Misunderstood, Yet So Grateful

I am a 45-year-old woman who had some odds stacked against her. My own father once admitted he really didn’t know how I got out of bed each day, considering how defeating life has been to me. Like millions of others, life has dealt be some unfair hands … but in it God has blessed me with so many things to be thankful for. This morning I had planned on working on my screenplay, but I had to stop to say thanks to the God who has never failed me.

I think the greatest battle I’ve faced has been being misunderstood and mis-diagnosed, leading to an inability to properly connect with other people or find my tribe. Until recently, loneliness has been my greatest enemy.

As a child I had undiagnosed dyslexia, and I was an HSP (Hyper Sensitive Person). I knew I was different from other kids growing up. Foods, textures of clothing, temperature changes, lighting changes and bright colors made my life difficult. It was impossible for me to focus if my environment was too stimulating, if my clothes were irritating me, or if a food I ate triggered brain fog and fatigue. I didn’t learn how to read until I was 8-year-old, and I always felt behind others in school. It has taken me 45 years to get medical answers, but I now know I was suffering from …

• Dyslexia / ADHD

• Fibromyalgia

• Adenomyosis & Adenosis (genetic tissue disorder, inflammation of the body’s tissues and muscles, making the fibromyalgia worse … led to multiple Fibroid Cysts & Hysterectomy … and a uterus 3x the size of the average woman)

• Chronic Fatigue and Brain Fog

• Factor-H Deficiency (Mitochondrial Disorder)__, which causes my body to not fight as hard against infections and inflammation (slow to heal and slow to have muscle recovery after exercise)

• MCAS (panic attacks of the auto-immune system, which cause actual panic attacks without cause … often mistaken for mental illness)

• Histamine Intolerance(unidentifiable, random, multiple allergies and overreaction of the body to outward stimuli)

• Dysautonomia/POTS (problems regulating heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature)

• Edema(swelling) and an inability to maintain proper salt/electrolyte levelsin my bloodstream

• Migraines

You can imagine how much fun pregnancy and after-birth was for me. With my first child at age 21 I had severe inflammation, causing me to have heightened Postpartum Depression. Thankfully, with my second child at age 28, I did have some baby blues, but it passed in about a week or two. I had learned a thing or two by then on how to keep inflammation of the brain at a lower level.

And, since turning 40 I have discovered the following have compounded to make things more difficult to deal with…

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Thyroid Nodules (benign)

• Diverticulosis, Stomach Ulcer & Erosion of Stomach Lining (malabsorption, malnutrition and tendency to develop diverticulitis)

• Eczema/Psoriasis (as if all the other stimuli were not painful enough, I’ve spent decades itching 24/7)

• Early Menopause (I was unaware I was experiencing full-blown menopause at 40__when 2/3 of my hair fell out and I aged 15 years over night. My body really freaked out, and none of my doctors ever mentioned how severe menopause could be)

Did I even mention the female surgery I had at age 30 to stop excessive monthly bleeding, the dental problems and countless dental surgeries I’ve had? Or having to have my gallbladder removed at age 39 because I was projectile vomiting, suffering from severe constipation/impaction, and had a basketball size belly pooch?

And, in life, I’ve lost friends to overdoses, suicide, mental illness, murder and more. Hopelessness and grief followed me for 25 solid years. Only in the last three years have I begun to unpack the impact those losses have had on me.

That’s a lot to deal with. As you can imagine, a girl walking around constantly fatigued, with a half-working brain, a pained look on her face, and having panic attacks made people in my life think I was mentally unstable. It has only been in the last decade light has been shed on the severity of Fibromyalgia, Adenomyosis & Adenosis, Chronic Fatigue, Brain Fog, Factor-H Deficiency, MCAS, Histamine Intolerance, Dysautonomia/POTS, Edema and Migraines and symptoms related to these issues.

Back in the eighties and nineties when I was growing up, my parents didn’t know anything about these disorders. In the 2000’s when I began to seek medical help, doctors told me it was “all in my head” and prescribed me anti-depressants, further pushing the idea that I was mentally unwell.

This mistreatment and misdiagnosis of the medical community dumbfounded my family, and caused great stress in my relationships with men as a result. I think a huge part of why my marriages didn’t work out with my three ex-husbands was they all developed “buyers remorse” when they realized how sick I was. Or, at the very least, they were very un-empathetic to what I was going through. That wasn’t all of it, but I think it was a huge part of it for me. At the end of the day, I simply did not feel authentically loved in sickness and in health.

