La Famille Armstrong

Warning: May contain detailed information about my bowels and intestines... read at your own risk!

So, I was at the ER again today. At 9pm last night while painting at the new house, I had a terrible bout of "the runs" and spent way too much time in a dirty bathroom. After I got home at about 10:30pm I just curled up in pain for a LONG time before falling asleep. I woke up at 2am with more pain, and more yuckiness... only this time I noticed that it was all blood. After googling the phrase "diarrhea severe stomach pain blood" I found that I should head to the Dr's ASAP.

It was definitely my best stay ever - Dr's were attentive, very nice and extremely observant ;) Only 3 hours! Haha. They gave me pain meds, anti-nausea meds, urine sample and CT scan. I honestly thought I might die last night driving to the hopital. I was praying and thinking about it and surprisingly, I wasn't worried about it. My pain was worse than my labor pains with Asher... I really started thinking maybe this is preparation for being tortured to death. I realized that if I died, I would finally be able to see Jesus and experience Heaven - not too bad!! I was mainly very sad thinking that my boys might grow up without their mother. That made me think of a bunch of other things I'll deal with later.

After the CT scan, I felt pretty yucky from the die they use to look at all your veins. So, the results are in! I have a case of Colitis tho it is unknown what it is caused by in my case. Next week I'll be taking some more tests to see if it's Crohn's disease, Celiac disease or some other type of Inflammatory thing. On the scan, by bowels looked fine so if it is Chrone's disease then it's early and I have a good chance of avoiding major surgeries. They also found that my IUD is slightly displaced. I like the idea of such a secure option for birth control, but there are also other things that make me unsure whether I really want to have it in. The Dr's also found a small ovarian cyst so I'll be following up with Dr Barker and getting those 2 issues taken care of.

Also, I don't have insurance so I'll be taking care of that on Monday. Since I haven't been formally diagnosed yet, I should be able to be approved. If I'm not approved, I do have another option that I qualify for with any pre-existing condition. Surprisingly, I don't feel too worried about all this. It gives me a new perspective on enjoying life, building relationships with my family and trusting God for every breath.

So now I'm home, just resting. Watching movies, taking naps, knitting on Rayma's baby girl's blanket... yes, she's having a girl!! Little Zoe... so sweet. I am feeling really weak and tired but a lot of the drowsiness is from the meds. I've also gotten VERY LITTLE sleep the past 2 nights so that doesn't help. I'm excited to see what the future holds tho. I'm going to quit drinking coffee b/c that, and stress, are major triggers. Umm, I'm not really sure what to say about it now... just pray for me, pray that I get insurance and beg God in general for my health and energy for the sake of my family.

Well, Mark's parents got the keys to the new place this weekend! We checked things out on Friday and then spent a good portion of the day Saturday just cleaning and painting the trim while Mark's dad framed a wall downstairs. The boys did really well. The carpet is all being replaced due to pet owner's and smokers being the previous tenants so we put some big blankets down and Cole pretty much stayed on them. Plus, both boys slept almost 2 hours at the same time so I was able to tape off all the trim in the dining and living room.

I went back after dinner to work on the office. There were some bookshelves that were attached to the wall which Mark and Dad A had to take down. The previous own had just painted around them so we were needing to paint that room anyway. I've spent probably a good 10 hours there painting it all and I've got probably another 4 hours until it's all done. I think I must just be slow!! But I've very meticulous so that's good. Then, once that dries, we'll have to repaint the trim too before the new carpet can go in. So, I've got my work cut out for me this week!! Mark doesn't like painting much so he's been watching the kids while I go and do that. It's been a great break and I've been listening to some great bible teaching during that time.

Some of you know that we meet with a small group of other Christians every other Sunday night. It's kind of like a bible study I guess. We have a potluck, talk about what God is doing in our lives and talk about the bible teachings we've heard lately. Francis Chan's church in Simi Valley has been very inspirational to us. Just seeing them study the word and really try to live out what it says is so different that your typical "American church" and I know Mark and I have both been challenged to pray about what that means in our lives. Their church has been reading different books of the bible each month to get people to really spend time learning what Jesus did, said, who God is, what He desires for us and how to grow closer to Him.

Our small group has also be trying to come alongside and do the same thing so we've been reading in the book of Luke. It's amazing to see the faith people had in Jesus to heal them. No question, just asking Jesus to cure their disease, cast out demons plaguing their loved ones... it's a faith I certainly lack. They would just go to Him, ask to be healed and Jesus would do it!! One centurion even just sends his servants to ask Jesus to heal another servant saying he knows that even is Jesus just speaks it, that his servant can be healed... and he was! I'm not sure why I always wonder if God wants to heal us or fix us or desire good things for us. Not good things like cars, nice houses, lots of savings. But to be content, to love others and have good relationships with our friends and family. Something to be thinking about for all of us.

