Arthritis?

Okay, so Manasseh has had these bizarre swellings on his fingers and toes.  He's had them every winter and spring of his life.  They seem to be totally random swellings and I can't find a common theme - food, weather, soaps, etc...

The doctors were puzzled by this, in fact, the pediatrician called his colleague in to look at Manasseh's fingers too, both men were puzzled.  They ordered x-rays and blood tests, found what they thought looked like it might possibly be arthritis, then sent him to Riley for further blood testing with the rheumatology department in order to confirm rheumatoid arthritis.  Riley Hospital Rheumatology decided that he does not have JRA and wanted to refer him to the dermatologist.

So today we went to the new doctor and I made sure to address his swollen fingers, currently his right hand, ring finger is swollen like a coke bottle.  She listened to my story and glanced through his charts which stated that he had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.  Crazy?!  So anyway, now we're on an adventure to find out what Riley says and what the treatment will be with this boy.

My Egg-free, Peanut-free, Gluten-free, Low-carb life (did I mention we don't eat much meat)

Okay, so a couple of months ago we found out that Cassius is allergic to egg whites and peanuts, since I breastfeed, I had to avoid those foods for a period of one month, then try eating them again to see how he reacted.  He reacted with some pretty good congestion.. no more eggs and peanuts for me until he is done nursing!

Several years ago I was confirmed to be diabetic... that means, low carb goodness for me.  Not an easy task, especially for a bread lover in a family of bread lovers!

A couple of weeks ago Cash's therapist recommended that we try a gluten-free diet with Manasseh to help with "hyperactivity" (for the record, I don't think he's hyperactive.. I think he's 2 1/2).  I did a little bit of reading about gluten free diets and symptoms of gluten intolerance and I wonder if he might have some difficulty with gluten.

SO... officially today, we start our new diet.  It's not as bad as it sounds, it just takes some creativity!

Tuesday night - Chili and broccoli (the chili had soyrizzo in it instead of meat)
Wednesday - Breakfast: Yogurt, Lunch: Cocktail wieners, carrots with taziki sauce, tomatoes, and bananas, Dinner: Hot Italian sausages with sauted onions and peppers.
Thursday - Breakfast: Bananas and Blueberries (yogurt for mama, no fruit), Lunch: Cheese Quesedillas on corn tortillas, tomatoes, frozen veggies, Dinner: Veggie Stir Fry with Brown rice and oranges
Friday - Breakfast: Egg (for Manasseh), Oatmeal for mama and Cash, Lunch:  Cheese soup, salad, yogurt Dinner: Meatloaf with applesauce and cornbread instead of eggs and crackers, Mashed Garlic Cauliflower,  Chinese green beans
Saturday- Daddy date with Manasseh for breakfast and Lowes, Mama and Cash will eat cereal while Nasa's away, Lunch: Parmesan breaded chicken, salad, oranges, Dinner: Tacos with beans (not meat) and corn tortillas, applesauce.

Not so bad, huh?

When I grow up...

I've been thinking a bit recently about what I want to be when I grow up.  Okay, so I'm 32, but... well, I have 2 young children and lots of time between now and when I'm a REAL grown up... I think I've decided that I'll be a real grown up when my kids are grown-ups... or at least once they go off to college.  For now I feel like I'm about 25 and in the prime of life.  Life is an adventure, and I hope it will be even when I'm a REAL grown up.  Anyway, these are some of the things I have been thinking about.

When I grow up, I want to be:
Active, but not so busy that I don't have time for my friends and family.
Financially Secure, but not so secure that I forget what it is like to be afraid I'm going to lose it all.
Involved in church and community, but not afraid to say no.
Generous to a fault
Healthy and able to chase after my grandchildren
A Grandma!  Oh yeah, several times... I have a few years to wait still.
Wise, an ear to share with, a silent mouth when it needs to be, a wise word when it needs spoken.
Servant to many
Able to sew like no one's business, to fix a dress or doll, to make a curtain or rug, or a whatchacall
Faithful, first to God, then Family, then my extended family/friends.

