Two more things I am thankful for...

*Friends who are willing to share HUGE chocolate chips from their black raspberry chip ice cream.
*CINNAMON ICE CREAM!!! (graeter's) It may mean I am the happiest person ever.
And do not laugh if I gain ten pounds during this ice cream season.

Hmmm.....

I am struggling with a lot of inner issues, none of which I feel the need to go into deep detail about, but it is slowly eating me alive. I have been engulfed with these problems for far too long. I know that God will provide a way out of this situation, but it is still difficult. I need to surround myself in prayer and God's word more. I need to be more disciplined. I need to grow more in Him. But I am too lazy. So this is my prayer. I want to be closer to God this last month of the year than I was in November. And in January, more than December. Let's hope this is a positive change. So when you talk to me, be encouraging. I need all the lovin I can get.

What I am thankful for

*I have a wonderful husband that loves me so much, and is willing to have terrible conversations with me, even if it means being upset sometimes. And is willing to love me, even if I am fat and awful.
*My beautiful son is AMAZING, getting more like a little man every day. He is walking independently, bending over to pick things up on his own, and talking up a storm. So far, he is being healed of his allergies slowly but surely.
*God has shown me love in a whole new way this year, through friends, family, and His love, grace, and mercy.
*Wilson has the most wonderful school environment we could ever ask for. His teachers are as concerned with his health as we are.
*We have jobs. Although they may not be the best, they are jobs that provide.
*We have fantastic friends and family. I am just so thankful for all of them, no matter how much I forget to appreciate them.
*God loves ME!
*I am FREE!

Just a thought ;)

Growth brings change...

Lately I have been struggling with my son's health issues. He will be one in eight days, and is still dependent on formula. He will not eat finger foods, mostly because we are at a loss of what to give him. He is allergic to numerous foods, and it is hard to find things he can have safely. My sister has been pressuring me to get a second opinion, so I called a pediatric allergist. No better way than to see a specialist, right? We went this morning, and had a skin prick test. I had a difficult time with that, it seems so barbaric. They basically stuck his little back with eighteen foods that he has shown some reaction to, along with other varieties to hopefully give us some hope. There have been a lot of people praying for him, including his parents. Today, we got amazing news. Booger is no longer allergic to wheat, peas, or cherries. While this seems small compared to the severity of his peanut, tree nut, cow's milk, soy, banana, and dog dander, it opens a whole new world to us with relation to his eating habits. MY BABY CAN HAVE CHEERIOS!! HE CAN HAVE PUFFS!! While it seems so silly to some, this is the biggest step for us. We are now waiting for next week's meeting with a nutritionist for more options and solutions to help our family adjust to giving him new foods. There is a 50% chance he will outgrow milk, soy, egg, and banana by his second birthday, 75% by his third, 85% by his fourth. The doctors are trying to get our helath insurance to cover the formula, and hopefully that will help our finances. I know God is going to heal him, and apparently it is going to take time, but it will happen. I know it. This is such a relief to us, and we are so grateful.
We also got word that as of now, our brother will be leaving in June for deployment. This is six months later than we were anticipating, so I will take it. Patience, it's a pain in the butt but totally worth it.

Oh, by the way, the dr. also said the best way to get rid of these allergies is total avoidance. That means a few more years of no nuts at all. So keep reading labels when we are around!!

Learning....or at least trying to

So, at church we have been learning about seasons and growth. This is a crucial part of my learning process right now. I am in fall right now, trying to let things die, such as my worrying weakness, my insecurities, and my family (mostly health issues.) All the while, I am going to let things go, die, freeze over, etc. in order to allow healthy growth in my life. I want to grow. I want to know God more intimately. I want to be a better mom, wife, friend, hairstylist, etc. I am inspired by someone very close to hubby's heart who is no longer with us. Everyone she ever came across was touched by her kindness, joy, love. She WAS Christ's love on Earth. She exuded the fruits that I strive to show the world. I am trying to work on this very much. I want my son to know God through his family as well as through his own personal walk.

PEACE!

Bigger Frick...

So, we just got the results of booger's allergy test. He is officially allergic to: peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, milk, eggs, cherries, bananas, and peas, and dogs. We are now on formula that will cost probably equivalent to a car payment a month. Not to be too much of a downer, but our finances are super crunched anyway, and now we have this on top of it. I don't know, God is certainly trying to teach me something. I have already surrendered everything financial to Him, and I know that He will provide. It's just going to be a rough ride. And somehow I can not shake this sinking feeling that I am hurting my child. Every time I feed him something, it makes him sick. This is a strange sensation as a parent, whose job is to protect my child with every ounce of my being. What a strange ride this parent thing is...more to come I suppose.

Frick...

Well, this week we found out that hubby's grandma is sick. Like really sick. Like we have to go let booger see her for the first time before its too late. His grandparents took me on as their own after I lost my granny a few years ago, and I can not stand the thought of losing her. So we are headed to Florida ASAP to see them. If we do not make solid plans in the future, that's why.
Next stupid thing that's happening, a good friend of mine came over tonight with his girlfriend. He is leaving very soon for Iraq. We love him very much, and he is a fantastic friend. I know this is what he signed up for, but it doesn't make it easier. He is going to miss booger's first and second birthdays, all of the holidays with his family, his niece, etc. I just think about his family and worry.
Even worse, we just found out, like minutes ago, brother in law will be in Iraq in January. This may be killing me. I have been so proud of him, and again, I know he signed up for this, but he is my brother. I love him. I worry. So just keep everyone in your prayers. This is going to be a rough holiday season for us.