It's been a while.....

It's been a while since my last post, and well things have been, crazy around here. I finished my program, I am now a Medical Assistant, Russ just finished up his first year of nursing school and the kids had a great school year and an awesome summer.

About 13months ago I was diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and my life has really been upside down since then. I'm constantly in some sort of pain and feeling like crud all the time, it's been hard for the kids since they really don't understand why I can't go and do the things we use to do. How do you explain to them that you have a crippling disease that will never go away, that you don't feel like getting out of bed to see them off to school or even leave the house. I know that it's been a challenge for them to take all this in, but I think it's been more of a challenge for me - I want to be the mom that takes them to school,get's up with them in the morning and fights with them to get out the door on time (did I really just say that - :) ) I want to go on field trips with them and take them to the park, but if I do more than I can handle I will be out of commission for a couple of days and that's really no fair to them. So most days I just power through all of it til I can't handle it anymore and then I crash on the couch and sleep for a good couple of hours to try and get some strength and energy back. The worst part about all of this is the medications I have to take, some make me so sick that I can't even stand it and have to lay down all day and others haven't even helped and then there are the blood draws; I feel like I am constantly giving blood, even thought its only every three months. So along with the handful of meds I take orally I know have to give myself weekly injections!!! Have I mentioned how much I hate needles, well I went in yesterday for my first one and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, didn't feel the needle just the meds going in stung. Hoping this will help me some, if not then I'm sure I'm on to another med or a stronger dose.

In all of this crazyness we added to our family, no not another child but a cute crazy dog that fits right in with our family. Her name is Princess Lulu she has been a great addition to the family and is the perfect size for us in our small house .
I finally got a job - some of you know from FB, I work part time at my children's daycare 5days a week 15hrs a week and I love it. Russ is working as well as going to school- we have two kids in sports right now and two more that are going to start swim lessons so we are super busy.

Well that's all for now I will try to post more since I should have more time on my hands

What we've been up to

It's been a while since I last posted, things have been super crazy busy around here. With Russ and I both going to school full time, three out of the four kids in school life around the deJong house has been crazy to say the least. Russ and I both made it into our programs, so this fall I start my journey as a Medical Assistant and Russ starts the first of two years in the Nursing program. I'm not sure how we are going to manage everything but we will. The kids have been enjoying their summer with trips over the pass to see friends and family. Mostly we have just been hanging out as a family and enjoying the nice HOT weather over here. They have had fun playing in the pool, sprinklers, attending AppleSox games and hanging out in the cul de sac with all the neighborhood kids.

Here are some pics of our summer fun!

Prayer at dinner time.

Russ and I decided to take the kids to a hockey game Saturday night, which we all found out we truly LOVE Hockey. Little did I know that Russ had also planned to take us all out to dinner, and if you know us going out to dinner with all the kids is a rare occasion. Taking the kids out to dinner scares us half to death, we never know who is going to be the first one to blow up and make a scene, I do have to say they are getting a ton better at eating out in public. Every night at dinner we always pray, usually Conner says the prayer which we all love (he gets a little goofy every once in a while and that's ok in our book) and we have been working very hard at getting Preston to fold his hands and pray with us. Well Saturday night wasn't any different except we were at a restaurant, we placed our order, had our appetizer and then our food was brought to us. I hear Madie say, we can't eat yet and I ask her why, " Preston won't eat until we pray" which is true - our hard work has really paid off. With that being said Russ and I looked at each other not know what to do, so I went a head and said the prayer (it's a rare occasion for me to do that). Afterwards Russ and I talked about the prayer at dinner time in public, and at first we both were a little uncomfortable even talking about it and after a couple of minutes I said we shouldn't be, we are setting the example for children and really do we care what others think of us?? NO, we don't care if people stare at us or what they think of us praying over our meal, we are church going, GOD loving Christians and I am proud to say that yes we pray at dinner time and yes we will pray again in a public setting. I am so happy that we have set an excellent example for children and that they love being a part of such an awesome experience.

