Merry Christmas

from our family to yours.  We have had a wonderful Christmas.  The kids seem to have gotten what they all wanted, and we didn't break the bank or go into debt.  I refuse to go into debt for any reason including Christmas.  I think that is crazy.  Things ended up working out, and the Navy still owes us nearly $3000.  Just have to keep on them to get it taken care of.  Hopefully Hubster stays on top of it.

TB got his flat screen television that he was wanting, and we got a terrific deal on it.  We only paid $285  for a 42in one for his room.  I like his better than I like mine.  Santa brought him an android tablet that he had been requesting.  KB got a bunch of little things, mainly a guitar, a tablet, clothes, and a skateboard.  He should be able to give the skateboard a whirl come this week.  His foot is much better.  I'm half way tempted to not even take him in to see the doctor for a final xray.  The girls got a bounce house that is huge.  It sits in our family room upstairs, but it is very large.  It can be taken outside and played with too.  They got a few toys, and Santa brought a Disney princess musical vanity and kitchen.  I must have been an extra good girl this year too.  I got a cricut and a kindle fire.  Both of them things that I had been asking for.  I must say that we have been blessed this year.

Can't wait to start the new year off.  I'm expecting 2012 to be a fantastic year for our family.  I don't believe that I should have to have any surgeries.  Plus we are going to start training for a 5k.  I can't wait.  I plan on losing the last of the weight this year.  Looking forward to many blessings.  I hope that everybody out there in blogger land has a year filled with them too.

Bah Humbug

My Christmas spirit went out the window this morning.  That is what happens when the Navy shorts you $2800 right before Christmas.  Hubster uses his travel card very sparingly when in a class.  The Navy happened to mess up the per diem, and they only paid him for staying on base instead of the per diem rate for staying in a hotel.  That is a $56 per day difference, and when you pay for expenses yourself out of pocket it can leave you in a pickle.  We have dealt numerous times with the Navy being slow in paying travel claims, so you learn quickly it is easier to pay for everything upfront yourself, and then have the Navy pay you.  Add this to the fact that his final check from them was short $700, and you quickly start trying to figure out what to do.  I thought I was going to be sick, and I don't have any idea how bills will be paid let alone the final bit of Christmas we have left to buy.  Yes, I know that everything will work out.  It has to.  Plus our Tricare got messed up and cancelled, but I believe we might have that issue resolved now.  I think.  We won't know until I try to get online to make sure that we have coverage.

I'm going to try and get my Christmas spirit back.  It isn't about things.  It is about people and Jesus.  I need to remember that.  My friend is coming over tomorrow for a day of baking and candy making.  I'm looking forward to it.  We should have fun.  Now, I just need to finish up my list and run to the store to finish getting the things that are needed.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

It was a great week.  Didn't start out all that great, but it certainly ended up wonderful.  I have some sort of virus, or so the doctor suspects, that is causing me to throw up.  It has overtaken my body for at least three weeks, so he is going to refer me to a specialists.  Throwing up blood will tend to make him want to make sure that everything is okay.  Thankfully it is just a little bit of blood and not a lot of blood.  If I can ever get over this stomach stuff, I will be good to go.

Monday Hubster called telling me he found a flight home for $319.  He could get home late Wednesday and leave Saturday back to California.  Who could pass up that deal?  We certainly didn't.  We decided to surprise the kids.  They didn't know he was coming home for Thanksgiving.  The kids reactions to seeing their daddy was priceless.  It would give you a warm and fuzzy feeling.  Nothing like hearing your 4 year old scream and laugh when she saw her Daddy at 2 AM.  It was priceless, and I did video it.  It would bring tears to your eyes.  Thursday we had everybody here at my house.  I messed the turkey up.  I overcooked it.  Won't happen again.  Otherwise the food was really good if I do say so myself. I don't like turkey anyway.  Friday we did some black Friday shopping after all of the crazy people went home which means we went out about 9 AM.  We had to get a new tree.  Our tree is gorgeous this year.  *NTS post picture of beautiful tree*.  Saturday we took Hubster to the airport for his trip back to California.  BG told me I was mean because I wouldn't let her go with Daddy.  Yeap, that is me, mean Mommy.  We only have two weeks until he comes home, so this is a piece of cake.  Yes, you can hear a smile in my typing.  This is going to be a busy couple of weeks, so I'm expecting time to fly by.  Amazing how 2 weeks seems like such a short time.  Sunday though was what has made my week.  We had a special preacher, Dr. Tim Lee, *google him folks if you don't know who he is*.  I think he was there to preach at me Sunday morning.  It was just exactly what I needed to hear.  Revival starts with me.  I left that church service Sunday morning with a song in my heart, a lightness in my step, and a smile on my face.  I love having that joy, and I missed having it.  The stuff that was bothering me, I was able to let it go.  It isn't worth it.  I have wonderful friends who are there for me if I *very important note there I* would just ask for help if needed or reach out.  I know this, but Satan has a way of telling me that no I don't.  That is my weakness.  Well, I'm not going to let him have this joy.  It is mine, and God gave it to me.  Last night's service was nearly two hours.  It is amazing when you can feel God in your service.  He visited our church last night. Those that didn't make it to church last night missed out on a great service.  I have to miss church on Wednesday night because of speech class, and I'm bummed about it.  I would much prefer to go to church then  give a speech.  Oh well, I will do what I need to do.

Looking forward to a great week.  I get to see one of my best friends on Wednesday.  Friday is Ladies Tea at church.  Saturday KG has a dance recital outside in the cold, but we do at least get to see fireworks.  Sunday we are back at church, and there is a special concert Sunday night.  Then Hubster comes home at the end of next week.  Have I mentioned that "God is GOOD".  Thankful He has filled my schedule so full that I don't have a lot of free time to dwell on how much I miss Hubster.

It was one of THOSE weeks...

You know the type of week I am talking about.  The type of week that you are glad is over because if it could go wrong it would.  It was the type of week where you are glad it is over, and you just pray that the next week will be better even though you are not expecting it too, but you sure can hope and pray right.
Sunday was a great day except the coming home part.  Monday was unexceptional.  Forgot to pay for KG's dance class, so I'm going to get hit with a late fee when I do pay it.  Oops.  Tuesday was where it all started to turn dreadfully wrong.  Hubster called me Tuesday afternoon with some news that we had to pay a bill that I wasn't expecting, and it had to be paid that day.  It was imperative, and that meant coming up with nearly $400 out of thin air.  I was so distracted by trying to figure out where money was going to appear from, that I laid my phone down at the grocery store.  It walked out of the store with the help of somebody other than me.  There goes another $130 that I'm going to have to fork over to buy a new phone.  Wednesday was another uneventful day.  We made it to church.  Then Thursday happened.  Thursday KB had some issues at school that I found out about.  He is really missing Hubster, and Hubster and I decided that maybe we need to figure out a way for us to make it to California. There is not a support system in place for military spouses at the church we go to.  I only know of one other spouse in our church that has a husband in the military.  Even though my husband is only in the reserves, he has been gone a lot this year.  Maybe it is God's way of telling me that I really need to work to put together that type of ministry because I feel really strongly that there is a ministry there that is being missed.  I don't know.  All I do know is that I feel alone and adrift right now, and I want nothing more than to have somebody call, text, or email me and see if I need anything when Hubster is gone.  I would love for somebody to call and say "Hey, would you like to meet for lunch or dinner.  Can I stop by for a chat?  What day can I take the girls or the boys for a few hours?"  I don't feel like there is anybody I can turn to.  Then I feel bad for even wishing that somebody would notice that hey I need a friend here.  I'm strong.  I should be able to do two months with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back.  I have retreated back into myself, and that is where I will remain until Hubster gets home in December.  Anybody wants to find me, they know how to get a hold of me.  Didn't even talk to Hubster on Friday.  He was too busy to call.  Saturday KG started getting sick, KB hurt his foot, and we went to supper for my mom's birthday.  I can't afford to take either one to the doctor until Tuesday when Hubster gets paid.  I have started hurting again like I did before my hysterectomy, and I just feel awful.  I can't even lay on my right side because of the pain.  I go to the doctor on Friday to start the process of seeing what is going on yet again.  Yesterday, I figured out the finances, and it doesn't look like a trip to California is doable.  I just don't see it happening unless a way opens up.  I haven't even told KB yet.  He has been on cloud nine with the hope that we get to go.  I don't have the heart to tell him yet that it doesn't look possible.

Sitting in the LAX Airport

waiting to go home after a weekend with the Hubster in Port Hueneme.  I love it out here so much.  I could live out here.  I will try and get some pictures posted soon.  I flew Virgin America, and I must say what a ride.  I got upgraded to first class on both portions of the flight.  I'm spoiled because that is the way to fly.  We had a 90 minute couples massage yesterday, and that was heavenly.  We walked around Channel Harbor and ate at a seafood place there.  Food was okay, but it isn't anything that I would write home about.  I was looking for something a little more spectacular based on the reviews, but it was bland.  I love driving the PCH.  It is such a beautiful drive.

It was very hard to leave Hubster.  I held my tears in check until I got into the security line, and then I let a few fall.  I consider that pretty good.  I am ready to see the kids.  They stayed with my parents, and went to visit my newest great niece who was born on Tuesday.  What a great birthday to have...11/1/11.  She is adorable, and I can't wait to snuggle and kiss on her.  Hopefully soon.  Flight should be boarding in less than thirty minutes.  I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be to get home.  I'm praying still for a miracle of someway getting to come and see Hubster for Thanksgiving, but I just don't see it happening.  I would love nothing more than to do that.

