January 15

A year ago today, January 15, 2016, our family (minus Eli but with Ry's friend Isaiah) left our hometown in Oregon to fly to Germany so that Ryan could go through treatment for Lyme Disease.
This year, on the 1 year anniversary of our Germany adventure, our whole family is in Maui.
Ryan was able to fly over to Kauai for a few days to see Isaiah- His trip to Kauai happened to fall over this weekend.
It struck me, when I received a text with a picture message from Ryan today (Jan. 15,2017), that he and Isaiah were together on the same day last year.....
It wouldn't have been significant if they shared a hometown.  Isaiah and Ryan met their 5th grade year at Wilcox Elementary in Lihue, Hawaii (on Kauai).  After we moved back to Oregon, the boys stayed in touch and have seen each other several times.
7400 miles away from where they both were last year, together in Schwabisch Hall, Germany, they sat on a beach in Poipu Kauai and spent the day together.

Jan. 15, 2016

Jan. 15, 2017

hardly comfortable and rarely enamoring

There are certain seasons, sometimes defined by years, sometimes defined by circumstances, and sometimes will define the rest of your earthly life, that will etch into the very person you are called to be.  Seasons that the Lord allows His accounting to be so detailed, so distinct, so defined, even those who don't call Him theirs turn their heads to glimpse as He works.  I'm finding that these seasons He calls us to are hardly comfortable and rarely enamoring- It's mostly us, His own, being placed in less than ideal circumstances, so we can reach those who may never else have a chance to see.  Maybe you find yourself laying in the hospital bed, or with a scary diagnosis, maybe it is the chronic illness, infertility, a life changing disability, possibly even watching your child suffer.  If we could only glimpse, and see these moments through eternity's perspective, what would our attitude be.  That pain, the grief, your sorrow, my heartache, her joy, their loss- all of it, it all matters to Him.  He is defining and etching His glory through us with His nail scarred hands for perfections sake.  His perfect will working out His perfect plan in our less than perfect lives to create eternal masterpieces.  If I knew that my heartache was really just He asking me to walk forward in faith....walk forward in trust....with the divine understanding that every person you brush up against in your defining difficult season is there orchestrated by a loving Heavenly Father for a greater purpose.

What if it was said that the Lord asked her to walk through wrenching heartache and endure most difficult times.

What if it was said that the Lord asked him to know unbearable physical pain and understand grievous loss.

But what if it was added that through it all, neither she nor he lost sight of God's promises.  Never lost sight of a loving Heavenly Father entrusting them with such a priceless season- a season of reaching those around you through your own pain.  What if they walked as believers who knew they had a Heavenly purpose and a Heavenly home.

'Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart...'

John 16:33

beauty products, bathing suits, and praying

Bullet point randoms :)
how's 7 of them!!

• I'm almost a month into taking Liposomal Vitamin C (Thank you Kristen H. for the recommendation where to get it).  The word is that Liposomal C is transported directly into your bloodstream and then into your cells giving a more direct and powerful delivery.  I first learned about how effective Vitamin C is when Ryan went through Lyme Treatment in Germany (it was one of the things used in his treatment only in IV form not Liposomal).  Since then, I have followed blogs and heard personal stories of people who have treated various ailments with Liposomal Vit. C.  32 Grams (32,000mg) was tolerance when I first started and now I'm at 12 Grams per day and holding.  Your body will absorb as much as your cells need and then you will reach your tolerance.  There is no guessing when you've met the tolerance :)  I will say this....I've had a persistent cyst for almost 2 years- over the last year, it has become consistent (never letting up).  I've gone to the Dr. several times, just keeping tabs on it.  This past weekend, it completely went away.  Not sure if it is the Vit. C or just coincided with taking the C....whatever the case, I am going to stay on a decent dose of Liposomal Vit. C for 3 months and then drop down to a bit lower of a dose and stay on it.
• I got an Elchim hair dryer for Christmas from my mom (thank you mom).....noticed that it smooths down fly away hair and drys your hair quick and smooth, like you used a round brush.  It really is nice!!
• Ordered a bathing suit off of Rosegal.com- It is a strappy high waisted bikini for $14.44 with free shipping.  I wasn't expecting it to be as cute as it is (and it was such a great price!).  The bag it came is was directly from China so it took several weeks to arrive.  I will do more ordering through them.  P.S. I ordered the bathing suit a size up because reviews on the site kept saying that their clothing ran small.  The size up fits perfectly.
• Ordered Ellie a bathing suit from Janie and Jack.  It came in, I tried it on her, and then promptly ordered her another one (in a different print) so that she could have 2....they are that cute!  It also helped that the second suit was on clearance for $11.99.  We won't talk about the price of the first suit. 
• Have you smelled Desert Essence 'Coconut' Lotion??  I was checking out at Natural Grocers and had another lotion- the checker told me her favorite was the coconut... so glad I bought it.  My favorite is to still use Avocado oil but the coconut lotion is a close second.
• I was at TJ Maxx, browsing in the beauty product clearance, and came across Sans Ceuticals Balancing Hair Hydratant.  It was on clearance for $5.50.  It had an expensive look and smell so I did a quick google to find out that it retails for $33. plus $7.95 S&H.  I also saw that it had quite a few good reviews.  The directions say to put a 'cherry size dollop through your hair's mid-length and ends...leave for 30 seconds and then rinse.'  For anyone with hair that is dry, it works as a really good conditioner.  For a deep conditioner, I will follow it up with my normal conditioner. 
• Switching gears to a serious note....It's fun to talk about the 'fun' things in life, beauty products, clothes, lotions....but there are many of you who will read this post who are suffering.    Who went through this Christmas season watching a loved one suffer or maybe it is you who is suffering.  You all know how tender my heart is towards those who are going through a chronic illness (Lyme among the many out there). My heart ached over this holiday season as I know of  tough things going on in the lives of several people I know and care about.  The husband and father who is on hospice.  His family is Praising the Lord for the Heavenly Home he will go to but they will miss him so very much when he goes.  The mothers I know who went through this holiday season without one of their children- their precious kiddo's having gone on to heaven.  Also, a friend's husband who suffered a devastating car accident just before Christmas- He is recovering but it will be a long road.  For these families plus the many of you I have spoken with regarding your 'tough' situation- please know that I am praying.  Praying God's comfort and peace over your lives.  