On another note, my kids are just getting cuter and cuter. Asher is learning his colors. The other day I went to put on my shirt and he just shouts "GREEN!!!" I was surprised b/c I didn't know he actually knew any colors... I thought he just knew certain objects were known as certain colors... like his green car or red truck. Plus, there was a possibility he could be color blind. My uncle Jeff on my mom's side is color blind so my mom could be a carrier, and I could be a carrier, and either of my boys could have gotten my carrier gene (which is on the X chromosome) so if they did, they would be color blind too. I don't even know what kind of color blindness my uncle has... I think it's a red/green one. Anyway, so Asher is naming colors correctly more and more so I think he's good!

Cole is the expert waver.. so sweet! And now, when you say "yay" he starts squealing and clapping his hands. So stinking adorable! He can scoot around a lot, pretty slowly, but he can get all over the living room. He's starting to get on his hands and knees so maybe he will crawl like the average baby instead of like an army dude like Asher did. The boys both take a bath together now which is much easier on mama and more fun for them. Asher is such a good brother... sharing toys, sharing the space in the tub and helping wash Cole. I cherish it and really hope to teach my boys that giving is what God asks of us, no matter who has what first... b/c it's all God's and our reward is in Heaven, not here on earth.

Here are some cute photos of Asher from being in the backyard the other day. He is getting to be SO FUN!! And HILARIOUS! These are all in order, within about a 2 minute time-span. Enjoy!

We are moving... again! Before you totally call us crazy, let me explain.

Mark's parents have recently been looking for an investment property to purchase. They've always been interested in owning multiple properties and renting them out, fixing them up and someday being able to live off just that. As they were looking, they found a 3 story place (daylight basement) for a great price... less than some of the regular 3 bd, 2 bth places they had been looking at. The house has the main entrance on the main floor - 3 bedrooms and 3 baths (with the master on the top level). Then, the daylight basement is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with kitchen and spare room, kind of like an entertainment room. The basement is unfinished but completely framed, wired and plumbed! Just sheetrock, flooring, cabinets and some fixtures and it's set.

We were unsure how things would go since lately, many people who have been buying homes seem to be put off to the side and end up waiting a good 4-6 weeks to sign papers past the original date they were supposed to sign on. However, not the case with mom and dad A. They did the final walk-through today and signed all the paperwork! They get the keys on the 23rd and will start renovations soon afterwards. All of our living area (top 2 floors) just needs carpet and we may paint a couple of the bathrooms. So, looks like we'll be moving at the middle/end of May.

This idea has been a work in progress. Over the years, we've talked about a family living situation like this but we just hadn't found the home or a way to do it. Shaana (Matt's fiance) will be renting out their current home in Carlton and Matt will be living with Mom and Dad until they get married in July. It's neat to see all of this come together. Things like separate living spaces and kitchens, having enough bathrooms as the boys get older have been hard to find so we're really excited that this is finally working out! Plus, I'll live really close to about 10+ great friends at the new place - which, is still in McMinnville.

Things you can pray for: smooth transition. We are SO tired of moving but are already well prayed into this decision. One of our bedrooms is more like an office - it has doors, but no closet and we're hoping we can have the boys share a bedroom as the 2nd bedroom is plenty big. During the day, we may put Cole into the "office" until he's down to one nap which will hopefully be this coming Fall/Winter but since they are both sleeping through the night on a regular basis we're hoping that part of sharing a room goes well. Pray that all the work downstairs goes smoothly and that the whole transition with mom and dad moving, Shaana moving, Matt moving out from Carlton, into Mac and then back to Carlton all goes as easy as possible.

I'll be really glad to be close to friends (although we'll be farther from the Barnharts - insert sad face) where I can walk and have some relief from being stranded at home all day - I am literally going crazy (ask Tracy or Mark) so I'm pretty thrilled about that. Plus, it's only 1 mile from the park which will be a great distance to jog once the weather is more predictable without being overly ambitious.

And, this really has nothing to do with the rest... but my sister Tracy has a boyfriend! A really awesome, God-fearing, respectful and sweet boyfriend... whose name is also Mark :) So, we're calling our guys "my Mark" and "your Mark" all the time!! Funny stuff. Even funnier, is that he grew up in Coos Bay too but they never really met!!!! God is so funny sometimes. Anyway, keep me and all of us in your prayers, we'll sure need them over the coming months. Thanks!

Thanks Scotty!

