Thank goodness for walk-ins!

This week I've had some kind of allergic reaction to something and my rash has worsened tremendously, and a lovely itch has decided to accompany it!  I decided I probably couldn't make it through the weekend very comfortable so I tried to get in with Dr. M.  Unfortunately, she was booked solid yesterday.  Although I didn't want to see her partner (because she knows nothing of my case) I decided to go on in...surely she could help me in some way. It's a bit hard to get a new doctor "up to speed" with my condition in five minutes.  I tried my best, and so did she.  David has demolished our guest bathroom this last week, and we're pretty sure that's what I'm reacting to negatively.  Well, mentally I am  reacting very positively to getting rid of our 1970's yellow tile, tub and toilet!  Physically...not so much!  The mold and mildew must be causing this reaction.  So...much to my dismay I was given an additional steroid (orally and in an IV) to calm things down.  By the time I finished up all my IVs my itch had calmed and I was a taaaaad on the sleepy side since they injected a small dose of benadryl, too.  The itch started back up early evening and I was up all night since I went ahead an started on the first dose of this additional steroid around 5pm last night (probably should have waited to start it this morning, but....I was desperate for relief!).  I think my rash is worse today...uggh!

So...calling on all my prayer warriors.
Please pray:
*That my symptoms will lessen this weekend and sleep will be restored.
*David can finish up this remodel quickly.
*Find someone to deep clean our entire house, power wash our exterior and driveway so we can rid ourselves of as much mold and mildew as possible .  The doctor told me not to even go into this bathroom much less clean it (well, fooey...lol!).  Breathing is always nice, but breathing this contaminated stuff is so not good right now.
*Also, for Abigail...she's trying so hard in volleyball and her request is that her serve improve.  She has a game Monday and Tuesday next week, and I'm praying specifically she'll get serves over in both games to encourage her little heart!
*Audrey An- her short term memory will improve and we can give her the skills to improve reading and memorizing.

I know it will clear, but it has been a discouraging week physically.  With this reaction and having to add in another steroid plus trying so hard to eat the right things so as to not complicate the issue of yeast in my body (then being told pretty much everything is bad for you...remember the salad conversation??).  This too shall pass!

Praises:
*The last few weeks my sleep had improved!
*Abigail attended her first student rally/revival at our church this week...praise God is moving in our youth!
*Audrey An loves school despite some apparent academic issues David and I see.  Praise that she's not discouraged at this point!
*Exchanged several email this past week with AA's foster sister and got to see updated photos of her foster  brothers!
*Carpools!!!

Adjusting...

We've just finished our second week of school, and...well, I'm exhausted already.  Praise God I have 3 other families to carpool with plus David drives on his days off (yes, a bit of a logistical nightmare at times!). I don't know how I'd physically be making it without the help!  Both girls get out at different times plus Abigail has volleyball practice everyday after school except for Wednesday.  Wednesday is the only day they're picked up at the same time.  I know we've entered a new season of life with school (just GOING to a school, and now school with a sport!), and I'm quite sure all of my other friends are as exhausted, too.  I'm just hoping all of them are healthy and exhausted!  Needless to say, these past two weeks have been a HUGE adjustment to our entire family.  I mean, c'mon...last year my girls had school in their PJs in my bed with a sick momma most days.  Now, we actually have to set an alarm, get dressed, and...pack lunches!

Abs had her very first volleyball game on Friday! She had fun and felt like she did her best...that's all that counts in my book! Abs, I'm so proud of you for trying something new, and I'm glad you're making new friends and having fun!

Her first dig of the game!  Our middle school team played a JV team...let's just say we came in second.

Just warning ya....this post will probably be all over the place because that's how I feel  my life is right now, but as you know... blogging is therapy for me so I just might type a book today, and I better get out my "rant" before my hunky monkey gets home from a four day trip (not exactly the best kind of welcome home present, ya know!).   I'll start with some praises!  My lab results from two weeks ago indicate I'm still on track!  My CPK remains at 269...yay!  I've actually wondered if the lab really did the test again because it's more than bizarre that it is the EXACT number from last time.  I'm still testing positive for mycoplasma, but it has decreased.  So I had more IVs on Tuesday plus she added an oral antibiotic again. Yes, I continue to house my own little pharmacy, but hey...it's working.  Thank you, God, for not giving up on me.  Thank you for putting a great doctor in my path.  Thank you for your grace, protection and patience!

