thoughts + photos = a blog post

You know that commercial for Zyrtec? "Are you muddling through allergy season?" YES, YES I AM! I thought for a few days I was getting bronchitis or strep, and then it hit me. I have allergies. Spring is great and all; but when you literally live in a forest and that forest is begging to turn a lovely shade of puke green with pollen, you then can relate to those allergy commercials.

Today I realized that I really should have taken Mother's Day much more seriously as a kid. Being a mom is no joke and I am pretty sure that what ever I did for my mom for the past 23 years was certainly not enough to thank her for all she did. I guess this is one of those things you learn when you become a mom yourself, along with a lot of other things.

I'm not trying to pat myself on the back (ok, so maybe a little), but I really hit the meal planning out of the park this week. We have had a good meal every night and we haven't had to run to the store once! Hopefully I can do it again next week.

As these pictures depict, every night one the way up to take a bath, Ryan helps Nora climb the stairs. She is getting the hang of it, but I don't think I will have to worry too much about her doing it solo just yet. But she does think it is pretty cool to pull up using my shirt or the end of her changing table. I think she may go straight from crawling to walking.

"I got this dad."

"Um, I have the answer teacher!"

"Do you think we could get some of this installed in my crib?"

Sometimes I have no clue what to call a post...

Sometimes in life you are cruising. You know, going 60 in a 55 with the windows down. Everything is smooth and then screech... A hard, challenging, tear provoking week gets thrown in. Last week was one of those weeks for us. I wouldn't say it was any one thing in particular that made the week hard, but sometimes its the little punches in a row that get you down the most. 

Ryan worked monday and left to go out of town for an overnight business trip. Nora and I were here doing our thing, but two days alone is a long time in Mommy/Baby world. He got home right at dinner time, as I was going to start dinner and the power went out from a big storm. So, we loaded up in the rain and drove 30 min to get some dinner. We stopped at walmart to grab some essentials like candles and water. When we got home, it was pitch black, pouring rain, and Sox had gotten scared and had an accident in the living room, Nora was crying because it was past her bedtime, and Ryan got a call that he had to go into work that night due to flash flooding. Whew! I literally just took Nora upstairs and said a prayer for patience and strength. Then, the rest of the week was changeling in its own way, but slightly less dramatic. We made it through it though.

So, with all that being said, I don't like to focus on the negative in life, but I think it is important to be real. After a week like that I find myself saying things like this: What are we doing? Why are we here? This isn't how I pictured life to be. You know why that is not the right reaction to the week? Because, I am not focusing on the fact that this is where God has placed us, not only geographically but also in life. God has put us here, in Eastern Kentucky, away from family, in these "character building" situations for a reason. While I think I have realized some of the reasons, it may be years until I see all that God had planned when he directed our lives here. It's so much easier to think "How can I get into a better/easier/more perfect situation?" News flash self: everything that glitters isn't GOLD! Yeah we all know that, but when it comes to actually putting on our reality glasses to look at the world and life a lot of times we forget and keep on our glittery-gold-perfect-life glasses. 

It's only natural to want perfection, but life is messy. Beautiful and messy. Marriage is extremely beautiful yet often a little messy. Motherhood is one of God's most amazing creations yet daily it is messy. We have to remind ourselves to be thankful for where we are, what ever location or life season that is. 

5 things I hope to do

one// I hope to one day soon start doing some small photography things on the side. While I have a long ways to go, I feel like every day I am learning something new and getting better and better. Practice make perfect, as the old saying goes. I have said it before but I don't think I will run out of people to practice on. I love photographing babies, so if you want some free photos I will do some for the practice :)

two// I want to homeschool Nora at least through elementary school. I feel like we could do so much and I already have ideas of fun ways to learn so many new things. I enjoyed being home-schooled and as I look back on it I value it even more. I hope that I can teach Nora so many new things and help her read, count, and explore the wide world around her.

three// I would really like to create a beautiful master bedroom for Ryan and I. Everywhere we have lived thus far has had a tiny bedroom and I just haven't felt that decorating it was a valuable use of my money. One day when we are slightly more settled I have so many wonderful ideas that I'd love to bring to life.

four// I hope that one day we can take Nora on some pretty great adventures around the world. We will hit up Disney World, but I'd like to show her what it's like to explore other countries. I want to take her and Ryan on a zip-line through the rainforest in Costa Rica, and to see the howling monkeys and other magnificent wildlife. 

five// I'd really love to write my own cookbook, compiled with my favorite creations and best dishes. I love to cook and create in the kitchen and I think it would be absolutely amazing to have something that I have written published. Cookbooks these days are a dime a dozen but I still think it would be pretty awesome. Maybe I'll write it and sell it for charity. 

