Cool Weather

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and the cool weather.  Depending on where you live of course. I was tired of all the humidity. 

My puppy is doing a little better in the sleeping department.  I’m getting a little more sleep which I am very happy about!  I still need more though.  Ond day at a time.  I think I’m actually going to go to a girls night out in my neighborhood.  They are going to play Apples To Apples.  I ‘ve heard a lot of good things about it.  My daughter has played it at school also.  This group usually plays Bunco which I’ve never played before.  They’ve been inviting me all year, but by the time Friday evening comes around I am spent.  I will let you know how it goes.

Enjoy your kids this weekend as much as you can.  They grow up too fast.  Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t get all those “important”  things done this weekend.  ENJOY LIFE!

God Bless.

Mothering alongside chronic illness

Recently I came across an article in Pittsburgh Parent magazine titled Moms…living with chronic illness.  The article stated, “ Mothers rarely finish their days with thoughts like, ‘That was easy.  Everything went as planned.’  This is doubly so for mothers living with chronic disease.”

The author goes on to suggest a few things to help us cope.

1. Adjusting your expectations. 

It’s hard to know exactly what you will be able to accomplish when you don’t know how you’ll feel on any given day.  One thing that is a must is adjusting expectations and priorities.  Sometimes I take a look at my to do list and pick the most important thing that cannot wait.  I know that this is all I might be able to accomplish for that day.  All of a sudden laundry is able to wait another day.  Even if you don’t get as much done as you had hoped, know that your children would rather have a mom who has paced herself and has something left to give her them.

2.  Accept help.

We need to learn to accept the kindness of others.  Most mothers don’t have a problem with accepting help if they have a sick child or just had a baby.  When you have a chronic need for help with every day things it’s hard not to feel bad about it.  People like to help people they care about.  Sooner or later everyone will be in a place where they need help.  Don’t deprive someone of the good feeling of helping you out.  You never know, on a good day you might be able to help them also.

State your needs.

Get rid of the idea of “supermom”.  You are a mother with special needs.  You wouldn’t feel bad about having to adjust your plans and daily activities if you had a child with special needs.  You are just as important.  Be articulate and to the point about what you need.  The person can either say yes or no.  I know my husband doesn’t like it when I beat around the bush.  If he’s able to take the kids out you may be able to cook that nice dinner and get some rest.

Find support.

It’s nice to have friends and family members who are willing to listen.  But you’ll also need someone who understands what you’re going through because they have been there too.  Even if support groups aren’t your thing, you can go once, connect with a few people then meet or talk with them outside of the group.  You can find such groups at www.hopekeepers.org or through your local hospital.  There are also online support groups.  These can be found at www.restministries.org, www.Healingwell.com, and www.Dailystrength.org.

I hope these ideas will help you live a more fulfilling life under the circumstances.  Always remember, you can still be a great mom even with limitations.  We are teaching our children how to be more kind, compassionate, and understanding.  That is always a good thing!

Living With A New Puppy!

We got a black toy poodle about three weeks ago.  He is three months old and his name is Toby.  He is adorable!  He only weighs about four pounds.

My kids have been wanting a dog for a long time and we thought a small, non-shedding dog was the way to go.  My neighbor actually purchased it for a surprise for her husband.  He informed her that they might be moving and could not take a dog.  She showed up with it on my front porch when my husband was out of town on business.  We were planning on getting a dog anyway, just not quite that soon and not that breed.  Well, needless to say the kids and I fell in love with it.  My husband I’m not so sure!

The only thing I’m struggling with is the fact that he wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to go to the bathroom.  It’s really effecting my energy level having to get up that early.  If anyone has any suggestions for how to get your dog to sleep later I would greatly appreciate it!  Maybe I’ll just have to wait untill he’s an adult!

Living With Invisible Illness

Living with invisible illness is a rollercoaster ride.  Help a friend hang on.  Support Invisible Illness Week by visiting www.invisibleillness.com.   It runs from September 10- 14th.

Let your friends and family and doctors know about this week.

I just got back from a four day vacation with my kids.  One last fun thing before school starts next week.  I was able to see my parents and sister.  We went to the lake and did a little bit of hiking in the woods.  Even though it was raining we managed to have a nice relaxing time.  It felt so good to be well enough to get exercise in the fresh air and work up a sweat.  I was very thankful that I was able to do that!

 We also saw the Lion King production with my mom and my in-laws and kids.  It was amazing!  The animals looked so real.  The animals walked up the aisles and the kids really got a kick out of that!  There was singing and dancing and tumbling.  Something for everyone.  If you ever get a chance to go you should.

I hope everyone is all ready for the start of school.  Next time I will share some back to school tips!

A Few Ways to Help Supplement Your Familiy’s Income!

I know from experience that it’s hard to contribute to your family’s income when living with a chronic illness.  I have dappled in many home based businesses trying to find the right fit to accomodate my children, husband, and limitations.  I have to admit I’m still working on that.  I have found some things that look promising though and I’d like to share them with you.

 Here are some websites that pay either cash or reward you with gift certificates, etc. 

www.zoompanel.com

www.testspin.com/home

www.surveyspot.com

www.opinionplace.com/main.adp?

