Craig did great today! He had outpatient surgery to electrically cauterize what the surgeon thought was one mass. When he numbed the nasal passageway he found three masses. The middle one was back in his sinuses and took a while to cauterize. Craig said he could feel the sparks from the tool hit the back of his throat and smelled the burnt tissue! Poor Craig! He came out with a few smudges of blood from the procedure and went back to the office. He's a strong man and not one to complain. After going through nosebleeds almost everyday for the past year and a half and the undiagnosed blood disorder making it harder for him to stop the bleeds he s truly an inspiration to me.
The surgeon said that this had been going on way too long and the electro cautery makes it much less likely for these blood vessels to form these masses again, but there is a small chance. But we have faith in the Lord and are praying they don't for a long time if at all! I'm just so happy Craig got a second opinion to make sure all was ok-because obviously the other ENT didn't have a clue! Three masses! Can't believe it!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Alot happening
It's been roughly two months since we began Kindergarten and 6th grade and Preschool for the kiddies. It has been really amazing how we are getting lessons in and I'm really loving how the little ones getting older is allowing us to do our school with relative peace and not squealing and screeching! Although every now and then when Brendan is between subjects or mostly finishes his math early (he whizzes through math) he and Annaliese start playing "race cars" with their baby buggy and grocery cart. It gets pretty loud on the hardwood floors and pretty soon I can't even hear the lesson I'm teaching to Trinity. But overall I can say this has been the smoothest of all our homeschool years.
On the other hand we've had some health issues that have made it difficult some days to concentrate. Case in point, Craig has been having increasing nose bleeds (I'm talking bleeding for more than an hour) and we had his nose checked two years ago and the ENT didn't see anything. He went to the PCP and he referred him to a hematologist. About a month ago he was diagnosed with Von Wille de brand's disease a blood clotting disorder. Because of his Italian background he already has Beta Thalassemia minor as well but it doesn't affect him. The willdebrands affects his clotting and is the reason his nosebleeds last for so long.
After bleeding again this past week even though on a treatment for the blood disorder, he decided to get a second opinion about his nose. Sure enough he has a cluster of veins (think really bad varicose veins in your sinuses) that are so inflamed that if he breathes in too hard, talks too loud, or really anything he gets a nosebleed. Usually the surgeon can chemically cauterize the vein but this one was so large and combined with his bleeding disorder the doc wants to an outpatient procedure with electro cautery this Wednesday. He won't be under general anesthesia just a local and the procedure will be over in 15-20 minutes. All I can say is Ow! I'm just very thankful we got to the bottom of all this because he was losing alot of sleep (waking at 2 a.m. and even during work hours with nose bleeds). I pray it doesn't come back (the surgeon said it can) and that Craig will not be in alot of pain during the procedure or after.
I had surgery in July to repair alot of damage while having my first born Trinity and after an abscess I'm slowly healing although I've been told very sternly by my doctor no jogging, jarring exercises. I believe my dreams of any marathons or triathlons have been vanquished. But I'm getting back into yoga and I'm going to stop the pity party thoughts that bounce around in my head. I will think about what I can do and do them. I will stop comparing myself to everyone else because really it only accomplishes to sink me into further pouting and complaining. I don't need my kids hearing that and Craig definitely doesn't need to have a whiny wife. I'm thinking of doing some kind of year of such and such type of living. I don't know if you've heard of people who will try something new everyday for a year, or eat locally for a year, or write 20 things they are thankful of for a year, or doing something nice for someone every day for a year. I want to get out of this rut (dare I mention midlife crisis?) and be better than I am. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me-isn't it about freakin' time I claimed that and acted like it?! Well I think so. Stay tuned for what that might be.
Until then I will enjoy the laughter (and sometimes screaming) of my little angels, the adorableness of Annaliese running around with her cherubim bum out, the sweetness of her mimicking everything her brother does and both vying for me attention (I mean who knows how long that will last when I'm the center of their small world), Trinity wanting to please me everyday and giving me sweet hugs just because, seeing her grow into a beautiful sweet young woman and wondering what her future holds, Brendan inventing things from nothing and the resourcefulness that absolutely amazes me and makes me proud, watching Brendan swing a bat or tennis racket like a pro (that boy has some arm) and enjoying every hug, boo-boo kiss (even on the bottoms of dirty feet), and wiping away every tear. Parenting is THE hardest job I've ever experienced AND the BEST job in the whole world. Thank you God for the privilege of caring for this gifts.
