We have experienced a milestone in our household today. My oldest son picked out his first pair of glasses. I have very mixed emotions about this and it feels like it would help to put them here. So, join me or not, here is the story.....
Last week during our first week of school, Michael complained often about his eyes either bothering him or watering. Then I noticed a couple red flags as he read and did his math work. The upside to having a mom with vision problems is that she is always on the look-out for the same problem in her children. That is also the downside. :) However, I felt I would be remiss not to make an appointment with the eye doctor to find out if my concerns were valid.
The Doctor was SO great! He spoke directly to Michael and put him at ease. Michael did a great job communicating with the doctor--he is getting so big! My once shy, hide-behind-mommy son is growing up! As I watched the appointment progress, I grew very concerned because he was missing what seemed to be very large letters. But I didn't say a word. At the end, the Dr. turned to me and said, "Now, Mom, there are a few things you need to know. The letters you are watching are twice as big as the ones Michael was looking at. (WHEW!) And children don't see detail like we do, so when he called a G an O, that was fine. They also would rather not answer than get it wrong, so when he couldn't tell me the letter, it was no problem." (WHEW again!)
After dilating his eyes (the only thing Michael needed to be talked into being cooperative about), and finishing the exam, the Dr. announced Michael needs reading glasses. Now, yesterday while we were doing Math, he couldn't see something very well and I decided I needed to prepare him for the possibility of needing glasses. He was very upset about this and kept saying he would look funny. I reminded him that his friends Taylor and Samantha don't look funny and that he doesn't think I look funny......or any number of other people he knows who wear glasses. I also reminded him that when I switched from contacts to glasses, he thought I looked funny at first, but he doesn't think so anymore. So, we talked about how it might take a little while to get used to--IF glasses were what he needed. We were very patient with him while he worked this out in his head and by bedtime, he had decided he might look kind of good in glasses.
We decided to head to Lens Crafters to choose frames (the Dr's office had very expensive frames and not a great selection). By now he was pretty excited. We walked into Lens Crafters and he tried on one pair and decided those were the ones he wanted. He tried on a couple more, but was able to tell the worker exactly why he liked the first pair the best and those are the ones we got. Thankfully, they would be ready in an hour, so we had lunch at the mall and went back to pick them up. Again, he did a great job of communicating with the woman adjusting his glasses. He told her exactly where it felt funny or what was wrong.
He is now working on Legos in his room with his new glasses on that he is very excited about. Praise the Lord! I prayed so hard that he would get to this point, but I'm not sure I believed it would happen so quickly.
I think even more than the glasses, the milestone is that he spoke so clearly and confidently to the adults we saw today. I have no doubt that in our case, this is largely due to homeschooling. This is not true for everyone, but I really feel like in Michael's case it is. I don't feel he would have gained this much confidence this quickly if we had made another choice.
Who knows what has me so choked up today?! Probably the mix of everything. In any case, he looks very handsome.....and he would want me to tell you--very smart--in those glasses. My little boy isn't really so little anymore! And I'm SO proud of him!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
P90X - The results are in!
Many of you know I have been doing P90X. Some of you have asked how it's going or if it's worth it. I would answer that with a resounding "YES, it's worth it!" But I will let you be the judge of that....
Two years ago I was told by my doctor that I needed to get my blood pressure under control or she would put me on medicine. BP meds at 36 wasn't really what I had in mind for my life, so I got to work. I lost weight, I worked out, I lowered my BP. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to understand why the most important results of P90X to me are the ones that have to do with my heart health and cardio endurance. Yes, I can to more push-ups and more bicep curls; yes, I lost a little weight, but I'm most interested in the other stuff.
I lost only 8 lbs, but I lost 8% body fat (the true marker) over the 90 days. I think I could have lost more if I had stuck to their nutrition program more strictly and I plan to improve that when I start over. (Yes, I'm going to do it again!) :) I lost 2 1/2 inches in my waist, 1 1/2 inches in my hips and 1 1/2 inches in each thigh. My arms remain the same measurement, but they don't look the same!!! You can actually see definition in my biceps and thighs--I almost forgot I had muscles under there!! :)
I still can't do a pull-up and I'm okay with that.
Here is what I CAN do:
Before: 15 push-ups
Now: 30
Before: 4 1/2 inch reach past my toes
Now: 8 inches
Before: 90 sec wall squat
After: 125 sec
Before: 30 bicep curls with 10 lbs
Now: 20 bicep curls with 15 lbs
Before: 23 In & Outs (an ab move)
After: 55
Here is what I'm most proud of: my resting heart rate went from 70 to 60. After doing 2 minutes of jumping jacks before P90X (and feeling like I might die), my heart rate went from 180 to 120 recovery after 4 minutes. After P90X (I could actually still breathe and talk when I finished), it went from 178 to 108--a MUCH better recovery, which indicates a much healthier heart.
Do others have more dramatic results? Definitely. However, I am very pleased with my results and thrilled with how much healthier I feel. I just got home from the YMCA where I ran, without stopping, for 2 miles at a 10-minute-mile pace. That was unheard of for me 90 days ago. So, even though much of P90X is weight-lifting and toning-focused, it obviously is improving cardio endurance as well.
