Our February ups and downs

This last month has been filled with challenges and fun!!

Some of the fun was we had a much needed break visiting family in Mississippi :). The kids enjoyed the weekend with Granny and Pawpaw.  I’m very thankful that our children  are able to grow up close to grandparents and visit there other set of grandparents as well. They had the opportunity to help their pop pop plant trees and work on the land as well as get some good quality time with granny. Even though the baby got sick we still had a relaxing weekend snuggling and getting good quality family time. We were also very thankful to visit our old church and see how God is able to work and blessed that church with their new pastor. 

At school we have been having lots of fun with Valentines day, Presidents’ Day and lots of  hands on activity. It’s so much fun to watch the kids grow their own gardens, observe their own ant hills, and do magnet experiments as they learn and try new things and science !!  We also had our "100 day of school" celebration so all the boys got to dress up like they were 100 years old.  It made for a fun boost to our rainy February!

I've been very excited to start taking on new piano students again, as well as watch my boys learn and improve!  I'm forever thankful my parents took the time and money for me to learn music so that I am able to use it to serve in ministry, school, and help others learn as well!  I was never a great musician, but I love teaching the next generation and am forever thankful that God allows me to still play.  :)

February has always been a rough month for us physically and mentally, but this last week I got the official diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This is something they told me years ago I was borderline on and I have been struggling with pain management and balancing life for a while.   Although I’m very thankful for how much I have learned with nutrition exercise and energy balancing it has been difficult learning to manage my pain. I am very thankful for a Doctor who is finally listening to me and able to help me as I do the next few steps of the process.  I’m also very thankful that it wasn’t anything worse which was a concern.  

 Although I am thankful for the answers finally in for a specialist I can work with, it’s still a lot to take on.  I am very thankful for all of our friends and family to help us and support us.   It’s going to be a great journey as I learn to keep my health on track even more so. Overall between school and traveling and all the grand adventures we have I just have to remember to keep my own health in mind and keep myself from getting too overdone.  :).

It can be very difficult when you feel sick, but don't look sick.  Oftentimes I have to remember to NOT overshare or explain, because most people will not understand.  Take my rest days seriously, and pace myself well is critical for my physical and mental well being.   I also have to not guilt myself for not being able to do as much as I would like to.  It's a tricky thing learning to accept limitations on life, but not letting those limitations define or take away from quality of life.  I take victory in the small things, and embrace those happy moments of life.  Purpose to not dwell on the bad days or negative is also a must!!  It's difficult, but with prayer, Bible, and good support, I'm thankful that I'm able to balance that all out more.

With the last couple weeks of rain, even though it has been a struggle on my health, I’ve been really enjoying my new learning process with make up with lip sense, as well as getting a lot of great time with my kids!! It is been a joy to watch our children grow and learn and become each other’s best friends. I’m very thankful for a close knit family and cannot wait to see how these kids continue!