October

Sunday, October 11, 2009

So far, October is going okay. I broke my foot, we got a new dog, lots of appointments, decorating for Halloween...that's what is going on here. I go to a neurologist on Tuesday for my dizziness and blurred vision episodes. Next week the dog goes to the vet and the week after I go back to the orthopedic surgeon for my foot. Right now we are in the process of decorating a little bit for Halloween. I'm hoping to take Lukas to the pumpkin patch sometime soon. If we don't make it there, I guess we will just buy a pumpkin from the grocery store. The past few days, Lukas has had a little bit of a cold but he seems okay otherwise. Other than actually taking naps, he's been his normal little self. The dog is doing pretty good too other than a few accidents in the house here and there. I'll try to update after my neurologist appointment if I find anything new out.

No more crutches! Yay! :)

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

This morning I had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon for my foot. It went well. They gave me a boot to walk around in so no more crutches. This makes me very happy. I even conquered grocery shopping with Lukas all by myself today. It was great :) It's so nice not to have to hop and hobble everywhere. It was only a week on crutches but it felt so much longer because of all of the trouble my son kept getting into. He was quite a stinker last week and over the weekend. We are loving our new puppy dog too. She is so sweet. She just hangs out with me on the couch and takes little puppy naps.

I also went blonde over the weekend. It was time for a change again.

A puppy dog and a broken foot

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I think it's definitely time to blog. Sunday was quite a day for us! We found a doggy :) Her name is Harley and she is so cute. Unfortunately, while I was taking her for her first walk, I stepped off of the curb and broke my foot! Yes, I broke it. Luckily, Harley is a sweet little lap dog and hangs out on the couch with me.

Might Be Adding to the Family ;)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

This weekend we decided we are ready to make a new addition to the family. Maybe not exactly what you are thinking but we want a puppy dog. We've decided we want to try to find a silky terrier or a yorkie...or possibly a hybrid mix with one of the two or both. I have always wanted a dog but have horrible, horrible allergies. I actually held a silky terrier and spent a little time with one at a pet store over the weekend and wasn't bothered at all by him. There's no way we were spending what the store wanted for him. So the search is on for the perfect dog for our family. I'm hoping to find one to adopt soon but don't want to rush into it.

Meanwhile, I finally got an appointment with a neurologist but don't go until October. Speaking of October, Halloween will be here before we know it! I think I'm going to dress Lukas as a pirate again (he was a pirate for his first halloween) because he is really good at saying, "Arr!" haha! Heck, and if we find a dog before then, we'll dress him/her up too!

Update & the Weekend

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

I went back to the doctor yesterday to go over my labs and to have my blood pressure checked again. Everything was in normal range so now I just have wait and go to the neurologist. If the neurologist says everything is good, then it's back to an ENT dr to see about getting my ear drums repaired. Again, not much of an update but it is what it is.

Well, the weekend went pretty well. On Saturday morning we went garage saling. We found a great deal on a Thomas the Train table plus lots of tracks, trains, and other pieces, all in great condition. I also got a few extremely cheap wall decor pieces :) I love garage sales, thrift stores, etc. I'm hoping to do it again this weekend. Saturday afternoon, we went to Waimea falls with our neigbors. Sunday, I got a lots done around the house. Laundry, cleaning, rearranging, decorated a little, etc.

A truely beautiful woman.

Friday, August 28, 2009

I really want to write about my grandmother and what an amazing person she is. I am so blessed to be her granddaughter and to have her in my life. She is the greatest role model I have ever known. She is a true Christian woman and I have always looked up to her. My grandmother showed me how to really trust in God. She is beautiful both inside and out. She is so close to God, I hope I can get nearly so close. I'm working on it. She's traveled many places. She raised 6 children and was a wonderful wife to my grandfather. She has always been very active in the church. She was one of the first women to do the readings in Catholic church. She volunteered with the church, bringing Communion to the Nursing Homes and she would bring me along sometimes when I was a little girl. I never minded going and I admired her so much for it all. I remember spending the night at her house and we'd always go to the mall and she'd buy me an outfit. She survived the death of her husband, a stroke almost 4 yrs ago, and the death of her son, my Uncle Johnny. My Uncle Johnny was her baby. He had Down's Syndrome and passed away just last January. Having a son of my own, I know that had to be the hardest thing for her.
A few weeks ago, my grandmother suffered another stroke. She seemed to be doing better shortly after and was transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation center. Unfortunately, she started having problems and was transferred back to the hospital, where she is now. Everyone seems to think this is the end and she is asking God to take her home. Only God knows if it's the end for sure but I wish that I could be there to hold her hand and tell her I love her.
I have lost other relatives and it's been difficult not being able to be there to say goodbye but this is so much worse. This is my beautiful grandmother, who I have looked up to all of my life. I am going to miss her so much. I don't want to go through this and I don't know how to. I just keep reminding myself that God will get me through it.

