I decided to jump on the bandwagon on Facebook and do the '30 Days of Thanksgiving'. Someone suggested I post them here on my blog as well, and I thought that was a great idea. This way I'll feel the need to post something every day.........even if it's just one sentence. I'm sorry I've gotten so behind on this. I've been getting stuff ready for my oldest daughter's birthday party that is this weekend.
Day 1: I'm thankful for my new ear and all those involved in helping me along the way. (Scientists, Doctors, etc.) These last couple of months have been AMAZIJNG. God really turned our world upside down and showered us with blessings in ways I never dreamed possible. (And He's continuing those blessings!)
Day 2: I'm thankful for my close circle of friends. As you get older you realize how important it is to surround yourself with good people. Genuine people that you can count on in any situation.
Today's: I'm thankful for Allrecipes.com and this amazing Amaretto Cake I got goin on. YUM.
Earlier today I was walking to the mailbox and I thought something was wrong with my ear. I was hearing an odd noise that was freaking me out. Come to find out, it was a tree full of black birds! They weren't singing or tweeting, it was like they were all ruffling their wings and feathers and talking. Sounded almost like when I first turn the TV on before turning on the antennae box. Crazy. Anyway, I have cakes on the counter, cakes in the stove, cakes everywhere........gotta get back to baking!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Short but sweet...
I've had a few people message me and ask 'What's up?!?' because I haven't blogged in a while. LOL. Sorry guys, between traveling to New York, my Grandpa dying, and preparing my message for a church tomorrow, I'm busy and can't seem to find a good theme to blog about.
We returned home from NYC yesterday, and I have to say we enjoyed our time there again! New York is still loud and busy, but I like all the noises since I know I'm coming back home to my quiet place :) We traveled there to film for a reality tattoo show and we spent literally 12 hours there. The folks at the shop were incredibly nice and were great to spend the day with. Interviews are still so nerve wracking, and I'm just convinced it will stay that way. Lol. The main focus was me getting a tattoo and talking about my experience. I got a 'woman anew' tattoo on my ribcage. I'm keeping the details short and sweet because they asked that I not divulge too much info until the show airs, which will not be until late December/early January I believe. I'll def keep everyone posted on that date when I find out. Anyway, I met lots of really great people and got to have really good conversation. I'm sad that I can't mention names at this time, but I'm seriously grateful for the opportunity, and for the new friendships made. My tattoo turned out way better than I hoped for, and it ended up having great significant meaning and will mark a very important time in my life. I also was honored to have gotten the artist to tattoo a small red heart behind my ear as well. God has my EAR in His hEARt, and so much more.
I'm speaking at Bar Cross Ranch Cowboy Church tomorrow, so I really need to finish up my message for that. Sorry to make this short, but bear with me, I'll get back to posting regularly soon!
We returned home from NYC yesterday, and I have to say we enjoyed our time there again! New York is still loud and busy, but I like all the noises since I know I'm coming back home to my quiet place :) We traveled there to film for a reality tattoo show and we spent literally 12 hours there. The folks at the shop were incredibly nice and were great to spend the day with. Interviews are still so nerve wracking, and I'm just convinced it will stay that way. Lol. The main focus was me getting a tattoo and talking about my experience. I got a 'woman anew' tattoo on my ribcage. I'm keeping the details short and sweet because they asked that I not divulge too much info until the show airs, which will not be until late December/early January I believe. I'll def keep everyone posted on that date when I find out. Anyway, I met lots of really great people and got to have really good conversation. I'm sad that I can't mention names at this time, but I'm seriously grateful for the opportunity, and for the new friendships made. My tattoo turned out way better than I hoped for, and it ended up having great significant meaning and will mark a very important time in my life. I also was honored to have gotten the artist to tattoo a small red heart behind my ear as well. God has my EAR in His hEARt, and so much more.
