Refocused or redirected---Not really sure which???

I've finished the final review that I needed to do for TOS Crew and I'm moving on.  I'm not sure where I'm moving to, not sure what my focus should be.  I started this blog to share my homeschooling journey and to chronicle our days.  Koty is my only homeschooled child now and he works very independently of me.  I'm not saying he doesn't need me, but he kinda doesn't need me; he's very self-motivated.  So, honestly there isn't much to blog about there.

I have also very much used this blog to share my photography, not sure if there is much of an audience for that; but I'm not sure that I care.  I love to share my pics with family and friends and this is kind of my only outlet for that.

Another direction that I've been considering but haven't quite wrapped my mind around yet is my health and a lifestyle/diet change.  I have been having multiple health problems surrounding my gastrointestinal system, they can't seem to figure out what is wrong but the prevailing theory is Pancreatitis and Gastritis.  My liver functions are a little wonky and they are retesting those but don't seem to have a plan other than to encourage me to quit drinking and to stop taking Tylenol products.  I honestly don't drink, never have; and Tylenol is not high on my list of pain relievers.  I've been thinking about looking into holistic methods of treating Pancreatitis and IBS and sharing those plans here.

As I type this, I'm thinking that I'll share it all.  Like it or hate it, this is me.  I have a very full, sometimes boring, sometimes exciting life and I love to share it through photos.  I bake for my families restaurants and would love to share any recipes and ideas that I have to improve my health.  I homeschool one 14 yr. old crazy man and help two elementary students through their homework and would love to share their triumphs and successes with y'all.  I have a high school student who is growing into an awesome young man, he's a 2nd degree black belt, studying Brazilian Ju Jitsu  and just got accepted onto the wrestling team; sharing him with y'all is both a joy and a pleasure.

So, I guess that's it.  I don't really have a focus or a direction.  I'm going to share it all and hope that my family continues to share our daily lives through this blog.  I promise to blog more and I promise to share more about our day to day.

Christi

What a week!

Sorry it's been a couple of days.  I had to skip some days on my Mommytography, life got in the way.  I had a couple of medical tests this week of which I'm anxiously awaiting the results.  I did a stress echo cardiogram on Monday to see if there is any medical explanation for my chest pains, I'm starting to wonder if they are musculoskeletal and not actually my heart at all.  The other test was a needle biopsy on my thyroid, when I got my CT scan for chest pains they found a nodule on my thyroid and the doctor has ordered to tests on it, to rule out cancer???   So if you're a praying person I could really use lifting up while I wait to hear the results.  Thanks a bunch!

(110/365)

Took this one on the way to work, I love the lights on this bridge.  They have that sort of old fashioned look to them.

Christi

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Project 365/82-83

I had another Dr.'s appt. today, they are trying to figure out why I'm having chest pains with exercise, my chest feels tight in general and overall I'm beyond exhausted.  So far, no idea; just more tests. I hate tests, it feels like you are going no where fast.  I have to have a stress test, ultrasound of my thyroid and EKG; sounds expensive.  I hope these tests have the answers, it is very stressful to feel so awful without a reason why, you feel like maybe you're a hypochondriac after awhile.  I'm really leaving it to prayer right now, it certainly has done no good to worry about it.

(83/365)

Spring is trying to make an appearance in our area, flowers are blooming and trees are budding out.  They are calling for sleet and snow over the next 24 to 48 hours and pretty cold temps, so that will put a stop to Spring for a couple of days.  Luckily, temps are supposed to ride that fine line so it won't be a hard freeze, just enough to make us appreciate the great weather we've had over the last couple of weeks.  Here's some pics I've taken to remind me that Spring really is just around the corner.

I don't really know what kind of flowering bush this is but they were by the Wal-mart and I had to stop and take some pics.  They are so beautiful, I'm in love with the soft colors.

Once again, I don't know what kind of tree this is but I loved the trumpet shaped bloom.  The vibrant color was gorgeous too.

(82/365)

Christi

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This is the stuff.....

