Life Lately (Part 1)

I've been bad about updating the blog lately. Lots of life going on. It's good but doesn't allow for my mind to be able to put a post together!! (There will be more to come on what we've been up to.)

John has started a new job!! After many, many, many L O N G months of not being happy at his job, he accepted a position with a company that handles large losses in the commercial side of the disaster restoration business. We are very happy for his new job! The only downside to it is this... he travels up to 75% of the time. Actually, lately it feels like he travels 100% of the time, but I'm not complaining, yet.

He left on a plane May 5th for Paducah, KY. He was assigned to be a Project Manager/Supervisor over a shift at the Harrah's Casino and Hotel in Metropolis, IL. The Ohio river deposited very large amounts of water, mud and yuck into the hotel there as well as the parking lots around the hotel.


He was assigned to be the night shift manager after receiving a promotion after only 10 days. They work 13-15+ hours a day, and around the clock. He has not had a day off since May 5th.

He was able to get Brandon and two other guys who have worked for him here in Jax, a job out there as well. I sure hope those boys are saving their money!!!

It's all very crazy to me, but he is very happy to be working for a company that values and appreciates him.

After completing the Harrah's in Metropolis, he was sent to the Harrah's in Tunica, MS.

He comes home this weekend. Only for a week but I can't wait.

15

That's how many years ago it's been since I married my love! We are so excited to be celebrating our 15 years of marriage today!!!!

I am extremely thankful for our marriage. We've had our share of ups and downs and it hasn't always been easy. BUT... it has totally been such a blessing to grow and mature with someone who loves me unconditionally. Seriously... he really loves me unconditionally!

And I'd do it all over again, no questions. I love this man more today than I did the day I said "I do."

I am thankful for him. When I was dating I didn't really know what kind of man I wanted to marry. I just wanted to be loved.

I will be forever grateful to God that he gave me a hard working man, a man who loves God, and a wonderful father to our children, all things I value so much and didn't even know how much I would or should. I know he will always take care of us until his last breath. Even though he has chronic pain, he gets up every day and goes to work. I pray Micayla will be blessed to marry someone just like him.

I am thankful that John loved me back when I wasn't so lovable. He has been quite long-suffering, patient and forgiving with me. I'm not really proud of who I've always been but am so thankful for God's mercy and grace, and a husband who loves Him and in return, could love me through some of my yuck. It was painful at times, but can't things that are worth fighting for be painful at times??

I love how much we've grown up together. We've learned to love God together, parent together, enjoy our uniqueness with each other, and learn to have meaningful friendships together.

Happy Anniversary baby!! I can't wait to celebrate 50 years with you! I love you with my whole heart and know we'll be together forever! I wouldn't want to do this life with anyone else!!!!

Uh Oh... Look Out!!!!

Well.... the time has finally come... Joshua received his driving permit today!!! YIKES!!!!

It's been a long time coming but as we all know, the timing is just right!

John has been pushing Joshua this summer to study for his drivers license. I have never been super sure about this so I haven't said too much about it. Driving offers a whole new set of responsibilities as well as distractions so it hasn't been on the top of my priority list to put him behind the wheel of a car, much less my car!! Up until the last 6 months or so, Joshua has not been interested in getting his permit, but it's amazing what can happen when your Dad is breathing down your neck!!

So... today Alex and I took Joshua to take his test to get a permit. The first thing they do, after going over the 100 pieces of information they require you to bring, is give him the vision test. "Please read the 12 characters in row 5 Joshua." Joshua proceeds to read only 8 characters. The man kindly asks him to read the last 4. Joshua reads the 8 characters again. The man says, "you're only reading the first 8." Joshua then says "there are only 8."

UH - OH. I'm standing there wondering what is happening and thinking we're going down fast!

He asks Alex to look into his machine and see if there are 12 characters and Alex said there were. Joshua looks again and can only see 8. I'm standing there thinking... "maybe he's not supposed to drive!!" The man has me look and tell him what I see and I see 12 characters. Hmmmm.....

