Just a reminder....

"Are you standing in a doorway, too scared to move on? Step forward in faith. God made the opportunity, and He is faithful to see you safely through it, regardless of the obstacles."

I read the above devotional today from a Dr. Charles Stanley online devotional. I thought it was helpful for myself and I'm sure others out there as well.

Lost in a fog...working my way out

To all my blogging friends, this post is seriously past due. I keep saying I'm going to update my blog, catch it up, post pictures, but it hasn't happened yet. So tonight I am going to attempt that.

I am going to attempt to work my way out of this fog I feel I have been under for several months. I hate talking about medical issues for fear of sounding like a hypochondriac (I mean, come on, I do have some of the weirdest medical diagnosis, and no one understands what I'm talking about usually, when I do talk about it....so I try not to talk about it) It's not that I don't want to talk about it sometimes, you know, to get other people's opinions, to get it off my chest, etc, but I don't want to sound crazy. However, when you're going through this, going to Dr.'s often, getting a lot of tests done, it consumes you. I worry. I try my hardest NOT to worry. I pray, and I pray often. But lately I feel as if I'm just walking around aimlessly, like I'm not really "with it". I have let the fertility issues, blood clotting disorders, lupus scare, back pain, heart condition, insomnia, anxiety, and now new to the list- gallbladder or ulcer problems (I'm undergoing tests to see what it is)......drain the life out of me. This is not me.

I am usually an upbeat, positive thinking person. But all of this has been a little much for me.

However, I am working on it. I am trying my hardest to pull myself back together and stop being consumed by these things.

I know there are far worse problems in the world, and much worse medical conditions people deal with on a daily basis. I am so thankful I am not sick and that I don't feel sick, I just have a crazy health resume. And, I know I am beyond blessed to have so many wonderful joys in my life. So that is what I am working on daily.....CHOOSING JOY!

Yes, there will be good days and bad days, as there are for everyone. But when I look around at all of life's blessings, how can I not choose JOY.

OK, sorry, so I'm kinda going everywhere with this blog, so back to "working my way out". I seriously need to update this blog! I have left out so much from the end of 2008, that digging out may take me a while, or at least a few posts! :-) It may be boring, and you may wonder why I'm trying to get everything in. Well, as I've said before I'm terribly behind in my scrapbooks, and I need a way to keep up with things....and this is it!

Back in August (please don't laugh...I'm seriously this far behind!!!LOL) Nathan had his first Dentist appointment (August 18th). He went to a local pediatric dentist who's office is set up like a movie theater, complete with movie chairs, and a big screen playing his favorite Disney movie..."Cars". The movie was also playing on a TV that was on the ceiling of the room he was in, so when the chair went back he looked up at it. The office was great! His hygienist was so patient. He was reluctant at first, but she was so patient and showed him all the instruments and let him touch them and spray water, etc. He warmed up and they got to clean his teeth and then the Dentist came in and looked at all of them, etc., and said his teeth looked good! He did great! I was very proud of him! His next appo. is coming up in February, hopefully he'll remember what a fun time he had at the first appo. and the little gifts they gave him at the end of his visit!

Mother's Morning Out started at the end of August and he goes one day a week. He has great teachers again this year, Miss Michelle, and Miss Tricia. He is enjoying it very much again this year!

The below pics are from the Atlanta area University of North Alabama Alumni Association's gathering we had at an Atlanta Braves game. The Braves were playing the Florida Marlins. Josh Willingham plays for the Marlins, and he too is a UNA Alum. It was a fun, rainy night! We met some great people and saw some familiar faces.

Brian was out of town A LOT from Sept thru Dec. My parents came over Labor Day weekend to keep us company while he was working. We decided to take them to the Georgia Aquarium. It was their first time visiting that aquarium, they really enjoyed it and we enjoyed spending time with them! This is a dark pic, but it is in front of Nathan's favorite exhibit.

So, enough for now. My eyes are crossing! Sorry this was such a long post. One more thing.... the fog is lifting!

Update on Hobbes....

He is in remission!!!!! We are so thankful our vet kept working with him and didn't give up! I think he knew we weren't going to give up! Hobbes didn't respond to the first chemo treatment meds he was given, so the vet decided to change it up a bit and started giving him oral chemo...it worked right away! They told us last week he is in remission now and he only has about 2 or 3 treatments to go!

There have been a lot of ups and downs since we found out about his cancer in August, and we are so thankful to still have him here with us!