He's finally big enough to wear it :)

I've been meaning to write here for forever!!! Sorry if you've been checking my blog and thinking "sheesh, doesn't anyone ever update their stuff??" At least you've gotten a cute photo every few days :)

The boys have been doing so many new things and I want to make sure I share them on here for a few reasons. 1- to give other young moms hope that kids do grow up (I know I need the reminder often) 2- so all of you family members who aren't local can feel like you know what's going on and 3- so I can look back to remember all the stuff that was going on too!

Let's start with Asher. He sure is turning into a little boy... like a kid, instead of a baby. He's saying all kinds of things out of nowhere and he can repeat almost any short word or phrase you say! Just today Mark was walking with him to get the mail and Mark said "okay, time to cross" and Asher replied "cross the street?" Or lately, he's been wanting to snuggle with me more and more. A few weeks ago he started saying "snuggle" after bathtime, then one night Mark was tucking him into bed and Asher said "snuggle a mama." It was so stinking cute!! So now we snuggle every night before bed... so fun!

He also has been changing a lot of his 1-syllable words to 2-syllable words... well, the ones that are supposed to be. Like how Zebra used to be "bra" and is now actually "zebra" along with giraffe, soccer, funny, silly, steamer, sandwich and so many more! We also let Asher "drive" when we get home sometimes. He loves to sit in the driver seat and mess with all the buttons and pretend he's shifting gears. Now, when we are about 2 or 3 blocks from home he starts to say "drive a mit" (aka minute) or "drive a bit." He also has begun to recognize landmarks - all too well!! Whenever we drive past the Starbucks parking lot he starts saying "steamer, bucks, coffee!" When we drive past At&t he says "Matt, Grace" b/c uncle Matt works there and we have seen Matt's soon to be daughter Grace there too. And in case you didn't know, Matt is getting married in July and is inheriting a beautiful little gal Grace along with his love Shaana.

Just a couple other cute phrases... do it, some more juice (or whatever he wants at the time), soccer ball, I see you, drive a papa, papa drive, see a mower (or anything else really), help you, help me, up there, in there, get it, papa shower, another one, other one... we are really learning to watch what we say too!!

Cole is also learning all kinds of things. He's sitting up really well now, even in the tub!! Somehow, Cole learned how to do the pageant wave... it looks oh so graceful and just ADORABLE when he does it... especially b/c he smiles so big every time he does it! He has also figured out that when I leave the room, I am actually still around (object permanence) and cries big crocodile tears until I come back. He has also started throwing fits when he's full or doesn't want to eat his food... being only 7 months old, this is not the most fun ever :( He also throws fits the instant papa walks in the door... until papa picks him up that is. At least he smiles most of the day and is starting to really be enjoyable.

I'm pretty sad b/c Cole's hair thus far has been a really cool color of orange - very unique and super cute! But, most of his roots are the blondest blond I've seen... which is still cute, I just LOVE orange hair!! His eyebrows are still orange so we'll see what happens.

Despite all the fun things the boys are doing, I still find myself being exhausted and truthfully sad. It's hard being at home all day. Not only this, but I find myself crazy busy with lots of things and no outlet!! I'm always doing, trying to fit as much in my day as I can but then the next day I completely crash from being overwhelmed... I try to be efficient, doing things in a certain order to maximize my time but I am TIRED! Both boys are sleeping all night now, which helps, but I often feel like I don't even have the time to have a breakdown... not sure how to feel about that! Each day I knock a few things off my list, but I feel like each room I walk into, I see so many things yet to be taken care of that I just get depressed about it. It's been almost a full year since our Ford Escape stopped running... and I'm still stuck at home... that may change in the next month... we'll see. I feel like my sanity would improve if I could at least get out of the house during the day every once in a while. I can't really go for walks until after naps b/c Asher falls asleep ins the stroller and it messes up his afternoon nap... same with Cole, so if the weather is nice and the timing is right we can go for a walk later in the afternoon... when I should be cooking dinner...ugh! Other than that and Thursday morning bible study, we are completely homebound 8am-5pm.

So, I'm trying to sort all this stuff out. I enjoy most everything I do but I just don't know how to keep up... especially when the boys are a wreck. Hopefully I can start getting someone to watch the kids in the morning every once in a while so I can get a couple hours to catch up on stuff without other things/people interfering. Plus, I know things will just get easier as Cole gets bigger... I feel like I'm in survival mode but I am not very good at it. I'll let you know how all of this goes as it's an almost daily struggle lately. But, I know God knows what He is doing and He knows when I really am at the end of my rope.

Okay, so, to end all this babbling, here are a few cute photos of the boys from yesterday... enjoy!