Three years ago I was home sick one day throwing up and sick as a dog. My body hurt, but it was so much more than just a flu hurt. I called the doctor about it because my back was hurting. It was very weird. They suggested I go to the hospital and get tested for Spinal Meningitis. So I did. Well from that came months worth of insane hospital trips. They were testing my spinal fluid and I had an excessive amount which I guess makes them think tumor. They sent me down for a CT scan right away. They found nothing.
The next day I got into a neurologist. I called them in tears. I felt so abnormal and I couldn't move without pain and throwing up. He was the best doctor in the whole world and sent me back to the ER to a blood patch on my spine. That was an INSANE experience. I had spinal fluid leaking out into my body from the test the day before. Almost immediately I felt better. But I had headaches after that. And they still thought I had a tumor somewhere. So it was about six months worth of tests. All the time hunting for a tumor that they believed was hiding somewhere.
In the midst of all this we got pregnant with Baby J. Totally not planned. Totally a blessing. Total life changing experience. Other than my husband and maybe my mom I don't think people know how much pain I was in during that pregnancy. Preterm labor. Headaches that I couldn't take anything for. It was a hard pregnancy. However I always felt like he was the cure. He was to perfect to not be. We gave him the middle name of Remy which we were able to tie into our favorite team the Red Sox and it means remedy.
He has been a remedy for our family. He's been the cure for a lot of things. They never found my tumor. I still have times that I think something is happening and I should go back and find out what is wrong, but I find that diet has been a huge answer to my problems. Medically I don't think the answer is always a problem other than your diet, but that is a whole different topic.
Well- Baby J has problems of his own. He's spent a lot of his time in the hospital. He's been poked more than my other two kids in there whole lives compared to his two years. He's had so many tests on him. I go two or three weeks with out doctors appointments and I start thinking I missed one. If you ever meet baby J you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with him. He is so happy and nothing slows this kid down. He is inspirational.
The day I started my giveaway I had a call from a nurse about more tests and more specialists that we need to go see. She wasn't very nice. She kind of made it out that I wasn't doing what I needed to be doing. When that's all I ever do. A few weeks back I fought with them for this information so I could get the work done for him, but they denied me. So I figured I would wait until my appointment since it wasn't happening by phone. She made me cry. So I started my giveaway. And when it didn't get a lot of attention I stood back and thought about things. This blog is just a lot of work right now. Baby J has to take priority. I know I don't neglect him and I know the problem is the staff under this doctor that we have to work with right now. I understand. But I think I need to take a break anyways.
You guys deserved to know that its nothing from you. Its just that I need to take care of Baby J and he has a surgery coming up that I need to make my priority. I have five or six already shoot hair styles to post and I am going to post date them, but once they are done I can't make any promises of coming back. Because I just don't know where we will be with baby J. Girly Do's will not be deleted. I am very sorry I gave anyone that impression. You can still surf around and see what you want. Leave comments. Please still let me know when you donate to Locks of Love that puts a smile on my face. And I will let you know when Beans donates hers also. But for now this is me hanging up my hair drier--- as a good friend of mine once said.
Baby J and Beans!
Bless your heart Jenn!
ReplyDeleteTake care of your Baby J and of yourself. You have made the bloggy world and the real world more beautiful. And think of all the people you will have praying for you that you wouldn't know without Girly-do's.
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.... Hopefully we can all keep you and your family in our thoughts everytime we do our girls hair in honor of you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me, but I have recently found your blog. I hope the best for your sweet Baby J and yourself. I hope that everything goes well for you and thanks again for keeping the blog so we can continue to look at the pictures. Good luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteLots of Love
All my love and warm wishes to baby J and your entire family during these difficult times. You are a great mom and an inspiration to many. I think I speak for all when I say that no nurse has the right to make you feel as though you are a bad parent. You just tell me where to find her, and I will make her cry! -lol
ReplyDeleteTake care and do what you feel you need to do, everyone that matters will be here when you get back.
