It's a great day for me as a writer.... Thank you to everyone for your encouragement!
http://www.baseguide.com/Articles/Article.aspx?title=top-5-tips-for-surviving-a-deployment-away-from-a-base
God Bless,
Monica
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
If we could turn the page early
On Wednesday, I was shocked to hear of the sudden death of one of our prominent citizens of our town. This is the second shocking passing in the last six months. Immediately, their entire families' lives changed. I cannot imagine the grief and pain brought on by the sudden news they all experienced and are experiencing.
So often in our lives we live day to day always assuming we have tomorrow, too. And so often we put off doing something until tomorrow...that old cliche comes to mind... "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today". And, yet, we all live like we have unlimited time. And I suppose, in some instances, people live without the hope of tomorrow. Somehow, we have to learn to live in between those pages.
This morning I was reminded of a lesson Ayden and I did in homeschooling a few years ago. I remember reading the lesson in disbelief. Ayden and I spent quite a bit of time discussing the lesson and I left it feeling saddened about my lack of faith in the validity of it. I continued on with my day often pausing to think and ponder. And I decided I would just accept it in faith and move on. Well, the next day came and we turned the page... and there right in front of my eyes was the rest of the story and the validation of the lesson. If we had only thought to turn the page the day before, we would have had our answer.
Unfortunately, in life, we don't get to turn the page to the next day early. And that leaves us with choices in how to live each day. People always say to live each day to it's fullest. But do we? We always assume we have tomorrow. And, yet, whether we live to 49 or 109, we should honestly and truly just live each day to the best of our ability. I always wonder when we lose someone suddenly... Were they happy with how they behaved leading up to that moment? We will never know. But as I grow older I think more and more often about how I live each day..and most importantly...how I treat people in my life.
If we could turn the page and see ahead in time..... this is the age-old dilemna. What would change if we could take a peek ahead and then live out each day? or would we eventually abuse our peek ahead? Or if I don't get to turn the page to tomorrow, what will people know about me when I am gone?
I will choose to live each day as God instructs us in Ephesians, through Paul, to the best of my ability.
Ephesians 4: 1-6
So often in our lives we live day to day always assuming we have tomorrow, too. And so often we put off doing something until tomorrow...that old cliche comes to mind... "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today". And, yet, we all live like we have unlimited time. And I suppose, in some instances, people live without the hope of tomorrow. Somehow, we have to learn to live in between those pages.
This morning I was reminded of a lesson Ayden and I did in homeschooling a few years ago. I remember reading the lesson in disbelief. Ayden and I spent quite a bit of time discussing the lesson and I left it feeling saddened about my lack of faith in the validity of it. I continued on with my day often pausing to think and ponder. And I decided I would just accept it in faith and move on. Well, the next day came and we turned the page... and there right in front of my eyes was the rest of the story and the validation of the lesson. If we had only thought to turn the page the day before, we would have had our answer.
Unfortunately, in life, we don't get to turn the page to the next day early. And that leaves us with choices in how to live each day. People always say to live each day to it's fullest. But do we? We always assume we have tomorrow. And, yet, whether we live to 49 or 109, we should honestly and truly just live each day to the best of our ability. I always wonder when we lose someone suddenly... Were they happy with how they behaved leading up to that moment? We will never know. But as I grow older I think more and more often about how I live each day..and most importantly...how I treat people in my life.
If we could turn the page and see ahead in time..... this is the age-old dilemna. What would change if we could take a peek ahead and then live out each day? or would we eventually abuse our peek ahead? Or if I don't get to turn the page to tomorrow, what will people know about me when I am gone?
I will choose to live each day as God instructs us in Ephesians, through Paul, to the best of my ability.
Ephesians 4: 1-6
4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
I know it's unhealthy to live and dwell in past mistakes but, we can turn the page back and always make better choices.
Live each day in faith and walk worthy and work out your faith
God Bless,
love,
Monica
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The smells and feels of Iowa
Last night a friend commented he saw me riding my bike and asked what I was doing. And I said, "Riding my bike". And then I thought to myself...and thanks for the opening line to my next blog. I love being on my bike for many reasons. But, mostly, I love what my bike teaches me about Iowa...where I was born and raised.
I specifically remember a fall in my late teens when I was riding with my dad to my sister's house. She lived on a farm at that time. The car was quiet. I was looking out the window and just mentioned to my dad that we needed rain..the corn was drying up. Okay..let me just state again that it was the fall of the year... my dad replied in surprise, "Monica, it's supposed to be drying up for harvest".
I have always considered myself a city girl even though I was raised in Iowa around farms, farming, and farm animals. We gardened. My grandparents gardened. Obviously, I was not paying attention until that moment. And through the years I figured it all out and gardened and canned our home grown delights just like my grandmother did.
And then I started riding my bike. I realized very quickly that the feel of a hill, uphill or downhill, on a bike is completely different than being in a car. I have been told many times on RAGBRAI from locals..oh, no there aren't many hills from here to the next town. But a slow climbing hill doesn't look like a hill in a car but makes a huge difference on a bike.
I feel very blessed to have seen Iowa from my bike's perspective. I have ridden through many small towns, large cities, and even seen places I didn't know existed. Pedaling through Amish country in eastern Iowa is a scene I will never forget. It was so serene, simple, and beautiful. And the value of hard work spoke to me from their houses, gardens, and fields.
I also feel not so blessed to really know what road kill smells like.... we see road kill in our cars all the time..gross stuff. But the smell of road kill is like nothing else. And on a bike you just can't get away from it fast enough and there are no windows to roll up.
I don't like the smell of farm animals. Farm animals each carry a distinct smell... my niece used to say when she was little that cows smelled brown and pigs smelled green. I agree. I always talk to the cows. They watch me very intently as I pedal by... I usually just say hi but I've been known to moo at them. That alone should make you want to go riding with me. And the birds I see on my bike...well, killdeer, hawks, woodpeckers, and goldfinch... stunning. Funny enough there are also birds that dive bomb bikers and I talk to them, too. Silly birds.
This summer the most astonishing smell was the corn. I always smell corn on my bike. But this year it was of corn baking in the drought. I have never seen corn as dry or smell corn as dry as I did this summer. I couldn't smell the beans..the corn smell was shocking. It was working so hard to survive the heat and no rain.
I think that is a lesson for all of us. So many times in our lives we find ourselves stressed, too busy, sad, confused, and just trying to survive. I talk to God on my bike all the time. So my answer to my friend really should have been, "Learning lessons from God". Because that's what happens through the smells and feels of Iowa.
So...I'm not really a city girl...but I am most certainly an Iowa girl.
I specifically remember a fall in my late teens when I was riding with my dad to my sister's house. She lived on a farm at that time. The car was quiet. I was looking out the window and just mentioned to my dad that we needed rain..the corn was drying up. Okay..let me just state again that it was the fall of the year... my dad replied in surprise, "Monica, it's supposed to be drying up for harvest".
I have always considered myself a city girl even though I was raised in Iowa around farms, farming, and farm animals. We gardened. My grandparents gardened. Obviously, I was not paying attention until that moment. And through the years I figured it all out and gardened and canned our home grown delights just like my grandmother did.
