gratitude

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and think of a great sentence or idea and think to yourself, "I'll remember that in the morning"? Well, I did that last night and when I woke up today it was gone. I don't know if it means I am enjoying writing more or if I'm more forgetful. :) Either way I'm okay! So no fancy sentences today, just gratitude. 

I have been writing a lot about being grateful and I was reminded once again yesterday that I have major reasons to be thankful!

• When I was in the hospital, there was a big rainstorm and almost all of my neighbors' cars flooded, so much so that a couple had to get new cars! My car was here but God protected it and even though a car three spots over was totaled out with flooding, my car was just find and dry as a bone inside after the storm. So thankful for this!
• I saw a new hematologist yesterday at Memorial Hermann. He is wicked smart and board certified in three different specialties. I found out my previous hematologist (the one assigned by the hospital) does not have certification or specialization in hematology. He is certified in oncology, which has a lot to do with blood, but it is not the same. So I am switching doctors effective immediately. 
• Which leads me to my general doctor - Dr. Kim Dunn...she is amazing. I have been so blessed by her throughout my blood clot ordeal and even before that she took great care of me as I had the flu and a cold. She is a smart cookie and has recommended many great doctors and suggestions during this time. 
• Also, my friends. I am very blessed to have a great support. Yesterday Marianne went as my "2nd ear" and I am so glad she did because she remembered questions that I forgot and I was able to have someone to talk to and process the information with after my appointment. She is a true friend!
• Millie. She brings me such joy just by being here. I love her cuddles, her personality and presence.
• Amber's pictures. Amber is a great photographer - see previous post. She is traveling right now and keeps sending me pictures. I love it and I feel like I get a glimpse of somewhere else I can't be right now. It is encouraging. 
• Neighbors. I have a sweet neighbor Therese who also has a Boston Terrier. His name is Pogo - when Millie & Pogo play there is fun! Therese has also checked on me and brought me delicious pizza and lasagna during this time of recovery. :) And she helped me find out what was living under my patio last night - POSSUMS! I am so glad I did not discover them by myself! EWW!

I could keep going on and on - really I am so thankful for the love, support and prayers that people have offered and how God continues to intervene and save my life, save my car and save me. Thanks for reading and Happy Tuesday!

Love,

Brandee

P.S. Enjoy a video of Millie slurping a puppy latte!

sunday prayers

God never ceases to amaze me with his creativity...

Today has been a rough day for me. I woke up feeling well, but then my self-pity got the best of me. I wanted to stay in bed and feel sorry for myself, but thankfully Millie is home so I had to get up and get moving. I know so many people are praying for me and I thank you! Here are some specific prayer requests.

Millie Moo!

1. I received most of my medical bills. I am trying not to freak out. My sister is reassuring me. Friends at church prayed for me. I would love your prayers because it is a big number! Good news is that I asked and I can make payments a little at a time with the hospital and ER. That is a blessing!

2. I am getting a 2nd opinion from a hematologist tomorrow. My Coumadin levels have been off the past few weeks, which is normal, but my general doctor suggested this hematologist, so I am going. I have met all my deductibles - see #1 - so now I am pretty much covered for most things!

3. It is very possible I will have to have another surgery related to my endometriosis in the near future. It is emotional and yet I have peace at the same time. 

4. I have started clenching my teeth at night - stress, I know. I am going to make a homemade mouth guard to help alleviate this!

I have had some visual reminders of how much God loves me and takes care of me. I appreciate your love, prayers, dinners, texts, visits, cards, and any thoughts you have for me. It means so much. Enjoy the pics~they bring me smiles. xoxo Brandee

Amber left a sweet card with goodies for me! 

I love hearts & Millie drooled a perfect heart after one of our naps! 

So proud of Jenna for going down the slide without floaties!

Love, 

Brandee

coming home

Millie is coming home today and I am beside myself with happiness. Auntie and Uncle Andrew have taken amazing care of her since my blood clot on May 13th and I haven't had to worry about her one bit. I'm so thankful for their kindness, generosity, pictures and videos that have kept me smiling. Even as I'm writing this, I got a picture from Amber with a message saying, "I'm coming home. Love, Millie". She is a rascal yes, but she's a lover, snuggler and is ALWAYS happy to see me! What more can you ask for?! 
Happy Friday!
Love,
Brandee

photography lessons

Last night Amber came out and we went to my neighbor Therese's house. Therese is a photographer and went to Italy in May - she had a gathering to share some of her favorite pictures. It was great because Amber and I were the youngest there, by at least 20 years. I loved being around these ladies because you could tell they were all set in their routines, but they took time to come out and look at photographs. It was sweet. There was a glass of spilled wine, cursing, shocked looks, trips and falls on the kitchen floor, but overall we made it out safe and sound! 

Since my blood clot, I have realized how blessed I am to live in a community where people know each other and care about what happens to them. I had the seat of honor - the recliner. And there was one lady who felt like she should have it, but Therese insisted I sit there. It feels so nice to have people looking out for me, checking up on me and including me in their prayers. 