At this point, Joshua is getting mad, which I'm sure Alex and I are the only one's who can tell. Mad for Joshua is like most of us when we're slightly frustrated.

So, the man gives us a green form to take to our eye doctor and have him verify his prescription and answer a handful of questions about Joshua's eyes and how they will affect him driving. However, he still allowed Joshua to take the written test. So... off Josh went to take the test on their computer. Meanwhile the man tells me that you can be blind in one eye and still drive. Whew... he may make it!

We waited outside for him. When we came back in,about 20 mins later, he was finished and giving me a thumbs up as I walked towards him!!!!

Of course, we left the DMV and drove straight to the eye doc. I was not going to make him wait after that!! So... we waited at the eye doc for him to get to the green form in between patients and we were off... back to the DMV!

So..... now the practice begins!!!

Please pray that God gives us T O N S of patience and safety!!!

Way to go Josh!!! Super proud of you!!!

Busy Week With Doctors

This week is a busy week for us. Tomorrow we see John's doctor to find out how he's doing with his shoulder. It's been a L O N G recovery process with lots of pain. I hope I never have to have shoulder surgery.

Also this week, we will be in Gainseville for Joshua's FULL PFT's (which wear him out)and his heart cath. We are hoping to hear good news or at least news that there is no progression. I'm curious to find out what his pulmonary pressures are for sure. The cath is the only way to know exactly.

Please keep them in your prayers. We do appreciate them immensely!

Consider yourselves hugged!

Whew... long day!

Well... today was a rather long day. The block for John wore off around 11pm last night. We were up every two hours either changing his position, taking meds, or putting him on his machine for pain. He eventually ended up in the recliner. He was really hoping he would be able to sleep in our bed but it was too uncomfortable to lay down.

So... the day was spent taking 10 minute naps here and there, cooking, taking meds, hooking him up to his machine and keeping track of the kids. Thank you Grandpa John for being the taxi driver today! It started this morning taking Joshua and Alex to the church for them to go to a competition with several youth groups downtown called Teens Involved. They were both in different drama's and Joshua did puppets as well. They came home very excited since they were chosen to move on to regionals now!! Way to go guys!!

The Abel's took Micayla so she wouldn't be stuck home with the tired, worn out parents. Thanks guys!

Our friends made us dinner tonight. It was something I knew I was going to have to do.... eat FRESH meat, that he killed himself! UGH!

John couldn't wait for Marcus to cook some of his wild hog for him. He made us stroganoff, salad and bread. I will have to admit... it was good! Thank you Marcus and Devon for dinner!!

Did I tell you we have such wonderful friends?! We are very well loved. Thank you all for continuing to check in on John and keeping us in your prayers.

We've been told tomorrow is going to be the worst day. Fun times here in the Gentges' house!

Blessings~~~

UPDATE on John

Surgery went well!!! Hallelujah!! I'm so thankful he's okay. I woke up at 3:15am with all kinds of crazy thoughts in my head. I was worried and couldn't sleep so needless to say... I need a nap.

The days events went like this...

3:15am... woke up... got a drink, checked the doors/locks, checked on the kids, went to see if Josh was wearing his CPAP... he wasn't (aaarrrggghhh!!!), fed the fish, went back to bed!

4:00am... listening to John breathe, hoping I would hear it again tonight and for a bazillion more nights! Crazy thoughts still. Snuggled up close and thought of everything I had already packed, wondering what I was forgetting.

4:30am... Micayla crawled in our bed... she does this every now and then. I don't usually mind, she's my last baby to do this.

4:45am... The bed was crowded now so I got up and updated the blog. Then shower, got the rest of the family up and off to drop the kids off.

6:00am... Dropped the kids off with wonderful friends, the Myers. Bless their hearts for having our kids all day starting at o'dark thirty. Side note... Happy Birthday Cailey!!

6:18am... Arrived at the surgery center. Gave paperwork to them (already filled out of course), checked in. Sat down to wait.

6:30am... John was called back to get him prepped. Then they called me back. Anesthesiologist explained his part... then I had to leave while they administered the block. I went with the pain management guy, Adam, to get an education on the unit they sent him home with to help stimulate the muscles and help with swelling/pain/etc.

