I apologize to my, five readers (LOL) for not posting regular updates. I think each day that I will get around to posting and then I just don't. But since I am avoiding doing the clothing switch in the boys' room, I can avoid it here! *woot*

So I last posted around October 10 or so. Here are the highlights since then:

I think I mentioned that dh and I were going to the doctor for check-ups and to get base tests done. I also wanted to see what they could do about my pain(s). I was pretty sure that I have rhematoid artritis. Every day I am in severe pain, unable to do the simplest tasks like open jars or snap onesies. The dr I saw (at the free community health clinic) did not run any test and merely told me to take some Osteo-Biflex for it. I knew that was not going to cut it but whatever. I was pretty discouraged.

At church, I had been sharing my health concerns with a couple of friends. Apparently, I caused much worry for them without realizing it. They returned from vacation and asked how my doctor's visit went and I told them the above story. E was astounded that the dr disregarded me like that and said, "You need to see my doctor!" I smiled but didn't think it would happen (we have no insurance). That was on a Sunday.

Monday morning we were doing school and the phone rang, it was Miss E. She asked how I was and then said, "So I called my dr and you are seeing him at 3pm today." LOL And then she added that "people from church" were taking care of the bill. I couldn't believe it. I tried to talk her out of it but she was having none of that.

I went to the doctor and couldn't not believe how much time he took with me. My appointment last over an hour. He was caring and concerned. He drew my blood himself and took time to answer my questions. When I left he had told me he was "fairly certain" it was RA but there were a few things that had him stumped and we would await the test results. He suggested that I move from Advil to Aleve to help my pain.

Tuesday, was spent at church washing and sorting tomatoes for the Greek festival. LOL Wednesday, I also spent at the church cutting cucumbers and getting salad stuff ready.

Wednesday evening, I received a phone call. The receptionist from the dr's office said, "Dr S would like to speak to you, can you hold?" I was shocked. What doctor calls at 6pm to talk to a patient???? He had my test results and said that I have strong positive RA factors. He said that his test came back so positive that he was sure the one sent out would be as well. He also said that I have an extremely low white blood count. He prescribed prednisone to take each morning and Plaquinel which is a long term RA med. We are re-doing my blood tests to check the white count.

I am just so relieved to know that it is RA. I was sad at first because RA is not curable. I will have it for the rest of my life. But it is nice to know that it isn't all in my head, that I really AM in pain. This came on after I had Gregory. Prior to his birth, I did have some joint pain but since having him it has gotten progressively worse. I know that RA is an auto-immune disease and for some reason my body is fighting against itself. But RA is much better than all the other things that i was thinking was wrong with me. LOL

So now I take my meds and wake up able to get out of bed. Some days I have a little joint stiffness but nothing like I was having.

Since then, we have had our Greek Festival at church which was lots of fun. The crowds were a little smaller thig year but that was to be expected with the economy as it is.

Jeff is into his new year of college. This semester he is taking: Philospohy, Music Appreciation, Earht Science and American Literature. Out of all of those, the earth science is by far the hardest class with the most work assigned. If anyone says to me again that on-line classes are not as hard, I will bop them. He spends every moment of free time working on class work. He got home early today and immediately began working on the laptop. I hope that this all pays off in the end. But a note of advice to my younger readers, go to college when you are young!! It will be much easier! LOL

I guess I need to get a few things done now that dh is home. I have 2 girls going off to volleyball practice tonight at church. The little boys are playing outside. So it is quiet here for now. I will get some pictures taken of Gregory, who now crawls, pulls up and has a few teeth. He also very much likes eating food! LOL

Currently Watching Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996) By Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, David Bamber, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Anna Chancellor see related

Milestones

 This has been a week with two milestones in our family.

On Tuesday, my oldest became an offical driver by passing his driving test! He failed the parallel parking but apparently in Georgia that isn't a deal breaker like it is some other places! This will be helpful to me since now he can drive to the GOYA meetings and to dance practice...which he did on Wednesday--in the rain even!

The other milestone is that my oldest daughter is now 16. *sigh* I don't know what this birthday is affecting me more than any of the others but it is. I wanted to do a surprise party for her but we decided to not do that. So this morning, I ran to Krispy Kreme and got a box of mini-donuts and 2 chocolate icing filled donuts. She is making her own cake (a Paula Deen Gooey Butter cake--her favorite). We bought Apples to Apples game at Target. I am making makaronopeta (Greek mac and cheese) for supper. And in a little while---Pride and Prejudice will be watched!! *woot* Birthdays are the only excuse we can give the boys for watching ALL OF IT in one day! LOL

Amanda is a good daughter. She is helpful. She does her best to help with the little guys when I need it. She also has her head screwed on right--although I don't know if I had THAT much to do with it. She is very modest and likes to wear long skirts. When we go clothes shopping, she often shows her disgust for modern fashion. She doesn't desire to wear makeup and keeps her hair just down most of the time. She has good friends. She likes to spend time with her family.