And then I started riding my bike. I realized very quickly that the feel of a hill, uphill or downhill, on a bike is completely different than being in a car. I have been told many times on RAGBRAI from locals..oh, no there aren't many hills from here to the next town. But a slow climbing hill doesn't look like a hill in a car but makes a huge difference on a bike.
I feel very blessed to have seen Iowa from my bike's perspective. I have ridden through many small towns, large cities, and even seen places I didn't know existed. Pedaling through Amish country in eastern Iowa is a scene I will never forget. It was so serene, simple, and beautiful. And the value of hard work spoke to me from their houses, gardens, and fields.
I also feel not so blessed to really know what road kill smells like.... we see road kill in our cars all the time..gross stuff. But the smell of road kill is like nothing else. And on a bike you just can't get away from it fast enough and there are no windows to roll up.
I don't like the smell of farm animals. Farm animals each carry a distinct smell... my niece used to say when she was little that cows smelled brown and pigs smelled green. I agree. I always talk to the cows. They watch me very intently as I pedal by... I usually just say hi but I've been known to moo at them. That alone should make you want to go riding with me. And the birds I see on my bike...well, killdeer, hawks, woodpeckers, and goldfinch... stunning. Funny enough there are also birds that dive bomb bikers and I talk to them, too. Silly birds.
This summer the most astonishing smell was the corn. I always smell corn on my bike. But this year it was of corn baking in the drought. I have never seen corn as dry or smell corn as dry as I did this summer. I couldn't smell the beans..the corn smell was shocking. It was working so hard to survive the heat and no rain.
I think that is a lesson for all of us. So many times in our lives we find ourselves stressed, too busy, sad, confused, and just trying to survive. I talk to God on my bike all the time. So my answer to my friend really should have been, "Learning lessons from God". Because that's what happens through the smells and feels of Iowa.
So...I'm not really a city girl...but I am most certainly an Iowa girl.
Chicory..my favorite...it can flank a country lane with the most beautiful periwinkle blue..but in the heat of the day it closes and the blue goes away
Queen Anne's Lace.... being a seamstress myself this is another favorite and grows deeper in the ditches behind the chicory. Story goes that Queen Anne was sewing her lace and pricked her finger with the needle. Can you see the red petal in the center?
Typical view from my bike
Chicory grows in the tiniest cracks right next to the road even in drought conditions.... Reminds me to bloom wherever God plants me.
God Bless,
Love,
Monica
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Mom taught us to Read, Write, and Ride
I have always enjoyed riding a bike. My dad bought me my first 10-speed (wow that's sounds archaic) when I was in junior high. And for many years when my kids were little I would tool around on my mom's old 3-speed. And then one day some friends of ours(Pearsons) came riding by all decked out in their biking gear....and that's when I knew I wanted to ride a really nice bike. I purchased my hybrid in 2005. I learned quickly that I really didn't know how to ride a bike.... well, long distance...and that I was really, really out of shape.
At the time, we were living out behind the campground at Pammel Park which is up on a hill. And if I left the park I had to pedal up quite a few hills to get anywhere and then pedal uphill to get home. Well, my first trip out I made it half way up the first hill, turned around, and walked up the second hill to get home. Not a successful adventure. But from there on out I was able to gage my progress by how much farther I could successfully get from home and back.
I continued on....and started to learn a lot about equipment. I bought the black shorts that made my legs look like black sausages and had my bike professionally fit to me. I added the special shoes, gloves, pedals, mirrors, computer...and I kept on pedaling. I will never forget turning over my first 1,000 miles on that bike. My bike changed me..physically and mentally.
In January of 2007..without telling anyone... I signed up for RAGBRAI. I had no idea how I was going to do it. I just knew that if I could ride my bike across the state of Iowa in one week...I could do anything. I think Eric wondered what I was thinking..but he was in support. He drove me, my army duffle, and my bike to Rock Rapids that July..did SAG for me for the first day... and then left me. And from there on out it was me, my bike, my tent, and 10,000 other RAGBRAI riders. I figured out each day and pedaled and pedaled occasionally giving Eric updates. I can't tell you what it felt like to tick off each mile..and then each day. I was more hot and more sweaty and more dirty than I had ever been in my life. And on Saturday...as I neared the last few miles I found myself incredibly emotional as I came over the top of the largest downhill I had ever ridden. My heart was pounding and as I descended into the Mississippi river valley, at a speed of about 32 mph, I felt a rush like no other. There was a young kid to the left of me heading down the hill and we both whooped when we reached the bottom. I asked him how old he was and he said 14. He asked me if this was my first RAGBRAI. I said yes. He said it was his third. And as we came into Bellevue he said, "Congratulations on finishing your first RAGBRAI". He knew what I was feeling...there is a rush like no other. Eric, Logan, Laramy, and Ayden were waiting for me at the end with a huge sign signed by all of them and all of my friends. Pretty cool...a moment I will not forget. That RAGBRAI was a journey of 589.1 miles in all.
We are one week away from leaving for RAGBRAI XL. This is RAGBRAI's 40th anniversary. This will be my sixth year...and Ayden's fifth. Ayden bought his first bike when he was nine and has been riding with me ever since. He has been a great riding partner. He completed his first RAGBRAI at the age of 11. Last year we both bought lighter, faster road bikes. And I fixed up my hybrid for Eric to ride when he returned from Afghanistan. My hybrid has well over 6,000 miles on it now. They told me when I bought it that it would last me for the rest of my riding years.... little did they know!
Brady, Eric, and Laramy all purchased bikes this year. And this RAGBRAI....all five of us are riding! Brenden is our SAG driver. I can't tell you how excited I am. We have all been training and Team Pugh University is ready to ride!
There is always room for one more on Team PUgh University..we hope we keep growing and we hope we keep inspiring people to choose something to accomplish.
At the time, we were living out behind the campground at Pammel Park which is up on a hill. And if I left the park I had to pedal up quite a few hills to get anywhere and then pedal uphill to get home. Well, my first trip out I made it half way up the first hill, turned around, and walked up the second hill to get home. Not a successful adventure. But from there on out I was able to gage my progress by how much farther I could successfully get from home and back.
I continued on....and started to learn a lot about equipment. I bought the black shorts that made my legs look like black sausages and had my bike professionally fit to me. I added the special shoes, gloves, pedals, mirrors, computer...and I kept on pedaling. I will never forget turning over my first 1,000 miles on that bike. My bike changed me..physically and mentally.