Then I went back to sit with John. He was out of it. I would post the pic I took of him but I don't think he'd appreciate it. It was fun trying to get him to talk to me but he was so out of it, it wasn't as much fun as I was hoping for!! hee hee

Anyway... back to the schedule...

8:30am... Dr. Murphy showed up and off they went... I said "have fun" and "do a good job!"

Then I went to the freezing cold waiting room. Sent out a million texts and then my wonderful friend Julie showed up with a Starbucks Chi Tea Latte and a blanket for me!!!! Did I tell you she is wonderful!!

Around 10:00am they called me back to just go over how it went and letting me know he was out. They gave me two pages of some really cool pictures of everything they did, with before and after shots. It's just amazing what we are capable of doing these days medically. His shoulder was a mess. The labral tear was quite large. They repaired it along with the rotator cuff tear and also shaved off some bone spurs. YUCK!

10:30am... got to go see my honey again. Oh boy, he was really out of it this time. He asked me 100 times what the ice pack was and what the sling was. And to get him some water. Okay... maybe 10 times. Since he has the block he can't keep his right eye open. Of course, being the wonderful wife I am.... I took his picture! Again... he'll kill me if I put it out here but it gives me a great laugh each time I look at it! This is all just payback for all the times I've had surgery in our married life. It always comes full circle doesn't it?? It was much more fun to be on this side of the bed!

Once he was able to get his scruples together, we were discharged and sent on our merry way.

I stopped by the store and picked up some things and came home.

1:00pm... arrived home... gave meds... made lunch... ate. Showed John the pictures and explained what they told me. He was quite tired at this time, we both were so he went to lay down while I put everything away.

2:00pm... went to close the garage door ONLY TO REALIZE... the cat knocked over the hamster cage and spilled the ENTIRE cage on the floor. Of course, the hamster is now missing. So...

I cleaned up the mess. Fixed the cage, refilled it, and set it down hoping he'll return... again.

2:50pm... laid down with my honey hoping to catch some zzzz's.

3:10pm... woke up to John messing with the sling.

3:15pm... got up. Swept the front porch.

Now I am waiting for Josh to get home from school, thank you Rena!!

At 4pm, his respiratory therapist arrives to fit him with a new CPAP mask. Hopefully this one will be more comfortable so he'll wear the darn thing!

Thank you for all your prayers for my family. God is so good! Please pray for a quick smooth, event-free recovery!

And...let's hope that stinkin' hamster is found!

Love ya!!!

Surgery Today

The day has finally arrived!! John's surgery is today. He's been waiting for 6 months to have his shoulder fixed (rotator and labral tear). We're nervous about the recovery and what it's going to take to get it done but at the same time we're thankful he will feel better and not be in pain anymore. He (translate that to WE) hasn't slept well in almost a year due to the pain.

So please be praying for an uncomplicated surgery and a quick recovery!

Thank you...

Bad Tires On Wet Roads????

John sends me a text to check my email. He emailed this to me ... thanks honey! He said he was only going about 10 miles an hour in the turn. He barely went over the lip of the asphalt but the weight of the truck slid him down the grass to the ditch. Lovely.

Thank goodness he wasn't hurt and there isn't one mark on the truck from it. Tow truck came and pulled him out and he went on his merry way... hopefully to the tire shop!



Thankful in FL today!!

We Didn't Have Enough Going On??

We came home last night from the hospital. But it wasn't UF. This time it was Baptist Hospital at Jacksonville Beach.

AND this time John was the patient.

He had a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack).

What is a TIA you ask?

Well, it's a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Thank God.

He was teaching his men's group at church Monday night. Thank God one of his friends texted me and told me to check on him. I know he would've never said anything. Why are men like that??

We took him to the ER, kicking and screaming, and they admitted him for two days. He is fine now, just a little concerned about how often he will get to have his double cheeseburgers??? Hmmm...... just kidding. He knows we have to change some things up.

I tried to take pictures for the blog but he wasn't having it.