Much Love
~ C
Good luck with everything and remember! Your family is the most important and the lord gave them to YOU because you know whats best for your children, don't let any one convince you otherwise! we will miss you but know that you are doing the right thing!
ReplyDeleteYou are making the right choice GF. J needs all your energy now so you are right in what you're doing. You know I support you 100%, and I'm just glad I found you through all of this. At least I'm not losing you even if your blog is done! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWow, what a rough road you have walked. Your family will be in my prayers. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many of us, and God bless your family. Praying for successful surgery, for you to have a wonderful holiday season, and for life to treat you well.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family, hoping for the best - thanks for all the fun!
ReplyDeletei know the Lord will bless and protect your family. what comfort you have received already...and given! thanks for a fabulous blog that i refer to often. your family is beautiful...all the BEST!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all of this. I don't blame you for not blogging anymore. I don't know how people do it. I have thought about it a few hundred times, to start blogging, but I always get distracted with kids and life. I hope that Baby J will be ok and that all goes well with his surgery. Just know that you are loved and that you will be missed. Thanks for all the wonderful hair dos! I read your blog all the time.
ReplyDeleteSorry posts hubby's name.
Your story makes a lot more sense now and I would feel horrible if this blog stressed you out, your children and family is AlWAYS more important! Take care and I wish you the very best with your health. May blessings pour out for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers and thoughts are with you and the well being of your child. I hope everything is okay. I cannot even imagine what you are going through emotionally. We will miss you and your do's......but you are making the right decision.
ReplyDeleteYou are making the right decision Jenn! Although we will all miss your hairdos, and it WON'T be the same without you. Family is much more important. I will continue to pray for you and your family. Sorry you've had such a hard time lately.
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for your family, you, and your baby. God CAN work miracles.
ReplyDelete♥ That's a ton to be going through!!! I hope everything goes well with his surgery!!! (I'm glad you're on facebook though)!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you or your little one had gone through any of this. You'd never know it to see you kick boxing and jiving with the rest of us at exercise group! I'll be praying for you to have strength to get through everything that lies ahead and hope you will get answers from much nicer nurses and doctors. Thanks for leaving girly-do's up in the meantime. My Grace's hair has gotten awfully long and I am baffled as to what to do with it. Now I'll know. Thank and much love! Amanda
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you in Florida! *hugs* If you get a chance, let us know how he's doing once in awhile?
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing woman you are! I know you don't know me, since I am pretty knew to hair-blogging, but you are truly an inspiration as a mom and a hairstylist. I will keep you in my prayers. E-mail anytime: dreamweaverprincessbraids@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed, but we completly understand. Many prayers will be coming your way. Thankyou for making my life and my little girls lives better.
ReplyDeleteJenn, you are doing the right thing. Blogging is temporal and families are eternal. You need to take care of what is most important and that right now and always will be your family. We all understand and wish you nothing but the best for you and Baby J. Hope all goes well and have a Merry Christmas too! Thanks Jenn!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! My heart goes out to you and your family, I hope "Remey" will find his remedy! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, but for now don't feel guilty about hanging up your hair dryer! We understand! Hopefully you will be back soon. My daughters hair has never been the same since I found your website! Today she has french braids with a ribbion sewn in, in honor of you!! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the rest- you're making the right choice for sure. Blogging will be here when your son is better. You are still one that I look to for ideas, so know there will still be plenty of people checking out your site. Good luck with your family, and I wish you all the best with your and your sons health! ~R.
ReplyDeleteAdd one more friend to the list of people who will be praying for you and your family. I love you, Jenn! Give J a hug from his Auntie Camille.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your baby. Thank you for sharing your blog and creativity.
ReplyDeleteJen I am so sorry to hear about your son. I went through something similar with my little boy that lasted 3 months, & I never got any answers. He seems to be okay now but I'll always wonder. So I hope you get some answers & everything turns out ok with you and your son. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, & good for you for setting your priorities!
