T.G.I.S

Thank.Goodness.It's.Summer.

Last Friday, was the last day for all students in Scott County and boy was it quite the emotional experience! I knew there was a chance of shedding a few tears, and I actually did great... until my kids gave their hugs goodbye.  There was something special about this class and this year in particular that made it hard to part.  We went through a lot together and we all grew so much in more than one way.  Not only were these kiddos resilient, but they had the most wonderful parents as well! When it came time to relinquish control, I wasn't quite ready to part.

Fast forward to yesterday, which was my first official day of summer 2014, and I'm happy as can be!  I still miss my school kiddos, but I'm tickled pink to be spending more time with my own kids.  Ella actually spent the night/day with her cousin Ava and is turning into a gypsy!  On the go, go, go!  Grayson and I spent the day at the dentist, doctor, and car lot.  I was hoping he'd be my usual well-mannered boy (being that we are going through some "bad/cool" boy phase that I'm not too fond of) and I actually bribed him with the ability to change his clothes when he got home if he behaved.  To most kids, changing their clothes is not a big deal, but to this "diva," he'd like a wardrobe change every five minutes if I'd let him and lately, he gets ONE a day! Needless to say, he was a champ and got to change into his "worker" clothes.  As far as the doctor goes, Dr. Patel took a look at my scars and decided that the scar excision will be next.  He will simply cut out the yucky part and sew it back together.  At the same time, he will also anchor it so that the scar tissue doesn't pull my eyelid down.  We were hoping we could do this in office, but unfortunately, it will have to be another surgery.  The date is set for Friday, August 15th.  Perfect 11th anniversary present! Ha.  After that, he wants to watch the recovery and decide if any injections will be needed.  Kermie is really wanting me to look into another plastic surgeon he found that deals specifically with the eye to reconstruct my lower lid to look more like the left eye and possibly implant eyelashes.  I definitely want to do this, but want a break right now!  Maybe around Christmas time I can look into that??  I took a selfie for you to see the latest progress.  This is my typical summer look- no makeup, crazy hair....yep, pretty much sums that up.

So, after all the appointments were over, Grayson and I headed over to Hudson Nissan.  The week before, they had me come switch out the Altima for my second car.  I was excited to see what they would switch me to, but left in a two door coupe.  Don't get me wrong, it was super cute and an awesome color, but as a mom who plans to drive to Orlando in a week, it wasn't going to work!  Anyhow, the general manager was happy to switch us out.  The switch was the highlight of my day for sure!!!   He put me in to a brand new 2014 Pathfinder!  This thing is totally awesome and proves that I will never be able to have anything super nice because I'd drive myself and everyone else crazy trying to keep it clean!  It drives like a fancy truck and seats as many as my van did!  The interior is my favorite color and it has a backup camera!  This makes it so much easier to see since I have that blind spot even when turning around.  I have included a few pictures for you to see.  Now, if only I could keep this baby forever! :)  Too bad the price tag says otherwise!


The Donovan Clan will be driving to Orlando in style soon enough!  Woo Hoo! :)

Balance

Tomorrow marks the six month window the doctors gave me to regain the sight in my right eye.  Obviously, this window is just their best guess as to when you can consider it most likely for the vision to repair itself, and while six months is typically the end of the window, my doctor has spoken of cases that went beyond this window.  From the very beginning, well maybe not the first few weeks, but after I really sat down and prayed about the accident and the injuries that I was dealing with, I felt a peace about not regaining my sight. It was very strange, that instant peace, because at first I was extremely bitter and felt sorry for myself.  I wanted to be the "old" me, but what I was learning was that God was molding me into what He wanted me to be.  Since that day, I have continued to pray for complete healing, but I also pray that God would do what He feels is best for me to live a life that is balanced and grounded.

Don't get me wrong, I know that God could heal me this very instant and have faith in miracles, but I also know myself and that having the constant reminder that I am not in control and that I need Him in everything is a great way to keep me balanced.  I led a typical Christian life before the accident; went to church, read my Bible, said my prayers, and everything else that Christians are "supposed" to do, but what I lacked was purpose and balance in my life.  I would very easily get distracted by worldly things, be drawn into old temptations, let my temper get the best of me, think the grass was greener on the other side, etc., etc., etc..  And, while I still deal with those same sins post-accident, I am quickly reminded and grounded because of my blindness. There are times that I become anxious and sad at the thought of never seeing out of both eyes, but then I remember that things could be much worse and are for many people.  I remember that God may want to use my blindness to connect with others with similar conditions.  I remember that He wants to continue to lead me in the right direction and that constantly relying on Him is what I need to do instead of relying on myself.  I remember that there are more serious problems to focus on and that is where I am right now.  I constantly feel a tug that is nudging me towards something more.  I'm thankful for this life that I've been given and even more thankful for the new found balance that He has blessed me with.  And, if my vision doesn't come back, I know that it is a good thing for me.  Without this constant reminder, I am afraid my balance would be come less centered on my true purpose.