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Going on hiatus..

Well to get right to the point, I will not be blogging for a while and this is why:

Joseph and I paid a visit to the ophthalmologist (eye specialist) on Tuesday. Joe was diagnosed with partial blindness, or visual impairment, due to nerve damage, and probably caused by his MS. Since it is nerve damage it is medically irreversible. This new diagnosis has been a shock and been pretty devastating for the both of us. As of yesterday he is no longer able to work at Toyota. We are seeking out help and resources from Blindness centers and vision rehabilitation services, also unemployment and we already have an appointment for disablilty.

So I will be leaving my morning job (keeping my teaching job if possible) for something more full-time while we work things out for Joe. We have already hit the phone lines hard talking to state foundations for the blind and we will be in touch with a vocational and rehabilitation counselor, from the Department of services for the Blind, soon after Christmas.

Joseph and I have already received priesthood blessings from my grandfather and from the sounds of it he will not be regaining his vision, but things will somehow work out. We were comforted by the blessings but that does not take away the hurt or difficulty of the situation we are now in. We have also been fortunate enough to be able to visit with our wonderful bishop last night and he is on board and ready to help with whatever we need. He has been a great support for us.

The timing is awful but good at the same time, I am on Christmas Vacation from both from my jobs and so I have the time to dedicate to contacting everyone we need to, and accessing the help we know we need.

**Disclaimer*** we are not looking for pity, or unsolicited advice, however we are looking for prayers and words of comfort from our family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you for understanding.

Really going private

Hey Ya'll just a friendly reminder, we are going private in two weeks, I need more emails if you want to continue reading!! :)

-S

It went down like this... (short story style)

(This is the true story, thanks for your comments, and as you read you will notice that I incorporated all of them into my little story, look for them)

It was a chilly morning and in the slight breeze fog hung thick. As we departed for our journey that day we knew we would arrive our destination with time to spare, we had plenty of time and we had everything we would need. Little did we know the events that would unfold on our way. The trip started out well enough, my handsome companion Joseph and I were alone, and enjoying our time together. Julius (our car) kept us warm, comfortable and entertained us by playing lovely tunes, a soundtrack for our jaunt to Spokane (my birthplace). We were heading to see a magic man, called a neurologist, who looks at brains.

Remember the fog? Fog is a funny fellow, he loves to play tricks on us poor mortals, you know. He would tease, and leave for moments just to return to us full and thick the next. His best trick though is to persuade you to think you are moving slow when in fact if you aren't careful you could accidentally engage warp speed and miss your destination completely, or leave the planet entirely. Luckily, that was not the case with us, however we were traveling much faster than that of the posted speed limit signs. (And in the right direction, we didn't get lost.) I looked down, and discovered my error, but it was too late, curse you fog!

Without my knowledge a police officer had clocked me doing 81 in a 70. He turned on his spinning red, white, and blue lights, signaling me to pull over to the side of the road. I did so. This short, round, kind faced man approached my window and checked my papers (you know insurance, registration, license). He left and went back to his squad car. I was upset, can you blame me, really? The magic man only waits so long and if we were late he may not see us. The officer noticed my distress.... I must stop to explain that there was no crying, wailing or gnashing of teeth present from myself. However the officer was so moved at my demeanor that he called another officer to join us.

The man that came was a tall, and slender man with a very large hat. He approached my window much like the round man, and he asked if I would exit the vehicle and speak to him. I did. He was so very sweet, I was led to stand beside him out behind our car, on the side of a cold and long highway. Things then unexpectedly took a serious turn that held me in complete surprise, apparently my emotional response to the first officer alarmed him so much that it must have seemed necessary for this conversation (or something very close) to take place :

"I wanted to talk to you and make sure that you are doing okay, I was informed that you were pretty upset when you were pulled over. Are you doing okay?"
"Yes, I am fine."
"Are things going alright? Are you in a fight or something? Does your husband ever hurt you?"
Shock and bewilderment hit me, full force. And must have read on my face as I responded,
"What? No. Never. My husband is wonderful and wouldn't ever do anything to hurt me.
"Well we just wanted to check and make sure you didn't need help or anything."
"Thank you I appreciate it, I was just upset about being pulled over."
"So, where are you guys headed?"
"We are headed to see a nuerologist in Spokane."
"A nuerologist huh, so why are you seeing a nuerologist in Spokane?"
"My husband has MS and has had a recently had a flare up and he needs to see this nuerologist, who specializes in treating MS"
"Wow, MS that must be upsetting for you"
"Yes. sir."
"And that must be pretty tough to deal with."
"Yes, yes it really is."
"Now that we know what is going on, you are free to wait inside your vehicle." "Thank you, Officer."

Shortly after this conversation, and after rejoining my loving, albeit worried husband in the car, the round officer approached my window. He took pity on us in our situation, and gave me a ticket for going 75+, thus reducing the fine by $50. (And just so you know, I have already paid my ticket,my first real ticket -that wasn't totally bogus! Seeing as how I obviously earned it.) We continued on our way at a much slower pace, as you can imagine. That little stop cost us 30 minutes,and $93. If it weren't for a handy cell phone, we wouldn't have bean able to call the office of the magic man, and let them know we were going to be late.

