Does it really matter?

I never thought I would be one to blog about this - or consider it for that reason. Garrett was out of town this past weekend on a "Jeeping trip" in Gilmer, TX. I had a relaxing weekend at home but did miss him which makes me wonder how I ever cut it as a Navy wife... that's for another time though.

I called one of my best friend's Bridget and asked if I could go to church with them on Sunday. She was so excited to have Garrison and I come visit. Garrison and her son Tanner are best buds! Let me give y'all some background. I am born and raised Episcopalian (Anglican - don't ask) and I have an unshakeable faith. My entire (or mostly) family is Anglican, my sister is a youth director, my uncle is a priest... the list goes on and on. I LOVE the sacraments, the tradition, the reverance that is involved with the church. However, Garrett and I have been trying to find a church home for the last 6 years of our marriage. He comes from a Mormon background. He was baptized as a Christian about 7 years ago. We have probably visited 15 churches (some in other states) and still have not found the right fit for us. For a while we went to my "home church" (my parents' church) and it just wasn't the right fit. While I love the traditionalism (is that a word?) of the Anglican church I CRAVE to be spiritually fed. I don't have to have contemporary music necessarily (although I do love it) but let's face it for you Anglicans/Catholics out there... we don't bring our bibles to church, there is not an overwhelming focus on the youth, etc etc. I really thought Sunday would just be a great time to sing and have a "feel good" kind of Sunday. But I really felt the Holy Spirit while at the Baptist church... who knew?? Just kidding. But really, I felt like it could be a great fit for our family. I started thinking I was crazy becuase here I am this traditional Anglo Catholic girl and now I'm thinking of going to a BAPTIST CHURCH??? After discussing with my sister and parents it was brought up, "Does it really matter?" And the answer (in my opinion) is NO it does not. Who cares if we go to a Catholic, Episcopalian (conservative), Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist church??? So after much prayer I discussed it with Garrett when he got home and we are going to go visit as a family next Sunday. Prayers for us in our journey to find a new church home are much appreciated in this time. That's all I have for today.

Oh, we had a great time at Disney on Ice. Here is a picture of me and Garrison:

And one of Best Buds Garrison and Tanner:

Jewels*

Hearing, Vow Renewal

Okay... I just typed an entire post and it somehow got deleted before I coudl post... grrrrrr!

I have been asked to give an update on how my surgery went and here it is:

I can hear!!! More specifically...
- kids playing on playground after walking out of my post op appointment
- my high heels clicking on the hospital floor after my appointment
- running over the grate in the parking lot
- rain on the roof
- my TV volume at 20 instead of 30 (how I used to listen to it)
- I no longer read lips
- Garrison whispering
- the click of the light switch when I turn it on

The list goes on and on. I'm shortening this post because I don't want to retype everything I just did so I'm either sorry or you're lucky. haha. Surgery went very well. They only did local anesthetic so they could test my hearing after to make sure it was successful. I was nervous about that at first but grateful looking back because I knew right away the surgery worked. Really nauseous after but doc put alcohol soaked cotton ball on my nose and told me to inhale deeply and that helped a ton. I basically had to lay in the bed for 4 hours without moving. Had to use bed pan to pee first time in my life... that was not a pleasant experience to say the least. Car ride home was actually okay. Basically had to lay on couch for 4 days, felt ok day 5, and back to work on Monday. Thank you all for the prayers. I'm so blessed that this was successful. Have to get the second surgery but waiting about a year for that. Had an awesome doc that people even from out of state highly recommend so let me know if you are looking for a good ear doc. (adults and kids)

My parents' 30th vow renewal was this past weekend. Awesome! I was super nervous becuase I found out a week before I was supposed to sing with my sis while our cousin Nick played the guitar. It ended up going good though so glad that was done. We had a great time and I really miss my sister and fam. Can't wait until they move here. Here are the pictures.

Can't wait until Thursday - Mickey and Minnie's Magical Adventure: Disney on Ice. Bridget, Tanner, Mom, Garrison, and I are going. Garrison is beyond excited!!!

I'll keep you updated.

Love,
Jewels*

What?

Hopefully I will be using a lot less of that word after my surgery tomorrow. I'm only having my right ear fixed for now and the left one will be down the road. I was reading over my pre op paperwork last night and telling Garrett the statisctics they provided. I have a 1% chance of going completely deaf in my right ear, a 10% chance of losing taste for up to a year (new diet perhaps?), a 1% chance of losing taste forever (a lifelong diet perhaps?!), a 1% chance of face paralysis (that would be my luck since Natalie and I used to watch "Sewing With Nancy" and make fun of the poor lady), and a 1% chance of having severe veritgo (basically being so dizzy you constantly throw up - awesome!). All in all the chances are good that the surgery will go well. There is a 95% chance my hearing will improve and I am hopeful for that number. I was just telling a friend earlier today who asked if I was nervous that the human part of me is terrified - I HATE HATE HATE... did I say HATE?... throwing up. And most all patients do so at least once after surgery as your equilibrium is completely jacked with. And of course I am afraid of being lumped into one of the above 1% categories. But the Christian part of me (which I know is greater than the "human part") has faith that all will be well. I have so many prayers going up for me and I am so blessed to have people that care so much in my life. So thanks all for the prayers!

I put this on my facebook status earlier but I will tell it again here. I was trying to prepare Garrison for the fact that I am having surgery. I don't want him to be concerned or confused if he sees me down for a few days and I'm not my normal self. And let's face it... to have Daddy take care of him for at least 3 days is going to be a shocker... haha, just kidding. So I sat him down last night and told him Mommy was having surgery. He got a look of utter concern on his face and asked Why. I explained to him that this will hopefully help me hear better. He said, "Why do you need to hear better mommy?" I said, "You know how you talk to mommy sometimes and I have to say 'huh' 'what'? a lot?" "Yeah he said." - because he does know this all too well. I said, "Well, after I have the surgery I won't have to ask that anymore and I should be able to hear better." He looked so concerned. To look at a 3 year old and see that they feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders is awful. He perked up and said, "You don't have to Mommy because I CAN JUST TALK LOUDER LIKE THIS, SEE?" with a big smile on his face. How sweet is that I ask you? I have to say Garrison deserves the sweetest kid ever award for that one. He thought that by talking louder he could solve my problem. I am so blessed to have a child who thinks in such a selfless way. And for those of you who have kids or even know a 3 year old that is tough to find.

As a little note I started the book Love Dare - a 40 day journey to help enrich your marriage. It is amazing so far. Garrett hasn't started it yet but I like it that way. This way we do not know what to expect every day from our "tasks". For those of you who have read it you know what I'm talking about. For those that haven't, you have to try it! It is amazing!

I am off now and I want to leave you with some pics of my awesome support system. And this is just some immediate family. I have TONS of extended family and some of the greatest friends ever! Could a girl be any more blessed?

My amazing, wonderful, funny, handsome hubby:

The most precious little boy EVER:

Who could ask for better parents?

The world's most loving, compassionate, selfless person I've ever known, my sister:

The craziest, silliest, strongest, Godliest, rock of a woman I know - my grandma: