What I've done

Thank you all for your responses. I thought I should go a little further into the things I have done to figure out what is wrong. Gotten tons of blood taken and tested. All coming back negative. Cat scans and ultrasounds done. I take a probiotic everyday which is the acidophilus, am thinking of getting a prescription one to try though. I have done the taking diary and wheat out of my diet. That only made me feel worse because I was basically starving myself. I will look into checking out that website with recipes. I have a friend that has mentioned the Maker's Diet and asked her today if I could borrow the book. I don't think I have ever been bitten by a tick but at this point if they can test me for it then I will go ahead and get tested. Especially if it can be treated and this nightmare can be OVER.

Stick a fork in ME...

***warning...I'm not feeling good and there will be complaining/venting going on here***
I'm done...totally and completely done with feeling like junk. I am not going to stop testing until I get an answer and an answer I feel is the correct answer, I tend to get things back saying everything is fine, though I still feel junky I stop being poked and prodded to give my body a rest. The diagnoses we've gotten so far seem inaccurate. I am so mad, sad and upset today. Yesterday I wasn't feeling well and as the day went on I felt worse. I took a sleeping pill and still couldn't fall asleep, because of the pain. I think I finally drifted off around 11:30 which was 2 1/2 hours after I took the "magic" pill. I was so annoyed. Then J went golfing this morning really early and he woke me up at 6 something and I wasn't able to fall back asleep. When my alarm finally went off I felt worse then I did last night. I tried eating my normal bagel and I only ate half. I feel nausea and keep having the stupid dry heaves. I also have been feeling a little light headed on top of that too. I made the decision this morning that I would have to stay home from GG field trip. It breaks my heart because I so wanted to go with her but I can't justify putting other kids at risk if I pass out at the zoo. She was so sad which hurt even more. I love her so much and she is such a sweet little girl. I hate what this is doing to her and how scared she gets when I don't feel good. The bad thing is I hide about 97% of my pain from her and the boys. Poor Peanut sees more because she is the baby, though I try and shield her from a lot of it too. I just want my insides gutted and rewired. Is that possible? The best way I have come to describe the pain is it feels like my organs are inflamed or swollen and any movement hurts them. Sometimes I get like muscle spasms on the inside of my body. It is the weirdest feeling and it hurts. The thing that ticks me off the most is that I go to the doctor (my primary) she sends me to the GI doc or the Rheumotolgist and then they run a bunch of test that show up with nothing, so they give me the generic diagnoses of Fibromyaglia and IBS. I want to go see a specialist to test for food allergies and help me with my diet needs. I really feel like I am allergic to a certain type of food or I have a lack of a certain vitamin. I need to work with someone who can get me vitamins that aren't going to kill my stomach. I also want them to look inside and see what is going on instead of just guessing. It has been way to long for this to be going on.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Although it is a little chilly today we have enjoyed much time outside! And I'm LOVING it! But let me start with Saturday, I left for the night and met my mom in a town half way between our houses. I had three things on my agenda to do since I was kidless. Try on the new Victoria Secret's Bio 7 way bra, get a new swimsuit and relax in the hot tub! I got to do all three. I didn't buy that bra because I didn't like it, shocking I know. Their bras are weird sometimes and this just happened to be one of them. We jammed in to our visit shopping, eating, talking, dancing and hot tubing. We had many laughter attacks, she is not only my mom but she is one of my best friends! I am also happy to report that I found a new swimsuit! I got home Sunday around 3:30, so we had a good part of the afternoon to spend together. We went a golf place that had playground. J took the two older to hit balls at the driving range and I took the little two to play. It was nice to be outside. I will say that when I came home from my get away I was pleasantly surprised by the new ceiling fan in our bedroom and another project that I had been asking J to do. Our ceiling fan went out last fall and we didn't need it because of the winter but I am glad now that it is warming up to have a new working one! I think I might have to leave more often if I get to come home to improvements to the house. *hink*