In January of 2007..without telling anyone... I signed up for RAGBRAI. I had no idea how I was going to do it. I just knew that if I could ride my bike across the state of Iowa in one week...I could do anything. I think Eric wondered what I was thinking..but he was in support. He drove me, my army duffle, and my bike to Rock Rapids that July..did SAG for me for the first day... and then left me. And from there on out it was me, my bike, my tent, and 10,000 other RAGBRAI riders. I figured out each day and pedaled and pedaled occasionally giving Eric updates. I can't tell you what it felt like to tick off each mile..and then each day. I was more hot and more sweaty and more dirty than I had ever been in my life. And on Saturday...as I neared the last few miles I found myself incredibly emotional as I came over the top of the largest downhill I had ever ridden. My heart was pounding and as I descended into the Mississippi river valley, at a speed of about 32 mph, I felt a rush like no other. There was a young kid to the left of me heading down the hill and we both whooped when we reached the bottom. I asked him how old he was and he said 14. He asked me if this was my first RAGBRAI. I said yes. He said it was his third. And as we came into Bellevue he said, "Congratulations on finishing your first RAGBRAI". He knew what I was feeling...there is a rush like no other. Eric, Logan, Laramy, and Ayden were waiting for me at the end with a huge sign signed by all of them and all of my friends. Pretty cool...a moment I will not forget. That RAGBRAI was a journey of 589.1 miles in all.
We are one week away from leaving for RAGBRAI XL. This is RAGBRAI's 40th anniversary. This will be my sixth year...and Ayden's fifth. Ayden bought his first bike when he was nine and has been riding with me ever since. He has been a great riding partner. He completed his first RAGBRAI at the age of 11. Last year we both bought lighter, faster road bikes. And I fixed up my hybrid for Eric to ride when he returned from Afghanistan. My hybrid has well over 6,000 miles on it now. They told me when I bought it that it would last me for the rest of my riding years.... little did they know!
Brady, Eric, and Laramy all purchased bikes this year. And this RAGBRAI....all five of us are riding! Brenden is our SAG driver. I can't tell you how excited I am. We have all been training and Team Pugh University is ready to ride!
There is always room for one more on Team PUgh University..we hope we keep growing and we hope we keep inspiring people to choose something to accomplish.
RAGBRAI 2010..we wore yellow ribbons for our soldiers
Never pass up an opportunity to pose with pirates on RAGBRAI.... ever ;)
Always meet up with old friends..amazing how you do find people you know
And always strike a pose when you reach the Mississippi River!
This will be an amazing year with an overnight in Lake View..Eric's hometown..and ending in Clinton..my hometown!
Never say never! Find something you love!
God Bless,
Monica
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Bentley Bear
I clicked on to Facebook this morning, went to my son, Brenden's, wall, and wished him a happy birthday. And just a few seconds later, Brenden posted this photo.
For most, this photo means absolutely nothing. It's just a piggy bank and a bear. The piggy bank is new and the bear is old. To me, this photo is everything. Immediately tears streamed down my cheeks and I was taken back to the day I first saw the teddy bear.
Brenden's wife, Sarah, bought him his new piggy bank for his birthday. Today Bren is 23. He still loves his trinkets and toys. Bren says he named his new bank, Roofus. The bear's name is Bentley. I'm not sure if Brenden remembers that because I think the bear had a few different names through the years but mostly he was just called Bear. Bear came into Brenden's life because of the Bentley heart and lung machine. I don't think I saw Bear the first time I saw Brenden after his life-saving surgery. The tubes and wires that kept my four day old baby alive consumed my vision at that time. But I'm sure Bear was there. All babies who were placed on the heart and lung machine received a Bentley Bear.
Brenden was born in the afternoon of June 28th, in Ames, after quite a long labor. He was beautiful. Everything was perfectly normal for about 24 hours when they discovered Brenden's heart rate had increased and he was placed in intensive care. Up until that point, he seemed to be a very sleepy baby who didn't want to nurse. I had a small gut instinct that something was wrong and it was confirmed when they started doing some testing. We left Brenden in the care of our pediatrician and nurses.
The next morning, we arrived back at the hospital to confirmation from our pediatrician that it was Brenden's heart and he needed to be ambulanced to either Blank Children's Hospital or University of Iowa Hospital....which would we prefer? Well, Eric was 23 and I was 24..we were college students and had not experienced much of life...how do you make that decision? Our pediatrician said he would choose Iowa City but if we did that we would have to wait for an ambulance to arrive from there because there was no nurse available to travel from Ames to Iowa City. There are no words to describe the turmoil we were in as the clock ticked away. Time was crucial. And all of a sudden a nurse came forward who said she was able to go and within just a few minutes Brenden was in the ambulance and on his way.
Eric and I rushed home to our apartment. My mom was there with Brady, who was 2, and we quickly threw things into a suitcase for us and left for Iowa City. It was decided Eric's mom would come through Ames and pick up my mom and Brady and meet us there.
Our car was silent for the two hour ride. We had no idea where we were going or exactly where they had taken our newborn baby. My prayers had turned to begging and pleading with God to please make my baby okay. I don't have any memories of how we found the waiting room but we were greeted in the waiting room by my brother and sister-in-law. They had left work immediately and beat us there and I remember falling into my brother's arms. I have never forgotten their support and comfort at that time and I'm so glad we were not alone.
As the day passed, other family members arrived. I'm not sure if I remember much of that time..but my dad, Eric's mom, my mom and Brady, and my sister, Lora for sure were there. Lora took Brady with her and we all waited agonizingly for news.
Testing was extensive and sometime around 2am...we were exhausted...we found out that Brenden had an interrupted aortic arch, multiple ASD's and VSD's, and a misplaced right subclavian artery. In layman's terms, he was missing the top part of his aorta and he had multiple holes between the upper and lower chambers of his heart. The artery that fed his right arm was not an issue but had simply "miraculously" grown in a different place to feed his right arm. He needed immediate surgery. He had stablized so they were letting him rest. They were hoping to contact the one surgeon, Dr. Behrendt, they felt could do the surgery but he was leaving for vacation so they didn't know if he was available. They told us to get some rest and to be back at the hospital at 6am.
We found a hotel and tried to crash for a few short hours.... I don't think any of us slept. And we arrived back at the hospital to find out Dr. Behrendt had postponed his vacation. We were just in time to see Brenden one last time before they wheeled him away. They left us sitting in a waiting room with no guarantees of ever seeing Brenden alive again.
We attempted to eat some breakfast in the cafeteria. No one was hungry. But my mom choked down her oatmeal saying that even though it was the worst oatmeal she had ever had she would do it for Brenden. That moment eventually became one of our funny memories.
We waited and waited...and waited. The waiting room was divided in sections so families would have their "own space". Iowa City receives some of the worst intensive care situations..children and adults..so sobbing was often heard. There were times we would hear of stories worse than our own. Funny how we could sit and think that we were thankful for what we were dealing with and not a worse situation...even though ours was equally just as horrifying.
And finally, late in the afternoon, Dr. Behrendt emerged to tell us the surgery was successful but we were not out of the woods yet. Brenden's heart was the size of a large strawberry (all newborns are). He decided to give him the best chance possible by doing all of the repairs they could which was not typically done. They rebuilt his aorta with a piece of human donor aorta and they closed as many holes as they could. The next few hours would be crucial and he listed off all of the problems that could arise...kidney failure, liver failure, and on and on.
