This year we were Greek gods for Halloween.
Jason- Hades
Alicia - Aphrodite
Carter- Posieden
Aidan- Zeus
Keaton-Eros (Cupid)
It's All Greek To Me.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Posted by Alicia, Jason, Carter, Aidan, & Keaton at 6:38 PM 1 comments
Bershires
Sunday, October 24, 2010
We spent an idyllic weekend in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts in September.
We drove up on Saturday and went directly to Stockbridge and visited the Norman Rockwell Museum. The kids loved the museum. It is a great one for kids as Norman Rockwell was a big kid himself. He really looked for humor in every situation and the kids laughed out loud at a lot of the displays. I highly recommend it!
We drove around picturesque little towns for the rest of the afternoon went on a hike, and went to our hotel.
The next morning we headed to Hancock Shaker Village. It is the oldest continuously operating Shaker farms.It is in a beautiful little valley and has well preserved buildings throughout. We learned a lot about Shaker life and decided that it wasn't half bad.
The Shakers were very industrious. The gardens were huge, and they had a fair number of animals around
We must have been visiting past peak season, because the kids had the run of the place. They helped employees feed the livestock, did some weaving, rode in a horse-drawn buggy, chased an Australian Sheepdog, picked apples off the trees, and Keaton even watered the fields in the way that only little boys can.
Jason got to help the local beekeeper harvest some of his honey and was as starry-eyed as the little boys. Guess we are getting bees next spring!
Posted by Alicia, Jason, Carter, Aidan, & Keaton at 7:08 PM 2 comments
Fun for my birthday!
For my 35th birthday, Jason took me to a Harvest Feast at Longwood Gardens. I had wanted to go, but he surprised me by inviting my parents and Aunt Kristie to join us. One of Lacey's friend babysat for the kids and we had a magical evening.
Appetizers and cocktails were served in the idea garden. We were able to eat and walk around the lovely autumn gardens.
Dinner was served at a long table and we enjoyed 4 courses at the table, followed by dessert and a fountain display in the center of the gardens.
Posted by Alicia, Jason, Carter, Aidan, & Keaton at 6:46 PM 0 comments
Happy Father's Day
Monday, June 21, 2010
Posted by Alicia, Jason, Carter, Aidan, & Keaton at 7:20 AM 2 comments
Longwood Gardens
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Posted by Alicia, Jason, Carter, Aidan, & Keaton at 7:05 PM 4 comments
Happy Anniversary to me!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Today is my 1 year anniversary! I had pit surgery a year ago today at MDA and my numbers show that I am still cured. Last months am cortisol was 3.3 (6.2 - 19.4) and ACTH was 5.7 (7.2 - 63.3). I am currently on 15 mg and trying really hard to get down to 12.5 mg. I recently started Growth Hormone and am hoping that that will help me with some ongoing problems.
This year has been the hardest of my life. Most of you know I had a number of complications after surgery and spent a lot of time in various hospitals. I know that I am not necessarily the norm, but I want to share the good and the bad about this past year.
The Bad:
I have felt sick and exhausted for most of this year and for a good 6-8 months of it I was nauseated. I haven't been able to take care of my kids the way I would like to. My house has become a messy, messy place. I have only lost 5 pounds. I feel sickly a lot of the time. My muscles are still really weak. The brain fog is still present a lot of the time.
The Good:
However, I do feel like surgery was worthwhile. I find that my mental outlook is greatly improved. I haven't had a single panic attack since surgery. (I was having horrid ones almost every night.) I am less sweaty. I have a clear complexion. My hair isn't oily. My hump is gone. My stretch marks aren't red anymore. I can easily sleep through the night.
This cure isn't exactly what I thought it would be. Of course, in my imagination I saw myself recovering quickly and having all symptoms gone within 6 months. Well, this disease doesn't play fair! I keep believing that things will get better and better and that in the near future I will feel great. I'm hoping that a combination of more weaning and the GH will help me lose weight and feel less foggy.
I will say that I have learned a great deal about myself and learned how truly kind others can be. I am a stronger person than I knew, and I have an ability to be positive even in extreme situations. I have learned how to be patient. (I've had a lot of practice this year.) I've become assertive in getting what I know I need. I have become a mother less concerned in appearances and more concerned with making memories.
I've learned that people want to help you and are truly kind.
I am a better person because of this past year...
Thank you to all of you who have helped me through this. lifeline to me. Recovery is physically and emotionally hard, and I could not have done this without so many of you.
Thanks for watching my children, cleaning my house, bringing me food, visiting me,sending me cards and email. It was all deeply appreciated.
Love to you all,
Alicia
Posted by Alicia, Jason, Carter, Aidan, & Keaton at 5:42 PM 5 comments