I was thinking last night what I was like when I was 16 and I am so glad that my daughter is nothing like that. I hope that she knows how proud I am of her. How much I love her. When I had my first daughter, I had dreams of being buddies with her, sharing our inner thoughts and secrets. We are not exactly like that but I hope that she knows she can come to me at any time.

I am so very proud of her and of the choices she has made. She has become a very lovely young lady and I am sure will make a wonderful wife and mother if God wills someday.

Happy Birthday Amanda! Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter!

Guess what I got????

WOOT!! I got a new camera!! I know y'all are just waiting to see pictures of Gregory since it has been a while. He is now 5 months old! Can you believe it??? I know that I cannot. He goes where he wants to now. He isn't quite crawling but does well scooting. He has a wonderful personality and sleeps all night!! What more could a mom want???? LOL

So here you go....(apologies to dial up users...)

Gregory *kissing* a baby! LOL I think it is love! LOL

Sleepy baby. This was while we were doing school. And he did very shortly after this fall asleep.

Happy boy!! Who is also a very slobbery boy! LOL

We did start school on the 1st as planned so we are working on week number three. IT is going well. I have started planning lunches as well as supper meals and that is helping a lot. I also am trying real hard to not let my perfectionist mind get bogged down by being off schedule a little.

My Senior, Sophomore and 4th grader

The first and seventh graders.

And what the boys do during "break time" ::shaking head::

Currently Watching Red Green: Stuffed and Mounted, Vol. 2 By Bob Bainborough, Stephanie Beard, George Buza, Lawrence Dane, Laurie Elliott see related

Almost a month since I have updated! I guess without a camera, I am not much of a blogger. LOL

We are getting ready for our new school year. We, well OK I, had a moment of desperation several months ago when I decided it would be better for everyone involved to send the children to public school. I talked this out with Jeff and we decided that we would purpose to make this our be our best school year yet. Jeff and I have been working together to get stuff together and to talk about what is expected from both the children and myself.

Jeff is also starting his 3rd semester of school on Monday. This term he is taking American Literature, Philosophy, Music Appreciation and Earth Science. I think when those are done, he will be finished with the general courses and can then focus on the "degree classes."

Gregory is growing by leaps and bounds. His 4th month check up was this past week and he is up to about 16 pounds and grew 2 inches longer. He has started this week to be more mobile. He gets on his hands and knees and does that rocking thing that babies do before they figure out how to move thier hands. LOL He goes all over the living room and so now the fun begins, "Boys get your legos out of the living room!!" Fun, fun, fun.

Other than that, there isn't too much going on. Maybe later this week I will get our homeschool plan together and post it. We plan to start school on Sept 1st.

Currently Gaming Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures By Lucas Arts Entertainment see related

Welcome Home John!!

Remember back in December when Jeff and I were the koumbara for a wonderful couple from our church? We celebrated their wedding and had an early Christmas with them since the husband was headed back to Iraq. This past Thursday the children and I had the honor of going to Hunter Army Air Field with his wife, Jolene, and greeting him (and his fellow soldiers) as the returned from 15 months in Iraq!! Can I just say, if you ever get the opportunity to go to a homecoming ceremony, do it!! What a moving thing. I usually tear up when I see troops returning on TV but to see it in person. WOW!

We arrived at HAAF about an hour before the ceremony was to start. We found somewhere to sit and waited...and waited. Did you know that hangers are NOT air conditioned? LOL About 30 minutes before the ceremony was to begin a gentleman went around the crowd with a mic to ask where people were from and who they were there for. At about 4:10, the hanger doors close and everyone starts screaming and clapping. That is the signal that the troops are lining up outside ready to march in. We all made signs and had good seats.

Kids waiting for the soldier to enter.

Symeon with his sign and flag.

Then the doors open.

There is a short ceremony (less than 10 min) and then they are given permission to break formation. And it is a mad dash to find your loved one! Now on TV, it looks so easy. Husbands and wives run toward each other and hug immediately. Yeah, that didn't happen! LOL It took us probably a full five minutes to find John. At one point, I told Jolene that he must have gotten left behind. And apparently John was starting to think that no one came for him. LOL But finally we found him...

Husband and wife reunite!!

Then it was time to find the kids.

John hugged each of them. He hugged Andrew first because his sign said, "I'm the favorite. Hug me first!" (Andrew is John's favorite Newport LOL).

Before we left the hanger, the children insisted on pictures by the helicopter.

And since Jeffrey was along, he got to carry the back pack to the truck! He acted real tough but when we got into the car (and out of John's earshot) he said, "Holy Cow, that pack was heavy!!" I joked with him and said I was surprised he didn't tip over. LOL

Welcome Home, Spc. John Y. We missed you and are happy you are home!!!