I guess part of my struggle is with "re-entry" from living overseas.  Things are just different- different in good ways, different in not so good ways.   David and I were warned and we tried to prepare for it.  In so many ways the transition has been flawless and wonderful, but now that summer is over and school has begun it's a tad more difficult.  Even with my health...I'm doing so much better, but I think I've plateaued again (in my eyes...not the doctors).  In some ways I feel like it's not even worth talking about because if you've not lived overseas you just wouldn't understand.  Not to be rude- but you just wouldn't.  To come back to America after living in a third world country...hmmmm, well, you'd think I'd have a great appreciation of a lot things (and I do!).  I guess to come back to America and see the absolute depravity of a so-called "christian" nation is simply unbelievable and quite depressing.  I'm not surprised though because end times are nearing and that's what His Truth states will happen.  How it must break God's heart!  Revive us, O Lord!  May we be different.  May our Light shine!

Okay, let's see...back to school.  Now, those who know me well, KNOW my heart on this.  I am SO extremely grateful the girls are IN a good school.  We prayed earnestly for that, and I know they're exactly where they are suppose to be this year.  I'm just on overload with carpooling, homework-ing, uniform buying, lunch packing, KJV memorizing, last minute notification-ing, and throw in doctor appointment-ing overload- information overload.  Sunny day carpool line, rainy day carpool line, 8:00 drop off, 8:10 drop off, 2:30 pick up, 3:05 pick up, back of school, front of school, turn left (NO!), turn right, 5:30 volleyball pick up...except Wednesday.  Pick up at "normal" time so we can stay at church until 8:30 at night ;-) 

Okay, then... there's church.  So grateful for our church.  So grateful for the freedom we have to go to any church we want and choose from several classes, courses, choirs, etc.  So thankful for the sermons and music that has been so worshipful and meaningful.  So....how can I say all that but church be on my list of frustrations???  I've been praying that God would show me and show David our place.  Where is our new place of ministry?  What does He want us to do be doing? Well, let me add in some more frustration...David's schedule is NOT like it used to be.  It's certainly not a great schedule like when we were overseas.  He's not had many Sundays off since we've returned so that makes it even more difficult for us to sense where we're suppose to be.  The girls are happy as clams at school and church, but honestly...we've got to pick and choose from the smorgasboard of activity or our lives will be completely chaotic!  There's lots of great things in which to be involved- important things, godly things, wonderful things!  Unfortunately, lots of those "great things" make family time a hard thing.  Wednesdays and Sundays are our longest days of the week.  That's where David and I have always struggled and quite frankly butted heads on for years.  So, we're obviously working through where the balance is.  Forget that Audrey An is begging to take gymnastics and play soccer...can't even begin to think about that.  We told her "no" and it will be a "no" until I'm feeling on top of my game and we've discovered the wonderful answer to "how to train your child in the way {she} should go" without losing our mind!

Okay, then...parenting things.  I will not name names, but certain people in my household have difficulty listening.  (Oh my....surely I'm not just dedicating this paragraph just to my children!?!?).  Again, if you know me well, you know one of my pet peeves is REPEATING myself!  Absolutely, drives. me. nutso!!!   So, I've tried implementing several handy dandy things to help aid in this deficit, but I must say I shall still be on the hunt for better tools!  Yes, I'm fully aware that this is normal behavior for most children, but part of my job is to train these preciousnesses (is that a word!?!) how to be responsible, how to listen, how to take pride in their room/work/chores, etc.  It's not just to make me happy, keep their room clean or check off their chore chart.  It directly correlates with their walk with God.  As soon as they can realize that and act on that....oh, will it be a happy day (and I mean for them-truly! Well, there will be a happy momma, too!).

