20 life lessons I have learned over the course of the last decade. In the last 10 years, I have been through it all. I have learned closely and painfully how precious life is. I have learned that life isn’t easy when you are healthy and is much more difficult with a chronic illness but following Christ allows you to see the lit path before you. Today, 10 years ago, I went states away following the lit path to have a surgery that was my only hope outside of christ performing a miracle. 10 years later to the day I look back to see that that surgery was my miracle. This was also a life event that changed everything about who I am, who I am going forward, who my friends and family are to me. and now we are a decade out. chronically ill, total pancreatectomy with auto islet cell transplant, pancreatitis, type 3c diabetes, diabetic life, chronic pain, neuropathic, neuropathy, migraine, narcolepsy, cataplexy, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, splenectomy, appendectomy, surgery, hospitals, doctors, ready to be heard, feelings are validated, validation of pain, friend who understand , family understands

Never stop learning because there is so much to see and experience in the world. Whether you study plants, animals, travel, finances, it doesnt matter its always good for us to explore new things and learn how they fit into our lives. By learning these new things we are able to connect them with knowledge we currently have and grow on it. This is how we improve the world and respect others and how their knowledge makes them special.

My husband is someone who is always on the go. He loves having projects. He loves exploring the world around him. He loves building and creating things. He likes to be working on projects bt with my health I often cant keep up. I wanted to share my tips and tricks to meet in the middle so that you and your partner can still spend time together. Supporting each others hobbies and activities is important and vital to a successful relationship.

When I became chronically ill something changed that I never expected. It was how I planned my life. Not in the way you may be thinking in the sense of what I want to do and how to do it. It changed in the sense of how I planned trips and events. I had to plan rest days. I didn’t used to have to plan for my body to be unable to function for days after a trip or event. I eventually started calling it my 3-5 business day recovery plan. I thought I would share this with you in hopes that you and your loved ones may be able to understand each other better. As well as, maybe gibing you a new tip or trick to make life more manageable so you can feel like you are thriving not simply surviving.

What was your biggest “Ah- Ha!” moment while in Israel? Was there anything that until you went to the Holy land you were unable to understand completely until being there. These tours and time of prayer allowed me to grow deeply in my faith. There is so much we will never understand but I want to learn as much as possible. I am being as vulnerable as I know how to be to share that I did not know the significance of “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

One of my favorite places in all of Israel was the Garden of Gethsemane. I love how I could feel the presence of my God so powerfully. This was where Jesus wept over what was to come for him. This was where Jesus begged his father to save him and find away for this to happen differently. However, when his father didn’t have that option He accepted the plan with grace. I pray that I stay like this for Christ. I pray that the decisions that I make and the life I live whether it involves health problems or not. I remember praying for answers on whether I should have my surgery and I remember Christ telling me that he wasn’t done with me. It was a hard and painful decision and there are days that i feel like I made the wrong call but I listened to my God so I know I am doing what I was called to do.

Valentine’s Day gets overhyped so much that often times it overwhelms people. If you want to and can celebrate it; that is great! Have a wonderful time! If this just isn’t a night you can make work or you just don’t like the pressure associated then forget about it. Valentine’s Day is like a giant reminder sticker so that we don’t forget that life is short and people can be gone the next day. so the point is take the lesson of Valentine’s day and carry it around all year. Don’t let yourself get to a place of complacency and taking your spouse for granted. Time to own our relationships and treat people the way they should be treated year round. I hope this helps!

You know the things… the things that no one tells you and you just happily find out way too late to even be able to care… well these are the things and how often you really should be changing out your mascara, pillow, toothbrush, and basic everyday essentials. They get gross too and who wants to be getting sick from things like this.. not me!

Having any kind of routine is difficult when you are chronically sick and in pain. However, it is important to acknowledge tings that must be done as often as they can to ensure we get the most out of each thing we do. This is how I prepare for bed to do everything I can to get rest for the night.

Cleaning is a way I can help and feel like I have a party to play in our household. It can be hard to find your place when being a full time stay at home wide die to chronic illness. If I was healthy and able to be a stay at home wide I'm sure I would get so much more done and maybe not need these tricks but that is not the case and that is why I am so passionate with sharing my tricks because I don't want others to feel lost or useless. You are perfect the way you are.

What are your life mottos? What statements do you come back to when life is not going right? DON’T WORRY! I am sharing all of my tips and tricks for getting through life as someone who is chronically ill. These blog posts are for everyone though because whether you have a chronic illness or not you have had to face adversity at times. It is hard and it can be awful but hopefully with these tips it cane make life just a little more manageable. Assess, Adapt, Move on or in Michael’s case Overcome!

Flares are inevitable for people with chronic illnesses. We do our best to avoid them but they happen even when we do it all right. THey are usually temporary but that can mean as long as a few days to months. They can also have different levels of severity. This blog post is all about what to say, what to do, what not to say, and what not to do. Its straightforward and honest and I hope it helps!

The story of the friendship of Bailey & Willow. This is a 12+ year story in the making. We have been through things that people grow old without experiencing. We decided to open up and be as honest as we can with you all to help you understand who we are and how we relate to each other. Also, to remind you, you are never to far gone for God. I love you B!

Goals. We all have them. Some of us may not have taken the time to sit down and realize what they are but if they did they would realize they do. This is all about the goals on the about page that I wanted to be a group experience. It is hard to complete things but working as a team can change the situation entirely. I want to achieve these goals together so leave your thoughts in the comments

What is a stay at home…wife? Is that even okay? How do you manage emotions with that title? Is this something you always wanted or knew you wanted? What does this mean to you and mike?

There are people out there who struggle with how they present christianity. I think that a lot of the times it is because they are scared that they have to keep everyone doing the right thing and they take it too far. This is much like the pharisees back in Jesus’ day. It causes more hurt than it does help. My point is that all of us must trust God enough to let Him be in control of others and not us trying to make sure we keep people in the box of safety.