I plan to begin some form of P90X again next week. There were workouts I didn't care for (not because they are too hard but because I don't burn as many calories!) and I probably won't keep doing 6 workouts a week, but I'm going to do most of it again. I'd like to lose the 5% body fat that would move me from the "acceptable" category to the "fit" category. :)
So, what do you think? Was it worth it? :)
Two years ago I was told by my doctor that I needed to get my blood pressure under control or she would put me on medicine. BP meds at 36 wasn't really what I had in mind for my life, so I got to work. I lost weight, I worked out, I lowered my BP. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to understand why the most important results of P90X to me are the ones that have to do with my heart health and cardio endurance. Yes, I can to more push-ups and more bicep curls; yes, I lost a little weight, but I'm most interested in the other stuff.
I lost only 8 lbs, but I lost 8% body fat (the true marker) over the 90 days. I think I could have lost more if I had stuck to their nutrition program more strictly and I plan to improve that when I start over. (Yes, I'm going to do it again!) :) I lost 2 1/2 inches in my waist, 1 1/2 inches in my hips and 1 1/2 inches in each thigh. My arms remain the same measurement, but they don't look the same!!! You can actually see definition in my biceps and thighs--I almost forgot I had muscles under there!! :)
I still can't do a pull-up and I'm okay with that.
Here is what I CAN do:
Before: 15 push-ups
Now: 30
Before: 4 1/2 inch reach past my toes
Now: 8 inches
Before: 90 sec wall squat
After: 125 sec
Before: 30 bicep curls with 10 lbs
Now: 20 bicep curls with 15 lbs
Before: 23 In & Outs (an ab move)
After: 55
Here is what I'm most proud of: my resting heart rate went from 70 to 60. After doing 2 minutes of jumping jacks before P90X (and feeling like I might die), my heart rate went from 180 to 120 recovery after 4 minutes. After P90X (I could actually still breathe and talk when I finished), it went from 178 to 108--a MUCH better recovery, which indicates a much healthier heart.
Do others have more dramatic results? Definitely. However, I am very pleased with my results and thrilled with how much healthier I feel. I just got home from the YMCA where I ran, without stopping, for 2 miles at a 10-minute-mile pace. That was unheard of for me 90 days ago. So, even though much of P90X is weight-lifting and toning-focused, it obviously is improving cardio endurance as well.
I plan to begin some form of P90X again next week. There were workouts I didn't care for (not because they are too hard but because I don't burn as many calories!) and I probably won't keep doing 6 workouts a week, but I'm going to do most of it again. I'd like to lose the 5% body fat that would move me from the "acceptable" category to the "fit" category. :)
So, what do you think? Was it worth it? :)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Be still and know......
Yesterday the boys and I were on the road to Birmingham by 8:00. We were scheduled to have a sweat test for Jonathan at 10 at Children's Hospital. The doctor is concerned he isn't growing like he should be, so this would test for Cystic Fibrosis--something even the doctor admits he probably doesn't have. I really felt like I was jumping through hoops on the whim of the doctor, but since I had already talked her out of a referral to GI right now, I felt I at least had to follow-through with this test.
On the way, the boys were watching a DVD and I was praying and trying not to stress out that we would be late. As I drove, I kept thinking "Be still and know that I am God" and "Wait on the Lord". I just thought He was telling me not to be so stressed about getting there. Little did I know those words would be repeated to me at the end of my day. I prayed for gracious people if we were late and kind lab techs. I honestly didn't even bother praying for the results because he so obviously does not have CF, I had no doubt the test would return negative.
We made it just on time and had some kind people directing me where to go. Then we settled into the over-flowing waiting room of the Lab. And we waited. Another little boy came in with wrapped arms and, after eavesdropping, I realized he had the sweat test, too. I took Jonathan over to him to see his arms, to prepare him for what would happen. The mom was so sweet and described all of it to Jonathan. And then we waited some more. The boys were nearly perfect. I had brought a whole bag full of stuff to do and we used pretty much everything in it.....while we waited some more. After an hour and a half, I finally went to the desk to ask how much longer it would be while at the same moment, Jonathan's name was called.
If you want the medical details, read on. Otherwise, skip to the next paragraph. :) They cleaned his arm and then attached probes to send an electrical current through his arm for 5 minutes to stimulate his sweat glands. He cried but sat still all the way through the first arm. Then, Lois, the kind lab tech (Thank You, Lord!) put gauze, plastic, a diaper around his little arm and wrapped it all up with the tape they use when they draw blood. And then we repeated the whole process on the second arm. However, I asked Jonathan is he would like me to sing while the probes worked. He did and I sang his special "Jonathan song", then started in on the "B-I-B-L-E" at which point Lois joined in. :) By "Jesus Loves Me", Jonathan had quit crying and was saying his arm tickled. (Thank You, Jesus!) That arm got wrapped up and we were off to kill 30 minutes around the hospital.
