Almost there

As all of the Harding kids pack up and drive home for the holidays, all I can think is.... I still have to work next week. Ugh. No, this isn't my first year to do this, but it still stinks! I don't think I would notice it as much if half of the town didn't just pick up and drive off today. :) In the mean time, I guess I should take this opportunity to wrap gifts, do laundry before we travel to visit family, figure out what needs to be packed, etc.

I'm having a hard time believing Christmas is a week from this Tuesday! This year has flown by, and it's weird to think that I'll only be working at the co-op for another semester. I'm going to work as long as I can through the summer, but when baby comes, it's time to stay home! Casey is working more hours at the TV station and helping out with the occasional wedding video which has helped a lot. Slowly, but surely, we seem to be making it through this difficult year we've had. The future is looking up!

For now, I think it's bed time. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

I still can't believe it!

I know it's still early, and a lot of people say you should wait... but I can't! I've never been good with secrets, and this has been a BIG one.

I'm PREGNANT!!! AAAAHHHH!!!!!

With the holidays coming up, it'll be after the first of the year before my first in depth doctor's appointment, but I've been consulting with the nurse about a lot of things. Of course, Tara is on staff as my personal dietitian. :) This is only week 6, and my first appointment is at the end of week 10 (which feels like forever away!).

Please pray a LOT because I'm a little nervous (*huge understatement*) about how far we have to go. We're really excited, and I wish I could've told everyone in person!

I guess I need to get to work. Love to all!

Holiday Tag

Thanks to Kim, I'm going to update my blog. :) I haven't felt much like updating about life because it's just been crazy with work, but I think I'll enjoy filling this out.

Welcome to the Holiday edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I'm the worst with wrapping paper, so I usually stick to bags. Casey's in charge of anything in a box.

2. Real tree or artificial? I prefer a real tree, but we don't have room for one yet. Ours is a sad little artificial tree that sits on a table.

3. When do you put up the tree? ASAP after Thanksgiving!

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after we get back from our holiday travels and have rested a few days. January... ish.

5. Do you like eggnog? No way.

6. What about Fruitcake? I don't think I've ever actually been brave enough to eat it.

7. Favorite gift received as a child? There isn't really one that jumps out in my mind.

8. Do you have a nativity scene? No--I really don't care for those.

9. Hardest person to buy for? Casey's dad

10. Easiest person to buy for? Tara (she wants a little of everything) :)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I think I must have the worst memory ever...

12. Mail or email Christmas cards? I love to mail them, but I'm usually late because I want to stamp them myself.

13. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas--we watch it every Christmas Eve!

14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Late November... ish

15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? You bet!

16. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chex Mix, cheese balls with crackers, and green bean casserole

17. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored

18. Favorite Christmas song? I love ALL Christmas music ALL the time!

19. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? Lots of traveling--Casey's family is in Ohio, and mine is in Tennessee.

20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Can't you?? :)

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Haha, this is a source of contention in my family. Ask mom about her big plaid bow sometime. :)

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

23. What is the one present you want most this year? Money to buy Stampin' Up supplies!

24. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Freezing cold weather

25. What I love most about Christmas? Spending time with family and eating good food

Feel free to copy and paste with your answers--Merry Christmas!!!

It's the little things

Recent (small) events that I have been thankful for:

1. Making time to eat breakfast every morning this week
2. Starting back with my physical therapy
3. Waking up with minimal pain this morning
4. Casey truly enjoying his new job
5. Casey's new paycheck (every little bit helps!)
6. Having one full day in the office to catch up on paperwork
7. Realizing I've lost 5 pounds
8. Spending the day with a friend from work and her family
9. Melatonin supplements working better than prescription sleep aids (Ambien is the devil!)
10. Having time to play Yahtzee with my husband

I would also like to add a link that I think everyone should go to. I wish I could add it to the side of my blog as a permanent fixture on the page, but I can't seem to figure that out. If anyone knows how, please share. :)


**EDIT**: Thanks to my amazing husband for figuring out how to put this link on the side of my page. :)

Tiny veins + IVs = BIG bruises!

Casey is off in Hot Springs with a friend for the Arkansas Counseling Association conference, so I'm taking this time to post. Sorry it's been a while--life is crazy! I had my first cervical epidural steroid injection on Monday, and I think it went pretty well. Well, the injection itself was fine. Trying to get the IV in so they could give me the pain meds--not so fun. It took them FIVE TRIES to get that thing in! I was going to post pictures of my bruised arms, but Mom said nobody wants to see that. :) Anyway, I haven't noticed a huge change in my pain level, but I still have two more injections to go. The next one is the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, and I'm hoping they'll have better luck with the whole IV thing next time. I look like a druggie!

Since Casey cut back on grad classes, he's found a less stressful part-time job that he's really looking forward to starting. There's a local TV station in Searcy that needed some help with filming and editing, so he's going to work there about 3 hours a day. It's not a lot of money, but it's something he loves to do, and he has a couple of friends from college who work there now. It helps that his BA is in Electronic Media Production. :) It's just one of the many changes we're making, and I hope it will lead him somewhere promising. Mainly, I'm just glad he was able to find something he enjoys doing. We're still not sure what next semester will look like, but things are working out well for now.

