Goals

I know a lot of people start making goals and plans for their life around January 1 of each year. I mean, it's a fresh start, a new beginning, a clean slate or whatever else you may call it. For me, though, it seems like my goal making and life changing occurs in the fall.

2003 - I got married on Aug. 30th. That fall was one heck of life change, that's for sure.
2005 - I found out I was pregnant in early August, preparing the way for a sickly fall yet an exciting winter as we anticipated parenthood
2006 - We moved to Johnson City, TN in Sept, opening doors for a few ups and lots of downs
2007 - I had my second child in November
2008 - I stopped breastfeeding my second child and was on a mission to get my body back, which was successful until I found out I was pregnant 4 months later.
2009 - I had my third child in October and was on a mission to survive.

So, that brings me to this year. In looking back, we haven't had a fall without some major event in many, many years. I've also discovered that since 2005, I have been pregnant or breastfeeding every day except for 4 short months. That's just weird to me.

OK, so talking about this year again...

This fall, I am not breastfeeding (Evan was weaned a few weeks ago). I am not pregnant (holler!). We are not moving to another state (whew!). So, that leaves me to getting my body back.

That is one of my goals.

I've had lots of friends blog about loosing weight and I don't know if I want to go that route. I may, I may not. I don't know. Should I? In any case, I'm going to run a 5K with my husband sometime in the near future. We need to sign up for one so I'll have a tangible date, but I'm going to do some sort of plan like the couch to 5K. I've been faithful for 2 weeks now, so hopefully I'll keep at 'em.

Another one of my goals is getting up early for devotion, prayer with my husband, and exercise, which leads me to another goal of going to bed at a decent time. I need adequate sleep or I am not nice. Plus, rest is good for me. But so is devotion, prayer with the hubster and exercise.

Balance, my friends. Balance.

Another goal is to not be selfish. I think this is the hardest one for me. I'm a very selfish person, which I discovered while I was on vacation. I'll have to some how put into words how I came to that conclusion, but it was actually not that hard to figure out until I started looking in the right Mirror. I am expecting not to reach this goal for a very, very long time.

All this to say that I am starting a new fall - a new season for me to start afresh with some goals that will help me change my life for the better.

Unfortunately I have nothing measured. Should I set measurable goals with rewards? I don't know...I usually work better with some sort of measurement to attain. I am, though, looking at my efforts more as a way for me to bring glory to God, which is something I haven't really done. He's showed me lately how I am absolutely nothing without Him and I want Him to be proud of the way I spend my time and treat my body. I will fail, that is inevitable for I am a sinful human being with a propensity to mess up. But, I will do my best.

So, that's it in a nutshell for now.

We can do it!

I don't know about you, but there are sometimes I feel like I can't do anything right. My kids disobey, I yell. My house is a wreck though I clean all day. The dishes keep piling up even though I try to minimize my dishes usage. The laundry basket never stays empty though I do at least a dozen loads of laundry a week. I fall into bed exhausted every night wondering what happened to my day. What did I do all day?

Yesterday, though, I felt like I did something.

When Patrick opened the fridge last night, poured himself some milk and said "why is the milk warm?", it clicked in my head that a lot of our refrigerated goods were warm yesterday though it didn't strike me until he said something. I felt the butter, it was soft. Oh no, the fridge is broke. So, we went through dinner and our bedtime routine, the whole time wondering what could possibly be wrong. When the kids went to bed, I turned towards the handy, dandy internet to search for an answer to the problem.

Google: Refrigerator is warm

Results, a million.

Wow. Browsing the headlines, I clicked "Refigerator is warm, Freezer too cold". I checked my freezer and there was frost. OK, that's probably a good link. After reading, and troubleshooting, I realized that our condenser coils were very dirty and the coils in the freezer were froze up. Patrick and I removed everything from the freezer and as I vacuumed and defrosted the coils, Patrick cleaned our now-warm refrigerator. All the while I was praising God for the refrigerator in the garage or I we would have lost a lot of food. After 2 hours of cleaning, unscrewing, re-screwing, blow drying the coils, and cleaning again, we were done. And all I had to do was wake up the next morning hoping for a cold fridge.

And guess what? We had a cold fridge.

This morning I fixed our lettuce spinner that I broke yesterday.