I'm speaking at Bar Cross Ranch Cowboy Church tomorrow, so I really need to finish up my message for that. Sorry to make this short, but bear with me, I'll get back to posting regularly soon!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Bobby Langley
My Grandpa (Bobby Langley) passed away tonight while I was in the air trying to get home. I'm absolutely heart broken that I didn't make it in time. I feel like I let my Mom down by not being here for her. My Grandpa was a spectacular man. He lived a great life. If you Google him, you'll find all kinds of articles talking about his character, and what a kind, generous, honorable man he was. He was one of the pioneers in the drag racing world. My whole life my Grandpa was a humble man. He was kind, generous, loving, and full of adventure. He told stories and jokes. He made life fun for us grand kids when we came to stay with him and Grandma. My fondest memories are of a few things: Going to the drag races and meeting all his old buddies and hearing the 'new guys' talk about him being a legend and how much they admired him. Him letting me mow on his riding mower, because Mom and Dad didn't let me do such 'dangerous things'. Working with him out in his shop and him letting me use whatever tools and such to 'carve' on plaster with. Watching movies and having 'popcorn parties'. Oh the candy and conversation! And of course, us grand kids were always excited because Grandpa let us drive his car! His rule was pretty much that when your feet could touch the pedals, you could drive. I'll never forget our drives in the Lincoln. Last, but certainly not least...........Christmas. My Grandpa made Christmas special. He taught us the meaning of Christmas, and always had a very elaborate nativity scene, as well as more lights than you can imagine. Decorations galore! The house sparkled around Christmas time.
Most importantly, my Grandpa taught me life lessons. While working along side him or just hanging out, he always made a lesson out of things. Not only did he teach us things in stories, but we learned a lot from his actions. I remember when I was little, I asked why they saved all their cans and bagged them up. I learned that Grandpa would stop on the way to work every few days and give their cans to a homeless man on the side of the road. He was a giver. He took neighbor kids to the movies with us when we'd go. He gave material possesions, he blessed others, and he gave words of wisdom. He was so much fun.
Grandpa never had health issues, didn't take medications, and hadn't been in the hospital since a dragster wreck in '59. I think about that and I think 'Wow, he was so blessed'. He spent his last days at home doing one of the things he loved most........working in his yard. He always had projects going in the house and in the yard. He would not have wanted to grow old and feeble and not be able to do the things he loved. He was a man with an incredible work ethic and it would have drove him nuts to be young in mind, but old in body. I loved my Grandpa dearly. This is pretty much a bunch of ramblings.......but it's nice to be able to write.
Please keep my Grandma and my family in your thoughts. My Grandparents were honestly the most 'in love' couple I've ever known. They definitely were a model marriage and I for one looked up to them. I just cannot imagine Grandma without Grandpa, but I know God can keep His loving arms around her and give her peace like no other.
Most importantly, my Grandpa taught me life lessons. While working along side him or just hanging out, he always made a lesson out of things. Not only did he teach us things in stories, but we learned a lot from his actions. I remember when I was little, I asked why they saved all their cans and bagged them up. I learned that Grandpa would stop on the way to work every few days and give their cans to a homeless man on the side of the road. He was a giver. He took neighbor kids to the movies with us when we'd go. He gave material possesions, he blessed others, and he gave words of wisdom. He was so much fun.
Grandpa never had health issues, didn't take medications, and hadn't been in the hospital since a dragster wreck in '59. I think about that and I think 'Wow, he was so blessed'. He spent his last days at home doing one of the things he loved most........working in his yard. He always had projects going in the house and in the yard. He would not have wanted to grow old and feeble and not be able to do the things he loved. He was a man with an incredible work ethic and it would have drove him nuts to be young in mind, but old in body. I loved my Grandpa dearly. This is pretty much a bunch of ramblings.......but it's nice to be able to write.