ReplyDeleteYou and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteFamiy comes first! I have been following your blog for a couple of years now and I have loved it. Thanks, for all the time and energy spent on it. I hope all goes well for you and your family. Take care and know you truly have been an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness mah sweetness!!! I am SOOO sorry to hear about your families health. I'm glad you're going to be posting a few more ideas and not deleting this blog... i LOVE this blog.. you've given me the confidence and the know-how to doing purty hair do's for me and my girls!!! You know I love ya chica and you will for SURE be in my prayers... Don't let anyone tell you or even make you feel like you're a bad mom... I know you, I know your madre and padre and y'all are AWESOME! You have GOT to be a rockin mom.. hang in there sugah!!! Much love and kisses goin yer way sugah darlin!!! xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I love your blog and appreciate the time that you take to share your ideas, but I completely understand the need to focus on family. I wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteHello there!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I just "found" you from Babes in Hairland. I am so glad I did. I am sorry for all of your health issues and for Baby J's health issues as well.
I have only just skimmed your blog but it looks great to me. I would love to hear from you but only at a time when you aren't totally stressed! I know is that an oxymoron right now? LOL chantellalee@sbcglobal.net
I wish you and your family all of the best in getting Baby J healthy and you as well. I also suffer with many illnesses and so I kind of get what you are talking about.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Tammy
Hopefully this season will be past and every things will be good soon. My prayers will go out to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKnow that you're in our hearts and prayers. Take as much time as you need and post when you want to only. We Moms have such a hard time with that. It's ok - we all understand! I hope you and your family are well and have a miraculous holiday season!
ReplyDeleteYou are being an AWESOME mom to put your family first. I so appreciate your blog and the things you have posted here. My daughters hair has never been "undone" since I found it. haha.
ReplyDeleteYour family will be in our prayers. (and if any other medical figure tries to make you feel like you're not doing anything, snicker, since they DON"T know what you're doing 24 hours a day.)
Of course you have to put your family first and eliminate other things that pull you from them. I completely understand!! We will miss you!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family! I pray all will go well with his health (and yours)!! Please drop by and update us once in a while!!
Thank you for all you've given to us!! :)
I have never commented on your blog, but I have been blog stalking you for a LONG time. I love love love all of the hairstyles you have taken so much time to post. Thank-you!!! My daughter gets complements on her hair ALL the time because of you! I just wanted to tell you that that I grateful for what you give and for sharing your talents with me. Good luck to your family!
ReplyDeleteYou sweet woman, this is the perfect choice, babies first! Hang in there, we are all praying for you and hope for nothing but the best outcome. If you want to tell me the lady's name you were talking to on the phone that made you cry, I will try to find her and beat her up for you. Stuff like that is not okay with me, aren't you going through enough?
ReplyDeleteYou just enjoy your sweet little guy, my prayers are with you, hang in there.
There are times when you just have to take a step back and remember what is really important. This is one of those times. Thank you for sharing your story. We will all miss you, but thank you for taking the time to share your talent of hair blogging. And, thank you for leaving it up. I look here often for ideas. Thanks again and best of luck to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteI just have to post a quick comment. You story brought tears to my eyes. And the to end it with that incredible picture of brother coming sister's hair. My heart goes out to you at this time. I have been blessed to have healthy children but I know many who have not been so lucky. You will be in ours prayers and you will be greatly missed on the "hair blog circuit". Please know that our family wishes your family nothing but peace and love!
ReplyDeleteThe Larson Girls
I hope answers and strength are found for you and baby J. Thank you for all of the sharing you have done.