I felt like this:


I felt accomplished. Like I had done something. Like I had saved money from calling a repairman. Like I didn't throw $25 down the drain for breaking a salad spinner. Now, don't get me wrong, I would have rather vegged on the couch watching the Biggest Loser (who made the top 3, by the way?). But there was other things that needed to be done.

I'm tired today. Very tired. I don't feel like I can do it today - breaking up fights, turning whining into asking nicely, explaining kindly why I will enforce discipline, listening to Dora one.more.time., wiping tears and runny noses, changing poopy diapers, being spit up on, washing dishes, folding laundry, sweeping my floors. I'm very weary of it all today. But, it can be done. Now the question is, what kind of heart will I have when I do these things? Joyful, right?

I can't do it.

Or can I?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Preperations

OK, so it's been a week since I've blogged (sigh). I can't seem to keep up.

BUT, we do have lots of fun stuff happening over the next few weeks. Patrick will be on vacation next week and we're taking the kids on our first family vacation - Gatlinburg! We have season passes to Dollywood now! We'll hit D-wood for 2 days, the aquarium and other happening places that Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have to offer. This will be our first extended hotel stay, too. It should be an adventure!

So, for those of you who have experience in hotel stays with your kiddos, is there anything you recommend that I bring? We'll have a 1-bedroom suite with a microwave, full-sized fridge and sink. We'll have breakfast provided in the mornings. Is there any good travel toys you recommend? We're looking forward to the adventure!

The week after we get back, VBS starts. YEA! I'm teaching the 4-year-olds this year and I'm very excited about the Egypt theme as we're delving into the life of Joseph. My neighbor is going to help out with Evan until Daddy gets home; I have to be at church by 5pm and VBS doesn't end until 9. I think Evan will be much happier at home with Daddy. Then after that, summer is in full swing! I'm excited about the coming weeks!

All things through Christ are beautiful

I've been busy. I've learned that this is the story of my life. It's my normal. But, I'm busy with people. Little people. Little people who can bring me both great joy and great frustration. Little people who God has given me for just a short time to care for and direct to Him. As I was encouraged by my pastor on Sunday, my goal is to go about my career as a full-time without grumbling or questioning (I'm going to add complaining in there too). I want to choose to live as Jesus did - a man who saw equality with God as not something to be grasped but made himself nothing (willingly and without complaint) and humbled himself. Oh, if only I could do this! But I am a sinner. I cannot be humble without Jesus. BUT, according to Paul, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. May he strengthen me!

I had a great Mother's Day weekend. The last 2 mother's day have been hard and this Mother's Day was just perfect. My parents came up to watch the kids while Patrick took me to An Evening at The Cove in Asheville, NC to see Andrew Peterson in concert on Saturday night. If you've never been to the Cove, GO! If you've never seen Andrew, GO! If you've never listened to Andrew's music, LISTEN! It was a wonderful evening with my love. On Sunday, we went to church and then had a great dinner prepared by Patrick and my Dad (steak and shrimp!!!). Mom and I tried to see a sneak peak of Letters to Juliet, but it was canceled at the last minute(go figure!). We were a bit disappointed, but we were able to indulge in a half-price Frappuccino at Starbucks and relieve Dad and Patrick the responsibility of entertaining 3 kids while preparing dinner. Mom and I received big hugs from our men when we walked in the door. I had an early birthday celebration with my folks with cake and gifts. It was a great day.

My 32nd birthday is tomorrow. There isn't anything too special planned and that's OK. I've had a lot of "special" lately.

Life is good. Challenging, yes. But good. And beautiful.

Back on the Blog again.

Well, I miss blogging. I really do. I love looking back at what I've written over the last few years and remembering the good things. And the crazy things. And the hard things. Remembering the babies, the moves, the sicknesses, the silly things said, and all the in betweens make me happy. I don't have a lot of these writings over the last several months that I'll be able to look back on, and that makes me sad. I have lots of excuses, too. I'm good at excuses. Yes, I have 3 kids - 3 NEEDY kids, mind you. Yes, I can barely find time to take a shower between loads of laundry and breastfeeding. But do you know what's been a big-ol' time-waster? Facebook.

