Two posts in one day? Is the sky falling???

I had an appointment with a Rheumatologist today. He gave me some hope that ONE DAY I will feel better. They took about 8 vials of blood to run tests and did x-rays. His conclusion is that I am definitely experiencing something auto-immune/inflammatory. But until the tests come back we won't know for sure. With my family history, and the x-ray results, he is pretty sure it is Rheumatoid Arthritis (something about my bones are decalcifying?? I just smile and nod). He said most of my symptoms are right down the line with it. To make it the next two weeks until my next appointment, he gave me a steroid. Hopefully I will feel somewhat better with that in a week or so. And MAYBE on that I will also feel like eating....right now food is almost repulsive and I have lost 18 pounds in just 2 weeks. While that's not bad, and Damon says I sound like one of those infomertials, it's not the way I want to go about losing weight! But I won't complain too much. I might even get a belt ( I HATE BELTS!!!) So anyhow, for those of you following this saga....that's where we are.

On a funny note, I was in downtown Trier for this appointment. I had probably 50 choices on my GPS of places to eat (even Subway!!). But for whatever reason I talked myself out of it (parking is a PAIN in the bootay!! And I really didn't feel like walking). So I drove a bit and found another restaurant on my GPS....I turned down this farmroad of sorts in DENSE fog. I could see about 500 ft in front of me, fields on the right, and a wooded area on the left. I couldn't take it so I turned around and went back to the Shell station (yes, there are Shell stations all over this area). I walked in to find a woman who spoke NO english! We communicated through pointing....and I ended up with a cold shnitzel for lunch, which I only ate about 1/2 of, in the van, in the parking lot. I think I should have opted for finding a parking place in Trier! Oh well....I need an adventurous streak!!

On a GREAT note....I will be picking my mother-in-law up at the airport in ONE week!!! God has been gracious and everything is falling into place for her to come over.

Today is the day set aside by our government to remember those who have served (and are serving) our country and made it the great nation it is today. I am proud of my family members who have served so valiantly. My Grandpa Cummings served in WWII, earning medals that are awarded to few. Grandpa Allen and Grandpa Swem also served in the war, ensuring those they didn't know would live in a world where human rights were protected. I am reminded of the endless stream of cousins who have given their time and their lives to honor and serve our country. I am grateful for their sacrifice.
While I am reminded of those dear to me and my family, there is one who has been on my mind since the time my dear Carlee woke me up this morning. He is my prince, the love of my life, my husband Damon.
Damon, I am proud of you. I am proud to say that I am the wife of Ssgt. Blankinship (or Blanky, as they all know you!). Thank you for sacrificing your time, even when it is away from us, to keep our country free. Thank you for serving our country!
I love you!! Happy Veteran's Day!!!

...hanging....in....there....

Day 46----all are alive and accounted for. Not by my doing. Coincidence I guess!!

I have to admit that this deployment has been more frustrating that any we've done before. I think it's the fact that we JUST moved to a FOREIGN country!! While I am involved up to my eyeballs, that established support system just isn't there. Our church family is great and VERY helpful (when I think to ask---ugh dang pride!!).

I think Satan is just throwing his darts at me as often as he can. If it's not one thing it's another. Carlee has become a little toot---terrible twos....gotta love them....or not! Nothing is more infuriating that her little giggle as she doing something I JUST told her NOT to do. She thinks she is sooo cute. Which she is...but sheesh! Courtney is adjusting to her new meds...yes, it was necessary to medicate her. I wanted to hold off, but now I am glad we are doing it. Even she comments on the difference it makes. And me....well, the typical sickipoo. Last week one doc was certain I had mono. This week another doc thinks it's my thyroid. I think it's just plain annoying!!! I sleep A LOT! but not as much as I want. I spend most of my days shivering from being cold even though I am covered in blankets and layers of clothing. I can't knock this headache. I have little to no interest in food. My hands and elbows throb in pain. And this is day 15 of my neck/throat hurting. Seriously, I don't need this right now. But like I said...I think Satan is trying to do whatever he can to break me. I am TRYING to hold fast and hold on to the Lord....trying. It's the most I can do some days.

Okay, my eyes are crossing---and Carlee knows I am not paying attention, which is a great time to do things mommy might NEVER let you do!

venting....