We had one moment where Bren's blood pressure dropped and things became very critical. Eventually, they called for Eric and I to go see him. We walked tentatively..holding hands...excited and so scared. Brenden was being monitored by a team of people. We stepped into his room and stood back from his bed. He was attached to so many tubes and wires that he no longer looked like my baby but some sort of experiment. His arms and legs were stretched out and a huge bandage covered his chest. I looked and then I couldn't look..it was too much for both Eric and I. We had never seen anything like it ever before. We left and grandparents were allowed to visit. My mom asked me if she could snap some pictures. I hesitated. I didn't want to remember my baby like that...but if he didn't make it it would be all that we would have. So I said yes. I treasure those photographs today because they show us how to stand in the face of adversity and trust in our faith in God.
The next time we visited, I noticed Bear. I asked who had given Brenden the bear. The nurse casually said, "Oh all kids and babies who go on the Bentley heart and lung machine receive the bear..it's from the Bentley company".
Brenden endured two more open heart surgeries at the age of 4 months and 7 years. He was diagnosed with very mild cerebral palsy in his left foot and ankle and went through three serial castings, botox shots, and finally surgery after his foot broke for the second time... he has endured much without thought most of the time. We always tried to explain to him what was going on and we were always honest. He became our trinket boy...loved going to the gift shop and collecting just stuff which he most often kept in a wash bin from one of his hospital stays.
Bren married Sarah when he was 19...she knows he loves his trinkets... I think she says he has to keep them on his side of the bed. ;) And he puts special ones out at Christmas.
A few years ago, the surgeon, Dr. Behrendt, who saved Bren's life, retired. We were told by another doctor during Bren's first surgery that Dr. Behrendt was one of three surgeons in the United States at the time who was able to do what he did for Brenden that day. I think it is not a coincidence but a Godcidence that we chose Iowa City. And at Bren's 21 year check up, Dr. Morriss, Bren's pediatric cardiologist, told us she would be retiring. She was ever faithful to our family and meant so much to us over the years with Brenden's care. Brenden goes back every three years..or whenever they say..for check ups.
Bren is an amazing musician... he is so fun to watch play the bass or guitar..or ukele..or whatever. God had a plan from the beginning because he regrew Bren's artery to his right arm...so he could play so well. We were told if it hadn't done that he might not have had a right arm... God knows our paths.
And always by Brenden's side is his faithful Bear......
Happy 23rd Birthday, Brenden Michael Mahlon Pugh! We love you!
God Bless,
Love,
Monica
Ecclesiastes 11:5 Just as you know not how the breath of life fashions the human frame in the mother's womb, So you know not the work of God which he is accomplishing in the universe.
For most, this photo means absolutely nothing. It's just a piggy bank and a bear. The piggy bank is new and the bear is old. To me, this photo is everything. Immediately tears streamed down my cheeks and I was taken back to the day I first saw the teddy bear.
Brenden's wife, Sarah, bought him his new piggy bank for his birthday. Today Bren is 23. He still loves his trinkets and toys. Bren says he named his new bank, Roofus. The bear's name is Bentley. I'm not sure if Brenden remembers that because I think the bear had a few different names through the years but mostly he was just called Bear. Bear came into Brenden's life because of the Bentley heart and lung machine. I don't think I saw Bear the first time I saw Brenden after his life-saving surgery. The tubes and wires that kept my four day old baby alive consumed my vision at that time. But I'm sure Bear was there. All babies who were placed on the heart and lung machine received a Bentley Bear.
Brenden was born in the afternoon of June 28th, in Ames, after quite a long labor. He was beautiful. Everything was perfectly normal for about 24 hours when they discovered Brenden's heart rate had increased and he was placed in intensive care. Up until that point, he seemed to be a very sleepy baby who didn't want to nurse. I had a small gut instinct that something was wrong and it was confirmed when they started doing some testing. We left Brenden in the care of our pediatrician and nurses.
The next morning, we arrived back at the hospital to confirmation from our pediatrician that it was Brenden's heart and he needed to be ambulanced to either Blank Children's Hospital or University of Iowa Hospital....which would we prefer? Well, Eric was 23 and I was 24..we were college students and had not experienced much of life...how do you make that decision? Our pediatrician said he would choose Iowa City but if we did that we would have to wait for an ambulance to arrive from there because there was no nurse available to travel from Ames to Iowa City. There are no words to describe the turmoil we were in as the clock ticked away. Time was crucial. And all of a sudden a nurse came forward who said she was able to go and within just a few minutes Brenden was in the ambulance and on his way.
Eric and I rushed home to our apartment. My mom was there with Brady, who was 2, and we quickly threw things into a suitcase for us and left for Iowa City. It was decided Eric's mom would come through Ames and pick up my mom and Brady and meet us there.
Our car was silent for the two hour ride. We had no idea where we were going or exactly where they had taken our newborn baby. My prayers had turned to begging and pleading with God to please make my baby okay. I don't have any memories of how we found the waiting room but we were greeted in the waiting room by my brother and sister-in-law. They had left work immediately and beat us there and I remember falling into my brother's arms. I have never forgotten their support and comfort at that time and I'm so glad we were not alone.
As the day passed, other family members arrived. I'm not sure if I remember much of that time..but my dad, Eric's mom, my mom and Brady, and my sister, Lora for sure were there. Lora took Brady with her and we all waited agonizingly for news.
Testing was extensive and sometime around 2am...we were exhausted...we found out that Brenden had an interrupted aortic arch, multiple ASD's and VSD's, and a misplaced right subclavian artery. In layman's terms, he was missing the top part of his aorta and he had multiple holes between the upper and lower chambers of his heart. The artery that fed his right arm was not an issue but had simply "miraculously" grown in a different place to feed his right arm. He needed immediate surgery. He had stablized so they were letting him rest. They were hoping to contact the one surgeon, Dr. Behrendt, they felt could do the surgery but he was leaving for vacation so they didn't know if he was available. They told us to get some rest and to be back at the hospital at 6am.
We found a hotel and tried to crash for a few short hours.... I don't think any of us slept. And we arrived back at the hospital to find out Dr. Behrendt had postponed his vacation. We were just in time to see Brenden one last time before they wheeled him away. They left us sitting in a waiting room with no guarantees of ever seeing Brenden alive again.
We attempted to eat some breakfast in the cafeteria. No one was hungry. But my mom choked down her oatmeal saying that even though it was the worst oatmeal she had ever had she would do it for Brenden. That moment eventually became one of our funny memories.
We waited and waited...and waited. The waiting room was divided in sections so families would have their "own space". Iowa City receives some of the worst intensive care situations..children and adults..so sobbing was often heard. There were times we would hear of stories worse than our own. Funny how we could sit and think that we were thankful for what we were dealing with and not a worse situation...even though ours was equally just as horrifying.
And finally, late in the afternoon, Dr. Behrendt emerged to tell us the surgery was successful but we were not out of the woods yet. Brenden's heart was the size of a large strawberry (all newborns are). He decided to give him the best chance possible by doing all of the repairs they could which was not typically done. They rebuilt his aorta with a piece of human donor aorta and they closed as many holes as they could. The next few hours would be crucial and he listed off all of the problems that could arise...kidney failure, liver failure, and on and on.
