I realize that 2014 is only ALMOST 3/4 of the way over, but the Lairsey's would like to go ahead and put it in the books. It has been one heck of a year... in not-so-great ways. I write all of this down so that one day, Eric and I will look back on 2014 as a year that our faith was tested and proved, our dependence on God was increased dramatically, and our relationship with God the father has changed to God our daddy. I am learning the difference in how I approach God, my daddy.
In February, Eric and I left The Big Show early because Eric's belly was extremely sore, crampy, and painful. We ended up at the ER around 1am to find out that he needed an emergency appendectomy. After a 2 day hospital stay, he was home, recovering, and feeling much better.
In April, Ellie had not one, but two ER visits (i previously blogged about that experience). The last ER visit resulted in a 2 night hospital stay for the two of us over Spring Break.
Around this time, I found out that my part time teaching job at Stallings Island was not going to be available for next year. We agreed that full time was not an option, and proceeded to walk down the road to "stay-at-home-mommy" preparation. That caused us to look at our finances and have lots and lots and lots of long conversations about money, what we've done with money, what we will do with money, how we can save money, what can we cut out, what habits need to change, etc. Lots and lots of long conversations. Ultimately, Eric and I agree that God is our ultimate provider. We trust him. We trust that this job was given from God, and we believe that this job was taken away by God. We choose to increase our faith by not pursuing another "job". God made manna fall from the sky for goodness sake! Certainly, he will provide for the Lairsey's.
On June 11, Coleman had his near-death accident at the pool. This led to another Lairsey ER visit, and a very scary 24 hour "observation" at MCG. We checked out of the hospital, went home to unpack, and went right back to the pool. Everyone played, laughed, and squealed as if nothing had happened the previous day. This mama needed that.
At bedtime on July 31, Coleman fell in the bathroom. He screamed pretty good, and was unwilling to move his left leg, but after careful inspection, we found no bruising, no swelling, no bleeding. Eric and I decided we would put him down for bed and reassess in the morning. He had a pretty rough night. I gave him Ibprofen around the clock, and in the morning, we iced his leg. He still would not put any weight on it, and was crying pretty good when we moved/touched his leg. On August 1, we set off to the ER AGAIN. I called my family and some friends on the way to have them praying for him. Sure enough, Coleman had broken his femur. Wow. Several X-rays and an IV later, we were being scheduled in the OR so the dr could completely knock him out so they could set his leg (no surgery needed) and cast him. The cast. Ugh. That is quite a work of art. After dealing with it for 3 weeks and 6 days so far, it is bulky, heavy, awkward... and it stinks. Despite my MANY attempts to take the urine smell off of it, it returns. I have scrubbed the inside of that cast with toothpaste and a toothbrush more times than I can count. I've also tried baby shampoo and a hairdryer (on cool, of course). Nothing works. I just keep telling myself it is almost over. I mean, I dealt with Ellie's ostomy for a few months, certainly I can do this. Praying September 5 will be the day that cast comes off.
Eric has been struggling with back pain for almost a year now. He has tried chiropractors, injections, muscle spasm meds, and anti-inflammatory meds. Nothing helped. After an MRI showed a degenerative disc in his back, we knew we needed to have something surgically fixed. Eric got 4 different opinions about his MRI, and settled on Dr. Justin Bundy. Surgery for August 8 had been scheduled since the beginning of the summer. Eric needed to get through youth camp, the mission trip to Costa Rica, and the Back to School Bash before beginning his 6 month post-surgery recovery. We discussed postponing his surgery after Coleman's broken leg, but decided to go ahead and have them recovering at the same time. That has proven to be both the best decision and the worst decision ... is that possible??? lol. I have loved that Eric is here, and I am not having to take care of everyone all the time by myself. BUT, I also have 5 people ordering me around almost 24 hours a day. Everyone is just so needy. The first two weeks, Coleman had the best attitude during the day - always smiley and happy, but at night, we woke up screaming every time he wanted to roll over or reposition himself. He would also cry out in pain when he accidentally moved his leg in his sleep, or twitched/jerked in his sleep. It was pretty pitiful. Over time, he is growing weary. Tired of not being able to walk, annoyed with the cast, frustrated that he has to lay around all day. It is getting old. For all of us. Not too much longer. Eric is recovering well. He had his post-op follow up after two weeks and a few days, and dr said all is healing well and he was released to go back to work... with his grabber. :) He still cannot bend, twist, or lift ... for 6 months. We miss him laying around the house with us!
What a blessing it has been that my job was not renewed. I cannot imagine trying to find childcare/taking off work to handle manny and his cast... let alone, eric and his back. God knows.
I am trying to constantly remind myself that GOD HAS GONE BEFORE.
2015--we are eager for your arrival. we are expectant for the awesome plans that await us. we are thankful for 2014, but gladly step into a new season!