Please pray that together, and as a family, we can learn to become healthier. It's gonna be an interesting ride.

Blessings!!!!

Joshua and John

Well, Joshua left this weekend to go to Missouri for a week. He's traveling with Grandpa John so I know there will be some great political discussions. Maybe by the end of the trip, they will have all the world's problems solved and Joshua will know exactly what is wrong with our government!!! ha ha Love you grandpa John!!!

John has been working some crazy hours lately. They had a job where they can only work nights when the building is closed. He's been working 6pm-6am and sometimes even longer. It's been crazy and we're all starting to get our nights and days swapped. That's bad!

Also, update on the shoulder... John will be having shoulder surgery in the next month or so to repair the labral tear.

This is not going to be fun... for any of us! His shoulder will be completely immobile for 2 weeks. Then he will have approximately 20 weeks of physical therapy. John doesn't know how to work "gently" so it should be rather interesting. Please be praying for his recovery. That it will go quickly.

Thanks for checking in on us. We sure appreciate all the words, comments, emails, and calls from you!!

Blessings!!

News this week...

Joshua started his full dose of meds last night. They came a day earlier than expected.

The only bad thing about that was we were all outside, Mick included, and he about attacked the Fed-Ex lady. She jumped back in her truck and shut the door. I about died! Our fat, lazy dog NEVER does that! He charged her like he was gonna eat her up. Anyone who knows Mick knows that he is just about comatose most of the time. See how much he was helping me paint Joshua's room ...


I was really embarrassed for her and just hope she doesn't red-flag our address and then not deliver to us anymore!

Here is another favorite shot of Mick, just for fun... Does he really look like a mean, vicious, attack dog??? I didn't think so!


So after she left, we put Joshua's meds together for the week. We'll be looking for any additional side affects from this drug. He's had a few headaches and some dizziness up to this point.

Other than that we're all doing well.

Although, I have forgotten to let you all know that I failed my M.D. test. ;-)

John does not have a rotator cuff tear. It's a labral tear. The shoulder joint has a cuff of cartilage called a labrum that forms a cup for the end of the humerus to move in. That cartilage is what he's torn.

He started physical therapy last week in hopes that it will be enough and he can avoid needing surgery. Only time will tell.

Also, please keep my biological dad Harry in your prayers. He had a stroke last weekend. Please pray for him. He is not able to swallow or walk at this time.

Thanks again for your prayers and calls and words of comfort for our family!

Aaaahhhhhh Silence....

It was a beautiful sound... the sound of silence. In my house. Can you believe it? It doesn't happen often.

We had a wonderful evening last night. John's mom and dad are in town. They took the kids, overnight, to a hotel right on the beach last night. It had a great pool with waterfall, and you could walk straight out to the beach from the pool, but yet it was private enough also. The view from the balcony of the room was beautiful. You could see the pool and the beach, including the dolphins out there in the ocean.

John and I left early evening and came home after stopping off for some ice cream! Yummy!!

I wasn't sure what to do with no kids in the house! Such a strange phenomenon.

It was nice to go to bed without having the 100 question routine, I need a glass of water, and the typical "I want a hug from Alex but he won't give me one" routine.

It was also nice to wake up and be home... alone. That never happens.

Don't get me wrong... I already miss them and am ready for them to get home, but it was so nice to have a peaceful, silent house this morning.... all to myself!!!!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh....... wonderful.

Thanks Henri and John for taking the kids for us. It was just what we needed, and we didn't even know it.

All Better!!

Well, that last post was a little jacked up lame. I am sorry for sounding so BLAH there. I shouldn't write posts when I'm tired and crabby.

We are all doing much better. Thank you for your prayers. I'm so glad we are on the other side of this flu. It was not fun.

John had his MRI and goes back to the doc Tuesday. The only thing he could get the tech to say was "your not gonna be happy." Lovely. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that he's gonna need surgery for his torn rotator cuff???

Good times. Keepin' it exciting!

We are expecting John's mom here today. Looking forward to having her here. The kids are ready to get out and about.