We had one moment where Bren's blood pressure dropped and things became very critical. Eventually, they called for Eric and I to go see him. We walked tentatively..holding hands...excited and so scared. Brenden was being monitored by a team of people. We stepped into his room and stood back from his bed. He was attached to so many tubes and wires that he no longer looked like my baby but some sort of experiment. His arms and legs were stretched out and a huge bandage covered his chest. I looked and then I couldn't look..it was too much for both Eric and I. We had never seen anything like it ever before. We left and grandparents were allowed to visit. My mom asked me if she could snap some pictures. I hesitated. I didn't want to remember my baby like that...but if he didn't make it it would be all that we would have. So I said yes. I treasure those photographs today because they show us how to stand in the face of adversity and trust in our faith in God.
The next time we visited, I noticed Bear. I asked who had given Brenden the bear. The nurse casually said, "Oh all kids and babies who go on the Bentley heart and lung machine receive the bear..it's from the Bentley company".
Brenden endured two more open heart surgeries at the age of 4 months and 7 years. He was diagnosed with very mild cerebral palsy in his left foot and ankle and went through three serial castings, botox shots, and finally surgery after his foot broke for the second time... he has endured much without thought most of the time. We always tried to explain to him what was going on and we were always honest. He became our trinket boy...loved going to the gift shop and collecting just stuff which he most often kept in a wash bin from one of his hospital stays.
Bren married Sarah when he was 19...she knows he loves his trinkets... I think she says he has to keep them on his side of the bed. ;) And he puts special ones out at Christmas.
A few years ago, the surgeon, Dr. Behrendt, who saved Bren's life, retired. We were told by another doctor during Bren's first surgery that Dr. Behrendt was one of three surgeons in the United States at the time who was able to do what he did for Brenden that day. I think it is not a coincidence but a Godcidence that we chose Iowa City. And at Bren's 21 year check up, Dr. Morriss, Bren's pediatric cardiologist, told us she would be retiring. She was ever faithful to our family and meant so much to us over the years with Brenden's care. Brenden goes back every three years..or whenever they say..for check ups.
Bren is an amazing musician... he is so fun to watch play the bass or guitar..or ukele..or whatever. God had a plan from the beginning because he regrew Bren's artery to his right arm...so he could play so well. We were told if it hadn't done that he might not have had a right arm... God knows our paths.
And always by Brenden's side is his faithful Bear......
Happy 23rd Birthday, Brenden Michael Mahlon Pugh! We love you!
God Bless,
Love,
Monica
Ecclesiastes 11:5 Just as you know not how the breath of life fashions the human frame in the mother's womb, So you know not the work of God which he is accomplishing in the universe.
Bren.. Easter 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Everything in moderation
I talk a lot about health, exercise, being healthy, and, in particular, juicing. This morning as I prepared to make my juice I thought my pile of produce looked so pretty that I decided to take a picture...and then decided I would just show you what juicing really looks like.
My mom found Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on Netflix last year. She mentioned it to me. I watched it and was very inspired because of my autoimmune diseases. But also because I just want to be healthy and feel good.
Let's just be very clear here... I AM A JUNK FOOD JUNKIE AT HEART! If I could be healthy and just eat chips and a beer for dinner, I would. I absolutely adore cooking. I absolutely abhor dishes. I am passionate about fashion and love to have my clothes fit and feel really good. I was always thin..at times too skinny..until my autoimmune stuff started in my early twenties. And as I went through my pregnancies in my twenties, I found myself struggling more and more with my weight and my health. By the time I was 28, I was having severe indigestion and intermittent gall bladder pain and my thyroid was no longer functioning. By the time I was 37, I had been on numerous medications and I had my gall bladder out and I just felt unhealthy. I have followed numerous diets..low fat, no sugar, high protein..you name it, I probably tried it. I also had success to a certain degree. When the clock turned to the new millenium, I knew I could no longer eat white flour. I didn't know why. I figured out by process of elimination that white flour made me feel very sick. I continued to complain to doctors that I just didn't feel well. I didn't know why. I just didn't. In 2008, I had two surgeries back to back. One was a double upper abdominal hernia repair. And the other was to place my BAHA. I believe those two surgeries saved my life because they flared my autoimmune diseases. I finally found a new endocrinoogist who saw something else going on with me..unlike all the others who simply checked my thyroid and said I was fine. My new doctor found Hashimoto's which is what destroyed my thyroid, positive ANA bloodwork for Celiac (or gluten intolerance), and Sjogren's Syndrome which attacks your exocrine system..all the glands in your body that secret things like tears and saliva. It falls in the category with rheumatoid arthritis, schleraderma, or lupus and it mimics multiple schlerosis. And that is where my journey with healthy food really begins.
Why juicing?... because from what I understand..juicing makes the wonderful enzymes in produce permeate your body at the cellular level within 15 minutes of ingestion. And having been juicing for awhile, I can tell you that I feel good physically and emotionally when I juice. Sjogren's causes flares with extreme fatigue..and it is energy that I seek and get from juicing. It is also great nutrition which I feel can keep me off of traditional medications.
My mom found Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on Netflix last year. She mentioned it to me. I watched it and was very inspired because of my autoimmune diseases. But also because I just want to be healthy and feel good.
Let's just be very clear here... I AM A JUNK FOOD JUNKIE AT HEART! If I could be healthy and just eat chips and a beer for dinner, I would. I absolutely adore cooking. I absolutely abhor dishes. I am passionate about fashion and love to have my clothes fit and feel really good. I was always thin..at times too skinny..until my autoimmune stuff started in my early twenties. And as I went through my pregnancies in my twenties, I found myself struggling more and more with my weight and my health. By the time I was 28, I was having severe indigestion and intermittent gall bladder pain and my thyroid was no longer functioning. By the time I was 37, I had been on numerous medications and I had my gall bladder out and I just felt unhealthy. I have followed numerous diets..low fat, no sugar, high protein..you name it, I probably tried it. I also had success to a certain degree. When the clock turned to the new millenium, I knew I could no longer eat white flour. I didn't know why. I figured out by process of elimination that white flour made me feel very sick. I continued to complain to doctors that I just didn't feel well. I didn't know why. I just didn't. In 2008, I had two surgeries back to back. One was a double upper abdominal hernia repair. And the other was to place my BAHA. I believe those two surgeries saved my life because they flared my autoimmune diseases. I finally found a new endocrinoogist who saw something else going on with me..unlike all the others who simply checked my thyroid and said I was fine. My new doctor found Hashimoto's which is what destroyed my thyroid, positive ANA bloodwork for Celiac (or gluten intolerance), and Sjogren's Syndrome which attacks your exocrine system..all the glands in your body that secret things like tears and saliva. It falls in the category with rheumatoid arthritis, schleraderma, or lupus and it mimics multiple schlerosis. And that is where my journey with healthy food really begins.
