Secret Keeper Girl Date #2

It's been about a month since we completed SKG Date #1 due to us both being sick, but today we got out and conquered Abigail's first mani/pedi then topped it off with a trip to one of our favorite coffee shops!

Fun times with my girl!

Abigail went with the french mamicure (and mommy copied!).

Okay, can't get two manicures and two pedicures in the states for $16!!!

Ahhh, yes, that is my motorbike helmet...don't leave home with out it!

Today's date we talked about true beauty.  In my opinion, true beauty comes shining through from a heart that's devoted to God and one's countenance and character radiates that Light.  I've always loved , " your beauty should not come from outward adornment...it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (I Pt. 3:4).  Yes, it's fun to get dolled up, shop for a new outfit and get a manicure every once in awhile.  There's nothing wrong with looking nice and taking care of yourself....we should take care of ourselves!  It's great to be girlie...that's how we're wired!   When the focus becomes an obsession that's when there's a problem.   When more time is spent making the outside look good than making the inside look attractive that's when there's a problem...BIG problem.  Haven't we all fallen into the trap though, ladies?  Probably so at one time or another.  Hopefully, as moms we can redirect our sweet girls to place the focus on the right beauty- true beauty.

I thought it was very interesting when I asked Abigail if there was something she didn't like about her body she just kinda looked at me like, "huh??"  Thankfully, this isn't an issue with her (....yet!).  In fact, she said, "I love my funny toe!" (as do I!).  For years we've talked about her "special" toe.  One of toes is very crooked.  It looks like it's broken.  Instead of making it a negative when she discovered it, we've always called it her "special toe and isn't it so cute".  Since that, she really does think it's cute and is so proud of it!  She's not self conscious at this point about body image (oh, and I do pray that she'll keep that innocent nature!) because if you're a female reading this you know that most likely there will come a day when your hips seem a little too wide.  Your waste has become a tad too thick.  Your freckles are too dark.  Your arms are not toned enough. Or....you fill in the blank.    Abigail, may you always look in the mirror and see what only God wants you to see and not be plagued with insecurity.

"I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful.  I know that full well." Ps. 139:14

Update on Abigail...

Since we “hunkered” down over the weekend and didn't go anywhere, got lots of rest, and we saw no improvement with Abigail's energy level we made another trip back to the doctor yesterday. Uggggh, the clinic is a really nice facility, and we really like our doctor, BUT I wonder if they are as tired of seeing us as we are of seeing them!?!?! They should just name the first floor our wing! She had a chest xray (which was all clear!) and an abdominal songoram (which showed some enlarged lymph nodes and a name of “mesenteric adenitis” which I've never heard of...), and was told is fairly common in children and not anything too serious. Our doctor felt that her fatigue was still due to the Epstein-Barr virus. So, more waiting to get better for our little family. That IS our middle name! PTL that it's nothing more serious and she's not in pain! Dr. Nathalie is a great doctor. She even pulled Abby aside to talk to her privately and reassure her that mommy is going to be okay and she is going to be okay! So thankful for her : )

Abigail did have a much better today which was GREAT seeing a smile on her face and little spring in her step. A sweet new friend, Penni, has taken the girls the past two afternoons to help give me some rest. The girls have thoroughly enjoyed their time with her sweet kids. They went to a cooking class this afternoon, so David and I received the benefit of homemade scones-yummo! She could not wait to make another batch for us when she got home!

You're beautiful inside and out.  It was so great to see you smiling today : )

We ARE going to get well, sweet girl...you and me both!!!

Audrey An's a weeeee bit jealous....

Well, the time has come...AA has become a tad miffed that mommy and Abigail are doing their special "pink" book together (aka Secret Keeper Girl book).  So, I had to find some balance and take Miss Little Bit out on the town, too.  It had been awhile since I had taken her on a date, so it's all good!  She knows when she gets older I'm going to do the pink book with her, too, but that just doesn't cut it when you're 6, ya know!   Last night, my awesome motorbike taxi cheauffeur dropped us at Cafe Pho.  I have to say it was a "hip" little cafe on the lake.  It had cool chandeliers, big sofas with overstuffed pillows, and  an incredible view of the lake!  The food & company wasn't too bad either : )

And....we're off!