2 posts in 1 week...WOW

BG and I took Hubster to the airport yesterday for his flight to Port Hueneme.  She cried and cried and asked him to take her with him.  It was awful to say the least.  I was hoping to get out for a weekend to see him, but it doesn't look like that will happen.  I don't have anybody to watch the kids for me.  I might try to swing a road trip out to California for Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure if that will happen either.  I'm having a hard time justifying the cost, and the cost is pretty steep.  That money could go towards Christmas, but I can't stand the thought of being apart.  I will probably just suck it up and be apart.

I'm not dealing with this all that well either.  I need a couple of hours to wallow in self-pity, and then I will be fine.  For some reason I didn't expect him to actually go, so when he called me at 1030 yesterday morning to tell me that his flight left at 115 yesterday afternoon it threw me for a loop.  I certainly didn't sleep well at all last night, so today I'm draggy.  I have lots of school work to do, and I need to be doing that instead of being on here.  Ready for the semester to be over.  Next week is the halfway point.  YEA!

I have a full rest of the week except for Friday.  I'm thinking Friday might just be a relax and chill at home kind of day.  KG has her first fieldtrip, and BG and I are going with her.  I can't wait because it is actually one of those places that I love to go to personally.  I can't wait.  

Amazed at how quickly things can change...

Hubster is scheduled to leave for a two month class to Port Hueneme on Tuesday.  That is if his orders get funded on Tuesday.  Big, huge mess on Friday concerning his orders.  He wasn't happy.  It looks like we won't be together, yet again, for another holiday unless something amazing happens to make it happen.  

The two places that he talked to last week told him to call them when he gets back from Hueneme.  One of them will for sure have a job, and the other one will have one for him if they have a slot open.  We really want a slot to be open for him, but we will take whatever we can get.  

It Seems Like if it Can Go Wrong...

it will.  Hubster got laid off from his job last Wednesday.  We weren't shocked, but it is still not a pleasant experience.  Hubster went to apply for unemployment, and we got another bombshell.  It seems that they overpaid him last year when he was unemployed by four weeks, so until we pay back $1600 no unemployment.  They are nice enough to let us pay them back at a rate of $120 per month, but considering that we have zero money coming in that looks like a huge number.  We are trying to fight it, but we don't know if it will do any good.  Hubster has been on 4 job interviews so far.  He has two interviews today.  I'm just hoping that he hears something tomorrow.  Our van also broke down, but thankfully Hubster was able to fix it enough until he gets a job.  Then last night we got home from church to a big mess.  They are building a Walmart across the street from our subdivision, and the water has been turned off every afternoon this week for hours on end.  KG wanted to take a bath, so she turned the water faucets on in the bathtub.  Needless to say that when the water came back on, so did the water in the tub.  It overflowed into the downstairs.  I told Hubster last night on the way home from church that I'm beginning to wonder just what in the world we have done wrong because I want to fix it.  I'm so stressed right now, and I'm trying not to worry.  Just need prayers that everything works out quickly.

Wow..It has been nearly a month

The family has been so busy that I hardly have a time to turn around. I can not imagine doing school full time and working. It just would not be possible. I am already overwhelmed with school without adding that to the mix. I keep telling myself that eventually I will get into a routine, and then I will have weeks like this week where I have 5 papers to turn in. I should be doing those instead of sitting on here blogging, but here I sit.

KG is loving school, and she is absorbing so much right now. I love how that we can be anywhere, and she starts pointing out numbers and letters to me. She is growing up so much. I did not have any problem the first day of school dropping her off, but yesterday I teared up. She told me that I didn't have to walk her to class any more because she is a big girl. She knows where her class is. Nothing like watching your child walk into a building all by herself. She is loving flip and dance. She is learning how to do handstands. One of these days she is going to learn how to do a cartwheel. Let me just say that she isn't exactly the most coordinated kid, but as long as she is loving it and having fun, then we will keep going. She has her first dance recital on October 29. She has to wear a Halloween costume for that one.

 BG is getting used to being at home with just Mommy. I think she is really liking it. She turned 3 on September 4. I still can't believe my baby is 3 years old. I don't know where time has flown. She is growing up so fast.

 The boys are doing pretty good. They are both enjoying football, and the more that TB gets to play the more he seems to like it. They had him running the ball yesterday, and he was saying that he dragged the biggest boy (He is actually the biggest, so it is the next biggest boy.) 3 yards, and coaches were hollering at him to go. This is a big deal because LTrain (that is what the kid is called) is a really good football player. TB missed last weeks game because he had bronchitis. Coach and doctor told him no practicing or playing until he could run without coughing up a lung. KB got to play a bit, and he loved it. He did get hurt yesterday. He and another boy hit helmets, and it bent his neck back. One of the other moms is a nurse practioner, so she checked him out. Said that it would be sore a few days, but otherwise he should be fine. He rotated between ice and heat last night. He said it was stiff this morning, but at least it felt better. KB is doing pretty good in school. All of his grades are passing, so we will take that. He had a few issues at the beginning of the year with not turning in work. Coach cured him of that at least until football season is over. They get a copy of progress reports every Tuesday afternoon, and if they have a zero, they run "reminders". Those are horrible, and he found out real quick he didn't want to do that again. TB is struggling in school. He was failing 3 classes, but two of his teachers gave him extra credit work to make up the test grades. Hopefully that will put him back over the passing. A test taker he is not. The other class he just needed to turn two papers in, and that should get his grade back into the passing realm. He started out the year so great, and then I don't know what happened. I'm still trying to figure out what to do. He does have a 99 average right now in math. His teacher is so proud of him. She is one of the teachers that he is failing a class in, so she is really trying to work with him. I asked him if we need to get him a tutor if that might help him with spelling. The dysgraphia kills his English grade because it has spelling. Hopefully his grades have been brought up because next week is eligibility week, and he wants to play.

 Hubster went on a Navy funded trip to California back in August, and he was trying to go on a four month funded trip starting in October. His CO has put a halt on all classes until after July. He wants all hands on deck for FEX. Training told him that he might still be able to take a class, but only if he signs a waiver stating he will go in July. He has no problem doing that, but the CO has to sign off on the class and waiver business. Hopefully he can get this done because his job right now is SLOOOOOOOOOOW. They told him that they would like for him to take a 3 to 4 month class that way they don't have to lay anybody off. I really do like this company he works for. We are praying that either work picks back up, or that he gets a waiver and a class.

 Health wise I'm doing okay. I'm still having issues from the surgery. I am being referred to another doctor to see if my problem can be fixed with medicine, have to live with it, or requires surgery. She told me that I will have multiple tests ran, and that one of them is a potassium test that hurts. They are going to do a biopsy of my bladder. I have to check today to see if the referral has been approved, and when my appointment is.

School...

School started this week for 3 of the 4 kids. KG is loving Pre-K. She loves her teacher, and I do to. I'm a little concerned that all she does is color and sing. I will give it a few more weeks.

The boys are liking school and football. We really start to get into the swing of things in a few weeks.

I start to school in 2 weeks, and I'm worried that I can't do it. I'm sure I will be fine though.

I Have a Happy Post...and an Update

I'm feeling good, or at least I have over the last 2 days. I've tried my best to take it easy. I will not be vacuuming for the near future, since that seemed to set me back. I've had little to no cramping over the last few days. No spotting since Monday evening. I was worn out yesterday, but that could have been from the bad day on Tuesday that I had. Now, I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

Also, I think I should send TB to camp more often. He came back a different kid. He is so much more respectful and doesn't get mouthy with me as much.

We got KG enrolled in preschool. I need to go and get her school clothes this weekend. I also need to start getting school supplies for the boys and myself. WOO HOO for school starting in 2.5 weeks!

ETA: Guess I spoke to soon. Nothing like crampiness and a very sore and swollen belly to bring you crashing back to earth. Geesh, I'm sick of this.

Last Week of July...

I told the kids last night to enjoy their last week because starting next week, we are back on school sleep schedule. The boys start football practice on Monday at 8 AM, and they leave on Tuesday for the rest of the week for football camp. They need to get back on a schedule. The girls are going to be in for a shock to their systems with going to bed around 8 in order to get up in time. They will get used to it. I think I might need to go and buy them some black out curtains this weekend.

I'm struggling again with church. I love going once I get there, but it is the getting there part that I'm struggling with. I can think of a million and one reasons why I don't want to go, or why I'm to busy to go. Why I hurt to go. Once you get out of the routine of going, it is very HARD to get back into the routine of going. Last night, we had our camp service. It was really great, and then I got home. All of the joy of the service was gone. It is as if satan is really hammering me with negativity in my life right now. Between the surgery and still have lingering effects from that, and feeling like an outsider at church at times, the desire to go just isn't there. I want some of what TB has to rub off on me. Maybe the feeling like an outsider is my own doing. I never call or text anybody because everybody I know works, and I don't want to bother them when they are home with their families.

I'm on the prowl for a recumbent bike. Walking long distances still bothers me, so I'm thinking an exercise bike might be the way to go. I think I just found one. I will get Hubster to go by tonight to check it out while I'm with KG at dance and flip.

2 posts in 2 days...