Here's to a mini bucket list. One that I hope to check off long before I ever start thinking about kicking the bucket. Oh, and while we are on the subject of the world's cutest baby. I figured it wouldn't be blog worthy if I didn't include some absolutely adorable pictures that I took today.

A Typical Day At Our House

I love routine. Who doesn't really? It gives you structure, something to plan by, and peace of mind. For me, knowing that I will be able to grab a shower during the early morning nap and that I can do some cleaning and tidying during the afternoon nap is comforting. Of course not every day does life go perfectly as planned or according to schedule. When I was doing lots of pre-baby reading, I noticed how each author stressed getting your baby on a schedule. With a schedule they know what to expect, and there find comfort in that.  So with that said, here is our daily schedule. It is what works for us. 

7:00 AM  We wake up, do a diaper change, and Nora nurses.

7:30 AM   Head down stairs for me to make a cup of coffee and eat my oatmeal or yogurt and granola. Nora usually plays in her exer-saucer. I turn the today show on for about an hour usually. This is the only time during the day we have the tv on, but it's my guilty pleasure.

9:00 AM   Nora's first nap of the day. She usually nurses again before going down for her nap. In order to keep the mess to a minimum, I clean up the toys and books right after I put her down. I know we will get them back out, but if I take 5 minutes to tidy up three times a day things don't seem to get out of control. Then I will usually blog, do laundry, clean some bathrooms or floors, or shower. 

10:30 AM   Nora wakes up. Quick diaper change and we will read books for about 30 min. Then we do snack time for her which is usually pear and apple puree. Followed up by playtime and lots of laughs.

12:00 PM   Time for another nap. Nora will nurse again and go down for a 2 - 2 1/2 hour nap! I then usually do what I didn't get to do during the first nap, walk the dog, and eat some lunch. 

2:00 PM   Nora gets up and is usually in a great mood. We play, snap some pictures and she will nurse. 

3:00 PM   We will go out to run errands, go walk at the walking track, or go to the library to gets some new books to read. 

4:30 PM   Ryan usually gets home and he takes over while I do laundry or something I couldn't do during the day and start dinner.

5:30 PM   Dinner Time. Sometimes Nora will sit and play in her high chair and we can all eat a normal dinner, but sometimes its the typical new parent: I eat super fast while he holds Nora and switch. Then its dishes and play time. We like to turn on some jams and make this time all about fun.

6:30 PM   BATH TIME! Which in Nora's book is the best part of the day. I am pretty sure she is a fish reincarnated. (just kidding)  She splashes and we laugh. As soon as she comes out of the bath it's lotion, diaper, pjs, and nursing. And this little baby is off to Dream Land by 7:30 PM.

7:30 PM   Finish up the housework, and start washing the diapers (if it's a diaper washing night).

8:00 PM   We usually will talk about our day, watch a TV series, or read.

10:00 PM   Goodnight! Time to rest up for another day.

Whew that makes me tired just typing it. :) 

What is your day like? 

Do you do anything to make life easier on you?

Mountain Momma

Life is worlds different than this time last year. 

Nora joined us in August, and in January we moved to Kentucky for Ryan's work. 

We have been in our new townhouse for one week now. We aren't stepping over boxes anymore but things still are still a little crazy. 

The weather is been outrageous! Snow! on Snow! on Snow! 

It's really beautiful though and since Nora and I spend most of our days at home anyway, I am not complaining. 

Life here is also much different than what I am used to. 

Rural is the best way I can describe it. 

Our town has some fast food restaurants, and pizza place, some dollar stores, and a tiny grocery store! 

Target? you ask...

oh that would be an hour and fifteen minutes away.

Same for Starbucks!

Just call me "Mountain Momma"

I am excited to keep family and friends updated on life here, and all of Nora's adventures.

Here are some photos of life lately.

Nora Playing with Grandma and Grandpa L. before the big move.

"Mom, I can't fit it all in my bag!"

Nora Packing...

The snow we got just two days after moving into our new place in KY.

Arctic Blast for days.