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,  for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22

A random picture to go with this random post.....I took this picture of the Alps as we were driving out of Lichtenstein.  Clearly the picture does not do the Alps justice BUT when was the last time you could say you saw what the Alps looked like in Lichtenstein :) 

my mature marriage :)

To set the stage of this blog post, you've got to understand two things....

First, my claim to fame has never been having some sort of super maturity in marriage.  When it goes down that you get married as a teenager (18) it's only natural that you establish immature habits.  Oh, I'm not talking ungodly with no moral compass type of habits..  Nope, nothing like that.  It's more of a stooping to levels of couthlessness that could be, considered by some, as childish.

Second, Matt and I have been slightly on each others nerves for a couple of days.  I wanted him to go with Elle's and I to the movies and he was not in the mood to go.  Instead of being gracious and understanding, I was annoyed- this annoyance has simmered a few days now.  There was a part of me (remember I'm owning my immaturity) that wanted him to feel the same annoyance I was feeling.

The thought first dawned on me, when I opened the refrigerator and saw that my Matt had bought Eggnog, how gross he thinks it is when people drink right out of the carton (even when watching movies or TV, he has to turn his head away).  I could hear the self talk 'Don't do it, Steph!  This is so immature'!  BUT the thought of Matt's face when he received the below text message won over the self talk....
His response still makes me laugh...

If you end up reading this blog post Matthew Benjamin, I LOVE YOU and your witty responses!!

Eli's Take on Middle Age

I have been blogging since 2010- Almost 7 years...wow!  I have posted 551 blog posts since 2010 and have 151 sitting in my 'drafts'.  Drafts are posts that for one reason or another I have not posted (you will notice that there is only 1 post published in 2010.  We were in the process of adopting and I took down all but one of my blog posts, the one that talked about our family for a birth mother to see).  It is always fun looking in the 'drafts', especially when the draft pertains to something my kids were doing at the time.  Here is a post from Eli, I'm not 100% sure of the date he did this report but I'm guessing it was around 2010/2011.  In 2010, he was just turning 14 and finishing up his 8th grade year at Chiefess Middle school, getting ready to begin his 9th grade year at Kauai High School.
______________________________________________________________
When I went to bed last night Eli was busy working on a report for school that is due today.  I didn't ask him what it was about but instead said a quick 'I love you... God Bless you' and hit the sack.  As my computer started up this morning, the usual picture did not show up in the background but instead the first thing that popped up was the report Eli was working on last night-
After reading through his report on 'Middle Age' the first time I cringed.....(muscle tone diminishes and physical exercise is needed to maintain figure..BLAH!  'Medical Problems are the leading cause for middle age deaths'...that's not very heroic or impressive).  Then I made my way through it again, fascinated that after all Eli read about middle age the facts below are what stuck out to him (and he felt them relevant to document for his report)...

“Middle age”

35-65 years of age.

By: Eli B.

Physical changes: physical changes are common during this time in life. This is when your body starts to diminish.

-muscle tone diminishes.
-changes come in diet.
-physical exercise is needed to maintain figure.
-body’s reproductive compactly begins to slow.

Social and emotional changes: middle age people begin to reflect on their lives. Realize that they made mistakes in their life. 

-begin to accept mortality as friends and loved ones die.
-reflect on birth and growth of children. 
-Midlife crisis begins in 40s.
-have a fear of losing their youth.

Financial concerns: Learning to accept responsibility is hard. But when people are counting on you it is necessary. 

-get satisfaction from giving to others
-accepting the effects of stress.
-may be overwhelming
-medical problems may arise.

Specific tasks: this is a very stressful time in life. Family and work may depend on you.

