Toughest Critics

These last two days were doctor visits.  Yes, we finally made it to the doctor for their well visits that are suppose to occur prior to school beginning.  But due to the move and that they couldn't book any new patients when we needed we had to wait 3 months from the initial phone call.  

Tuesday brought me driving around like crazy.  Since Abi and Josh were finishing their class at the farm, I dropped them off to their grandparents early.  Helene was great and fed them lunch and took them to class, then picked them up and drove them back home.  (She really saved me some time.)  I left straight from Bordentown, NJ and drove to Phila, PA to pick up Stephen to take him back to Yardley for a doctor visit.  (I'm tired all over again.)

So far I give the office a thumbs up in regards to timing of appointments and not making you wait.  We have not waited more than 5 minutes. AMAZING!  We were a little early which was okay.  The doctor was great.  She really got a big kick out of Stephen and they way he spoke about his siblings.  She thoroughly enjoyed how tough he was on himself in regards to physical activity and his eating habits.  (Now just a  reminder he has been doing football since the first week in August.  And not to forget that he injured his heel thereby preventing him from doing physical activity.)  But when she asked him about his activity he said he needed to start getting in shape as he had been lazy.  Then when asked if he felt he was a good eater by eating healthy, he was again tough on himself.  Last week was his birthday and since then he has partaken of more sweets than normal but trust me, he eats healthy.  His weight and BMI and were they should be. 

So on Wednesday morning/early afternoon round 2 and 3 occur with the young ones.  This time we have a different doctor than yesterday.  I did not care for her drilling questions to Abigail once she heard she was homeschooled.  You would have thought that I locked her in the basement the way she was asking her about friends, and activities outside the home, was it her choice to homeschool and did she like it.  (I was just thankful that my daughter was not aware of the tension in the doctor's voice and she answered superbly.  By superbly I mean truthfully.  Anyone who knows us knows that we get out and about.  It is so disappointing to see the same old concerns about homeschooling.   They really believe the children do not get any social activity whatsoever.  So I was abundantly glad when my kids could rattle off all that we do.)  But when asked about her eating habits she too felt she should be eating better.  Know some of you have seen my kids eat (especially Abs) and know that they eat and eat a healthy variety.  So once again the laughter about how tough they were on themselves.  (One week Abi's lunches were her making sub sandwiches - complete with lettuce and tomato, salad for her and her brother,  organic ranch dressing with carrot chips and cucumber slices.)  They eat fruit every single day and yet are still hard on themselves when they have a piece of candy.  So funny!!!

After she saw Abs, she went over to Josh asked most of the same questions and all went well.  He loves homeschooling and it shows so she moved on to eating habits and he said that sometimes he eats good.  Once again, she and I were both laughing.   Yes, my kids like their sweets and yes they probably get sweets 5 times a week but they are usually small in number, homemade, and organic in nature. 
We seldom eat out anymore, very rarely buy processed foods, and almost never buy prepared foods.  So trust me when I say they have a very healthy diet and fabulous eating habits. 

I love that they are willing to admit that there is always room for improvement but I pray they are not too obsessed about the way they eat because we all know how food habits can trigger eating disorders later in life. (Besides the fact that they were homeschooled at some point in their life will no doubt send alarms up all around them. LOL)   I know they have a good grasp on things but it is a slippery slope sometimes. 

I love my kids and that is a big part of why I do feed them healthy.  I really like to eat healthy.  You really do feel so much better.  I always know when I have been slacking on my fruit and veggie intake as my body is wiped out by end of day. 

I have been very fortunately lately, by way of  some conversations, to be reminded of what a joy and treasure it is to raise children.  As difficult as times can be, it is an honor and a blessing.  

Glasses for all... save 1!

It is so easy to get behind on appointments for a family of 5.  Granted I don't schedule Bill's so that is helpful but for the rest of us, I procrastinate.  I finally made the eye appointments that have been needed for far to long.  So long that I actually will not admit to the time lapse.

When we had gone for the well check up at the doctor, they noticed something in Joshua.  We were hopeful that it was just the user or the machine or even the combination of both.  Well today at the eye doctor we found out...  they were right.   Joshua needs glasses.   He was sooooo worried over this.  When he awoke this morning he was very solemn and sad about visiting the doctor.  Thankfully between the doctor himself and the optician, Joshua has better spirits about it.  (Maybe it is also the fact that he can SEE.)

Abigail's check up was first and her big news is that she doesn't need to wear her glasses all the time!!  WooHoo!  She only needs to wear for reading and computer work.  Needless to say, she is thrilled!   She too received new glasses!

And finally me!  Yup have been wearing glasses/contacts for over 20 years now.  But since it has been __ years, I was in need of new glasses too!!

I did get new contacts as well.  They are really cool as they work great with over 40 eyes that need reading glasses now.  Since they have a different curve to them they don't require you to wear or need readers, so long as you are reading 20/20.  Anything too small and you need readers.  It was a loooooong day though.  We were out for 5 hours just doing all that.

At this current time, Stephen is the only one of us who does not need to wear glasses of any sort.  I hope for his sake he can keep that up.   He should be fine as Bill did not start wearing glasses until the last 1 1/2 years.  

