Sinus Update

I FINALlY have an appointment with the ENT specialist on Wednesday. I am so ready for this sinus crudd to be over.

Tom and the girls have been awesome throughout this ordeal. God has given me strength on the many days I am so worn out from the pressure, headaches, pain, stuffiness, ear aches and not to mention the constant coughing and losing my voice.

Saturday's message at Church was from Job. When Job was covered from head to toe with boils and had lost everything , he still didn't curse God. His wife told him to just curse God and die. But he didn't. I told Tom that I am thankful he has always encouraged me to pray and ask God for patience and strength during the past few months. Not just with my sinus problems, but everything in our lives Tom takes a stand for what is right and what we should do. He's a real leader in our family.

Aside from the sinuses we are busy with t-ball and projects around the house. I finally got some painting done in the house. Tom is working on re-staining our dinner table, extending our back patio, finishing rock in the back, and the usual mowing. We love working outside.

Well, I better get going so I can wash my lab coat for work and get some sleep. Hope everyone is doing well and I'll keep you updated on my appointment. God bless!

Hope

Well, it's been way too long since I've blogged but as usual we are always busy. Spring is here finally and so begins our spring projects. I have already completed one...painting our half bath downstairs. I used the Bellagio Faux technique and it looks great. I love the colors we chose and it was that hard to do. We had fun :) Next, we have to finish the rock in our backyard and next weekend I am painting an accent wall in our living room. Then, we are painting the girls room. Tom is also in the process of re-doing our dining room table. It was given to us by my grandparents and it needs sanding, new fabric on the chairs and staining. This one will take the longest but I can't wait to see the outcome.

New developments. Tom is back in school mode taking two Master classes. I'm so proud of him but I hope he doesn't get burned out. He's almost done. But he needed a break and I'm glad he took it. I have a new job starting Monday as an Ophthalmic Assistant at St. Luke's hospital. It's a little closer to our house than my previous job, so we'll save on gas. I actually wasn't looking for another job but the opportunity was there and I decided to interview for it. This was a position I was studying for before we moved overseas so it's a job I really wanted. The interview was great and I'm excited to start there. Nervous, but excited. I will have some responsibilities that I have never had before so I pray that God will prepare me for the challenge. I love challenges so I'm excited!

Kailey and Natalie are having fun coloring eggs tonight. They are doing great in preschool and Kailey is registered for Kindergarten. I can't believe my Kailey bug is starting school! It's going by so fast....wish it could slow down. She started t-ball a few weeks ago and is having a lot of fun. For the parents it's entertainment. But her team has some great players. Natalie is teaching us sign language :) She is learning it in preschool and we love learning the words with her. She is a sponge when it comes to learning. She just can't sit still for very long! She is such a wiggle worm :)

Tom and I have joined a new small group at our Church, actually it was a few months ago. We love being around the other families. They live in Kuna like us and everyone is so nice and the support and prayer is awesome. Tom and I are so tired after work but it's worth it because we need that fellowship outside of Sundays and we have a good time.

The message today at Church was about Hope. I was very emotional because it hit home with me. Especially today. I have been dealing with sinus infections since October. After three different rounds of antibiotics I had a ct scan and found out that I may have to have surgery in order to correct the problem. I don't know that for sure, but the disease I have is called Maxillary Sinus Disease and surgery is one of the options. I will know more after I meet with a specialist. Today, I am fighting a bad sinus headache. It is better now but earlier it was horrible and we were trying to get ready for Church and I just broke down. Sometimes it is just too much and I need a good cry. Which actually hasn't happened but one other time. So I think it builds up. Anyway, Tom was so wonderful during that. Very supportive and loving....I love my hubby! He reminds me that we are almost at the end of this road and that God hasn't forgotten about us. He is taking care of me, even when it doesn't seem like it. So I got it together and we headed to Church. The message really hit home like I said. I can't even explain it. I just have hope that this long and painful battle with the sinuses will end soon. In the meantime, I will continue to live my life and follow God's direction. His will not mine.

Hope everyone has a good weekend and God bless you all!

Julia

A Tough Choice

I'm sad today. We have had a border collie named Macy for a little over a year and in that time she has brought so much joy to our lives. However, we have had to make a tough choice. About a month ago Macy and our Schnauzer Dante were playing when Macy began to play too rough and she hurt Dante. We had to take him to an Emergency Vet. We realized then that while Macy would never hurt the girls, how could we be 100% sure? Also, what if Macy hurt Dante again?

I did research about Border Collie behavior and I learned that if a BC doesn't have a "job" or some kind of work they can become destructive. Macy is kenneled at least 8 hours a day while we work and it's not fair to her. She deserves to be in the environment she was created to be in.

