Such a Fun Day!

Today was the day we had all been waiting for. Because we were not able to go shopping on our annual day after Thanksgiving, today was the day we had finally planned to go. We knew we could only last one store and then out to lunch. We knew it didn't have to last all day to be fun. We just wanted to spend time together as girls. My mom, myself, my daughters; Kaylee & Shaniah, and my granddaughter Ireland all went on this big adventure. How excited we were to be going no matter if there was a major winter storm blowing in. We decided to stay close to home and only go to one store due to my flare-ups, my mom's health issues, and Ireland's first shopping trip.

Ireland getting ready to go shopping!

 Ireland and Great Grandma (my sweet mom)                                 Ireland and Me

Ireland totally surprised us when we put her in the stroller at Kohl's and she totally loved it. These are some of the pictures I took with my phone right after I put her in her in.

We had so much fun watching her smile and kick her way through the store.

Although it was a very short shopping day, it was perfect for all of us. We went to my Grandma Rhea's favorite store and favorite restaurant Chili's for lunch today. My mom said that Grandma would have been very happy knowing we all went in honor of her today! We love and miss you dearly grandma!

Today was the first time we had been together since Grandma had passed. We all felt so much joy and peace being together today. It was very healing for all of us.

Later that evening my girls and I  colored our hair. We used Henna, a natural herb to color with. We were really nervous to use it because the herbs were green and we laughed at the thought of all of us having green hair! We had fun doing each others hair and especially making Shaniah pose for a picture with plastic bags on our heads!

K.I.S.S. Principle

Today my hubby and I continued to work on the Christmas projects together. We both had such a good time together. I love how meticulous he is when he makes things. In fact, my daughter Shaniah, who is 15, wants her room painted and redecorated for Christmas this year. She told me the other day that she wants her dad to paint her room because he is a perfectionist and will do it perfect! I laughed because she is absolutely right! His motto is, "If you are going to take the time to do something, than do it right the first time".

We both enjoyed making these things for our family together. I will post pictures after Christmas because I do not want to give away any secrets to my family who I know might be reading these posts.

I love the Christmas season and love to find ways to make it special for my family. Over the past few years for Christmas I try to make at least one thing homemade for each of them. My mom would always make something special for us kids growing up and so I guess that is why I feel I need to do that for them. My Grandma Rhea would always bake us a loaf of our favorite homemade banana bread or pumpkin chocolate chip bread as presents.  I know how special I felt when I knew they took time to make something special just for me.  I guess I just want to carry on this family tradition.  Over the years, I have made family DVD's from our pictures and videos, bedspreads, scrapbooks, and even picture collages.

 This year I had to choose something way simple and easy due to finding my new normal with this disease. I also had to find something that my hubby could help me with. I think he is taking a great deal of pride in being able to do most of it and me being his assistant. I have loved watching him be so dedicated and excited about his work. Having this disease has brought me and my hubby closer together and I think it will be so rewarding for him to be able to see the faces on our loved ones as they open this gift that we made for them. I am so thankful for the special time we have had to work together and build these for our family.

Over the years during the Christmas season I have tried to apply the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Small & Simple) I think with the hustle and bustle If I keep it simple my focus can be on the Savior's birth. If I busy myself with too many things of no real worth than I find myself empty and stressed out during the Holiday season. I know I need to be reminded of this each year. My goal this year is to try and find ways to serve others in small and simple ways to honor and celebrate the Saviors birth. I know having this illness has really taught me to simplify my life in so many different ways. It is a work in progress for me each day!

Unselfish Service

Today I woke up excited to start on a Christmas project that my hubby and I had planned to make for are parents, kids, and grandkids. I knew if my hubby helped me then we could do this fun project together. This project had to be done in our garage and lucky for us it was only 7 degrees today. WE WERE FREEZING!

This was not good for the sarcoids in my lungs. When I get too hot or too cold it really seems to stir the pain up in there. My sweet hubby knew how much I wanted to be a part of this project so he found me a chair with cushion that I could sit on and found a heater to put right by me so that we could work together. We really had a great time working and spending time together on his day off. He was patient with me as I did my best to try and stay awake. For some reason the cold really took everything out of me. By 1:00 he could see I wouldn't stop until he did so we both called it quits. I retired to the house to crash for the rest of the day, my hubby then proceeded to gather the kids and clean the house and then set up our Christmas decorations. I was so excited to finally have our Christmas up! I felt like a little kid all over again!

I am truly thankful for being married to such a wonderful hubby! I know my illness has been extremely hard on him. I told him the other day how hard it is for me to watch him do everything I used to do. He said that it is just as hard on him to watch me go through so much pain.  I know we will make it through this together.... forever! I am so grateful for his unselfish service and sacrifice he makes on my behalf each day. I don't know how I could do this without him. This video is a tribute to him!
I love you Honey!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXNoRDDoXSQ&feature=share&list=PLE835BB70DD66A8FC

Landee and her Elf!