The Comparison Game

http://www.den10studio.com/dr-seuss-quote/

I'm guessing I'm not the only one who has ever looked at someone else's instagram photos, status updates, tweets, or blog posts and thought:

Their life is so perfect

I bet they never argue

She goes to bed and wakes up with perfect hair

I bet their dogs never go to the bathroom in the house, get fleas, or smell yucky

Ok so I guess you get my point. Social Media has this way of making us feel inferior and imperfect in a so "Perfect" world, right? 

I have had these feelings numerous times, and have gotten off social media in an attempt to realign myself with reality. 

Today, our society has more ways than ever to stay connected to friends, but simultaneously play the comparison game.

It's so easy to post the pictures of our successes rather than accurately portraying succes and failure. 

I'll be the first to admit I'm guilty.

No body wants to IG the picture of the lop-sided, cracked cake they made last night, or their kitchen right after dinner, or a selfie BEFORE you shower.

Am I right or am I right? 

I guess I just want to challenge myself and you to build others up, be real, and STOP comparing your self to the 200 people you follow on instagram, or you 1000 facebook friends.

You are beautiful the way you are. 

You have been blessed with all that GOD has given you.

Don't waste away your current blessings because your wishing you had more, lived in a bigger house, had curlier or straighter hair, more shoes, more purses, fewer weeds, a craftier side...

Whatever it may be.

I read this article last night which got all this going in my mind, and I wanted to share these thoughts with you.

Please read it as well and share it with your friends. 

Life Right Now...

First off, let me just say a huge and warm welcome to many of my new friends! I am beyond elated to have you be a party of my life through this little adventure called blogging.

You are all so encouraging each and everyday, through my ups, downs, joys, and all the rest that I feel like I can always be myself here.

Well, today I feel like I just need to write. Write about life, and the challenges, its blessings, and its hopes.

I thought I would have more free time out of school and when working a job than when I was in college doing school work all the time, and boy oh boy was I dead wrong. I have been working anywhere from a 40 to a 45 hour work week and I can barely find time to do much more than crash in between those hours. I am enjoying my job and am excited for some training opportunities in the next months, but  finding time to do things like go to the pharmacy, call about car insurance, and go get a new driver license when I work from 7-4  every day is a challenge.

Ryan did start his Job, and it is a huge blessing from God! The benefits are amazing and our worries, prayers and concerns about how were were going to replace his car have quickly been answered with the knowledge that he gets a company truck in week 10 of training!

I am learning how to live the real world life. I know how to budget money, and how to do most real world tasks, but the ability to overcome exhaustion and manage time outside of work is a challenge. I know it sounds foolish, but it is quite different.

Finally our hopes are to be able to have a baby in the next few years and save for a house! I love to think about all that is in store for us and I can't imagine challenges we will face and the good times that we will have but I am ready for them all!

Thank you so much, each of you for encouraging me.
Thank you for following along and always lifting me up with each comment.
I want  you to know that if over the next few weeks my posts are a little less frequent or my replys replies are slower, that I am trying to balance it all still.

xoxo
Clara

The one where we see a train...

I hope you are all enjoyed your Father's Day and are back at it this Monday!

I thought I'd do a little post on a fun date night we had this past week!

We have had a really great week together. I start work at Chick-Fil-A on Today with training to be one of the managers there and I am excited about that, but that meant that this past week we needed to pack in some fun.

Ryan and I went on a date night in downtown on Thursday and walked around a bit before we ate and saw some really cool things.
{like the building I am in front of in this picture}

We also just happend to be at the railroad tracks as a Norfolk Southern train passed {the company Ryan will be working for!!!} He was pretty excited and we got some pictures as it passed.

Notice the crazy face the conductor is making in this picture? haha it was so funny!

After all that fun, we went and at at a restaurant called Nose Dive which we both really enjoyed.
I ordered the vegi-burger and loved it!
It had an asian flair, which was totally new but very yummy, and the best home cut fries ever!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend as much as we have did!

Can you believe it is Monday already?

Silly, Quirky Confessions

So I was thinking that you might like to get to know me even better!
And what better way is there to do that than for me to "confess" to you some little secrets.
They are mostly funny and some well slightly embarrassing but I trust that you enjoy these that is why I share.

~/~

I am obsessed with HGTV.
I will watch every show on that channel even yard crashers {even though I think it is silly}.
My favorite show is house hunters. Sometimes I will watch it back to back to back... oops

I can't spell!