6 Years of Marriage

Monday, August 24, 2009

Yep, today is our 6th Wedding Anniversary. We had a fun family day together. I packed us some lunch and we went on a nice hike up a mountain. I barely could make it up and honestly I decided not to go all the way up because I had one of my dizzy spells up there but I got so very close. Even though I decided it was best that I not go any further up, we got to see some incredible views of Kailua, Kailua Beach, and Lanikai Beach. After our hike, we went to Kailua Beach to cool off in the water and have lunch. Lukas got wiped out pretty good by a wave and he was done after that. He fell asleep in the car on the way home. The poor little guy had a rough weekend (Saturday, he got stung on his little hand by a bee--whom he showed who was boss by smacking it into the pavement with his hand).

Time for a little Update

Saturday, August 22, 2009

I think it's about time for an update since I finally went back to the doctor. My appointment went well and I have a good dr (nothing like the one at my last appt). There are a number of things that could be causing my dizziness and the blurred vision. I got some labwork done and my dr is sending me to a neurologist b/c he is concerned about the blurred vision I had a few times. So, I guess this isn't really much of an update but it's what is going on. We have to narrow this down. The dizziness could still be caused by my ears and may need to go ahead and have surgery to have my eardrum repaired...the dr said, even w/surgery that there is a possibility I could just have dizziness for the rest of my life. I also had elevated blood pressure today so he wants to keep an eye on that. Hopefully, nothing serious is going on.
Meanwhile, Lukas has started going to daycare/school a few times a week and he loves it! We are still working on potty training but I'm not pushing it too much because I know he will eventually get it on his own. Tomorrow, I am going to try to get him signed up for swim lessons :)

Dr's Appt-no answers

Friday, July 17, 2009

I hate complaining about people but here I go, I guess. I did say I'd update after my doctor's appointment yesterday. It did not go well at all. The dr focused on only one of my symptoms and ignored the rest. He just focused on the dizziness and decided that it was a side effect from my b.c. pill and sent me home with a refill of it! So I still don't know where the headaches, blurred vision, and tiredness came from. He did go back and look at my past labs and said my thyroid is good, cholesterol good, and he said no diabetes. I don't know where he got results for diabetes because last time I was checked for that was when I was pregnant with Lukas. I left very frustrated and confused. I don't know whether to make another appointment or to just ignore my symptoms since this dr didn't seem the least bit concerned. I really do not like going to the doctor for myself so it really irritates me when I go and get absolutely nothing out of it.

My Health

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

So, I finally made a doctor's appointment for myself. I go in tommorow. I am still having dizzy spells, sometimes blurred vision, headaches, and I get really tired. I have been avoiding it and didn't know why. I know there's a good possibility that I could be diabetic. I'm so scared I'll have to give myself insulin shots. I'm not afraid of getting shots and I have tattoos but thinking of giving myself a shot really freaks me out. I know I can deal with it if I have to but I admit that I am scared of everything that could come with this. I just went on the diabetes website and read up some more on it. That's when I realized that I was scared. I know I need to find out sooner than later or I could really risk my health.
Yesterday, started off pretty good. I got up, got dressed, had breakfast, and tidied up around the house while Lukas slept in. Then when Lukas got up, I fed him breakfast and got him ready to go. We went to the thrift store and I found some picture frames, a skirt and shirt for myself, and a puzzle book for Lukas. Then we went to the grocery store and then I hauled all of the groceries upstairs and put them away. After that, we had lunch. After that, like so many other days, I got so tired and all I could do was just lay down on the couch while Lukas was destroying our living room. Then when I finally felt like I could make myself get up, I had a horrible headache. My husband gave me some excedrin when he got home from work and all it did was make me jittery. Yesterday, made me realize that I really shouldn't keep going on like this. Not just for me but for Lukas. It's not fair to him that mommy has no energy.

