice to take Joel to the walk in clinic in Winterset to have it checked out anyway. It was so hard not being there for his first real accident where he got cut good. He ended up with the area being glued and having a steri-strip placed. As a mom it was so difficult not to be there, but I knew I had to be where I was. I did cry until I knew he was okay, and back to school. I had to tell myself he will have plunty of more injuries that I will be there to deal with, but the only way to be there for him is to have the surgery the next day.
   The next day I had my surgery. All I could think about was staying alive to go home to my son. The surgery was very rough. I made it through, but in 24hours I was not doing so hot as my body was shutting down. All I could think was to pray. I kept asking the Lord that if it was n His will to keep me alive, because my son needed his mommy. I was forced to the ICU. I didn't get to call my son until the following night when I was with it. It was so good to hear his little voice that he had missed me. It was the boost that I need to get through the following days. After a full week in Omaha I was released to go home with some restrictions.

   While I was recovering Joel stayed at his godparents, but I got to see him every night about. I sure missed his hugs, laughs, and smile. One night my parents and I took Joel to another tournament in Perry, Iowa. Joel did an awesome job. Plus he with being a late night, and long he stayed patient. He one 1 out of 3 matches. It was a win that my son really needed to boost him back up from the tournament where he was forced to wrestle 2nd graders. He ended up with 3rd place out of 4, but it was a well earned place. He gave the 1st and 2nd place a run for their money. I was such a proud mom as he told the boy he beat that he did a good job too. 

 Christmas rolled around. It was different for sure, but we had so much fun. Joel was still staying at his godparents yet, because I was recovering yet. So, it was different waking up Christmas morning without my son there in 5 years. But we got together mid morning. We went with Joel's godparents to have lunch at a care center with their family member, and then it was off to their parents house. Joel loved all his gifts. He had so much. He even got what he wanted from Santa. A Star Wars ship. It was nice that our friends let us spend Christmas with them.
   The day after Christmas Joel came down with the nasty flu bug. It was hard to not be with him, he was in good hand, and I had to stay away due recently having the surgery. By the next day he was doing a little better but his godparents came down with the bug. Soon they were all over it by Saturday.

   That Saturday we went to the elementary school in Winterset. We had a good time as we watched Joel do another milestone in his life. He got to sled all by himself. He laughed and laughed so hard as we went down the hill. Joel loves snow. Joel's godfather even sled with him while his godmother and I laughed at the two of them. I finally did ride down with Joel twice. Just because I wanted to let him know that Mommy may have some limitations, but I am going to do what I can when I can. After two times I was exhausted. 
    The month was filled with high and low moments for both Joel and I. We are so blessed to have each other. We may not have a whole lot, but it doesn't matter to us. We have our love as a family, and most of all our Lord in our lives to see us through the low times to get us back to our high moments.