Woman to Woman: "Enduring health problems - either your own, a spouse's or a child's"

"Woman to Woman- Enduring health problems - either your own, a spouse's or a child's"

Well.. I have blogged about my health before. It is not exactly coveted by many. Look at me, I look healthy. I look like nothing is wrong. Look a little closer you might see a scar or two. Spend a day with me catch me in the bathroom you will see my meds. Spend a week with me you will see it.

I have Lupus, nine years since my official diagnosis. I have asthma.. adult onset.. 16 is that adult? And a funky heart valve. Jealous? I knew you would be.

Okay.. that sounds bitter and resentful. Really I am not. It is more humorous to me and something I laugh at. Because it is really just funny to me. And then I have these two amazing children who are wonderful, and they are HEALTHY. And I am not talking just kinda healthy, they are amazingly healthy. I love it. I am proud of it. I take pleasure in it. I pray that I have enough wrong for my whole family and all those I love.

So with my health issues I have had nine surgeries since I married my husband almost eight years ago. That is a lot. Seriously did he know what he was getting in to? He had to have some clue when my Dad told him, you can marry her but you HAVE to have health insurance. No if's and's or but's about it. Not a choice if you are married to her. He had no idea how serious that statement was. How much we would truly need it. I have not went a day without it! Thanks babe!

I don't look at my health problems as a burden.. I don't feel like going into a ton of detail, for the simple reason I have blogged about some of them in the past and well.. I don't feel like going down that road right now. My health has been something that I have taken and learned about my diseases, my body, and how to fight it. There have been times I have wished, I have prayed, I have pleaded to have them taken from me. Times I have not understood. Times I think it isn't fair. But then I am reminded we all have trials in this life. We all go through hard times. We all feel like things aren't fair. We all want a break sometime. But we all push through it.

When I am tired of it, I look at those who are going through so much more than me, that mine look trivial. And I am humbled, greatly. When I get on my knees I am often filled with an overwhelming feeling that my Heavenly Father truly knows me. He loves me, and is so aware of me. He knows the trials I have, and that I can endure them. That I can rise to the top, and that they will not beat me down. I have learned that when I can't do.. I have to stop. When I can do.. I go 120%. Learning more about Lupus especially has helped me to deal with it. Or blatantly ignore it. I swear denial.. it is what gets me by half of the time. And I frankly don't mind it. It works for me. I don't like to dwell on it. I like to be proactive.. do something to help make it better. Right now for instance I am the chairman of The Lupus walk for my hometown. I think it really helps me to endure. I am the head of the Lupus Support group. It isn't that I need one.. because really I have wonderful friends and family that are my support, but others do. I have had it longer than MANY people I know. Helping others cope helps me to endure and feel like I am making a difference.

I feel like I am all over the place tonight.. my brain is going faster than my hands. I have endured by just making it the best I can. Doing all I can and relying on my Heavenly Father to help me get through. And my husband.. he is the best man ever hands down. He supports me and knows what he needs to do when I need help. My family seriously.. they make it easier when I have my bad days. But for the most part anymore those are getting rare.

I feel like I haven't explained everything well. One thing I want to say is there have been times where I have been so sick or going through something so hard, I honestly thought I might die. When I had my lung surgery almost five years ago. When I was lying in a hospital bed barely getting enough air from my severe asthma. It was then that I know the Lord has carried me through and has given me strength. I endure through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowing that HE has endured all that I have and so much more. Knowing that He is there for me. With my health came the closure of my child bearing.. not by my choice, but by my bodies choice. It has been hard. Really hard. Not something I wanted to do. BUT, something that I knew I had to do, and have been blessed physically and in my health. The Lord has guided me down the right paths for my health so that I can endure. I cannot do it alone. I endure through Faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in the eternal plan. Knowing that we are here for a purpose. That we do not go through things in vein. That we all have trials some more visible than others. These are mine. And I am so grateful for them. Without them I would not know my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ the way I do. Without them I would not be the woman I am today. How grateful I am for them. My Heavenly Father knows me and loves me enough to teach me in a way I can understand. What a testimony builder that has been to me. I endure because I know that my Reedemer Lives, and that we will live again whole and well.

Click on my links.. they will explain things in more detail if you want more! Hopefully this is a good Reader's Digest version of my feelings!

Now come and participate in Woman to Woman go to My Many Colored Days and to Morning Glory and live your link!

Little Man Singing in the Talent Show!!

We had a Ward Talent Show. Little Man wanted to sing. He is 5 and I am so proud of him and his bravery. He went up there and rocked it. He is not a shy kid! Seriously I am bursting. One of my BEST Mommy moments yet! Great job Little Man!!
And thankfully Dad videoed it on the little camera since I was doing the piano thing.

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter.. we started Saturday going to the neighbors for dinner and an Easter Egg Hunt, they had a few families over and it was so much fun! That night Randy decided a haircut was in order. I did a mighty fine job. Then Sunday was Church.. Little Man gave a terrific talk in Primary on Easter, it was great! We were quite proud of him. We had the Easter Baskets after Church and dinner with our family. It was nice to be able to talk with our kids about the importance of Easter and of the Resurrection of our Savior.

Here are some pictures from our weekend.

Little Miss with her dirty face after having a delicious dinner at our neighbors. Looking for Easter Eggs. Little Man with candy and marshmallow on his face.. finding the eggs!

Easter Sunday! All dressed up in their Church Clothes.

Doing her thing.

Jumping like the Easter Bunny. Seriously she is so beautiful it makes me melt. Or as she says, "I don't look beautiful, I AM beautiful!" Love it!

Ready for Mom to be done with the Camera.. Poor kids I just want to capture all of the moments of their life!!

And the new haircut which has turned SEVERAL HEADS! I only charge $5, so if you would like one please, let me know. I might book up quickly.

Also, I did a family shoot this weekend, my first! Go to my other blog and check it out!

Happy Birthday Babe!!

Yesterday my husband turned 30!!! We celebrated by watching General Conference, all day. But it was good. He got the Remington 870 Super Magnum Express Shot Gun he had been drooling over, his nice Mossy Oak Camo gear, and some killer BRIGHT GREEN Crocs, courtesy of his son who LOVES green. We had cake with all of the family, and found out we are both allergic to the Costco Carrot Cake. We followed up our cake with some much needed allergy medicine.

Happy Birthday Babe! I love you more than ever. You are the Sexiest Man I know. Thanks for being mine. Love you.