Why do you ask? It is because I'm FRUSTRATED beyond belief with the extremely, extremely slow progress of how fast I'm healing from the hysterectomy. I never, ever, never in my wildest imagination dreamed it would be this hard, this painful, and most especially this LONG. Top it all off with a bladder that doesn't want to work properly, if at all, and you have the makings for one very irritated human being. Just when I start to believe that I'm finally on the upward swing of feeling good, if not great, my body tells me to HOLD UP. It isn't time to start celebrating yet.

Today, I decided to go to the store for some grocery shopping even though I woke up not feeling great, but not able to pin point just exactly why I wasn't feeling good. We don't have food in this house, and I'm tired of eating out. It is expensive, fattening, and gross. I was given the all clear on Thursday, so I figure that I will be okay lifting a bag with 12 pounds of sugar in it. Got a little twinge, but I didn't think anything about it. Got to HEB (Love that store) and started my shopping. About halfway through the store KG tells me she has to go to the bathroom, so my mom takes her. I start pushing the cart, and I'm about halfway down the aisle when what decides to happen. I'm hit with such an intense pain, that my knees nearly buckle. I thought I was going to puke right there. I was so queasy. I felt like my insides were going to fall out. I'm sitting here with my feet propped up, with some of the worst cramps imaginable, a belly that looks and feels like I'm 5 months pregnant, feet and legs that are swollen, and stabbing pains in my belly. I'm to the point where I wonder what is wrong with me. Why me? What did I do to deserve this? Why in the world did I have this hysterectomy? Did I make the right decision?

If anybody asks from here on out, I'm perfectly fine. I'm doing great. I'm sure nobody wants to hear the truth. You want the truth, then you read here. I will lay it all on the line here.

I rearranged my college schedule. I dropped my chemistry class in exchange for an intro to sociology. It is just so hard for me to go to college in the evening especially if Hubster finds a class to take for 3 months during the fall. He is looking. He only needs 90 more active duty days to get 100% GI Bill instead of the 70% we have right now. He also is going to be gone for 2 weeks in August courtesy of the Navy. He gets another paid vacation to California. He said he wasn't visiting anybody this time.

TB loved camp, and I could tell. He actually talked about it. I'm so glad. I got to looking at his FB page, and he has added a bunch of new friends. They are mainly girls. I'm very lucky to have some good kids. I couldn't be prouder of them.

6 Week Point...Life is Good

I hit the six week check up point of my surgery yesterday. This involved me going to the GYN yesterday for an exam to make sure that everything went back to the correct places. Thankfully everything did. I still have one issue, but we are working on that one. I go back on August 30th to see if further surgery or medicine or something else needs to be done. Nothing like having what is hopefully just nerve damage done that can be fixed or learning to deal with it.

She is also trying to arrange some physical therapy for my hip and back. They have been bothering me since surgery, especially my hip.

I was disappointed in my weight because I had gained 4 pounds, but I'm still less than surgery day. She told me that it was fine. I would lose it. Plus I'm really swollen. I think I'm retaining water, but that has something to do with the problem that I'm having.

TB went to church camp this past week. He comes home today. He also turned 13 yesterday. I can't believe that I'm the mom of a teenager now. From what I've heard, camp was amazing. We had a bunch of youth saved and lots of lives changed. I can't wait to hear about it from TB. Just hoping he tells me about it instead of the one word answers that I normally get. He starts back to football practice on Monday, and then him and KB will be gone for a week the week after that.

KG started gymnastics and dance on Monday. She was beaming, and she loves it. She has her first dance show on October 31. Hubster and I have a meeting with the school we want to send her to for Pre-k next Tuesday. She would be going Monday - Friday from 8-3, and have regular school days and holidays.

I enrolled in college. I'm going to be taking 17 hours. BG is going to a friend's house to stay on the 2 days that I have classes during the week.

Life right now seems to be falling into place very nicely.

3 Weeks Post-Op and Woo Hoo Something Strange

is happening. Woke up this morning with a knot the size of my fist below my belly button. It hurts. Dr. M. can't see me until in the morning, so she told me to stay off my feet and come to the ER if I have any fever, chills, or the pain gets worse. Doesn't hurt as bad right this moment as it did when I got up, so that is a good thing. I'm sure that the knot will be gone before in the morning. I just want everybody to think I'm a freaking nut job. I know it was there because my mom could even see it on that side. It is very sensitive to touch.

Yesterday morning was the best I have felt in months. I was tender and a little sore. I actually got out and drove a few miles to take the girls to the doctor. I think that is why I might have developed a knot. I had to lift BG a few times. By the time I was done, I was wiped out energy wise and sore. I was very sore. I'm not to worried about the knot that has developed. I just figure I did something that I wasn't supposed to.

The kids are doing great. KG has grown so much over the last few months. I can't believe it. She is no longer a baby. Hubster found out about the surprise party I was going to throw for him on July 9. One of our friends at church accidentally spilled the beans. We had a good laugh about it. Now, I just have to figure out how I'm going to get everything done.

One of Those Days...

Well, it has actually been a few of those days. Yesterday I went to the doctor for my 2 week post-op. She was upset with the weight loss. For some reason 14 pounds in 3 weeks doesn't make her happy. She was also concerned with the pain I'm still in. Told me if I didn't see significant improvement by next Thursday, I have to come back in for a ct scan.

I'm doing my best not to cry right at this moment. My emotions today have been all over the place. I finally got out of the house for a few hours. I went to eat lunch with my mom and kids and then ran to Ross's and Michael's. I was ready to come home after lunch. The hard chair that I sat on at lunch wasn't comfortable. I've been in pain ever since. I'm so tired of hurting.

I'm saddened by people that haven't even bothered to call, to send an email, or even a text to check on me. I don't know why it bothers me, but it does. I heard from people that I never expected to, and then not a word from those that I expected to at least hear a "I hope you're feeling okay". I also realize that a lot of what I'm feeling right now is hormones out of whack. These last couple of weeks have been very hard on me physically and emotionally. I didn't expect this to be this hard. Even though I was done having kids, there is a part of me that grieves of what was taken because of this hysterectomy. I wasn't expecting that either. I didn't expect to be saddened by this. It has thrown me for a loop. From everything that I have read, this is normal. Maybe if I had bounced back quickly some of these emotions wouldn't be like they are right now.

At least I have tomorrow to look forward to GNO with some of my Seabee Sisters. I can't wait. I still can't drive, so Hubster is going to take me over there. Then he and the kids are going to go eat somewhere else. Hubster has also been working insane hours at work. It is craziness, but it has certainly padded our savings account. He will be off next weekend for the entire 3 day weekend. Plus his birthday is next Sunday. We are going out to lunch after church with our good friends. I can't wait.

1 step Forward...2 Steps back

Or at least that is the way I'm feeling. Yesterday I felt like I was ran over by a car, which is better than feeling like I've been run over by a truck. I tried to do to much on Monday. That is code for I was on my feet more than I should have been. I can't be on my feet for more than 15 minutes at a time still before I'm in agonizing pain. This is getting ridiculous. Yesterday, I took it very easy. Stayed off my feet. I woke up this morning, and I actually felt good. I was just a little tender around my incision site. Thought it would be a good idea to do more than normal. I am now regretting it. I made the delicious chocolate eclairs that you see below, and I'm now in pain. My incision site is killing me. The pain is shooting down my legs, and I'm cramping like there is no tomorrow. This is freaking ridiculous. I go into the doctor tomorrow for my 2 week post-op check-up. I can't wait to hear what she has to say.

Chocolate Eclairs or Cream Puffs

Today I decided (Since I was feeling good) to try and cook/bake something different. They turned out yummy good even though I'm starting to regret being up on my feet for that amount of time. I did rest in between times, but I'm hurting now. It was easier than I was expecting to make them. I'm still kind of shocked at how easy they actually were to make.

The Puff Pastry

1 cup of water
1/2 cup of butter
1 cup flour
3 eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Heat water and butter to boiling point. Add flour and stir constantly until mixture is smooth and forms a ball when tested in cold water. Remove from heat and let cool. Beat in 3 eggs, one at a time. Drop dough from tablespoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until light brown. Set aside to cool.

The Chocolate Cream

2 cups of whole milk
1 tsp Almond flavoring
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp of sugar
5 Tbsp of cake flour
3 Tbsps of cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 egg
2 egg yolks

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp of heavy cream

In a medium saucepan bring the milk and almond flavoring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the sugar with the cake flour, cocoa and salt. Whisk in the egg and egg yolks. Slowly add the hot milk, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly. Continue to boil the pastry cream, whisking constantly, until thick, about 30 seconds longer. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until cool.

In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Whisk the pastry cream, then fold in the whipped cream until blended.

Cut the puff pastry in half with a serrated knife. Spoon pastry cream into pastry. Set Aside.

The Chocolate Glaze

2 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp cocoa
2 Tbsp Hot Water
1 Cup of Powdered Sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix melted butter, cocoa, and hot water. Blend the butter mixture with the powdered sugar and vanilla.

Dip the filled eclairs into the chocolate glaze. The glaze will harden as it dries. This yields about 20 eclairs.

2 Posts in 1 Week...

First off, Happy Father's Day to 2 of the best men that I know, my Dad and Hubster. I have the hands down best dad in the world. Hubster is an amazing father. I couldn't have gotten any luckier when I spied him across a room playing pool. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would have 4 kids with him, but we do. I wouldn't change it for the world.

BG and I skipped church this morning. Still not up to riding in a car for 30 minutes. I tried a short car ride on Friday, and I regretted it. I'm feeling much better, but I still have pain in and and around my incision. The more I move around during the day. The more pain I'm in by the end of the day. I'm just trying to take it easy.