Please keep my Grandma and my family in your thoughts. My Grandparents were honestly the most 'in love' couple I've ever known. They definitely were a model marriage and I for one looked up to them. I just cannot imagine Grandma without Grandpa, but I know God can keep His loving arms around her and give her peace like no other.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
"Living Trust"
So we flew into San Jose today. Doing a CBS/CNET forum in the morning. Anyway, we got to our hotel and upon entering our room saw that it was dirty and had not been cleaned or attended to. We just put our luggage up and I went to the front desk with intentions to just get fresh sheets and new towels. They were mortified about the mix up, and had us wait a minute. After a few minutes a manager came over to me and introduced himself, apologized profusely, and said he was 'upgrading' us to a King Suite with a jacuzzi for the 'trouble'. Phhhttt! Wasn't no trouble for us buddy, but THANKS for the upgrade! We went to our new room and settled in. I of course took my stack of books, Nook, and newspaper and promptly put the jacuzzi to use while Sloan went and worked out.
We got ready to head out for dinner and as we made our way to the elevator I noticed the banquet room had a function going on. The sign said "Living Trust" seminar. Hmmm. I read that sign, stepped into the elevator and God spoke to my heart...."If you live IN trust, you'll have wealth when you die." I was like 'WOW'. Anyone who knows us Churmans well, knows that we wholeheartedly 'live in trust'. It's how we've gotten through so much as a family and as individuals. For me, at this time, in this moment.......that was confirmation. Confirmation that all this traveling, shuffling the girls around to family, all these interviews, peeks into what we consider a seemingly 'private life', all the e-mails, the phone calls......it's all worth it. We've stepped out in faith so much over the last few years. With our decision to move to China for a year, with getting pregnant with Olivia in China, with our home birth with Elise, with Sloan in the job industry, with this hearing implant, with so many things. (those are just the top ones). We have solely lived in trust. In HIS trust. Knowing that God will provide us a path and the means to stay on that path. I'll not ramble on and on any more.....but God is really working something in me with this 'Living Trust' thing. And by the way, when I say 'wealth when we die' I don't mean money or material things. More to come on that later.
I've got so much going on, I'm not sure if I'm coming or going anymore. I may have already mentioned it, but my next 'adventure' will be heading back to NYC. (Yay!) The reality cable show called NY Ink has asked me to be on their show and come to their shop. World famous Tim Hendricks will be doing a tattoo for me :) Google him, he's awesome! I have to admit I'm pretty darn stoked. I love my ink, and am excited and honored to be able to sport some of his work. Pics will follow soon. We leave out on next Wednesday and go for a couple of days. The show will film on Thursday, but I'm not sure when exactly it will air. I'll keep people posted when I can. My bestie Misty will once again be joining us on this trip. I'm so excited. Other than that, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has a show called 'Found' and they are doing a documentary that will air at the first of the year. Part will be filmed at Envoy Medical, and part will be filmed at our place. They'll send film crews and basically film us for 2 days. Kind of like a 'day in the life of' thing. Not sure we can provide them with enough entertainment, but we'll manage. Oh who am I kidding?!? The Churman Circus is quite entertaining and I've joked for years that we'd make a great reality show ;) Sloan and I think that the days they come to film should just happen to fall on 'stall cleaning day' at the barn. Sounds good right? Ha. I've also been asked to speak at a couple of churches locally in the upcoming weeks, looking forward to that. Oh yeah, and a Canadian Accessible Media group is coming to film at the house next week as well. Just gotta keep telling myself "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!" Gonna ride this train 'til there's nowhere left to go and insurance companies are tired of hearing about it. Blessings to all.
We got ready to head out for dinner and as we made our way to the elevator I noticed the banquet room had a function going on. The sign said "Living Trust" seminar. Hmmm. I read that sign, stepped into the elevator and God spoke to my heart...."If you live IN trust, you'll have wealth when you die." I was like 'WOW'. Anyone who knows us Churmans well, knows that we wholeheartedly 'live in trust'. It's how we've gotten through so much as a family and as individuals. For me, at this time, in this moment.......that was confirmation. Confirmation that all this traveling, shuffling the girls around to family, all these interviews, peeks into what we consider a seemingly 'private life', all the e-mails, the phone calls......it's all worth it. We've stepped out in faith so much over the last few years. With our decision to move to China for a year, with getting pregnant with Olivia in China, with our home birth with Elise, with Sloan in the job industry, with this hearing implant, with so many things. (those are just the top ones). We have solely lived in trust. In HIS trust. Knowing that God will provide us a path and the means to stay on that path. I'll not ramble on and on any more.....but God is really working something in me with this 'Living Trust' thing. And by the way, when I say 'wealth when we die' I don't mean money or material things. More to come on that later.