Eating Healthier, Getting in Shape-Got any healthy recipes?

Friday, July 10, 2009

I am trying to eat healthier and get in shape. I need some more motivation to be more active! I have a wii fit and want to start working out more often. I just have the worst time sticking with stuff. I'm trying to find healthier foods to eat which isn't easy for a picky eater like myself. One thing I've started to realize that I really like is fresh sliced pineapple. Yummy! I used to think I hated pineapple but it is so good. I didn't know how to cut a pineapple so I found this website http://www.howtocutapineapple.com/ Pretty simple, right? Ha, I thought so. It really wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. As long as you have a sharp knife, things go well. I do still have all of my digits.

I also love putting this with fruit (had it on a blueberry kashi go lean waffle w/fresh blueberries for breakfast):
8 oz fat free cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz fat free cool whip

I put the cream cheese in the microwave for 30 secs-1 min and then mix the powdered sugar in. Then fold the cool whip into the mixture. Great with grapes, blueberries, pineapples, etc. It's sooo good. I actually got it from a grape salad recipe that my stepmom-in-law gave to me.


If anyone else has any yummy healthy recipes, let me know! I've been doing smoothies, tuna and crackers, and fruit. I need more ideas.

Pics from 4th of July Weekend

Pretty Flowers and a Rockstar

There are now flowers in my flower bed. Let's see how long they live. I've also added some river rocks to it since taking pics. I have never really had a garden of any kind. I used to help my mom with her garden on rare occassions when I was growing up. That is about the extent of my very vast gardening experience. While I was planting my lovely flowers, Lukas rode his big wheel and his 4 wheeler. While he was riding around, every once in awhile he would yell something out. I kept trying to figure out what he was saying and I was almost sure that he was yelling, "Poptart!". I thought he was saying poptart until today. I finally realized he was yelling out, "Rockstar!" I cracked up! haha! The other day, probably about a week ago, I asked Lukas if he was a rockstar and he replied with a big, "Yeah!" What a cute little rockstar I have. He's the coolest!

4th of July Weekend

Monday, July 6, 2009

We had a nice 4th of July weekend. Friday, we went to Hanauma Bay (one of our favorite spots) with friends, got some yummy shaved ice, and then later had dinner at Buca Di Beppo's. Saturday, the 4th, we went to the Dole plantation, enjoyed going through the maze and taking a ride on the train. Lukas was so excited to ride the train that he was screaming and jumping up and down for joy. Sunday morning I made pancakes for breakfast and we cleaned house. We went to the store and bought some gardening supplies. Then I made some red beans and rice for dinner. It was my first time making red beans and rice so I was happy that it turned out pretty good. My husband ate 2 bowls so I figure it was either really good or he was really hungry. After dinner, we cleared out my flower bed and my husband saved me from a big scary centiped. Now I have to figure out what we should plant. I want some pretty, colorful, tropical plants and flowers.

Father's Day Weekend

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

We had a nice Father's Day weekend. Saturday we drove on Round Top Dr (Tantalus Dr area) up to the top and back down. It was beautiful. You can see the most amazing views of Honolulu from the mountain. I didn't get as many great pics as I would have liked because my camera died but I'm sure we will be going back again sometime in the future. Sunday, we went to the Byodo-In Temple. You can read more about it here http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/byodo-in_temple.htm . It was a beautiful sight, even in the rain.

Slowcooker Mac N Cheese Recipe

I totally forgot to come back and post the mac n cheese recipe I talked about in my last blog. I didn't get to take a picture but it did turn out pretty yummy. You could even try using different cheeses. But anyhow here is the recipe:

Slowcooker All Day Mac n Cheese (not my recipe, I found it online somewhere a while ago)
8 oz elbow macaroni
4 C. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 (12 oz) can of evaporated milk
1 1/2 C. milk
2 eggs
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

In a large pot cook macaroni pasta until al dente. Drain. In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups of the sharp Cheddar cheese, cooked macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, eggs, salt, and pepper.Transfer to a slow cooker which has been coated w/non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle w/ remaining 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.Cook on Low for 5-6 hrs, or until mixture is firm and golden around the edges. Do not remove cover or stir until it is done.

