Happiness

There is not much that I know...for sure.

Except...

The only true happiness I feel is from giving, helping, and showing love to others.

God says, no matter my circumstances, I can live a happy life. This is so true because in living his word, in living my life in service to others, I am happy.

Frame your Future

Update on the goal from my first post to complete my 100 plus page thesis: Well, last week I had what I would term as a pre-pre breakdown. I became overwhelmed and let my emotions get the best of me. Ari has been sick since October 5th. He has been on a road that is so exhausting to all of us, least of all him. I look at him and I want to cry, his little eyes are so gray underneath, his chest always congested, and his nose running like a faucet.

Anyway, I was blessed with the gift of being able to take 2 weeks of f from work on FMLA in order to get myself together and try to find out what is ailing my sweet little child. We see our first specialist on Wednesday, he is supposed to be excellent, but that is always something you have to just wait and see with new Doctors. Ari is on a bunch of meds right now, and it goes a little something like this: Wake up and do a 15 min. nebulizer breathing treatment of Pulmicort; administer a nasty tasting dose of Augmenten 7 ml., and then deliver 2 squirts of Nasenex in his little nostrils (his least favorite). PM is a crushed up pill of Singulair in applesauce, more yucky Augmenten, and another dose of Pulmicort which hypes him all up before bed (wonderful). He has an ear infection, the fourth since October the 5th. I am placing all of my hope in tubes, even though sedation is always nerve racking for me.

So, while there is much more to this story, it provides a glimpse into why I have been so stressed out. Ari's papa is paying for his tuition this month and all of my bills and other stuff like gas and food, so that I can stay home and finish my paper. Oh, and did I mention, then he's taking my on my first cruise ever! So, the incentive is great to submit my first draft to the powers that be.

I hope to hit the send button this Sunday night - no, I WILL hit the send button on Sunday night.

Now, to the image above. This is my contest entry in the "Frame my Future" contest. The winner get's a $1000.00 scholarship for college, which I need badly to continue my doctoral studies without taking any more loans (part of my financial solvency plan). The winner is chosen April 5th, so wish me luck.

I have to get back to my paper :), but here is a list of some of the things I am so grateful and thankful for lately:

1. I won a handmade newborn hat from Cayman's mommy Kristen! (photo's to come)

2. Ari had 3 days with NO breathing problems or chest congestion!

3. We found a swimming teacher for Ari who teaches young children with Autism during the day, we start on Sunday!

4. My friend Khris ironed my new bedroom curtains for me! (I hate ironing and I am bad at it).

5. I spent an hour reading McMama's blog and feeling so thankful for all we have, and started thinking seriously about sponsoring another Compassion child.

6. I have not had a coffee from Starbucks in about 2 months! I have fallen in love with Teavana and am drinking organic teas.

Help find a cure for EB!

Just click on the button above for information on Jonah's Auction to benefit Debra in helping to support families living with EB, as well as to find a cure. This is important yall, so let's grab some great gifts at Jonah's EB Auction. The auction will open at 12:01am EST on February 23 and run until 11:59pm on February 27.