Following all of this, we did indeed make it to see the neurologist, and had a productive appointment with him. You should know that Spokane is a busy place, with many one way streets, but for a talented driver like myself and no immediate need for crazy turns, donuts or swirly maneuvers, we found our destination, and also a cute Italian restaurant in which to dine and toast our birthday. Then off to DQ where we got caught up eating ice cream, because it is the best treat in the whole world.

-S

(comments please on my awesome story!)

Riddle me this...

We were late to Joseph's appointment on Monday, because I was speeding.

Kudos to anyone who can tell me what really happened!

P.S. I will share the whole story after some fun guesses!

-S

I've come to realize...

(Alyssa tagged me.)

Rules:
-link to the person who tagged you, and post the rules on your blog
-complete the 36 "I've come to realize" statements
-choose friends to tag and link them at the bottom of the post
-let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

1. I've come to realize that my chest-size... is something some people pay a lot of money to have, lol.

2. I've come to realize that my job... (s) help fulfill my need to create music.

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving... I love driving stick.

4. I've come to realize that I need.... more me time, love Zumba (starting that up again soon hopefully)

5. I've come to realize that I have lost... my want to be tan, being healthy is better.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...People swear.

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk... then someone must have spiked my drink.

8. I've come to realize that money... does not a happy person make.

9. I've come to realize that certain people... will never learn.

10. I've come to realize that I'll always ...be missing someone.

11. I've come to realize that my sibling(s)... are growing up.

12. I've come to realize that my mom... is one tough cookie.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone... is getting old, man I need new one.

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning... I didn't want to get up, I just wanted to spend the morning snuggling my hubby instead of going to work.

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep... I went through the normal routine, tuck in then kick my left foot/leg out, pull a blanket up to my face and cuddle into Joe, get a goodnight kiss or two then sleep.

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking... it's hard to think of all the things I've come to realize.

17. I've come to realize that my dad...works really hard, and knows how to play hard too.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook... I check out everyone's pages, but I don't write on my friends walls as much as I should.

19. I've come to realize that today... for giggling.

20. I've come to realize that tonight... is the last night I teach before Thanksgiving break.

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow... I will sleep in, and then have a productive day.

22. I've come to realize that I really want to... be the best person I can possibly be.

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost this is... I really don't know.

24. I've come to realize that life... is completely unpredictable.

25. I've come to realize that this weekend... won't be long enough.

26. I've realized the best music to listen to when I am upset... is nothing.

27. I've come to realize that my friends... are very valuable.

28. I've come to realize that this year... has gone by really fast.

29. I've come to realize that my ex... and I were wrong for each other, but we are each happily married now.

30. I've come to realize that maybe I should... clean my room soon.

31. I've come to realize that I love... my little family of Joe and I, plus our kitty.

32. I've come to realize that I don't understand... why bad things happen to good people.

33. I've come to realize my past... has everything to do with who I am today.

34. I've come to realize that parties...are fun, and family parties and the best.

35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified... of never becoming a mother.

36. I've come to realize that my life... is hard, and somewhat amazing.

I tag, well anyone who feels like doing this.

-S

National Adoption Month/ Day

This is the actress from my Big Fat Greek Wedding (LOVE that movie) love her, she is speaking about adoption. Amazing. YOU need to watch this!



There is another article about her HERE love it!

Here's a snippet:
" ...my husband Ian Gomez and I adopted a little girl.

...not because an adopted child seems to be the latest Hollywood must-have accessory. But because, after ten years of banging my head against the brick wall of infertility, I accepted there was another plan for me. And (cue music swell) motherhood turned out to be the most meaningful thing I've ever done with my life. Really.

It wasn't easy to adopt an American child. Actually it's quite simple, but finding out how to do it was the hard part.

I tried many routes that fell through or didn't work out. Then I waited on many lists. The phone didn't ring.

Later, I was put in touch with a lawyer who works with, how shall I put this daintily... known people in my industry, and was informed I could be put at the top of The List and "have an infant within three days." But didn't that mean I would be moving someone down the list? Someone who had waited? Yeah, wrong.

I didn't know what to do. So, I kept asking questions.

A common misconception is that to get a kid you just have to go to another country and be as pretty as Angelina Jolie. As studio executives and movie reviewers have informed me again and again -- I'm not.

So I asked -- don't we have orphanages in the States? I found out no, we don't. But we do have 500,000 kids in foster care. 129,000 are legally free for adoption and waiting for a family. I was stunned.

I realized there was simply no reason to not adopt an "older child." Why not? 129,000 legally free children with no home? In a white hot moment, I knew this was what I had been waiting for.

And now I want to write that it was really easy. But, no. No, it wasn't."


I am loving Adoption month and hoping to be a better advocate for Adoption

-S

FSA Conference/ road trip

As you know I had a road trip through Portland for the Families Supporting Adoption Conference, it was amazing I learned way too much to have included in this post. But I loved it and it was totally worth a road trip alone. The drive was lovely, the colors of fall are so vibrant in Oregon (Wa. Too) it's been so long since I have experienced a real fall. I was driving in and out of rain storms, I saw more rainbows than I can count.