I got my acceptance letter for school, and I found out how much it is going to cost. I need to call the admissions office and see if there is somebody that I can talk to. I need to figure out just exactly what I need to do. We also found out this week if Hubster will attend 1 class on campus we get a housing allowance. We can't pass that up, so I'm trying to convince him that we need to attend a class together.

Weekly Recap...

This has been what I like to dub "A WEEK". It has been extremely long. Last Thursday was of course surgery day. I arrived at the hospital at 11 for my 1 PM surgery. Surgery started on time, and the next thing I remember is waking up at 6 PM in my room. I ended up having a total abdominal hysterectomy, which will be known as TAH from here on out. I had to much scar tissue on my intestines to have the "easier" surgery. I got to go the full route. I was in surgery for 4.5 hours. I don't think my body knows how to do easy any more.

Friday was uneventful. Saturday Hubster had drill, and I got released from the hospital a full day early because I was doing good. That is code for I got up out of the hospital bed and walked the hospital halls until I felt like I was going to pass out. I wanted to go home. Crazy me missed my kids and the noise. I about went stir crazy on Friday being by myself in a hospital room not able to get out of bed.

Sunday Hubster was frocked. We are incredibly proud of him. He has waited a long time for this.

The rest of the week has me basically sitting in a recliner with my feet propped up. I never imagined in my life that I would hurt this much. I wasn't expecting the pain that I'm in. I can take the 3 other surgeries and having 4 kids combine it, and I don't think it would come close to the pain that I've been in after this surgery. I have also had some moments over the past week where I wonder if what I had done was worth it. The second guessing of myself rears it's ugly head. In my pain induced and medicated induced fog, I vaguely recall hearing my doctor tell me that the pain I was in before surgery should now be fixed. I will get the full details at my 2 week check up next Thursday. She has put me on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) because I vaguely recall her mentioning that she took everything or most of everything. I'm sitting here in my recliner at 7 AM awake because I moved wrong at 5 AM this morning. Nothing like a burning, searing pain to wake you up. The ache that is left over has not let up, and now the debate is on to rather or not to call the doctor. What to do, what to do.

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!

If I could turn back the clock to December 2009, I wouldn't have a tubal done. I have had nothing but problems since then. I'm convinced that this is a major reason that I'm having a hysterectomy tomorrow. I just find it oddly funny that I didn't have 1 single problem before the tubal, and I haven't had anything but since. I never had the pain before. My cycle was on time like clockwork until the tubal was done. I would gladly turn the clock back and undo this if I could. I would go a different route in order not to get pregnant again. I've talked to many friends that have had a tubal and within a year they have had to have a hysterectomy. I know there are people out there that don't have 1 single problem, but they don't seem to be that many of them. When I hear people are getting a tubal done, my first instinct is to tell them to run for the hills and not do it. It was the biggest mistake of my life. Instead I bite my tongue and wish them luck. The surgery itself wasn't all that bad. The recovery wasn't bad. It has been the after affects that have been horrible.

I'm getting very nervous about tomorrow. Ready to have this last surgery done and over. I need to pack my hospital bag. I just got finished drinking my magnesium citrate. That stuff is all kinds of nasty. I need to hydrate some more tonight before midnight.

The Weekend...

We had a very busy weekend. I'm pooped from it. Saturday Hubster decided that we were going to have a Forced Family Fun Day. He told everybody to get in the car and to be quiet. He was taking us on a day trip. We drove for an hour and a half only to not do what we had set out to do. The lines were to long, and we all didn't want to have to wait. We ended up eating at Cheddars. I love that place. I do believe that might be one of my favorite restaurants. We finally made it home, and then Hubster and I went on a date. We went and saw Fast Five. I loved it. I can watch Vin Diesel though in just about anything. There was lots of eye candy on the screen. After that we went to eat at Red Lobster because I had a $25 giftcard that I got for Mother's Day from my Secret Sister at church. Date night ended up not costing us a whole bunch.

Sunday we went to church, and then we came home. We took the kids to see Kung Fu Panda 2. Loved it. BG fell asleep, but the other 4 (including Hubster) really liked it. It was really cute, and I liked it better than the first movie. After the movie we decided to go to a hotel for the night. I took the kids swimming, and by the end of the night I felt like the biggest loser. KG threw up because she swallowed water. I caught her before she puked in the pool, but I wouldn't let her go swimming any more. She had puke all over her swimsuit. I figured others wouldn't want her swimming in the pool after that. BG decide that she was going to pee on the side of the deck. At least it wasn't in the pool. This was on top of her getting stuck in the hot tub, and I was trying to get to her. As I got ready to hop out of the pool, my bathing suit bottom fell down. I don't think anybody saw it, but it was embarrassin. Another lady got to her first and grabbed her. I guess it is time for a new swimsuit. I didn't realize how big it was.

We didn't do much today. Hubster had to work until noon. I went grocery shopping, and Hubster took KB to get a Samsung tablet that he found on Craiglist for $50. Overall it was a great weekend. I'm going to be busy the next two weeks as I start to get ready for my surgery coming up on the 9th. I'm going to get highlights on Tuesday, and I have pre-op on Wednesday. Should be a fun filled week.

Where has May gone...

I can't believe it is just about over. The kids are out of school. The boys start football strength training next Monday. I can't believe it. Before we blink the summer will be over. I still don't know where the time has gone.

I'm not in a "talkative" mood. I don't know what is wrong with me. I feel like the weight of the world is sitting on my shoulders, and it worries me. I'm just waiting for that other shoe to drop. I guess you can say that I'm anxious, and I have no idea why. I hate living like this.

There is so much I want to do. There is so much I want to accomplish, and I feel like I'm in a holding pattern. I just need to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and get done what I need to get done.

I can't believe how fast May is flying by...

I'm shocked. We have been so busy that it is craziness around my house. TB has 7th grade orientation tomorrow. It is a parent's optional type of thing. I asked him if he would be okay with me going, and he promptly replied...NO! He told me he wouldn't acknowledge me being there. I knew this before I asked, but I so enjoy needling the boy. The boys started spring football, and so far they both love it. They have 2 weeks of practice before summer. Then they have a week off. This summer they will have conditioning and weights that are "optional" all summer. We also found out they will be gone for a week the first week of August for football camp. The place they go to school sends them to a camp. It is covered in the fees that we have to pay. They are looking forward to it. I'm ready for the school year to be over. We have 7 more school days left. Next week is going to be extra busy around here. This Friday they have the talent show at school, and of course, KB is in it. Just what I want to do. Wednesday is awards. Thursday is field day, and Friday is the last day of school. I can't wait.

Hubster got great news yesterday. He finally, after 5 tests, advanced to CE1. There were only 9 Navy wide that advanced. He is sitting in a rate that has little to no advancement in it right now. He was so happy. He was 4 points away last test cycle, so he knew he was close. He didn't even know about it until somebody called him to congratulate him. He was like a school boy. Guess that cemented his decision to just stay where he is at right now and reenlist for another 3 years. He should be signing paperwork this drill weekend.

On a happy note about me, I finally have hit goal number 2 in my weight loss. I'm also at the point where my amount lost is bigger than my amount left to lose. It is a great big deal, and I can't believe that I'm finally there. Anybody that has struggled with their weight know how hard it is to lose, and I have a lot to lose. My clothes are getting way to big. I'm going to have to break down and buy me some new ones. The thing I have noticed is that I want cute clothes now. I used to not care. I just wanted something that is comfortable. I haven't been able to work out since my gallbladder surgery. I tried to work out on Monday, and I've regretted it since. My incision site hurts.

Surgery 1 is done...

I had my gallbladder removed on Wednesday. The surgery took 3.5 hours, and it should have only taken 1 to 2 hours. It seems that it was being stubborn, and it was nice and comfy where it was. Dr. B was just about ready to open me up instead of doing it the easy way when it finally decided to come out. I've spent the last couple of days recuperating. Thankfully today, I'm feeling mostly human. I'm hoping that after I get to finally take a shower that I feel even better. I'm very light headed and dizzy today. Not sure if that is from lack of having anything of real nutritional value to eat or not.

I got a phone call yesterday from Dr. M's office about the hysterectomy. It looks like I'm going to be having that done on June 2 or June 9. When I went and saw her on Monday, the sono showed that one of my cysts had grown, but it was fluid filled. I had a tumor on my cervix that was not there 4 weeks ago, and I have a solid mass on my left ovary.

This getting old business is for the birds, and I'm ready for all of these surgeries to be done.

Today was full of the unexpected...

I got a phone call from my surgeon around 10 AM. He had looked at my ct scan again, and he was worried about something he saw. There seems to be a gallstone that is over 3 cm, and he said my gallbladder needs to come out. His office called me back at 530 saying they could get me in Monday morning at 8. Whoa, hold up people. That is way to soon, and I don't have anybody that can help me on Monday. They said they could push it back to Wednesday which I figured would work. Hubster will be home with me day of surgery. My aunt will come on Thursday to help out, and then my mom will be here Friday through Monday. If I need more time than that, then I just don't know what I'm going to do. I'm sure if push came to shove, that I can figure something out. This has been a whirlwind day.

I just have to say that the Navy had better not get it into their heads to go ahead and send Hubster to Hueneme from the 25th - May 6. That would really suck big time.

A Year...

