Growth-Part 4

If you missed 

Part 1

Part 2

and

Part 3, 

click the links above to catch up.

Anger.

That's where I left off from last time.

I was determined to hit the roads again, and run.

 I was determined I would keep doing the things that I loved doing. 

The things that I had become so dependent upon.

The very things that I was told I should no longer do.

The things that I 

NEEDED 

to do, especially when stress overcame me.

The sad part is, I was looking inward, and not upward.

This has not only been a physical and emotional journey;

it's been a spiritual journey.

As long as I can remember, I have always dealt with stress by being active.

 Most people think I am calm...

I internalize everything, so it gives off the appearance of "calm."

My family knows that I am a nut case.

And all that bottled up energy needs somewhere to go.

When I was younger, I would go outside and shoot basketball for hours...

 The bouncing ball used to drive my mother bonkers. :-)

When I started homeschooling, running became my outlet.

In case you weren't aware...homeschooling can be a little stressful ;-)

So, I decided I no longer had Ehlers Danlos Syndrome...for all of 1 mile.

I tried multiple times, and every time I was reminded by my body that it was no longer able to do what I wanted it to do.

The stress had no where to go, so it manifested itself through nightmares.

I got to the point where I was afraid to go to sleep because I didn't know what horrible thing I would dream of next.

Every time I started to look inward, searching for an answer to alleviate the stress, the voice of the Lord would say, "It's Me you need, not running."

Being the control freak that I am, I dug my heals in, and said, "No. That's not what I want. I need to run. That's how I will get through all of this."

I can really picture God up there in heaven, sitting back, smiling, crossing his fingers across His chest, and saying, "Okay. I'll just sit here and wait until you're ready. Because you will change your mind."

And I did.

It took several months of anger, crying, being frustrated, and finally realizing that this was not going away.

I had to get over the feeling of hopelessness.

I also had to get through the guilt.

Why would I have guilt?

Because there is a 50% chance of passing Ehlers Danlos Syndrome to your children.

And that little girl right there has it.

She has not been formerly diagnosed because the geneticist wanted to wait until both were 12 years old before testing them.

However, she is on the same timeline that I was on.

She is my mini-me in every way imaginable.

She and I have shed a lot of tears together over the last few months.

Fortunately, the Lord has shown me grace and given me the strength and wisdom to help her work through some of the same mental road blocks.

Little man has not shown as many signs, thankfully. 

He's bendy, but doesn't seem to struggle with the other symptoms. He's got his daddy's hardiness.

So what do I do to stay strong?

I hired a personal trainer, who comes to my house twice a week because I ain't got time to be running all over creation.;-)

She helps motivate me and keeps me on track.

We use this book as our guide book.

It's super boring and slow, but it really does make a difference.

At first, I wouldn't use it because I felt it was beneath me. The exercises were too easy.

Pride sure does get in my way, doesn't it?

But, after a few weeks of using it, and staying true to the exercises, my subluxations are becoming less frequent.

Hallelu-yer.

Ehlers Danlos patience will also show signs of gluten intolerance and symptoms of Celiacs disease without being officially diagnosed.

We switched over to Paleo, and it has made a world of difference in both of us.

Joint pain and stomach pain have decreased in both of us, and we generally just feel better.

Sister is on acid reflux medicine currently, and we're hoping to get her off of that in a few weeks. 

I'm also working on a supplement plan that is catered to my needs.

There are days when life is great, I'm feeling good, and the acceptance is there, and then there are days when I feel terrible, and everything hurts, and I get angry about it.

The ick days are when I have to lean extra hard on God.

And can I just say that hubby has been my  rock through this whole process. He has been so patient, and kind. He has watched me battle internally this entire year.

He is there to hold me when I need a shoulder to cry on.

He is there when I need a voice of reason.

He is there to pray for me.

He is there.

No matter how awful I feel, I have him.

I have my children.

I have God.

Therefore, I want for nothing.

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Growth- Part 3

If you missed 

part 1 

and 

part 2, 

you can click the links so you can catch up.

This post has been a lot harder to write than I anticipated. There have been a flood of emotions as I go back through everything I have been through over these past few months.

However, it's been interesting to think back through the journey, and see how God has been there every step of the way.  

Picking up where I left off...

The physical therapists that I visited for all of my running ailments had an in-service day where they were learning how to treat a particular syndrome. 

All three girls who had been working on me agreed that there was a chance this was what I was suffering from. 

There is a quick test you can do to see if you qualify for further testing. It's called the Beighton Score.

If you look at the picture below, you can see the different things that are tested. 

I scored 9 out of 9. :-(

So that got the ball rolling in forming a diagnosis.

The physical therapists contacted my doctor, who in turn scheduled an appointment with a geneticist. I had to wait three months in order to see this particular doctor, and we had to travel 2 hours to see him.

May 8, 2017, I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility Type.

That day is pretty much a blur. 

I was asked all sorts of random questions (or what seemed to be random) which all pointed back to this diagnosis. 

I remember breaking down when he told me I had it.

I remember my sweet babies trying to comfort me because they don't like it when they see their momma cry.

