Lucky Charms and Plastic Spoons all over the Floor!

I sit here as my entire kitchen is covered in Lucky Charms and Plastic Spoons! My son Dash, who just turned 2, is very crazy! He's a very rowdy boy! I know I will have to face the mess sometime soon- at least before he wakes up from his nap!

Dash just turned 2 on October 30th! He's growing up way too fast! He's definitely a Momma's boy. He's loves to cuddle and hug. I'm dreading the times when he starts kindergarten, graduates from college, and gets married! I'll be rolling on the ground crying- Dan will have to pick me up and carry me out of there!

It's been such a joy to be a stay at home mom for Ella and Dash! Even though its crazy most of the time- I'm trying to take in every hug, kiss, and moment daily- hour by hour. Because I know this time (while they are young) will not last forever! Its such a joy to raise them! God has truly blessed me- I feel like I don't thank Him enough!!! My joy comes from the Lord- I always will have Joy through Him! Happiness comes and goes- but Joy in the Lord is forever! Recently, God has been speaking to me about joy- His Joy- I see the word Joy everywhere this time of year! It's a constant reminder- to me that- His joy- is all you need- for the rest of your life! His Joy never fails!

It's been way too long!!!!

It's been way too long since I last blogged! The Lord has been telling me I need to start blogging again- probably for some time now (maybe 2 months or so)!!! I don't know why I haven't listened- maybe just being lazy or maybe because I've been in pain!

Yes, I don't have Cushing's Disease anymore- but I seemed to have herniated a disk in my back! I have been in pain since May- The disk is sitting on my right sciatic leg nerve- I had to have physical therapy- and it has helped- I can finally say that currently I am not in pain!!! Yay!!!!

The Lord is good! He has sustained me and gotten me through! I guess I haven't written about this ordeal because I think I was a little discouraged- and possibly frustrated with God about my health issues! The Lord has been so patient with me! This year, 2010, has been challenging! But it has changed my life- my life with Christ as my guide! I know that just because I am one of His children doesn't mean I will not face trials... He is molding me a making me His own- and what He wants me to become- and its exciting!

2 Peter 3:18 "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever."

My Fascinating Life without Cushing's Disease

I guess I no longer have Cushing's Disease- praise the Lord! I still have a fascinating life!

I can't believe its been over a month since I last blogged! Sorry about that! I've been pretty busy lately taking care of 2 kids during summer break! I've also been uninspired to write! I've been a little down- Due to the cushing steroid withdrawal- I know It's not my fault but I guess I've let it get to me- I've been feeling better lately-exercise helps! I've been trying to work out 3 times a week! I saw the Doctor at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday I've lost 10lbs. since the surgery in March! Yay! I might be able to go off steroid medication if my pituitary function is back to normal- I'll know next week when my blood test results are in! My doctor says there is less than a 5 percent chance of the Cushing's to come back! I guess anything is possible- but I'll leave that to the Lord! I've just recently read a book by Max Lucado that has greatly encouraged me! It's called Traveling Light- Releasing the Burdens you were never intended to Bear- The Promise of Psalm 23. He breaks down Psalm 23! Everyone knows Psalm 23- but I've never really thought about it all that much! He basically tells us that we need to lay all of our burdens and luggage down at God's feet so we can travel light through our journey of life! Satan tries to pack on the suitcases of doubt and fear. We need to lean on Christ like He is the Shepherd and we are His sheep! If we can't get rid of this luggage than we can to nothing for Christ- and as a Christian I want to do everything for Him! This book has definitely touched a nerve recently in my life. "He restores my soul" Psalm 23:3 I've needed this- He knows what I am going through and He is there- I can Always come back to Him!

How do I go to Heaven without dying?

How Do I go to heaven without dying? Ella asked this question this morning at breakfast! I said-" Well, sweetie you can't"- only like 2 people in the Bible went to heaven without dying":) Dan promptly looked it up and we figured it out! Ella then decided she would like to read her Bible before school! I am so thankful that I have children who are interested in Godly things- I pray every day that Ella and Dash would grow up to be mindful of God and have personal relationships with Christ!