So...all I know to do is pray.  I can do that.  I will continue to do that.  I'm not even very "good" at it (because my thoughts are all over the place!), but at least I know God wants to hear from me.  It's the only thing I've committed to doing...prayer group.  He wants to hear my "rants" and He wants to hear my praises.  That's why I started out this blog with praise.  The girls and I started out our day with praise, too.  We each praised each other.  I asked them how that felt, and of they both said, "Awesome!".  Well, of course, it does.  That's why we praise God.  We're acknowledging to Him for the wonderful attributes He has and what He has done for us.  I told the girls that's part of my prayer life that I really need to work on.  Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in all of our requests that we forget to praise...guilty as charged. 

Like my sister posted on her facebook last week: "Parenting is exhausting.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." and I commented, "and so is marriag-ing".  I guess I should have added "life".

This I know:  John 10:10 states, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  Forgive me when I've allowed circumstances in the past few weeks to come in and do some stealin'.  Lord, may I not leave the door cracked one itty bitty bit for the thief to come in!!!! 

okay. rant over...
(maybe...lol!)

First Day of School!

Abigail started SIXTH grade and Audrey An started SECOND grade yesterday...where did my summer go!?!?!?  They both had a great first days of school, yesterday.  AA said, "Mommy, school is so much fun!  This is the best school ever!"  WOW...how thankful David and I are for a new beginning with school this year.  I know it's going to have such a positive impact on them- new friends, new activities, new teachers (yay...taking the pressure off of ME!), new life lesson, new lots of things!  It makes my heart happy to know they are in a place where they start off their day with a headmaster hwho prays for the school at the beginning of each day and with teachers who I know love the Lord.  Now...if I can get used to being in the car for drop off and pick up (at multiple times!) for ummmm, quite a bit longer than I'm used to, we'll be a-okay!

I have to tell a funny story on Audrey An! During the summer we are obviously a little more flex on their bedtime, and I've been even more flex as we've been staying up watching the Olympics.  Over the weekend I warned the girls that we'd have to start going to bed at a "normal" time (and even a bit earlier this week) since school is starting.  Audrey An's bedtime is usually 8:30.  When I told her she'd be going to bed at 8:00 she was THRILLED!!!  I just smiled and said, with the same excitement, "Yes, 8:00...isn't that great!?!"  Abigail and I just stared at each other in bewilderment but later shared a good hard laugh together in private when we said to each other, "OH, Audrey An thinks that 8 is later than her "normal" time." Ahhhhh, the innocence of not having a clue about telling time...lol!!!  Guess that's on the list of concepts to learn this year.  Well, maybe....it could work to my advantage if she stayed in the dark a bit longer ;-)

Medical update: I'm down to 10 mg of the steroid and doing quite well at this dosage.  Dr. M is still very pleased with how my body is responding to the steroid reduction and all (yes, there are many!) other treatments.  I went from 20mg down to 10mg in two weeks- which is verrrrrrrry fast for me, but wants me to hang out at 10mg for a couple more weeks and increased my thyroid medicine though.  Have I even mentioned that I have a thyroid issue on here???  That's another story...there's so much going on I can't keep up anymore!

My sleep is improving, and I know that has direct correlation with the steroid reduction along with many faithful prayer warriors who've been praying specifically for this aspect of healing.  Oh goodness, can we say THANKFUL for better sleep!  The doctor took blood for all new labs last Friday, and I'll find out those results next visit.  We're both looking forward to seeing where I am with all my numbers so she can re-evaluate where I am on everything.

Vitamin D Therapy!

So I'm a couple of weeks late posting pics from our Florida trip.  I decided I should post these before I posted the girls' first day of school from today!

and they were splishin' and a spalshin'...

Houston, we have a tween on board!

Little Sunshine girl!

Although we were staying with David's family, my sis and her family happen to book their trip the same week and were staying 20 minutes away so we spent a day with them...so fun!  This is Jonathan and Abigail boogie boardin!

