It's party time!!

This semester is officially over and I have managed to squeak out a 4.0 gpa! I am so excited. I have never had a 4.0 so this is a first for me. Okay I just thought I'd share that little bit of info. Enjoy your day. :D

Pull up a seat. It's gonna be a long one.

It has been a long time since I last posted something. For this I apologize. So if you are ready for a nice long read that may or may not bore the snot outta you, continue on.

As most of you know last July I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's. At the time my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was a little over 7. The range for normal is .3 to 3.0. My endocronologist told me our goal was to get it to 1.0 or slightly lower. Well as of this week we have completed that goal. I am now officially at .75. I am feeling better as far as this goes. I will be returning to this doc in 3 months to check and make sure I am still at or close to this number. I am so excited that I have reached this point. I am told it could take several months after you get to this point for your body to fully feel better and to notice some positive changes. I would think so! This poor body has taken almost a year to get here. Every couple months I would go in for a blood test, wait a day, get the results, and then be prescribed a higher dosage of Synthroid. So the fact I am at this goal is a relief for me.

I think I mentioned that back in February of this year I had been diagnosed with PCOS with Insulin Resistance. Well the first month on the medication (Metformin ER) I was so very nausous. Even the thought of food made my stomach churn. It has gotten better. I was told to follow an eating plan (South Beach phase 2) to help with the weight and that would help the meds do what they are supposed to do. Okay so I haven't been able to do that. I am currently experimenting with different foods to see what my body likes and dislikes. This can be an unpleasant thing. Some foods have you in the restroom within an hour or so. I try to do all my experimenting at home. Now I love salads. Absolutely love them. But I have found out that I can not eat the big ones like I used to. Too much roughage. I have also lost the ability to enjoy some of my faves like pizza, some pastas, and fast food. So it may be a while before I will be able to figure out all of the food stuff. I admit at first I tried it full force. All that did was discourage me and quite honestly made me mad. So this way I learn what my body likes. Every body is different.

In this journey with all of this I have also learned the importance of taking vitamins. When taking the Metformin, your body doesn't absorb enough b vitamins. This then makes me tired. So lately I have been feeling really tired. When it dawned on me the problem I started taking more vitamins. Not just b but all of them. This has started to make a difference. It is so important for all of us to make sure we get the right amount of vitamins and minerals every day.

School is finally over for the semester. Now I am just waiting for the instructors to grace me with the grades. I am confident I have made an A in all three classes. For the fall I have chosen chemistry and psychology. I hope they go as smoothly as these 3 have. I have found out that just because I used to stink at something doesn't mean I stink at it now. That being said, there is a reason why I didn't take chem in high school. I stunk at science type stuff. Ha! And here I am going to be a nurse. Yeah! That's a surprise to me too.

Okay now that you are almost asleep I will stop. I don't want to be responsible for any of you banging your heads cuz you're nodding off. I will do my best to post more often and hopefully not just about my medical woes.

Doing Better

Well the cold has officially been kicked. Finally! But at the same time I had started a new medication for the P.C.O.S. named Metformin. This stuff made me really nausous. Thankfully today I feel much better and the nausea seems to be gone. I am so glad that this seems to be helping me feel better.

School is still going good. Currently I am on spring break. Oh boy! For me this means I have a week to catch up on some studying and some research work. I remember spring break as a kid meant time to not worry about school and just have fun and sometimes a vacation if your parents so felt the urge. Well apparantly when you get older and go to school all that fun just goes out the window. Oh well. It is nice not having to go to class for a week.

Mountain Mama thank you for all your kind words. You have no idea what they truly mean. You are such a wonderfully sweet woman.

Yes I am still here.

So much time has gone by since I last posted. OOPS!

Well so far school is going pretty well. I am getting an A in my math class, a who knows what in my medical terminology class, and a guess what your grade is in my written communication class. The last two are kind of hard to figure since the instructors have given assignments and haven't really given a grade on some of it. So I plug along and do my best. I have learned my lesson though. I can only take 2 classes at a time. Three just seems to put too much stress on me.

Home life is okay. Somebody gave me a nasty cold and it is kicking my behind. I don't like to take cold medicine because it makes me drowsy and I am tired enough as it is.