I've got so much going on, I'm not sure if I'm coming or going anymore. I may have already mentioned it, but my next 'adventure' will be heading back to NYC. (Yay!) The reality cable show called NY Ink has asked me to be on their show and come to their shop. World famous Tim Hendricks will be doing a tattoo for me :) Google him, he's awesome! I have to admit I'm pretty darn stoked. I love my ink, and am excited and honored to be able to sport some of his work. Pics will follow soon. We leave out on next Wednesday and go for a couple of days. The show will film on Thursday, but I'm not sure when exactly it will air. I'll keep people posted when I can. My bestie Misty will once again be joining us on this trip. I'm so excited. Other than that, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has a show called 'Found' and they are doing a documentary that will air at the first of the year. Part will be filmed at Envoy Medical, and part will be filmed at our place. They'll send film crews and basically film us for 2 days. Kind of like a 'day in the life of' thing. Not sure we can provide them with enough entertainment, but we'll manage. Oh who am I kidding?!? The Churman Circus is quite entertaining and I've joked for years that we'd make a great reality show ;) Sloan and I think that the days they come to film should just happen to fall on 'stall cleaning day' at the barn. Sounds good right? Ha. I've also been asked to speak at a couple of churches locally in the upcoming weeks, looking forward to that. Oh yeah, and a Canadian Accessible Media group is coming to film at the house next week as well. Just gotta keep telling myself "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!" Gonna ride this train 'til there's nowhere left to go and insurance companies are tired of hearing about it. Blessings to all.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
8 MILLION!!!
Just found out a few minutes ago that my YouTube video has hit 8 MILLION VIEWS! Absolutely surreal. 8 million people have seen the video and are now aware of the Esteem Implant. The odds have to be good that an insurance CEO or whatnot has seen the video and been affected. Don't you think so?
Anyway, we are packing and preparing to leave in the morning. Flying to San Jose and will be doing a CBS forum Thursday morning. From there we fly to LA and do the Doctor's Show on Friday morning. We'll be back home late Friday night. Saturday is my 10 year high school reunion :) I think it's safe to say I'll have plenty of stuff to talk about in the event someone asks "What have you been up to lately?" Today was a trying day. Today I started out doing a Skype interview with a London reporter, followed by a almost 3 hour interview with the Mansfield News Mirror (article to be in next Wednesday's paper), then on to picking out clothing and to Target. By the time I got home my ear was having feedback and I was worn out. Had to actually back down a notch on my implant remote :( I think I'm discovering that talking a lot wears my ear out...............I'm sure Sloan is happy about that. LOL. By the way, I'd like to inform anyone reading this that is from my area, check out Aspirations in Mansfield!!! They have really cute clothes and jewelry! They, along with Ruffled Rebelles, blessed me with some cute items to wear the next couple of days. I'm continually amazed at the kindness of strangers and friends. I fully intend to 'pay it forward' in any way I can when the opportunity arises.
Well, just like that, I've lost my train of thought. Sorry folks :( I need some rest. I sure will miss my girls while I'm gone, and I sure am so grateful that my family and friends are willing to help us with the girls during all these crazy travel times. Thank you once again to all those in my corner. Blessings to each of you and good night!