So, I got to stay with these people:
you can check out her post on it HERE, I love how she describes how she knows me, and yes it's true we stayed up 'til 2 am chatting, it was fun! :)

Sierra Seth & Porter

And meet this cutie for the first time:



Then after the conference I stayed with these people:

My Aunt Kim, Uncle Shane and Carly Brooke Macey Isaac and Paige

Funny story, I showed up minutes (literally) after they left for a roadshow, I was tired and hungry so after phone calls between my mom my grandma and another aunt I had the code to the garage to get in and I took myself out to eat. So I changed into PJ's and talked to Joe and then slept for an hour before Kim called and let me know they were on their way back. Then I had a slumber party with 4 out of 5 of those cute kids. Our sleeping arrangement was hilarious. They have a sectional couch downstairs that's where we slept, I slept in the bend, Isaac on the floor, Brooke cuddling a leg, Macey by my head, a hand in my hair for a long while, and Paige on top of or next to me. (she is 4, and was very serious when she said she wanted to sleep with me) at one point in the night she had kicked Brooke in the head so we moved her to the floor, a while later I woke up to that cutie hitting me in the face with a pillow and hearing her cute voice "Shaylee, I want to sleep WITH you!" Believe it or not I slept really well.

Although I wasn't planning on it I went to sacrament meeting with them (Brooke and Macey had there Primary program- they broke it up into jr and sr there are a ton of kids in their ward!) So I packed my stuff and went (in pants- I told them later they can say I was an investigator, or the truth I was traveling and I had no skirt) I managed to find my way back to their house so I could follow the google map instructions to get home (beleive me it was a little complicated) but the drive went smoothly and I made it home it time to take a small nap then get dressed for church and go to choir and meet with our Bishop... and I have a new calling!

The End.
J/K

I am the second counselor in the Primary Presidency.

Until next time

-S

Happy Veteran's Day

A little late I know, we've again been busy. Lots going on and lots still to do. This Veteran's Day I spent thinking about all those who are willing to serve our country and those families of those who have been in Iraq and other places. I am thankful for the freedom's I enjoy and those who have fought to keep it that way. Thank you all.

And here's a picture I stole from my childhood and now life long friend (off her FB) Deana and her husband Jacob, who just returned from Iraq on the 6th.

Don't you love this picture?

Wait, what day is it?

Have you had one of those weeks?
We have.
When it feels like it should be Friday and it's only Monday?

or It feels like a Monday but it's Wednesday?

What through us so off is lack of sleep and anxiety over Joe's Appointments on Tuesday. They went so well! 1st was his Physical Therapy Appointment, we did it there in Spokane because they have a Multiple Sclerosis specializing Therapist there. And if she was to decide he needs weekly visits or something we would follow up locally. But she diagnosed Joe as a Spaz (his words not mine). Joe has Spasticity in his legs, it is what is making it hard for him to walk lately, especially after this last flare up. Basically it means that the muscles in his legs are tight and cause spasms and it can make the muscles feel stiff. Joe is in the middle in the scale they rate him, so not so good but not so bad either. (for more info go here) He has been given a list (with pictures) of stretches he needs to do at least twice a day, and he should try riding a bike too to loosen up those muscles (and Dad has already set him up a bike on the trainer and he is ready to go, after he did that they talked about really getting Joe ready for a cycling event or something?! boys!?)

Next was lunch of course, got to feed my boy... then the MRI. I love how close everything is, the MS Clinic it technically an extension of Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, and Inland Imaging is in the hospital itself. I really enjoyed the guy that helped Joe get ready for the MRI, he was young and has a great attitude for the kind of work he does (he had just met Dr Cooke that day!) After he was set we left him with a phone and walked around (otherwise I'd be going nuts waiting, it takes a while you know). Joe said the MRI went well (as well as you can expect being put into a tube of magnets that buzzes and bangs- you should hear his impression of it..lol)

Joe will be in to see Dr. Cooke again on Nov 30th (not soon enough, but soon enough, he's hard to get into) At that appointment we should be making the decisions on medications and getting then started ASAP!! And we will be so on top of that. He has waited long enough, but we do understand that the MRI had to come first and that because the previous Neurologist didn't give Dr Cooke the requested info (Grr..) Joe was re-diagnosed with MS, which sounds weird but it's good, they agree and Dr Cooke didn't need to see what another Dr had to say he did his own tests and came to *almost* the same conclusion.

What astounds me is how often we have heard Dr Cooke and staff ask why, why hasn't this been brought up before? Why didn't you know he had Spasticity? Why haven't you seen a physical therapist before for MS? Why didn't they MRI your spine? We would like to know that as well, but we are still grateful for the care and treatment that he received with his last Doctor, he saved my husbands life. Before he was my husband, and now Dr. Cooke is saving his quality of life and giving us the resources to do everything that Joe needs.

I love my husband Joseph, he is more than worth all the hassle it is to take care of MS. He is my miracle and my example he is so strong and brave and I will stand next to him through whatever else life has to through at us.

-S

P.S.
more to come it has been a seriously weird week. :)