2008 Highlights

Some of the things that happened in out family in 2008.
Logan potty trained, turned 5 years old, started kindergarten, threw first pitch at Bay Bears game, played tball with BayBears, learned to ride bike without training wheels, learning to read, learning to add and subtract, grew at least one foot,

Izzy started potty training, learned to spell and write her name, turned 3 years old, learned to ride her bike with training wheels, starting to articulate, expressing individuality in style of dress.

Doug has continually improved his department, bought a boat for family (and fishing), improving our relationship, took test for promotion, learning how to fish, created a beautiful yard (the envy of many of our neighbors),

I started the year looking for a job, finding out, in January, that I was pregnant, offered and accepted new job on campus with Continuing Medical Education, lost USAMC hospital family, gained some weight / lost baby at 4 months (worst experience of my life and one that I will never forget) I will always blame myself for this lost and not working out more or eating better, went to Pittsburgh with Team Alabama for Transplant Olympic games, lost support group, gained a lot of weight, started new job, lost some weight, gained weight back, organized 2nd Annual Knobbley Knee Race benefiting Team Alabama, started cooking lessons, lost 6year old boxer Shelby, found out that Doug's dad was diagnosed with lung and pancreatic cancer, organized Inaugural Halloween Hayride in neighborhood, organized inaugural Santa visit to neighborhood, started liking new job, spending more time with Logan and Izzy, becoming closer with Doug, letting go of volunteering, ticked off some people with an article in the Knobbley Gazette (although it was factual), asked to organize PR for church Women's Conference (disappointed that I haven't worked harder on this, but will do better now), did not use credit cards all year.....until December 22, but am planning on paying those off within month. Hopefully I will not use credit cards at all this coming year, including Christmas. Paid off several credit cards, learning to live within my means.

I will not be discouraged by this year's events but will know that everything can be used to the good of God and I will do my best to find peace in the new year.
My resolutions: More time with family, lose 30+ pounds (will be working with a wonderful friend to stay on track), exercise more (like I used to do), do not use credit cards again this year, take family on vacation, go on vacation with Doug to keep flame burning, Will learn to cook, will try to learn how to sew, have laundry folded each week, organize Knobbley Knee earlier creating more awareness.

2008 Was Supposed to be Great

I can't say 2008 was great but it wasn't bad either. All the bad stuff that happened, the good outweights. This is a rough time for our family right now. With the many transitions in our life, my changing jobs, changing careers, changing location, Logan starting school, Shelby having died last month, the pregnancy, massive weight gain and then the mischarriage I had this year and then Doug's dad is dying. He is a wonderful man, more like a father to me than my own. It hurts to see him suffering. With all that and much more it seems that 2008 is shaping up to be pretty bad; however, I have to see the big picture. God has a plan....it would be nice if he would share, but he doesn't. I konw the only thing I can leave this year with is knowing that I have done his will, that my children are perfect 3 and 5 year olds, that my marriage is stronger than it has ever been and that my faith in God has not been shaken.

T-ball

Logan is loving T-ball. Last Thursday, September 18, Logan caught a fly ball creating an out and then tagged the runner going to second. He made a double play and everyone was Shocked. Doug is one of the volunteer coaches and he was in the outfield jumping up and down. It was great. Logan got the game ball that day.

We are planning Izzy's birthday party and she is so excited. Izzy turns 3 on October 5; however, we are going to have her birthday party after the Knobbley Knee 5K race. I have ordered a large water slide, so it should be great.

Trying to do better on my eating. Running again, trying to be consistent. I have 30 pounds to lose. Very disappointed in myself, but WILL NOT give up. Feel like I am floundering, which is frustrating. Work is okay, family is perfect.

Doug is doing okay. Looking at real estate investments again, which makes him excited. We will see.

