Busy Week

Buddy time me and Hunter.  He picked to go to Subway, as well.  It has been such a blessing to have some alone time with each child. 

Duck Donuts after swim.  Andrew and Hunter are done with lessons.  We wouldn't call them swimmers, but they are really close.  I couldn't go to lessons either night.  On Tuesday I went to a "refreshing night out for moms" at Naples.  Unfortunately, it was not too refreshing for me; Jess cried the whole time.  At least the other ladies were refreshed :) Last night Jessica and I went to Jack and Jules consignment pre event to stock up on fall/winter wardrobes for all 6.

@ Walmart with Daddy

Horses and impetigo

Nathan Bates brought his horses for the kids (and adults) to ride after church! I was a little surprised that all our kids did it and liked it.  well, except Addie.  She did not like it.  

Buddy time for Andrew and Sean.  Andrew picked to go to Subway!

Andrew requested that I post pictures of his impetigo lol.  So here they are!

2 Of My Favorite Ladies

Swim lessons with Mr Ed at Adventure Swim.  Unfortunately, Hailey tried for 2 days, but screamed the whole time so by day 3, Mr Ed thought it best if she not participate.  Andrew and Hunter are doing well, though, and Ryan got to swim just because Mr Ed was being kind.  It's nice to say Ryan CAN swim!

Mayfield

But first Buddy AM with Bug and mama!  We went to breakfast at Sweet Cafe.  :)

Mayfield Visitor Center in Athens, TN.  I envisioned a relaxing day.  Well, another kid puked in the entranceway while we were eating ice cream, Jessica screamed thru part of the tour during the movie, and unbeknownst to us we couldn't bring our stroller on the tour because of some 40 or so stairs to climb so Addie was free!  And busy.  Very busy.  LOL

Where Did I Leave Off?

So, a few posts ago, I mentioned how I had been having some health issues:  In case u want to catch up, here's what I said.

Unfortunately, father's Day wasn't as good.  I couldn't even serve my husband coffee when we woke up because the outlet was dead.  Then he took me to the ER for chest pain that I've had on and off since June 1st.  Its varied from being constant to intermittent to not at all.  Sometimes it's really painful and sometimes not.  Sometimes it goes down my left arm and into my back.  Sometimes it's positional.  Sometimes my fingers are numb.  Sometimes it hurts to take deep breaths.  Well, chest x-ray and blood work were normal and EKG showed a nonspecific T wave abnormality.  MD offered admit and stress test, but we decided (with my FIL's wisdom) to just followup with my PCP.  Sean and I are thinking more muscular and/or stress and anxiety.  But I'm glad we ruled out the BIG stuff.  Today I haven't felt much pain at all and I am thankful to God for that.  I have been stressed (overwhelmed) with trying to manage being wife, mother of 6, keeping up with the house,  cooking, laundry, errands, groceries, friends, family, church, etc, etc, etc.  Sean and I were able to talk a lot about that on our date and he's on board to helping me stress less and enjoy all my blessings.  I'm on board too.  :)

Well, a week ago Sunday, I woke up around 1 AM and fearfully decided I needed to drive myself back to the ER.  Same tests and results as above.  I arrived home around 6 AM and crawled in bed with my husband.  Later that day, pain intensified, 10/10 type pain.  Some things like position or a hot bath helped, but I was in tears.  Pain had changed locations again too.  Also, finding it hard to breathe and panicky and palpitations.  Monday morning I saw my MD.  Had an echo done, which was pretty normal except some mitral valve thickening.  We talked a while and she decided to refer me to a cardiologist and to get an ultrasound of my gallbladder.  Both are scheduled for soon.  She also gave me a shot of toradol and started me on Zoloft.  

Now, here's the point where I will say that modern medicine has been frustrating my husband and he decided to try to something a little different.  After prayer of course.  He has been scared about my health.  We have a friend who does the Body Code, Emotion Code, and nutritional testing.  I've done the Emotion Code for a couple of years, but none of the other stuff.  I am not going to get into all that here, but I will just say that she has come over twice and has been working with me emotionally and nutritionally.  She feels I have a hormone imbalance and some of my organs are out of whack.  So at her suggestion we have ordered a bunch of supplements to try to get me back to feeling well.  This may sound totally whacky to some of you, but that's OK.  

I am also changing my diet.  Little to no grains, sugars, and caffeine.  Boo.  Very hard!  Concentrating on proteins and healthy fats and veggies and fruits.  

I have lived my whole life with perfectionism and OCD and for the last decade or so with anxiety and stress.  To the point where my state of anxiety and stress was baseline and not even noticed anymore. I feel like my body has finally told me enough is enough.  God has prompted me often to change, but I've never been able to.  Maybe because I didn't know how.  So in the midst of all this fear and worry and the stress and anxiety, I have found blessing and peace.  I want to change.  I want to enjoy my life.  My family.  My world.  My God.  

I was telling Sean this morning how I felt like so much has changed this year.  Our marriage.  New baby.  My health.  Our homeschooling.  My relationship to God and how it feels so much sweeter now.  I feel as if I am learning how to finally let go and let Him.  

 A scary season has changed how I view things.  I want my time with my husband and kids to be meaningful.  I want to run and play and laugh and hug and then do it all over again.  I don't want to care if the bed is unmade and there are dishes in the sink and laundry to do.   It will wait and it will always be there and it will happen again and again.  But these precious moments won't.

I don't know if these attacks of pain are going to happen again.  I hope not.  I have to constantly give up my rights to my health to God.  But I do hope and pray that I learn what I need to learn  in the valley.  For now, pain wise, I am feeling about back to normal.  

And I am so very thankful for my husband (I love him even more these days), my children, our family, and our church family and our friends.  I have really been feeling the love.  We have been blessed with prayers, texts, cards, babysitting, meals, phone calls, etc.  

Our Savior never leaves us or forsakes us.  There is hope in Him.  There is healing in Him.

Buddy Time

We read about a family who does Buddy Time and we thought it might be something to do for our family.  So basically once a week a parent rotates taking a child out somewhere to do something special.  Addie was first with Daddy and they went down to Sweet Cafe and had ice cream and went to the park.  It looks  like they enjoyed it!  Next up this week is me and Hailey! 

4th 2017

Happy 4th!  Norris Day, hotdogs on the grill, corn on the cob, watermelon, and fireworks with friends rounded out our holiday celebration!