I'll leave you with some pictures (since that's what you really came for):
On the other hand we've had some health issues that have made it difficult some days to concentrate. Case in point, Craig has been having increasing nose bleeds (I'm talking bleeding for more than an hour) and we had his nose checked two years ago and the ENT didn't see anything. He went to the PCP and he referred him to a hematologist. About a month ago he was diagnosed with Von Wille de brand's disease a blood clotting disorder. Because of his Italian background he already has Beta Thalassemia minor as well but it doesn't affect him. The willdebrands affects his clotting and is the reason his nosebleeds last for so long.
After bleeding again this past week even though on a treatment for the blood disorder, he decided to get a second opinion about his nose. Sure enough he has a cluster of veins (think really bad varicose veins in your sinuses) that are so inflamed that if he breathes in too hard, talks too loud, or really anything he gets a nosebleed. Usually the surgeon can chemically cauterize the vein but this one was so large and combined with his bleeding disorder the doc wants to an outpatient procedure with electro cautery this Wednesday. He won't be under general anesthesia just a local and the procedure will be over in 15-20 minutes. All I can say is Ow! I'm just very thankful we got to the bottom of all this because he was losing alot of sleep (waking at 2 a.m. and even during work hours with nose bleeds). I pray it doesn't come back (the surgeon said it can) and that Craig will not be in alot of pain during the procedure or after.
I had surgery in July to repair alot of damage while having my first born Trinity and after an abscess I'm slowly healing although I've been told very sternly by my doctor no jogging, jarring exercises. I believe my dreams of any marathons or triathlons have been vanquished. But I'm getting back into yoga and I'm going to stop the pity party thoughts that bounce around in my head. I will think about what I can do and do them. I will stop comparing myself to everyone else because really it only accomplishes to sink me into further pouting and complaining. I don't need my kids hearing that and Craig definitely doesn't need to have a whiny wife. I'm thinking of doing some kind of year of such and such type of living. I don't know if you've heard of people who will try something new everyday for a year, or eat locally for a year, or write 20 things they are thankful of for a year, or doing something nice for someone every day for a year. I want to get out of this rut (dare I mention midlife crisis?) and be better than I am. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me-isn't it about freakin' time I claimed that and acted like it?! Well I think so. Stay tuned for what that might be.
Until then I will enjoy the laughter (and sometimes screaming) of my little angels, the adorableness of Annaliese running around with her cherubim bum out, the sweetness of her mimicking everything her brother does and both vying for me attention (I mean who knows how long that will last when I'm the center of their small world), Trinity wanting to please me everyday and giving me sweet hugs just because, seeing her grow into a beautiful sweet young woman and wondering what her future holds, Brendan inventing things from nothing and the resourcefulness that absolutely amazes me and makes me proud, watching Brendan swing a bat or tennis racket like a pro (that boy has some arm) and enjoying every hug, boo-boo kiss (even on the bottoms of dirty feet), and wiping away every tear. Parenting is THE hardest job I've ever experienced AND the BEST job in the whole world. Thank you God for the privilege of caring for this gifts.
I'll leave you with some pictures (since that's what you really came for):
Music lesson
Princess our Pom-still frisky and cute at 15
Chippy enraptured my snack wielding Annaliese (although I'd like to think it's Trinity's voice)
Twinkie who loves Trinity and will meow so loud it hurts your ears just so she'll pick him up and love him
Mama! Will you stop taking pictures you are totally embarrassing me!
Finishing breakfast before school starts (what boy do you know chooses to wear an argyle sweater just because? He's preppy like his Daddy and I love it!)
Gnocci or Papa Gnokes as we call him. He keeps everyone in line and is a big sweetie!
The baby of the bunch doing what he loves best-eating. He's such a sweetie but not very social until you've truly earned his trust. He's my fave Batty (Batman).
Annaliese and Brendan terrorizing their PawPaw (who eats it up)
PawPaw laughing at Annaliese's Miss Thang face-she got a little embarrassed that I took this picture.