Cousin Steven teaching AA how to play handball with our new friend, Kate!

Sorry I didn't quite get Reagan and Jake's face in the pic ;-(

Jake coming in from a wave.

Diva Jessica!

Audrey An's only GIRL cousin...GIRL POWER!

The girls and I happened to have look alike swim suits!

Our little stair steps: Steven Bryant, Abigail Lindsey, Jonathan Alexander and Audrey An Xiaoli

J-Man is King of the Hill!

My beautiful sister and all her handsome boys!

Steven in 16 this year AND as tall as his Papa D (who is 6'4")!

Our other little stair step that happen to be sitting down: Jessica Lauren, Abigail Lindsey, Jacob Patrick and Audrey An Xiaoli.  It was so cute watching the kids this trip.  Jake and Abigail really hung out a lot because they were both little fish- boogie boardin' and "diving" into the waves looking at fish while the girl girls really enjoyed each other playing in the sand (well, they loved the swimming pool the most I think!).

David's beautiful sister, Deborah, and her handsome/cute crew!  Thanks, Deborah and Reagan for helping me out with our kiddoes while I was (am) still having to take it easy.

John and his kiddoes...thanks for a great trip, "Poppy"! Sea and sand is the best vitamin D therapy.  I think our family was meant to live at the beach!

Hey, babe, wanna match today???

A House Divided...

Okay, so obviously the Olympics are in full swing this week, and we are glued to the tv!  I've thought it has been interesting that AA keeps asking, "Who do we cheer for?"  This is her first Olympics she's probably ever been exposed to so we've been explaining what it's all about, etc.  On numerous events she says, "I want China to win!"  Okay...that's cool with me. I actually love that she says that!  To me, that's a confirmation that's she knows her heritage.  She knows her roots.  We've been very intentional in trying to keep that alive in her life.  She is chinese, and she lives in America now.  So, it's really not a house divided...at all!  It's a house blessed with awesome conversations!!!!

As many of you know today is Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day declared by Mike Huckabee in light of the recent media blitz/controversy over CFA's Dan Cathy's statement of supporting traditional (biblical!) marriage.  Many of you know the Cathy family are sweet friends of ours and their daughter, Rachel, was our "angel" overseas during the height of my illness.  Our girls LOVE Miss Rachel (as do I!).  Audrey An asked me this morning, "Which CFA will Miss Rachel be at today because that's the one I want to go to for lunch?!"  I told her Miss Rachel is in London watching the Olympics, and AA FLIPPED OUT!  She said, "MOMMY, she gets to see the queen, the princess, the gymnastics people????  Did she get to stay at the palace?  Did she have a tea party with the priness?"  Can you just hear Audrey An quizzing me?  The list of questions went on and on!

The controversy sparked discussion in our household with our eldest child, too.  Well, she's now entering the youth group at church, and they had an even last Friday night.  Since we are entrenched in CFA country  here at school, church, and community, David and I felt it approriate and necessary to discuss this with Abs since she'd probably hear about it at the "event".  We wanted her to hear from US first.  Not the kind of discussions we look forward to, but so glad we all can talk openly about it and have the honor of training our children what the Bible says about how we should live, treat people, and how to honor God.

This photo was from earlier in the month when we  (yes, ALL of us!) dressed up like cows to eat CFA for free.

I promised a friend I would add this picture to the blog this week...so here it is, Pam!  Another friend, Leslie gave Audrey An this "twirly" dress on Sunday, and I can't peel it off of her...seriouisly!  You know my little energizer bunny is a girly girl so she's been spinning and twirling since Sunday!  I couldn't even get out of the church parking lot Sunday without her asking me if she could change in the car...lol!

Okay, off to eat me some Chick-Fil-A....for several reasons! I support and love the Cathy family, CFA, their love for God, and the unwavering stance in their biblical stance on anyand everything...I'm hungry AND the noise of getting a new roof over our heads today is driving me a little nutty!!! 

GOOOOO, Team USA (and China) nad Team CFA!!!!