So, I'm going to take a break from it. Facebook has just but one of those quickie things for me to be in touch with people by not getting too involved. Now, what good is that doing for me? I get a bunch of information and let out a bit of my own by not adding much worth to my day but most importantly my spirit. I've been convicted that giving up Facebook for a time (or for forever...I don't know) is a sacrifice I must make. It's been affecting me mentally and spiritually. That sounds strange, doesn't it? This gradiouse and totally awesome application that touches millions of people at a superficial level is really causing me to stumble. It just zaps so many snippets of my time that are precious not only to me, but to my husband and children. Who really cares what I think about if I'm heading to Chick-Fil-A or not? Well, maybe you would've been interested to know that I headed there today at 3pm in order to avoid a major self-destructive erruption at my kids! Anyway...

I figured that no one really would miss me too terribly on Facebook. And if you did really miss me, you could:

1. Follow my blog or maybe you might even
2. Send me an email. Or maybe if your feeling REALLY friendly you might even
3. Call me on the phone. And if you REALLY REALLY wanted to check in on me you might even
4. Pay me a visit at home.

I've decided that I've been too impersonal with my friends, too. So, I'm collecting phone numbers and email addresses...even home addresses. I've been convicted to step out of my comfort zone and actually be more friendly by calling/writing/visiting. Talking on the phone isn't easy for me. But how can I expect others to do for me if I can't do it myself?

Bleh, I've rambled on enough. I've got a bazillion things on my mind that have been backlogged for months. So, I'm hoping to be back on the blog. Again.

Swine.

Patrick has the swine flu. We have been infected by the dreaded H1N1. I don't really have the energy right now to wrap my head around contagious viruses that could put my 4-month old in the hospital if he contracts it. I have instructed Patrick to:

1. Only touch the children on the back if he absolutely needs to
2. When he coughs in his shirt, take it off and throw it in the laundry
3. Use hand sanitizer ALL THE TIME
4. Don't breathe on me or the children

Since I found out at 10am, I have stripped the beds, made the bed downstairs for him to use, made our bed, lysoled all the door knobs, wiped down the couch with soap and water, cleaned off the computer, and made a new gallon of gatorade for him to drink. And I fed the baby, the kids, the hubs and myself. Now, I'm hoping to get some rest. I've been sleep deprived lately and have a small amount of energy right now...and I don't think coffee will give me the pick-me-up it usually does. But, with 6 loads of laundry waiting to be folded, at least 3 more in the works, I need the rest to tackle this monster.

I have to praise God for giving me grace, though. I've learned through experience that walking by the Spirit and letting Him produce the fruit of love, patience, gentleness and the like, peace will follow naturally. And it's peace that I desire.

Lord, I submit. Please take over.

Trying to stay afloat...and making it by the skin of my chinny chin chin

Sometimes I feel so bogged down by what I need to do and want to do that I feel I have no free time to just do whatever. My blog has been classified in the "whatever" column these days and it's a shame because I greatly enjoy looking back over my past posts and reminiscing about the "good ol' days" of yester-year. But, it's a time-thing these days. When I'm on the computer, I usually am feeding a baby making it pretty difficult to type or I only have a few quick minutes to jot something down briefly, which Facebook is a great tool for. I still read a lot of blogs, but mine is getting the cold shoulder.

Anyway, my house is true disarray right now and I'm finally sitting down for lunch at 2:30 pm while all 3 kids are napping (score!). I'd rather be in bed...which I might do in a sec. I just wanted to say hello to those who MAY be reading...sorry it's taking me so long in between the posts. I'm a bit busy.

The Secret to Really, Really Good Pancakes

I've learned to enjoy the Food Network. I used to not like watching it. At all. I mean, what's the point? The chefs/cooks or whatever-you-call-them would run through the recipe so blazing fast that I often wondered how could anyone remember what they cooked or how they cooked it or whatever. But, when I started nursing Evan I'd flip on the TV and there was nothing on worth watching except shows on the Food Network. And I became a great fan.

I've learned SO MUCH about cooking, shortcuts, and gadgets that have helped me improve my cooking. I've always enjoyed cooking and now I enjoy it SO MUCH MORE with all the helpful tips and tricks I've learned. I wish I kept better documentation on what I've learned from these pros, but now the tricks have become second nature to me in the kitchen. Things that I do remember learning are:

1. You need to have a good, sharp knife. And you do. Really.
2. You need to have a good zester. I had a poor one and when I got a good one, I was hooked.
3. Onions are like underwear...you should have them on all of your dinner dishes!!! (and they are in practically all of mine...)