Moving on to today. Memorial Day...J drove a squad car in the parade so the three oldest got to ride in the back and wave to all the people. It was so cute to hear all the people they knew during the parade. Maybe next year Peanut will get to go too?! We'll see. I enjoyed being with just her and watching her dance to all the bands that passed us. She is such, little miss personality, I tell you. As soon as the last float passed us the kids were back from making the route. We sat at the beginning of the parade which was the police department, just incase Peanut needed to use the potty. We got home around 10:30 and packed up some gloves, baseball, bat and 3 kites and walked/rode bikes to the big grass field at the end of our street. The kids did great flying kites and Peanut got to hold the kite for the first time today. I think flying kites is one of my favorite things to do with the kids. The joy of their face when they get it up is like no other. I packed up the kites and J played ball with the older ones and Peanut and I walked home to get lunch ready. After the little kid's naps we went to our friends house for dinner and some swimming. It was a great weekend. I know I say this all the time but I am truly blessed. I love my life and my family.

Funnies

A lot of silly things have been going on around here though I really only have time to put it on my facebook status! Two of my favorite funnies over the last week were Peanut and the potty. She had on this really cute outfit that the pants are like spandex. When we are home she goes by herself and I hear her peeing. Well the day she wore that outfit I hear her peeing and when I walk in to wipe her she is sitting on the toilet with no shirt on and her pants and undies still on! The shirt was outside the bathroom door on the floor. I found it funny because she couldn't get her pants off so she opted for the shirt! She put all of the pee in the potty she just peed through her clothes to do it. And the best part is she was clueless that she was doing it wrong at that moment I walked into the bathroom because she started clapping for herself ;) She is such a funny and sweet little girl. I get compliments all the time out in public on how friendly she is and what a great little personality. I would have to say I completely agree!

The other funny happened on Red's birthday. On the way to church he asked if he had to take a nap. J told him that since it was his birthday that he didn't have to take one. After church he got to choose where we went for lunch to celebrate his birthday. This is one of our birthday family traditions. He wanted Pizza Hut and then to go to this arcade place. We left to go home around 4pm and half way home, it is about 3o minutes away, Red was out cold. I found it funny because all day he kept saying in various ways, "It's my birthday and I don't have to take a nap today!" It was all about how he didn't have to take a nap like a baby because he was now 4 years old!

Race for Education update: Red got a trophy for running the most laps out of all the boys in the entire preschool. He was so happy, that was his goal. Monkey also got a trophy for running the most laps out of all the boys in his class or grade not sure how they did that. GG didn't get a trophy but she won a $25 gift card for having the second most sponsers for the race. It was a good day because they all got something!!!

Oh to be young again...NOT!

Though I will say I had a great time dressing up and somewhat reliving my youth through going to my sister-in-laws senior banquet, which is just like prom, they just call it banquet. I am so glad I am at the stage of life I am in right now. Eleven years ago on May 15th J and I got engaged at his senior banquet that was held in the same hotel as Liz's. It was cool to be in the same place with the same guy doing the same thing only 11 years later. I bet you are wondering what the difference between banquet and prom is right? Well, as the name indicates we have it in a banquet hall instead of everyone going different places to eat we all eat together. Oh yeah and parents are invited. They also invite the 8th graders of the school kind of like welcoming them into High School. After the meal the seniors do a program this year they had a slide show, skit, class song, video and speech. I wish I would of taken a video of the skit because my sis-in-law was in it and was the main person. It was HILARIOUS! If one of the seniors took a video of it and put it on facebook I will try and copy it and put it here. She did a great job on it. She also gave the speech and did a fantastic job, she was so poised and elegant. After the program the kids go to another location and have a dance. This year the seniors rented a boat. I bet you are wondering if I also took pictures. Well I did. Would you like to see them? You do?! Here they are...if you are a friend on facebook you've probably already seen them.


Well there you have it! Like I said it was a great night...but I'm glad I'm not that age anymore.

Red turns 4!

If you want to read his birth story go here. It starts on the 16th because that is when I went into labor but he was born on the 17th just past midnight. I just love this kiddo with all my heart. I can't image what life would be like without him. Somethings I want to always remember about my Red.