• Marriage I: I was married at age 19. Had a baby boy at 21, who I mostly raised by myself while I went to college and worked. We split when our son was only a month old

• Marriage II: I was married again at age 28, having a baby girl 10 months later. We split after four years of marriage when our daughter was three. I went back to school AGAIN

• Marriage III: I tried to be courageous and marry again at age 39. When this one didn’t work out, I was honestly about as broken as a human being could be. I could not believe it was happening to us AGAIN. I was gutted. Our divorce was finalized when I was 42

I was devastated and humiliated to be divorced once, much less three times.. All I ever wanted was a husband and a family of my own. Not being able to give my children a traditional family … and not being able to give them a healthy mom … is, to this day, my life’s greatest hurt and regret. My saving grace in all of this pain and suffering was my relationship with Jesus Christ, and my two perfect, gorgeous babies who have grown up to be incredible people in spite of it all.

I also had two wonderful parents, who even when they didn’t understand what was happening to me, were always there for me. When it comes to my family and my children, it’s as if God looked at all I was going to go through, and He gave me such profound joy and happiness being a daughter and mother. That joy carried me through many a dark day. They were, and have been, my lights in the darkness.

Me and Scott recently having dinner with three of our four children (at a restaurant with neon lighting!).

Then there’s my FOURTH HUSBAND, MY HERO, MY BLESSING … the ONE I DIDN’T SEE COMING in February of 2024 (and if I’m being honest, wasn’t quite ready for): The wonderful Scott Christopher Davis.

!!!! This man, y’all !!!!

A Marine who never quits. A follower of Jesus Christ and Theologian who knows how to love his wife and kids like Christ loves the church. A man who wakes up every day asking himself, “how can I improve the quality of my wife’s life today?”

Scott challenges me daily to be my best, not feel sorry for myself, and lays his life down DAILY for me and our four children, happy to always put himself last. A man who told me, “no wife of mine will clean a shower or mop a floor or have to work a job … unless she wants to.” A man who paid for me to go to the best doctors and surgeons to finally get much needed relief from so many of my symptoms. Scott is not only the smartest man I’ve ever met, he’s also the most brave. How many men will jump into the fire with a wife who is battling illness and say, “for better or worse, in sickness and in health,” and actually mean it?

I would have to write ten solid blogs just to recount the gifts this man has given me, the trips he’s taken me on, the generosity of his heart towards our children, and the devotion he has to always do the right thing, even to his own hurt. Never have I witness such selfless, loving character. He epitomizes what every man should be for his family. I am daily in awe. His love has breathed new life into me, filling me with a gratitude that overflows into every area of my heart and soul.

I wish I could clone Scott for all my single female friends. I’m amazed at how we can fall in love with each other more each day. I’m amazed I finally got a happy ending (or beginning) at 45-years-old. Whether I get to keep Scott for another day, or for another 40 years, I will forever be grateful for the wondrous gift of this magnificent human being.

God was good when He created the Heavens and the Earth. No matter what is going on in our lives, He is still the same good Father yesterday, today and forever. He is still the God who answers prayer, and He is still the God who works all things together for our good! (Romans 8:28)

I posted this on Facebook ten years ago, and I hope it encourages you today as it has me every year since when it pops up on my Facebook Memories board:

Casey's 2025 Health Update

Author, Casey, suffering partial facial paralysis while battling Shingles and Covid among Chronic Illness Woes in 2022

I write this in the hopes it might help someone struggling with chronic illness. See bottom of blog for medications and diet guidelines that have helped me the most in recovery…

Marcus Aurelius, a famous stoic, once said something (paraphrased):

“The obstacle is the way.” Or, “Struggle is the way.”

I now think differently about that quote.

Many of you know I began having immune system and nervous system issues as early as 1996, but they really did not become life-altering until 2005. Since then I have tried and failed to get answers from countless doctors.

I have, off and on, suffered from migraines, brain fog, allergies, unexplained blistering of eyes and inner ears, hearing loss, vision loss, memory loss, coordination loss, numbness of arms and legs, inability to move legs and arms after exercise, nerve pain in my hands and feet, struggles with digestion and painful menstruation cycles. My body healed slowly, didn’t recover from workouts, and felt fatigued after little exertion. When battling something like an infection or virus (such as Shingles or Covid), these symptoms, along with head-to-toe nerve and muscle pain, would put me in bed for days or weeks at the time. At my worst, I was unable to work a full-time job for 7 years. At one point I had to re-teach myself how to spell words. Just writing a sentence was difficult.

After taking some “jabs” in 2022, I became all the more ill.

Me, Casey, doing much better in 2025!