I remember my sweet husband sitting there, being a rock for me. (I love that guy so much!)

Even though this was a tough day for me, it was also the answer to all of my health questions over the years.

There are 6 different strands (I think) of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. The geneticist told me not to google it because it would scare me to death...so I heeded his advice ;-)

Hypermobility Type is what I have. 

There is also a spectrum for the Hypermobility type, and I am on the top end, thankfully.

Because I have been active my entire life, I have been able to "stay in place" a little better, and stay strong.

I did take a hit emotionally, though.

 I now have to see a cardiologist every year to make sure that my heart looks good. 

In some patients, the heart is effected. I believe the arteries can collapse due to over-elasticity.

That was very scary to hear.

However, my heart is in perfect shape.

Praise!

I have to have a bone density scan every year...something I knew would eventually come...you know, when I was O.L.D. ;-)

And thankfully my bones look great.

Another praise.

I am no longer supposed to run, due to the impact on my joints. I cannot produce collagen like a normal person, which plays an important role in building joint cartilage. Taking collagen supplements does not make it better.

Not being able to run...Knife to the gut right there. 

I also am not supposed to lift weights, get on a treadmill or an elliptical machine.

I am not supposed to stretch because that makes my symptoms worse.

In order to feel like I get a deep stretch, I have to go further than a normal person which makes the joints looser.

I feel the need to stretch constantly because my body is in a state of constant tension. It's doing it's best to stay together.

So everything I have been doing over the years to stay fit and healthy were taken away from me, and that made me angry.

Two weeks after my diagnosis, I decided I no longer had Ehlers Danlos, and I was going to do what I wanted to do...and as you would have guessed, that didn't work.

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Growth-Part 2

In my last post, I left you hanging.

Sorry about that.

I hate cliff hangers. 

So, I get it. 

However, because there is so much to share about this journey, I felt the need to break it up into several smaller posts.

I left off where my world was about to be turned upside down.

After the races at Disney, I took a week or so off from running to allow my legs a break.  When it was all said and done, I clocked over 100 miles that week between the races and all the walking in the parks.

 I tried to get back into my regular running routine because I had another half marathon coming up in a month, and I needed to stay in shape for that.

But...

I.could.not.run.

My IT bands (a band that stretches from your knee all the way up to your hip) would not loosen up.This is a common injury among runners, and it's due to hip instability.

Here again, I thought I was just like everyone else.

I just needed a little physical therapy and everything would be fine.

 I was not missing this next race for anything.

Hubby was running, and it was his first half marathon.

I wanted to share that with him.

And I did.

I WALKED 11 of the 13 miles because I couldn't run. 

It hurt too bad.

However, it was fun, and it's a memory I will always cherish.

I realized after that race it was time to take an extended break, and really hunker down with physical therapy.

The therapists worked so hard to help me find relief.

Bless 'em.

They guided me in hip strengthening exercises, they massaged my IT bands, and they even did dry needling (which hurts like the dickens!! I almost passed out the first time).

Nothing seemed to work. 

I got tired of the therapy not giving me the results I wanted, and as much as I loved the girls who were working on me, I was really tired of seeing their faces.

So I quit going.

I had other things to focus on like my sister's wedding.

The weeks turned into months, and running was no longer and option. This disturbed me greatly because running was my outlet with homeschooling. 

It was imperative that I run in order to cope.

I was a much nicer person when I could run.

Also, I could eat whatever I wanted, and it not really effect my weight.

Since my coping mechanism had been postponed until a later date, I began to deal with my stress in other ways.

 I ate my feelings.

And folks, when you eat your feelings, your skinny jeans become vulgar.

Just sayin'.

I started gaining weight.

I wear a lot of Matilda Jane clothing, and that stuff just stretches along with you.

You don't know how much you have gained until you go to put on your jeans, and the waistband stops at the base of your saddle bags and says loud and clear, "I ain't doin' it."

Even though I had ditched my physical therapists, they did not forget me.

I thank the Lord for their dedication and their kindness because they were able to figure out what was going on with me, and get me to the right doctor, to properly diagnose me.

Never in a million years would I have dreamed I would end up in a geneticists office.

To read Part 1, click
HERE

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New Chore Charts

Now that summer break is here, I decided it was time to reinstate the chore responsibilities for the kiddos. Last year, I made a chore list, and my intentions were to teach E and S.R. responsibility and the value of hard work, but my system was truly broken and our excitement for it lasted all of one week. 

Expecting my kids to do the same things over and over again day after day was just expecting too much. I certainly don't do the same things day after day. We all need a little variety, right?

So to fix my broken system, I searched on line for age appropriate chores. 

It's truly amazing what little ones can do...we really don't give them enough credit. If you check my Pinterest board, you can visit the sites where I found my ideas...

This particular idea came from the Martha Stewart website.

 Thankfully this little project was mostly free to me. I had one sheet of magnet paper left. I printed the kids' pictures and the chores with the money value on them(in 25 cent increments). I had blue card stock, and cut it down to size and put the kids' pictures on top and made little button magnets to hold the bottom in place. 