* when we are at church and I can't find him the chances are pretty good he is in the pastors offices. He loves Pastor Paul because he reads to him and he loves Pastor Shawn because he has a toy Yoda in his office.

* he tells us he wants to be a Pastor one day and I believe him and think with his personality it would be a great fit!

* he has such a kind heart. Pastor Paul had a heart attack at the end of April. We were able to give him a call a last week. Red told him he wanted to give him one of his toys to make him feel better.

* his smile...not the forced one he gives when we try and get pictures. Enough said.

* he has a temper to match his red hair but on the opposite side he is so sweet and snuggly. We are working at taming the temper and I can see a huge difference in him already.

* his humor...though I can't really put it into words...it's just funny and cute.

* his passion about all things Star Wars, Karate and Buzz Lightyear, yeah I know he is all over the place with those passions but that is what makes him HIM.

Well I only meant to do 4 things because that is his age but I did 7 and I could go on look at this face!


Dear Red,
I am so glad that God chose to place you in our care. You have been a blessing to our family and have grown your daddy and I in our parenting endeavor. We all love you so much. Can't wait to see how God uses you in the future to bring Him glory. You are certainly a handful but I wouldn't trade you for the world. I hope you have a great 4th birthday.

Love, Mama

Stay tuned for pictures of the banquet/prom that J and I went to on Friday night! We had a great time and as always I enjoyed getting all dolled up for a night out with my hubby.

My blog...

I have been neglecting it! I started reading the O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson and they are so good, I highly recommend them. Though I will warn you they are addicting and each book is over 300 pages. I am whiping through the books like crazy, I started reading them at the beginning of April, I am halfway through the 5th book and there are 2 more books in the series. I also have been neglecting my house because I have been reading during the kids naps which is when I usually do my cleaning. Yesterday, we had Realtor come over to take a look at our house and see what we should/could do to help it sell. There really isn't much we would need to do which is great. But then we sat down to start talking about actually selling it, what we would get, if it was a good idea and yada yada yada. Well J and I pretty much walked away saying that we can make this house work for at least 3 years if not more, we just want a bigger house we don't need one right now. It's tight but if we de-clutter and purge things we don't use/need we can live here that long. I am kind of relieved that we decided this because the thought of having the house clean in a moments notice is a bit daunting with 4 little munckins running around making it a mess ALL. DAY. LONG.

Anyways, also wanted to give a Peanut update on the whole potty training thing. She is AMAZING. This girl basically potty trained herself. In the 2 + weeks she has been without a diaper she has had 7 accidents and she has only peed in her pull up 2 at night. I don't have to reminder her to go potty she just tells us and goes. She has been by far the easiest of the kids and the other kids were pretty easy in my opinion. Well I have sleeping babies and I have a book calling my name ;)

Mother's Day

I had a great mother's day. I was woken up by my kids showering me with gifts that they had made in school. I got a green book mark from Monkey with a sweet card about how I make him blossom. A mug with flowers in it from Red and the smile that melted my heart as he gave it to me. GG gave me 2 cards she made and bowl with shells, and rocks with a purple flower and a lady bug card that said "roses are red, violets are blue, You are my mother, and I love you." They all gave me great big hugs and kisses and Peanut said, "Appy mommy day!" Then it was off to church. Red made me a necklace and Monkey made something too but he left it at church so I'll get it next week. We left after Sunday School to head to J's aunts house. We spent the afternoon with J's aunt and uncle, whose two boys are overseas in the military, his grandparents, mom, dad, and sister. On our way home we met up with my mom for a few minutes. By the time we got home it was 8:30pm. We had a great day and the kids had fun playing outside flying kites. Oh I got a dozen yellow roses from J and they are so pretty. I really enjoy my family and I wish I could better capture yesterdays memories but this will have to do. I heard Happy Mother's Day many times yesterday and recieved many hugs and kisses through out the day.

Yay for the weekend!

