As you all can see, I am using my private blog to mess with headers and design for my non-existent photography buisness:-)  Please bear with me as I learn.

Rheumatology

A quick note about my rheumatology appointment. The Dr doesn't know what is causing my joint pain. She does not think it is RA, Lupus, or Lyme disease. She did some more blood work and everything came back normal. She said it could be a virus and in that case it should go away on it's own. In the mean time I am left feeling frustrated and like the drs are doing nothing to try to figure it out. I know it is good that she doesn't think it is one of those bad diseases, but it is frustrating to have undiagnosed pain. I am noticing an increase in heat and swelling in my joints, usually in the evenings. The swelling is mild but definitely there. One strange thing is that it is mostly on the right side of my body. (i.e., my right hand, wrist,and ankle is visibly inflamed and my elbow, knee and toes on that side are painful). But I do have pain on the left side too and occasional swelling in a joint on that side. I am once again taking Advil around the clock, with Tylenol when it's especially bad. It helps but I still have pain everyday. So I guess it is a wait and see. Dr. Baker wants to see me back in 2 months, though I am feeling annoyed with her assessment and wondering what she will do for me (It is a 50$ co-pay just to see her). I may look into seeing a homeopathic physician, depending on what our insurance covers.

COC pictures part 1

A few of my favorite photos befor the COC ceremony began:

This is the three planes on the runway just befor take off. Scott is flying the middle jet, 303.

COC

The video is not great (auto focus would help) but still glad I got it.  The official change of command happens in air.  The voices are the guys in the jets, first the old CO reliving his order, Scott reciving his orders, and the CAG (who oversees all the squadrons on a carrier) telling Spill (Scott) he has the lead, he is free to detach, and to kick ass!  I wish I zoomed back sooner to give viewers a better perspective of the jets flying RIGHT over the hanger, it was so cool.  Fortunatly Scott's brother got a better take so they have a better video of it.  I would like to mention that the CAG is ridding shot gun (I believes he is no longer qualified to fly, Scott answered a lot of my questions about things but it is easy to mix it up) , the jet is being operated by a female pilot from another squadron.  Yeah lady pilots!!  And it sounds like the old CO's call sign is 'booger.'  The movie Topgun got call signs all wrong, they are not cool, they are actually suppose to be a dis to the pilot:-)

I am so thrilled to have been there!  I can't believe we ever even considered not going.  The ceremony, the party, it was all so great!  Lots of pictures to come:-)

I have been editing like mad this week to get pictures of the COC off to the Smiths.  I have finished about 220 pictures and have about 80 more to go.  Sorry Candace, you are going to have more than you probablly want!  It has been fun switching from jets to newborn as I continue work on baby Lela too.  I hope to have both shoots done this week. 

I wish I could say I am happy to be home but I am not. I find distractions are good for keeping my mind off my pain. I have had a some pretty bad days and nights. A burning-like muscle/joint (both? I don't know) pain wakes me up some nights and more frequent headaches make it hard to sleep. I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist this week.  The kids and the housework keep me super busy, but in a mindless sort of way that is not very helpful for distracting.

On to less depressing news....our sweet Elsie is now sitting up!  She has been working on it for a while and can now get herself up to a full sitting postition (and down) on her own.  She was so very pleased with herself yesterday when she accomplished it.  It is kind of strange to look over at her and find her sitting.  She is also cutting 2 more teeth to make a total of seven.  I love the little pouty lip in the picture below.  This was taken shortly before bedtime and she was tired.  I hope to get some sitting pictures soon.  Love to all, B

 

It's a girl!!

Joanne and Josh have a baby girl!  Woo-hoo!  Quinn Marie, 4lbs 2oz.  From what we know both mom and baby are doing fine.  Such a relief.  Candace reported that Joanne is in very good spirits and very happy.

Prayer request

We are home from our epic trip to Hanford.  We are so proud of Commander Smith, the new Warhawks skipper!  But our thoughts remain southward with the Griffin and Smith family.  Scott and Angie's little sister JoAnn, 33 weeks pregnant developed preclampsia and HELP syndrome while in town for the Change of Command.  She and her husband went to a Hanford ER very early Monday morning.  She was transfers up to Fresno and is currently being induced.  Baby is looking fine and Jo is stable but HELP is a very serious condition and is very dangerous for the mom.  Delivering the baby is the only way to stop the syndrome that involves hepatic function and low blood platelets.  It will also stop the preclampsia.  We are praying hard for a healthy baby and healthy mom.   

Kids, kids

Hanging out in the Tillman's backyard is the best. Great friends, the kids have a blast, we always wish we could stay later. Cindy's birthday was our latest excuse for a gathering. Cindy, Rich and Mel are always such great hosts.

Katya looks like such a big kid here!

Sweet second cousins.  They have so much fun together!

I was doing housework, Craig was replacing the windshild wiper moter in the Saturn....this is what Reagan was up to.  Oh our little mudder.

And our littlest.  She has five teeth now!  Both upper central incisiors broke through last week.