Why juicing?... because from what I understand..juicing makes the wonderful enzymes in produce permeate your body at the cellular level within 15 minutes of ingestion. And having been juicing for awhile, I can tell you that I feel good physically and emotionally when I juice. Sjogren's causes flares with extreme fatigue..and it is energy that I seek and get from juicing. It is also great nutrition which I feel can keep me off of traditional medications.
spinach, celery, apple, carrot, kale, parsley, and lemon
We have two Jack LaLanne juicers...work great and easy to clean...he was the epitomy of health...
spinach first...or leafy things first...bunch them up in a tight ball
spinach coming out...very dark green and not a huge amount of juice but awesome nutrition
and I also put the parsley through following the spinach... parsley is full of chlorophyll which cleanses your intestines and gives you great breath!
carrot next to wash the spinach through the juicer..carrots produce a lot of juice and add sweetness
celery..it is my favorite to juice and is a natural diuretic...great if you are have fluid retention
and apple to wash it all through the juicer... an apple a day ;)
lemon adds a wonderful brightness (we don't put the peel through)
all of that produce makes 2 cups... we drink 2 cups per person at least per meal...which if we are really juicing a lot would be 3 or 4 times a day
very green...but tastes wonderful! we use straws...we just like to
And I usually have some sort of healthy protein with my juice..this morning it was farm fresh eggs..we have a superb organic source
I wash my produce and do very little prep...cut off ends of carrot but no peeling...take seeds out of the apple...wash grapes only and put the whole bunch through...that's about it. Putting the produce through the juicer takes a minute or two. Then I quickly disassemble the juicer and rinse it very well while I drink my juice. We wash the juicer with soap at the last use of the day. That just seems to work the best for us...or we put all the parts in the dishwasher.
Don't get me wrong..everything in moderation. I will still enjoy my chips and a beer for dinner every now and then. And I will go out to eat or enjoy my chocolate when I choose. But that's the most important point. I can have what I want when I choose and just be okay and I can also choose to eat healthy or not eat at all if I don't feel like it. And I can also choose to reboot and cleanse my system for a couple weeks if I want which is what I am currently doing in anticipation for Easter dinner. I am looking forward to cooking for my family and them doing the dishes!!
Juicing helps me not worry about food...what I will eat..or how my clothes will fit. :)
Matthew 6: 24-26 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
God Bless,
love,
Monica
Thursday, March 8, 2012
What makes your heart sing?
Eric has been pining for a kayak for a very long time. He talked about the subject constantly even while he was overseas. A week or so ago one came up for sale from a friend on facebook. And when I showed it to Eric I could tell his heart gave a leap and started to sing...but he said, "No, let's just wait". Well, sometimes I'm not very good at listening to his directions. ;) I didn't wait. Laramy and I drove down on Sunday while Eric was at drill and bought it. We brought it in the dining room and waited for him to come home. He did. He came in the kitchen door and stopped and talked to us. I told him he should go change out of his uniform (I was trying to get him to go to the dining room). And then he did..and he saw it... and his heart was singing and leaping and dancing. And, of course, he climbed right in.... I cannot express how happy it made me to see him be so happy.
Love his little boy grin
And the dogs jumped in too
And then he found the fishing pole holder
Well, Eric's heart is singing at the thought of being out in nature and my heart has been singing over my goose eggs lately. I am very thankful to have a nice supply of blown out goose eggs to art with. But the following directions would really work well for regular store bought eggs that aren't blown out..downside is you can't eat or keep them.
Finished eggs
Blown out goose eggs
100 percent silk tie cut apart
Wrap the egg with the fabric good side towards the egg with sewing thread
Wrap and Wrap until the egg is completely covered and no fabric shows. I do this on the couch because if you drop the egg... well....
Put the egg in a pot of water to boil
Hollowed out eggs need to be weighted down...boil for 15 minutes
When done, carefully unwrap the thread. I sit on the couch for this part too...because I have dropped an egg and I was not singing.... And then carefully unwrap the silk and see what you have. Some work better than others but it is always a surprise and very fun!
Find something to do that makes your heart sing.... find joy in little things every day.
God Bless,
Love,
Monica
Monday, February 20, 2012
I can hear you now
I shed a few tears... again...over my new BAHA 3. I realized last week that many of my readers and facebook friends have been confused about my BAHA...and the fact that I even had an implant...and maybe, for a few, that I am hearing impaired. So I thought for the sake of my kids and those who care to know..I would write about my journey.
When I was 10 years old, in the fall of my 5th grade year, I became very ill with some sort of virus. I had also been battling an abscessed tooth. Sometime during that fall, my parents were alerted by a friend that I had been hanging up the phone when they called the house. I remembering saying no one was there. My dad had access to a hearing test machine and so he did a little test in the basement of our house..and he pronounced... she's not hearing anything in her right ear. So off to my regular doctor I went..who referred me to an ENT..who said I was profoundly deaf in my right ear. And from there they took me to Mayo Clinic in the spring and they also pronounced me profoundly deaf in my right ear because all of the nerves were dead and there was nothing to be done. We never really found the cause but we assume it had something to do with the virus, the tooth, or a combination of both. I remember being very sad but also not really knowing how it would change my life.
Well, life changed dramatically for me. I never really talked about my hearing loss and I don't think I ever really told anyone about it in high school. Although, I know my close friends knew. But as life progressed, I started to realize how much I missed...particularly because I had close friends and my husband by my side telling me. I remember shortly after Eric and I were married that the Cochlear implant became news and I said to him, "If anything ever comes about to help me with my hearing, I will do it".
Well, I can tell you that being deaf in one ear is at times worse that being just plain deaf... well, maybe not..except everyone expects me to hear because I appear to be a hearing person. I have spent most of my life with no directional hearing, never hearing in stereo, being afraid for my safety crossing the street (actually was hit by a bike once), being the last to get the joke, being called stuck up and, eventually becoming pretty social phobic because hearing socially was emotionally draining. I am very fortunate to have a fantastic husband who has always been my "hearing aid". And I have great friends who always made sure I didn't miss anything or I sat in the right place. And I learned to read lips very well. But my husband and all of my friends will say they preferred to be on my left side and avoid my black hole as I like to call it...because if you're on my deaf side you might as well not be there.
Well in 2007, when Brenden went to the ENT to have his vocal cords assessed, the nurse asked him if anyone had trouble hearing him he said, "Yes, my mom, but she doesn't count because she's deaf in one ear". And that's when the nurse asked if I had heard of Cochlear's BAHA which I hadn't..she got me a brochure and I don't know I heard much more of Brenden's appointment. I came home with a leap in my step and an excitement deep in my soul.
I made the appointment to see if I was a good candidate. After finding out I was, we proceeded to gain approval from my insurance company which for many people proved difficult. But in a very short time I was approved and my surgery to place the titanium post in my skull was scheduled. On March 28, 2008 my life was changed. The hardest part of surgery was not being able to wash my hair...much at all...for over a month. Eric was really good about helping me. And in June, after the post was fully oseointegrated, I received my first processor called the Cochlear Divino.
Annie (my good friend) and Eric went along. My first experience with "hearing" was quite overwhelming...I remember stepping out of the office and hearing the birds, the cars, the people, the wind all at one time. And for quite awhile after that, when I would hear something new, I would stop in amazement and sometimes shed some tears. The first time I heard the piano in church, I sobbed uncontrollably, and had to actually get up and leave. It was as if I had been hearing in black and white for 33 years and someone turned the color on...my flat world became very full.