We walked around and I had brought a special fruit snack for each of them. In 30 minutes, we returned to the Lab, had the wraps taken off and we were on our way. I had promised the boys we would go to the Lego store and they could each build three guys to buy. They were thrilled! We ate lunch at the mall, built Lego guys and headed home.
We arrived home around 4:30 and I listened to the message waiting for me. It was Lois. She was very sorry, but there had been a mistake in the test and it is invalid. Could we reschedule and do the test over? What?!?! With tears born out of exhaustion and disappointment, I relayed the news to Chris. I called Lois back who was nothing but sweet, apologetic and humble. We went over the details and it turns out that the sweat test is run manually and a set of numbers had been misplaced. She said they had looked through every garbage and had even gone so far as getting security to unlock their documents ready for shredding and could not find the information anywhere. I was gracious in my response because we are, after all, just human! Lois is obviously a believer and promised to pray for Jonathan's growth. :)
Chris and I have decided not to pursue this test again right now. Jonathan will have another growth check in November and, at that time, if he still hasn't gained or grown the way he should, we will reconsider repeating the test. I am apprehensive about telling the doctor our decision, but am confident it is the right one.
Even as I went to bed last night, I kept hearing the words "Be still and know I am God". I have no idea why He allowed all this to happen--to test my patience? to refine my character? or maybe to accomplish something that is not even closely related to me. Whatever the reason, I am trying to take Him at His word--He is obviously speaking to me! I have not arrived at the peace He wants me to have yet, but I am "failing forward" towards it. I know His peace will come--it always does.
And that's the long version. :)
Lord, help me be still and know that You, and You alone, are God. Help me to wait on You. Help me to cast my cares on You, knowing You care even about the small things.
On the way, the boys were watching a DVD and I was praying and trying not to stress out that we would be late. As I drove, I kept thinking "Be still and know that I am God" and "Wait on the Lord". I just thought He was telling me not to be so stressed about getting there. Little did I know those words would be repeated to me at the end of my day. I prayed for gracious people if we were late and kind lab techs. I honestly didn't even bother praying for the results because he so obviously does not have CF, I had no doubt the test would return negative.
We made it just on time and had some kind people directing me where to go. Then we settled into the over-flowing waiting room of the Lab. And we waited. Another little boy came in with wrapped arms and, after eavesdropping, I realized he had the sweat test, too. I took Jonathan over to him to see his arms, to prepare him for what would happen. The mom was so sweet and described all of it to Jonathan. And then we waited some more. The boys were nearly perfect. I had brought a whole bag full of stuff to do and we used pretty much everything in it.....while we waited some more. After an hour and a half, I finally went to the desk to ask how much longer it would be while at the same moment, Jonathan's name was called.
If you want the medical details, read on. Otherwise, skip to the next paragraph. :) They cleaned his arm and then attached probes to send an electrical current through his arm for 5 minutes to stimulate his sweat glands. He cried but sat still all the way through the first arm. Then, Lois, the kind lab tech (Thank You, Lord!) put gauze, plastic, a diaper around his little arm and wrapped it all up with the tape they use when they draw blood. And then we repeated the whole process on the second arm. However, I asked Jonathan is he would like me to sing while the probes worked. He did and I sang his special "Jonathan song", then started in on the "B-I-B-L-E" at which point Lois joined in. :) By "Jesus Loves Me", Jonathan had quit crying and was saying his arm tickled. (Thank You, Jesus!) That arm got wrapped up and we were off to kill 30 minutes around the hospital.
We walked around and I had brought a special fruit snack for each of them. In 30 minutes, we returned to the Lab, had the wraps taken off and we were on our way. I had promised the boys we would go to the Lego store and they could each build three guys to buy. They were thrilled! We ate lunch at the mall, built Lego guys and headed home.
We arrived home around 4:30 and I listened to the message waiting for me. It was Lois. She was very sorry, but there had been a mistake in the test and it is invalid. Could we reschedule and do the test over? What?!?! With tears born out of exhaustion and disappointment, I relayed the news to Chris. I called Lois back who was nothing but sweet, apologetic and humble. We went over the details and it turns out that the sweat test is run manually and a set of numbers had been misplaced. She said they had looked through every garbage and had even gone so far as getting security to unlock their documents ready for shredding and could not find the information anywhere. I was gracious in my response because we are, after all, just human! Lois is obviously a believer and promised to pray for Jonathan's growth. :)
Chris and I have decided not to pursue this test again right now. Jonathan will have another growth check in November and, at that time, if he still hasn't gained or grown the way he should, we will reconsider repeating the test. I am apprehensive about telling the doctor our decision, but am confident it is the right one.
Even as I went to bed last night, I kept hearing the words "Be still and know I am God". I have no idea why He allowed all this to happen--to test my patience? to refine my character? or maybe to accomplish something that is not even closely related to me. Whatever the reason, I am trying to take Him at His word--He is obviously speaking to me! I have not arrived at the peace He wants me to have yet, but I am "failing forward" towards it. I know His peace will come--it always does.
And that's the long version. :)
Lord, help me be still and know that You, and You alone, are God. Help me to wait on You. Help me to cast my cares on You, knowing You care even about the small things.
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