I apologize to my, five readers (LOL) for not posting regular updates. I think each day that I will get around to posting and then I just don't. But since I am avoiding doing the clothing switch in the boys' room, I can avoid it here! *woot*

So I last posted around October 10 or so. Here are the highlights since then:

I think I mentioned that dh and I were going to the doctor for check-ups and to get base tests done. I also wanted to see what they could do about my pain(s). I was pretty sure that I have rhematoid artritis. Every day I am in severe pain, unable to do the simplest tasks like open jars or snap onesies. The dr I saw (at the free community health clinic) did not run any test and merely told me to take some Osteo-Biflex for it. I knew that was not going to cut it but whatever. I was pretty discouraged.

At church, I had been sharing my health concerns with a couple of friends. Apparently, I caused much worry for them without realizing it. They returned from vacation and asked how my doctor's visit went and I told them the above story. E was astounded that the dr disregarded me like that and said, "You need to see my doctor!" I smiled but didn't think it would happen (we have no insurance). That was on a Sunday.

Monday morning we were doing school and the phone rang, it was Miss E. She asked how I was and then said, "So I called my dr and you are seeing him at 3pm today." LOL And then she added that "people from church" were taking care of the bill. I couldn't believe it. I tried to talk her out of it but she was having none of that.

I went to the doctor and couldn't not believe how much time he took with me. My appointment last over an hour. He was caring and concerned. He drew my blood himself and took time to answer my questions. When I left he had told me he was "fairly certain" it was RA but there were a few things that had him stumped and we would await the test results. He suggested that I move from Advil to Aleve to help my pain.

Tuesday, was spent at church washing and sorting tomatoes for the Greek festival. LOL Wednesday, I also spent at the church cutting cucumbers and getting salad stuff ready.

Wednesday evening, I received a phone call. The receptionist from the dr's office said, "Dr S would like to speak to you, can you hold?" I was shocked. What doctor calls at 6pm to talk to a patient???? He had my test results and said that I have strong positive RA factors. He said that his test came back so positive that he was sure the one sent out would be as well. He also said that I have an extremely low white blood count. He prescribed prednisone to take each morning and Plaquinel which is a long term RA med. We are re-doing my blood tests to check the white count.

I am just so relieved to know that it is RA. I was sad at first because RA is not curable. I will have it for the rest of my life. But it is nice to know that it isn't all in my head, that I really AM in pain. This came on after I had Gregory. Prior to his birth, I did have some joint pain but since having him it has gotten progressively worse. I know that RA is an auto-immune disease and for some reason my body is fighting against itself. But RA is much better than all the other things that i was thinking was wrong with me. LOL

So now I take my meds and wake up able to get out of bed. Some days I have a little joint stiffness but nothing like I was having.

Since then, we have had our Greek Festival at church which was lots of fun. The crowds were a little smaller thig year but that was to be expected with the economy as it is.

Jeff is into his new year of college. This semester he is taking: Philospohy, Music Appreciation, Earht Science and American Literature. Out of all of those, the earth science is by far the hardest class with the most work assigned. If anyone says to me again that on-line classes are not as hard, I will bop them. He spends every moment of free time working on class work. He got home early today and immediately began working on the laptop. I hope that this all pays off in the end. But a note of advice to my younger readers, go to college when you are young!! It will be much easier! LOL

I guess I need to get a few things done now that dh is home. I have 2 girls going off to volleyball practice tonight at church. The little boys are playing outside. So it is quiet here for now. I will get some pictures taken of Gregory, who now crawls, pulls up and has a few teeth. He also very much likes eating food! LOL

WOOT!! I got a new camera!! I know y'all are just waiting to see pictures of Gregory since it has been a while. He is now 5 months old! Can you believe it??? I know that I cannot. He goes where he wants to now. He isn't quite crawling but does well scooting. He has a wonderful personality and sleeps all night!! What more could a mom want???? LOL

So here you go....(apologies to dial up users...)

Gregory *kissing* a baby! LOL I think it is love! LOL

Sleepy baby. This was while we were doing school. And he did very shortly after this fall asleep.

Happy boy!! Who is also a very slobbery boy! LOL

We did start school on the 1st as planned so we are working on week number three. IT is going well. I have started planning lunches as well as supper meals and that is helping a lot. I also am trying real hard to not let my perfectionist mind get bogged down by being off schedule a little.

My Senior, Sophomore and 4th grader

The first and seventh graders.

And what the boys do during "break time" ::shaking head::

Remember back in December when Jeff and I were the koumbara for a wonderful couple from our church? We celebrated their wedding and had an early Christmas with them since the husband was headed back to Iraq. This past Thursday the children and I had the honor of going to Hunter Army Air Field with his wife, Jolene, and greeting him (and his fellow soldiers) as the returned from 15 months in Iraq!! Can I just say, if you ever get the opportunity to go to a homecoming ceremony, do it!! What a moving thing. I usually tear up when I see troops returning on TV but to see it in person. WOW!

We arrived at HAAF about an hour before the ceremony was to start. We found somewhere to sit and waited...and waited. Did you know that hangers are NOT air conditioned? LOL About 30 minutes before the ceremony was to begin a gentleman went around the crowd with a mic to ask where people were from and who they were there for. At about 4:10, the hanger doors close and everyone starts screaming and clapping. That is the signal that the troops are lining up outside ready to march in. We all made signs and had good seats.

Kids waiting for the soldier to enter.

Symeon with his sign and flag.

Then the doors open.

There is a short ceremony (less than 10 min) and then they are given permission to break formation. And it is a mad dash to find your loved one! Now on TV, it looks so easy. Husbands and wives run toward each other and hug immediately. Yeah, that didn't happen! LOL It took us probably a full five minutes to find John. At one point, I told Jolene that he must have gotten left behind. And apparently John was starting to think that no one came for him. LOL But finally we found him...

Husband and wife reunite!!

Then it was time to find the kids.

John hugged each of them. He hugged Andrew first because his sign said, "I'm the favorite. Hug me first!" (Andrew is John's favorite Newport LOL).

Before we left the hanger, the children insisted on pictures by the helicopter.

And since Jeffrey was along, he got to carry the back pack to the truck! He acted real tough but when we got into the car (and out of John's earshot) he said, "Holy Cow, that pack was heavy!!" I joked with him and said I was surprised he didn't tip over. LOL

Welcome Home, Spc. John Y. We missed you and are happy you are home!!!