"Living Aloha"

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I am really, really enjoying living in Hawaii so far. It's so beautiful. I'm sure I'll be talking about how much I love it here very often.

We had a nice weekend. Friday was my husband's birthday so we went out to eat at IHOP-Yay for pancakes, haha! Saturday we went shopping at the Swap Meet and got lots of good stuff. We got a beautiful picture to hang above our couch and some other small sign pictures and tiki heads to hang around the house. I also got a few dresses and we bought hats. Saturday night I made baked ziti for dinner and it turned out yummy. Sunday was a beautiful day and Clifton was going on a motorcycle ride so Lukas and I had fun at the beach. I'll post some pics of Lukas at the beach.

Yesterday (Monday) was a boring day. Lukas and I went grocery shopping and then he passed out for a nice, long very needed nap. Then later we went for a walk to the playground while Clifton washed my car.

Today, I'm hanging out at home with Lukas, trying to finish up some laundry. I've got mac n cheese in the crockpot for dinner. I'll try to post the recipe and a pic later (if I remember to take one).

our new place and potty training

Thursday, June 11, 2009

It has been a while since I blogged. We moved to Hawaii at the beginning of may and stayed at the lodge on base for almost a month. We moved into our new place about a week ago and just got internet back yesterday. So far, we love it here. It's beautiful. I don't have but a few pics on my new laptop so I will be sure to post more as time goes by. The pic I posted is of the view from our new place. Now that we are finally getting settled in, I'd really like to get back into blogging and cooking, and all of that good stuff again.

We bought Lukas a new big boy bed (a twin b/c he's getting too tall to be in a toddler bed much longer). Right now it's still in boxes...we will have to carry it all upstairs and put it together later on when my husband gets home from work. I can't wait to get it all put together and put Lukas's bedding on it.

In the meantime, I am TRYING to potty train Lukas. Today is the first day putting him in real underwear. So far, it's not going well but hopefully he will do better tommorow. He's already pooped in them and then he went and peed on the floor in another room (twice so far). Fun, fun, fun...the joys of motherhood, haha. Hopefully, I will see some progress soon.

Long time, No see---Visiting in Louisiana

Sunday, April 26, 2009

It has been quite a while since my last blog. We left Jacksonville a few weeks ago and we are in Louisiana visiting with family and friends. We will be here until May 7 when we fly out to Hawaii.

So far, it's been nice to be home for a little while. We got to spend a day in New Orleans, my favorite city :) I would like to go back for another day there while we are here but don't know if we'll get a chance to do that. Yesterday we went to my family reunion and got to see lots of people I never get to see/have never seen before. Also got to meet our new nephew last weekend and he is beautiful just like his big sister.

Lukas has been a trip, as usual, haha! We took family pictures at my in-laws and he was hysterical! He did not want to cooperate so his pictures are pretty amusing but there is one really great shot of him that I just love.

ENT Appt-Update

Thursday, February 12, 2009

I finally had my appointment with the ENT Dr and it went well. I do have a medium sized tear in my right eardrum and a slight hearing loss in that ear. The scarring on my left eardrum (I think the Dr said it was inverted or something) just makes it difficult to clear my ears so sometimes the pressure bothers me. They could do surgery to repair the tear in my right eardrum but I chose not to because I would not benefit from it all that much. I'm very relieved to know that I do not need surgery!

Nice Weekend

Monday, February 2, 2009

We had a really nice weekend. The weather was great and we enjoyed it. Saturday we went shopping at the outdoor town center near us and got Lukas a paint w/water book and a new puzzle. He loves the puzzle and can't stop playing with it. We at lunch at Panera bread and walked around the town center a little more before going home. Sunday morning I made a coffee cake for breakfast and we went grocery shopping. Then we came home, ate lunch, and put Lukas down for a nice long nap. While Lukas was napping, Clifton and I actually spent a little alone time together for a change. When Lukas was done napping we took him to play at the park (Clifton rode his motorcycle and met us there). After playing at the park we went and ate out for dinner at a BBQ place. Then we went home and watched the Superbowl. We were supposed to go get our taxes done (that was the plan, ha) but we forgot with the weather being so nice out. So, I guess taxes will be on the list of things to do for next weekend.

