surprise.

Check out the trust30 challenge here. I'm on day thirteen and it's been a pretty enlightening experience.

I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, if we follow the truth, it will bring us out safe at last. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think of a time when you didn’t think you were capable of doing something, but then surprised yourself.  How will you surprise yourself this week?

(Author: Ashley Ambirge)

This one isn't going to be very interesting. Or seem major. But I think it might be for me. May actually be life-changing. We'll see how it goes. I'm going to surprise myself this week by getting up and working out before I go to work this week.

I'll let you know how it goes.

On another note, our eldest (Abigail) has apparently inherited my OCD. She tore up "Lobster" and this is how we found his legs:

Now it is time to finish lesson planning. The theme is ice cream this week! And go to the grocery store. And iron clothes for the week. 

How will YOU surprise yourself this week?

migraine update.

So I figured I'd give a little update on the migraine situation. And after this weekend I'll get to posting about everything else that has been going on.

I went back to the neurologist a few weeks ago for a follow-up appointment. The blood pressure medicine I was on was not helping my migraines at all really. And I was having to use my nasal spray way too often because I was still getting sick so often.

Sooooooooo...he gave me something called Amitriptyline (brand name: Elavil) to try instead. It's an anti-anxiety medicine, so we figured it would help with my anxiety/stress related headaches and help to relieve all the tension I have in my neck and shoulders from stress. It also makes you very drowsy so we also figured it would help me get more than 4 hours of sleep tonight, which was another major reason for the migraines. (I'm also taking melatonin nightly for the sleep issue.) I've been on it for 3 1/2 weeks now and it has been AMAZING. I'm down to one headache a week. I also don't have any pain in my shoulders or neck anymore. I used to clench my jaw (which was doing very bad things to my teeth) because of stress/anxiety and that has stopped. Plus, I've slept all the way through every single night since I've been on this and the melatonin.

I'm pretty sure I've finally found something that really, truly helps. Along with no longer drinking caffiene. My body feels better. I feel more awake. I sleep normal hours. I have energy throughout the day. I'm learning how to better manage the headaches I do have and not let my migraines dictate my life and keep me from doing things I want and need to do.

If any of y'all suffer from migraines as well and haven't gone to see a neurologist (or migraine specialist, if you can find one) I highly recommend that you do so. There is no reason for you to have these headaches keep you from living your life. None at all.

we eat WAY too many tacos.

I woke up with a headache AGAIN today. And took some medicine, went back to bed and slept in AGAIN today. Now I'm finally up getting things done around the house. And making a yummy Chicken Caesar Salad for lunch. :)

This weekend was pretty good. On Friday, I worked and then came home and fixed tilapia, baked mashed potatoes and salads for dinner. I really could eat seafood everyday. Then on Saturday I worked all day long (from 10 to 5). And Nate ended up driving down to Columbia to help his friend Ben pack up all his stuff because he moved up here to Concord. I spent all Saturday night here by myself watching 90210 and Law and Order SVU reruns until he got home at 10:30. Then on Sunday morning, we went up to Concord to help him unpack all his stuff. After we got home, we went looking at apartments. And we actually found a couple we like - YAY! :) And when we got home we ate dinner. Guess what we had? It starts with a T and ends with ACOS!!!!!! My new favorite, in case you couldn't tell.

We're in seriously bad shape when it comes to groceries right now. No bread, milk, or cheese. No TACO SHELLS. No popsicles. Just to name a few things. But at least we have the things I need for my lunch.

Oh, and here are some more pictures from the Walk Now for Autism Speaks. I didn't do a very good job at documenting it, but Nate's family came and Heidi took some good ones. So I stole these.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway...where the walk was.

Nate jumping.

Nate and Heidi.

Me, Rebecca, Wesley and Nate!

The Pit Stop Challenge!

She was fast!

I was not!

And now it's time for truth number four!

4. Something you have to forgive someone else for.

Hm. You know, I try to make it a habit to forgive others for things they've done to me as soon as I can. Because I really hate harboring resentment against people. And God says that we are to forgive people who do wrong against us "seventy times seven." I didn't always live this way, and I found out pretty quickly that holding grudges can make you a very bitter and angry person. And life just isn't worth living that way. We weren't meant to live life that way. So I really can't think of a single person I have yet to forgive for something. 

And that is all. :)

EDIT: Apparently we are in worse shape as far as groceries go than I thought. And we're out of lettuce. So no salad for me. Just chicken. :(  It's definitely going to be shopping time when I get off work.

procrastinating.

Today is my day off! Yay! No work AND it's fall break so no driving to Columbia for class. I have so much to get done but so far things have not gone as planned.

I got about 4 hours of sleep last night (which has become the routine) so I ended up lying in bed until about 10 trying to will my body to give in for at least one more hour. But that didn't happen. So I got up, ate breakfast, fed the puppies and walked them, got ready for the day and now I'm eating lunch.

I haven't finished the laundry or done the dishes or cleaned the bathroom or mailed out the cards I need to send or worked on my project for class. And what am I doing now? Blogging. Oh well, after this I will get to work and will hopefully be able to come back and tell y'all all about the wonderful accomplishments of this afternoon.

This week hasn't been very exciting. Work and school and more work for both of us. Nate worked from home yesterday but I was at two of my three jobs all morning and afternoon so I didn't really get to spend any time with him. But I'm planning on actually cooking dinner tonight and getting everything done around the house since I'll be home so we can spend time together tonight.