Recently I was diagnosed with P.C.O.S. on top of already having Hashimoto's. I have been on a roller coaster ride trying to get all of my medications adjusted so that I can feel better. I have a good endocrinologist who is helping me with this. I was told to go eat a low carb diet. Well diet isn't the term I suppose I want to use. It is a way of eating for life. He suggested that I do South Beach phase 2. So there goes all of my yummy cookies, cakes, pastas, and a lot of other things that I have grown to enjoy eating. But for my health I will do it. One of the symptoms of these is being tired. Hence why I don't like to take cold medicine. How nice it will be when one day I can make it through the day without wanting to take a nap every 10 minutes. But I know God is in control so I don't worry. I just plug along.

Ahhh....plugging along. Anybody want a nasty cold? I am giving it away for free. Just kidding. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

I cut back on work. I now only work on Saturdays. I couldn't hack 2 days of work, 2 days of actual classes, plus housework, homework, and taking care of my lovely family. It was just too much. Thankfully I have a wonderful boss and she completely understands.

Is it spring yet? Seriously I cannot wait for this winter to be over. I am so very sick and tired of it. I haven't bothered to clean my car in several months because I know the minute I do it will look the same way in a day or so. I don't know if I have said this before but winter is my least favorite season. I don't like the cold. So please spring, come quick!!!

And so a new chapter begins.

Today I start my first class. A little bit nervous but I am sure I'll be fine. I have 3 courses this semester. I have a college math course (have I said that I am terrible at higher levels of math and that I hate it?), a written communication class (can anyone say EASY!?), and medical terminology (which I think I will truly enjoy). The bad news is I am told I will have to take chemistry next because I didn't take it in high school. I don't look forward to this one. I don't know how long it is going to take to finish all courses in this nursing program. Thankfully I can take it at my own pace.

Gobble, Gobble!

So it is that time of year where we all sit down to a meal with family and give thanks. This is something we should do more often than once a year. A tradition around our table is each of us goes around and tells what we are thankful for. This is also something I think we should do more often. I personally am thankful for the Lord's perfect timing. This year has brought a whole lot of things my way and none of them were expected but yet they were all timed perfectly by the Father. We only think about being thankful once a year? C'mon! Every day before we lay our heads down for the much needed rest, do we say thanks? Do we tell the Master how thankful we are for all the blessings He gave us? For the overlooked miracles? I admit I may not always do this but I am certainly trying. I do my best to wake up every morning and thank the Creator for the gift of a new day and end my evenings thanking Him for the day again. So today I am thankful for the following reasons (in no particular order)

My husband. We may not always see eye to eye or even be on the same page, but, he is the most wonderful man in the world. The Lord has truly blessed me with such an amazing man. It is a miracle to find someone to share the rest of your life with. Think about it...one...just for me...perfectly picked by my loving Father who knows my needs and wants. The perfect man for me. Yep that's my husband.

My 3 precious children. They may test my patience and I may be called "the worst mom ever" sometimes, but, they are the most loving and precious people in the world. Children are miracles no matter how you look at it. They started so microscopically yet they are people! How creative is He who made them. Their quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and their personality. Each one individual. He gave these 3 perfectly created humans to my husband and I. How blessed am I? Very!

The health of my family and myself. We are whole. Just because I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's doesn't mean I am not a whole healthy person. The perfect timing of God lead me to be diagnosed in time to get started on meds so that when I start taking my college courses in January my mind is clear and not foggy and I can have better memory. We are all healthy. That is a blessing in and of itself.

Our new home, my immediate and extended family, my friends, a new day to spend with those I love, and above all else I am thankful for that Baby who was born all those years ago who would grow to be a man who would die for me and my sins.


What are you thankful for today?

Pear tree in fall

Here is a picture of our ornamental pear tree so far this fall. That's not our house in the photo. Isn't she a beauty? For her first fall with us I am happy to see her behaving like she should. Our redbud on the other hand hasn't had leaves since the first month or so. I hope to have beautiful spring photos of each of them.

It's update time!