The paycheck pad is something made on publisher. I used Vistaprint to print the notepad. Once it arrived in the mail, I attached magnets to the back.

We are now on week three and still going strong. The kids get to pick some of the chores to do and I delegate some as well. Saturdays are for make up work because sometimes we are gone and they don't get the chance to really make any money those days.

It is amazing how much cleaner my house is now. If you haven't started making your kids do chores, you are truly missing out....and so are they!

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Allowance/Money Holders

Ok, so I said I would post about these on Monday...well Monday has turned into Thursday for sure...but I am finally getting around to sharing with you our newest endeavor....allowances...enter shiver/shudder.

We now have to make our children be responsible little helpers...which makes us have to be more responsible because we have to remember to remind them to do their chores....and on top of that, we have to remember to keep $6 in 1's on hand, so that we can make sure they get their $3 a week.

Sheesh!

Who knew it was going to be this involved:o) 

I kid, I kid:o)

E and S.R. have been great about getting their chores done for the past two weeks, and we are so grateful. Not only are they learning valuable lessons in doing a job and doing it well, they are lightening the load on their poor pitiful mother;o)

So here are said money/allowance holders.

All items used to make these money holders were purchased from Hobby Lobby except the buckets. I found the buckets in the dollar section at Target.

 I've seen and heard, for the past few months, of parents using three categories...Share(or give), Save and Spend. I think that teaching the kids to divide their money up now is an awesome life lesson. The earlier they learn to save their money and to give of their means, the better off they will be when they are adults. 

Last Sunday they were actually able to give their own money to the collection plate at church. I didn't get to see it because I wasn't feeling well and stayed home, but I know that before they left for services that morning, they were really excited about giving their dollar.

It's the little things, right?

So what do you think? Are you inspired to make little helpers out of your rugrats? I promise it is well worth the effort!

 Here is a list of items if you want to make your own.

1 plywood board

3 oval shape wooden discs(optional)

scrapbook paper

letter stickers

Mod Podge

Paint for the plywood board(optional)

Drill(for holes)

Ribbon(to hang)

3 buckets with handle

3 mini cup hooks 

Wood Glue

I hope that all of you who started school this week have had a fantastic first week back. I know we sure have. I am still adjusting to getting up early....too bad I can't drink coffee...boo!

Family night tonight...I'll post recipes tomorrow...maybe;o)

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Big Moments...

We have had a lot of "Big Moments" going on around here lately. Two weeks ago, I ran in my first 1/2 marathon...It was the most excruciating experience I have ever encountered. The hills and the heat were absolute torture, but I survived (barely) and have the medal to prove it:o)

These were the girls I ran with. Had it not been for my great friend Shannon(far left), I wouldn't have made it to the end. She is such a great source of encouragement and an awesome friend!!

Another big moment was my little sister graduated from college. She is the first in our family to graduate from a university. She graduated with a double major on Saturday & we couldn't be more proud of her. Especially since she was the first. My parents didn't go to college & I only went to junior college and then cosmetology school. My brother will be graduating in two years, so we are really looking forward to that!! 

The weather was wild that morning..it started out raining...and then the sun came out. Along with the sun came high humidity, high heat, and biting bugs:o) We're still scratching;o)

Here are a few candid shots of the big day...

I love this shot of my parents:o)

 The kids posing with their aunt...S.R. was freezing, so she wore my sweater.

 Here is my sister receiving her diploma.

 This is the cake I made for her. This poor thing traveled many miles to make it to it's final destination. It was two days old by the time we were able to eat it, but it was still delicious..if I do say so myself;o)

We have been so blessed with all of the big events happening here lately. 

Next week I will be completely redecorating a dear friend's house. I can't wait to share before and after pictures with you all! I am really looking forward to it!!

Have a great day!!

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Taking a Minute to Breath...

This winter has been one of the strangest I can remember. It has felt like spring most of the winter months. It's been great for the kids because they have been able to spend a lot of time playing outside with our neighbors.

Yesterday, I decided I needed a break from all of the insanity that has been going on here lately...lack of sleep, and trying to catch up on that..homemakers club stuff...and then there is a certain someone's birthday coming up on Saturday as well:o)

Our neighborhood is nestled in beside a river, and there is a nice paved path and picnic tables there as well.

So we grabbed the wagon, some food & the dog and headed down to the river and had a wonderful little picnic.

I sat back, snapped pictures, and enjoyed just watching my children...just watching:o)

 E being silly, and S.R. mad because he "bonked her head."

 Flowers that S.R. picked for me

 Sweet smile

 Throwing rocks into the river

 Scosche waiting patiently as we eat in front of him:o)

 Sticks make great toys..E has a "gun"..go figure;o) And S.R. has a "smiley face."

 There is also a little playground beside the pool house, so they absolutely wanted to play on that.

 Our "Monkey" on the monkey bars...they both can cross them, and I love the look of accomplishment they have on their faces when they do!

We had a great time, and it was nice to take a moment and just breathe.

Now that our school week has officially started, it's time to hit the ground running, and there won't be any "breathing" until after the party Saturday:o)

I have a few sneak peaks that I will share with you guys as teasers throughout the week, so stay tuned!

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