Powering Through It

First of all...thank you all for your comments and suggestions regarding my back issue! I decided my first course of action is going to be powering through it. I'm beginning a SLOW stretching routine every morning and night, followed by walking the dog with my husband again nightly. I've got to tell ya, some days are better than others and our walks may be a little slower than my hubby or dog would like...but I'm not going to let this back thing keep me down!

I also decided if it doesn't get better soon with the things I'm doing, I'm going to try the acupuncturist that cured my sons 3rd degree ankle sprain (a complete tear of the ligaments) in two days! Seriously...TWO DAYS of treatment! It was crazy, he was even able to play in the State Semi-Final football game without re-injuring it. He obviously wasn't able to run as fast and play both ways, but he played and made some key tackles. It was truly my first experience with going to one after a suggestion from a friend who's son plays linebacker for UCLA. This was after the Orthopedic Doctor told him it will take months of healing and rehabilitation and he absolutely wouldn't be able to play in that HUGE game...he wasn't even able to put weight on it!!

Pic on left taken at Orthopedic Dr's visit~Pic on right after Acupuncture & cupping (notice the marks)

Pic on left- Dec 5th leaving the Dr's office~Pic on right was game day~Dec 8th, 2012 (my Birthday;D)

So I figure, if it can work for a torn ligament, it should do wonders for scar tissue right?! Well it definitely can't make it worse...so if I go that route I'll let you know how it goes.

It's Back

Last week I started to feel that same low back pain that prompted me to go to the doctors 1 year ago. It then led to that TERRIBLE surgery that caused my intestines to become blocked, tube down my nose and unbearable pain as I laid throwing up in the hospital for a week. The cause of my severe back pain before was from an accumulation of scar tissue from previous surgeries I've had. The doctor cleaned it all out but warned me that it would probably come back.

Well...it's back and I'm really struggling, especially because I really want to start exercising again to get in shape before our first trip to New York in April for my sister-in-laws wedding. I can barely walk or move quickly because it kills me! It's SO frustrating...I feel like a little old lady or something. I absolutely refuse to go to the doctors again though so I think I'm just going to try to stretch (a lot), get a few massages and pray that it goes away.

We'll see.....

It

Hanging Out at the Inauguration

Elijah took this picture right when they arrived

My son Elijah has been in an International Business & Communications class (CIBACS) at his high school for the past four years. It's been an amazing class that's really helped prepare him for college and his future in the business world. Every year the CIBACS Senior class takes a trip...this year they went to Washington DC and attended the Inauguration. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and even though he was hoping to watch Romney get sworn in, he was excited to be there and of course see Beyonce perform live! They had to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to be there by 5:00. He said it was freezing...which of course 50 degrees to Californians is unbearable!lol!

Along with the Inauguration attendance he's been enjoying the whole DC experience. They've had a pretty packed schedule: (1/19-Arrived in DC , Visit Smithsonian Museum;   

Elijah, Steven & Derek-They had to wear their business attire on the overnight flight

1/20-Martin's Tavern Proposal booth (JFK proposed there) & Georgetown University tour;

Georgetown University

 1/21-Inauguration-Beyonce & Kelly Clarkson performances; 1/22-They have to take their finals (it's finals week back home so they're taking them on the trip) & then Arlington Changing of the Guards; 1/23-Tour of the White House (visit 8 different rooms), lunch at White House & then more final exams; 1/24-Tour of John Hopkins University; 1/25-Holocaust Museum, Vietnam War Museum and live performance of, "Our Town" at the Ford Theatre; 1/26-Fly home.) Luckily they always end up with extra time each day to explore.

The Three Musketeers...let loose to roam Washington DC!

Of course I looked up some cool things for him and his friends to go do and sent the list & links. I don't want him to miss anything! But so far he's still trying to adjust to DC time and said after the Inauguration, they went back to the hotel, fell asleep and woke up too late to do anything. I'm hoping that they'll be able to check out some cool places today.

So happy he gets to experience this! I told him to take tons of pics for me but so far the only pictures I've received are the ones I posted...which I stole from his Instagram and Facebook!;)

Elijah & Nicole

Elijah and his classmates at the White House

Another Shooting! How Can We Stop This?

My heart is breaking for the victims of this senseless school shooting. How can this happen? What can be done to stop it from continuing to happen? Many talk about gun laws but is this really a solution? Do you truly believe that if someone wants to get a gun for the purpose of committing robbery/murder that they wouldn't be able to obtain one illegally? Should innocent people be expected to no longer have the right to protect themselves?

The way things are currently going should every school be required to have metal detectors to help prevent this from happening again? There has to be some sort of increased protection for our innocent children along with increased help for the mentally ill.

My heart is breaking for these families whose lives are forever changed. Their loss is unimaginable. Please remember to keep them in your prayers in the coming days, weeks and months. Hug your children and family members tonight and thank the Lord that you are still able to. Let this serve to remind each of us that no matter how difficult things may be, we are blessed to have another day with our loved ones.

**MISSING PERSON** PLEASE HELP & SHARE POST!

Today I got home to see a post on my good friend Renae's Facebook...her stepson, Jack Culolias a student at ASU is missing. This family has been through so much lately with the recent passing of  her husband/his dad due to lung cancer. She is currently in Tempe, Arizona helping a search party look for him. He was last seen at the Cadillac Ranch Restaurant on Friday November 30th at 11:00 pm. It's been reported that his wallet and cell phone were left at the restaurant. They need your prayers and help. Please share this blog post with anyone you know. Please pray for a hedge of protection around him and that the search party will have the Lord's wisdom and guidance on where to look for him and that he is found unharmed. Please contact the Tempe, AZ Police Dept. (480) 350-8311 with ANY info you may have!! Thank you. 
 
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My Embarrassing Weekend Confessional

I shared this story on Facebook and decided, why should I limit a good laugh to only my FB friends. So here's my own personal "Embarrassing Moment Weekend Confessional"

I was at church, sitting with my legs crossed when I noticed a lump in my jeans just above my calf. I ever so discretely reached my hand up the bottom of my pant leg and pulled out a pair of underwear that had obviously gotten trapped up there when they came out of the dryer!! Yep, I'm a very classy and sophisticated lady...NOT!lol only me!!!!!!!!

Falling Behind-Dancing, Walking & Games

Since I started my blog I've become so addicted to adding images with my posts that it's caused me to fall way behind on my postings. For example...every year I do a post and pictures of the annual Homecoming dance...which I still haven't officially done (officially=posting to my blog not just Facebook.) I have so many cool pics and want to share the big day with all of you. Wait till you see the amount of kids that were at one house before the dance.

Elijah & his homecoming date Sarah

I also haven't updated my son's CIF football games which by the way...his team's been winning (semi-finals this Friday.)

Elijah after last Friday's BIG second round CIF win 52-14

We also did another walk in my dad's honor to help stop the #1 cancer killer-LUNG CANCER. I don't know about you but with all the fundraising & awareness for breast cancer, I somehow thought it was #1. It really hit me at the lack of fundraising efforts and publicity that lung cancer receives.

Post set up along the route in memory of my dad

 So my sister, son Josh & his girlfriend headed to San Diego to pound the pavement.

My oldest son Josh, his girlfriend Charmaine & my sister Stacy

So now you've received a little preview of my upcoming posts/pictures...if I ever get around to spending the extra time to catch up (fingers crossed.) I think it's important to post these life occasions...it's a sort of journal and fun to look back on years later to see what was going on in my life way back when. The details seem to get lost in the memory of events if they're not written down.