First... a "spot" of tea.

Dinner and a smoothie... and, "Mommy, this is the best date ever!"  Wow...it doesn't take a lot to fill up my girl's emotional tank!!!  Let's hope that tank holds for a couple of days because I've promised Abigail that if we're both feeling 1/2 way human we're going on our next date tomorrow!

Kinda humorous to me to look at the above picture (all sweet, cutesie and innocent) then look at this one!  YIKES....she looks waaaaaay too grown up for me!  No more dress up for her (JUST kidding!)

 Medical update:  Well, answered prayer includes answers even when you kinda don't like the answer, right?  Right.  Seriously,  that is right!  I will be starting "that Rx" that I've not wanted to start taking.  I do have to say that my heart is better about it all though.  I'll continue to reduce my steroid (at a different rate now) and hopefully the methotrexate will reduce the amount of time I'm on the steroid.  My "puffier & hairier-than-normal/tingly arms-hands-feet/not-doing-so-well-in-the-heat self" is ready for that!  Let's hope that this will push me on over to the other side of the wellness track and kick-start my strength!  Yeh, that sounds good.  That sounds reeeeal good!

Praises and a little bling

WHO is this little TWEEN!?!?! (she doesn't have pierced ears....those are bangle bracelets taped onto her ears...LOL!!)

Thing 1 and Thing 2 on the way to our 2nd home on Thursday...Dr. Nathalie's office : )  They are SUCH troopers!

Well, guess who couldn't go for very long without putting on the bling like big sister!?!  Here's the next American Idol.  You go, girl!

Our devo time was about the tongue- how it can tear down and how it can build up one another.  Most importantly, how the tongue can give praise to Him.  So, we put it into practice.  The girls and I had a great "popcorn praise" time together this morning.  We have so much to be thankful for- so much in which to give thanks.  Then, of course, guess what happens??  Momma bear begins to cry.  I know, I know.... shocker, shocker!!  Mrs. Emotional-as-of-late gets a little choked up.  I kinda always do though during times like that.  I do with David.  I do with my girls.  I do with others when I'm "yarping" about things close to my heart.  It's just a fact of life for me.

So....on the top of my list today:
*for being chosen for whatever reason to go through this illness (Abigail and myself)
*for having the opportunity to live here and be given the opportunities/experiences we've been given
*for David's love/training/skill in his career path been given to him
*for doctors that communicate well and willing to use their skill and expertise for my family
*for anticipating answers to questions...I know we'll have clear answers to specific requests
*for TIME given to our family....David's schedule is so much better out here
*for the ability to praise...any time, any place- no matter where I am
*for my girls who are learning, experiencing, maturing in ways they wouldn't be back at "home"
*for the sound of rain pitter pattering on our not-so-clean-and-never-will-be windows that overlook the lake
*for the One who has provided all of this!

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and NOT grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Is. 40:31

CPK update & some waiting...

Okay, so a quick follow up from appointment yesterday.  Well, my numbers are back up a little.  My CPK is 430 (unlike 88 about a month ago) and my liver enzymes are slightly elevated, too.   I honestly thought it might be even higher (remember though, I have a hard time correlating how I'm feeling with what my numbers end up showing).   So...my sweet Dr. Nathalie is consulting with "Dr. Paris", and David and I are praying wisdom and a very clear answer as they consult as to what the next step in my treatment is (aka do I start the methotrexate or not) to get me on top of this.

Abigail hasn't had a very good day today.  She's been very slugglish and pretty solemn today. We're staying close to home this weekend and hoping that we both can get some good rest.

Until later...
(hopefully I'll hear something in the next couple of days)

An oh-so-quaint little town...