Okay so it has been a while since I have written anything on here. Yes I am still alive and here. So since I am here I suppose you expect me to update huh? Okay you don't have to twist my arm! Geesh! lol

So my hubby enjoyed his trip I gave him. He said it was exactly what he needed. He took a few pictures to show me what it was like. Once he knew where he was going he didn't stop talking about it. He still hasn't! I am glad I was able to give him something he not only needed but wanted. He says he will have to do that once a year. I explained to him that I'm not going to be the one to foot the bill though. He makes a lot more than I do.

As for me I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. This is an auto-immune disease in which your body attacks your thyroid as if it is not supposed to be there. At first it bothered me and I had a hard time dealing with it. Mainly because the thought of this body that God gave me wasn't supposed to attack itself. But through prayers of many of my online friends and those in my family I have told, I am okay with it. Right now my endocronologist is closely monitoring my dosage of Synthroid to make sure I get a dose that will work for me. He is slowly upping the dose every 3 months. He says this gives my body time to adjust to and react to the new dosage. I am slowly getting less forgetful, becoming less fatigued, getting a clearer mind, and just basically getting better. I have a whole lot of symptoms that I didn't think were symptoms until I read about it. There is a family history of thyroid disorders but I am the first to be diagnosed with Hashimoto's. But no big deal. I have God on my side and so I have nothing to worry about.

I begin taking classes in January to start my way to become a nurse. I am taking the pre-requisite courses a little at a time. I am in no hurry and thankfully this college nearby let's you learn at your own pace. Perfect for this stay at home mom who also has a part time job (until shopping season begins in a few weeks then it is closer to full time) and a new home to deal with. I am excited about this new adventure.

So I guess that is all for now. I will try to be a little more frequent in my posts.

Surprise?

I am thinking of getting my husband a 3 night getaway for himself for an anniversary gift. I am really nervous about this because I have never done anything like this before. The getaway would be to a place that we have been to before many times and it would give him time to get away to go do some hunting. I just don't know if this is something I should realy do or just a bad idea. If anyone has any input now is the time please. I am getting the pricing together and so far I am saving $100 from normal rates. Which is a lot! I can work the extra hours while the kids are in school and can pay for it myself so that is not an issue. I guess I am just mostly nervous. I am terrible at keeping these kinds of secrets and my hubby is rather picky about stuff so ....I guess you can see why I am nervous. I have been wanting to do something like this for him for a while but never had the guts or the money to do it. This year I have the ability to make the necessary money to pay for his trip and all. *sigh* Am I wrong to be nervous? Would any of you men please speak up?

Enough already!!!

Geesh! I am getting so sick and tired of all these E.D. commercials! I have 3 kids and no matter what we watch the television is bombarded with them. We are watching a wholesome game of football on Monday night and here it comes.....the inevitable E.D. commercial. Try explaining this to your 7 year old daughter what erectile dysfunction is. Come on already!!!!! Enough with this! Who cares if you are having problems?! You have obviously seen enough commercials by now to know to talk to your doctor so why do the drug companies insist on bombarding us with these commercials? Excuse my rant. It just makes me soooooo very mad. I can't go and watch something family without one of these commercials on. Even the news shows. Come on already. I am not being biased either. I am not fond of all the female monthly product commercials either. I understand the reason behind advertising but there are some things that shouldn't be advertised.

Creepy Critter!!

Above is the critter himself. Don't know what he is but I'm not too fond of him. Below is this creepy critter next to a quarter. Don't care what he is and hope to never see him again. He's free to a good home!!! If you can find him you can keep him!!! *shudders* ooohhhh he's creepy!

Fuzzy stuff

Lookee what I found on the underleaf of my crimson king. This fuzzy little guy was trying to get some much needed shade on a hot summer day. Can't say I blame him either. He sure was hard to get a clear picture of. Even though it was really hot we had some wind too. So I ended up holding the leaf still and looking up from the bottom. I came back later to see if he was still there and he wasn't. I was hoping to find him but he apparantly had other ideas.

The tree pics

Here are a few of my trees. The first is my pear tree before it was planted and the second is my redbud. Can't get a pic of the crimson king just yet without capturing info (lisence plates, cars with phone #'s, etc.) on it. I like to remain unlocated if you could say that.

My trees.