Here are some companies that hire virtual call agents:

www.LiveOpts.com

www.Arise.com

www.workingsolutions.com

www.ACDDirect.com

Do your friends look to you for advice about things your passionate about, such as scrapbooking, cooking, or animals?You may want to consier becoming aan online expert guide. Check out these websites:

www.beaguide.about.com

www.Chacha.com

www.atjustanswer.com

If you have a college degree and the skills to tutor online, this job may be for you.  Go to www.tutor.com.  If you pass there probationary period you can earn between $10 to $14.

Also consider selling some of your children’s clothes or your own at a consignment shop.  Do you have cd’s or books that are still in good condition?  Try selling them on www.amazon.com.

Hopefully these ideas will help a little.  Let me know if you have found anythting helpful.

Blessings!

Ahh, Vacations!

I am so sorry I haven’t posted in so long.  We just got back from vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey.

Our family had a wonderful time.  It was so relaxing and a very nice respite from the stresses of every day life.  I was so thankful that I was feeling a bit better and able to enjoy myself and my family.

We saw two dolphins there swimming.  In all the years I’ve been there I have never seen dolphins.  They were also filming an episode of Extreme Home Makeover on the boardwalk.   My husband saw Ty Pennington, but I wasn’t with him so I missed seeing it!  Oh well!

It was so nice being able to walk out the back door of our beach house and practically be on the beach.  The ocean is such a calming force for me.  It always relaxes me.  I’m so glad God created it.!

A woman that stayed with us had her four month old twin girls with her.  They were so beautiful!  It almost made me want another one.  I know that will not happen though.  It’s so nice to be able to enjoy other people’s babies and then give them back!  Seeing those babies was a reminder to me of what’s good and right with the world.

I told myself that I so badly wanted to bring that relaxed feeling home with me.  I am dealing with sleep deprivation though from the trip home.  I hope everything is going well for everyone.  Enjoy your kids these last few weeks of summer.

Resting in God

Elisabeth Elliott writes, “Waiting on God is an act of faith- the greatest thing ever required of us humans. Not faith in the outcome we are dictating to God, but faith in His character, faith in Himself.  It is resting in the perfrct confidence that He will guide in the right way, at the right time.  He will supply our need.  He will fulfill His word.  He will give us the very best if we trust Him.”

 Those words really spoke to me today.  Last night I had a hard time going to sleep because of some bothersome symptoms I was having.  I am still having them today.  It makes it difficult to give my children a full functioning mother.  That makes me sad.  I had plans to go to a church cookout that I had been really looking forward to.  It makes me sad that I will not be able to stay as long as I had hoped.

I have to remember that I put my faith and hope in God not in the outcomes I want to happen.  It is a constant reminder that I am not in control. That’s hard for us humans to swallow sometimes.  We forget.  I have to remember that He will guide me in the right way, at the right time.  He will give me what I need.

 I will take His hand and let Him comfort me, just like I comfort my children.  I will let Him lead.

I will also remember that He provides peace in the midst of storms (John 14:27)

He hears our prayers (I John 5:14)

He substitutes worry with His peace (Philippians 4:7)

He promises us an eternal home.  (Revelation 21:3)

Let’s Count our Blessings and Share Them with Others

I heard a group of people from my church today speak on the mission trip they went on this past week in West Virginia.

They helped an older woman do some repairs on her trailer home.  She needed drywall put up and painting done.  She had a very limited amount of water to use every day from her well.  She had to use the leftover dish water to wash her clothes and then flush her toilet.  I couldn’t imagine not having an unlimited supply of water.  It’s going to make me think the next time I turn on the sink or wash clothes.

Even thought his woman from most standards would seem deprived she managed to make a jar of blackberry jelly for everyone.  She gave from what she had been given.  She still felt blessed.

We took the kids to see Evan Almighty yesterday.  It talked about making a difference in the world one act at a time.  There is also an oraganization that started with the same concept.  The website is www.arkalmighty.com.  My church just started with the program.  You can list a need or skill and then then someone will match you up with someone.  I think it’s a great idea.

Sometimes while living with a chronic illness we think we don’t have much to offer.  But even the smallest acts can make a big difference.  We can pray for someone, send an encouraging card, give someone a smile, listen to a friend, etc.  They don’t seem like much, but God can take the little we give and multiply it.  We may never know how we might have inspired the person we’ve touched to give to another.

God Bless!!

A Refreshing Breeze

Today it is a little cooler with a slight breeze.  The breeze is a welcome change.  It reminds me of welcome little surprises that I experience while living with a chronic illness.  Seeing my kids enjoy each others company, hearing “I love you, your the best mom ever!”, reading a good book or article, listening to uplifting music and waking up feeling just slightly better.

Don’t ever forget while dealing with life’s ups and downs that God is there.  I like to keep Psalms 121 close at hand.  “I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber;… The Lord watches over you-  the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going noth now and forevermore.

I need to rmember this when I have a symptom that makes me anxious or scared.  I need to remember this when I wonder how I’m going to have the energy to take care of fmy kids.  God will not let my foot slip.  He will watch over my life.

Look around you for the surprise “breezes” in your days.

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