Okay, I really posted two times in one day today!  Last week we visited a town called Hoi An and fell in love with it.  It was just charming!  It's a town known for their zillions of  tailors (and we tried out 3 of them!), "no motorbikes in the downtown" (ahhhhh....peaceful!), chinese influence, french architecture, and beautiful beach.

I just wonder how many thousands of sewing machines one could find in this town!?!

We absolutely loved walking/shopping/touring the streets of the ancient town!

On the river in Hoi An

We went on a motorbike tour of the local villages, rice fields, Marble Mountain, China Beach and pottery village.  It was so cool to watch the locals teach the girls how to mold the pottery.

China Beach

Their version of the scarecrow...rain panchos on a stick!

Abigail sketched out the design of this dress the week prior to our trip.  This fabulous tailor made it come alive!  I'm proud of you, Abigail, for being so creative and making me such a lovely dress.  Not many 9 year olds can say they they've had their very own design custom made!

Japanese Bridge it up at night...built in the 1500s.

Daddy's girl : )

What an asian lantern looks like when it's not quite complete

Our motorbike taxi driver...awesome!

Yes, we crashed a wedding!  The wanted us to stay, stay, stay and drink, drink, drink...

From the top of Marble Mountain

Sun streaming through the smoke from incense at Marble Mountain

brilliant architecture...

My beautiful Abigail!

Hormone Replacement Therapy & steroids...maybe not a good mix!?!

Over the past month I've transitioned from my HRT that I was on prior to our move to my "new" change in HRT (based on availability of Rx and differences in doctors) recommended here.  I can tell a distinct difference in my moods over the past two weeks (since I'm completely on my new stuff) and I'm not liking it.  Yes, it "happened" to come at the same when I feel like I over did a bit on the walking on our last trip, too (can't help but think being on the steroids for 4 months now has something to do with it, too?).

When I took Abigail to the doctor Monday for her follow up I told her that I felt a bit weaker and the tingling in my arms/hands/feet and she just looked at me and said again, " I really think you need to be on the methotrexate." (and that's what two other docs have told me, too), and, I, of course, just kinda had a glazed "I-really-don't-won't-to-go-there-look".  I emailed her back yesterday and told her if she really thought that's what was best then David and I were open to me trying it.  I'm just nervous about it because of the possible side effects and strength of this medication.  I know everyone reacts differently to medication and treatments, but when you've had a family member who has not done well on a combination of this same treatment it does tend to make you a little hesitant.  I have prayed so much about my medical care and  this is the only thing that I've not gone with as recommended.  So, maybe wisdom should be to go with this recommendation- at least try it???  My steroid dosage has been dropping 5 mg/week as scheduled, but now I'm going to hold at two weeks on this dose.  I guess another stressor in all of this is that I know when I hit a certain dosage (in about a month) things could drastically change....more on that later.

It's just weird!  Emotionally, I have felt better than I've felt in a very very long time (probably EVER!!!) during this entire medical saga and living over here then KABOOM- and I really think it's the change in hormones- it's gotta to be.  I had a little melt down earlier today (ahhh, yes, remember those....hadn't had one of those in awhile and I know David is so very glad!!!), and just was shaking and felt so edgy.  I hate when I'm like that.  It's like an out of body experience!

So, I know....this, too, shall pass and I've got to get another adjustment of medication going, but at times I don't like even thinking about tackling that again.  OVERALL, yes, I'm still better off than what I what I was two months ago (and continue to be sooo grateful!).  I'm not sinking at all- just can see some change in things.  HRT really stinks (although it does have some "monthly" advantages that I'm not missing...lol!). My body has just been ravaged with LOTS of medication, lots of inflammation, and lots of muscle deterioration- things that I sometime forget when I am having stretches of good days!  David reminds me that steroids do weird things to people, and I was on such a high dose at the beginning maybe that combined with my HRT change is causing me some t.r.o.u.b.l.e- lovely.