It has been a full year since Hubster returned home from Iraq. I still can't believe it has been that long. It doesn't seem possible. I can still vividly remember every detail of that day. I think it will forever be with me.

He is still debating on just what he plans on doing when his contract ends in June. I told him that he needs to hurry up and make a decision because he is running out of time. He starts back to school in May. I'm very proud of him for doing that.

MIL is in town. She got here Monday night. Her visit here has been really good. Tonight is church night. We are looking forward to that. We went shopping today for the kids. She ended up buying me a new pair of athletic shoes. They were on sale for 70% off, and they are good for running. I can tell you that her being here is not good on the diet. She likes to cook, so I'm trying to be extra careful with what I eat. I eat what she cooks, but I really make sure the portion is small.

The Weekend that Was...

Quick recap...Friday night we went to a little Italian place to eat. The food was okay. They had singing waiters which was pretty neat. The place wasn't busy at all, so we sat and talked for a few hours. It was so nice. Saturday, Hubster went to Men's prayer breakfast. I made somewhere close to 100 cookies for our Sunday school picnic. We had so much fun. I really do love our Sunday school class. They are some of the best people around. Church on Sunday was really good as always, and then last night I had a bad episode of pain. People kept asking me if I was all right. No, I wasn't. I hurt. The only way to describe it is to take your world's worst cramps, and multiply that by 10. You should probably get close to it. The pain radiates down into my upper thighs, so the more I stand the more it hurts. Maybe it was a cysts bursting. That can cause the pain like that. Today I'm very achy, and nothing I take is about to take that pain away. I've taken Tylenol, and it doesn't help. I really just want to feel better.

I lost a whole pound last week. This is just so frustrating. Yesterday afternoon, I was down 4 pounds. Today, my official weigh in day, I was only down 1. Then I weighed again about 2 hours later, and it showed I weighed a 2 pounds more than I did last week. I'm just going with the 1 pound weight loss because I normally weigh at the same time. I can tell a difference in the way my clothes fit though, so I might not have lost in pounds. I have lost inches though.

MIL is scheduled to be in this evening. I can't wait to see her. We are going to go out of town for the weekend. I believe we finally have it nailed down where we are going. It is a place that none of us have ever been before. I think it should be fun.

Gee Whiz...

I hate, hate, hate wasting money. It is a huge pet peeve of mine. I went to the surgeon yesterday for my gallbladder. You know, the one, that has gallstones, but it hasn't caused me any issues. He couldn't fathom why in the world that they would refer me to him. Those are his words. He said there is no way that the pain I have is caused by gallstones. That it is way to low to be that. He asked me if I had any symptoms, at which point I politely informed him no. That I really felt this was a waste of my time and money. He agreed. Wish he would have agreed to refund me the $50 co-pay. He did tell me that if the gallstones haven't bothered at this point, that there was a distinct possibility that they never would. He also said that if I really wanted my gallbladder out, he would take it out for me. No thank you. I see no reason to remove something that is not bothering me in the least. He was very nice, but I have had it up to my eyeballs with doctors visits and tests. I'm giving Dr. M. her last shot at doing something on April 21. If she can't do something about the pain, then I'm switching doctors. This has gotten insane and expensive. There is something wrong, and she needs to fix me. A year has been long enough.

On a happier note, tonight is date night for Hubster and I. We are meeting one of my besties and her husband for supper tonight. We laughingly call her husband Hubster's long lost brother from another mother. They act just alike, and they haven't seen each other in a few weeks. We expect them to be in rare form tonight. I'm also going to have my hair done. I love hair done days. They are relaxing, and Jennifer does such a great job. Think I'm going to ask her not to put blonde highlights in it though. Think I'm going to go for full on red hair one more time.

Sigh, then we have the government shut down thingy looming. I could care less if the government shuts down, but they need to make sure that the military gets paid. It really irritates me that Congress and the president get paid, but the military gets shafted. Hubster's drill was cancelled this weekend. Which is all nice and good, but they will have to make it up. That means that it is going to come at an inconvenient time for us probably. I blame both political parties for this fiasco. There is not a winner on either side. Yes, the budget needs to be cut. This budget should have been in place in October. There is not an if, and, or but about it. I want to go up to Washington and smack some people upside the head.

What a Weekend!

It was wonderful. Saturday I finally met a lady that I had been chatting with online for over 6 months. We met for pedicures and lunch. I must say that was probably the best pedicure that I have ever had. I paid for it, but it was wonderful. We ended up eating at TGIFridays. It isn't my favorite place to eat, but it will certainly work when you are hungry. It wasn't to bad. Plus I know they have some pretty good boneless wings, and that is what I was hungry for. Saturday night Hubster and I went on a date. We ended up eating at a steak place called The Keg. Let me just say, that was probably the best meal I have eaten in forever. It was so incredibly yummy. It is not cheap, but we are already making plans to go back to there in June with some friends of ours.

Sunday we went to church in the morning, and then we made it up to the base. We needed to do some grocery shopping. We found out they were showing Gnomeo and Juliet at the theater, so we decided to take the kids. The girls and I (that is what happens when you wake up at 530) fell asleep during the movie, but the 3 boys said the movie was good. We came home after the movie, so we never made it to church last night. That felt odd, but Hubster wasn't feeling all that great. I think the long hours from work last week finally caught up with him. He was exhausted. He got a phone call last night from one of his Chiefs asking him to (aka informing aka voluntell) that they needed him back in Port Hueneme from April 25 - May 6. Looks like he is going to be gone again for 2 weeks.

I also got a phone call on Friday from the general surgeon's office. I have an appointment with them on Thursday at 330. They politely informed me that if I had any "episodes" or hurt in any way, that I was to call them immediately. If I couldn't get a hold of them, then I was to go straight to the ER. Yeah, that made me feel wonderful. May I just say that I'm ready for all of this to be over and done with. I just don't want to hurt any more.

The WW thing is going great. I lost 2.5 pounds last week. I was very excited with that, and I didn't feel cheated in any way. I was able to eat whatever I wanted to on Saturday night because I had so many saved points. This is really a great program. Here is hoping that it keeps going that way. I'm really enjoying this, and I'm really enjoying my workouts.

Nothing like sweating...

Sweating is good for you, or so the lady on the exercise dvd keeps telling me. I'm going to agree with her for now. I started Weight Watchers last Friday, and tomorrow is my weigh in day. That scale had better moved down. I've been on a plateau for 2 months, and it is driving me crazy. I decided to shake things up some, so I decided that I'm going to try WW. I'm really loving it so far, but I also haven't stepped on a scale since Monday. I really, really, really want to get to my second goal. I think that would feel so awesome. I also decided that I'm going to work out even if I do hurt, or even if I start hurting, after I'm done. I've worked out 4 days this week, and I've found out that Tylenol before the workout starts seems to help. I don't hurt as much. Yeah, that gallbladder thing, *note the sarcasm* is really what is causing the pain.

I called my primary doctor yesterday because he has had my test results since Monday afternoon. He wasn't concerned at all with any of my results. He looked them over, and he didn't see any reason to refer me to anybody because I have ZERO symptoms of having a gallbladder attack. The only thing I have going on is the pain in my groin and hip area, and he didn't think that was caused from the gallbladder. Imagine that, a doctor who actually believes that there is something else going on down there besides my stupid gallbladder. To be on the safe side though, I get to go and see a surgeon now. I should know who and when that appointment is going to be with next week. I'm getting really tired of seeing the doctor. I jokingly keep saying that I would like them to remove any non-vital organ at this time. Surely one of them is the culprit or culprits for the on again and off again pain I've been experiencing. I'm pretty sure my family would agree with me.

Hubster has been working insane hours. He hasn't made it home before 8 PM any night this week and last night it was 11. He had to leave early this morning too. I talked to him for a few minutes before he left. I felt bad for him. He is so tired.

Getting Old Sucks...

Went today and had an ultrasound on my gallbladder. The doctor's office called me back within two hours of being done. I have another partial diagnosis. This time I have gallstones. She is forwarding my ct scan and ultrasound test over to my primary doctor. He will determine where I go from here. I don't know if that means surgery to remove the gallbladder or what, but I still don't think the gallbladder would make me feel like my insides need to fall out.

I do have to go back to visit Dr. M on the 21. I have to go in on the 18th for an ultrasound to check the size of my cysts. All of that sounds like oodles of fun to me.

Have a partial diagnosis...

I got the results back from the ct scan on Thursday. She doesn't seem to think that I'm going to need a hysterectomy after all even though last week she was adamant that I was going to be having one. I guess that is okay even though I still think there is something wrong in that area, but I can't argue with tests. I can only go with my gut feeling on this one, and my gut is telling me that there is something not right.

The ct scan shows I have something called spondyloisthesis. It causes your back to hurt. http://www.medicinenet.com/spondylolisthesis/article.htm that explains what it is. The thing that irks me is that my back has hurt for 15 years easily. Never before has it hurt in my front. The sharp pains are still there, and it still aches. Just thankfully not everyday. I can take tylenol to help with the inflammation in my back, but it doesn't touch the front pain. I asked them if I was going to have to live like this the rest of my life because I need to know. They weren't very forthcoming. I now have an ultrasound scheduled on Monday for a scan of my gallbladder to check for gallstones. I'm expecting that to come back just fine. After they get the results back on the gallbladder issue, they will set up a follow-up appointment with Dr. M. I'm going to assume at this point, that I'm not going to want to hear what she has to say.

