Getting my feet wet

A rare moment sitting together

The new 'uber wagon' for JoJo's Bday (but really for everybody)

Just enough hair for tiny pig tails-just.

Here's to my first foray into the blog world. I'm feeling so old lately with recent back surgery, and the screaming from my thighs after a full day of housework, chasing kids and pulling weeds. At the precipice of middle age, I'm finally entering into 'blog land' despite a healthy tech-full upbringing. I still cling at times to my visceral pen and paper, snail mail (it still seems more personal to me) and checking my email only once (gasp!) per day, if I'm lucky enough to get a chance with the girls busy destroying the next item they lay eyes upon. Writing here often will present a challenge because of that, and my self- taught combo of hunt-and-peck augmented by Mavis Beacon approach to typing.

Well, life so far:

Mitch is trying to take his weight down and genuinely making effort to work out on the elliptical trainer nightly. I know life can be tough for him, having to be sole parent on my work nights. We are desperately trying to grab more 'date nights' to ease the pain of our passing ships schedule.

Mina loves to take out her violin and 'practice'. She allows momma to help and instruct for about 10 sec to 5 min then it's all on her terms from there in. As long as she has the desire, I try to guide her just enough to keep her from getting frustrated. When she is 4, we can finally get her into Suzuki lessons. She's pretty excited about getting to play more, I just pray we can make lessons a reality with our time limitations.

Johanna is really coming into her own. She's finally getting some pretty, thick blond curly hair. She's also turned into a sweet little jabber jabber girl. She's really going through a learning and verbalizing explosion. It makes momma's heart skip a beat when she sees such amazing changes in her girls. They surprise me every day with what they learn, when they show me their knowledge, and their growing compassion for each other. The other day we were in the car and had a short section of dirt road to travel. I called out : "Bumpy road! bumpy bumpy" exaggerating the vibrations in my voice. Usually Mina squeals at this, but she was quiet. I looked back after a bit to see Mina and Johanna holding hands across the gap between their car seats. Choking up a bit, I said " Mina, are you holding JoJo's hand so she wouldn't be scared by the bumpy road?" She nodded quickly and smiled. I smiled too.

So what about me? I'm still struggling with my weight issues. Physical incapacities of the past 5 years, but especially the past two, have really taken my weight for a roller coaster ride. Some issues are healing and will just take time. The fusion surgery can take up to a year to fully heal, and I may never be the same as far as my back is concerned. I still have an unresolved GI issue and will be going to UofM next week to get another opinion on what may still be ailing me. I'm pretty sure it's a 'new' problem more related to having pancreatitis and the subsequent gall bladder removal. Finding a doctor who doesn't immediately blow me off or make assuptions based on info prior to this point because I have had other issues in the past...not an easy task. My local internist is on my side, but it's still frustrating. I'm well recovered from the pneumonia of February, but will have to wait until at least June to do pulmonary function tests to determine if I have any lingering respiratory issues related to that and my asthma. I pray I don't get another respiratory bug any time soon. I'm really nervous about ending up that sick again. I am also making concerted efforts to take off weight. Walking with the girls in their awesome wagon on my days off and cleaning house like a mad woman. My work days are very physical, sometimes walking as much as 5 miles a shift and working full time. Sometimes I am so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open most of the day. I keep pushing forward. Our goals are to pay down debt, spend as much time with the girls as possible, and consider school (PA or pharmacy) once the girls are in regular school.

OK-- so that's enough for now. A good, meaty start to our blog. And of course, some pictures of the girls, as they grow so fast!

MJ (Missy)