Frustrated with doctors and specialists who kept telling me my symptoms were “all in my head,” I began trying anything and everything to find treatments or diets that might help with my symptoms. I found great emotional and mental healing from trauma through Wellspring Ministries International of Anchorage, Alaska. However, some my physical symptoms have persisted.

In October of 2023 I began trying to treat the symptoms I was having through healthy diet and upping my intake of nicotine patches and vitamins. While my body responded somewhat well to the diet guidelines listed in a series of blogs I wrote in October of that year, I failed to make much improvement otherwise. I suffered badly until the spring of 2024 when I had a dead tooth pulled, and began adding more supplements to my protocol. Apparently that tooth had been dead for years, causing me chronic fevers and inhibiting my already struggling immune system. Shooting in the dark without a definite diagnosis, I also decided to do genetic testing, which has led me to a bevy of new specialists and medications that have helped immensely.

Sadly, I didn’t get the attention I needed from specialists until I had the genetic tests in hand, and had married Scott, finally having amazing health insurance. Once I had those, it opened up doors for doctors to take me seriously. I have spent the last 6 months seeing Hematologists, OB/GYN’s, Rheumatologists, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, and Holistic Specialists. All of which have treated me so wonderfully! I also see a Chiropractor and a weekly Massage Therapist to help with chronic pain.

So far they have diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia,Chronic Fatigue and Brain Fog. But, genetic and further tests have also shown I have been battling…

• Factor-H Deficiency (Mitochondrial Disorder), which causes my body to not fight as hard against infections and inflammation (slow to heal and slow to have muscle recovery after exercise).

• MCAS - Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (panic attacks of the auto-immune system)

• Histamine Intolerance(unidentifiable, random, multiple allergies due to hormonal imbalances)

• Dysautonomia/POTS (problems regulating heart rate, blood pressure, salt/electrolyte levels, and body temperature leading to swelling)

• Adenomyosis (extreme inflammation of uterus and bodily tissues)

• Fybroid Cysts (removed 2025 during partial hysterectomy where uterus proved to be 3x normal size)

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Thyroid Nodules (benign)

• Fatty Liver Disease

• Diverticulosis of Large Intestine AND a very rare type of Diverticulitis of the Small Intestine

• Stomach Ulcer & Erosion

• Eczema/Psoriasis

• Migraines

• Post-menopause (surprisingly found out I had been in menopause for 10 years, and would not have been able to have children after the age of 35)

• Epiploic Appendagitis (another rare infection disorder of the intestines)

• Cysts on both kidneys (benign, with one kidney being horizontal)

• Gallbladder disease (resulting in gallbladder removal 2018)

• ADHD (99.3% positive on tests)

• Thyroid Nodules (benign)

I recently tested positive for ADHD, a disorder that is often masked by women of my generation UNTIL they hit menopause. As the brain begins to struggle with hormonal abnormalities, ADHD begins to profoundly impact a person’s ability to accomplish the tasks that used to be easier. This makes me wonder if I may have been misdiagnosed with “dyslexia” as a child, or if I’ve always struggled with both?

• Once I understood I had been in menopause since the age of 35, it made total sense why that was the year my brain all but quit on me. I thought I was struggling with grief, anxiety and depression, but mostly it was me battling all these health issues with no hormones. My brain could only handle so much, it seems.

• One of the biggest struggles I’ve always had is my brain works faster than my hands, so writing with pen/pencil is very difficult for me.

• I also can associate colors, but cannot remember the correct words and names for things. For example, my husband and I were thinking about going to lunch at Hank’s Bar & Grill, but I called it “Huey’s.” I could remember the color of the restaurant sign, but not the name on it.

• When I study something, especially if there’s a test, I have to highlight each page in a different color. So, when I’m taking a test I can remember, “Oh, yeah, that was on the blue page!” or “That was on the orange page!” Otherwise, I’d fail the test miserably.

• My spelling words has always been a struggle.

• My short-term memory is awful, but improving now with treatment.

• I cannot focus on the person in front of me talking if the room is painted in bright colors, or if there’s a lot of echo/background noise. This is why I prefer quiet, plain churches as opposed to the chaotic ones with loud music and neon lights. Catholic churches are my favorite places to meditate and pray, even though I’m not Catholic.

In the past the surgeries that helped the most was having two dead teeth pulled. I battled horrific fevers and chronic infections with rashes on my legs between 2015 - 2024. Doctors were baffled at the cause. But, I had a dental procedure done in 2016 to remove a dead tooth, damaged in a childhood accident. However, the fevers persisted. It was later discovered I had a second dead tooth the dentist had missed, or possibly damaged, during the initial procedures. After they pulled that second tooth in 2024, the fevers and rashes stopped.

