Poster Child?

I know, I know....Thousands of people get on their blogs and make wild proclamations about doing this or that and not then truly commit to their promise. This however, I hope is not one of them. I can't possibly think of a worse time of year to start this phase of my life, but, then again, that is how our Maker works. It was me, if I remember correctly; standing in my den floor one day screaming at the top of my lungs, "I never get sick and I won't ever get sick!" --I am still laughing about that moment.
However, with Amanda's help and the kids, I have decided to become an active participant in this thing called ITP. It doesn't look I am gonna shake it, but can live with it and in fact live with it better than I was living before I had it. It is gonna take some grit, dirt, and hard-work, but I am ready to give it a go. I told Amanda the other day that I wanted to beat it. Thing is you can't....you just can only be stronger than it.
To be honest, I am not scared or worried. I just pray for the strength and support to be the best I can be when an outbreak comes.
If you know of any advice, websites, info, life-changing diets, or workouts please let me know. I really am open to any and all suggestions. I have always lived a life of gluttony when it comes to food and drink. I (we) are fixing to have to learn to live a little different in the KP house. I know we can. With God's help and that of family and friends I know we can do this.
On a note of when it starts....that is a good question. Failing to plan is planning to fail, I know this, and that is why that Monday may be the official day of the POSTERCHILD-fame pursuit. We need a few days to figure somethings out and do some research.
I don't know why I feel compelled to write this to the entire world. Maybe this another tool I will and can use in the coming days and months. I have never, ever, been able to accomplish a goal this lofty.
Wish me luck.
POSTSCRIPT: I really really really like to eat. The weight I am at and the goal "weight" I am looking for will come later. Once I get the game plan set up and the lifestyle eating thing going I will keep everyone updated. Here is a little hint of how bad things on my body are right now: For fun, we sat around the living room at DAR's and measured my swollen steroided belly: 56 inches....56 inches....
56. That right there is enough to get you guys coming back and reading my blog. I can be your "Biggest loser- pill head, local version" hahahha
Have a great big 56 day!

My Bride

I have been blessed with a beautiful wife. I have been blessed with a woman that I consider my best friend. I have been blessed with a woman who has seen me at some of my lowest points in my life, and then was there by my side at my very highest. I have been blessed with a partner that God gave me to share in the making of three of the most beautiful children in the world. I have been blessed with a perfect woman.
I think I gave her a good scare the other day. I have a hard time choosing my words when I try not to upset her. I have always tried to "soften" things when I talk to her. I don't like being scared and I truly don't like scaring her.
I was petrified to tell her what I was feeling.
But, in perfect form, when I did, she was there to hold my hand and prove to me that she was right beside me.

For as long as I can remember Amanda has always wanted to go on a mission trip. Trey, our minister at church, has provided us an opportunity for some folks to go. We have a certain amount of time to get the money raised to get her there. It is what she wants for Christmas. I hope we can do it. This is no secret. Instead of gifts this year from family we are asking for cash to put away into the "mission" fund.

THIS IS NOT me asking you for money...so, please don't! We will be able to raise this and get her there on this much wanted dream of hers. The whole reason I am blogging about it is, is because I am just so excited that I know what I am getting her!

We all know that true love doesn't just happen. We all know that you have to work in a marriage for it to be great. Out of all the things we know to be true that we have to work for, there is one determining factor I think that makes it all possible....It is that you both finally agree that sharing one tube of toothepaste just doesn't work...go ahead and buy each your of your own. HAHAHAHA!!!
I love you Amanda Jill

A little scare

It has been a crazy week. I had a little scare the other day with my platelet count. You heard me, platelet. I kinda remember what those were from science class, but to be honest with you, I haven't paid them much mind since Sophomore year in high school. I knew that they are in the blood, I knew they do good things for you, and I knew that you had to have them.
I am a closet NASCAR fan. I don't like to brag about that...but, I love it!
On the last day of the weekend at the November race, I noticed some red dots around my ankle in the shower. I thought nothing of it. In fact, I remember thinking, "I didn't know my ankles did that if the water was too hot!"-stupid.
I had a great day at the race. We came home and went to work the next day. On Tuesday, I noticed the same spots and some bruises on my hands. I started to get a little freaked out then, but not too nervous. I thought maybe I had gotten into something at NASCAR like food poisoning or something. (After all, hanging out with 150,000 rednecks, who knows!)
On Wednesday is when I got SCARED! I woke up with a mouth full of blood and a blood covered tongue and the red spots were all over my feet and hands and had bruised all over my legs....CRAP!
I got up, got dressed, fed the kids, showered, shaved, and brushed my teeth...just praying that I wasn't falling apart. All the while I was doing that, blood was pouring out of my mouth and gums pretty easily.-Not trying to gross you out...but it was pretty gross. I headed to work and immediately got with a couple of friends and asked them to have a look. After they all told me to go to the hospital, I called our family Dr. and he told me to come see him.
I could go on and on about our fine Doctors at CRMC-they are so good. Dr. Mike basically got it right on the phone. Dr. Green agreed when they saw me and they sent me on my way to Amarillo. What they discovered with my blood was that I was critically low of platelets. Normal range is 150,000-450,00. I was at 2,000! I knew that number couldn't be good and with the way that the conversation with Dr. Mike was going, I knew there was a concern. At this point I am fairly nervous. They knew that I was. This is were it gets really scary, but so special, and I will never forget it as long as I live.
Right before I was whisked away to Amarillo the two Doctors, (Green and Henderson) shut the door and grabbed me by the hands and prayed over me. There was such a turn around in the room. I had gone from thinking I am in trouble and alone and scared...to, these guys are honestly concerned with me and love me and want me to get well and are asking our God to watch over me. One of the many humbling things I would experience in this ordeal.
FAST FORWARD-if you are still reading, just know this: There are a lot of people who don't get good news. They get bad news and it gets worse. A lot of people go through this world without experiencing the love and opportunity that I have been blessed with. I feel awkward at this point bragging about this because I am alright.
I'll close with this. I am recovering. God willing, this was a freak deal, and I am all better.
We all go through scares in our lives. I know that I will have some more. This by far was.....well, it was one of them. I found through this event that I am loved and cared for by many people. I am humbled by their prayers, thoughts, and concerns. Nothing like laying in a hospital bed at night knowing that someone is praying to God for YOU right at that same moment....nothing like it in the world.
Thanks to all who asked, fed us, came by, called, and of course prayed for us. It is the perfect picture of what God wants us to do on this earth while we are here. To look after one another. To care for one another. And to love one another.