I don't even know where to begin with today's events.....I had this idea that we would sleep in, get ourselves around and spend some girl time shopping today. I guess my kids had completely different ideas. At 7:00 Carlee came in to my room ready to go. I convinced her to get in my bed, but it was like trying to contain a cat in a pillowcase. 8ish Courtney came in and there were 2 cats in that pillowcase. When they had pushed and wrestled me to the very edge of the bed (seriously, how much room do two under 50 pound turkeys need??) By 8:20, I had enough and we were up. We had breakfast. Things were good. I sat down to enjoy some coffee and some computer time. When both girls are up (particularly Carlee) I don't feel comfortable taking the dogs downstairs. So, in those times, it's Courtney's job to take them out. This morning her reply was, in her most sassy voice, "I don't want to!!!" Excuse me??? Really??? The second time I was miffed. The third time I went off....what if I just didn't want to make your meals, or wash your clothes, or take you fun places, or any of the 1,001 things I do for you??? Really??? So finally an hour after the original request she FINALLY took the dogs down. UGH!! Shortly after she came back upstairs, she and Carlee were playing somewhat quietly. They fussed at each other off and on, as they usually do. Then Carlee started screaming bloody murder, but it sounded really weird. I ran into the room as Courtney was running out. I could hear Carlee, but I couldn't see her. Then I realized her screams were coming from her CLOSET!! Now we don't have walk-in style closets, but more like wall units. She was shoved into a shelf space in her closet and Courtney had wedged a chair against it to lock it. WHAT ON EARTH!?!?!? Courtney isn't dumb, she knew she was in BIG trouble!!! I made her go to her room and tried my darndest to give myself time to cool off. To say I was mad would be a complete understatement. Even though I went in my room and shut the door, Carlee was right in my shadow every moment. About 30 minutes later I decided that we weren't doing anything today and Courtney was grounded to her room for the remainder of the day. She threw a HUGE fit....another understatement. Food was served and it was time for Carlee to take a nap. At this point I have little to nothing left in me...I needed her to lay down, like she usually does. But, because apparently my children are determined to make me crazy that wasn't how it happened. I put her down, shut the door. She got up and opened to the door to come out....... x15. No kidding. And 15 is when I stopped counting. I'd put her back in bed and like a hot poptart she'd come on out.....splendid! Finally an hour and a half later, she gave up and fell asleep, on the floor, in front of her door. Did I mention that prior to this I had little left in me. After than charade, I had NOTHING! Nada, zilch. Courtney is trying me, over and over. She wants so badly to come out of her room. She HATES being grounded. She's in her room boo-hooing.
What I don't get is what in the world I am doing wrong? This isn't a just today thing. These two pull junk like this all the time, especially since their daddy left. There are times I think I am going to snap. I love my girls more than anything. I keep trying to do things that are fun. Last night I took Courtney to the movies....she hated it. I take Carlee to storytime at the library and she destroys stuff while there. I take them to church and I need to have circus music playing in the background.
Seriously, what gives???

(PS now they are both howling in their rooms....UGH!)

These are the days.....