The new protocols that have helped me so very much this past year include the following:

Diet:

1. No No’s: Caffeine, Chocolate, Alcohol, Vinegars, Processed Sandwich Meats and Sodas (my go-to is Sparkling Waters flavored with lime)

2. Cheese: Part-Skim Cottage Cheese, Organic Cheeses, Ricotta Cheese and Organic Yogurts (you can make a delicious cheesecake-like snack with Ricotta and a bit of Stevia and Vanilla Flavoring)

3. Fats/Oils: Leaf Lard, Country Crock Olive Oil Butter, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil

4. Breads: Dave’s Seed Bread or Ezekiel Bread … or No Carb Wraps (in moderation)

5. Fruits: Berries, Apples, Bananas, Melons, Pineapple (no citrus and go easy on peaches/pears)

6. Veggies: Carrots, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes, Celery, Cucumbers, Salad Greens, Avocado (no nightshade vegetables, such as squash, eggplant, tomatoes or cabbage … and go easy on onions)

7. Nuts and Seeds: I soak my Chia Seeds 20-30 minutes before digesting and only eat peanuts in moderation because peanuts cause inflammation. I also drink unsweetened Almond Milk more than dairy milk.

8. Meats: Eggs, Organic Chicken, Non-Farm Raised Fish, Seafood … and Grass-Fed Beef (in moderation)

9. Snacks: I like the veggie snack packs, such as the ones with cheese, nuts and dried cranberries … or the ones with celery, apples, cheddar, carrots and ranch dip.

10. Desserts: I splurge on holidays or when I visit my mom’s for a Sunday lunch, but I stay away from processed junk as much as possible. I do eat Benton’s 100 calorie chocolate chip snack packs when I have a sweet tooth. Or, I try to make my own, such as peanut butter cups sweetened with honey or maple syrup, and chocolate that’s organic if I must. If I go out with my family for ice cream, I get just one scoop with no cone.

11. Eating Out: I try to make smart choices, such as getting grilled chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-A with the Kale Salad on the side. Or, I just skip fast food altogether and eat a Kind Nut Bar. Sometimes I’ll get a superfood smoothie with vitamins and digestive add-ins at Tropical Smoothie or Smoothie King restaurants.

Meds/Supplements:

1. Cymbalta - nerve pain/migraines

2. Ka’chave Protein Superfood Shakes w/ the following add-ins:

   1. L-Lysine powder - fights viruses

   2. Vegan N-Acetyl L-Cysteine powder - builds glutathione (detoxifier), supports liver health, immunity strength and respiratory health

   3. Chia Seeds - helps increase estrogen, fighting perimenopause (not to brag but these seeds taken daily make my breasts look amazing and plump!)

   4. ARMRA Colostrum powder - aids in digestion and healthy tissue repair, skin, hair and nails

3. Omega-3 Fish Oil Capsules - aids in brain health and cholesterol processing

4. Stomach Ulcer Medication & Nexium - aids in stomach lining repair and acid reduction

5. NAD+ - aids in cell repair and reverses cell aging

6. Mary Ruth’s Prenatal and/or Hair, Skin & Nail Vitamins - extra vitamins since my body doesn’t always absorb superfood shake vitamins fully

7. Atenolol - for high blood pressure and rapid-heart rate

8. Vitamin C, D3, K2 & Zinc - increase dose during cold/flu season

9. Nicotine Patches - See my previous blogs from Oct. 2024 for protocol dosages/uses

If you or someone you love has been suffering from similar issues with no answers, I hope this helps. I’m thankful I had loving and patient parents growing up. It must’ve been so frustrating to raise a child who was neurodivergent, different and to not have the tools to diagnose and help properly. They really did the best they could.

I still believe in the goodness of God, and in His willingness and ability to heal “all our diseases.” (Psalms 103:3) In the meantime, I pray we all have the grace to bear suffering well.

Marcus Aurelius, a famous stoic, once said something (paraphrased):

“The obstacle is the way.” Or, “Struggle is the way.”

I’m not to prideful to say I’d probably still be swimming in my sin had it not been for my intense suffering. Suffering brought me to the feet of Jesus, and I’d rather have an earthly life of suffering with Jesus, than and easy life without Him. (Although, I’ll take both Jesus and an easier life should He ever want to gift me with it! LOL)

It’s really important we, as Christians, do not slip into the idolatry of wishing we had a happier, easier life. I’ve noticed in some Evangelical churches they teach God is always 100% willing and able to heal you, and if you’re not getting healed, then it must be your fault … you must be living in some kind of sin. Maybe that’s true in some cases, but I believe some people’s illnesses are not healed simply because of timing. Although God did not cause the illness, there are times He may be allowing it, for a time, to create godly character in the person who is suffering. Even the great Apostle Paul had to deal with a “thorn in his side,” and some great men and women of God have died or lost loved ones inexplicably.