So, when was the last time you did something bold??

Conner Update!

Well it's been a while (a long while) since I lasted updated everyone in regards to Conner and his ADD/ADHD issues. Since my last post, we have moved and C has started school, which he just loves. The first few months were the hardest months we have had in a long time. Everyday he was coming home not making his day, getting in trouble for the littlest things and just feeling like he could do no right by his teachers. After a very serious conversation with his teacher, principal, speech teacher and school counselor it came down to decision time. Russ and I had to make a very serious decision about C's education at this point, he could go half days and have to repeat next year or just come back all together next year- which his teacher was heavily pushing for and I flat out told everyone in that room it was NOT an option for him. I explained how far he had come in the last year and half and that I would allow them to push him aside like that. The topic of meds came up in our meeting and of course I was really anti meds at this point, I didn't want to turn my crazy yet sweet Conner into some zombie. So with much prayer, research and a couple of meeting with the pediatrician we came to the conclusion that we would give the meds a try, at this point I really had tried everything in my power to not medicate him, but I was at a loss he was on the verge of getting kicked out of school. It was such a hard decision to make, I felt like I failed as a mother not being able to give my child the best of both worlds, school and being med free.

It's been a couple of months since he has been on the meds and he is just thriving!! I had a conference with his teacher a week ago and all she could do is rave about him, how she loved having him in class and she never has to talk to him or warn him anymore, he even got high marks on his report card (he got a 4 in writing- which is like an A) and she hardly gives out such high marks. Not only is he doing well in school (see pics of some of his school work) but he is so much happier, he has told me that he would rather be on the meds so that he can be normal than go with out them. When he told me that my heart broke a little bit but at the same time I felt relief that we choose the right thing for him. I'm not saying that he still doesn't have a hard day (mostly when he is coming down from the meds) every now and then but they are so limited that it makes us all happy.

***Little side note***

I love the Internet and have been able to research so many things before heading into the Dr.'s office with answers, it definitely made me feel empowered and knowledgeable and that I have done the right thing for my child. What I'm saying is that it's better to go in prepared with research, questions and some knowledge under your belt then being told by the Dr. your only options are A or B and you need to pick one. With the type of insurance we have it was a little harder to ask for a particular med vs. another but really I can't complain because I have insurance for my child and it covers the meds, so there is no out of pocket expense. But please, if you are dealing with this issue please do your research ask tons of questions and be some what educated before you head into the doctors it will make you feel so much better as a parent and help you make a better decision for your child. Also make sure that you involve not only your family and close friends but their teachers, and school so that they can help and support you and the child along this journey you are about in take. Also if you can find a support group in your area I would suggest joining one, I haven't been able to find one but I am looking for one and won't stop until I find one here.***

We all are still learning how to deal/handle the new Conner and his ADHD issues, but with tons of prayer and faith I know we will get through it.

I just wanted to say thank you for all of our family and close friends who have helped us through this very tough struggle, really we couldn't have done it with out you. Love you all!

Christmas

Kids

I can't believe they are so big.

Praise!

I was listening to Positive Life Radio this afternoon and was a little upset at what I heard. The DJ was talking about a book he just finished reading and how it was talking about men being slugs and basically bashing men. The DJ was a little miffed about all the calls he was getting from women and they were agreeing with the book, totally not cool plus on air come on ladies. There was one caller who was totally praising her husband, telling not only telling the DJ but the whole world that she had the best man. It got me thinking, how often do we tell our husband or wife thank you for picking up the kids today, doing the dishes today, laundry, or even just a simple no strings attached I Love you and a hug. I'm not saying my marriage is perfect or that I am perfect, it has taken me a long time to really appreciate my husband and all the things he dose not only for me but for our family. I am constantly working on praising him more everyday, it's a huge struggle for me but I know that I can do with a little effort and faith.

When was the last time you gave praise to your spouse? I just want to let all of you know that I do have the best husband ever. Thank Russ for always helping out with the kids and the household duties. I Love you!!