Life and such

One of my absolute favorite things happened the other day. It FINALLY cooled off outside, and the air conditioner had been turned off. Then, the event that happens only once a year happened...I turned the heater on for the first time. Call me crazy, but I LOVE the smell that a heater makes when you turn it on for the first time each year. It is not necessarily an appealing smell, but the significance and symbolism is what is so great. The smell tells me that summer is FINALLY over, and the days of sweaters and mittens are just around the corner. No more dreadful humidity, and no more sweating! I will be able to turn on the fireplace soon and snuggle on the couch with my husband as we watch the flames flicker ever so peacefully. I will once again make chicken and dumplings, and beef stew...things that are just too hot for summertime. Ohhh, how I love that smell..and I love the season that comes with it :)

Onto a totally unrelated subject....I am having a back surgery on Monday, November 5. The doctor will burn the nerves in certain parts of my back, and ideally, that will eliminate some of the pain since the nerves will be unable to transmit pain signals to my brain for 6 months or so (until the nerves heal again, and then the procedure will be repeated). I did a lot of research the past few nights on the surgery, and although it is an outpatient procedure, I apparently will be in even more pain than I am right now because after they burn my nerves, it takes them a week or two to fully die, so during that time, there is partial nerve damage, and it will be pretty unpleasant. I am praying that the procedure works well, and at least SOME of my pain goes away. I am so tired of being on medication, and these sleepless nights that are caused by this horrible pain. I want to be able to pick up my kids, and run around with them, and actually walk through an ENTIRE exhibit at the zoo, or aquarium with them. They deserve so much more than I can give them right now. So please please please keep me in your prayers. I feel so lucky though, to have the church family here. Mike, the boys and I have been welcomed SO warmly into our church, and we absolutely love it there. It is so uplifting to have fellowship with such warm and dedicated Christians. Having that "family" here makes things like this so much easier to deal with. I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am for our church family here in Nashville. They are amazing.

So, have a good November, and enjoy all the preparations for the holiday season! God Bless!!!