CT Scan...

was today. That was an interesting experience. That was much better than a MRI any day of the week except for the nasty tasting crap I had to drink. I'm hoping that I hear back from my doctor at the end of the week.

I still hurt, but I start to get nervous about everything turning out normal. How strange is that? I hurt, and I know I hurt. I want to know that there is a reason that I hurt, and that she can fix the reason I hurt. My biggest concern is that she will tell me things are normal, and that there really isn't any thing to fix.

Until they give me the results, I will be in a wait and see pattern.

I have lots to do to get ready for KG's birthday party. I haven't even decided what birthday cake I want to make for her. I need to hurry up and decide though because I don't have a lot of time left to make it. I'm torn between two different designs. I'm going to go with the easiest of the two though.

This is Throwing me for a Loop...

I really didn't expect it to. I'm turning to the one thing that I shouldn't....FOOD. I don't even want to do my weigh in on Monday because I know it isn't going to be pretty. I'm making terrible food choices, and I'm eating to much. This is really not good. I need to purge the house of all sweets and things not good for you...PRONTO. I'm debating about rather or not to do WW in person just so I have some accountability. I know exactly what I'm doing wrong, but I continue to sabotage myself, and I don't know why.

I was wanting to have the hysterectomy, but now I'm getting worried about it. I have no idea how I'm going to manage it. From every thing I've seen, I can expect to be in the hospital from 1 to 5 days. Oh boy, what am I going to do with the girls. Then I have a 2 to 3 week recovery period where I can't do much of anything. I could try and make it until school is out, but I'm not sure if I can or not. The pain is getting to be intolerable. I have to go Monday to pick up my contrast for the ct Scan on Wednesday morning. I was supposed to do it today, but Hubster is on call at work. He ran off with my one and only set of van keys, and I'm really not happy with him at the moment. I know it was an accident, but there is a reason why we have a place to hang keys by the door. It is not to keep them in your pocket.

So, right now I'm mad. I'm disgusted with myself. I'm tired. I'm aching in my sides. I'm just all around not very happy with my lot in life. Yes, I know there are worse things going on in the world right now, and frankly, I don't really care. This is going on in my life at this moment. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this surgery coming up, and I'm not doing a very good job of it.

4 Years Ago...

today, I gave birth to Princess KG. I still remember when it dawned on me that we were going to have one of those famous re-deployment babies. We were done with having kids after the boys were in school, and here I was pregnant with number 3. I was riding on the train going to meet my brother, and I was having a hard time not being sick. My mom asked me if I was okay, and I blurted out I was pregnant. I hadn't even told Hubster yet. I think I lived on crackers and 7-UP for a good 5 months. I was so sick with her. This is also when I got lucky and found the best OB/GYN in the world. She is truly one of the best out there. Not many OB's do every thing in their power to deliver their own patients. She truly has a wonderful bedside manner, and it doesn't matter to me if I might have to sit in her office and wait an hour to see her. I know that I'm waiting because she doesn't rush through her patients. She will sit and talk to you. Now back to the story of KG and her birth. It was quite an adventure. I never got sick with the boys. I was sick as a dog with KG. I had morning/noon/evening sickness for 9.5 months until the day she was born. Dr. M had to give me meds for the queasiness. I lost 22 pounds while pregnant with her. Hubster wasn't in town for the big ultrasound. He was sure we were having another boy because he just didn't make girls. Dr. M. had to get on the phone and tell him that yes, we were having a little girl. He kept saying that we were lying. I still don't think he believed us until he saw KG when she was born. The day of her birth though was another story. She was supposed to have been born on the 16th of March, but the hospital didn't have room for us. They told us to keep calling every two hours or so, and maybe a room would open up for us. We did this for 2 days. Finally on the 17th around 5 PM a room became available. They told us to hurry in because if a woman in labor beat us there, they would give the room to her. We got a really big room, and we had some great nurses. My doctor came in around 8 AM to check me and break my water. Then told me she would see me around lunch to deliver a baby. She was going to church. I told her that she wouldn't make it to church because once my water breaks, the fun begins. It is nice to know that I was right. She never made it to church. She didn't even make it back to her house. KG was born a little after 10 that morning. Here she is 4 years later a joy to have in this house. She is looking forward to today. Today is all about her. We are going out to eat for her birthday with her very favorite Aunt Margaret and Uncle Gregg. I got her a shirt that says Birthday Girl on it that she can wear. I have to make her birthday cake later on today. Going to see how well I can do this. I also have to go and get part of her birthday present. She will get the rest of it at her "kid" birthday party that will take place next Sunday the 27th. I'm not aware of very many 4 year olds that want clothes and shoes for their birthday, but those were some of her requests.

I got up to take some melatonin, and I noticed BG was still awake. She had a banana sitting beside her. She told me that she was hungry, and that she got one for KG too. The thing is that KG is asleep, so the peeled banana was sitting on KG's pillow. How sweet is that? BG went downstairs by herself in the dark, crawled up on the cabinet, and got bananas for herself and her sister. That is what I call sisterly love. Those girls are priceless, and I'm very lucky to get to stay at home with them. There are days that I have to remind myself of that.

The World Goes Around and Around and Around...

The title doesn't have any thing to do with this post. I just wanted to put it on here. Yes, I'm goofy that way.

Hubster took the kids (all 4 of them) fishing today with one of his good Seabee friends. They seem to have had fun. I had a doctor's appointment with the OB/GYN. Those are always fun, but I'm done with not knowing which day I'm going to be in pain and what days I'm not. Thankfully (I guess you can say that.) today was one of those days where I was in lots of pain. To the point, where I was wanting to cry. I could accurately describe to her just what I was feeling. This has allowed us to finally, after nearly 9 months of this pain, to come to the conclusion that I need to have a hysterocetmy. She wants me to have a CT scan first to make sure that there isn't something else causing the pain, but if not, then I'm going to be having surgery. Who wants to come help me for 2 to 3 weeks with the kids when I do have the surgery? Doesn't that sound like oodles and loads of fun? At least now I know that I have some relief in the near future.

On a happier note, a few weeks ago our neighbor boy, from here on out known as Jordan, went with my boys to TnT lock in at church. This is an Awana thing. They asked him to go with him. On the way over, he informed me that he had never been to church before. Never even been inside a church. He really enjoyed it, and we told him that he could come with us again. He didn't get to go on Sunday, but he did go with us this past Wednesday to Awanas. He loved it. He wanted to go with us last Sunday. He went to Sunday school and children's church Sunday morning with the boys, and on Sunday night he went to what we call "big" church. In other words, he went to the main sanctuary to hear our pastor speak. We were sitting at supper on Sunday night, and he tells us that when Pastor started preaching, that he thought, "Dude, you don't have to yell. We can hear you." Then he realized that he was excited about what he was preaching, and that he had a microphone. Hubster and I busted out laughing. Pastor is going to get a kick out of this. Jordan wanted to know if we had church on Wednesday night because he knew that he didn't have Awanas. We told him yes, that Wednesday is going to be "big" church. He said he couldn't wait to go and hear Pastor preach again. That makes me so happy to hear him say that. Guess he is going to church with us now.

Seabee Ball 2011

Some of my very favorite wives in the world. For some reason we get tagged as the trouble makers. I have no idea why that would be. We never got into trouble. We just always have a good time where ever we happen to be.



Hubster and I during the Ball.



My very dear friend FD who I happened to meet in the LAX airport before our hubbies first deployment. I still thank God every day for that chance meeting because I have what I consider one of my very dear friends because of it. She is truly what is defined as a Seabee Sister.



Hubster and I before we left the house.

It was Seabee Ball time in our neck of the woods. Let me first say that this was probably the very BEST ball that I have ever been to. The committee did a fantastic job. My hat is off to them. Hubster and I had a ball, literally. I can't remember the last time I danced. Well, I can. Let me just say it was around 14 years ago. I remember how much I love it. It always amazes me how quickly that you just pick right back up where you left off with some of the wives that have been in the trenches with you. It was like that you saw them last week and not six months ago. We really had a great time, and I'm so glad that we went.

The Weeks that Were...

Hubster made it home on Saturday. His class ended Friday at lunch, but he wasn't allowed to leave until Saturday. He was able to get on an earlier flight though. AA had to get permission to let him go standby, but he got on it. When he got home, we went ball gown shopping. That was fun. NOT. I hate shopping for dresses or clothes period. The only good thing that came out of it was that the dress is the exact size that I was wearing 14 years ago, and I never thought I would see the day that I wore that size again. I wasn't expecting to be able to wear a size that small. Yea Me! Hubster picked out the dress because I was having a hard time deciding. He liked this one the best on me, so that is what I got. We are debating on rather or not to spend the night at the hotel that the ball is being held at or not. I want to in a way, but I think that has more to do that I would love an evening away from the kids than anything else. I'm the one that has to deal with them 24/7. I don't want to spend any more money than we already have for this thing. Plus, we found some really cool cabins that I want to stay at in April. I can't do both. I don't have a sitter that will cooperate with that one. :)

We made plans with some friends of ours for a couples night out in April. I'm looking forward to that too. It is sad that we get so busy that we had to plan for a date in April.

New Month...

I can't believe that March is already here. It just amazes me. I was watching Glenn Beck yesterday while I was prepping supper, and KB wants to know why all of these bad things are happening. For those of you that are not aware of it, which shouldn't be that many since I don't make it a secret, we are a church going family. We are there just about every time the door is open. I explain to him that I believe, as does our pastor, that we are looking at the return of Jesus soon. It is really awe inspiring and exciting at the same time. He tells me that he can't wait to see Jesus. That gave me a warm fuzzy.