Anyway, we are packing and preparing to leave in the morning. Flying to San Jose and will be doing a CBS forum Thursday morning. From there we fly to LA and do the Doctor's Show on Friday morning. We'll be back home late Friday night. Saturday is my 10 year high school reunion :) I think it's safe to say I'll have plenty of stuff to talk about in the event someone asks "What have you been up to lately?" Today was a trying day. Today I started out doing a Skype interview with a London reporter, followed by a almost 3 hour interview with the Mansfield News Mirror (article to be in next Wednesday's paper), then on to picking out clothing and to Target. By the time I got home my ear was having feedback and I was worn out. Had to actually back down a notch on my implant remote :( I think I'm discovering that talking a lot wears my ear out...............I'm sure Sloan is happy about that. LOL. By the way, I'd like to inform anyone reading this that is from my area, check out Aspirations in Mansfield!!! They have really cute clothes and jewelry! They, along with Ruffled Rebelles, blessed me with some cute items to wear the next couple of days. I'm continually amazed at the kindness of strangers and friends. I fully intend to 'pay it forward' in any way I can when the opportunity arises.
Well, just like that, I've lost my train of thought. Sorry folks :( I need some rest. I sure will miss my girls while I'm gone, and I sure am so grateful that my family and friends are willing to help us with the girls during all these crazy travel times. Thank you once again to all those in my corner. Blessings to each of you and good night!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Not much...
Wow, more rain!!! It's so relaxing to hear it. We have the screen up on the front door, so I'm enjoying the sound and the smell :)Sat down at the computer to check e-mails, write down itineraries, and glance at Facebook. Just about came unglued when some thunder hit. Seriously, my heart is still pounding. I could not imagine being in bed with my ear on and sleeping and having that hit!
We up to the hospital tonight to visit my Grandpa. He's been there for a week now with heart troubles. My Grandparents have become very soft speakers in their older age. Sloan has always jokingly gotten frustrated because they speak so quietly and I always had to make them repeat themselves, or ask others what they said. Visited with them at the hospital and got mostly every word either of them said! I only had to have a couple of things repeated! Anyway, they did a scope this morning and found out that Grandpa doesn't have any blockages or other issues. He has to have a valve replacement on Wednesday morning. Just praying he goes through surgery well and bounces back. He's 78ish (can't remember how old exactly) and has never had any health issues. Doesn't take any medication, and is still very active. Works in his shop and yard daily. When my Mom took him to the hospital and they were asking medical history, they asked when the last time he was hospitalized and were shocked to hear that it was in '59 after a bad dragster wreck. Lol. My point to all this is, that he's been the picture of good health and I hope after this mess he returns to that. He was alert tonight and even asked Oli about her upcoming birthday :)
My oldest daughter, Olivia, will be 4 on November 7th. We are having her birthday party the weekend before that, and I'm doing a carnival theme. She loves Olivia the Pig, so it's "Olivia's Birthday Carnival". We're having carnival games, horse rides, face painting, etc. She's so excited, and to be honest, so am I :) Some of my fondest memories as a kid were from birthday parties, or family gatherings. Sloan and I have quite a bit of family, and it's always fun to get together. I enjoy hosting people.
Well, I don't have much to say tonight. Sorry to not having anything exciting to say. Hope you all have a nice night and a great week! I'll def blog from Cali later about the upcoming shows!
We up to the hospital tonight to visit my Grandpa. He's been there for a week now with heart troubles. My Grandparents have become very soft speakers in their older age. Sloan has always jokingly gotten frustrated because they speak so quietly and I always had to make them repeat themselves, or ask others what they said. Visited with them at the hospital and got mostly every word either of them said! I only had to have a couple of things repeated! Anyway, they did a scope this morning and found out that Grandpa doesn't have any blockages or other issues. He has to have a valve replacement on Wednesday morning. Just praying he goes through surgery well and bounces back. He's 78ish (can't remember how old exactly) and has never had any health issues. Doesn't take any medication, and is still very active. Works in his shop and yard daily. When my Mom took him to the hospital and they were asking medical history, they asked when the last time he was hospitalized and were shocked to hear that it was in '59 after a bad dragster wreck. Lol. My point to all this is, that he's been the picture of good health and I hope after this mess he returns to that. He was alert tonight and even asked Oli about her upcoming birthday :)
My oldest daughter, Olivia, will be 4 on November 7th. We are having her birthday party the weekend before that, and I'm doing a carnival theme. She loves Olivia the Pig, so it's "Olivia's Birthday Carnival". We're having carnival games, horse rides, face painting, etc. She's so excited, and to be honest, so am I :) Some of my fondest memories as a kid were from birthday parties, or family gatherings. Sloan and I have quite a bit of family, and it's always fun to get together. I enjoy hosting people.
