Happy New Year

The holidays are over, school is back in session! I was actually glad to return because the kids we're driving me nuts!! The nice thing about school is meeting new people, seeing fresh faces, and networking. I feel like I'm in HS again sometimes, pretty cool. This semester I'm doing some volunteer work which will look good on paper, but also just feels good to pay it forward. I'm gonna hold off on moving for right now, hopefully I'll find a house in a couple of months. A few things to look forward to...tax return, school refund, possibly a new car (truck is almost paid off!), and an exclusive all girls trip to Vegas (march). I am looking forward to seeing some old friends frm school that I have not seen in probably 15 years!

I forgot to mention

I have been in touch with my donor family. I received 2 letters, one from her mother, the other from her sister. All I can say what an amazing young lady she was. My dream for us, is to take her back to Costa Rica, she loved it there....I'm sure I will too.

Time flys..

I can barely believe 2011 is coming to an end..

It has been a year and a half since I wrote...wow I've been busy! (or lazy lol)

I am now 2 years post transplant! Some things have changed some have remained the same, I am currently attending SPC. My goal presently is just to remain focus, lol..waiting to return to school after so long has been challenging. Many late night studying and staring at the computer. Ideally I am aiming towards something in the human services/social field. I know I want to work with the youth, some days I think I want to be a teacher other days I want to be a family therapist or juvenile probation officer. I am sure I will figure it out as I move foward. I have even considered a respiratory therapist :) I pray the answer becomes clearer to me, as to what my purpose in life is...

The kids - healthy and growing up. Jayden has become quite the athlete, crafting his skill in basketball. At times I have to remind him to keep his cool, he's definitely all about winning. I'm glad he has found happiness in that. He still plays for the YMCA, begins the competitive league in a couple of weeks. Although he did not make the school team, he has great confidence in himself. He has come along way from the shy mamas boy he once was. Aysia spends her days still creating, she is quite the student...I never expected less, very much like me when it come to academics. Now all I have to do is keep her away from the boys till she's 30! Her and Jayden consistently have been on honor roll/student of the month. I am prod to call them mine. I cannot forget our new edition Roxy. We adopted Roxy in May, she came from a rescue shelter in Largo. From day one she has been this timid and sweet girl. We love her and could never be without her now. She has become quite spoiled, always ready to go for a ride.

In a few months we will be moving again, last Febuary we moved into a duplex in the same area. The bills have become outrageous, and I'm not liking the neighborhood so much. It was better than the apartment though in many ways, gave us all a little more "freedom." This makes move #5 in the past 6 years. I feel like I am in the military, of course my dad does not mind it all.

The family - everyone is well, mom still working her but off for Sam Walton, Dad has managed to stay at his job..can't wait for the day he can retire. The life of a mechanic has taken a toll on him, long hours and heavy work. Coonyai (grandma) is good, makes it to the temple pretty much every sunday to do her part for Buddha :) She has also remain in remission 3 years now, how great is that? She's is a tough lady, the reason my mother being the exact same. Mia & Jimmy are in WA. Mia is very busy keeping the household together, Jimmy remains on the ship for months at a time. Isabel staying busy being big sister, Jimmy and Nacho will be 2 in Febuary. I'm honored to have such a great brother, he has been recognized for many accomplishments in the Navy. Most recently for saving the government millions of dollars by repairing some part on the ship instead of having to replace it.

I new hobby I picked up was couponing. I haven't been on top of it lately, I realized I was shopping way too much just to get a deal. I have been testing the waters in the dating scene. I have met some great people and some real jerks too! So yes I am still single :) I am ok with that, for now....

I'm home

I had my 8 month check up today. Everything went well, I saw Dr. Yip he is always so pleasant. He confirmed my trip, now the only complication is figuring out is if I can be around the boys after their 4 month shots. There are some shots that are "live" and since I am immuno suppressed I can't take the risk :( Still trying to figure it out, trip might be postponed......I was looking forward to a "vacation" (sigh).

