I didn't believe it until now

Kids Update:
It has been a long time since I have posted.  Coincidence or not, I stopped once school started!  Things have been very busy at the Lichtie house.  Zach is playing basketball and baseball.  He has basketball practice two times per week and games on some Sundays.  Baseball starts on Saturday again for the season.  I am helping to coach Zach's basketball team and I love it!  It feels good to be back on the court again.  Emma decided to join Girl Scouts this year and is still dancing.  She is taking Jazz/Hip Hop and practices on Saturdays.

CVS Update:
I am afraid to say this out loud, but Emma's CVS is under control at this time!  She hasn't had a cycle since early May!  We still have her on anti-nausea medication twice per day.  She is a different kiddo on that medication!   While we feel that we have her cycles under control, she still has some work to do mentally.  She won't go to places that she felt sick or got sick at.  She won't wear clothes again that she got sick in.  She still worries that she will get sick.  Hopefully over time that will get better!

I didn't believe it until now:
I have always read or heard overweight people say they feel mistreated or ignored by society.  I never understood that since I can't imagine treating others differently due to their weight.  I didn't believe it until now.  I have gained weight and have witnessed this change first hand.  I haven't been mistreated to my face, but I know that it has been talked about behind my back.  "Has she gained weight?"  "Wow, she looks so different."  I have felt ignored by society.  It is like people don't see you.  They look at you briefly but quickly look away.  I know this is my fault, I know that I have to get control of my body again.  I want my children to be proud of me.  I want to be seen and respected by everyone.  I want to be in pictures again.   It is up to me and only me.....

Hopeful - Living with CVS

While we were in Florida Emma was such a trooper and really surprised me.  She rarely complained of being too hot or feeling sick.  During the week prior to our trip we did visit her doctor to discuss medications she was on.  At that time her anxiety medication was increased, we decided to continue to treat acid reflux with over the counter medication and we were given Zofran to help treat her nausea for the length of our trip.  Once back from our trip Emma has had a few times of feeling nauseous and it just breaks my heart.  Since moms never stop fighting I started to do some research on Zofran.  I found that it is used and prescribed often for adults and children for many different reasons.  I quickly decided to contact Emma's doctor and ask if this is something we could continue to use for Emma on a daily basis.  She was just a different girl on vacation and I would love to make her that comfortable all the time!  Our doctor agreed and has prescribed the medication for Emma!!!  I am so hopeful that this may do the trick for our baby girl!  

Finding Comfort in Each Other

The storms woke me up this morning around 3:30.  All I heard was a few rumbles of thunder at that time.  The bigger storm rolled through around 5:30.  I was wide awake!  I kept looking at the door of our bedroom waiting to see which head would pop in first, Zach or Emma.  After laying in bed until my alarm woke me up, I was shocked thinking that they both had slept through the storm!  After my shower I noticed that Emma wasn't in her room.  I peeked on Zach and found Emma on his floor sound asleep!  She went in by him because she was scared.  It truly warms my heart how much Emma needs her big brother.  (I will  admit that part of me was sad that Emma didn't need me!)  Even though they fight sometimes, it was sure nice to see them finding comfort in each other.  

Memories of my childhood

We found the prefect place in our yard today to make a fort.  I remember as a kid I liked to find neat hideouts or tucked away spaces where friends would hang out.  Joe and Kate were over and they helped start the fort process.  I quickly found out that kids aren't as creative as we were.  They looked to me to tell them what to do.  I encouraged them to use what was around them, be creative, and explore!  I wish that my kids could have the childhood I had.  Riding bikes to friends houses, playing ghost in the graveyard, and kick the can.  We didn't come inside until we had to, and even then we begged for more time!  

Tinkering

He have had a pretty low key day today.  We headed to Hobby Lobby where Emma got fabric to make her own green screen.  Her creativity and use of technology amazes me every day.  Then Kate and Joe came over to play.  Kate and Zach are so much alike.  They spent time playing basketball together.  Emma and Joe put their creativity to good use with her new green screen.  Tonight Emma is sleeping over at Mimi and Papa's with Joe!

Zach tinkering with his bike!

Emma getting the news that she can sleep over!

Down Time

We have returned safely from our amazing trip to Disney World!  I can't even begin to share how much fun we had.  We certainly created some great memories!  We are certainly very tired from our trip.  There isn't much relaxing on a Disney World trip!  Today I caught a rare moment of Zach and Emma getting along and playing LEGOs together.  The LEGOs have been packed away for a few months but I think the trip to LEGOland re-sparked their interest!  I love the creativity and thought that each puts into their LEGO creations!  

Magical Days

Yesterday and today were such magical days!  We went to Epcot yesterday and had a great time.  The kids loved riding Spaceship Earth.  The park was easy to navigate and not very crowded.  We ended the day watching the light show over the lagoon.  It was amazing!  Today we spent about 7 hours at Magic Kingdom.  We rode several rides and all agree that the Winnie Poo ride was one of the best! The feels like temperature was about 105 degrees.  Very hot and humid.  We were back at our condo in time for dinner.  We will be spending another day at this park on Sunday!