The Bergman Bunch!

Well, I got a call today from the U of MN, and we got Shelby scheduled for her first laser treatment of her hemangioma birthmark on Thursday...this week! Yikes! But, the more I've been reading, these treatments will really help her. It will get rid of the birthmark that is ulcerating. It is getting better now, but from everything I read, it can happen at any time, and the ulcerations may not stop until we get rid of the tissue that is causing her all of this pain! So I am excited, but extremely nervous at the same time. My prayers are that this is what solves the problem, and that soon, she can be totally pain free! Mark your calendars and set your timers, for lots of prayers on Thursday at 3:15pm! (Oh, go ahead and start praying now...if you have a few moments). :)

I feel so much like myself again, I want go outside and say a big, loud "Hallelujah, Amen!" I'm back! I don't feel like a stranger inside my own body anymore. My goodness, last week was a bear! I don't know what happened. I look back on last week and truly feel like I was posessed by own ugly humaness ( is that even a word ?). But today I am praising God that I'm back, and I know that that person that I was last week does not exist anymore! Tom even said he felt better today too. Somethings up. Was it the cosmos at play last week? Illnesses? The pull of the moon? Satan...one will never know. I'm just glad to feel "normal" again. And for those of you who know my "normal" may be shaking their heads right now...Ha Ha aaaaaah (evil laugh that fades away as an echo...echo...echo).

I've been trying to pray with the kids for a few minutes everyday. The other day, we sat down and prayed something for everyone in our family. We prayed for Shelby's Butt, literally, for Tom to feel better, Halle to be happy all the time (I know I'm asking a lot :), and Brady wanted to thank Jesus for all of his dinosaurs, oh, and his teddy bear, and Halle's pink puppy. So cute! But at the dinner table that night is when it got really funny. " Brady, tell daddy what we did today ?"- Me Brady- " We prayed for your sick butt Dad !" Me- No words, just a lot of laughing and trying to explain through giggles and happy tears!

It's killin' me. No dairy. I can h-a-r-d-l-y breathe. No chocolate, No frosty from Wendy's. No eating off a block of cheese, or licking my spoon of vanilla yogurt. This IS way worse than quitting smoking. By a loooooooong shot.

So I was at the chiropractor today, again, yes, more money spent. But, one thing she did talk to me about today was my skin. Now, I've been dealing with blemished skin since I was 12 years old! So if I did the math correctly that's 15 years. Wow. Anyway, she then asked if I drink a lot of milk or eat alot of dairy. Ummm, yeah! I almost said, duh, but instead I said "Yes I do, is that good or bad?" don't say bad, don't say bad..., "I thought so." she says. Then she went in to how she thinks I might be allergic to dairy...ALL DAIRY! She said she has seen alot of people switch to a non-dairy diet and their skin changes drastically. SO. Tomorrow I go dairy product free (I can have butter...). And, I stop drinking pop. Because she told me pop is poison, worse than smoking. Maybe that means I can start smoking again?? :) No, just a dream. The other big thing is, I have to try it for at least two months to see results! Let's just say I'll be so upse...

did not go so well today. I mean, Shelby did great with her adjustment! But I had to bring all of the kids with and I was also starting there today too. My back has been horrible. I can hardly do anything, but I do it because I have to. Did that make sense? Anyway...the kids did well until we had to leave and pick up the toys, put on jackets...you know. So then I went up to pay for it..... $191.91 "What?" Yep. I almost cried right then and there. I tried thinking of anyway possible to not pay it. What do you say? Nothing...write out the check and then go put your kids in the truck, back out of the parking lot and then cry your eyes out. That's what you do. I KNOW this is what Shelby needs, I KNOW this is what my back needs...but does it justify that ridiculous amount? Maybe?!?! I don't know. I know that I am devastated today. Tom's been gone ALL day which does not help my mood, although, I don't know if him being here would be great either after finding out h...

baths and more baths! One of the things I am trying to do for Shelby to help her butt heal. Sometimes I just "hose" her down, but mostly I just try and let her soak. She likes it so far. I read that sometimes the sores can get so bad that even water hurts them. But Shelby does not seem to mind at all. I had to bring all of the kdis to drop Brady off for preschool this morning. I haven't had to do it in awhile, but it went well, not wonderful, but better than I thought. He had so much fun today with a valentine's party, movie and popcorn! I must admit, I'm feeling a little low today. Not horrible, but Shelby's sore is really overwhelming in regards to how much pain I know she's in. I am chosen not to cry myself now when I change her. I just do what I have to do when I change her and pick her up as soon as I can to comfort her. I feel like there has to be something better for her than what I'm doing, but the doctors don't seem to think so. She has ...