This week as been fun but terribly busy. Yesterday Red, Peanut and I went to the zoo with grandma and some friends. We had a great time and I got some sun on my arms. It was a beautiful day for the zoo! I have pictures but the chances of you ever seeing them are slim because I'm just too tired to get them on here. I have a list of things to get done and one is going to the bank to deposit the kids money that was in their piggy banks. I couldn't believe how much money they had in there. I think I need to check more often...my dad gives them more money than I realize. I have to finish registering GG for summer camp, the only thing I have left to do is fill in how much money we are willing to let her have at the canteen during her breaks. You can put in as little as 10 dollars or as much as 60 dollars. I'm thinking maybe 20 dollars as she is only going to be there 7 days, I don't know what do you think? I have to get on the paper work for church to get her a camp scholarship...summer camp isn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination and I don't even want to think what the cost is going to be when all 4 are going. I need to get my dress for Liz's prom/banquet altered and I need to get on that because it is next Friday but I am happy to report I finally found shoes that I just adore! There are other things I need to do but I can't think of them off the top of my head. I think I'm going to go read while Peanut finishes are nap and then to the bank we go :)

Summer Camp

I just sat down at the computer to sign my daughter up for summer camp this year. It is the first year she is old enough to go and I am really struggling with how I feel about it. I am excited for her but sad she will be gone for a whole week in someone else's care and I won't get to talk to her. I can't believe she is old enough to be gone for a week. We have been going back and forth on whether or not we were going to send her because the camp starts the day J gets back from Canada and he probably won't get to see her until she comes back. Hopefully she will get put in the cabin with a girl from church that is going the same week. That would make me feel much better! The scary thing is next year Monkey will be old enough to go. OY.

What a busy day!

This weekend I was thinking that I would be home all day the first part of the week. That did not happen. Yesterday was the Race at school and a doctor appointment for GG which put us getting home at noon. Today we ended up not getting home until 11:30am. After the kids race I couldn't tear Red away from his friend Curly. They haven't gotten to see each other much and they were having such a good time playing plus, then I got to talk to Kristin and her mama! I'm on my way out the door to get the kids from school motivate them to get their homework done so we can go to the soccer game and to the Cinco De Mayo party for our Sunday School class. As always we aren't going to be home much this week! Though I don't have to cook tonight so that is a huge plus ;)

Race for Education

The school the kids go to has a Race once a year to raise money for improvements to the school. They have gotten new buses and computers and many other needed updates. Today Red had his run and I was so impressed with my little guy. He ran 10 laps in an hour that is 2 1/2 miles. He is hoping to get a trophy for running the most laps. They do that for the older grades so we'll see if they will give him one and if not I will go out a buy one. For being so good about running I took him from school instead of leaving him for the rest of the day and we went out to eat at his choice, Mc Donalds. I also got to walk/run 2 1/2 miles today and it felt great to be outside and moving. I will update this post with the older two kids running results tomorrow! I plan on giving them some money for lunch time to get an ice cream.

Update**
The older two ran the Race for Education today. Monkey ran 15 laps that is one short of 4 miles and GG ran 13 laps. They did such a great job! I am so proud of them all for enduring the heat and running.

What was I thinking?

This morning J asked what was on the agenda for the day. After thinking about it I said I would like to go grocery shopping while the two little ones take a nap so that I don't have to leave the house on Monday. Peanut does better when we can be home consistently with the potty. I told him I would take the two older ones so that the house would be quiet for naps. I really don't know what I was thinking...you would think my 6 1/2 and 8 year olds would know how to behave in public! We were in the crowded stores and they are hitting and pushing each other and trying to play tag, then getting mad at each other for pushing too hard or whatever. Then it was the looking at each other that sent the other one into hysterics. J called making sure I got his precious animal crackers, I love you babe, to which I told him I wish I had the two little ones with me for they would be behaving better. You know what he did? He laughed! Maybe I should give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they just had extra energy because they had Iowa testing last week and had to take many tests?! By the second store I had threatened them with early bed time if they didn't straighten up. The last two stores went pretty good...note to self early bed time scares = behaving kids. HA!