Day 146

Friday is my weigh in day at weight watchers.  I think it has been a couple of weeks since I have reported my success at weight loss. Today as I stepped on the scale I thought.  This scale is not going to tell me how I feel today.  It is just a measurement devise that tells me how much I weigh.  It does not tell me what type of person I am.  I am not good or bad because the scale goes up or down.  It is not the determining factor of how I live my life whether I am worthy of love, or how I should feel about myself.  It is simply a measurement devise like a ruler or a measuring tape.  Thus I will use it as such!
Weigh in results
Lost this week 1lb
Total Loss for week 20  41.4 lbs
More than half way to goal!  Next week is my 6 month mark so I will post pictures!

Day 145 Rain

In general I love a thunder storm.  It's interesting to watch the clouds roll in and feel the temperature cool.  As the darkening skies move in during the evening hours you can predict the on coming storm and anticipate the sheets of water.  The past three nights I have been awakened from deep slumber by claps of thunder so loud that you could feel the vibrations.  The dog goes crazy running and barking, but the children somehow sleep content for the most part. Tonight the rain begins earlier, just as bed time arrives the claps of thunder and streaks of light fill the evening air.  The dog whines and runs from room to room looking for a safe haven.  The air cools and I am thankful for the rain that makes the flowers grow and bloom, and cools the night air, and brings an unique orchestrated sound to Spring

Day 144

Printed Emily's graduation announcements today!  I love the pictures Jessy took of her.  They are awesome. It's hard to believe I'll have 2 girls in college!

Day 143

How in the world will I every help two boys make peace a priority.  I think there has to be a remedy out there somewhere.  I usually can make it somewhat better by keeping them away from each other.  But today I just lost it.  What's worse is that one of Emily's friends was here and one of Willy's friends was here.  I won't get into the details but for the last months It's been impossible for the boys to not bug each other, I'm not really complaining about it.  I'm looking for an answer, a long term solution, or a way that they could see each other in a different light.  I just can't stand the constant bickering.  My only hope is that they will out grow this, I go deaf, or I find a miracle through prayer.  Patience Patience Patience.

Day 142 Doctor

Bill, Lydia and I went together to visit Dr. Civitello.  Here is Bills update about our visit.  

Lydia Update

Since you’ve expressed some concern Lauril and I wanted to share the results of our visit with National Children’s Hospital regarding Lydia’s seizures.

Lauril had done an excellent job documenting all sorts of details about the seizures and their progression.  Of special benefit were the videos she took, that helped the doctor see the extent and progression of the seizures, and the journal she brought from her visit to the school documenting 23 seizures in a 10 minute period.

There are more tests to conduct including an EEG or two and an MRI to understand what part of her brain is causing the seizures and what the actual cause is.  The good news is that she was able to rule out some really important concerns.  No tumor, no infection and no brain injury, so no surgery.  More tests later on could reveal a need for procedures in the future but all signs point to some form of epilepsy that drugs can help control.  This should help her get back on track with her learning and protect her confidence.

After the EEG next Thursday, Dr. Civitello will probably prescribe a drug to control the seizures.  She said that it is important to know what type of seizures she is having because certain drugs are for certain types of seizures.  

Doctor Civitello was great to listen to our concerns watch the videos I had taken and get a family medical history.  She spent about two hours with us.  We are grateful to have found a great doctor to help us help Lydia.  We know that having the right doctor will help Lydia as she grows because it will be a on going relationship.

Day 141

Teaching 14 year old in Sunday School can be an intimidating calling, but I think I am going to really like it.  We have a great group of youth in our ward.  I enjoyed getting to know them a little today as we built the gospel using Jenga blocks.  They enjoyed the activity and it got them talking.  I hope that as we learn together and we can feel the spirit and learn something in a new way.  It'll be an awesome experience.

Day 140

We couldn't pass up a beautiful Saturday without going on a long walk in the woods.  Willy and Austin were busy staining a fence, Emily went to a camp meeting, and Jessy had something else going on, so Lydia, Bill and I went for a hike down at Bull Run regional park.  We hiked for about 2 hours.  Lydia was so enjoyable to be with.  We stopped and sat on a bench and talked for a while.  We listened to the birds and talked about trees and water and her upcoming doctor's appointment.  Lydia was all about enjoying the moment.  I wish I could have the carefree easy going attitude of a seven year old.  No worries about tomorrow only thoughts of today and the moment she was in.  I love watching Bill ans Lydia together there is nothing like seeing a father and a daughter chat and play and hold hands.  It's the look in their eyes that says I love you no matter what and the look of protection as they goof around and look back at each other.  The look says more then words could say between them.