An Unhappy Post

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Today I have an appointment to get my eyes checked. A well overdue appointment. I think it's been at least 4 yrs since I've had my eyes checked so I'm pretty sure I'll be getting some new glasses and this time I'll try to actually wear them.
I have to vent a bit....This morning my husband had me drive him to work (we only have one car and my husband has a motorcycle and it was raining today-he does not ride in the rain). I was kind of wondering why he made me drive him. We start talking and I realize he THINKS my eye appt is on base which it's NOT. I told him a bunch of times where it was and even told him I drove by. I've been talking about how close the place was to where we live for a week. So, I was really irritated b/c the only reason I was driving him to work in the rain was b/c he thought my appointment was on base (where he works...). Okay, so the real reason I'm so irritated is because he always does stuff like this to me and then blames it on having too much on his mind when really it's that he never listens when I am talking to him. I feel like when I'm talking that he has absolutely no interest in what I'm saying and just dismisses everything like it doesn't matter. There is so much lately...or for a while, that really bothers me and talking to him about it obviously does nothing. The last two times I was sick, he refused to help me with simple tasks for our son (normally, I do everything...he does help change diapers sometimes but that's only after me complaining for the whole first year of my son's life and threatening to leave). For example, I asked him to get Lukas a sippy cup (on the day I was puking and couldn't eat a thing) and he said, "You're not dying." I could go on and on about lots of things but I'll try not to. Basically, I am just not too happy but you can't make a person change.

Let her go

Monday, January 26, 2009

Why can't you let her go
You keep pushing and pushing
When is it time to move on
Can't you just get past it

We know it makes you feel low
She can forgive everything
Doesn't mean her memory is gone
But we can all get on with it

If you just let her go
Stop pushing and pushing
What's done is done
Where she is, is fit

Please, just let her go
It's herself she's finding
It's not about having fun
So stop, just stop it

Dr's Appointments

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I had a dr's appointment Thursday and Lukas had his 2 yr check up on Friday. I've been having some ear issues and they've been causing me to have some vertigo so my dr is referring me to an E.N.T. specialist. I haven't been to an E.N.T. since just after the middle ear surgery I had when I was 10 yrs old. Apparantly I've got some scarring on my eardrum from the surgery and both my eardrums have holes in them...maybe from tubes I had in and out of my ears as a child. My dr said the E.N.T. may want to go in and repair my eardrum (I really hope NOT b/c I do not even want to think about me having surgery!) I've got an appt to see the E.N.T. dr in February. The dr also suggested I seek counseling for another issue so I'll be trying to get an appointment for that next week. I've also got to go get my eyes checked b/c I haven't done that in about 4 yrs and I never wear my broken glasses. They were mostly for astigmatism but my eyes have probably changed in 4 yrs so I expect to be getting a new prescription and a new pair of glasses that I will probably actually have to wear. So, I'm going to be pretty busy with taking care of myself.
I might be falling apart, haha, but Lukas is doing great! I take much better care of him than I do myself. He's in the 90 percentile for height and the 25 percentile for weight, which is better than the 10 percentile he was in for his 18 mth appointment. He's doing really well with talking and everything else too. I'm very proud of him and so, so glad that he has not inherited my horrible ear problems so far.
Meanwhile, we've been passing around a 24 hour bug. Lukas had it Thursday, I had it Friday, and then Clifton got it yesterday. It wasn't fun but I think it is all over with now. Hopefully, we'll be able to enjoy next weekend and none of us will be sicky icky!

Inauguration and No Naps

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I was able to watch a good bit of the inauguration today even with Lukas not taking a nap. I think it is so great to be able to see this moment in history. I did not vote this man into office but I have a great respect for any president of this country and I am looking forward to seeing some of the changes he is planning on making. I may not agree with him on everything but he's got a tough job ahead of him and I would not want to be in his shoes any day.
I was also glad to be able to watch the inauguration on tv, comfortable and WARM, at home. Those people must have been so cold! How great was it that this day comes the day after MLK Day?
Well, this is going to be a short one because my no-napping 2 yr old wants to climb all over me. Lukas has still been pretty difficult when it comes to bedtime and naptime. Most days there ends up being no naptime and I'm really feeling like I need a break!