Well, I don't have much to say tonight. Sorry to not having anything exciting to say. Hope you all have a nice night and a great week! I'll def blog from Cali later about the upcoming shows!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Amazing!
So, tonight, we ended up venturing out to the Mansfield Music Festival. My Mom was going to babysit so we could go to a Halloween party, but she's been busy with my Grandfather who has been in the hospital. So, we decided the festival would be a kid friendly activity. We got there and right away, as we walked closer to the festivities, I could hear the music and the people. I got so tickled because I could make out the words to the songs being sung without asking what they were singing. Lol. We walked around and let the girls do some kid stuff and play in the bounce houses, then we got food and sat down. The hustle and bustle of people was a tad much, but I just listened and took it all in. Lari ended up calling while we were there and offered to watch the girls so Sloan and I could go to the MOVIES!!!! I haven't been since getting my ear activated, so I was thrilled. Several days ago when my whole 'adventure' started, I received a message in my YouTube box from a guy that said he worked at a movie theater and had recently given a closed captioning device to a man whose wife had had an implant put in but it wasn't activated yet. As I read his e-mail, I hollered for Sloan because it sounded like the guy was from our local theater that we go to. LOL. I messaged him back and sure enough, it was the same theater, and Sloan was the man he was talking about! Sloan is always the one that waits for the manager to bring us the closed captioning device while I go in and get our seats, so they never see me, just Sloan. So that's why the guy didn't recognize me on my YouTube video. (Everyone together now.....'It's a small world after all') Anyway, I messaged him back right away and explained that the 'man' he referred to was my hubby :) We were both blown away at the connection and he blessed us by offering free tickets the next time we come in..........so we used them tonight!!!! I got to meet the guy, and thanked him. I went ahead and got the closed captioning thing again........just in case my ear/brain couldn't handle the noise and I needed back up. It was FANTASTIC! Very loud, and I felt like I was right there with the actors in the movie. We went and saw 'The Thing'. Out of habit, I did peek at the captioning a few times. On any other day I probably wouldn't have thought the movie was great, but because I experienced it in a way I never have before, it was swell. Ha. I kept leaning over to Sloan and saying things like "I hear the wind blowing" and "I can hear their footsteps in the snow". He just laughed and looked at me and would say "That's amazing". And you know what? It IS amazing.
I keep seeing the whole 'science vs. God' debate on YouTube. I respect those who don't believe what I believe, but let me just say............God bless scientists ;) Bless all those who have worked so hard and dedicated their blood, sweat, and tears to such things like the Esteem Implant. God AND science rock as far as I'm concerned. The two can coincide quite nicely and I'm very thankful. I'm heading to bed still thinking about how cool it was to enjoy the movies........but my heart is heavy thinking of those who cannot enjoy the movie like I got to tonight. I just continue standing and believing that something is being worked out. Something will change. Insurance will pick up on this. And when that happens..........it too will be amazing!
I keep seeing the whole 'science vs. God' debate on YouTube. I respect those who don't believe what I believe, but let me just say............God bless scientists ;) Bless all those who have worked so hard and dedicated their blood, sweat, and tears to such things like the Esteem Implant. God AND science rock as far as I'm concerned. The two can coincide quite nicely and I'm very thankful. I'm heading to bed still thinking about how cool it was to enjoy the movies........but my heart is heavy thinking of those who cannot enjoy the movie like I got to tonight. I just continue standing and believing that something is being worked out. Something will change. Insurance will pick up on this. And when that happens..........it too will be amazing!
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