Every time I type recipe, I spell it recipie!

I used to spell does, dose. Yeah, pretty bad right?

Ever since our friends threw an end of the year dance party I have been hooked on Dubstep.
{If you haven't heard of it, it is basically top 20 songs remixed with a better beat and some cool sounds!!}
I also have regular solo dance parties to this music while I am cooking, driving, getting ready, etc... do you have a mental picture yet?

My running shoes... THEY SMELL.

I have to soak them in Oxy Clean regularly to get the smell out. 
I don't know why they smell, but everything I have tried does not work.

I have an obsession with vacuuming.
When we lived in an apartment with carpet, I would vacuum anywhere from 3-5 times a week!
I just love to see the canister full of dirt! Then I know my floors are super clean!

I talk to other drivers. 

I tell them what they are doing wrong,

 how little I think of their skills, and sometimes I ask them if they got their license at K-Mart. 

 sorry if that was every you ... ;)

I am semi-repulsed/grossed out by the movies ever since I read an article about what scientists found when they did a culture of the seats. {YUCK!} 

Now I will only go to really expensive fancy ones. 

Bummer right? 

I am a terrible story teller. 

If it weren't for my husband, my jokes would make no sense, my stories would leave people completely confused, and well I would probably still be trying to tell stories. 

So those are just a few of my quirky confessions. 

I hope you don't judge me, just find me all the more interesting. Right? 

Ok, so maybe not but lets hope.

We all have those things that makes us uniquely you!

What are your quirky confessions?

Someone Please Get Me INTERNET Fast!!

I am stopping in fast to say hey to all you beautiful people, because I miss you so much! 

I have a huge void in my life when I am not blogging on the daily, but we havent had internet access for a while now! 

We got moved in to our new place on Thursday and I LOVE IT!

I am sorry I have been so absent lately, but I will tell you what is working!

TWITTER  and  INSTAGRAM 

I would love you for you to follow along that way during this hectic time!

So thankful for all of you new blogging friends and all of your support and encouragement!!!

Just for Laughs {Tid +Bits}

So I think you bloggers will get a laugh out of this. 

I sign on blogger this morning and go through my usual routine and I see I have a new follower!

A new follower for me is like Christmas, so I go to check it out and the follower's name is Beyonce.

Well, don't get too excited.

What has happened is my husband had created a blogger account back in freshman year with his suite-mates and they called the author of the blog Beyonce.

I guess it is just cute that he is following me now. 

______________________

We are also in the Praise-God-We-Are-Done-With-School Mode today.

But!

We have been very productive and have gotten lots of things done and are ready for our big move to SC!

It is coming soon!

The graduation festivities start tomorrow with Ryan's Order of the Engineer Ceremony in the morning and then we are taking pictures around campus!! 

{look for those soon!}

Followed by time with our families and dinner at one of our favorite Raleigh Restaurants!

Then Saturday is the Big Day! 

I'll leave you with some quirky, cute, and normal photos!

Ryan's "Graduation" Pose

My decorated Graduation Cap!

The cute one in the family.

Until Next Time

~Clara

Today I am linking up with Alycia at The Crowley Party!

Big NEWS!!!

I am so excited to share with you all that has happened over the past few days!

If you have been reading for a while you will remember me saying that Ryan had been interviewing for a big position!

Well after his final interview in Atlanta last Thursday and Friday, he received a call yesterday offering him the JOB!!

We are so excited! 

There is lots to do and to be done over the next weeks, but we are ready for this new adventure and are so thankful for this opportunity!

We will be packing up after Graduation and moving to Greenville, SC!

I can't wait to share with you this journey and all the fun times and new adventures! 

Read my Ramblings

Words cannot begin to express how ready for the weekend I am!

This week has been insanity!
I would go into detail, but you too may experience some level of pain just reading all that this week has consisted of.

As for the bright side:

Today I got to get lunch with a dear friend of mine, Ellen!
She is such an encouragement!
We ate and just shared about all that we have going on in our lives right now.
We are going to try to start a running plan to encourage each other and do one long run a week together!
Sounds fun, right?
I  am very excited!

When I got home, I inevitably got on Pinterest...
and found this:

Which made me think about how lunch with Ellen was my something good in my not so good day.

I guess my last little highlight to the day was that Ryan and I finished buying Nate and Jenny's wedding gift for Jenny's shower this weekend {which I am really excited about}.