Hubster got to go and see his grandma this weekend. He went up to see her Friday night, and he went back to Hueneme on Sunday. He had a good time, and that makes me happy. I took the girls to the zoo on Saturday with another Seabee wife and her little boy. We had such a good time. BG keeps asking to go and see the lions. I should have just bit the bullet and bought the season pass. Then we could go whenever we wanted to. The boys didn't want to go with me, so they went with Grandma instead. She said they were excellent.

Tonight is Ladies Fellowship at church. Need to get supper prepped for everybody, and I have to make my finger food. Wonder if salad is considered a finger food? We have plates and forks there. I would prefer to fix that instead of something else. I must say that I make a really good salad with feta cheese, dried cranberries, and pecans.

Hubster is due home on Saturday, and I'm ready to see him. He asked to if he could go home on Friday because class will be done at noon, but he can't . They even had 2 flights out of LAX that would have worked.

GRRRRRRR...This Seabee Wife Thing

at times just gets on my last nerve. Today has been one of those days that it is getting on my nerves. Hubster left yesterday for Hueneme for a 2 week class. That is fine. He really needs to go to these classes. The funny thing is that class doesn't start until Tuesday because of the holiday. That means that he went a visiting yesterday and today. I'm fine with that. He got to see his mom and his dad. That isn't why the Seabee wife thing is getting on my nerves today though. I'm just irritated that he really didn't have to be in Hueneme until today. Enjoy the holiday that you got. I'm going to remember it, and I want one too. :)

The kids were out of school today for President's Day. The boys have science fair projects due on Thursday, and once again Hubster is not here to help make sure they get done. That falls to me yet again. I asked him to please, please make sure that TB had help with his. He waited until Friday night to get the stuff to even do it. Saturday we had things that needed to be done...aka shopping. We didn't make it home until late, so I told him that I would take care of it today. What other choice did I have? I again, thank you Navy, get to make sure that things get done at school for the boys. I told Hubster last year that he was going to get to do the boys projects this year. That didn't happen. I'm going to get to make sure they get done again.

Yesterday and Today...

Yesterday was Time Out for Me with our church. We went to an antique mall and had lunch at a tea room. It was so nice to get away from the kids for a bit and talk to real adults. I had an episode while there though, and when those episodes happen they wipe me out. Nothing like feeling cold, clammy, dizzy, queasy, and that you are fixing to pass out. I ended up going outside to sit in hopes that I would get to feeling better. When these episodes pass, I'm usually so wiped out that all I want to do is sleep. I wasn't much company going back to the church after our outing. I just wanted to sleep, and I was concentrating on not throwing up. That is how bad it is. After I got the girls, I came home and laid down for about 30 minutes. That is the amount of time that Barney ran on the tv. Thankfully, I was feeling a little better, so I made supper. *as a side note...I will never buy jarred spaghetti sauce again after learning how to make it in less than 30 minutes* The effects though were still lingering, and I went to bed around 815 after supper dishes were done. I laid down, but the kids kept me awake with having to deal with them. Hubster was downstairs working on Navy things. I did go to sleep around 9 though. I don't even know when he came upstairs to bed.

I woke up today feeling good. It has been the best I have felt in a bit until about 15 minutes ago. I haven't had a full blown episode but a partial one. My head is hurting, and I'm feeling fuzzy. I hate the fuzzy feeling. It makes me feel like I've been on a bender when I haven't. I'm hoping it goes away. Tonight is church night too. Looking forward to it, but I really don't want to have to deal with the fuzziness. It just needs to go away completely.

BG is in the midst of the terrible twos, and I frankly don't have the energy to deal with her. I hate potty training, and we are in the midst of that too. We are about 75/25 trained now. It is that 25% that drives me insane. KG is growing so quickly. We are a month away from her being 4. I'm waiting to hear from MIL about when would be the best time for her to fly from Sacremento to here for a visit. I've got to find out what Hubster is needing to pack for his trip to Hueneme. I want to go to Hueneme with him. I love Hueneme.

Valentine's Day 2011

Need to finish up Hubster's gift. We said we had a limit of $25 per person, and we needed to get creative with it. We are going on a weekend getaway in April, so this is just something that is thought about. I hope he likes what I've gotten him so far.

I'm having health issues again, and I'm worried enough about them that I don't want to call the doctor because I fear what they will find. That is a very stupid reason why not to call. I know. Only a few people know what is going on. My mom told me yesterday that I looked pale. It is probably because I'm not feeling good. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep. I will eventually get up the nerve to call, but I'm not a big fan of my primary doctor. This is the one time that I don't like Tricare. There isn't a whole lot of choices. I love how much it costs to go and the amount of my premium every month though, so we will stick it out.

Hubster had drill this weekend, so we didn't do very much of anything. Saturday night Hubster and I went to our Sunday school class Valentine's party. It was at a fancy steak house. They normally charge $30+ per plate. No way would I pay that much for that place. It was good, but it wasn't $30 a plate good. The service wasn't all of that great either. We still had a really good time though.

I have days where I feel extra fat, and yesterday was one of them. I hate when I have those feel fat days. It is those days I wonder why I went through with the lapband because I'm still fat. In a given month, I will gain 2 pounds in a week, and then the next week lose 4 to 7 pounds. It is very annoying, and I'm basically doing the same things. I keep telling myself that the end game is what I'm looking for, so as long as I have a negative number on that scale then we are good. I still have 99.5 pounds to lose to get to my goal weight, and at times it seems so far away. I know I've lost over 80 pounds now, but it is still so far away. I just have to keep plugging along.

The girls have been stinkers today. BG ran from me in the store. When I finally caught her, she got her hiney spanked. I'm not usually one to spank the kids in public, but I wasn't very happy. See above about how run down I feel, and you can see why I wasn't happy.

Proverbs 31 Woman

That is what I want to be. It is such a hard struggle for me. I'm trying. I really am, but it is hard. I found 2 wonderful websites www.proverbs31.org and www.crosswalk.com. I get 5 or 6 daily devotionals a day from both of them combined. They are wonderful. I believe I have said that.

Today I decided that I'm going to try and make my own laundry soap. I've got some recipes that my high school teacher sent to me. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I was going to go grocery shopping on base this weekend, when I realized that Hubster has drill. Oops, I forgot. My id is expired, and I need to get it renewed. I really need to get some shopping done. Maybe I can somehow make an appointment and get it on Saturday. I will have to check to see if Hubster might be able to meet me at the id office to get it taken care of.

I had 2 of the 4 kids sick today, and it wasn't a pleasant day. BG was running fever all day until now. She is now like a little ball of energy running all over the place. KB is still down for the count. Hope he is feeling better tomorrow.

Our Weather is Bipolar...

Today it is in the teens with wind chills below zero. The boys were home from school today because of the ice. Sunday it is supposed to be near 70. I'm looking forward to the warmth. I also know that we are getting closer to summer time and the 100+ degree days, and I'm not looking forward to them. I'm not a hot weather type of lady. You can't take off enough clothes to stay cool, but you certainly can put on enough clothes to stay warm. As I get older, I've noticed that I despise the heat more and more. I thought it would be the other way around, but it isn't.

Hubster is getting ready to head to Port Hueneme for a couple of weeks. He leaves next Sunday. I'm not looking forward to it, but it is what it is. He has a class for the Seabees. It is coming time for him to reenlist, and he still isn't sure if he is going to stay a Bee or go in another direction. I'm hoping to go and get my dress for the Seabee Ball in the next couple of weeks. I don't have much time left before I need to get me one. I also need to set up appointments for hair and nails and all of that fun stuff.

Thankfully work has picked up a bit. I've been working on 3 or 4 different trips that will end up paying pretty well if they book. I know for a fact that at least 2 of them will. I also have a customer leaving on Sunday for a trip. I wish it was me going. I like to travel though, so I'm always wishing it was me going.

It looks like we will be going to California in December for Christmas. We haven't been out there for the holidays in 6 years, so this looks like a good time to go. I love the Bay area. Hopefully we can do some more sightseeing. I really should load in the pictures of all the windmills I took when we were there in October. I love windmills. They are so peaceful. I know I'm strange.

It Was My Birthday...

Let me just say...IT SUCKED. Yes, it really did. My SIL flew in from California on Thursday evening. She is set to go back home this evening. Friday was my actual birthday. It snowed, so Hubster didn't go to work. It was a common theme for him last week. He might have gotten 20 hours in maybe. That is if we are lucky. We took the kids sledding on a huge hill by the house. They had a ball, and so did we. SIL took us all out to lunch on Friday for my birthday to the best burger place in the world. It was so good, but I ate to much. Then the birthday went down hill. Don't want to go into it, but Hubster knows what happened. He knows what went wrong, and he apologized for the birthday that sucked. We shall just leave it at that.

We have had a wonderful time with SIL though. MIL is scheduled to come for a visit in April. We are going to buy her an airline ticket when our income tax deposits. We would love to have her. We are looking forward to it.

We are in the market for a newer vehicle. I want one that can haul everybody that I will actually drive.

Other than all of the excitement of the ice and snow last week, not much is going on around here. We are busy from now until the end of March. We have something going on just about every weekend. This weekend is our Sunday school VDay party. We are eating at a fancy shmancy restaurant that is adults only. It should be a good time.

