My Latest Update....

I’m so horrible at this blogging thing. I go in spells so forgive me if I don’t write everyday or even every week.

Here’s a update on the Hall’s and Benton =)

Ken and I took the girls to Holden Beach for a week (week of July 6). We spent several days out on the beach, we played putt-putt, shopped and managed to rest a little while down there. On that Friday we took a day trip to Wilmington to tour the Battleship, neither of the girls had been. I packed a picnic lunch so we could eat when we got there. When we arrived we noticed a filming crew. We made our way to the picnic tables without anyone stopping us, although they were keeping an eye out. We were maybe 50 yards from the filming and come to find out it was One Tree Hill. I’ve never seen the show but I might check it out since we did get to see them film an episode. That evening we met up with my best friend growing up. We had dinner on the beach with her family. She has 2 girls too, younger than ours but they had a ball. The four girls sat at a table and the adults sat at a different table, that was nice.

We returned to reality on the 13th. That week I had my endoscopy. The doctor found my stomach and lining were very irritated due to the amount of ibuprofen I take. Which by the way I was taking under the advise of my OB/GYN and family doctor. I’ve heard of it messing up your stomach but I’ve never known anyone that it really happened to, well now I do, me. I’m not suppose to take anything with ibuprofen or any NSAIDS, it’s Tylenol for me. He also found acid reflux scaring and other minor stuff but all in all it turned out good. By stopping the ibuprofen, my stomach should heal itself. He also told me to cut back on my Fiber One bars and salads or at least eat salads with spinach instead of lettuce. I’ve done everything he has suggested and I do feel better. Some days are worse than others depending on what and how much I eat but I’m working on controlling myself, not overeating and not eating what I know will upset my stomach. My follow up appointment is in 2 weeks, I’ll find out then if the biopsy found anything.

M stared 5th grade this past Monday! I cannot believe it. This is her last year in elementary school, middle school next year. Lord help me!! For the first four weeks they don’t have school on Fridays. The county schools are closed for 9 Fridays (to conserve and save money) so our first four fall into that. It’s a nice way to ease back into the school year but then they have to make it up during their fall and winter intercessions which won’t be fun then. I think M had a pretty good summer. She spent 3 out of her 5 weeks at the beach, one week at camp and the other week with her grandparents. She starts tennis lessons tonight and hopefully next month horse back riding lessons.

Let’s see what else: Ken has been promoted to Master Patrol Officer, next up Sergeant. We’re both enjoying his new motorcycle. We have a charity ride next month that the police department puts together for the Special Olympics. This year they’re expecting around 200 motorcycles. We ride from Pinehurst to above Greensboro, where Hooters will provide lunch for everyone then back to the Harley dealership in Asheboro. R is doing good, like always. She’s such a good and content child no matter what is going on. E has been in a transportation class through the college this summer so we haven’t seen much of him. He goes to DC with the class next week. It was a great opportunity so I’m thankful he got to participate. Heidi turned 7 yesterday and Sam we have found out isn’t right. Just kidding. He’s a sweet dog but kind of dumb and forgetful. He gets a spanking every now and then. He doesn’t understand, not everything in his path or reach is his. They have a huge basket of toys, which they pull out all the toys and play with them everyday but don’t leave a flip-flop, Barbie, towel, etc. within his reach or it’ll be chewed on. Although he is teaching the kids (and us) not to leave anything lying around.

Maybe my next update won't be a month away.

My Stomach - I Have So Many Issues

My parents came to town for dinner, yummy grilled bbq chicken, potato salad, garden salad and bbq bread followed by strawberry ice cream. I ate a lot but not nearly as much as I wanted to or that I have in the past. Since losing 7 pounds I don’t eat as much anymore, thank goodness. When I went to bed Saturday night my stomach was making all kinds of sounds, I took a couple Correctol’s (I had other issues going on as well). I didn’t sleep hardly any, I tossed and turned all night long. At 6am I was up and pacing the floors, my stomach hurt so bad and was extended so much (I looked like I was 7 months pregnant and weighed 8 lbs more than I did the Friday before!). I was cold and clammy, I could go to the bathroom, I couldn’t lie down, couldn’t sit for long, I was vomiting off and on (nothing but clear stuff). Ken decided at 6:30 I was going to the ER. They got me back pretty quick. I told the ER doc I’d had this happen before, even been to the ER before but in the past few years it’s never this bad. Its gastritis, just give me something for the pain and I’ll be on my way. Well, they got the IV started. They gave me some good stuff for the nausea and pain, they did a full urinalysis and metabolic panel (blood work). They even did a pregnancy test which I assured them was not even possible, I even told the nurse if it was positive it would be a miracle child from God! They sent me for x-rays and CT scans. So after all this the doctor said you do have gastritis, I’m sending you home with meds, follow up with a GI doc next week. We left the ER 4 hours later with a $6,000.00 bill!! They charged $40 for the pregnancy test!! I think I was more nauseated after seeing the bill than I was when I got there!!! I’m still having issues, my stomach cramps up and I get nausea all the time. I’m still taking the meds for that and I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow to see a GI doc. Thankfully my stomach isn’t as bloated, it still is some but I’m back down to what I weighed last Friday. I guess, I hope anyway, I’ll know more tomorrow after my appointment.

We leave for vacation on Sunday. I don’t want to be miserable the whole week so I’m praying the GI doctor can give me something that helps.

Happy Fourth of July to everyone! M and I will be in Lumberton to celebrate my dad’s b-day and do some shopping at Sam’s for vacation stuff. Ken is working and his kids will be with their mom. We’ll round the girls up on Sunday and head for the beach when Ken gets off work. E isn’t going with us, he has a class he’s taking through UNCP so it’s Ken, me and the girls! I can’t wait!!