My daily struggle.

I have always though of myself as a generally healthy person.  I enjoy a good work out, I'm probably too obsessive about what I eat, and I have always been grateful about my high functioning self.

Until this year when I have been cursed with horrible, dreaded asthma.

I remember growing up, there would be times when I couldn't really get enough air in my lungs (have you ever had that feeling where you try to yawn, and it doesn't seem to catch?  It feels very similar to that) but never enough to bug me.  But throw a little bit of allergies in the mix, and it was like a bomb went off.

I have been to the doctor over 5 times now in the last few weeks, every time trying a new medication or inhaler, to find something that will help ease my attacks.  Generally they work for the first week, then the effects wear off, and I am left with asthma attacks and other infections CAUSED by the medications (this has made me even more angry than the breathing problems...)  I knew it was getting really bad when I couldn't even last through the first hour of church with out an attack, and Jeff and I had to run to the Urgent Care.  It is constantly on my mind, which is a burden because normally you don't really have to THINK about trying to get enough air with every breath, it just happens.  We are going to try an allergy specialist, because obviously the doctor we have been going to has been a big waste of time (and money).

Mostly, I just want to remember how good it feels to breathe again. *suppressed sigh*

But so far, the best cure has been the fun distractions I have in my life every day.

It is supposed to say Canned Delectables.

Emily has been gracious enough to invite me to her canning fun!  We had boxes or nectarines and apples on the verge of going bad, so we quickly canned some nectarine quarters and jams, and some really delicious apple butter.  Emily was not entirely impressed by their turn out, but I was just beaming with pride to see my little jars lined up!  It is a pretty big deal for me to even made something that turns out ok, and these looked so pretty and legit! Plus the smell of those apples slow cooking all day was mouthwatering and a treat all by itself!

 While we were making this delicious jam, Emily suggested we make some yummy bread as well.  I was very excited to do make bread with someone, because for some reason, mine just doesn't turn out how I plan.  But of course, with Em's magic touch, I made my best loaves yet, all by hand!

I will admit, I am not the best baker or can...ner, but I DO enjoy myself a good design project.  So I made labels.

Playing with these kids is definitely a highlight to my day.  Penny is constantly asking for "MiMI!!!" and "Ooby!" and I sometimes find her halfway up the stairs with out me in her haste to play.  We need to close our doors more tightly!  These kids are so funny, it is just a treat watching them all grow up.  And they are all extremely clever.  It is very entertaining to listen to them play off each other (often in the car) where one will start counting, and the other continues for them.  Or someone will start singing a song just to have someone join in for the chorus.  One of my favorite instances was Friday, Penny was engaging in her favorite, prolonged maniacal laugh she so often does, which inspired the rest to follow.  We were cruising a car full of giggly babies, Emily and I very much enjoyed the in-car entertainment.

 

 Well, I published this post, and somehow more than half of it got deleted.  So, I will continue it later, when I am over this internal struggle not to explode... Ok, it's passing... nope.  Still there.  Ok, now it's gone.  For now, enjoy this flier I made for the ward Halloween party that Em and I got put in charge of.  Jeff requested the Frankenstein's Monster, and the rest of the trick-or-treaters followed after :)  I think they turned out just adorable, and I'm sure all the kids who come will be too.