The Results are In!

Had the doctor visit to finally figure out all that was going on with my body. Basically I need to cut back, cut out, even out my carb consummation. I am in the pre-diabetes stage! :( I was not too surprised at this. I was a little shocked that my numbers actually increased between the two tests. As is usual with things you are not allowed to have - I sooooo crave them now! I know it is the initial results and it being fresh on the brain but boy oh boy do I want a nice piece of homemade bread!!

On our outing today while looking at houses, Bill and I decided to go to lunch. We ended up at Panera Bread (funny) and I ate their salad. It was a delicious salad and at that time I did not miss the bread one bit. But now these few hours later I would love to have some! HAHAHAHA!

I like this doctor because he is all about moderation. He doesn't expect you to go without just to tone down. Now I know I can do that!! He is also a believer of the natural/organic side of eating and that suits me just fine! I really appreciate his approach to healthcare and plan on staying with him for sometime!

Nature club....Not!

For the last week, Abigail has been excited about the nature club that her and Josh have been signed up for. Well, today was the 2nd one and I missed it!! Yup! Thought I knew where I was going and got totally lost. Used the GPS on the phone and it took me to the back of the mountain and the back entrance for the horse-trailers. I had to drive all around the mountain to get to the correct entrance. That took me 25 minutes! (Gotta love Jersey!). When we arrived nobody was there! Abs wanted to stay but there is nothing to do there! That was a very big waste of time.

I apologized and told the kids that we have to trust God that he allowed it to happen for a reason. I think it was due to the fact that Joshua is not feeling 100%. He has a very stuffy nose and was complaining about ear pressure this morning. With it being so cold outside I think the Lord knew best what to do for this family. Abigail agreed when she heard Josh and his cough on the way home.

This morning I did take Josh to the doctor, as mentioned above, about his ear. Thankfully there was only redness. The doctor did give me a prescription, just in case. I do pray that we don't have to use it and that he is able to get this over with very soon! I have been absolutely nuts about disinfecting and making sure we are all washing our hands faithfully. The kids think I am insane but I told them sick kids cannot go visiting next week!!!

Doctor part two!

The boys had their doctor visit today. All went swimmingly. Stephen is doing great. His BMI even went down!!!! I cannot tell you how wonderful that was to hear. He has been concerned lately about his weight. So what a piece of mind for him to see that he is doing a good job. He stopped running about a month and ago and the doctor said that if he could get back to that all would be even better. Goooooo Stephen!!!

Joshua is doing great also. He is your average kid. Everything being in the 50th percentile! The doctor especially likes his food choices and wants him to keep that up. He was well pleased with our schedule for homeschooling. Which is so nice to hear. It is great to get support from professionals in your area. Although I do what I do because I am being obedient to the Lord, it is nice to hear positive responses when we go out and about.

Doctors visit part un

Today was Abigail's check up. She is doing smashingly. Has grown 2 1/2 inches and gained 11 lbs. She is in the 50-75% for both. She is also right on par for the BMI, under the 80% is good! She also needed to have her blood drawn to check for a food allergy. This was her first time ever having blood drawn. She was amazing. I must remind you that a few years ago during one of the immunizations the nurse approached and did not tell her what was happening and she moved and now has a nasty scar on her arm because of it. Ever since then she has been very apprehensive about getting any type of needles. The technician was a pro. She was very comforting and spoke to Abigail and explained everything as she was doing it!! Abs did feel a little pinch but was unaware of the needle staying in to get the three vials needed.

Notice the use of the french word for one - that is because lesson number two took place today. I get to listen in and I hope to "pick up" some words too. Monsieur Placide left us a great french-english dictionary for us to use throughout the week. I will be looking into purchasing that for our own personal use! The children have been very excited about french class. All is good. Au revoir.

There will be blood tonight

It was a bloody day today!!   I had an appointment at Quest Diagnostics to have some blood drawn for the doctor.  I believe I mentioned before how thorough this doctor likes to be and for that I am grateful.  But today I had to have 7 vials of blood.  The phlebotomist was excellent.  She put the needle into the arm without any problems or pain on my part.   

For lunch and dinner I consumed red meat again.  For the past three weeks I have been off red meat for medical reasons but due to our pending vacation I have jumped back on the red meat wagon.   (I will revisit no red meat when I return home.   Again all for medical reasons.)  I truly love red meat and yes I did miss it!!  BTW it was bison not beef.  I do try to limit the beef intake due to the fat.

For the afternoon we ventured over to my Mom's to visit with her and my Aunt Dee.   They are quite a pair together and make the time enjoyable.  We wanted to see them before heading out knowing that we will only have a little time after vacation before we head back to Ohio.  

On the Ohio front we are in the sale pending stage.  YEA!!!!   They will be conducting the inspection this coming weekend and we are scheduled for closing on the 31st of July!!!   I still feel like the other shoe will drop, as we have been on market for over 13 months and this is the first offer.   We are all elated here and can't wait to be moving.   I am not looking forward to packing up a house and will be ecstatic when it is done!