It was a Decent Weekend...

Saturday started out with Hubster attempting to bring me breakfast in bed. He had it made, and he was bringing it upstairs. I just happened to be headed downstairs though while he was headed upstairs with it. It is the thought that counts though. We ended up going to Sprouts and on base for grocery shopping. Shouldn't have to go back to the store for 2 weeks except for bread, milk, and eggs. I made sure to get enough food to last for 2 weeks. We have so much food that it wouldn't fit in our tiny pantry, so I was telling Hubster that we needed some shelves for the area underneath our stairs. We have a full size door to get under them. We had some book shelves that aren't being used, so he decided to clean it out and install the shelves for me. That led to him saying it is dark in there, so he installed a light. Now, I just need some more low shelves for the back that I can put some of our kitchen appliances that aren't used as often. I must say that I really do love them. I'm really loving my new "pantry". Now, I just need to finish loading the shelves with food and things.

I'm still struggling with the sadness as my birthday approaches. Don't have any idea what is wrong with me. I hope it goes away soon. Tomorrow night is Ladies Fellowship at church, and I'm hoping that I get to go. I need to figure out what to fix as my finger food though.

We were going to take a vacation with our tax return, but I think we have decided to use that money and purchase a travel trailer instead. That would last longer, and we all love to camp. I'm getting excited about this, and we hopefully can start looking soon for a trailer.

The Sadness is creeping in...

I can feel it over taking me today. One thing is that I'm lonely. Nobody to talk to all day. Then at night, I feel like I'm doing every thing myself without help. The kids have driven me crazy this week. TB got in trouble on Wednesday because he wouldn't let his grandma use his phone at school. I took the phone away from him for a week, and I thought I had handled the situation. I was telling Hubster what was going on, and he jumped down TB's throat. Then grounded him for 2 weeks. Guess my opinion doesn't make much of a difference on how to deal with the situation. That makes me feel oh so good. That same day I had to deal with KB and his school work yet again. I'm so sick and tired of dealing with school work not making it to his teacher. KB was supposed to have a sleepover tonight, but that got cancelled. It was for his birthday. I feel bad about having to do that, but he has to understand that his school work is important.

BG is in the midst of potty training. We are on week 2 of no diapers or pullups except at night. This hasn't been fun. She is about 50% there, and I'm sure we will get there sooner rather than later. The weather has been wonderful around here, and I put some shorts on KG. She has grown so much. She can't wear a 2T or even a 3T any more. I can't believe how big she is.

Next Friday is my birthday, and I'm not looking forward to it. I had told Hubster that I wanted a birthday party, but he hasn't done any thing (that I'm aware of) to get it together. I really shouldn't have to ask, but after last years debacle I figure I would rather ask. Now, I don't even want any thing done. Guess I'm not feeling the love right now from anybody. Feeling taken advantage of and frankly, like nobody cares. All I want is somebody to tell me that I'm doing a good job. I would love a thank you. I don't think I'm asking for to much, but I can tell you that I DON'T WANT ANYTHING FOR MY BIRTHDAY. IT IS TOO LATE TO PLAN ANY THING, SO I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT IT.

Why is time flying by so fast?

It has been another week since my last post. Not much really going on here. Hubster is submitting his packet to see if he can go active duty in a support role. I'm fine with that. It is whatever he wants to do. He still likes his job, and he is working lots of hours. Last night he finally made it home at midnight. It made for a long day for him.

We were supposed to go to a friend's surprise birthday party on Friday night, but Hubster got stuck at work until nearly 10 PM. We had to bail on that one. Saturday night I met up with my regular Seabee wives for dinner and a movie. We went and saw Black Swan. It was a really good weird movie, and Natalie Portman deserves any honors that she gets. She does an amazing job in that movie. I want to see it again just so I can figure out what I might have missed. On Sunday, we went to church in the morning, and then Hubster and I went and saw Riverdance. It was really, really good. We really enjoyed the show.

The girls got in an argument this morning because BG said she wasn't a princess and that neither was KG. KG didn't take kindly to being told that she wasn't a princess. They really crack me up.

We are getting ready for my SIL's visit to our home the first week of February. We will know later this week if my nephew is coming with her. If he does, then she plans on staying longer than a few days. She also talked about bringing out MIL. I don't really care what they do. It doesn't matter to me. I'm okay with whichever they decide to do.

I've lost 85 pounds now since March. I'm so proud of that fact. I've worked hard to lose that amount. A friend of mine had the surgery yesterday, and she sent me a message this morning. Seems that yesterday was very rough on her. She had to be rushed to the ER because she couldn't breath. She had been throwing up all afternoon, and it had irritated her esophagus. They gave her an IV and some meds to make her esophagus quit spasming. She she felt better this morning even though she felt like she had been ran over by a train. I hope she is feeling better this afternoon.

I Love the USO

I'm a fan of the USO. They are an amazing group of people. We have used them numerous times when we have been at the airport. They are so friendly and helpful. Friday the USO where we are at put out a status message on their FB page announcing they had free hockey tickets for military personnel and their families. I happened to be online when this popped up, and I had an email sent off to them in less than a minute. I got an immediate response back that 4 tickets to the Friday night hockey game would be waiting at the platinum will call window. We had 4 seats in a suite. We took the boys, and we had a ball. It was the first hockey game that they had ever been to, and I might have hockey converts on my hands.

I lost 9 pounds last week, and that made me extremely happy. I worked hard at it. I started potty training BG today. I'm sick of diapers. I don't want to see another diaper ever. I love my babies, but I'm ready for them to be a it older.

What I've learned over the last 3 days...

I've actually learned some about myself. We had a Bible conference at church over the last 3 days. To those of you that aren't Baptist, that is called a revival. I hadn't ever heard it called that before we started going to church where we go. I learned that I enjoy going to church so much, that I believe that I could go every day. There is no other place I would rather be. There is nothing that I wouldn't rather be doing than sitting in God's house listening to His word. I figured out today that I could download sermons from some of my favorite preachers onto my phone. Who knew that would make me so happy?

Last year at this time I was really struggling with my faith. If you have been reading for any length of time, you will know this. I never made it into a big secret. I struggled. I struggled a lot. It wasn't pleasant. I was having a hard time making myself go to church, and the only thing that kept me going even semi-regularly were the kids. I could take church or leave it, and it was nothing more than Satan hammering at me that nobody cared about me. When nobody would ask me what I needed while Hubster was gone, I had this devil sitting on my shoulder telling me, "See, nobody cares about you." I felt so lost and alone, and then something changed right after the first of the year. It was actually at last year's Bible conference. It was then that I decided that I didn't want to be this lukewarm making every excuse in the book not to go to church. I always had an excuse. It was late. The kids needed to be in bed at a certain time. I was too tired. Nobody cared if I was there or not. The list went on and on. I always had an excuse. I decided then and there last year, that I was going to go to church. There would be no more excuses, and the most amazing thing happened. I became a happier person. I had a peace that passes all understanding even while Hubster was gone. I still sometimes get the nagging doubts about being liked or nobody caring, but it is nothing like it was. When those doubts start creeping in, I tell Satan to go away. I also wanted to be there. The more I went, the more I wanted to be there. I would go no matter what. I even went to church the day before Hubster was due home. I hate missing church now. We actually plan events around church, so we don't miss any days.

I see friends and family that used to be those regular church goers. They were there for every service. They never missed, and now some of them don't even go to church. It is such a slippery slope. It is so easy to say I will miss just Wednesday nights, but I'm still going on Sundays. Before you know it, you start missing those Sunday night services. It just gets easier and easier to make an excuse why not to go. Then you even stop making excuses. You just stop going. Believe me I've been there. I didn't go to church for nearly 15 years. We always had an excuse. Then it got to a point where it didn't matter. We didn't need an excuse any more. We just didn't go. It took 2 Sunday morning services listening to our now pastor to touch my heart. I knew that church was where I needed to be. It was where I wanted to be. That conviction that the Holy Spirit puts on you is something amazing to behold. It will bring you to your knees asking for forgiveness. We haven't missed but a few services in the past 4 years except for the time that I struggled while Hubster was away. I can say that since he has returned, we have missed at the most 5 services. We do every thing in our power to make sure that we are there sitting in our place.

I don't know why this post was laid on my heart, but I felt the need to share.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe that 2010 has come to an end. What a year it was. Last New Year's Eve was probably the most horrible New Year's Eve on record. The memory of that day is still vivid in my mind. Nothing like having a panic attack right at midnight. Thankfully that wasn't how my year ended up being. 2010 was actually a very kind year to my family. Even with every thing that happened towards the end.

April saw Hubster safely home from Iraq from his second deployment. August saw me through a surgery that has helped me lose 73 pounds so far. October brought us to Hubster losing his job at the end of the year. December brought Hubster a new job that so far he loves. It also brought us more money at his new job. It brought us my brother coming home after being away for 6.5 years. It has been so nice to have both of my brothers nearby. Even though they both can be a pain in my butt, I still love them. I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for us.

Last night we had 3 couples come over for New Year's Eve. They were from my Sunday School class. Love spending time with an amazing group of people. We had some snack foods and played dominoes until after the New Year. We had so much fun. We laughed and laughed. I didn't get to invite every body that I would have liked to. We did end up with a houseful of people. We are really going to have to do that more often.

Tomorrow starts our church's annual Bible conference. I can't wait. I'm hoping it as good as it has been the last couple of years.