Self Sabatoge

Well things are not going well for me. Great in the Cranford house, but not for me. It has been 4 months since I lost the baby and should have lost all the weight. The ladies in the neighbhorhood have just had their babies and are losing their weight, but I still have mine. Not sure what I am doing but started binge eating again. I had lost 10 pounds got sick and went backwards. I have got to get it together and get this weight off. I have never weighted this much and it is horrible. I feel horrible. I am going to try and do better today but tomorrow is it. I have set my sight on tomorrow with no more excuses. I understand I need to deal with the feelings that I am suppressing with the food, but I have got to get it together.

PTA

Yes, it is true. Doug and I are proud card carrying members of the PTA. We had our first PTA meeting today and open house. The meeting was good, but the open house was great. Logan's teacher said that he is doing great. They have smile cards in the class and whenever they do something nice they get a smiley face. When they get 10 smiley faces they get a treat. Well, I was a little concerned when the other children had several smiley faces and Logan only had one......well, that is because he had already exceeded the 10 smiley faces and was on his second set. He is doing great.

Logan is doing great. You can see him in this photo where he was pitching out the first pitch of the Bay Bears game Friday August 29, 2008. He was so cute and Izzy was yelling for him. Doug was able to arrange the first pitch through the firefighters ladies auxiliary. Oddly enough, Logan started tball the same week and his coach just happens to be the general manager for the Bay Bears. How cool is that? He is enjoying school with all happy faces so far.
Izzy is doing great with her first read pooh pooh in the pot. She was very proud, wanting to tell anyone who would listen.

Doug is doing good, working out again and thinking about buying more houses.....Ugh. It is great, but scary. We'll see.

I am doing okay. I started working out again, running (fast walk). Lost a few pounds, but still have all the weight from when I lost the baby in April.....but I will do it. New job is okay, need to find my rhythm and learn everyone's style. I do like that I get to go to the gym at lunch.....that is way cool, but still miss the Medical Center.

My niece and nephew graduated from home school last month and my other nephew started 11th grade. All three are going to college and doing great.

NEW Job

I have been offered and have accepted a position with the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. I will be starting my new position as Director of the CME program on June 23, 2008....You guys pray I don't screw up.
I am excited about this position for many reasons.
I am closer to home.
I have more creative freedom.
I am a director (management position).
Better salary.
Better benefits.
I am closer to HOME.
More holiday and vacation days.

Although I do not start until June 23rd, I have already been working with the present CME coordinator on an upcoming event. It has been great. I love making things happen....

Video of babies

You have to go to the attached link and see my little video of Logan and Izzy. It is an old one, but I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Sharriecranford

First Publication

I am finally getting something published. It is a little, tiny article, but nonetheless it is getting published. I wrote an article for the NASW state quarterly newsletter. I am really excited.

Chelsea's Story
By: Sharrie Cranford
Chelsea Groves, a double lung, heart transplant recipient, was a red headed, blue eyed, full of fire, 16 year old girl. She was one of a kind and someone any person would have been honored to know. I met Chelsea a year earlier when I took over the USA Transplant Support Group. She came up to me with all the boldness of a top executive at a Fortune 500 company and said, “What are you going to do with the Youth Support Group?” Well, obviously I was taken back by this little spry girl demanding my attention. I stopped what I was doing and asked her, “What would you like me to do?” She proceeded to list all the things the youth in our area needed. Although the youth support group had always been every person before me and was last on my new list of projects, I realized this was not going to work for this girl. She asked that I set something up for the following week. Of course, telling this little girl no was obviously out of the question, so I gladly agreed. The following week I scheduled a dinner with staff and a dozen Youth Support Group teenagers. Unfortunately, only one person showed up….Chelsea. She was quick to point out, “teenagers do not want to sit and eat dinner with a bunch of adults because you will make them talk and teenagers don’t want to talk to adults.” She suggested we have a bowling night and do something to get the teenagers involved. During the next few weeks, two of the nurses, Lucretia Warren and Brenda Smith, told me that I needed to do something with our youth. The staff was discouraged and the children were failing on compliance and in jeopardy of losing their transplanted organs. A meeting was arranged with a local child therapist who suggested an incentive program. Lucretia, Brenda and I embarked on a bold new incentive program to keep our children compliant with their medications. With each three month period of medication and appointment compliance they would win a prize, movie passes, dinner, electronics and for one full year a cruise for themselves and a family member. Of course we had no way of paying for this but it started with such success that two patients who were in jeopardy of losing their kidneys were in compliance and back on track.
January 30, 2007 5:15 p.m., I was at a local hospital checking on my patient, Chelsea. I was told that she was dying and would possibly not make it through the night. Of course, being a Social Worker, we are extremely sensitive people and this is one of our most grave situations. I went into the room knowing that I had to be strong but again, this little girl brought me to my knees. I was told that she had been slightly sedated and had not opened her eyes all day except for one person. It took a while for me to make it to her bedside as the room was packed. When I finally made it to her bed I could barely speak; however, I leaned over and whispered into her ear, “I started an incentive program for the youth support group and compliance has really increased.” I went on to say that we had set up a bowling meeting the following month and were expecting a big turn out. While I was speaking she opened her eyes twice and I could barely speak. This support group was extremely important to this little girl. She knew the impact it would make and how it could help the children in our area work harder for the success of their organs.
Chelsea died early the next morning; however, her legacy to me was that one voice can be very loud and can accomplish a lot. It was Chelsea’s persistence that helped our support group and its success which helped several children get back on track with taking care of their organs.