I would say what we got them, but if Jenny were to read this, it may spoil the fun.

As for excitement to look forward to for this weekend?

I get to see my grandparents tomorrow night!
Hopefully we will get a cute picture at dinner or something so I can share it with you!
Their Wedding Shower on Saturday
And planning for Sacrificial Spring Break on Sunday!
{I can't wait to share all about that in March!}

I am looking forward to family, friends, relaxation, running, quite time, sleep, and of course some good food!

Happy Thursday Night!

If we were to just talk...

If we were to just sit down today, and if I were to share what was on my heart, this is what you would hear.


I would talk to you about how I am scared and excited all in one for the future.
I pray everyday that God would show us what to do when we graduate.

I would tell you that I wish I could be better. Be a better wife. Keep a cleaner house. Be a better friend. Leave a better impact on the world. Just be better.

I would tell you marrying Ryan is something I thank God for everyday.

Then I would talk about how much I wish I could go on a trip with him, just to get away.

And finally I'd probably show you this picture of Sox.

Live Local Saturday

I have been wanting to go to Raleigh's Farmers Market for a while now.

This morning, Ryan and I woke up kind of early and headed out to see all the vendors.

It was awesome!

We really enjoyed just walking around taking in all the sights.

Here are some pics from our little outing!

After we got done perusing the local vendors we headed to 5 points in North Raleigh to try out a new restaurant called Nofo at the Pig . 

We both at a delicious breakfast/brunch and then looked around their specialty shop afterward!

Here is the bounty!

Strawberries, a mini cheese grater (World Market $.99), apples, sweet potatoes, country ham, and local honey from Be Blessed Honey. 

I hope you have been able to enjoy this Saturday!

My Random Thoughts on this FRIDAY Night

Wow! I thought it would never come.

I was actually walking the dog on Wednesday afternoon thinking about how at every point in our lives we feel like there is some point that seems like it will never come.

Some times it is Friday which is only 3 days away and others it is July which may be 3 months away!

I thought I'd just talk about some random stuff today.

I mean RANDOM!

First off!

ONLY 100 DAYS

until our best couple friends get married!!

Nate and Jenny are the best 2 people you will ever meet!

We are so excited to be celebrating with them in May 

{and I have the honor of making their wedding cake}

We love y'all!

Ryan had to work tonight :(

So my awesome brother and I went to eat together and got some fro-yo after! 

He is so great!

{Should have take the pic before it began to get soft}

This is a really "Pinteresting" Picture of my favorite meal these days.

{Just thought I'd share}

Maybe I should pin it!

Avocados and Feta cheese, can't go wrong!

So I was in target on Thursday night

{Real Shocker I know!}

And I so happened to stumble upon the marshmallow section.

The advancements in this area are phenomenal!

Let me list just a few of the types you can now buy: german chocolate marshmallows, mint chocolate swirl marshmallows, cinnamon bun marshmallows, falt marshmallows {for smores}, Jumbo marshmallows, Marshmallow bits, NEED I SAY MORE?}

Finally I wanted to display my wonderful, awesome, thoughtful Valentine's Day gift from my Hubby.

When I got it, it has super uplifting Bible verses all tucked in spots and hanging from the necklace hooks. 

So thoughtful!

One more thing!

I GOT A BUTTON!

Grab one if you would like!

<center><a href="http://happylifeyounglove.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src=" http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q615/ClaraHodgin/button120x120.jpg"/></a></center>
Random Right?

I hope everyone you had a good week! 

I am read for a relaxing weekend, and I know you are!

My Journey: Part 2

If you are just now joining me,

I am sharing a huge part of my life, a "journey" that has and still influences many aspects of my life.

If you want to catch up, read part one

Before we start..

How about a fun pic of me and Ryan from our graduation beach trip!

{This was right before I had my surgery. glad I got my tan on, haha} 

I was referred to one of the best pediatric neurosurgeons in the country at Duke in July.

I had several more in depth testing done to determine what was causing these continual, crippling headaches, fainting spells, numbness, swallowing problems, and ringing in my ears. 

At my appointment he told my parents and I that I had Chiari Malformation.

It is something that you are born with and it either presents its self at birth or usually at the age of 16-18. {go figure I was 18 at the time}. 

Basically, your cerebellum has tonsils, and my cerebelluar tonsils were obstructing the flow of spinal fluid flow to the brain! 

{big deal yall!}

So my spinal fluid was just spurting past the tonsils.