It bothers me that ministers do not teach this generation about how to suffer well. Chip Ingram has an excellent series on his smart phone app, and I think on YouTube, about “suffering well” I highly recommend.

Even Job of the Bible, who lost everything and everyone he loved, save his wife, had a faith crisis and questioned God. But, it wasn’t until he saw how small he was, and how great God was, that he realized how far his faith still had to go. Job, albeit a good man and maybe even a blameless man, didn’t truly see God for who He was until Job had lost everything and suffered much.

I know healing is available for all of us, and it will come, either on this side of Heaven or the next. Stand with me as we, together, believe for God’s will to be done in our daily lives here on earth as it is in Heaven.

Let’s live one-day-at-a-time and try not to think of all the years and lost opportunities seemingly wasted in illness. For we serve a God who restores “the YEARS the locusts, caterpillar and canker-worms have eaten!” {Joel 2:25)

What A Year!

I can hardly believe it’s been a year since I’ve posted in my blog! 2024’s been a whirlwind of excitement that has brought so much happiness to our family, so I thought I’d share.

I have to admit, Christmas 2023 was a very depressing holiday season for me. I was still missing my step-children that I’d lost contact with following my April 2022 divorce. I was living 2.5 hours away from my son and his wife, and hours from my friends. I had lost my job that was financially sustaining me and my teenage daughter, and had started a new job at a much lower salary. The job loss was mostly a result of chronic illness – fevers, fatigue, infections and nerve pain I couldn’t shake (thanks, in part, to a particular jab). As a result, I had to cancel our annual Christmas trip for me and my kids and settle for two night in an AirBNB. It was a somber holiday. Several family members were sick or hospitalized. It simply didn’t feel like Christmas. And, I felt like I had aged 25 years seemingly overnight. You can see the exhaustion on my face.

I came home to Columbus determined to just survive somehow, even though it felt like an elephant was camped out on my chest. I was suffering some genuine depression. I was having panic attacks at work. We were not really making it financially, but all I knew was I could NOT take my daughter, Caryn, out of her Performing Arts High School and move back to middle Georgia. It simply wasn’t an option. Something had to give.

I said a very simple, sincere prayer one morning in church, “Father, I cannot continue as is. I don’t know why You haven’t been able to manifest your healing in my body yet, but I know You love me and You are a good, good Father. I cannot continue working a full-time job if I don’t get better, and moving back home would feel like the end of the world for Caryn. Please, do the following: heal me, provide me with an easier job making more money, and/or bring me a husband who can help me carry this load. I’m at the end of myself. I need your help.”

Chandler turns 23!

I wasn’t able to go home to celebrate my son, Chandler’s, 23rd birthday properly, so I sent him a gift and hoped he remembers how much his mama loves him.

Around this same time I got online at ChristianMingle.com just to find a local guy to go to dinner and maybe a movie with. I wasn’t really husband hunting. I was just lonely and bored. I still didn’t know a lot of people in Columbus, as being sick had kept me home more than I would’ve liked since our Summer 2022 move. Come February 2024 I began talking online with two men. Both were widowed by cancer. Both had a teen daughter and a teen son. I met the first, who we’ll call John, on February 22, which happened to be John’s birthday. I met the second, Scott, the following day on February 23rd, which happened to be Scott’s birthday. I’m telling you, you can’t make this stuff up!

I liked them both just fine, but something was special about Mr. Scott. As we chatted over tea and coffee at Panera Bread on Macon Road in Columbus, I instantly felt comfortable and at home with him. We had a great conversation for almost 3 hours before I headed home. Much to my surprise, he didn’t ask me out for a second date. I was a bit disheartened, but based on my dating history, also not surprised.

Scott making me my favorite pizza

Thankfully, he came to his senses and contacted me about a week later. We had our second date at MaBella’s, midtown location, and really enjoyed one another’s company. We bonded over our love for food and Theology. But, then we had a setback. I had been in urgent care 9 weekends in a row between mid January and mid March. My illness had continued to delay our plans for a third date. I, disheartened, sent him a sincere email explaining that I’d been thinking about it a lot, but after what he and his kids just went through with his late wife, I didn’t think I’d be good for them. I was just too sick.