As far as what we found out with Abigail...her liver enzymes are back to normal (they were 2-3 times elevated about a month ago), no strep, no bacterial infection, no anemia, but a slightly elevated ESR (inflammation marker).  I'm obviously not a doctor, but maybe since her liver enzymes are back to normal, she could be on the backside of this virus???  I do hope so!  I have to admit when I received the news of some "inflammation", it made my heart skip a beat (or two!)...given the fact that I am having inflammation issues.  I'm going to take her back in to more clarification and a possible xray and /or sonogram, etc.  Please pray for wisdom and for us to get the bottom of Abigail's health issue.  I must not have anxiety about her.  I just need explanation and clarification.

I am trusting, believing and knowing THIS to be true for sweet baby girl and for me!  I posted this back on April 11, but I came across it again today (which I think was a divine appointment!), and it was just as powerful to me today than it was back in April!

Medical updates...

It's been awhile since I've updated on my health and Abigail's health, too.  I'm taking the Abster back to the doctor on Monday (oh, and I know she'll be just thrilled when I tell her about that!).  It's been about a month since her labs were taken.  I don't think I ever posted what the results were.  If I didn't, the labs showed she has an iron deficiency and that she's HAD (sometime in the past) the Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis).  The test doesn't tell WHEN she had the virus....could be weeks or months ago....who knows!  So it does explain her very low energy level.  We started her on some iron pills, multi-vitamin, and really watching her diet and rest.  She must be struggling with getting over it.  I'm sure combined with the stress she's felt with my illness hasn't help out any either.  I've wondered if she's been scared that she's going to be "so sick like mommy"???  I asked her that, and she didn't answer very confidently so that tells me there must be some sort of anxiousness about that.  It breaks me heart to hear ask me, "Well, what time is the playdate?  You know, mommy, if it's too late in the afternoon, I don't think I can do it because i get so tired."---uggh!  It also breaks my heart to see her cry  and tell me how bad she feels on some days.   She definitely has better days.   All I can say is PTL that I AM BETTER and I have better ability to care for her now.  Oh, if we were both down....well, that wouldn't be good.

Yes, it's been about 3 weeks or so since my CPK level has been checked.  I am down to less than 1/2 the steroid dosage I was on when I left my hospitalization and have never had to begin taking the metho-trexate...yeah!  With that said, I do wonder if my CPK has increased a bit?  I think I overdid on our last little get away.  Towards the end of our trip my arms and hands began tingling, and I noticed today it was a little more difficult to get out of a chair that was sitting lower to the ground.   I don't think I realized how much walking we did until after the fact.  It's so hard to slow down when I am feeling better, but I have to remember that I've been very sick and not overdue it.

I'm still extremely grateful for the improvements and keep reminding myself what the physical therapist told me..."You can lose muscle mass very quickly, but it takes a much longer time to rebuild it."

#2 "Gotcha Day" Anniversary!

We happen to be visiting a chinese assembly hall this week!

WOW...how could it be that it's been 2 years since we met our little Audrey An face to face for the first time!  We had already welcomed her into our hearts and family waaaaaay prior to July 12, 2009, but it is a day that we all will never forget, and we will celebrate each year.  Abigail's birth was so spectacular almost 10 years ago, but the "birth" of our second child was just as spectacular- just in a totally different way.  How blessed I am to have experienced both types, too.   Here's the link of what we were doing on July 12, 2009! (the link doesn'always take you back to the correct link!  It's our "July 12, 2009 post labeled "Gotcha Day").   

We love you, Audrey An...sooooo thankful that God placed you into our family, and that we have the absolute privilege of calling you daughter and sister.  We canNOT imagine our lives without you!  I also acknowledge that day was a bigger than bigger transition for you, Audrey An.  See here for my thoughts on on anniversary #1 . (again, the link hasn't been working all the time, but it's the "July 12, 2010 post labeled "Love Letter" in which I'm referring).

opening a little "gotcha" treat...

Yes, what's a girl to do...sample them ALL!!!

We love learning, visiting, and living in your culture!

It's been a wild ride for you...and for all of us.  You've lived in 3 countries is 2 years!  I wonder where will be next year (Lord willing!)???