I just remembered that I haven't eaten anything tonight, so I think I need a quick snack before going to bed (I know I shouldn't, but I'm hungry!). Happy Wednesday!

Casey Cochran: SIU

We're home!!! It was a long and tortured stay, but we're finally home from the Seizure Investigation Unit (*cue Law and Order gavel sound*). The neurologist said the good news is that the myoclonic seizures aren't getting worse. The other seizures are "stress-induced non-epileptic seizures." The tough part about this is that there's no pill to fix it. We're going to have to reassess what we're doing and see what changes we might need to make in order to reduce the stress on his body. This was a little more difficult to wrap our minds around, but I'm so glad it's nothing more severe.

As for my health issues, the official diagnosis is a herniated disc between the C5 and C6 vertebrae. This is what has been causing most of my headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and pain/numbness in my arms and thumbs. I'm going back on Monday for my first of 3 steroid injections to block the pain. He said it's not bad enough to warrant surgery right now. The injections, along with more stress management, chiropractic and water therapy, should alleviate the pain long term. Needless to say, Casey and I have a lot to talk about and lifestyle changes to make. Thanks SO much to everyone for the prayers, emails, and encouragement as we've battled through this.

As promised, here are a few pictures from Casey's hospital stay:

Natalie hooked him up as soon as we got there--22 electrodes!

Yeah, we look gross, but we're in a hospital so it's ok :)

Candy came to visit on Sunday

This is pretty much how he looked the whole time

Some of Casey's Delta Chi friends stopped by Tuesday night

We're on the road to recovery--YAY!!! :)

Comfort

There have been several things I have found that are soothing/comforting to me:

1. An amazing husband who is very generous with hugs and who randomly buys a dozen glazed donuts because he remembers I was craving them a few days ago
2. Finally cleaning a disgusting house--the satisfaction of accomplishing something that's been on your mind for a while is very fulfilling.
3. Making (and eating) chili on a cold, rainy day
4. The smell of freshly brewed coffee
5. Emails/phone calls from friends who live far away
6. Chocolate chip cookies
   
7. Pictures of my family
8. Praying to a God who is always there to listen

I am aware that nearly half of those were about food, but I think I come by it honestly. :)

What comforts you?

The Monday to end all Mondays

YUCK! I'm glad it's bedtime--tomorrow has to be better than today was. Brief summary of one of the worst days... EVER:

1) Monday + Rain = Icky day
2) Major aches and pains that would not go away
3) I had 3 parent conferences scheduled today... none of which actually involved the parents showing up. Result: wasted day.
4) The cat I've had for 12 years was killed by dogs in Mom and Dad's backyard.
5) My neck MRI is back. Diagnosis: Degenerative Disc Disease. More doctor's visits to be scheduled soon. Awesome--add it to the list.

I really, really hope your day was better than mine. Sorry this post is such a downer--I'll do better next time.

Everybody's doing it...

I know I've already posted for today, but I feel like I haven't been fulfilling my tagging responsibilities (sorry, Deborah!). I decided to just pick one of the few going around, so here it is:

1. Who is your man? Casey

2. How long have you been together? 5 years (dating and marriage)

3. How long did you date? 1 year dating, 8 months engaged

4. How old is your man? 23 (yes, I robbed the cradle, too)

5. Who eats more? Usually, Casey

6. Who said “I love you” first? Casey

7. Who is taller? Casey... but I'm not short! (he seems to think being 5' 8" is short--help me out, Curtis cousins!)

8. Who sings better? Umm... I'll go with me. He's more.... instrumental. :)

9. Who is smarter? Probably Casey.

10. Whose temper is worse? Mine is quicker; his is more... "I've reached the limit"

11. Who does the laundry? It depends on who runs out of clothes first

12. Who takes out the garbage? Casey

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Looking at the bed, Casey.

14. Who pays the bills? Me

15. Who is better with the computer? Haha, no contest - Casey

16. Who mows the lawn? This is a source of contention in my household. I must, therefore, refrain from answering. :)

17. Who cooks dinner? "Cooking" is such a relative term... we take turns scrounging up food.

18. Who drives when you are together? Lately?? Me. Seizures don't lend themselves to driving.

19. Who pays when you go out? Casey

20. Who is most stubborn? This is a tough one... probably me.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Again, probably Casey.

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. 2 hours is much easier than 13 (sorry, Terry and Rhonda--we love you!)

23. Who kissed who first? I'd say it was a mutual decision.

24. Who asked who out? He asked me to go with him to see Spiderman in the Benson. This should explain a lot about our relationship. :)

25. Who proposed? Casey

26. Who is more sensitive? Casey

27. Who has more friends? Me

28. Who has more siblings? We each have one younger sister.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? Umm... we're working on that. :)

I know I haven't updated everyone on health issues, but I'm pretty much just tired of thinking about it. More to come on that when I can muster up the energy to type it all out.