He was not discouraged, however. When we couldn’t make it to a River Dragons ice hockey game due to me battling yet another infection, he came to my house and made me herbal tea and rubbed my feet. On another occasion he made me my favorite pizza, Lobster Margherita, with a dash of lemon juice. Yummy! And, he took me to the Yonah winery in Helen, Georgia, as well as to a showing of Swan Lake at the RiverCenter in Columbus. His persistence and care continued to win me over. Then, he had one last hurdle to cross. He had to win over my daughter who had issues with the male species after seeing how badly I’d been treated in the past.

Almost effortlessly, Caryn warmed up to Scott. Much to my surprise, she began to come out of her shell, be more engaged, and even hang out with him sometimes. They got along so well it was a huge relief to me. She was also super impressed when he took us to the Atlanta Symphony and put me and Caryn up in our own gorgeous room.

Scott is a Theologian, software engineer/executive, well-read, intelligent, empathetic, cultured, deep-thinking brainiac who has brought so much richness into our lives. He’s so much more than I was asking God for. A few months before I found him I told a girlfriend, “I’ve never met a man smarter or stronger than me, but I’d settle for one that is kinder.” Thankfully, with Scott, I have found a foodie/travel partner who is both kind, of great character, smarter, stronger and all around just a great dude.

Come late spring, he continued to woo me with endless flowers, date nights and picnics in the park as the weather warmed up. He even helped me throw Caryn a Sweet 16 birthday party at a local escape room, and hung around to play board games with us and her friends before the girls hunkered down for their slumber party. It wasn’t long before we both fell for Mr. Scott!

Scott joined us for Caryn’s spring art show, and, eventually, I got to meet his children, Evie (17) and Ridge (15). Immediately, I couldn’t imagine how anyone could not fall in love with those kids. Homeschooled, they had excellent manners and social skills, and Evie was as talented of an artist as Caryn was. I was starting to think we might have a future together.

Next, Scott took me to Epcot because I’d never been before, and he made us a reservation at Monsieur Paul’s, where they highlighted a Michelin Star dish …. a sea bass that harbored more flavor than any other. Both of us curious if Michelin Star dishes really were better than regular food, we had to try it. We were fed a dinner of several courses, featuring various French wines with each course.

When it came time to try the pastry encrusted sea bass, nothing could’ve prepared me for the flavor explosion in my mouth. Wow!!! Michelin Stars really do make all the difference!

Next, we escorted her to a Kpop concert in Atlanta. While she was hanging out with her friends, Scott and I visited the World of CocaCola and the Atlanta Aquarium. I’d never been to either. So fun!

My ring is insane! 5 ct. from Shane & Co.

Scott and I had so much fun at EPCOT, we decided to try getting to know one another better by taking a cruise. He planned a Carnival cruise to San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Amber Cove. The heat was next level in late June, but it was worth it because it was my 45th birthday … AND … Scott proposed to me on my birthday with Dom Perignom, chocolate covered strawberries and breakfast-in-bed. We tried some amazing sushi on board, and had to try the Pina Coladas in San Juan, as Puerto Rico is the original home of the luscious drink! I’ve had a lot of virgin Pina Coladas and regular Pina Coladas in my life, but that was, by far, the best one.

I was a little disheartened by how “third world country” St. Maarten, Amber Cove and San Juan were, though. Something about seeing all of that poverty, and not being able to really do anything about it, bummed me out. However, St. Thomas fed us one of the best meals we experienced on this 9-day vaca by tickling our tastebuds at Agave Mexican restaurant. I can’t say enough about that food, and it was within walking distance of the ship. The restaurant wasn’t fancy, but the flavors were off the charts. Scott hired a limo driver to tour us around St. Thomas. We fell in love with Megan’s Bay and the laid back culture of the island. It’s one we will definitely be revisiting.

Carnival’s Chef’s Table Appetizer

After dining on such fine food at Epcot, I was excited to see what the Chef’s Table experience had in store for us on the Carnival cruise. It did not disappoint. While it was not quite as good as Monsieur Paul’s, it was a delightful and entertaining experience with fun flavor combos, showmanship and good wine pairings.

We came back from our trip in time to see both of our artist daughters take part in Columbus State University’s summer art program. They made 3D pieces and had a blast dabbling in various mediums. We’re pretty sure both girls are going to attend college there. Not sure yet what Evie’s major will be, but it will include art.

UPDATE: Evie will be majoring in Chemistry at Columbus State University as a Freshman beginning August 2025.

