Makenna's biopsy results came back today and she does in fact have Celiac Disease. I was expecting this since we've heard about it. I'm not caught by surprise. I'm going to get the boys tested also. Hayden is showing all the same symptoms just without being able to communicate it to us. We will get their diets straightened out and have a healthy family and all will be well. It's just going to take some time and research and planning. Grocery shopping is a pain when you're used to doing it a certain way for 8 years. We'll make this work. I'm not worried at all. I just want my kids to be healthy and I want them to be able to eat the foods they like. Those are two very important things. Especially since she will have this for the rest of her life. We need to figure it out now and check the boys and make their quality of life better. Let's get this journey started!

Don't Get Too Comfy

I'm eagerly looking forward to what is in my near future. It's nice to see God's faithfulness to you when you do things out of obedience to him. I'm not bragging on myself at all. I just enjoy stepping back from situations and looking at the big picture and stand in amazement at how he has put so many pieces together. It gets me really excited and I'm pleased where he has me. I'm not necessarily comfortable but one of the things I try to remember is that once I get comfortable, it's time to adjust some things to broaden whatever area I'm comfortable in so I don't get stuck in a rut. Being uncomfortable is the only way growth can happen...emotionally, physically and spiritually. My goal is to try to never be comfortable.

They Fit!!!

I am sooooooo ecstatic that I can wear my old jeans again!!! I didn't think I had lost that much weight but I guess I have. Fitting into your pre pregnancy jeans after not being in them for over a year is such a great feeling. I'm hoping to lose a bit more weight and maybe be able to fit into some of my dresses also. I may have to wait until the baby is on regular milk though because that sure makes the difference :)

There have been many times that I thought my marriage wouldn't survive past the 5 year mark because of the many different things we have been through and put each other through. I'm happy and blessed to be able to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary today! Every day is honestly a milestone. There are rarely any days that pass that I am not thankful that God has restored and renewed this family. Although there is nothing perfect about our marriage, there are many good and wonderful things. I am a blessed woman to be married to a man that has taught me what trust and true forgiveness is and also to see unconditional love lived out. I have had my days of doubting but I know God has put us together for reasons we have seen and yet to see. I'm proud of my man and who he is. I'm honored to be his wife. We're blessed to have friends that support our marriage and encourage us in the rough times and celebrate with us in the good.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. 

I love you sweetheart. 

I can't believe how big these kids are getting!

   6 years old and in the 1st grade

                                      5 years old and in kindergarten

Happy 8 months!                . 

Looking back on this and it's still beautiful <3

It seems like all hell tries to break loose once school is back in session. Everyone was mostly healthy over the Christmas break and everything went smoothly. But since school has been back in, Makenna has had an ear infection, Hayden has had an ear infection, Makenna's doctor decided she needs tubes in her ears, Makenna's GI doctor called to tell us that her lab results were all good except for one and they need to do a biopsy of her small intestine to see if she has a gluten intolerance or if she has Celiac disease, and on the way to the doctor's office to have Hayden's ears checked, my steering went completely out on my car. Oh and we had to have the heat fixed in the house today because it wasn't working as of sometime last night. That's a lot to happen in two weeks. It's tiring to say the least. Somehow I remain peaceful throughout this season. I don't understand it but that's ok. I'm just thankful and consider us blessed to all be alive given the fact that my steering went out while I was driving with all three kids in the car with me. It was like God had this specific path for the car to take before this ever happened. There were no other cars around and rather than following the curve like we should have, we went off the edge and into the grass on the opposite side of an intersection. (It's difficult to explain) And then a super nice lady stopped to give us a ride when she saw us all under our umbrella's trying to make it to the doctor's office. What a trip!

Life is just too chaotic to try to keep up with a blog. My plan is to ace my classes this semester without feeling extreme pressure and without always feeling rushed. So far it's going well. I have Chemistry with a Lab, Pre-Calculus Algebra and Lab, Physics 2, and Political Science. 15 credit hours may do me in but I will lack one class of having an A.S. Then I only need a few more classes that Chapel Hill requires to transfer. I'm in the home stretch as far as that is concerned.

Now it's time for some homework since the kids are behaving.