Wow, that's all I remember right now...

Anyway, I was watching a program the other night called "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" where chef Bobby Flay (based in NYC) finds the masters in different kinds of cooking and then try to out-cook them. Well, in the first episode I saw, he challenged a master pancake maker to a throwdown in making blueberry pancakes. In their discussions, they rattled off how to make these and what their secrets are. I was blown away that I was using the EXACT same ingredients as the Clinton Street Baking Company in NYC (except for their secret ingredient, whatever that was...), but I was just missing out on certain steps to make these pancakes fabulous. And after trying out their tricks, I have learned that I can also make finger-lickin' fabulous-o pancakes. The secret is separating the egg, beating the egg whites to a nice fluff and then folding it into the batter at the end before spooning the batter onto the griddle.

So, I here now impart my pancake wisdom. Don't buy Jiffy or Bisquick EVER AGAIN!!! Do it this way...you should have all the ingredients in your cupboard. And if you don't, go out and put these ingredients in your cupboard. And I challenge you to make them, additional steps and all. You will be pleased.

Pancakes (makes 16-18 pancakes)
2 cups of All-Purpose Flour (for healthier pancakes, substitute some or all of the flour with Whole Wheat Flour)
3 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 c. White or Brown Sugar
1 tsp salt
2 Eggs, seperated
1 1/2 c Milk (if you want, add 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar for a buttermilk taste)
1 Tbsp Canola or Vegetable Oil
1 tsp vanilla or maple extract

1. Heat your griddle on medium high heat. Start heating it before making your batter so it will be nice an hot when you're ready to pour your batter.
2. In one bowl, whisk together dry ingredients
3. In another bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients and egg yolks (do not add the egg whites yet!)
4. Add your wet ingredients (minus egg whites) to your dry ingredients and stir (by hand, people) until just blended *Note: I made a mistake here. I used to beat with a hand mixer and I over-mixed the ingredients. There will be lumps when hand-stirring, but that's OK. Just don't mix it until it's smooth!!!
5. Rinse out the bowl for the wet ingredients and dry it out (or just use another bowl...). Add the egg whites to the clean bowl. Beat the egg whites (with a mixer this time or if you want to use a whisk, more power to ya!) until nice a fluffy, about 2 minutes.
6. Fold the egg whites into the pancake batter until just mixed.

Now, your batter is ready. Spoon it onto your griddle and make some AWESOME pancakes!

Here are some extra tips I've tried and work deliciously:
1. If you want some REALLY good pancakes, butter the griddle. I'm trying to cut back on the fat, though, and this is a step that I'm willing to let go of, especially since I use a Teflon pan and don't have a problem with my pancakes sticking.
2. If you want to add something to your pancakes, like blueberries or chocolate chips, don't add them until you spoon the batter onto the griddle. Adding them to the batter weighs the batter down and also inhibits an even distribution of pancake accouterments.
3. I find that if you heat the griddle before making the batter, there is NO SUCH THING as a "throw-away" first batch. I've never had that problem when my griddle is really hot. Now, don't heat your griddle on high heat; the outside of the pancake will burn when the inside has not yet set.
4. After you've flipped your pancake and while you're waiting impatiently for the second side to cook, resist the impulse to press down the pancake with your spatula!!! You will undo all the effort you've made to achieve the most fabulously fluffy pancakes.
5. Buy the $6 bottle maple syrup. The HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) version is gross. Maple is the only way to go. And when you make THESE pancakes, you should top it with the best.

OK, I've challenged you. Please report back and let me know how you have fared!

Hello Blog, my name is Melanie.

It's been almost 2 months. 2 MONTHS, people, since I've made a post. I'm aghast. Seriously. I never thought I'd be one of "those people" who left there blogs out to dry. But, I am one of those people, I guess. Oiy.

Actually, the only reason I'm writing is because I'm sitting in my older children's room making sure they sleep instead of tarry out of bed, as they do often. I'm tired of disciplining them for this. And since I'm pretty sick, I just don't have the patience. So, instead of reading Facebook or the news of the terrible Haitian earthquake, I'm getting reacquainted with my blog.