I hope to have most results tommorow. For the most part all is good, besides some eye pain. It started about a week ago, my eyes feel tired and very sensitive to light, worst part is having a constant headache. I am due to see a neurologists and opthamologists, and will get some answers then. My liver is fine, my endocrinologists said a number means nothing sometimes and as long as I felt fine he was going to treat me and not the number.

The visit was very short. I did see The Hatchers, it made me miss Jacksonville. We dropped off some tires for Micah, not many words were exchanged between us.....it was nice to see him.

Of course I had to stop by BJ's! I miss shopping there, the closest one to here is in Sarasota (1 1/2 hr. away) Although I did not see Donna, maybe next time. I was hoping to go get my nails done, with dad forget about it! He is always in a rush, drives me crazy. I really need to find a shop here I am comfortable with. I am just so used to Trish doing them, she treats me good and gives the best mani/pedis! LoL

P.S. I didn't get scolded!? I better get to work!!

It's been awhile.......

It's been awhile since a wrote, I was inspired by an old friend (thank you). I am not sure where to start.....I leave for Jacksonville tommorow, for my 8 month check up, I am quite nervous actually. My weight has been a real struggle this time around. I am sure I will get scolded :( It has been an on going battle my whole life! I am not giving up!

We are doing pretty good, finally have been able to join the YMCA and get the kids more "involved". Aysia is/was doing swim classes and Jay is back in football. Football is going great for Jay, I feel it gives him "push" to earn the privilege to go. His team is The Chiefs and they are 3-0 right now :) He is back to doing chores, earning roughly $10 a week. His latest "addiction" is Wizard 101 (PC game). Aysia is very up and down right now, I am trying to find a art class/program for her, she is NOT into the swimming at all. Our days are quite full now, spending time at the Y, at the library at least once a week, walk one hour daily as a family, and are still always in Target or Publix!

I am going to Washington at the end of the month. I can't wait to see everyone, mom is there now visiting. The boys are 3 months old already, not identical, look just like my brother!

Micah and I are no longer together, it was unexpected....I guess that's the way love goes. It has been very hard for me to understand, but I know it is not for me to understand. I wish him the best and pray for him.

Lately I have just been trying to figure out the school thing, I have been procrastinating..I have no excuse when I get back in July!

Life is Good!

Almost 5 months post transplant, and I received the BEST news ever this week! I finally scored the BIG FAT ZERO!! The status you want to be when your a transplant patient. It is considered a "no rejection status" >>EXCELLENT<< :) Everything is looking great, with the exception of my liver :( Hopefully it is the bactrim causing the labs to run high, they have stopped it and I am due to get an MRI (normal range is 100 I am 700) I haven't written in awhile, I've been so busy.... We are back home in Clearwater, we moved into our new place the first of February. It is a 2 bdrm, small, but we are Blessed. It is very "trendy" which was a plus... less to decorate. I live on the opposite side of town for the first time from my parents. It feels great being back, reconnecting with everyone. I missed everyone so much. Even though I am no longer in Jacksonville it still seems like I am still there..lol.. We just got back from there tonight, I spent the week up there for appts. It was nice, got to hang out with my cousin Sandy. Micah and I got to stay in a pretty snazzy suite. Micah and I are apart for now but not really, somehow we are managing weekly visits. Mostly him coming on the weekends, we decided it was best for him to finish extern in Jacksonville. My days are uneventful, still trying to tie up loose strings. My routine thus far is rehab still M, W, F. Aysia and I spend alot of quality time together, thats my girl...AND alot of girl time with Ann and Ali!
My plans are to attend SPC next session (April). I do not really have anything etched in stone, I try and allow the man upstairs to guide my steps, or I find myself overwhelmed, as I tend to "overthink and analyze" everything. But hey Lifes GOOD!
The Beattie Boys have finally arrived, born on 02/02/2010. Ernesto and James, "neto" as they call him is the smaller of the two. They call James, "jimmy"...they are not identical, but do favor eachother quite a bit. Mia has definitely got her hands full, I cannot wait to meet them! I would like to go visit and help Mia out....
Ann also has planned an "all girls" vacation to St. Croix....which I definitely need, I told Micah it can be my birthday present! I deserve it ;) it looks very pretty, Ann went in 2006 and Maurice and his family are there, it would be nice to see them. It has been forever, I think he visited me in 2002!
My friends Becky and Hector are back in Florida! I am so happy for them and can't wait to see them. They have been in NY for about 8 years....I wish them the best, nothing better than being closer to family :)
Jayden is doing quite well in school, last report card all A's and B's! He has had alot of disruptions in his young life....he seems to be content at this time, so I have allowed him to stay with mom and dad during the school week and weekends with me. I do not want to push him too much, he's so sensitive and very emotional these days. I love him and just want the best for him, he is happy there I will leave it be for now. Also he has made friends in the neighborhood. When he looked at me and said " I do not want to leave, it is hard to make friends!" I couldn't say anything, but think about how I felt growing up having to move every 2 years because dad had a new assignment. It sucked! As for Aysia she is always with her mama, I know I will be sad when she starts school, but it is time. She needs to, she is so smart and with consistency she will only bloom. She too found a little buddy, Kayla. They play all day in the sand and dirt! Micah has 5 weeks left at Omnicore, mail order pharmacy. His favorite past time is Guitar Hero these days and for me it's still FB, Farmville, and Cafe' World! Everyone is well, couldn't ask for anything more, wellllll except winning the lotto!