I think we've inhaled all we can of Lysol and bleach. It's time for our summer to finally start.

I hope you're enjoying yours!

And Going....

Well, I think it's getting better actually, and I'm a little afraid to even say it but... there have been NO fevers in the house for two days. Whhooopppiiieeee!!!!!!

Everyone is feeling better although we're all getting a little stir-crazy. This has been the ONLY time I think I've ever been thankful for video games or television.

Thank you all for praying for our family. It really is the best thing you could do for us.

Please also include John in your prayers. After much conversation, I finally got him to the doctor, an orthopedic surgeon. He has an MRI Tuesday to confirm what I've been thinking all along, (just call me Dr. Mom), but I think, along with the doctor, that he has a rotator cuff tear with a labral tear as well. WONDERFUL! More doctor appointments.

He jokingly asked me if I was going to start a binder for him like I have for Joshua. I told him he was on his own. I can only manage one binder at a time!!

Thanks again for praying. You're comments really do boost us up and make Joshua feel really loved.

Let Me Tell You About My Man...

Yesterday was our 13th anniversary!! I'm always so excited to celebrate another year of being married to my best friend. I am so blessed to be married to a man who knows how to love unconditionally. I can tell you I am not the easiest person to be married to!!

Marriage is not for the weak at heart. It's not for the non-committal. It's hard. It's painful at times, but I wouldn't change any of it. It seems the trials of life and marriage are what makes us stronger. I know that sounds cliche, but it's the truth. The worst of our marriage is what has made the best of it. Does that make sense? Or maybe John and I only learn the hard way??

I'm thankful to be married to a man who loves the Lord, who loves his wife and children and would die for us without thought. He works so hard to provide a beautiful home for us in a safe neighborhood and all the other things necessary to make life work. He works hard so I can stay home and homeschool our younger babes. That is not something I take for granted. I try to make sure the children know how hard their daddy works to make us happy.

He is extremely supportive of me, and respectful. He likes to surprise me. He loves to get me things he knows I would never spend the money on myself. Like one year when he surprised me with a delivery at the door... of a piano!! Who does that?

This year he came home with a new perfume I wanted, and new jewelry for me. I love him. I am so thankful he's my husband. I love our life together. Even the hard times. Thank you Jesus for my husband, my lover, my best friend.

Happy anniversary honey! Together forever!!!

Guess where we went last weekend.......

Any guesses????

Well, we took A and M to Disney World!! They have never been so we decided it was time to use their Christmas present from Grammie and take them to the place where dreams come true!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Mom!!!

It was so much fun. It was wonderful to see the awe and excitement through their eyes. They loved the wonder of it all and were the perfect age to go. Tall enough for the "big" roller coasters and still young enough to appreciate the magic of it all. This was taken after riding space mountain!! woo hoo!!!! Our favorite!

It was a wonderful two nights away from everything here at home and just a great time to focus on the younger two. Life has been slightly stressful so it was nice to be able to relax and have a little fun!

One of the best parts of the day at the magic kingdom was heavily pushing Alex to get his picture taken with the princesses!! He was so cute. Doesn't he look thrilled to have his picture taken!?

Again it was very relaxing. This was where John chose to spend most of his time while at the resort....

while the kids were doing this....

and this....

here at the resort pool...

it was absolutely beautiful! It had a waterslide and three other pools. The kids were in heaven. John was severely past due for some relaxation time and I was past due getting to have some FUN family time AWAY from the house.

We gave Joshua the choice to come with us or stay home. He surprisingly chose to stay home and Brandon came over and stayed with him. I just prayed they weren't having their own magic kingdom while we were away!! They did fine and I was very thankful for Brandon staying with Josh and making sure he got picked up and taken where he needed to go.

Anyway, I'll spare you the rest of the pictures! If you haven't been I hope you get the change to go to Disney World sometime. It really is a magical place!!! We can't wait to go back!

Fishing on the Deep Blue Sea

John got to experience his first deep sea fishing trip since we've moved to Florida. He had a great time and really enjoyed his LONG day. He caught several fish but here are a few for your enjoyment.