Not that this is a re-aquaintence, per se, because that would mean I'd give you an extremely lengthy update on how things are in the Moss world. Besides the craziness of the holidays, the following list will tell you what I've been doing the last several weeks:

1. Breastfeeding
2. Diaper Changing
3. Laundry, laundry and more laundry
4. Cleaning
5. Keeping the Peace

#4 will hopefully get a little better since my husband has agreed to let me hire a housecleaner for a few months. Boy, am I stoked about that one.

I'm also getting into more homeschool work with the kids. I'm especially excited about February, where we'll be focusing on the Olympics. Yeah!!!

Well, I've got to run, but at least you get a little taste of my life. Crazy, Crazy and more Crazy.

But very blessed.

The blogging respite will be extended until further notice...

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Evan's birthday. And so much has happened since then. I hate being behind, but I have no choice. Something HAS to be put by the wayside and for now, that is the computer. I'm rarely on it anymore...just to check email and Facebook, which is a huge source of communication for me now. I have load of pics to share and tales to tell, but I just don't have the time right now. Even with another set of hands (or more!!!) being around for the past 17 days since Evan's birth, I still haven't gotten into the swing of EVERYTHING yet. We still meals coming this week and through December (thank you, church family!) and I have lots of people extending me help with the kids. But, between breastfeeding, laundry, my children and husband's daily needs, and rest for my sanity, I have no time. None.

For those of you with multiple kids, encouragement that I will find a new normal will be greatly appreciated. I honestly hope that "normal"will be more than diapers, laundry and a milk production, but for now that's what it is. And I'm thankful. Really and truely.

More to come...eventually. :-)

Evan Jerome

Here's our little guy...born today about 3:15pm, weighing 7lbs 10oz. More details to come...

God is so gracious.

I feel very strange today, knowing that my baby will definitely be born yet I have not had one of those death-defying contractions or crazy water-breakage moments. I'm a planner and this whole “planning an induction” thing has had its up sides yet it's still very strange for me to have the birth of my child scheduled, since I'm a very “natural all the way” type of laborist. After talking to my doctor, he explained that the risks of babies passing meconium in utero increases after 41 weeks, which for me would be on Sunday. Mallory passed her meconium before delivery and she was 40w5d (I'm currently 40w4d). We've been there, done that...having a baby aspirate meconium and stay in the NICU for 4 days. More than anything, I want to avoid that for this baby. So, I'm succumbing to having what is usually natural for me be something a little more “medical”. Not that it's a bad thing, thanks to the advancement in medicine for L&D, it's just unusual for me.

So, like my other 2 labors, this one will be very different for us. The outcome, we pray, will be the same: the arrival of strapping Moss-child whom we'll love and cherish. The process of getting him out will just be different.

Both Patrick and I have woken up pretty early this morning in preparation for this day. He's spending time with God, praying for us and reading the Word to gather strength for this day. Me, I've been doing a lot of praying and reflecting, thanking God for bringing me to this point of great, intense joy in the arrival of this little guy. When I found out I was pregnant (I was only 4 weeks along), I was greatly depressed at knowing I was going to have another. We were at a very low point in our marriage, faith and family and I didn't know how we were going to do this. I was, shamefully confessing, hoping that somehow God would take this child from me to relieve us from wondering how we were going to piece together what was broken while raising yet another baby. I was not happy at all. Oh, but by God's great mercy, he did not grant my request. Instead, he took what was broken in our lives and made something very beautiful. God used this pregnancy to show us how much grace He had for us and out of his love, our hearts were changed from despair to hope. This baby, though still unborn for only a short while more, is a symbol of God's sacred blessing in our lives and we're thankful for this 3rd child. We love him so much and I can't wait to hold him, kiss him, nurse him...sacrificing of myself for his life and well being.

Pray for us today. Pray that this labor will go well. My fear that was once about this labor is gone now. The fear has been replace with peace and excitement. Yes, it will be different with lots of unknowns, but that's OK. I have a God who is gracious.

Can't wait to meet you, little one!

40 weeks

Today, I'm officially "due". October 25, 2009.

I was 40w5d pregnant with Mallory when she was born. She liked where she was in my womb and took her blessed time to arrive. Today, Mallory is easily distracted and continually dawdles and daydreams, taking her time to do everything from going to the potty to eating her food to cleaning up her toys to falling asleep.

I was 39w3d pregnant with Ethan when he was born. He was ready and willing to come out in good time. Today, he wants his way quickly and immediately or he'll pitch a fit. He started running early, talking early, eating solids early, comprehending early...and so many more things...EARLY.

