Candida

The snow storms of the last few weeks, have really thrown a loop into our normally extremely over-scheduled lives! It has been nice to be at home, (although I am working non-stop on the school yearbook), to spend time just being in our home, forced to be here :-) I have neglected many things, like cleaning and laundry, do to the lack of power, but it is time to begin Spring cleaning! The sun is out today, and will hopefully begin to melt the snow away. Another development in our lives, is Kaitlyn's diagnosis of Candida. Candida is in simple, understandable terms an overgrowth of "bad" yeast in the digestive tract, and must be treated through diet, probiotics, and initially anti-fungal treatment. The diet changes, that are occurring are a wheat free, dairy free, sugar free, fruit free diet for the first stage, and then we shall see what other changes are necessary as we progress. This calls for a major life change in our home, as I can no longer feed Kaitlyn anything that falls in those food groups. Along with my mom, and best friend, I have been spending hours on the internet finding resources, recipes and tips on how to adjust to this change in our lives. It seems initially overwhelming and difficult to comprehend, but the alternative is to continue to see my child in constant pain and embarrassment, when I know that I can help. On a positive note, I am looking forward to the changes it will signal in our lives and how it will finally force me into action, in areas such as a garden, and a diet overhaul that I have been procrastinating on due to sheer laziness. I just pray that this will truly help her and give her body the full health it deserves. On a side note, there is a ton of wonderful information on Candida on the internet through blogs, websites, etc.

Snow Fun

Due to my husband's new work schedule, working from 2 am to 11:30 am, Mon-Fri. we have had a very limited amount of time together. We are blessed enough to have opportunities to be together during the day, for example on a school ski trip. Richard was able to drive up to join Kaitlyn and I on the slopes, and despite the slushy snow, it made for a wonderful day together :-)

Best Friends

I will attempt to catch up on my blogging, as I am behind according to a conversation with my father :-)

Every girl needs her friends, and my daughter is blessed with many, but her best friends these days are: Madalyn, Britton and Sarah. We were blessed enough to have all three spend the night, on January 17, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, (and no school :-) My poor husband put up with all of their escapades, which included nail polish, snacks, girl movies and even getting stuck in the creek :-) I endured it all, and even was able to create a yummy cobbler for them, out of my new favorite cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks... I am so thankful for my daughters BFF's!

Hello 2 Am...

My beloved husband has a new schedule at work, 2-10:30 AM. Needless to say, it has been a rough week for us, and I am so thankful that it is Friday, because I am exhausted, and I know that he is worn out as well. I continue to trust that God has a plan for our lives and I am thankful that He has provided this job for our family. But I could really use a nap right now...

My Tuesday Escape...

My Tuesday escape is to Harvest Art Studio, where my beautiful daughter is blessed enough to attend art class, taught by the very talented and amazing Janis Yerrington. Yesterday, was a wonderful example of why I am so blessed to have the opportunity to sneak away. While Kaitlyn was in Heaven, creating some new form of artwork and learning about the beauty of the world, I was able to sit by a warm fire (all by myself) and grade papers, check facebook, and flip through a magazine. It was such a treat, to be able to relax for a few minutes and take a timeout from the craziness of the day! Thank you so much Lord for blessing Kaitlyn and I with this gift!

Family Picture Time...

We recently were able to have a session of family pictures taken, by a wonderful photographer named Jodi Mockabee. We were so blessed to have her capture some great moments, in beautiful Tuolumne, of our new family. Thank you Jodi so much! Check out her amazing photography blog!

My Calling...

As I contemplate my fifth year of teaching, I cannot help but experience a wave of emotions both fulfilling and exhausting...

Trying to balance everything during this time of year, is always difficult for me, and I feel very overwhelmed at the thought of trying to go to work all day, work on clearing my credential (Another California requirement) and then go home and be mommy and wife.

I am so blessed to be able to work at a Christian School, where I go to work every morning at the same place, that my daughter is at, and that I am able to praise and worship with the staff, students and family of my school. I have had wonderful mentors, friends, parents and students that have changed my life in positive ways. I love that my husband supports my decision to work in this place, and that God has continued to pour out his blessings upon my family, in order that I can continue to work here.

I often wonder what I am supposed to do with my life, and with the talents God has given me. Am I supposed to stay at home, when Richard and I have children? Continue working where I am at? Pursue a different job, so that I can financially provide more? Give Richard more options for work?

I have only 5 more years before Kaitlyn is in High School, and in that very short amount of time, so much can change. I love the fact that I can go to work, and see her even on the days when she is at her father's house. I do not want to take for granted the blessing that God has provided me in that situation. I also want my husband to be happy, and be able to pursue another career if he desires...

I guess that I can rest assured in the fact, that God knows the desires of my heart and that He has a perfect plan for my little family!