Answers

A few people have asked me how Josh is doing, and what's going on with his health.

The short answer is that several years ago Josh suffered some mysterious nerve damage that caused chronic pain and left him walking with a cane. Anybody who knew us before we had kids has probably seen him with it once or twice. Let me tell you, it was handy in an airport!

It was an issue that we did not expect to come up again as Josh's health has been manageable--I would even say quite good for some time. He doesn't really like talking about the issue much, as his health history is nobody's business. And he's been able to run again, and pass the physical fitness test, so we assumed he'd make it through Basic Training.

At any rate, the stress obviously played a part. I don't know what happened exactly, all Josh told me is that he went to the Emergency Room twice.

The positive in all this is that it's possible that things have changed in his body or in the field of medical knowledge, so perhaps we will have some answers when all is said and done. So, nothing life threatening.

In the meantime, just more waiting on my part. It's REALLY hard, because I don't want to settle into a groove here anymore--I want to get back to life in Provo. As much as I'm enjoying my parents' house (and my walks with Shauna!), and not being snowed in, I'm feeling anxious to get back with Josh and keep working on our goal of graduation and graduate school. I'm also feeling really tense these past few days.

Like I'm back in another holding pattern, in limbo once more.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

50 MINUTES OF PEACE AND QUIET, DURING WHICH ALL THREE OF US NAPPED TODAY.

God is very, very good.

Other awesome things?

I fit into my favorite denim skirt! It's too big when I'm at my best weight, but I love wearing it now that it fits again. I'm currently almost 25 lbs down from my top pregnancy weight, meaning I have 26 lbs to go.

And I absolutely love Dove Ultimate Moisture Body Wash. So ridiculously luxuriant, it's awesome. Couple that with really long prayers in the shower (it's when I say my morning prayers now) and I'm such a happy camper when I get out of there in the morning. Fabulous way to get some extra shower time and some extra personal devotion time.

I heard from Josh again today--he says he's very happy, but needs more to read. Usually they're not allowed books or packages, but he can get both right now. So I sent him the Ensign, the Articles of Faith by Talmadge, Dune, Getting What You Came For (book about PhD's), two Garfield books, and the rest of his Christmas candy. Oh, and some photos too. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

I love that boy to no end. With any luck the neurologist will be able to find out something of value to tell us regarding his condition.

In the meantime, PRAY THAT MY SON KEEPS NAPPING! Because dang if it wasn't bliss. I swear, it makes me feel giddy, that's how awesome this development is. WOO-HOO!

San Francisco!

Our last day together we spent with the Loehrmann family in San Francisco! So much fun.

 
 
 

Feelings

I think that last post is a little odd--because I don't say anything about what I think or feel about what's happening.

I'm still processing this major and sudden change of course for my life. I don't really know how I feel right now, or how I should feel. So I'm just feeding the kids, changing diapers, and trying to let my brain go over it in the background.

But I do know one thing--the Lord has always provided for me, sometimes by turning my life in unexpected directions. I'm grateful as ever for His guidance and love. I know that everything will work out for us, and that He has great plans in store for us; we simply can't see the long term right now and have to trust Him enough to step out into the dark.

Phone Call

I received a phone call from Josh at about 7 this morning. He's okay, but has a medical condition that put him in the ER twice. He's on pain meds now that are managing the issue, and he'll see a neurologist on Monday to run a bunch of tests to see what they can see.

But you can consider him discharged. It'll take a few weeks to outprocess, and then he'll be back. And he won't be an Air Force Reservist. We'll either get a job here or (more likely) head back to Provo where he can work until classes start again.

I only talked to him for a few minutes--long enough to get his address and very few details. But I think he's made peace with this, and I am feeling rather calm about it also.

If anybody is so inclined, I'd really appreciate a prayer sent up for him. We know the Lord directs our life, but sometimes it's in very unexpected ways.

Torture

So, 30 minutes ago I get a call from my sister-in-law (Liesl, who lives at home) saying, "Josh needs you to put more than 200 minutes on the phone card. He says it's an emergency."

So I hang up, dial the phone card three times--but it's still being used so I can't do anything. I call back, tell her that I can't add money if he's still using it, and she says to wait a few minutes and try again.

It sounded like Josh was on the phone with my mother-in-law, but I couldn't quite tell. So I dial the phone card four or five more times, until it actually lets me use it, and then add money.

And now I'm waiting, wondering what's going on. And missing my husband like crazy--who I expected to hear from three days ago.

AUGH!

UPDATE: Apparently he called regarding medical records that he needs copies of, and according to my m-i-l sounded very stressed and urgent--and didn't say much else. *sighs* I just want to hear him say, "Everything's okay." But on the positive side, I have an appointment to go tomorrow and get Leo added onto our insurance--which would have been done already if Josh had taken Leo's social security card like I asked him to. But I have on my big girl hat, so it doesn't bother me. I'll just take care of it in a timely fashion.

No naps, no phone call

This make me sad. :-(

I want my son to still nap. And I want to hear from Josh so I can start sending him letters, darn it.

And I should probably not stay up until midnight watching lame television when I get up at 5:30 to walk.