Sumer Fun

Our camera broke on the fourth of July, Elliott dropped it from an incredible height! But, luckily, Mikey's brother Jason, and his son Rowan came last weekend, and they got a new SUPER-CAMERA!!, so he shared some of his pictures with us to share with you! Things are good, I am feeling healthy as can be thanks to physical therapy!! YAY!! If they asked me to I would stand on the street in a bone and joint costume cheering for physical therapy...I love it!! The kids are growing in size and catastrophe! They play together better than ever, and fight together worse than ever! Oh well, what can you do! I am also including a picture of Ruth's little baby Karver. This is Lucy's grumpy face, and her smile....we see both many times a day! This is elliott with his cousin Rowan, Elliott wouldn't leave his side! Fun times.

spring time fun

The semester at the little gym is over. Lucy had a karate recital and Elliott finished up his mommy and me class. Here are some pictures from those.






Oh yeah, Mikey got his motorcycle finally! He can't drive it yet because he hasn't taken the class, and his gear (helmet, pants, boots, etc.) haven't come in yet. But, that doesn't stop him from starting it up in the garage about 12 times a day! We love it, and the kids think it is the coolest too, as you can see from the pictures.

Diagnosis: Go greener!

Ok, I have been struggling for a diagnosis for my autoimmune disease for the last two years, and this last visit to the rheumatologist gave me my first glimpse of one! It isn't conclusive, but he suspects that I may have rheumatoid arthritis. That is enough for me, I am kicking into action! I have begun eliminating all the chemicals I can from my home: shampoos, makeups, foods, cleaners, etc. This isn't just about the environment any more, it is about my health, and the health of my children. I have been reading up on autoimmune diseases, and they are becoming a silent epidemic. 9 million people in america have cancer, 22.5 million are slowly dying while living painful lives and suffering from autoimmune diseases. It is the hidden triggers: chemicals in our water, food, clothing, homes, air...it is just crazy. Ok, the preaching is over, but it is all I can think about now. Every day, I look for new ways to eliminate chemicals and keep myself from having incapacitating "flare-ups". Think about how many people you know with type 1 diabetes, arthritis, lupus, vidilygo, crohn's disease..all authoimmune...all triggered by pollutants forcing our bodies' immune systems to go haywire. Scary. Anyway, SAVE YOURSELVES WHILE YOU CAN! Or, just try to save me, live greener...it's a wonderful challenge, and a great feeling to know you are taking control of your health, and the health of those you love!
PS, this picture is a result of heavy-duty medication prescribed for my disease--actually a chemotherapy drug! I'm not on it anymore, trying and anti-inflammation diet now! Anyway, I was always sleepy, and Lucy took the opportunity to take my picture! What a doll.

spring bread

Well, about two weeks ago, we got a new doggie! Her name is Sandy, and we rescued her via craig's list! She is a walker coon hound, and she and eddie are best friends. The second picture is of Lucy and Elliott's haridos. Elliott has to do EVERYTHING ANYONE is doing, which means he usually has a head full of barrettes and pony tails (insert Mikey cringing here). I love him, his quirks keep me entertained. Life is beautiful even if the weather here isn't. My inlaws leave for Korea tomorrow for two weeks...what will I do without my mother-in-law!!! I will have to find a way to survive.

P.S. Lucy slept through the night last night with dry underpants!!! Hooray! Miracles still happen!

Spring fun

Here are some pictures of the kids and our wacky, snow-filled adventures. Sometimes, we just get so stir crazy that we have to get outside, no matter what! Oh yeah, in answer to some of your questions, I am an English linguistics major, and I am taking spanish 101 and a linguistics class. Thanks to my parents for helping with tuition, and my mother-in-law for watching the kids!

So, these other pictures are of Lucy and my bread-making extravaganza. I made these rustic french rolls that you had to knead a certain way and let rest overnight, etc. For Lucy's bread, I just threw some flour, water, salt and yeast together and let her go to town. Guess whose rolls were better? Darn you Martha Stewart! Lucy's were way better! She's a budding master

picture pages!

I have been receiving emails from relatives accusing me of not posting enough pictures of my kids, so here we go! Alright, I might slip in a first-day-of-school picture of me, but just go with it! This is lucy's little gym recital. Elliott was so upset that he couldn't participate, he got Lucy's ballet shoes on and everything.

Here are some pictures of us decorating valentine's day cookies. Sometimes I can actually let go of some control and let the kids have some fun; I'm so proud of myself when I can do that! needless to say, there was a lot of sugar consumed, and a lot of messes made, but there was fun had by all.

WHAT? POLITICS? AAAAAH!!

Ok, I am going to make a confession. I am very ashamed to say that I don't vote enough, am not at all informed, and have very few political views. I can admit this now because I am on the path to recovery and repentance! I will no longer be a mugwump!! (cool word I just learned; look it up if you like) My brother in law, Kimo, was just as disappointed in my political activity as I was so he referred me to the webpage glassbooth.org. GENIUS!!! It is what I always wanted! It is an "unbiased" explanation of the candidates and their views on tons of issues. There is also a most helpful quiz to let you know your own political views if you are like me and don't even know what you THINK IN THE FIRST PLACE! I just wanted to put a shout out to this website because if it can inspire me to be more informed on something as ambiguous and intimidating as the upcoming election, it can help anyone! Check it out! This is the link to my quiz results in case you want to see how it all works. http://glassbooth.org/Result/results/11/759645/9d50a97da4cc8463ad55990d360133b4

Apparently I am very interesting because I am 75% compliant with Obama, and 73% with Mc Cain? Oh well, it still cleared a whole lot up for me!