Here is a picture to help you, well picture it.

source

He told us that surgery in my case surgery had about a 70 - 95% chance of being fully successful.

He said that I would see some of the more complex symptoms go away for sure and that I would most likely get significant relief from my headaches.

We decided to go for it. 

I was at my wits end.

I was starting college in 2 months.

I was ready to be 100%

My surgery was that Friday!

For some reason I had complete peace. 

Ryan and my family were all so supportive and were therefore me the entire time. 

I went into surgery at 6AM.

I dont remember anything until I woke up in ICU in intense pain.

I was cussing up a storm {hahaha}

I was in so much pain. 

My morphine pump was broken for an hour after the surgery. 

No wonder I pressed the button 160 times people! 

I stayed in the hospital for 5 days and then went home and spend all summer recovering.

I made a fast recovery and headed off to College! 

2 months later, enter set back...

That is where we can pick up next time.

What to expect:

Part 3: The Set-back

Part 4: Today and the Future

Part 5: What was God Teaching Me?

Rushed Wednesday = Quick Post

Quick post today.

As you can see I am studying for a big exam in the morning.

It's no fun but it's is one of the last!

God has been working in our lives the past few days and I am praying for his guidance as we are graduating and moving out into the real world!

I plan on posting part 2 of my journey tomorrow so stay tuned.

If I can just make it through the next few packed days I'll have a little break!

I hope your Wednesday has been wonderful!

Captivating Heart

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I am enjoying this day, 

thinking about the love I have for:

My Heavenly Father

My Husband

My Amazing Mom and Dad

My Encouraging Brother

My Supporting Grandparents

All My Friends

and even 

My Cute Dog!

I hope you take the time to tell someone that they are special.

{It is not all about being sappy.}

There are two lines from a song that have been on my heart for the past few days and I think there is no more fitting time to dwell on these thoughts than Valentine's Day.

{From God to Us}

"Has anybody told you, You're beautiful?

You might believe if you could see what I see.

'cuz everything about you is incredible,

you should have seen me smile the day that I met you."

If no one has told you today, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

This next verse has been the cry of my heart. 

"If it's true beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder,

I want my life and whats in side to give Him something to behold.

I want a heart that's captivating."

{Thanks Nichole Nordeman for writing such a wonderful song}

Beautiful For Me

My Journey: part 1

I have decided to write about my "journey."

I call it a journey because I don't exactly know what else to call it.

It is centered around my health, and physical pain.

I prefer not to talk about it a lot, and especially not to those who don't know me. 

I am looking forward to writing out my feelings and how everything I went through {though big to me are minuscule to trials others face on a daily basis} have helped me really grow and become reliant on Christ. 

I pray that my pitiful attempt to write this would reach just one person. 

I'll write this in several parts.

_______________________________________________________

Just a quick background:

I was born in 1990. 

Healthy as could be and always happy. 

I made it to high school with nothing more than what mom referred to as the "Sonic headache"

I would have headaches in the afternoons about 3 or 4 times a week and sonic slushies were my "cure."

Although the headache remained after I had the slushie.

{remember that one, it will make sense later}

In high school, my headaches worsened and other symptoms began.

I passed out cold one morning after waking up and walking in the kitchen.

I would often pass out when I stood up in class to turn a paper in, and by 4th period my head hurt so bad I could not function. 

{me in high school with my 2 best friends}

This became the norm for me.

My parents knew that answers were needed. 

I went to a cardiologist.

{I wore a heart monitor for 3 weeks, nothing wrong}

I went to a neurologist.

He tried to put me on depression medicine.

He said this may make you gain wait but your going to college so you will do that anyway.

{that didn't settle well at all}

I was not having headaches because I was depressed.

I may have been depressed because I never felt good.

He ran some tests and said I had a minor defect but not to worry.

My parents are both doctors and they knew that the "minor defect" was something to get a second opinion about. 

I was referred to one of the best pediatric neurologist in the country for what is call Chiari Malformation.

_____________________________

It was hard.

I was making the change from homeschool to public school. 

{not hard academically, thanks mom}

I never felt good.

I just wanted to be able to enjoy time. 

I didn't want to be labeled a complainer or a hypochondriac.

I wasn't trying to blame God just yet, but I sure couldn't find the good.

But trust me he had it.

_____

Ill pause there for now, meanwhile Ill be gathering my thoughts for part 2.

Please come back to read more.