It makes me wonder what this little guy will be like. I guess that will depend on when I go into labor???? Time can only tell...

Missing you, Florida!

For some reason, I'm missing my home state like crazy...almost to the point that I wish I still lived there. It's odd for me because I haven't felt like this in at least 10 years. Oh, there are plenty of things I DON'T miss, like the summer heat and flat landscape, but there are more things that I do miss. I can 99.9% bet that we will never ever live there, but I just needed to say that I do miss it and today more so than most.

I miss:

1. Friends....or shall I say family. My closest friends in the world are people I knew in my Florida years. There are several families who are like true family...Jamerson, Clendenins, Balls...and Michelle. I miss them. I miss the familiarity and closeness we all had, thanks to the determination of my parents to be close to these people which led me to be close to them. In addition to these friends are my true family - my grandpa and lots of aunts, uncles, cousins live down there. I miss being close to them, too.

2. The Gators. My dad was the biggest, baddest fan of the family and still is. He worked at a restaurant on campus and we spent lots of time at UF as a family. Amanda went there and I had plans to go there, but I wasn't accepted for the term I had applied for (I was accepted for the following semester) and I had no scholarship. So, I went to Santa Fe for 2 years then to UGA the remaining 2 (where I had the HOPE scholarship making my education was free). I wish I would have gone to UF because I have so much pride for that school. The campus is great and very beautiful. I have lots of memories being the UF Homecoming parades from childhood to high school. I never went to a Gator Growl, but maybe one day... I miss UF basketball games. I went to several while I was at community college there. I've only been to one or two football games in the Swamp and oh, how I'd LOVE to go to another one! One nice thing about Florida field is that it's open to the public. Lots of students run stairs there. You can even go down to the field and walk on it. Everyone seems to understand having respect for the field. If I ever had the desire to go back to school, I'd love to go to UF.

3. What Florida represents. It's a big part my heritage. I grew up there. I became a Christian there. I formed my closest friendships there. We had lots of Thanksgivings and Christmases there. Lots of concerts and recitals. Lots of joy, laughter, tears, pain...the things that make up a person.

For some reason, these things have been heavy on my heart today. I'd love to go back. But, I'm here now. And I'm happy where I am. I just miss the many yesterdays of my life sometimes. And today is one of those days.

A quiet night

Patrick took Mallory on a date tonight. Ethan is in bed. I'm drinking some deliche Pinot Noir while enjoying the peace (well, except for the hum of the computer and baby monitor...). I should be doing about 5 million other things. My friend Kara's pre-birthday-party list about sums up what I feel (her daughter turned three last weekend). I have bathrooms to clean, laundry to start, food to prepare, floors to mop...blah blah blah. But here I am, doing what I like to do - "computering". I'm going to head up stairs in a bit, turn on a movie (probably some hokey chick flick), finish my wine and start my chores.

And by the way, I MUST mention that I was able to go on a girls-only night with some of my great friends this past Wednesday. We laughed about random stuff over martinis and wine and soaked in a few brief moments of no responsibility except to help each other enjoy the moment. We hit Kohl's because of a cherished 30% off coupon that one of the girls had. We were shopping at 11:00 at night because we could. Oh, it was so refreshing! Margaret, Kara, and Jenn - you girls are irreplaceable.

Chest X-Ray is good!

The nurse from my Dr's office called me today and told me that my chest x-ray is clear. Praise God!

In and Out

I was in and out of diagnostics within 15 minutes, which was nice. I should find out the results of my x-ray early next week.

I did have OK sleep last night. I fell asleep fine and woke up a few times in the night, once to help Mallory find Doggie amidst her tousled covers...Anyway, I did have good rest. Thanks for the prayers!

Please Pray...

I have been feeling a weird mild burn in my lungs whenever I inhale, sort of like the sensation I've been breating in cold air. It's been like this for about a week, the intensity being different each day. I went to the DR on Monday to talk to her about it. I had an EKG (which came out fine) and chest X-Ray done and I just got a call that they want to repeat the chest X-ray to rule out a possible shadow. It's unclear on the X-ray if it is a shadow, so I'm going in tomorrow morning for another X-ray.

Pray for:
1. Good sleep tonight
2. That the X-ray will show nothing
3. That the LORD will heal

OH, and I had a pregnancy test and it's negative. :-)