Well we had our trees planted on Tuesday. They arent the flowering crabs but we like them just the same. We have a Crimson King maple tree out front, an Ornamental Pear tree in one corner of our backyard, and a Redbud tree in the other corner of the backyard. I am rather excited to see their fall colors and certainly their spring flowers. I might take some pix and show them to all of you. Silly like a kid is how I felt when I saw them planting them.

Flowering crab trees

I may be planting 3 flowering crab trees in my yard. I'd post a picture of one but there are so many that I can't decide on which photo to link to. A friend of ours has 3 that are 10-12 years old that we intend on planting soon. I am so excited! My aunt is worried that my neighbors (I have one kiddie corner in the back and another on one side) might not like my trees due to the shedding of the flowers and the fruit. We were told by our friend that these don't bear fruit. I don't know if that is possible but that is what he says. Well I did a quick search just now and apparantly there are some that don't bear fruit. They are called Spring Snow. I shall check this out further. They sure are pretty. Once we get them in I will take a few pics to share. But I just thought I'd share this good news.

Busy as a Bee!

Now that we have been in the house for a month things are slowing down a bit but I am still busy as a bee. Between helping my mother in law get everything in order to move into an apt. nearby (and a nice one at that), keeping up with my house (as far as getting it put together just the way we want it), cleaning my house, keeping the kids somewhat entertained, working and just doing the regular things you could say I am one busy little bee. It's all good though. I'm not complaining. The Lord has truly blessed us and I am so grateful.

I came to the realization that fall is coming upon us soon. YAY!! It is my favorite season. What brought this realization on? The fact that places are starting to put out some fall type stuff. Now if we could just get through summer.

So I suppose this is all for now. I am hoping to get back to this more often. Maybe with real content! lol

I've got grass!!!

It has taken a little over a week of watering seeds day and evening and we finally have grass! Not a lot but we have some. I am praying for rain. I have sunburnt my shoulders from being out early in the morning watering. Okay I know this isn't the best post but I am excited! It may sound so little of a thing but I just wanted to share. Blessings to all.

All moved in!!!

Well we moved into our new house on Thursday morning. It was a somewhat trouble free transition. We currently live in a fish bowl due to our blinds not getting here until Wednesday or Thursday. I LOVE my new house! The kids love it too. They are excited at all the room they have to play. Which means more room to cause trouble but that is just a fact of life. We have a nice yard (once they put our grass seed in). The only major hiccup was our new furniture not arriving on time (2 days late!). I am finally starting to feel a little rested. I never knew buying and moving into a new house could be so tiring and stressful. But overall we are truly blessed. The Lord blessed us with a nice house in a nice neighborhood. There are a lot of nice things about this house. So anyway...just thought I'd give a quick update. I hope to be blogging more soon.

Mother's Day!

First of all I would like to say "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!" to all you mommies or mommies to be out there.

So far today has been pretty good. The day started with me waking up early (5:30) to the sound of the kids having a good time in their room talking and giggling. After hubby got up things got a little better. From him and the kids I received a bottle of Jessica Mclintock perfume (smells like lilies!). I love the smell! Then the kids each gave me a card. My oldest gave me a vase he made in school, my middle one gave me some candy he bought at the store yesterday (they didn't make anything at school) and my youngest gave me a place mat with her picture on it and a coupon for a local restaurant. I then went and picked up my MIL and we took her out for lunch then brought her back here for a while. I drove her past our new house (yes we finally got one and I love it!) and asked her opinion of the color. She says it looks light gray and my husband says it is a green. Oh well! It doesn't matter. Now my husband is taking his mommy home and I am here listening to the kids brush their teeth and sing. Overall it has been a pretty good day. I hope all of you had a wonderful day as well.

Homemade Rainforest

My daughter has a project due on Monday about a creature in the rainforest. She chose poison dart frogs. So today we sat down and put this together. Mommy did all the hot glue type stuff (which is most of it) and she did the strategic placing of the frog stickers and the yellow frog in the log and the bug stickers. It was rather easy to do and she is so proud of it. It is amazing what you can do with toilet paper tubes, a paper towel tube, a frozen pizza cardboard thing, hot glue, crayons, stickers and some fake plants from the local hobby store.