When your 16 year old permit driver wrecks into a little old lady in the Wal-mart parking lot.....

This is the stuff!!!

Thank you Lord, for the vitamin supplements that have evened out my mood, Hunter really appreciates the difference.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 23

We went to the doctors office today to get CJ's test results.  He was suspected to have Hemachromatosis, a rare blood disorder; due to his high serum ferritin levels.  Luckily, all of the genetic testing came back negative.  Awesome!  The down side is that they don't know what's causing this ferritin level.  But, I'm focusing on the positive today, he doesn't have a genetic disorder that could be passed to our kids!

We feel really confident that this doctor, will exhaust himself to be sure that CJ's health is not something we need to worry about.  He takes everything and makes informed decisions, he's not just treating the diabetes, hypothyroid, high ferritin, high blood pressure; he's treating Chris and that sets my heart at ease.  Chris is not just a set of symptoms, he's a man with a wife and 4 kids who need him daily, hourly, minutely.  Thank you, God; for leading us to this doctor.

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Gratitude Challenge: Day 16 and 17

For the past few days I've been struggling with what I can only describe as exhaustion.  I can only trace it back to my surgery and the resulting anemia.  I'm grateful for iron, but struggle mightily in taking it.  Debilitating stomach cramps, back aches and nausea; make it hard to consistently take the iron that I need.

So for yesterday and today I am grateful for my bed, which I've not traveled far from and for books.  I love to read, have always loved to read.  I started my love affair with books as a 6-7 year old and never have a book out of reach.  I also have an E-reader (Nook) which has been a blessing, since I can order books online and never have to leave the aforementioned bed.

So for today, while not deep, it is meaningful; I am grateful for my bed and my books.

Head over to Garden of Learning to see what others are grateful for today.

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Gratitude Challenge: Day 6 and 7

Brenda over Garden of Learning is hosting and attitude of gratitude month, I missed yesterday because I didn't get home from work until 1 am.  Today I am going to be grateful for two things that are interconnected.

Day 6: I am incredibly grateful for modern medicine.  October 13th I had an LAVH, laparoscopic hysterectomy, for those that don't know all of the abbreviations.  I basically had 3 holes punched through my stomach,  as opposed to an abdominal hysterectomy which requires a full incision, which is what my mom had 20 years ago.  I had very little pain, an incredibly easy recovery and just over 3 weeks later; I am back to work.  Yeah, I'm a little sore and tired, but that could just be from sitting around for the last 3 weeks.  There would be no way to claim such an uneventful and easy recovery if I had had a full abdominal hysterectomy.  Thank you God, for guiding the hands of my surgeon and for gifting him with the knowledge he required to help me live an easier, more productive life.

Day 7: I am exceedingly grateful for a doctor who would listen to me and grant me a hysterectomy.  I know when my mom was my age it took a lot longer to get anything done, my mom was miserable for many years before they granted hers.  Until you can't leave your home during that time of the month, for fear of embarrassing yourself, you just can't understand how debilitating it can be.  I was literally home bound for up to 3 days a month, unless I wanted to pack a change of clothes; like a 3 year old.  3 days can feel like forever when you have 4 kids.  Thank you God for Dr. Moulton, a gifted doctor and gentle spirit.

Head over here to see what others are grateful for this beautiful Sunday.

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Weekly wrap-up: Poison Ivy Edition

We had a pretty good week, we decided to spend Monday out at Grandma's and Grandpa's. They needed manual labor and I had kids willing to work, well sort of. Mostly they watched Grandma and I work and pretended to tend the fire. Chris was messing with the camera and took these pictures through the fire. It's pretty cool how the heat waves are not only visible but distort the kids faces.

Tuesday we had to make a choice, I'd already decided not to send Hunter to his gifted program as they were going to spend part of the day watching the Presidents' speech and I wasn't interested in him spending his time this way. I know, the speech was nothing offensive or indoctrinating, but I really don't believe the speech he gave was the original. If the original speech was as innocuous as this one it would have been released immediately, not a few days after the controversy started. The teaching materials were created, that lends to the belief that the speech was already completed. Either way, I went ahead and kept Hunter home and we made up work that we would normally have done Monday.