-provide for a family 
-have a steady job. 
-provide sufficient support for people around you. 
-look into selling down.

Joys: midlife years are the best years of life for many people. Many are able to enjoy and focus their families and job.

-providing for a family brings great joy. 
-able to enjoy hobbies 
-proud of accomplishments 
-use leisure time creatively.

Medical problems and dangers: medical problems are the leading cause of middle age deaths. This is very common.

-cancer is a very real threat 
-heart disease
-addictions become tough to get away from. 
-experiencing the ill effects of habits 
-learning about medical care.

aaawwww!! It's Eli when he was 14- seems like so long ago

mostly german protocol

I copy and pasted this post from my sister in law,Liz's blog.  It is the protocol she is using to treat her Lyme Disease.

(A big part of this treatment protocol was put together by several who have traveled to Germany to receive treatment for Lyme Disease.  The other part of the treatment protocol was put together by a local Naturopathic Dr. who also practices Homeopathy.  I choose this protocol because of it's proven success rate)

Detox Phase:

Breakfast

                  ·2 capsules Herbal Heplaclenz (Professional Formulas)

                  ·Whole Body Liquesence, 15 drops under tongue (Professional Formulas)

                  ·Chicory Ginger Digestive Bitters with food, 10 drops (Uriel) plus 5-6 drops of Stevia

                  ·Probiotic

After breakfast

                  ·Lymph/spleen Complex, 1 capsule (Professional Formulas)

Lunch

                  ·Chicory Ginger Digestive Bitters, 10 drops

Dinner

                  ·Chicory Ginger Digestive Bitters, 10 drops

                  ·Whole Body Detox Liquesence, 15 drops under the tongue

                  ·probiotic

                  · “Ultra Liquid Zeolite” (with humic acid) 13 drops in water

Dietary:

No dairy, gluten and only natural sugars.  I did food sensitivity testing and am off of all chicken and eggs, along with a few other misc. food allergens I avoid.  I limit sugar, but do have maple syrup, some honey and tea with nutramedix brand liquid stevia.   

Lyme Treatment:

IV Formulation

                  ·600 mg Glutathione push

                  ·1000 mg Vitamin C (will increase to 15 grams after enzyme test comes back)

                  ·1000 mg magnesium

                  ·Multi-trace minerals mix

                                    5 mg zinc

                                    1 mg copper

0.5 mg manganese

                                    10 mcg chromium

                                    Selenium

                  ·methylated B complex, called B100

                  ·sodium bicarbonate

Dr. has ordered in lymphostat by HEEL that we will begin with the IV’s as well.  This is usually done via IV on the ozone days, but we will add it to the Vitamin C IV days. 

I still need to ask Dr. about vitamin D and a probiotic infusion that I see listed on German protocol.

I continue to take all the detox supplements every day of the week.  I have also added:

                   ·200 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid three times per day

                  · 25,000 IU vitamin A once a week (THORNE brand)

                  · Dr. recommended Willards Water.  I have it but have not introduced it into the protocol.  

                    I will use it as a further detox agent if needed, especially on ozone days.  

                  · ozone sauna (with or without ozone) is available to detox on ozone days

Ozone/Bionic Days

                  ·up to 240 cc ozone via rectal insufllation

                  · 1 scoop SANUM Pleo Alkala Antacid powder

                  ·one hour in Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber immediately following RI and alkali 

(Cure Health Spa is offering a 20% discount on all Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber sessions if you mention that you heard about them from this post)

·Bionic 880: 10 points at 11.77 Hz, 100% power, 330 seconds (borellia burdorferi nosode taped to solar plexus)

· (The detox supplements I take every day help with detox, and the zeolite helps with ph balancing.   I will continue to see how my body react to this method and if it’s enough.)

I have German nosodes on order (Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma pneumonia and Rocky Mountian Spotted Fever.)  I know I have more co-infections than that, namely Colorado Tick Fever, Erlichia and EBV, etc., but I will address those after I take care of Lyme and the main co-infections I believe affecting my health, if they are not already gone after treatment. 

Extra Notes:

• The inventor of the bionic recommends this for a detox:  Want to note the recommendation from a Dr. in Germany: "Finally, all of my patients receive a detoxification treatment, which includes an intravenous infusion of magnesium, zinc, Hepar comp (a homeopathic liver decontaminant), Solidago comp (a homeopathic kidney support remedy), Lymphomyosot (a homeopathic remedy to support the lymphatic system) and 100 ml of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 8.4 %)."

Bionic informational website: http://lymebook.com/bionic-880-photon-woitzel-germany-pe1

 

Bionic 880

Nosode taped to the Solar Plexus during bionic treatments

this years family pictures

We had our family pictures taken late last week.  They turned out lovely (thank you Christine over at Christine Sarah Photography)!  Every year, when we get our new family picture taken, I always compare it to the years previous.  It's fun to take a look back and see how much your kids have grown up!  The pictures below starts when Eli was 15, Ry was 12, and Ellie was 5 months old.

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016- Eli is 20, Ry 17, and Ellie is 5