ReplyDeleteHair Blogging just won't be the same without you. I have been a follower of yours for a long time and from the many things you have written I know how much love you have in your heart. My only daughter, who is our miracle was born 12 weeks early, first they said she wouldn't survive and then she said she would but would have several disabilities. And while it has been a wild roller coaster ride and some days I wondered how we would make it, she is now 5 1/2 years old and doing great and looks good too, thanks to many of your hair tutorials. So, I know how scary and stressful a sick child can be. Hang in there and know there are people out here who truly do care. You will be sorely missed. Thanks for keeping the blog up and I hope we hear from you very soon. Please keep us posted on how you are all doing and if there is anything, other than prayers that we can do for you please let us know.
ReplyDeleteI have an idea what you might be going through. I've simplified my blogging a whole lot too and it also has to do with family. Thanks for sharing such beautiful styles with all of us and God bless you for just being you ;o)
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are doing what you feel is best for your family!
ReplyDeleteOf course, family and health take priority over you blog. We are here for you when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteclothedmuch.blogspot.com
Jen, I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. Please give us updates on Baby J if you feel that you are able to do so.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteDearest Jen,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely fell in love with your darling puddin pop sweethearts, and I'll miss them all very much! Please stay sweet and enjoy the time with your family.
xo
Dear Jen,
ReplyDeleteI have loved your blog and all the wonderful hairstyles to help with my little girl. Thank you for all the work you have put into it. I pray that you and your baby will be okay and that his surgery will go well. May the Lord's hands guide the doctor's through the surgery.
robynl1@mac.com
Sweet Jen, know that your family will be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing beauty to the world with your talent :-)
I am sorry that things are hard for you and your family right now. You are an amazing woman, and I am so glad that you are putting your family first. Best of luck with everything. We love you and we'll be praying for you and your little guy.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to your family. I hope everything gets worked out. Thanks for your blog, you have such great ideas and I truly appreciate you sharing them.
ReplyDeleteAs a loyal blog reader (although we don't personally know each other,) I thank you for sharing your talents with us. I have truly enjoyed learning from you and being able to spend quality time with my daughter while doing her hair. As a mother, I too understand that family must come first. Our children don't stay young or small for long, and we must make them our priorities because being a mother is the most important calling we will ever have. we must live our lives in a way, that there's as few as regrets as possible when it comes to our family. I admire and respect your decision, and will pray for you and your sweet boy. God Bless :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, and when my computer died for a month and a half I missed it most of all. But I realized how much time I wasted on the computer blogging and on facebook. Our computer is fixed, but I'm never on it, because I like my little ones a lot more. So I cannot blame you one bit. I heard this in a talk and have never forgotten it:
ReplyDelete"Elder Russell M Nelson's wife, mother of 10 children, took comfort from theses lines:
'Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow;
So quiet down cobwebs; dust go to sleep,
I'm rocking my baby-and babies don't keep.'"
Good luck to you and your little guy. Tell Bean we'll miss her beautiful little face.
I absolutely love looking at your blog and enjoy trying a new hairdo every sunday for church! Your family always comes first though! I hope and pray that all will be well with your family. Take care and take care of those precious children!
ReplyDeletewow, you are more amazing than I thought! We will pray for your and your family. We wish you the best. We will miss you but we commend you for having your priorities straight. Good luck and we wish the very best for you. You are amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou will be in my thoughts! Family definately does take priority and if you ever need to talk, we went through alot of issues with our little guy!! It is the hardest thing a parent has to go through, but they are such blessings and my little guy is the same, so inspirational and such a cheery little one!!! Good luck and I wish you the best! Take care of them and be sure to take care of yourself! They need a healthy strong mommy!!!!
ReplyDeleteAll my prayers are with you family at this time if you ever need to vent or just chat you have my e-mail addy. YOu have been so much help to me in the past w/ my dd's party and everything. You are an inspiration. Please keep us all posted.
ReplyDeleteoh now I"m tearing up. I hope all goes well with your little guy and your family. Thanks for sharing and take care of your family!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. I read it not everyday but close to it! It is one of the first I go to when I need something extra special. I never comment :( I should, and I am sorry.