Funny things Logan has said

Logan: Do you know about when Mary went to see Jesus in the cave after he died on the cross?
Doug: Yes, she went to see Jesus.
Logan: And the Angels were there, why were they there?
Doug: They were telling Mary that Jesus body was gone.
Logan: Then what happened?
Doug: I don't know.
Logan: YES YOU DO!
Doug: No, I really don't know.
Logan: YES you do, that is the easiest part.
Doug: No, I really don't, what happened?
Logan: Mary went and told everyone what she saw.
Doug: (thinking.....duh)

The night Logan and Izzy stayed with neighbhors while we were at the hospital:
Doug went to pick up Logan and Izzy, it was about 11:00 p.m. Our friend: Wendel was taking Logan to the car and said:
You have to know Logan to appreciate this: Logan is very sweet and polite, not typicallly talking back to anyone.
Wendel: I'm sorry I woke you up this late.
Logan: Don't ever do that again.

Bargaining the miscarriage

I have not been sure what to think or feel lately. Everything makes me feel guilty. How could I make any plans after having lost my baby. How can I be concerned about my weight, where I am going to work, whether we should have another baby, taking another licensing exam for Social Work.......Thinking of the future seems bad since our baby is not going to be a part of it. We had discussed taking Logan and Izzy to Disney World but postponed our plans for a few years for when the baby would be old enough. How could I start making plans again for Logan and Izzy without Reagan. It just seems wrong....like I am discounting the fact that we were going to have another baby and now we are not. What a horrible mother.
In church today they said, "suffering is a condition of our existence." The question should not be, "why does God allow suffering, but what can we gain from our suffering to make us better people, closer to God and to our others?"
"form your attitude, don't have your attitude form you."
I believe that I have used my life experiences to make me stronger so that I can help people but I just can't seem to get this one. I was so looking forward to having a big family. I feel guilty that I was not excited initially or that I knew that I was going to have a girl, but really wanted a boy. Maybe all these feelings made God rethink giving me the baby. I was so stressed in January, haven't been exercising or eating exactly right, maybe God thought I wouldn't be a good mother this time.
I am finding myself pull away from everyone. I am not opening up or talking with anyone. I know that is unhealthy but I can't seem to move forward.

Can't seem to find the words to tell Logan and Izzy, but we lost the baby last night. We were all so excited. Logan and Izzy were always praying for the baby. Doctor said there was no way to tell what happened except to say that the baby just wasn't developing. Doug and I are numb right now. Now sure what to think or how to feel. Until the ultrasound this morning I didn't want to believe it and still don't but I have to acknowledge that my baby is gone and am not sure if I will ever get over this loss. I have had many horrible things happen in my life, but none compare to this and the complete feeling of loss that I have right now.