Coming to an End....

It is Sunday evening, Christmas is over. I am just sitting here reflecting on this past year and what is to become of the future. Alot of uncertainty but strong faith.

The kids just got home from visiting with Tyrone in Gainsville, I have made a big step in allowing him to take them for the day, a good or bad decision? only time will tell, but on the flip side they are happy and seems like they had a good time.

Christmas came and went, earlier in the week I let the kids open one gift a day, since the house is mostly packed, the gifts kept them entertained. We spent the Christmas morning together (Me, Micah, Jay, and Aysia) opened presents, "played", cleaned up, and ate good! Around 3pm Tyrone showed up with more presents...the kids and him had their time together. Micah and I headed to the Christmas party at Thim and Kelvin's. It was nice to see some faces and of course Thim always keeps me fed. At about 8pm we met up and got the kids from Tyrone, they were so thrilled to see Elijah, Yuka, Ayana. Good times I will miss when we leave Jacksonville, the kids always have so much fun together when their not fighting or telling on eachother! :)

It doesn't seem like we are leaving in a month, still looking for place in Clearwater to call home. I am excited and nervous, Jacksonville has also become "HOME". I wish the kids would be happy here, it would be nice to have the space sometimes from the parents. We'll see you never know. The landlord stopped by today from Maryland to check the place out and get ready to put it up for sale. I will miss 4075 Laurelwood Dr., ....nice area, neighbors with cousin Sandy, good location, and The place itself has great space/room. If only we could have a puppy it would be perfect! One day......

There's so much on my mind...I am just hoping for a smooth transition. I want to support eachother the best we can without bumping heads. I know we both are under alot of stress, this medication is starting to really mess with me. All I can think about is getting it cut back or off some of it, I know it takes time though, I will continue to be patient. My last biopsy was still a 1B. Dr. Yip has also expressed to me I may always be a 1B due to the antibody issue, we will know more as time goes on (6 months).

It is about to be 2010!!! 5 years!! Aysia will be 5 on Saturday! I can't believe it, she is so big and smart. She loves her doll house and scooter, and Jayden well he must be the luckiest boy in the world. I am embarassed to list everything he got....he is loved in all directions, but still acts and feels like he is not loved or has enough of anything....which saddens me. He now is acting jealous of Aysia again, wanting more attention from Micah.

We will be celebrating Aysia's Birthday Friday or Saturday. The plan is to take her to Winter Wonderland in St. Augusine and have the kids over for some cake. I am still deciding between Elmo and Spongebob. She wants Elmo but the SB looks soo cool, it is a crabby patty! very cute! No big plans for New Years we probably will watch the fireworks on T.V.,,,,,,,,dad is coming up here to get the final load. Micah finishes school on the 27th of January and is due to start his extern on the Feb. 5th, I believe. I guess I should start browsing some places again..........