Wednesday we just worked as usual, the boys kept working on Ancient Egyptian Art, we're using the curriculum created by Harmony Art mom, the guys really enjoy it.

Thursday I decided that I needed to take Ry to the doctor, he has had this rash for a few days but it wasn't responding to Benadryl creams, Tecnu or Palmolive(home remedy). It was strange, there were several kids in the waiting room with a similar rash. They put him on both an antibiotic and steroid, he's scratched it raw and she believed it was infected. I'm not really big on random antibiotics but I agreed that his arm looked odd, it was puffy and ravaged looking.


Friday is here, unfortunately for me it means it's time to work. Being in the restaurant business means I get the privilege of staying home most of the week, but I have to work all weekend. The boys weren't able to finish all of their school work this week, so they'll probably have to work a little tomorrow. The guys got busy while I took the little people to our neighborhood park.
Koty working with Analytical Grammar and Hunter finally getting going on his Latin Road.
We walked down to the park and played for awhile, they installed some new equipment that the kids really loved. On the way home we noticed this little guy hanging around in the tree. I don't know much about snakes, so I don't know what kind he is, but we were fascinated anyway. Rylan thought it was very cool that he was napping in the tree.
Oh well, that's it for our week! Head over to Weird, Unsocialized, Homeschoolers, to read more weekly wrap-ups!

Creeping back on!

Last Summer and Fall, through exercise and slight diet changes I managed to shed almost 40lbs. No huge life changes just stopped drinking sugared pop and eating alot of candy, mostly it was just exercising using the Exercise TV workouts. I love Leslie Sansone, she inspires me to want to be better, physically. I have to admit though that through the last Spring and Summer I have put back on 15-20lbs. I'm not happy! It's more than the weight gain, it's the mood that goes with not devoting anytime to just me.

When I was exercising, I would sleep better, I was in a generally better mood and as silly as it sounds I was having a better prayer life. Maybe it was that I was getting up early to fit in my walk, then I was able to move on to devotions, all before the kids got up. Whatever it was, I fell out of the habits that I had formed and I am paying for it. I am irritable, not sleeping well, not taking time for devotions, and am generally tired. My kids are paying the price, unfortunate but true. Enough is enough. I am endeavoring to change back to the patterns that I had, if I lose weight, great; if not, oh well. I just want to be a better mom, wife, teacher.

Photohunt- Theme Low

This photohunt was difficult, I didn't want to go take an odd, random picture. I really wanted to find pics in my archives that fit the theme. I think I did okay.
Both of these were taken off the jetty at the Children's cove at La Jolla. I was trying to explain to the kids what tide pools are and the creatures that live in them, but we weren't going to be able to go tide pooling; then I saw these. I zoomed my camera as far as it would go just to see what I could get. I think that they are great, you can see several different anemones? in both photos.

This one was taken off of the Amtrak that we rode to California on, I'm pretty sure it was one of the lowest points before we got to the mountains of Colorado. It kind of looked like a salt marsh to me, but it was probably just frost.


This one was taken on the Submarine ride at Disneyland, I didn't get to ride this one, because on the day they rode it I was incapacitated.


Here! We went to Disneyland to celebrate our 15th anniversary, which is January 8th. The evening of the 7th I started feeling bad and just assumed I had eaten to much junk food, I woke up on the 8th feeling tired and bruised all through my stomach area. By the night of the 8th, we were sure something was wrong. Chris insisted I go to the ER, even though I was sure it was just gas or something equally unimportant.


The following is me on the 9th, following an emergency Gallbladder removal. Can I party or what?!? We were all pretty down and depressed. But we all believed it could have been worse, it could have hit at the beginning of the trip or on a 36hr Amtrak ride, it waited till the last possible day that I could still catch my flight home and enjoy the majority of my vacation. God is good.