ReplyDeleteI have a little one that struggles too, and I certainly understand taking a step back to focus on what is really important.
I hope you and your little one find some relief and all goes well. Thanks for your many great ideas!
Thanks for all your creativity. Those like me who are hairstyle impaired really benefit from awesome people like you who are willing to share their talent with the people around them (or far away, as the case may be). Yours is the hair blog I visit the very most and I love all your ideas!
ReplyDeleteYou are smart to take the time away to focus on the things that are most important to you. Too many people don't do that...and they should. I'll miss all the new great hairdo's, but there are plenty already posted to keep me busy for a very long time. Thanks. Just know that there are many prayers going up in your and your kids behalf.
I've just recently found your blog. ((hugs)) I hope you are all doing well. Thank you for all the work you've done here and for not deleting it! Take care...
ReplyDeleteJenn,
ReplyDeleteYou are a great mom! Keep up the good work and stay close to the Lord! I will praying for you, your family and of course, Baby J! My daughter and I have had such a good time trying all the different hair styles. It's a great bonding time for us and because we are outnumbered by the boys in our house it brings such a wonderful female element to our family. The boys just oooh and aaahhh over our accomplishments. Thanks so much....now go love that family!!!!
Jen jlsnively3@aol.com
Hi Jenn, just wanted to say I'm deeply sorry about the obstacles you have had to endure and thanks for sharing your blog as long as you have. I loved the creativity and ideas you demonstrated. They have inspired me to make my own styles. I wish you the best. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe have been inspired by you. Your hair ideas will keep getting used in our home and we wish you all the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven at this time on your journey to health. You are making a good choice!
ReplyDeleteI have been watching you rblog for several months now and I have never commented. But I know how it is to be very sick or have a child that is sick. I wish the best to your family and I pray that God keeps you all in his loving arms wrapped tightly up. I have three girls and we appreciate your hard work that you put into this blog. Thanks so much. You are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching your blog too for a while now looking for hair styles for my granddaughter but I never commented neither and I also know how it feels to have a sick child but with a lots of prayers I know that god is going to ease your suffering and is going to help Baby J overcome his sickness. You need to stay strong for him. We will be praying for you and your family but most importantly for Baby J. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteHey, Jenn,
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the internet for awhile, so I actually hadn't checked out your hair blog until today...I'm so sorry for all that you are having to go through. You are certainly doing the right thing by taking care of yourself and Baby J. I hope you are able to get some answers so you can have some peace of mind (boy do mothers need that!).
~Lynette
My heart goes out to you...I too have a "medical" challenged little boy and it is a never-ending battle to get on top of things, especially with so many people working to help your child. I wish you all the blessings you deserve with this challenge and thank you for your time and effort on behalf of all these "hair" challenged mothers like myself! ♥Hugs and prayers♥
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say I hope things go well for you and your family. My little girl and I have really enjoyed checking out your blog and trying the many different hairstyles--she gets lots of compliments thanks to you! Nothing is as important as taking care of your family so go and do that and know that you've touched a lot of families over the past few years and we all hope that you find the peace and answers you are looking for!
ReplyDeleteHugs from New Jersey,
Holly Rock
You are so sweet to even feel you need to give all of us an explanation. I respect greatly that you need to care for your family first! I will pray for you and for the health of you and your beautiful children!
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Leeann Hadgis
Wishing you the best of luck with the family. Stay strong. Thanks for all the great ideas! Our prayers are with you and Baby J.
ReplyDeleteJust telling you I love ya! I am thrilled to have this blog as a resource even if you never post another hair style. It's full of fun!
ReplyDeleteI also understand that sometimes we dont have time for everything. We go through phases. If its too much work take care of you.
I am glad to know how to keep in touch with you! Thank you for all your have done!
Wow. how amazing! i was just looking at your new posts and then scrolling to older ones whhen i found this. What was wrong with babyJ?
ReplyDelete