2024 So Far: Blessings and Challenges

This year has certainly been a mix of blessings and challenges. Faith kicked off the New Year by getting another UTI. Along with that, she somehow managed to break a bone in her wrist and had increased anxiety due to some staff changes at her day program. 

Also, she had gotten a new chair last August and we've already had to make numerous repairs and adjustments. All of these things have resulted in many extra appointments with doctors and specialists, including a urologist, orthopedist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and DME technician. 

Thankfully, the broken bone in her wrist healed on its own! We also got some good news that the slight curve in her spine has not gotten any worse and she doesn't seem to be having any pain in her back or hips. 

We still don't have answers for the recurrent UTIs, and she is recovering from another one as I write this. I have tried a few different supplements to prevent them but haven't found the right one yet. 

Hitting a huge milestone! 

In the midst of all that, I was able to celebrate a huge milestone in my life: my 50th birthday! I really am thankful for each year that I get to add to my life. I have had numerous cardiologists throughout the years try to put an early expiration date on my life, due to the complex congenital heart defect with which I was born. God had other plans and I am so grateful He did! 

My big day consisted of a party with some of my church family and then a dinner at Jack's Steakhouse with family and friends. My sister Tesa even flew up from Nebraska to surprise me! And the next week, my college roomie Mary took me out for supper and Jesus Christ Superstar. Many people blessed me with cards, gift cards, gifts, and messages. I will never forget the wonderful day and how so many people went out of their way to make it extra special! 

Celebrating 50 years with my parents and sisters

Despite some of Faith's challenges, she continues to be full of joy, and a bright light in mine and many other people's lives. She absolutely loves going to church, where she just started volunteering as a greeter! (She tries to make sure that each person who comes into the sanctuary gets either a hug or a fist bump.) At her day program, she just started going to another room part-time and really likes her mixed schedule of going to two different programs. 

She also still enjoys going to occupational therapy twice a week. The place she goes (Kids In Motion) just relocated to a brand-new building, which is very exciting! We are hoping she'll get to do hydrotherapy there in the near future. Faith is also getting geared up for wheelchair dance, which is coming up soon! 

I am thankful to have two wonderful respite care providers who help me immensely when I need to run errands or just have some downtime. Both of them are a huge blessing to us! 

Faith with her auntie/respite care provider 

Right now, the biggest challenge I am facing is that my last freelance writing client unexpectedly told me they no longer need my services. I have been freelancing for 10 years now and in the past couple of years, I have seen AI start to take over in the area of website content. Two of the main websites I used to write for went that route, which resulted in very few articles available to be written. 

I am thankful that during my time doing this, I have been able to stay at home and look after Faith. Now, however, I'm not sure what I'll be doing. I recently applied to be part of a state-funded pilot program as a family paid caregiver. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear anything back. I am looking for a part-time job, but I can only work a limited number of hours. 

It's hard to believe I have been doing Faith's Mom's Blog since 2009, when Faith started kindergarten. I would like to keep doing this blog, as it as a way to make use of some of the creative gifts God gave to me. Although the opportunity doesn't come about often, I do feel at times that I need to be creative in order to feel happy and fulfilled. One of my other creative ventures is doing a website with my brother called Sawmill Central. Feel free to check it out! 

Faith, way back during her kindergarten days! 

I will keep writing, but I will also be praying for God's direction in my life. I am excited to see what doors He opens. Also, I am adding a "donate" button to my blog, which is something I have never done before. In the 15 years I have been doing "Faith's Mom's Blog," I have made about $108. Making money has never been the goal but due to current circumstances, I am humbly asking for your help and support! 

By the way, do you like the new layout? 

"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." Charles Swindoll