I began looking for such an environment. I spoke to a man who owns a sheep ranch in Caldwell and he offered some good advice. For a few weeks, nothing. Then a couple of days ago at my work, I met a family that has a ranch outside of Caldwell. They have cattle and six Border Collie's that help herd the cattle. I asked if they needed another dog, and they said no. But they would keep us in mind. The next day, I got a phone call from the family offering to take Macy and give her a good home and also allow her to herd with the others.

I struggled to say yes, but in my heart I knew that this was an answer to prayer. She will be in her element. Her environment.

So, this morning we are all driving Macy to her new home and actually I have a peace about this. I feel a weight lifted somehow. I think for the past few months I have felt guilty about her not having the lifestyle she needs because of her breed. Now, she can live a better life and I'm doing this because I love her.

She protected us for a year and gave us so much love in return. Some of you may not look at dogs as members of the family, but I do. She is very special to me, but I know that this is the right thing to do.

To change the subject, my sinuses have caused a lot of problems. I have been sick with sinus infections for a very long time and most of the time I lose half my voice or have coughing fits that hurt. I have been on antibiotics but they keep coming back. So for now, I will do what I can until my appointment next month. I have had to take a break from Praise Choir for now, which is something I love to do and so that was a hard decision to make. Hopefully this will clear up soon.

This week has been a week of tough choices. Sometimes we have to make them and pray that we are doing the right thing.

Julia

Feel the burn

Can you tell I'm on an exercise kick? Yep, another blog about spinning class. I can't help it, it's so much fun!!! At one point I thought I was going to fall off the bike I was so pooped, but wow did I feel awesome when it was over. The instructor is so positive. She plays fun music and everyone gets into the class and the best part.....we all encourage each other. That makes a HUGE difference.

Changing the subject to Church. Our small group is doing a study on 30 days to live with no regrets. I think that is the title. I can't think right now. Anyway, I am thankful to be part of this study because it has made me really stop and think about my life. So if I could change one thing in my life right now it would be to slow down. Quit being so rushed. The mornings are the worst. Trying to get the kids and myself out the door is a nightmare sometimes. I end up getting frustrated with the kids and it starts our day off on the wrong foot. So I'm working on that.

I'm anxious to complete this study and see what God shows us along the way. We are also praying for those who are doing this study as well. Because this is a Church-wide study, it will be exciting to see what God does in our Church family!

Have a blessed week and let's make sure we enjoy each day we're given. Especially with our kids....they grow up way too fast.

Hooked

I am hooked on cycling! Our gym has a class Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Tom has been going for a few weeks. He loves it. So I decided to try it last Thursday but the class was canceled. I was bummed because I had spent most of the afternoon getting mentally ready for the pain and the burn! Tom and I decided to go ahead and have our own class and he was a good instructor :) We only did two hills but it was 30 minutes of sweating and burning in the legs....and I loved it! I don't know why but this workout just clicked with me. Maybe it's because I love bikes. Whatever the reason I can't wait until Tuesday's class. I think it's also called Spinning but not sure. Anyhoo, I highly suggest this workout.

Tom is an awesome workout partner. He doesn't let me give up. He challenges me but most of all he's encouraging and supportive. I think it's important to have a workout partner if you can. I'm trying not to put so many goals on myself, right now I think it's about getting healthy and feeling better about myself when I wear clothes and go shopping for clothes.

I'm very thankful that when we don't think we look our best, Christ loves us and thinks that we are amazing and beautiful (or handsome for you guys) and isn't that such a wonderful truth to hang on to?

Motivation

Our biggest motivation for the gym is Kailey and Natalie. But only because they want to play with their friends in the daycare area! I consider it good motivation though.

I really love working out. It's a great stress release. The Freedom Fitness gym in Kuna has been a blessing to us, and if we ever move again we will miss it so much. I have seen people from our Church and the girls daycare and it's awesome to see familiar faces. We are all striving for the same goal...to get in better shape and have a healthier life.

I'm still searching for a school to do online classes. I want to find the right one. What do I want to do? That I am keeping silent for now because I have some ideas but I'm in prayer at the moment so I will let you know as soon as I do :) Some good news with school....the G.I. bill is supposed to be available to spouses starting in August. I don't have all the details but it may be a route we can take. Tom's military career has opened up so many doors for us. We'll see what happens.

Well, I better get this day started! Have a good weekend everyone, miss you and God bless!

Julia

http://danny1957.blogspot.com/

For some reason my link isn't working, so here is the link to my Dad's blog :)

Julia