Race for the Cure

What an amazing morning! I'll probably crash soon (as in, as soon as I finish this post) since I got up at 5:30 this morning, but it was worth it. I did the Race for the Cure in Little Rock with a couple of ladies from work this morning, and it was awesome how many women were there! We just did the 2K Family Walk instead of the full 5K because we had a baby with us, but it was a great walk. I will definitely be doing this again. Here are a few pictures from our adventures:

Me, Julie, and Johnnie waiting for the shuttle bus

45,000 women crossing the river

Johnnie, her daughter Kara, and grandson Landon

Me with 2 of my favorite people at the end of the walk

Yay, friends!

What an excellent weekend! I got to go to Alabama and visit one of my best friends, Sara. She and her husband, Aaron, have lived there for a couple of years, but this is the first time I've been to see them. We went shopping, ate some wonderful food, and played a lot on their Wii. If you have not yet experienced the Wii, I highly recommend it. It's a lot of fun, and Casey and I enjoy playing ours often. I'm terrible at taking pictures when I go places, but I did manage to get a couple before I left on Sunday.

Me and Sara after church on Sunday

Sara and her chihuahua, Brewster :)

Since Memphis is kind of a meeting point for us, we're hoping to get a weekend or two scheduled before Christmas to do some scrapbooking together. I'm not really that good, but I love to do it with friends. She's pretty much amazing and loves to go to the workshops (any cousins relating??). :) I'm hoping some of her creativity will rub off on me so I can get a couple of projects done.

I'm tired of thinking about it, so here's a very quick health update: Casey goes back to the neurologist tomorrow afternoon in search of more answers. I have a feeling they'll want to monitor his brainwaves in the hospital again. I'm supposed to have an appointment sometime this week for an MRI of my neck, and they took a ton of blood on Friday to check for more autoimmune diseases. In the meantime, we're thankful for the friends and family we have who are so supportive. We love you!

Gourmet chef?? Maybe not...

Well, I finally did it. Curtis cousins get ready to be amazed (or laugh, whichever feels right)... I cooked! That's right. I made trip to the store, bought groceries, came home, and prepared an actual meal. Ok, I know in Curtis-land this isn't a huge ordeal, but in the Cochran household it is a rare and special occasion. The food, you ask? One of Casey's favorites: Chicken spaghetti! Since he's going to be suffering through another weekend grad class this Saturday, I thought the leftovers might be enough to sustain him. :) I somehow manage to change this recipe every time I make it, but I think this was one of my better efforts.

In other news, I'm off to visit the rheumatologist in the morning, so we'll see what she has to say about everything (health issues, not chicken spaghetti :)) . I'll be sure to share what we find. Casey's neurologist appointment has been bumped up to next week, so we're looking forward to getting his stuff sorted out, too. Good grief--I really want a baby, but I'm almost too scared to try! We don't look like the best candidates for parenthood at the present moment... God is in control, though, right? I forget that a LOT. I start thinking I just want to ask someone for help, and my brain automatically goes to my phone..... "Let's see... who could I call to help me deal with this unbearable pain..??" It's moments like these that I realize - DUH - prayer!

Thank you, God, for always hearing my cries. And thank you for an amazing husband who reminds me where to look when I need it most. He has been such a blessing in my life. I love you.

A call for prayers

Thanks to all for the encouraging comments! A special thanks to Deborah for offering pictures of her children.... and to Kim for offering the children themselves. :) However, I think I'll just wait until I have some of my own (pictures and kids). Until then, you'll just all have to deal with my boring commentary on life.

I think for today's post I'd just like to ask for prayers. Casey's health problems are getting out of control again, and I'm scheduled for another visit to the rheumatologist this Friday to see why I'm having so much pain. It's been manageable when we take turns having health issues, but I think both at the same time might just make me crazy! Other than Casey's seizing and my pain, life has been going really well. We have a great house, I've got a great job, and Casey is supposed to graduate with his Masters in Counseling this May! This semester has given us a whole new Wednesday night bible study group, and we love being able to have them all over. Now if we could just feel good long enough to enjoy it all. :)

I still have to finish some paperwork for a parent conference in the morning, so I guess I need to get back to work. Ahh, the joys of being able to bring work home... :P

I'm a big girl now!

It seems I have no choice but to begin a "real" blog. I have been informed that in order to have an "adult" blog, you cannot use xanga. I'm not sure who made this decision, but I'll jump on the bandwagon. Plus, those who are still at Harding (hi, Mom) are unable to view xanga posts. Therefore, here I am--joining those who have gone before me in creating their own adult online journals. :) I hope to keep up with this one a little more than I did the other.

This week isn't off to an amazing start, but I guess Mondays are just like that. Did it rain on your parade today, too? Hopefully, it will bring cooler weather. The Race for the Cure is in a couple of weeks, and we definitely don't want to be strolling through downtown Little Rock in 90 degree weather!

I think this will have to do for my sad little first post. I hope I can come up with interesting tidbits to write about through the week. Feel free to offer up suggestions... any burning questions you'd like answered?? :)