We are all together again!

Patrick returned from his trip and we are so happy to be all together again.  I am thankful for the Lord's many provisions for us including visits by some of our local friends to see how we were doing.  But I am so grateful to have him home.  He's the best.

Traveling back with him was an American man who was a PT (for I think about 40 years) and will stay with us for 3 weeks.  The center that services young children with disabilities has been running for over a month now.  Three wonderful young local ladies are employed and helping the children with exercises.  Our PT friend is evaluating the children and instructing the ladies...they are so blessed by having him.  The Lord's provides bountifully, doesn't he?

I'm hooked...

A new supermarche opened last week about 5 minutes walk from our home.  It has typical things, and though it's "super" it is really small (like 5 short aisles).  But I am thrilled that they have these yummy olives!  I bought these 2 batches for about 35 cents!  

I found another "olive man" that sells these tasty treats but he is a 5 minute taxi ride and then another 7 minute walk to get to him.  Not that that is all that bad, but I'm tickled that I can get them fresh in our neighborhood.  Olives and dark chocolate are my favorite in-between meals snacks (not together though!).  Just one of the perks of living here...

Hair cuts

Here are some pictures of some new hair cuts by our hairdresser friend...

Miss HR gets some bangs.  

B opted for a layered look that looks super cute on her.

We all concluded that it's fun to have a hairdresser who is a 3 minute walk from our house and only charges about $2.50 for a cut.  

While the cat's away, the mice...got sick!

Patrick left last Friday to go to Arizona for some speaking engagements.  He has been so encouraged to see friendly faces!  

We have stayed behind for these 11 days and to sum up our time I would say--kids sick on the couch.  They have passed around a few day fever and headache, sparing only H and me.  The Lord has provided for us though and we are excited that Patrick is returning in 3 days.  Hopefully I won't be sick upon his arrival!

Oops...I have to attend to a little "mouse."

An 11 year old birthday boy

I can't believe that my oldest son is 11.  He is such a blessing to us and I pray that the Lord would continue to grow him to love God and others.  I'm a very thankful mom.

New blood test results

Every two months I have to get a blood test.  I need a complete blood count and also a test which sees how my liver is functioning in response to the drugs for the valley fever.  The liver results were encouraging with normal levels.  However I noticed that my platelet blood count has decreased by 1/5 from 3 months before and my white blood cell count was low.  This is a side effect of the medicine.  My Cleveland Clinic doctor that I am emailing said that it's only borderline low, so I need to just keep following the normal routine with the medication.  She expects that I need to take the meds (fluconazole, 400mg.) for at least a year.

So, I will carry on.  I'm thankful for my naturopath friend in AZ who provided me with some vitamins and supplements that will boost my energy a bit.  I would appreciate your prayers for energy (I really need to pace myself or else I get wiped out), weight gain (I'm too low and can't seem to gain--another med. side effect and also probably adding to my fatigue), and wisdom as to how to spend my time well.  Also, that the cavity in my lung would actually close up.  There was some talk last summer with the Dr. that if it didn't close up and if I was still coughing blood, I would need to have surgery to get my lung resectioned.  I am so, so thankful that I haven't coughed up any blood for more than 2 months.  So, how I pray that it is healing up.

Also, another side effect of the meds is hair loss.  My hair has also been falling out slowly for a few weeks.  I usually only wash it like once a week or so and I think that has helped a bit.  You can't really tell right now, I've just gone from thicker hair to thinner hair.  Maybe my new hairdresser friend can help me out a bit!

Sometimes you just need to be yourself.

Our hairdresser lives right down the street.  She stopped by the other day and said that she'd love to give Hannah a free haircut. We set up the time and parted.

Hannah and I showed up at our scheduled time, but she didn't answer.  So we returned home and got involved in a card game with the boys.  I love having them home from school and want to soak up every minute of course.  The buzzer rang.  It was the hairdresser.  I greeted her (she's in her 20's and really sweet). Not wanting to leave the quality time with the kids I explained to her that the kids were on vacation and I was playing with them. She gave me a little smile, we rescheduled, and she left.

Then I laughed.  Two things must have been funny to her--first, the boys were swinging down the banisters and jumping down the stairs.  Did she imagine me playing that?  Second, most women here don't usually play with their kids.  They send them outside while they clean the house and cook.

Oh well.  Sometimes I don't have to do as the Romans do, I just have to be myself.