The girls aren’t having all the fun. Ridge joined them at the Stranger Things escape room in Jackson, Georgia where the show is filmed. The kids had a blast! We wanted them to enjoy what their hometown had to offer before they started making the move to Columbus in the fall.

Somewhere in all of this I took a girl’s trip with my mom, Caryn and by friend Renee to Beaufort, South Carolina. We took a historical tour and landed there during one of the annual festivals. Such a cool experience and a cute town. And, Scott took my dad and Chandler fishing in Steinhatchee, Florida, where Scott owns a small home.

Scott and I also enjoyed the Atlanta Symphony and the Columbus Symphony some more, Caryn went to her homecoming dance, followed up by a fun night with friends on Halloween. I took Evie and Ridge to see “Venom” in theaters for Halloween, and we were all three equally disappointed with that film. The first two Venom films were much better. Who am I to complain, though? I enjoyed my new kids and yummy popcorn!

Scott and I made a couple of trips to or through Daytona with the kids, and then to to St. Augustine solo, staying in a cute AirBNB the first time, and at the Casa Monica hotel the second. I made use of the hotel’s spa and got a massage. It was so very nice. We both fell in love with Cordova Chophouse & Bar, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and the whole historic district, so we decided to plan a surprise for our kids at Christmas. More about that later.

All our kiddos at Top Golf

Other trips and experiences I was gifted to enjoy included working with Midland Neighbors Magazine as their chief writer and content coordinator. My sweet friend, Crystal, hired me to help her launch her magazine. It was a long-time dream of mine to work in that medium, and even though my health didn’t hold out for me to do it for more than 6 months, it was so fun. She and I also travelled to the Gaylord Oprayland Resort for a magazine conference. While there in my old stomping grounds (I used to live in Nashville and frequent the hotel, as it’s one of my favorite places), I got an idea for my next screenplay. There’s something about the air in Nashville. Creativity just floats around, waiting for you to grab it!

Crystal and her husband also joined Scott and I for a Black Crows concert in Macon, and we also took Caryn and Evie to an IU (Kpop) concert in Atlanta. On top of that, I did a first … I had some sexy (for Scott’s eyes only) pics made as a wedding present to him. Shannon B. Whittington Photography outdid herself! They turned out gorgeous!

I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t tired from the whirlwind of the year, but ohhhhh …. I’m not done yet. This so-extra husband of mine had even more wonderful surprises in store for us.

Scott, who is the ultimate logistics coordinator, simultaneously found us a beautiful home to rent in Columbus, and coordinated the move and combining of our two households for October. We were legally married on October 7 at the Columbus courthouse, and Caryn and I moved in with him and the kids later that month. Much to the delight of Caryn, Evie brought along her cat, Beans, to join our cat, Nero. They are the perfect compliment to our adorable, historic rental in a coveted area of the city.

Chandler & Cadie celebrated their first wedding anniversary, and their 9th year together!

As Chandler and Cadie were celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary, they spent Thanksgiving with Cadie’s family. Our other three kids were joining various family members for Thanksgiving this year, so Scott and I went to Cedar Key, Florida, to stay in an AirBNB and have Thanksgiving with his parents in Lakeland. We also went fishing in Steinhatchee. It was a COLD day, but I braved the Gulf of Mexico (‘er the Gulf of America) to see if I could figure out why my husband loves it there so much. He convinced me.

It’s heaven on earth out there on the water. I’m kinda excited about buying a house down there for our retirement.

One of the coolest things about catching our fish out on a chartered boat was having a restaurant who cooked them for us just two hours later. I love fresh seafood.

We’d barely recovered from the Thanksgiving trip when we decorated out new home for Christmas…

Then, we whisked away all our kiddos to St. Augustine for a newly established tradition of an annual Christmas trip. Scott rented us an AirBNB with a pool and hot tub. He even had a florist come in and decorate it for Christmas. It was adorable. We surprised the kids by telling them we were going to dress up for family photos, but when we got them into their formal clothes, we had a short wedding ceremony at The Lightner Museum’s courtyard. It was positively magical! Our photographers, Kim & Dan Phipps of Got Ya Photo did a phenomenal job. I can’t wait to see the video they made, as well.

We spent 10 days in St. Aug eating the best foods and having quality family time together under the magnificent Christmas lights of the oldest city in the country. My parents even came down for a couple of days, which made it all the more special. I tried my hand at cooking Beef Wellington for the first time. It was good, but I think attempt two will be better now that I know what I’m doing.

We took the kids out to Cordova inside the Casa Monica hotel after a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Festival of Lights. We grabbed breakfast crepes at Mimi’s Famous Crepes in the historic district one morning, and really enjoyed Prohibition Kitchen for lunch.