That's my girl. Into everything. Nothing scares her and she is literally into Everything. There is nothing she doesn't believe she can do and will try it all. She is exhausting. I have no idea where she gets that.....UGH. But, she is a sweety. She loves for me to sit with her. We don't have to be watching anything, she just wants me to sit and hold her.....it is Great.....because you know the girl never sits still....

I am in my second trimester now. Gaining too much weight and Freaking out. Still a little nervous about the new baby, but excited. Obviously something are Not in my control...???? Go figure. I have started my new position with the burn team. I am missing transplant terribly, but really like the burn team. They are like minded individuals, education oriented and funny. Not sure that USAMC is for me anymore, but hanging in there for now. I have always had a job where I was trusted and given a little bit of a leash to explore. Social services is not like that which has been challenging to say the least. I guess this is my time to learn a new management style.

Logan and Izzy are doing Great. Logan is eating everything he sees which is so funny. He will eat dinner and 10 minutes later want something else and we will go through this the entire night.
Izzy is so independent but has started to develop her softer side. She loves her baby. She is always pushing her baby in the stroller carrying her purse.

Doug is doing better after his shoulder surgery. We were not given all the details of post surgery recovery so that has been difficult for him. He wants to get up and go, but it is taking longer than anticipated.

Although the year is not starting off great, I have great hopes that it will end great. The year is actually starting off pretty bad. Every job offer I have received has been a pay cut so I have accepted a position back with Social Services at USA. I was hoping that I would never have to go back there. The staff is not treated as professionals and every setback or failure is blamed on someone else or another department. I was told that things are better but most hospital staff believe that it is worse now than ever, so I am really scared.
Logan and Izzy are doing Great as is Doug.

2008 is going to be GREAT!
2007 was a rocky year with a lot of ups and downs. We moved twice, but are finally in our new home. The home is great, the drive is horrible. I miss Demetropolis Road terribly. School went well in 2007 maintaining a 4.0. Working out has suffered since moving so far out and I have gained all the weight that I lost. However, that will change. I have a team for Scale Back Alabama and we are called the Luscious Losers and we are going to lose a lot of weight in the next 8 weeks.
Work saw a lot of progress and accomplishments only to be told that we were closing December 15, 2007. Knowing that many of our patients will never get a transplant because of the closure is extremely upsetting; however, also knowing that many others will get a transplant quicker is soothing. The people that I worked with at USA Regional Transplant Center were the best team any department could ever hope for. The way that everyone worked together going went to strengthen the department. The Support Group for our patients went from 10 to 50 a month, the Knobbley Race to raise awareness for organ donation was a huge success with 176 runners and over $5000 raised and all of our children were compliant. That in itself is a HUGE accomplishment for any medical team. Anyway, enough about me.

Logan and Izzy are doing great. Logan loves his new school St. Paul's, and Izzy loves her new daycare. Both are happy, growing and learning a lot. Logan is very sweet, but loves to rough house with his dad. Izzy is bull headed but is a little prissy to boot. She loves anything pink and always has to have her baby, cell phone, purse and stroller.
Doug had a rough year with shoulder problems and adjustments to the job and new home. He has gained some weight as well, but has started losing and is working on his shoulder issue. Doug made the most progress in that he started to realize that family is what is important, not things. Money may have bought us this big new house, but it is the family inside that is what is really important. He also turned his department around making it one of the envy's of many fire departments. They have increased their arrests far beyond any the department could have ever imagined. This is in large part due to Doug's innovation, creativity and and vision. He is one of the smartest people I know and our marriage only gets better and stronger as the years go on.
So, if you have not set your new year's resolution it is not too late. Eat right, exercise more, balance your budget, do not use credit cards, stretch daily, spend more time with family and pray everyday.
I pray that each of you have a Great 2008 filled with a lot of love and peace of mind.
Oh yeah, Doug bought a boat.