An update note from Mommy

According to the State, I am officially considered permanently disabled. I was diagnosed about two weeks ago with both CPS (Central Pain Syndrome) and Fibromyalgia. I had injured my lower back the summer of 1994. Since then, I had only two or three times when my back really hurt. I did have sciatica and very loose joints when I was pregnant with my two girls, but this virtually vanished when they were born.

This past October, I went to see a chiropractor who has greatly benefited a good friend and her family. It wasn't for any special reason, just to see what would come of it.

Well, what came of it was CPS. After an adjustment at the base of my spine (at just my second appt!), I was in a great deal of pain. He made another adjustment, which brought no relief. Since that time, I have lived with the shooting pains, light touch sensitivity, etc.

It has developed into a real pain in the a**, literally. I can't walk for very far or long. Sitting is extremely difficult and I never know if I will be able to sit down anywhere when we go out.

I was eventually sent to a pain specialist, where I was given a misdiagnosis of a herniated disk between my 3rd and 4th lumbars in my spine back in March.

So, now I'm not only dealing with the pain of both conditions, I'm also trying to accept that this pain will last the rest of my life. I'm also very frustrated, as the only info I have about CPS I have found online. It is considered to be a "Rare Disease". Mom has fibro, so I understand a bit more about that.

Today, I was granted a permanent handicap placard by the State BMV. I'm glad to get any help I can in dealing with this.

I can smile, and laugh, so I know I will be okay. I know that I am a lot more than just my pain.

Kitty's Best Day

Yesterday was a great day for Kitty. She believed that unless she was baptized, she could not have Jesus in her heart. Mommy explained that it was simply a ceremony. It was a way to show the world what she believed.

Kitty prayed, telling Jesus that she knew she was a sinner (explained to her as someone who did "bad" things, even if they were accidents), she asked to be forgiven and asked Jesus into her heart.

Kitty told Mommy and Jules that she felt different, felt better after she did this.

Jules had made a similar prayer a week or so before, when we were at family camp. She also said that she felt different.

Neither of these instances were instigated by Mommy, Daddy or anyone else. The girls came to these ideas and feelings on their own.

We are so proud of them!

GoD and DoG

This little video clip is lovely and a tribute to both. We pray that God (and your dog, should you have one) grants you grace today.

Another Boy!

We are happy to learn that there is another boy going to join our family next year. Aunt G is pregnant.

We are happier than we can say that our family grew this year, as well. Babies, babies, everywhere! The picture of him we saw was so amazing. Aunt C & Uncle E are such wonderful parents. We are looking forward to seeing little L and his older sis Lil. The girls talk about them all the time. They are so proud to have cousins.

Fireworks

Here is a fun fireworks show that may whet your appetite.

Do you Guerrilla?

Guerrillas have been around for a long time. Some may remember the guerrilla warfare tactics of Vietnam. In the past two decades, many people have been taking the guerrilla idea into different arena. Guerrilla marketing is one of the most well-known.

We have just been introduced to another form of guerrillas. The site is for practitioners in Europe, mainly London.

Have a look at Guerrilla Gardening!

Do Electric Sheep Dream?

This is a short, amusing video from YouTube. Have you ever seen electric sheep?