Update on the Cushing's Disease:
Well, I guess I no longer have Cushing's Disease due to the removal of the tumor on my pitutary gland! Praise the Lord!
I am feeling better and better every day!
I do have a sore back- due to lifting Dash several times a day! He weighs 26lbs! Pray for me! I just need to build up my ab muscles! I have started working out- starting slow- I've been walking around my neighborhood- feels good but it wears me out! My face is rapidly deflating! Yay! I usually takes about 6 months before it returns to normal. God is good- thanks for all your prayers!

Pasta Boy!

Tonight for dinner we had tortellini!

Dash loved it-can you tell?! Ella's Birthday is tomorrow- we let her open all her presents today! We got her a Zhu Zhu pet named Fluffy! She absolutely loves it! She really wants a real hamster-so we thought this would be the next best thing! She is talking to it right now as I write this! She pets it and treats it like its real! They are watching Barbie in a Mermaid Tale together! :)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Well, I can't believe its been 5 weeks since my surgery! I'm doing great! Every day it gets a little better! I'm still pretty tired, and sometimes nauseated, but I'm able to get through! My headaches have diminished- the Lord is taking care of me- and I'm trying to rest in His arms. Dan goes back to work next week- I'll miss him, so will Dash! I was changing Dash's diaper yesterday- for the first time in like 6 weeks- he looked at me funny- he was just staring at my face like "mommy- you're changing me?" where's daddy?" I need to build up my muscles- once again- in order to lift Dash- He weighs 27lbs! Dan and I saw the Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday. They said I can get back into the swing of things. I'm going to start exercising again because I gained about 20lbs. due to the Cushing's Disease! I weigh right now about as much as when I was 9 months pregnant with Dash! Its kind of frustrating- but I know that I can do it - I did it before- the lbs. came right off- with hard work. I'm going to start slow- by walking around my block- since the weather is nice! I'll take it day by day step by step!

Big Boy!

I'm so excited about this Big Boy Vintage Bank! It just makes me smile- I guess! He looks just like Dash! -except for the blue eyes. I found him at the Thrift Store last week! Its in perfect condition!Dan thinks I'm crazy because I can't stop talking about it! Maybe its the meds talking! I do love going to the thrift store and finding interesting vintage pieces- they are way cheaper than ebay or the antique mall! Anyway- its nice that I'm able to get out more now- growing stronger each day! I'm still pretty worn out at times- usually I take a nap once a day! Its such a blessing to have Dan home during this time- he'll be going back to work in a week- I can't believe its been 4 weeks since my surgery! I will miss him when he goes back! I'm going to have to build up my arm muscles so I can lift up Dash- he's 26lbs.! I see the surgeon next week at the Cleveland Clinic- they are slowly tapering down my Cortef- so hopefully I can start gaining more energy- and my face and body can go back to normal! Sometimes I get impatient- I would love to just snap my fingers and have everything go back to the way it was! The Lord is teaching me patience through this recovery- its going to take some time. I need to just trust and rest in His healing arms! I know He will restore me!

She's proud of him- and I don't feel like eating anything!

Just the other day Ella told Dan that she was proud of him!

She said "Because you take care of Dash and you pick me up from school"- "all of the other parents just 'smile' when they pick their kids up"! I guess Dan must do something extra special when he picks Ella up- she is a daddy's girl! :)

Update on Recovery:

Yesterday Dan and I went to the Cleveland Clinic for a check-up- everything is going good- I'm on Cortef (a steriod drug) to help me come down off of the cushing's high safely and comfortably. I can totally tell the difference between having cushing's disease and not having it! I can stay up past 7:00! Whoo Hooo! I don't feel like eating everything I see! And I think my hair has stopped falling out! I do get some headaches now and then- that's when narcotics come in handy!:) The headaches are due to sinus pressure (fluid in the sinuses) due to the surgery. Hopefully they will resolve quickly- that is my prayer- currently! The doctor said that the mass was 4mm and the pathology revealed one of cushing's disease! Good news because its not a malignant tumor- that would be very rare! The Lord is good- He has blessed me with so much! I will praise Him!