Today was the first day coming down off of my flare. I knew I still needed to be careful today but I was really excited to be feeling a bit better today. My daughter called me at 7:00 this morning and needed my help today. I also needed to pick up more supplements and go to  my own chiropractic appointment to help alleviate the migraine caused by my flare.

It is on days like these where I seem to do too much and then I create another flare. Today when I went  
to my chiropractor, he helped me to realize something today. He has been following me through this disease over these past few months. He asked me if I had noticed that doing everyday normal things seem to cause a flare. He pointed out to me just doing too many normal things are considered overdoing for my body. Because I used to be such a busy body it is really difficult to see that for myself. But today I could recognize it after he pointed it out and now hopefully it will help me to better manage what I can and can't do.

Later this afternoon I was able to watch my grand baby for a couple hours today while my daughter caught up on some much needed rest. Ireland and I watched Elf on the Shelf movie with her new little girl elf that we bought for her(she is far too young to watch it but she did love the bright colors). This was a fun thing I did when I taught second grade last year. I started out by reading the Elf on the Shelf book to the students. Each day I would hide the elf in a different spot and each morning the kids would try and find the elf. We told the kids that Santa would send the Elves to watch to see if they are being good boys and girls.

I am so excited to share this fun tradition with my grandkids!

So each day we hide the elf  in a different place in our house and when Landee comes over we help her find it. ( I know what you are thinking... she is far too young to be doing this...but  I am sure having a great time!) haha!

Here is a picture of Landee with her elf watching the movie with me!
SO FUN!
New Grandma's have to start new traditions really early! LOL!

Landee Loving her Elf

Landee watching the movie with Grandma!

Always By My Side

I am still trying to recover from this past weekends events. They really caused a huge flare up for me. Sarcoidosis can be a very difficult disease to try and get a handle on. I try my best each day trying to not bring on another flare. I know that the weather, what I eat, what I do, and the stress that I encounter all play a huge part in causing flare-ups.

Somedays it can be a bit overwhelming when enduring these flares. Not knowing when my body will flare and how long they will last can be very frustrating. It really helps me to have so many wonderful people in my life so that I am able to focus on them and not the pain I am going through.

 I know everyone deals with some sort of pain, whether emotional, physical, mental, financial, marital, or any other type of pain. I know I have been given this lot in my life and it is up to me to make the best of each and every day. I know I have loved ones here on earth as well as my loved ones who have passed on (my guardian angels) who are constantly here for me. I am so thankful for a family who are continuing to educate themselves and find ways to help me each and every day overcome this battle.

On days when I feel hopeless, and believe me, I do have these days. I find myself wondering what my future holds for me. I wonder...Will I  have pain for the rest of my life? Will I ever find something that will help me to feel normal again? Will this disease destroy my organs? What part of my body will be effected next by this nasty disease?  It is at these weak moments that I turn to the Lord for help. I immerse myself in the scriptures, uplifting music, or even fall to my knees in prayer. When I do this my worry, fear, and doubt are replaced with peace, faith, and happiness.

I am so thankful that my Father in Heaven is always there for me. I know that whatever I must encounter in this life that I do not have to do it alone. I know the Lord will always be right by my side.

Hold On

Today I read a 2009 October conference address. It really gave me the insight and hope I needed to get through another painful day of this flare-up. It is my President Monson's daughter Ann Dibb. It is called Hold On.

Sister Dibb states "We may experience loneliness, strained relationships, betrayal of trust, temptations, addictions, limitations of our physical body, the loss of much needed employment, or feelings of disappointment because our righteous hopes and dreams have not been met in our personal timetable." 

She said that when going through many of these difficulties that sometimes all we can do is hold on. Everyone, even in the scriptures, have never had it easy and that we all must endure and overcome our own personal challenges.

The quote by her father, our prophet, President Monson, really stood out to me today. " Remember that you are entitled to our Heavenly Father's blessings in this work. He did not call you to your privileged post to walk alone, without guidance, trusting to luck. On the contrary, He know your skill, He realizes your devotion, and He will convert your supposed inadequacies to recognized strengths." He has promised: "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirits shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

I had never before thought that our trials could actually be a privilege post. I received such strength and support knowing that I do not walk alone in this trial. I know He will support me and turn my weaknesses into strengths during this process. I am so eternally thankful for His promise to be there for me whenever I need him. I know his angels surround us in our trials and bear us up in the most difficult times if we just but hold on.

Family is everything!

I woke up today in full flare mode, I knew I had done too much last night but I felt good mentally to know that I was able to be apart of such a great thing. Having this disease has taught me to pick and choose what things are worth causing a flare and what are not. I find if I wear myself out by doing things that are just not important, then I wont be able to be feeling well enough to do the things that are.

Thank goodness for my family who supported me throughout this day as I recovered from the lung pain, migraines, and extreme fatigue. I know if I just give myself a couple resting days I will be feeling better before I know it.

If I surround myself with my family during these painful flares, time seems to pass quicker, and I find myself becoming strengthened by there love and support.

I am so thankful for such an amazing and wonderful family who love and support each other no matter what we might be going though!

I made this little video as I lay in bed today, it makes me feel so blessed for everything in my life!