My sound processor attaches to my abutment and it picks up sound and passes it to my good cochlea in my left ear through vibrations through my skull. So essentially, I "hear" everything still on my left side. But I pick up sound on my right side and my brain has learned to distinguish the difference but I'm still pretty directionally hearing challenged. And if I don't have my processor on..I am my own deaf self...which sometimes I just prefer to be.
My Divino was just that..I popped it on, turned it on, and went. My new BAHA 3 is digital and has three settings..normal, for background noise, and for my iPod...yes, I can plug directly into my processor and hear music in my head... very cool.
I can't believe it has been four years since my initial surgery. Biomedical engineering is absolutely amazing!
The pictures to follow are from 2008 to present.
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When I was 10 years old, in the fall of my 5th grade year, I became very ill with some sort of virus. I had also been battling an abscessed tooth. Sometime during that fall, my parents were alerted by a friend that I had been hanging up the phone when they called the house. I remembering saying no one was there. My dad had access to a hearing test machine and so he did a little test in the basement of our house..and he pronounced... she's not hearing anything in her right ear. So off to my regular doctor I went..who referred me to an ENT..who said I was profoundly deaf in my right ear. And from there they took me to Mayo Clinic in the spring and they also pronounced me profoundly deaf in my right ear because all of the nerves were dead and there was nothing to be done. We never really found the cause but we assume it had something to do with the virus, the tooth, or a combination of both. I remember being very sad but also not really knowing how it would change my life.
Well, life changed dramatically for me. I never really talked about my hearing loss and I don't think I ever really told anyone about it in high school. Although, I know my close friends knew. But as life progressed, I started to realize how much I missed...particularly because I had close friends and my husband by my side telling me. I remember shortly after Eric and I were married that the Cochlear implant became news and I said to him, "If anything ever comes about to help me with my hearing, I will do it".
Well, I can tell you that being deaf in one ear is at times worse that being just plain deaf... well, maybe not..except everyone expects me to hear because I appear to be a hearing person. I have spent most of my life with no directional hearing, never hearing in stereo, being afraid for my safety crossing the street (actually was hit by a bike once), being the last to get the joke, being called stuck up and, eventually becoming pretty social phobic because hearing socially was emotionally draining. I am very fortunate to have a fantastic husband who has always been my "hearing aid". And I have great friends who always made sure I didn't miss anything or I sat in the right place. And I learned to read lips very well. But my husband and all of my friends will say they preferred to be on my left side and avoid my black hole as I like to call it...because if you're on my deaf side you might as well not be there.
Well in 2007, when Brenden went to the ENT to have his vocal cords assessed, the nurse asked him if anyone had trouble hearing him he said, "Yes, my mom, but she doesn't count because she's deaf in one ear". And that's when the nurse asked if I had heard of Cochlear's BAHA which I hadn't..she got me a brochure and I don't know I heard much more of Brenden's appointment. I came home with a leap in my step and an excitement deep in my soul.
I made the appointment to see if I was a good candidate. After finding out I was, we proceeded to gain approval from my insurance company which for many people proved difficult. But in a very short time I was approved and my surgery to place the titanium post in my skull was scheduled. On March 28, 2008 my life was changed. The hardest part of surgery was not being able to wash my hair...much at all...for over a month. Eric was really good about helping me. And in June, after the post was fully oseointegrated, I received my first processor called the Cochlear Divino.
Annie (my good friend) and Eric went along. My first experience with "hearing" was quite overwhelming...I remember stepping out of the office and hearing the birds, the cars, the people, the wind all at one time. And for quite awhile after that, when I would hear something new, I would stop in amazement and sometimes shed some tears. The first time I heard the piano in church, I sobbed uncontrollably, and had to actually get up and leave. It was as if I had been hearing in black and white for 33 years and someone turned the color on...my flat world became very full.
My sound processor attaches to my abutment and it picks up sound and passes it to my good cochlea in my left ear through vibrations through my skull. So essentially, I "hear" everything still on my left side. But I pick up sound on my right side and my brain has learned to distinguish the difference but I'm still pretty directionally hearing challenged. And if I don't have my processor on..I am my own deaf self...which sometimes I just prefer to be.
My Divino was just that..I popped it on, turned it on, and went. My new BAHA 3 is digital and has three settings..normal, for background noise, and for my iPod...yes, I can plug directly into my processor and hear music in my head... very cool.
I can't believe it has been four years since my initial surgery. Biomedical engineering is absolutely amazing!
The pictures to follow are from 2008 to present.
First post-op picture in 2008...scarves of all sorts were my fashion accessory of choice
After my first post-op visit and dressing change...this is called the healing cap and I still have it
A few weeks after the initial surgery in 2008...the site is essentially a skin graft
My first processor..the Cochlear Divino..very simple with a volume control only
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What my abutment looks like today
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Audiologist hooking me up with my BAHA 3 to the computer
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My hearing test through my BAHA...and adjusting it to my specific needs
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Me..hooking it up and turning it on by myself for the first time..looks very similar but it is completely different. The sound quality through this digital version is amazing compared to my old Divino.
I have a post that my processor attaches to so I can share the experience with anyone who wants to hear what I hear..it's pretty fascinating and I love seeing the look on people's faces.
I will say...that after four years..many people around me can tell when I don't have my processor on and I do still miss things...but considering it all... I don't think you'll be able to sneak up on me on my deaf side....I can hear you now. ;)
I am blessed!
God Bless,
love,
Monica
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It's never too sappy... share the love!
Last year on Valentine's Day, Eric and I were spending his last day of leave together. It was a bittersweet day because we both knew we had to say goodbye again the next morning. He bought me my 25th anniversary diamond and we enjoyed breakfast and lunch together. Sending him back to Afghanistan the next morning was the most difficult thing I have ever done...worse than saying goodbye the first time he shipped.
That same day we had bad weather...or maybe it was the day before...I'm not really sure. But Brady kept insisting he wanted to walk uptown. And I kept telling him no. It came to the point of me scolding him because he would not quit. He had a plan and he was not going to give up. But it was very cold and finally I said I would take him..to which he said I couldn't because he had a surprise. And, finally, it came out that he was going to buy roses for me with his own money. It was the sweetest moment for me as a mom and a very humbling one. If I remember correctly, I did drive him to the floral shop in the icey, cold snow and I kept my eyes closed as best I could as he climbed into the back of our big, purple van. And then he presented me with the roses in the picture above.
Single person awareness day... oh bah.... it is spread the love day... Share the love with all those around you. It is just a happy day.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Love and God Bless,
Monica
Saturday, February 4, 2012
"Cheese Crust Pizza"
Enjoy.... it is really simple and so easy to pat into a circle. I let it sit for a few minutes and it served up nicely. But it is fork pizza....not finger pizza. After I had eaten dinner, I ran an errand. The lady helping me commented that whatever I made for dinner smelled delicious on me. ;) If you are not a garlic fan you might wish to cut back on either of those ingredients. I also didn't need to cook the cauliflower in the microwave for as long as it stated...and I grated mine with a cheese grater pretty quickly (well, I was trying to hurry to hide that ingredient).