On the short walk home, Amber and I saw the planets aligned. It was the moon, Venus and Jupiter. I was about to take a picture, but then Amber helped me to get a better one by stepping into a darker area. See Amber is a great photographer too! She has a great eye and perspective. She has sent me amazing pics of Millie, Jenna, Ben and nature. I really hope that God opens doors for her to use it this next year. So I'm including my picture below of the planets and moon's alignment. (If you watch on June 30th, it is supposed to be close enough to resemble what might have been the Star of Bethlehem.) AND I'm including pictures of Millie that Amber has sent. Again, I am so thankful for all the great friends praying for me!

The night sky by B

Millie by Amber

Love you guys,

Brandee

Thank You.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, words and donations. Unfortunately I can't find out who donated days, so if you did, thank you! I'm only two short and this is a huge answer to prayer for me! At the good advice of HR and a fellow teacher, I will take disability from now on. I don't want to be caught in a situation like that again. One of friends and co-workers came over this week to hang out and bring dinner- I was telling her all that you guys had done for me and she said, "Wow, they have really taken care of you!" I smiled and said, "Yes!" You guys are the main reason I stay in SBISD. I have a great support system at school but you guys reached out and loved on me more than they did and I just smiled and thought, this is why I'm here! Really, like Jo always says we are a family! I know I'm getting mushy but it's been so evident to me. I've had so much love, prayers, care and true friendship poured over me and it has sustained me. Thank you for helping me during a difficult time and thank you from the bottom of my heart for donating days. 

I am healing well- my doctors say I'm making progress. My biggest joy is that I have soreness instead of knife-stabbing pain!  I have had so much support so THANK YOU ALL! Happy Summer!

Love, Brandee  

Quote for the Day

Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her. 
-Urie Bronfenbrenner 

I came across this powerful quote on Twitter this morning and the truth of it has struck me hard in the face. I spent the night at my sister's house last night and we have been lounging around enjoying a lazy morning. So nice! Amber is keeping Millie for me while my leg heals a bit more. Well, not too long before reading this quote, I  told Millie that she was loved more than most kids in the world. I didn't realize what a truth I was speaking.  

I know I irrationally love J & B and sometimes it may drive their momma crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way. That's part of who I am and I'm thankful to be their Aunt B. During the school year, I encounter so many students at SBMS and I pray they feel love from me- not just my love but God loving them through me. And for those still searching for someone special to love them- may someone reach out to them in an unexpected way today. You never know how far a smile, a handshake or even looking someone in the eye and calling them by name will go!

Have a great Saturday!
Brandee

Faithful

God is so faithful. I thought I would be getting close to ZERO dollars for my 6/15 paycheck because of no sick days and hospital time, but I'm still getting a paycheck! I don't know all the reasons why or the ins and outs of donating days but I'm so grateful to anyone in SBISD who has donated a sick day to me. Thank you so much. God used you to provide for me and I am at peace.

Elephants

Elephants have offered me comfort the past several years. The Houston Zoo has an amazing exhibit and even babies! Before I got a membership, I would go on the FREE first Tuesday of the month visits and just watch the elephants. Why, you might ask? I've been going to counseling and working through some hard stuff since 2000. It wasn't until around 2009 that I discovered how much PEACE and HOPE the elephants brought to me. They are such beautiful creatures and their personalities are palpable. The most memorable event was at Zoo Lights with my sister Amber - we were walking by the elephants and they had Christmas music playing softly through the zoo. We looked over and one of the elephant mom as was swaying to the beat of the music. I will never forget that feeling as we watched in amazement. God let us see that and we were both greatly encouraged. I am convinced that it's not just church, Bible study or talking to other Christians that brings us closer to God. It's Him. His creativity. His love for us and things we enjoy. And I'm so thankful that God speaks to me through elephants. You couldn't ask for a cuter comforter! Wrinkly skin and all!! So enjoy this video of a baby elephant enjoying the ocean in sweet abandon and hopefully it will comfort you as much as it does me.

Peace

This has been a challenging bit of the year for me. On Tuesday, May 13 I went to the ER by my house thinking I might have a blood clot.

It all started the night before. Jes had come over and we were crafting - getting ready for Book Fair- my FAVORITE time of year. I got ready for bed and started feeling pain in my thigh. I hadn't exercised much so I knew it wasn't from that, but I'm on my feet a lot so I rubbed oils on it, took Advil and went to bed. I woke up at 4:30 the next morning with the worst Charlie Horse ever, at least that's what I thought till I stood up and couldn't walk. Eek! I soaked in a warm bath and kept thinking something about this was not normal. To keep my mind off the pain I read Kiera Cass's new book, The Heir. So thanks Mom for letting me borrow it- forgot to tell you that part!!

Then God brought to mind a friend at work who had a blood clot about a year ago. I texted her around 6:00 and she told me to get straight to the ER. I am convinced God saved my life because after running tests they found a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in my left leg and PE (pulmonary embolism) in my lungs. I had very little breathing reserve left. The doctor later talked to me and said, "I'm so glad you're ok. You could have died." I did not realize the seriousness of it.

Thankfully from the moment I stepped in the ER to the 2nd time I was released from the hospital I felt peace. Peace like no other. I know it's from friends, family and loved ones praying for me so THANK YOU. It's a peace like I've never experienced before and today is the 1st day I felt stress since May 13th. That is a miracle. So thank you for praying and please continue to pray PEACE over my mind, body, and specifically finances. God will provide and He saved my life. One little paycheck is nothing to him!!!

Love you all!
Brandee