Finally, an update!

Hello everyone! We are getting into the new school year and the kids are loving it. Nolan has five girlfriends already. What are we going to do with him? Natalie is having a great year and is glad to be back with her friends. She actually said she doesn't like weekends because she misses school. Who's kid is she? I've heard nothing about anything to do with academics yet though.

In an earlier post I mentioned that John wasn't feeling well. After a battery of tests that included, West Nile and Lyme disease among others, it was determined that he has Rheumatoid Arthritis. He saw the Rheumatologist and is now on Methotrexate and Celebrex. He seems a lot better. I am so happy to have my husband back. I was getting so worried. The diagnostic phase is always so horrible, even if the diagnosis isn't great, it's better to get to a treatment phase.

I don't know if you all know that I also have a form of inflammatory arthritis. I was diagnosed in March. Mine is Psoriatic Arthritis. I take an anti- inflammatory for now. PA is a lot like RA, but PA also affects your spine and includes Psoriasis, but isn't as progressive. The doctor wants me to also start on Methotrexate as soon as I can, but I found out this week that I need to have my Gallbladder out. Three years ago today I was in the ER with side pain and a high fever. They kept me over night and were sure it was my Gallbladder. They didn't find any stones so they sent me home. Since then I have had bouts of pain and have been on high dose Prilosec for two years. My GI doctor had me do a Pipida test to see if my Gallbladder was functioning. Apparently mine is only functioning at 8%. So out it goes. H0pefully, my pain and heartburn will go away after surgery. My doc said there is always a chance that the pain is from something else so we won't know until it is out. I meet with the surgeon this week to find out when I have it done. Two weeks after surgery I can go on the Methotrexate. It is an immune suppressant so it wouldn't be a good idea to have surgery with a lowered immune system. 

Our new puppy is doing great. Boji just seems like he has always belonged here. Potty training is going very well. He does have an accident here and there, but that is to be expected. He sleeps in his crate while we work and runs the house when we are home. He has completely learned to boss Sadie around. So far, Bailey is the Queen dog in the house. Sadie and Boji like to wrestle and play but if they get too wild, big sister Bailey breaks it up by getting between them and pushing Boji away with her head. It's so cute. She constantly looks like she is thinking, "how immature!"

The kids are well and love school, hopefully that continues. Natalie starts cheerleading next week and swim team at the Y on the 8th. She will be busy, but she needs that. Nolan just wants to be a 'plain old brother'. All day kindergarten is wearing him out so he is beat at the end of the day. Maybe this spring or winter he will be ready for an after school activity, but we'll just have to wait and see. 

John and I went to see the Huskers first game last night. It was Bo's debut and it was really exciting. He has brought new life to the Husker nation. We had a great time. My dad found us in the second half and sat by us. My mom was at our house watching the kids, which they love. Then today John's parents stopped by to see us and then we ordered pizza. We had a nice visit. The kids love when they get to see all of their grandparents. 

Tomorrow is a stay home day!! I love those. I hope you all have a great Labor Day!! Don't do too much, you need to rest.

Also, add comments if you get a chance. I'd love to see if anyone is reading the blog. 

Thanks,

Karen

First Day of School!

    Nolan and Natalie ready to go!
Nolan outside the gym ready to meet his class!

Natalie looking cool outside her classroom doors. She didn't really want lots of hugs and kisses, she was ready for mom and dad to leave:)
The whole neighborhood crew. Nolan is so excited to be a part of this bunch.

Overall the first day went great. Nolan was excited and ready to go. Natalie was super excited to see her friends. Nolan decided to wear an old outfit instead of any of the new ones I bought. He looks good in green so I agreed. At our school, the kindergarten kids are dropped off and the parents go to the cafeteria for snacks and a talk by the principal. A few minutes later they bring in a video of the first five minutes of kindergarten and they get each kid on there. The kids were singing and dancing. There were no tears by any of the kids, I wish I could say that about the parents:) 

Back from Okoboji

We just got back from my favorite place, Okobjoji!! I just love this place. I've gone almost every year of my life and have so many great memories. I am so excited that I get to share those memories and pass new ones on to my own kids. We stayed at a newer resort called Bridges Bay. There is an indoor water park and a really nice outdoor pool with a swim-up bar. My sister and I swam up to the bar one day and drank Margaritas:) Yum. We had a suite that we shared with my parents and my sister's family. The rooms were beautiful. Natalie liked hanging out with her big cousins, Jake is 19, Ryan is almost 17, and Cory is 13. She felt like big stuff with them. They were so sweet and took her down the water slides. Nolan enjoyed wrestling with them and teasing them. 

On Tuesday my parents rented a boat and a tube. Natalie went tubing for the first time and loved it. She did it the first time with Cory, and then alone the second time. She looked so cute out there on the tube smiling away and giving the thumbs up for my dad to drive faster. John also did it and did very well. He was sore but it was worth it I think. We went to Arnold's Park after we went boating and had a great time. We did one of those log rides with the kids and they loved it so much they wanted to do it again. I only had enough tickets left for two so they did it alone. John was  a nervous wreck with them up there all alone. There is a huge drop and then you get sprayed with water. I've never seen John so nervous. Natalie and I rode the Ferris Wheel while John took Nolan on some kiddie rides. 

We all agreed that one more day would have been nice, but we all came back rested and with great memories. I will post some pictures as soon as I get them uploaded.

My birthday is Saturday, I turn 34. I am finally getting my puppy!! I pick him up on Thursday. We don't know what we are naming him yet. Nolan likes Max. I like Bear or Boji. We'll have to get to know him first. He is a Shih Tzu and he is about 14 weeks. John's b-day is next Tuesday, he'll be 35. He is getting a Boston Celtics watch. 

John has been having some joint pain and swelling the past few months. We are getting him into a Rheumatologist soon. Wish him luck and say a prayer that all is fine. He just isn't himself with all this pain and he is getting very tired of it. I can't blame him. I told him that the puppy could help him feel better:) He didn't quite agree that it would be the cure, but is getting used to the idea of another dog.

Take care!

Karen