The Ending of 2013 and the Start of 2014 (Halfway Point).

So it’s been since December 14. Yeah, life has got in the way. Here’s a bulletpoint list of things that have happened:

* Christmas!
* Had my second melanoma removed in December 2014 after having one in August 2013 (my fifth melanoma total); it was found by my specialist at Duke and biopsied but my local dermatologist did the surgery to get clear margins and I now have a 4 inch scar on the back of my knee (but AM thankful to the Lord it was once again caught early!)
* Went to Pigeon Forge with my girlfriends for the day in early January and had lots of fun and laughs to celebrate my friend, Drema’s 40th b-day
* Wade and I got to stay at the Biltmore Inn for the annual partners’ retreat in January
* I had an eye exam in February which showed some of the vision problems I’ve been having is because my eyes aren’t producing tears (boohoo! ;))
* I finally found a new GP in after looking thinking about it for at least two years (probably more like three) and love her! Plus, most of the physicians are Christians which is a bonus that I wasn’t counting on…..but I had been praying about finding one afterall!
* Okay, here’s a big one: I went GLUTEN FREE in late February! No, I’m not doing it as a fad diet but was told in August 2013 that I was allergic to gluten and wheat by my allergist but was NOT ready to take the plunge. I am not seeing an alternative nutritional doctor and part of me signing up to go to him was basically obeying the nutritional guidelines he gives which is NO GLUTEN. I could tell a difference in a week and a half. I lost five pounds in two weeks’ time! I may have to write a post on it sometime as it has its own story.
* I found a lump in my breast in late January (right after we started a new year with our insurance deductible). I had a biopsy in late February and was advised that while it was a benign papilloma cyst, they wanted to have it surgically removed. I waited until after Tax Season for the surgery (April 21) which went smoothly. In fact the procedure I had that morning before the surgery (needle localization) was worse than the surgery and in fact, I passed out from that. LOL
* In early March I went back to Duke to see my melanoma specialist and to have an updated copy of the mole-mapping CD made (fun fun! NOT!). My friend, Drema, came along for the overnight trip and that part was fun!
* Our annual girls’ weekend was in mid-March. SO. MUCH. FUN. I look forward to this every year. Our friend Marti even flew in to meet us in Asheville from Indianapolis. I’m already looking forward to next year’s!
* I went on a youth activity the first of April to a trampoline park. I felt like a kid again. The bus caught on fire broke down on the way and we had to wait at a Perkin’s along the way until someone from church could come pick us up and take us the rest of the way but it ended well!!
* Andrew got the dreadful and despised Herbst appliance off in April. That means he has just normal braces now. This makes his life so much easier! He did not eat much the first month or two he first had that put on and there’s no telling how much weight he lost. He’s happy now though. ;)
* Wade allowed me to have my back flowerbeds landscaped like I want by professionals. I LOVE it. I wanted all flowers or small flowering shrubs. I also gave the landscape designer a list of deer resistance flowers/plants so we don’t have problems in the future. A couple of my favorite things is a hydrangea tree and a lilac bush. I have since added more flowers to it. I want an eclectic mix of flowers in the back. My grandmother had over a 100 flower varieties and I loved her full, over-flowing flower beds. That’s my goal!
* The fourth week of April looked like this: Easter & Wade’s birthday (Sun), breast surgery (Mon), finished our school year on Friday! Whoop, whoop on ending school on April 25th! I’m not sure that will happen this year because we’re considering starting school after Labor Day.
* We got a jenny donkey and her baby jack donkey the end of April. They’re cute and that’s about it. They won’t let us have anything to do with them. Honestly, I think we’re going to find them a new home and start again next spring!
* In early May we bought five steers and had them delivered on our somewhat newly acquired 20 acres. (Yes, we now own around 37 acres. Our farm is growing! Ha.)
* In mid-May Wade started his sabbatical and we left for a two week tour of Utah! It was AMAZING! It will have its own post eventually.
* Wade and I celebrate EIGHTEEN years of Holy Matrimony. <3 p="">* Andrew got to graduate to the youth group! He LOVES it!
* On June 9-19 we went on a mission trip to England. Another AMAZING trip that deserves its own post!
* In the late winter/early spring we lost our former piano teacher (to a busy life and marriage) but finally found a new one that Elizabeth started with in June. She’s young but strict and very knowledgeable with a degree in concert piano so I think she’s going to be great for her.

July has been fun and a little slower with celebrating the Fourth with friends, having a few groups of people over, deciding to start a website with a friend, a week of day camp for Andrew as a camper and Elizabeth as a camp counsellor, starting beginner training classes at PetSmart with Jax, a week of VBS and a week of junior camp for Andrew. Even though we’ll be without a child that week, there’s a lot going on including Elizabeth having four friends spend the night and a trip to a local, private zoo!

Originally, I started this blog as a way to keep up with our happenings especially because at the time I LOVED to scrapbook and I wanted to have all our life's adventures and activities recorded for when I got to scrapbook the pictures. Alas, I used to think I would pick the hobby back up (scrapbooking) but don't seriously foresee it. I still enjoy the blogging/writing but obviously do not take the time to do it. :-P

I hope one of these days I will get back in the habit so will try to do catch-ups (for my benefit so no family or friends should feel the need to read lists like the above, ha ha!).

Until next time.....don't hold your breath.....haha!