Monday Monday.. la la la la la la..

I received the results of my EPC blood test on Friday. We immediately went to the grocery store to be sure that we had good foods in the house. I admit, I feed my kids a lot of mac and cheese and PB&J. And we go through *at least* a gallon of milk per day, if not a gallon and a half. The results of my blood test were really quite good and I am sure I will be able to stick to it. The biggest thing I have to replace is cow's milk... which, as a friend reminded me, by nature is for baby cows, not people. LOL! I drank probably a couple quarts of milk per day myself. I have switched to Rice Dream and Soy milk. I tried goat's milk but.... just for drinking I don't think I can hack it. Used in cooking it is good though. And I love goat cheese.

I must say, I am not going hungry that is for sure. I bet I am eating more calories and food than I did before. I feel really good. I have eaten steak, hamburger, potatoes, rice, corn, lots of fresh fruit, oatmeal, tea, fruit juice, lemonade.............. that has been just since Friday at supper. Oh, I can't forget the Coconut Cream pie. Giving up cow's milk will be a challenge for me but it won't be too hard with other milks available.

I am really excited to see how much better I feel in a few weeks. If I feel better already and it continues, it is going to be really great.

On other topics: Homeschooling is going very well this year. We are very very busy though, with Micki advancing a lot since last year and Matthew doing more school. Not to mention TJ constantly trying to disrupt us all as much as possible! Madison is moving right along. She is going to a girls' hockey party this weekend with her daddy. It's the kick-off for the girls for the year. It will be the first year that she has played with just girls. She is used playing right along with the boys. It will be hectic because she and Tristan will go to separate practices. Micki wants to play too and perhaps she will if our schedules allow. Matt has to skate with Micki and Matthew so it is up to if he can fit that in. I know he wants to...

It was chilly here today! It was a nice change from the heat but it felt almost cold enough to start up the heater. I don't look forward to filling the propane tank... ugh. It costs us over $100 to fill our suburban with gas. We can't afford to leave the house!

Matt has started painting gifts again. Never to early to start... Christmas is coming fast! He painted a beautiful shirt with a fish (salmon) for his dad's birthday. He also painted himself a jacket with a spotted draft horse on the back. It turned out gorgeous! Madison wants to learn to paint and loves to watch him. She has had her own little airbrush for a couple years but it's just a cheesy little thing for little girls to paint tattoos. She wants the real thing. She trains horses with Matt too. They're just the best of buddies and have so much in common already!! She always has been a daddy's girl though - even in the womb! (She would respond to him but not me - stubborn little thing. And when she was born she was constantly looking in the direction of his voice no matter who was holding her... I remember him being afraid that his own baby wouldn't like him... it was a really nice surprise when she ADORED him immediately).

When I read the comments on my blog telling me what I am and what I am not (opinions of others, one in particular) I find it amazing that someone would think things of me that are truly the opposite of who I am. But then, I was thinking about it. My husband tells me that I am a very complex person. I think, a lot. And I realized that I have heard it said before that some people are like onions, with many many many layers... that is me. I have many layers. There is so much to me that it would be impossible for you to ever know me completely.

The thing about keeping a blog and writing your inner-most feelings and thoughts, and allowing anyone to read it, is you're exposing the inner layers... the layers that are not usually shown to people who you do not know well. It is very scary. Especially when you get trolls who tear you down in your own space.

Who am I? Am I a Christian? I believe in God. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and I believe that I am going to heaven. Am I perfect? Not even close. Am I a sinner? Of course I am. Do I make mistakes? Everyday. Do I cast judgment on others? I don't think I do. I definitely try not to. Does this mean that I am nice ALL the time, that I never get angry, that I never feel the need to stand up for myself? Absolutely not. I am human. I even cuss. I am SO HUMAN, and SO NORMAL......

It is just strange because I am being told that I am "all Godly". While I am very much in love with God, I have never, ever been what some people refer to as a "Bible thumper". In fact, I don't even fit into the religious homeschooling circles. I am just me. I am different. I have many layers. And I have a great love for people, no matter who they are or where they come from.

I don't enjoy people choosing to hate me, judge me, hurt me, twist my words and actions into whatever they want and make me look as terrible as possible......... But, I guess the fact is that those who want to know ME will try to get to know me with an open mind and not decide that I am some horrible person before they even try. I am saddened by the amount of discouragement there is out there. People are so discouraged by their own experiences with PCOS and other illnesses, that they are certain there will never be a cure and they will never get better. They spread this discouragement to others. To me, that just seems so wrong.

Me? I am very encouraged. I know that the pain I have felt as a result of having PCOS will be replaced with joy ten times as wonderful as any pain I have felt. I know that because I know that to be how God works in my life. I believe that the pain is being replaced now, and everyday, as I get better.

I will keep you posted.... :o) And I sign off today with the words that have helped me get through the hard days when people are so cruel... I posted it before but, it is worth posting again...

...Anyway

written by Mother Theresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical,

And self-centered;

Forgive Them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you

Of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be Kind anyway.

If you are honest and frank,

People may cheat you;

Be Honest and Frank anyway.

What you spend a year building,

Someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,

People may be jealous;

Be Happy anyway.

The good you do today,

People will often forget tomorrow;

Do Good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

And it may never be enough;

Give the Best You Have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,

It is between you and God;

It Was Never Between You and Them Anyway.