Oh my, I think it has been FOREVER since I truly updated my blog. I update my Facebook status regularly (and if you're not on Facebook, or aren't one of my "friends" you need to be!!!). But a FB status consists of a few words.....a blog post is a little longer than that, right???
Oh, so well, what have we been up to??? More like what have we not been up to....no skydiving, no house building, we're not (or will ever again be) pregnant!! Yep, I think that might cover it....well, not completely.
Early in September, Damon left for his deployment. It was really hard to see him go. I kept thinking, "Okay, I live in a freakin' foreign country, by my own stinkin' self! Now what?" But then I shook the bad attitude and learned to cope with the days and nights as a semi-single momma. Damon is adjusting, sort of. It was mid 70s when he left here. It is upper 90s to the low 100s at his location. He can't seem to find the happy medium for water intake. He's also working the night shift. Which would have been easy if we had a newborn around. But since our kids have slept through the night for over a year now, that's been rough. There is a church there that he can worship with, and that is nice. And we are able to chat almost nightly online. I really don't know how you Vietnam era military wives endured deployments. Damon isn't just my husband, he's my best friend. I don't know how I would cope with not talking to him. We are almost 1/4 of the way through this outing....yes, it is short compared to others, but not any easier!!! Keep him in your prayers!!
Courtney started school this month. She just completed her 3rd week of school. It seems unreal to me that my baby girl is in school....real school! She LOVES it!!! Because she went to a strong preschool/pre-k program she is WAY ahead of most of her peers. She is reading. She knows almost all of the blends and special vowel rules. It amazes me what all she can read....and spell. One way Damon and I used to communicate was by spelling. But then Miss Smartypants started figuring out what we were spelling!!! There goes that strategy!! She loves rhyming words and most meals are spent talking about words that rhyme! She is quite the poet/song writer and makes stuff up all the time. Like I said, the child never ceases to amaze me!! We did recently have her tested for ADD (which is now called ADHD-inattentiveness) Sure as snot (and I have known this for a while) the kid has ADHD!!! Girls are different in that they don't act out as much as internalize it. You could tell her to brush her teeth, and 10 minutes later she is still in the bathroom, but she has rearranged the cabinet or counted the sqaures left on a toilet paper roll, but her teeth aren't brushed. And she would have no idea why you sent her in there. It was like pulling teeth to get her to complete any tasks. We now have little reminder posters all around the house (steps to brushing teeth, how to clean your room, using the restroom) and rule and chore charts. I feel like I have to remind her to breathe, but she is getting better, with LOTS of reminders. We also started using Melatonin at night to get her to sleep. While she would be tired, her mind would race from idea to idea and it would be midnight or later before she went to sleep. And then she would be up sleepwalking in the middle of the night!! The lack of sleep just made the ADHD worse. So now, with the Melatonin, she is able to think more clearly and get to sleep (once you take that stuff you really don't have a choice!!). That is a BIG relief!!! She isn't handling all the changes in our lives too well. She's been having temper tantrums and has been acting out quite a bit. Just this morning I carried her down FOUR flights of stairs kicking and screaming at the top of her lungs (come on---say it--you WISH you were our neighbor!!!). It was the worst morning we have had yet. But once she was at school and her teacher gave her some time to herself, she was better. She's still grounded this afternoon, but she is better!! We have Courtney on a base soccer team and in gymnastics---so expect (but don't hold your breath) pictures sometime soon!!
Carlee---oh my little Carlee!! Carlee is 110% into her twos....yep, the terrific (HA!) twos!! She is such a sweet little girl and then like day and night she turns on ya!!! Lord help me if this is foreshadowing for the teenage years!!! A couple of nights ago at Courtney's soccer practice one of the moms said, "Wow, she is an active little girl!!" Really?? I hadn't noticed!!! She can get into ANYTHING you don't want her in, and faster than you would ever imagine!!! Her gymnastic teacher commented on how strong she is (she is SOLID!!). Like, she can support herself on the uneven bars, on her arms, without ANY assistance. How else do you think she climbs into things like the bathroom sink??? While she can be a little tyrant, she is really sweet. She loves her baby dolls and would be happy if I had another baby for her to play with (keep on wanting honey--it AIN'T gonna happen!!). She sure misses her sister during the school day, and LOVES to go pick her up in the afternoon!
Me--well, like I said earlier, I had a SUPER stinky attitude early on in this deployment. But I decided to take a dose of what I kept telling Courtney and make the best of this time. I have jumped into the PTA head first and that is keeping me busy. I love being a mommy, and focusing on my kiddos. But there is a part of me that misses the classroom. Being involved with the school is helping ease some of that! And without the LONG faculty meetings---woohoo!!! I can't tell for sure, because I think we got rid of our scale, but I think I may be losing some weight. All of the sudden my jeans are getting loose. With atleast 5 trips down and back up 4 stories worth of stairs it's wouldn't shock me. If anything, my thighs are MUCH more muscular!!! I am gonna have some serious thighs of steel (and butt of jello--do you think they will match??) when I get back to the states!!
Well, I guess that is us....I make no promises, but I have high hopes of being a better blogger! Yeah, I'll keep saying that!! Maybe it'll happen!
Tschuss!

Movie update....

I have been a HORRIBLE blogger....hopefully I will be inspired to put more words here soon. But in the meantime...enjoy!

She's fast ya'll

So here is what my Sunday morning went like at church.....
Our church here is small. There is one class for all the kids and I was teaching today. Carlee waited for me to get behind the table to make a b-line for the door. Out into the auditorium to find her daddy!!! Lovely!

Then during Damon's lesson in worship she walked to the end of the pew and looked back at me. I motioned with my finger to come back. She batted her eyes. I sternly pointed back to where we were sitting. She smiled....and ran...to the front of the auditorium. Not a long run, it's a small building. Luckily her daddy was seeing all this transpire and intercepted her at the pulpit. He returned her to me....yippee!!! I thought maybe she had something to confess!

She's making my bones tired!!! Thank goodness she's taking a nap!!

Forgotten Photo Friday

From the 4th of July....notice Carlee in the background climbing into the bubble bucket....