That's just a start, there are so many more things I want to be.  I've got a lot of work to get there, but I also have time to do it! Praise Jesus!

Craft week

Elizabeth and I decided that since I was going to be in town for several days, we would have a craft week (mostly sewing projects).  I declared that I would finish the diapers that I had started, make hats, scarves, and mittens for my children, and maybe make some more diapers.  We found a great craft site that gave us tons of fun ideas: http://www.makeit-loveit.com/ ... and we DO love it!  We also used time to enter some give-aways at a variety of websites.  Our Tally of completed crafts is considerably less than we had planned, I think.  I am not sure what all she's finished. 
Here is my list:
4 cloth diapers
2 headbands
1 learn to walk belt
4 hats (1 that we'll use)
5 gloves (yes, 5 - 1 was too small so I didn't finish the pair)
1 sippy cup bungee

- I'm sure there is more, I just can't think off-hand what else I got done.
Things left un-done (partially due to a broken sewing machine needle)
3 cloth diapers (started, 1 just needs velcro, 2 need elastic and velcro)
1 purse
1 toddler belt
many more cloth diapers
1 mama leash
and endless other possibilities

photos to come next week!

New Eyes

My boy got new eyes this week.  Okay, not NEW eyes, they just realigned the muscles in his eyes.  YIKES!  Can you imagine someone actually moving the muscles in your EYES???  Poor guy.  He's doing really well though and I haven't seen any of his normal crossing.  His eyes are still really red and he wants to rub them just a little more than usual, but he's doing fantastically.  Yay God for new eyes!

Living in Anticipation

Randy is coming up to the 90 day mark at his job.  This is the point in time where the company he is working at strives to hire people "full time".  At the moment, he works for Buckhorn, through a temp agency.  I have been watching my calendar and biting my nails, waiting for the day that they ask him to work for Buckhorn directly.  Every day I hope that he comes home and tells me that he has been hired, there are so many benefits to working for the factory directly.  I really look forward to this change.

This morning as I laid in bed, thinking that maybe today will be the day, I had a quick word from God about my anticipation regarding Randy's job.  I'm still trying to put the thoughts in order, but it went something like this:

When you wait in line at the drive-through, you feel impatient.  You are anticipating your food, you know it should be here any minute now, why is it taking so long.  This makes you angry and frustrated.  Those stupid fast food workers should move faster.  They never get your order right anyway.  Grr, move line, move.  Why does the guy in front of me need 7 bags of food, holy cow, he's the only person in that car.  I really hope he's sharing.  Angry angry angry. 
This is not what God wants from us.


We should be living in anticipation of Him.  Every day we should anticipate the movements of God.  We should be on the edge of our seats waiting eagerly to see what God is planning next.  Where will he show up today.  How will he have me serve him today.  We are so stuck in our fast-food lifestyles, we do not have to wait, at least not long - even if it IS 15 minutes - we are angry and mean when we have to wait. 

When was the last time you had to really wait?  When was time you were on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next exciting thing that was going to happen?  I watch Manasseh when he does things.  He is so funny - he lives in anticipation of joyful moment!  I know this because, when he hears music, he dances without hesitation.  He is not afraid of looking silly when he experiences joy.  A little while ago he was on the edge of his seat - well, my bed - watching Toy Story 3.  There is a scene where monkeys attack the main characters.  He is so taken in by the story, waiting for the next exciting thing, that when the monkeys attacked, he rolled off of the bed.  He lives in anticipation when he is watching Toy Story.

My life needs to be more like Manasseh's.  I do not need to watch Toy Story, but I need to be watching God.  I should be living with the anticipation that he is about to act.  That he is moving in my life and the lives of those around me.  That at any moment, I might fall off of the bed because something exciting has just happened. 

God, help me anticipate you fully.

Crocs Giveaway

I entered to win some crocs boots
I love me some crocs!
Here it is
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