Little sweetie-I'm totally in love with this angel and she is all girl!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
School Begins
Two weeks ago the kids started school again. Trinity is in 6th grade (her last year in elementary school) and Brendan the 1st grade. They have a great new school room and have been enjoying their desks and not fighting with each other over space at the kitchen table. I love it because I can make meals without moving the entire curriculum or worrying about spilled drinks and food on their school work.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday ....and what a great birthday I had. Craig and the kids made me feel so special. I'm so blessed to have such a loving family that makes me happy to be alive and living this life! Thank you for blessing me, Lord, may I be blessing to all I encounter.
We started the day with blueberry smoothies and muffins. Then headed for a walk then headed to the pool to cool down. We then showered and headed to Chik-fil-A for lunch. Through our library's reading program all kids got free kids nugget meals and I had a free milkshake coupon. Craig and I had a salad and we shared a strawberry shake. I guess that negates the healthiness of our salads! Oh well, it is my birthday!
We then rested for an hour before Craig's family came over for cake and presents and we caught up. Then Craig got some burgers for us and I don't think I will want to eat for another week...okay we all know that's completely not true! I'll be eating leftover muffins for breakfast tomorrow before church. And of course some more of da bombe cake tomorrow night.
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It has toasted coconut on the outside and layers of french vanilla, chocolate cookies 'n cream, and oreo brownies! Oh my goodness it was rich, decadent and sooo good! Thank you Trinity for my cake!!
We then rested for an hour before Craig's family came over for cake and presents and we caught up. Then Craig got some burgers for us and I don't think I will want to eat for another week...okay we all know that's completely not true! I'll be eating leftover muffins for breakfast tomorrow before church. And of course some more of da bombe cake tomorrow night.
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Look at this ice cream bombe Trinity made for me
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012
New Haircolor
This post should really be posted prior to Father's Day because that's when all this was scheduled:
This was their first attempt at dying my heavily highlighted blonde hair dark:
This was their first attempt at dying my heavily highlighted blonde hair dark:
Highlights sans makeup (last week)
First dye job auburn with some level 5 & 6
The red in more natural light
I went back 4 days later because the red was a little too "glowing" for me. And if I could use my sound effects it would sound something like "ree-er-ree-er"
I love the chocolatey brown and although it's lightened alot since I've washed it several times and some of my more damaged highlighted hair is showing more (it's just looks lighter brown on the darker brown) I think I'm going to keep this for awhile.
Alright Mom let me know if you think your little blondie looks better brownie!
Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday, Craig!
We went fishing after service and lunch. The kids were bored after about 5 minutes, but it was already a long day by the time we got there so I can't blame them. We got some ice cream on the way there and then enjoyed watching the boats and many ski doos on the water. We'll try it on a Saturday morning in a quiet spot next time. But it was still fun.
The only picture I got with no eyes closed and not a weird smile from Daddy
Brendan ready for fishing and possible swimming-hence the Spiderman swimming trunks
Look real close- do you notice Mama has something different?
Annaliese was watching Daddy to see if he had his "weird forced" smile
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tellus Science Museum
We are wrapping up our 6th year of home school in about 60 days. My target graduation date for the kids is the first full week in May. I can't believe I've been doing this six years and that next year Trinity will be in middle school! The curriculum we use is so advanced though, I think she will transition easily to the upper grades. Let's hope I do too.
Since we are at the end of our school year I thought we should get some fun field trips in that allow the kids to live and experience the stuff we've read and studied throughout the year. So our first one is a wrap of all the science Brendan and I have been studying the last couple months (how planes, motors, space ships, cars, boats, phones work and fossils and gems and earth science). It was a museum on 75N in Cartersville and much closer for us than Fernbank (plus it has a planetarium and it's cheaper).
Here are some fun pictures:
Since we are at the end of our school year I thought we should get some fun field trips in that allow the kids to live and experience the stuff we've read and studied throughout the year. So our first one is a wrap of all the science Brendan and I have been studying the last couple months (how planes, motors, space ships, cars, boats, phones work and fossils and gems and earth science). It was a museum on 75N in Cartersville and much closer for us than Fernbank (plus it has a planetarium and it's cheaper).
Here are some fun pictures:
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