And as far as the weekend goes, there isn't much planned there either. I have to work more hours than usual. And Nate is helping a friend of his move up here this weekend. Which I'm sure he's pretty excited about since we don't really know anyone at all (anyone who lives in the greater Charlotte area and would like to be friends, PLEASE leave a comment...k thanks!) and since I work every weekend and leave him home to fend for himself. Now he will have someone to hopefully occupy his time while I'm off with my kids learning about composers and Sponge Bob and fighting off evil villains.

Oh, and of course we'll be going to church. And hopefully visiting a possible Sunday School class this week. And we're also planning on doing the corn maze sometime very soon...when my work hours allow it that is.

And I guess that's all. Now, onto truth number three...

3. Something you have to forgive yourself for.
When I first started college, I made a lot of mistakes. It took me longer than most to finish my undergraduate career and I learned a lot of lessons the hard way. I made things very difficult not only for myself, but also for my family and for Nate. And I still don't necessarily see myself as past all of that. I still tend to let it define who I am, and I think that makes it very hard for me to experience successes in life now. I still feel like I need to make up for all those mistakes. I know I need to forgive myself for the choices I made, learn from that time in my life and move on. And I'm working on it...but it's definitely not easy.

And, as usual...what about you? Is there anything you need to forgive yourself for? Move on from?

lazy days.

Today has been a very lazyyyyyy day. I haven't done very much around the apartment and it's probably because I really don't want to be cooped up in here all day long. The weather is perfect and it's fall and I want to be out in all of that fall perfectness! But I don't have anywhere to go. And I just found out work was cancelled for the day. And the laundry is calling my name, begging to be folded and hung up. Sooooo I'll just wait for Nate to get home and bug him until he takes me somewhere. :)

I tried to take the dogs for a longer walk today since the weather's so nice but my legs are killing me. Nate and I have been running up and down the five flights of stairs in our building ten times every night. And while it has definitely been good for us, my body hates me right now.

I just got another part time job (this makes three, btw.) and I start tomorrow. I'll be doing childcare every Wednesday morning. It's not anything major, but it's definitely an answer to prayer and a way for me to keep working with children and gaining experience. And to get me out of the house in the morning!

And of course, just to remind you (because I know I haven't said ANYTHING about this yet)...I'm walking to raise money for autism research on October 9th and anyone who wants to join our team is welcome to! Just let me know and I'll send you instructions!Also, anyone who wants to donate to the cause and support the team can do so here. All help is GREATLY appreciated.

That is all.

up in the gym just working on my fitness.

So Nate and I have been working out every day and making some drastic changes to our eating habits.

And he has lost THIRTY-TWO pounds already. And I am back into clothes that haven't fit me since we got married. Plus, when I went to the doctor she had a lot of good things to say.

I haven't had a real fast food meal (burger, fries, coke, etc.) in over three months.

And these changes have been completely worth it. Sleeping better. More energy. Less sickness.

God gave us all one body and one life on this earth. And we really do owe it to Him and to ourselves to take care of our bodies while we're here.

it's about time!

Day seven of no caffiene. And NO migraine. I think I'm finally over the withdrawals. YESSSSSSSS.

That's all. :)

feeling blahhhhh.

I went to the neurologist this past Thursday. And now I have a plan for my migraines. Which is great. But it means I have to give up caffeine in every form - cold turkey. Which really really stinks. I'm going on day six without it and it still isn't any easier. Every day around 4:00 I can barely hold my eyes open and then I come home from work with a HORRIBLE headache and have to pass out for an hour or so. But HOPEFULLY this too shall pass and soon the absence of caffeine plus the preventative I'm on plus the new migraine medicine will equal WAY LESS headaches.

At least Nate's been great during all this and hasn't brought any soft drinks in the house. And he hasn't said a word about all my random naps. Which definitely helps make the situation better.

And now, some more pictures from the wedding this summer! :)

Merebeth with her grandmother.

Cousins. :)

The hostesses.

With her mom and sister.

Getting our nails done.

Our bridesmaid's gifts

He made it down after work in time for the rehearsal!

Mackenzie getting her hair done.

Look at all that teasing!

And there's the finished look...MUCH better.

the children.

So the girls seem to be adjusting nicely to apartment life in the big city. Finally. After Abby had panic attacks for a week and Chloe completely regressed in her potty training. With all the pollen Chloe turned from white to yellow and killed my allergies, so she got her first bath in the new place today. During which she proceeded to leap out of the sink, walk across the counters and the stove and completely drench my cell phone. It's a good thing she's cute or she would drive us insane!

It's blurry. That's because she can't seem to sit still for longer than 1 second.

Also, the dogs have a new favorite pasttime. We're storing our mirror in the living room right by their food until we can figure out where we're hanging it. And they've discovered they can see themselves. Well, Abby has anyway. Chloe just sits there and bugs Abby. But basically this is where they spend all their time right now.

Please notice all the socks Chloe has dragged out of the basket into the living room.

She got hedgehog stuck in her mouth today and just laid there with his fur stuck in her teeth for probably 45 minutes before we realized what had happened. Nate had to cut it out with a knife! Very serious surgery. But thank God she made it through and is still just as energetic as ever.

Now we're on the way to my new favorite grocery store - Trader Joe's! Pretty good prices and great specialty items! We're going to get kiwi because Nate read that it has more Vitamin C than oranges and more potassium than bananas. And it helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. It's basically a miracle fruit. And you should eat one every day. So we're starting tonight.

We love and miss everyone!

Steph :)