We had a small gingerbread wedding cake made by Alms & Fare bakery, and adorable/delicious cookies made by Candy Teal.

Finally, we finished the holiday season off by taking the three youngest to Handel’s Messiah at the Atlanta Symphony.

Having already celebrated Christmas with our kids, Scott and I mostly kept close to home while the kids went to visit with relatives. We did spend a day with my parents and family in McRae. One of the most fun things he and I did in our two weeks with no kids was go to the Westin hotel in Atlanta and see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. That hotel was something else.

Per usual Scott, he spoiled me for Christmas with two new rings, a tennis bracelet from Frank Reubel Fine Jewelry of St. Augustine, and a new car. Yes, finally traded in the mom-van for a ride that made me feel pretty LOL.

Between Thanskgiving and Christmas we had celebrated a lot with our families, so in January, less than one year since we met, we hosted a fancy chef’s table dinner party experience at Epic, a fine dining restaurant in Columbus. This party was mostly a chance for Scott’s best guy friends to fly in and meet me. They came from as far as Seattle and New Jersey, and we had such a wonderful time. The decor was by David Benefield Highland Hall, and the fabulous cake was by How Sweet It Is Cake Studio. Chef Jamie helped me design the perfect menu for our guests, and it did not disappoint. Many left saying that was the best food they’d ever eaten. EVERYONE left saying that cake was the best they’d ever tasted, and we heartily agreed!

Scott and I were empty nesters for the new year, so we treated ourselves to Dishoom Bistro that evening. One of the best restaurants in town, we were floored to be one of only two couples there. The food, drinks and atmosphere was amazing. I can’t figure out why they are not packed year round for the best Indian food anywhere. This pictured desert is a frozen one called Kulfi, and it’s my new favorite.

As we look forward to 2025, I have stepped away from my jobs at the Shannon B. Whittington Photography Studio and Midland Neighbors Magazine. I’m meeting with some medical specialists to see if we can get to the root cause of some of my pain/fatigue. So far they keep diagnosing me with Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue and Brain Fog. But, genetic tests have also shown I’m battling Factor-H Deficiency (Mitochondrial Disorder), which causes my body to not fight as hard against infections and inflammation (slow to heal and slow to have muscle recovery after exercise). Also, I’ve been battling MCAS (panic attacks of the auto-immune system), Hystamine Intolerance (unidentifiable, multiple allergies), Dysautonomia/POTS (problems regulating heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature), Adenosis (extreme inflammation of uterus), Hypertension (high blood pressure), Thyroid Nodules, Fatty Liver Disease, Diverticulosis, Stomach Ulcer & Erosion, Eczema/Psoriasis, Migraines and Postmenopause. I will also be having a hysterectomy to remove several Fibroid Cysts and address the pain of Adenosis or Adenomyosis in April 2025. For more of how I’m fighting these disorders as I await God’s complete healing to manifest in my body, click here.

Shout-out to God for healing Caryn’s Scoliosis of the spine. She recently received a clean bill of health. He spine is only slightly curved now, and can be treated with chiropractics. A huge answer to prayer. No surgery required! Upon her first diagnosis in 2019, they told us surgery and a rod in her spine would be her only option. God is so good!

Evie and Ridge have found new jobs at a local restaurant, and Caryn is job hunting. Helping them prepare for young adulthood is what we’re focused on this next two to three years. We know this is our last eighteen months or so with kids at home, so, God willing, we’re planning a trip for Scott and I to celebrate our friends being married in Seattle in August 2025, a cruise with Chandler and Cadie two weeks later, a trip to Pennsylvania in November 2025, and a possible Christmas trip to the Creation Museum in Kentucky. Next year Scott and I will take a cruise for our second anniversary, and we’re taking my parents to the Kentucky Derby in May 2026. So excited!

But, first, in February 2025, Scott and I will be taking a “honeymoon” out to Seattle where we’ll hang out with his friend Greg, and his fiance, Pam. Then we’ll take a train down the Oregon Coast, rent a car, and see the Redwoods of California while visiting a winery or two. I’ll also be doing some research for a couple of screenplays I’m working on. After staying in Medocino’s coast, we’ll visit San Francisco for a few days, then take a train down to L.A. We will barely be in L.A. for a day when we fly to Las Vegas for four nights before venturing on to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Lastly, we’ll spend a few days in the picturesque Sedona, Arizona. More blogs about that trip to come!

Crazy how much a life can be changed in a single year. Thank you, God, for answering my prayer. And, thank you, Scott, for gifting us with this extraordinary life <3