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flour is really my favorite blend so far...and it made a great pie crust at Thanksgiving. It is available online but I've had great success finding it in my local grocery stores, too.
Gluten Free Bisquick is another favorite...pancakes taste exactly the same.
And, finally, my favorite bread is Udi's. I have tried a few brands and this one has the best taste and seems the most "normal". I made our traditional breakfast casserole with it this year and everyone liked it better than the original. So that speaks volumes about this bread because most gluten free bread tastes like dust..or grainy. Be prepared though... it is pricey.
Even if you don't need to eat gluten free...the pizza is worth a try... great way to get some extra veggies in..and garlic is awesome for you, too!
God Bless,
Love,
Monica
Friday, February 3, 2012
Don't blow my cover....
I haven't felt particularly inspired to write for quite awhile. I usually find inspiration when I'm on my bike...and considering this very warm winter we are having... I should be on my bike. But I've been thinking a lot about my blog lately and how much it meant to me during the deployment. And now that the deployment is behind us I've contemplated creating something new...except I love my Pugh sitters here. And so, while we are still a military family, you will start finding me write more about our daily lives...all kinds of things, actually.
Many of you may not know that our daughter-in-law, Sarah, has celiac disease and is allergic to wheat and I am also gluten intolerant....well, they diagnosed me with celiac, too. But I'm still slightly in denial. For the past three years I have been on a hunt for recipes and spent many hours searching for ways to eat our favorite things gluten free. Quite frankly, eating gluten free and reading every label for wheat allergens (including shampoos and the like), really sucks the life out of the cake and gravy! But never fear...we have recently had much success. And I see delish cakes and cookies in our future! While it is difficult, I can tell you that living gluten free has really changed my health and saved Sarah's life. So it is all worth it for sure.
While Eric was deployed, I learned I needed to be even more cautious with label reading. I had been avoiding breads and all of the obvious gluten items. But, I hadn't been reading all of the fine print for myself. Turkey and sour cream are two examples that a person might think they don't have to worry about. But modified food starch, unless it is labeled corn, is made from wheat. And it is used often as a thickener or flavor enhancer. Who knew?
Also, having celiac disease and being allergic to wheat are two different things. I am not allergic to wheat. What I have is like being diabetic..if I eat wheat, rye, or barley, I do invisible damage to my intestines and may or may not give me a very bad stomachache. Diabetics can get away with eating some sugar....but eventually the damage they may do becomes irreversible. The same is true with celiac disease. Or I can eat properly and my body will heal. Did you know diabetes and celiac disease are both autoimmune diseases? Sarah's wheat allergy requires her to carry an epi pen.
Well, thanks to my mom, Brenden thought he was cheating the gluten issue when he enjoyed some delicious cookies she had made over Christmas. Bren was at our house without Sarah...and then I informed him they were gluten free...he said, "Aw, man, I thought I was getting away with something and eating the real deal"! A crumb on Bren's lips could pose quite a problem for Sarah if he kisses her. So he stays clear of gluten and wheat, too.
Last week, I found a wonderful recipe for "cheese" crust pizza. I believe this is going to be the next classic "cheesy noodles" recipe in our family. When the boys were little, the only way they would eat tuna casserole was to tell them it was cheesy noodles. And in the beginning, I used to blender the sauce so they couldn't see the tuna chunks. But they grew up loving it as one of their favorite dishes. And then Brady went to college and called home for the recipe..and my cover was blown. Well, my cheese crust pizza is going to stay a secret for awhile until they fall in love with it..and then I'll reveal the recipe on here. I loved it and Lare and Ayden licked it all right up without asking. They didn't even seem to notice the huge grin I sported.
btw...I seem to do fine with beer made from barley..but I stay away from wheat beers...and there are some good gluten free beers on the market, too. If you are really sensitive to gluten, all beer must be avoided which I did for a very long, long time. And then I tested it to see if I had any symptoms which I did not. And I would if it bothered me, because the longer I am away from gluten the faster I get sick if I get into something accidentally. But everything in moderation is still a good rule to follow...even if it is gluten free cake!
God Bless and happy February!
love,
Monica
James 1:12
Many of you may not know that our daughter-in-law, Sarah, has celiac disease and is allergic to wheat and I am also gluten intolerant....well, they diagnosed me with celiac, too. But I'm still slightly in denial. For the past three years I have been on a hunt for recipes and spent many hours searching for ways to eat our favorite things gluten free. Quite frankly, eating gluten free and reading every label for wheat allergens (including shampoos and the like), really sucks the life out of the cake and gravy! But never fear...we have recently had much success. And I see delish cakes and cookies in our future! While it is difficult, I can tell you that living gluten free has really changed my health and saved Sarah's life. So it is all worth it for sure.
While Eric was deployed, I learned I needed to be even more cautious with label reading. I had been avoiding breads and all of the obvious gluten items. But, I hadn't been reading all of the fine print for myself. Turkey and sour cream are two examples that a person might think they don't have to worry about. But modified food starch, unless it is labeled corn, is made from wheat. And it is used often as a thickener or flavor enhancer. Who knew?
Also, having celiac disease and being allergic to wheat are two different things. I am not allergic to wheat. What I have is like being diabetic..if I eat wheat, rye, or barley, I do invisible damage to my intestines and may or may not give me a very bad stomachache. Diabetics can get away with eating some sugar....but eventually the damage they may do becomes irreversible. The same is true with celiac disease. Or I can eat properly and my body will heal. Did you know diabetes and celiac disease are both autoimmune diseases? Sarah's wheat allergy requires her to carry an epi pen.
Well, thanks to my mom, Brenden thought he was cheating the gluten issue when he enjoyed some delicious cookies she had made over Christmas. Bren was at our house without Sarah...and then I informed him they were gluten free...he said, "Aw, man, I thought I was getting away with something and eating the real deal"! A crumb on Bren's lips could pose quite a problem for Sarah if he kisses her. So he stays clear of gluten and wheat, too.
Last week, I found a wonderful recipe for "cheese" crust pizza. I believe this is going to be the next classic "cheesy noodles" recipe in our family. When the boys were little, the only way they would eat tuna casserole was to tell them it was cheesy noodles. And in the beginning, I used to blender the sauce so they couldn't see the tuna chunks. But they grew up loving it as one of their favorite dishes. And then Brady went to college and called home for the recipe..and my cover was blown. Well, my cheese crust pizza is going to stay a secret for awhile until they fall in love with it..and then I'll reveal the recipe on here. I loved it and Lare and Ayden licked it all right up without asking. They didn't even seem to notice the huge grin I sported.
btw...I seem to do fine with beer made from barley..but I stay away from wheat beers...and there are some good gluten free beers on the market, too. If you are really sensitive to gluten, all beer must be avoided which I did for a very long, long time. And then I tested it to see if I had any symptoms which I did not. And I would if it bothered me, because the longer I am away from gluten the faster I get sick if I get into something accidentally. But everything in moderation is still a good rule to follow...even if it is gluten free cake!
God Bless and happy February!
love,
Monica
James 1:12
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