Ardent: adjective 1. having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent: an ardent vow; ardent love. 2. intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous: an ardent theatergoer. an ardent student of French history. 3. vehement; fierce: They were frightened by his ardent, burning eyes. 4. burning, fiery, or hot: the ardent core of a star. I LOVE this word. It is in my favorite Jane Austen book, Pride and Prejudice and I LOVE it when Mr. Darcy says it in the movie: Mr. Darcy : Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you... I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth, my rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony. Elizabeth Bennet : I don't understand. Mr. Darcy : I love you. Most ardently . Please do me the hono...

started out good actually. I woke up before the kids did, which is always amazing and unexpected! I got Tom situated back in bed (he slept on the couch because he was not feeling well). Then I made a pot of coffee... speaking of which, I am trying to switch to tea, but man oh man is it hard, some days I just want COFFEE!... , and I got halfways ready for the day (I'm still in pajamas but I have contacts in and makeup half on) and then the kids woke up, Brady and Halloran first. Still, so far so good. We ate breakfast and then Shelby woke up, with a smile. Until. Until I opened her diaper and tried to wipe the poop off. Cue screaming. And then I noticed how much larger sore/wound had become. And then the bleeding started, the whole while she is just screaming her little lungs out...her hands even turned purple, Cue Mom freaking out..., so I gooped on her antibiotic cream and the desitin as she tried so very hard to settle down. Then I nursed her and put her in her saucer while I tr...

Believe verb, -lieved, -liev⋅ing. –verb (used without object) 1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully. –verb (used with object) 2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to. 3. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person). 4. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation: The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border. 5. to suppose or assume; understand (usually fol. by a noun clause): I believe that he has left town. —Verb phrase 6. believe in, a. to be persuaded of the truth or existence of: to believe in Zoroastrianism; to believe in ghosts. b. to have faith in the reliability, honesty, benevolence, etc., of: I can help only if you believe in me.

I need some prayers this morning. I am just shattered at how yucky Shelby's bottom is right now. As I type, I tear up...I hate that. She has like an open wound on her hemangioma, and this morning she woke up at 6 am crying, and I knew she had pooped, and I knew what I was about to do was going to make her, not cry, but scream. I have to try and "gently" wipe off poop that is stuck to her butt and then put this antibiotic cream over her sore, and then wipe desitin all over her butt. The tricky part is is that I have to spread her little butt cheeks apart in the crevice where her sore is, and this just send her into hysterics. Then I begin to cry, so I have a hard time seeing where I am putting this stuff. She starts to twist and turn and kick around so I have to keep trying to open her little cheeks up again, which send her into another fit.... You get the picture. It is horrible. Even after I picked her up she still was crying and trying to suck her thumb to soothe hersel...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=48152422625&ref=nf

Taking my Vascular Malformation website link off the list...if you want to know why, read below!

So. We had a loooooong day today! I am so very tired! We went to the Art Institute and toured the school and started the process for signing Tom up for Culinary School...very cool. He is very excited but more nervous than excited! I think every first time college student has those kinds of jitters. So we were there from about 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Oh, and of course we parked in the wrong parking ramp, the one that is like temperature regulated and so very expensive per 1/2 an hour. Yep, that one. Not that you can tell this, because I like to correct my errors...but I cannot type write now, I keep forgetting to finish typing a word or mix up the letters...I have been using the back space alot in this post! Then, it was off to Shelby's doctor appointment. We grabbed a quick bite to eat there, and then went to the clinic, where again, a procession of doctors were able to view my child's cute little bottom. I felt so bad for her because her butt is so raw from "pooping out" ...

Positive Word of the Day! generous  1. liberal in giving or sharing; unselfish: a generous patron of the arts; a generous gift. 2. free from meanness or smallness of mind or character; magnanimous. 3. large; abundant; ample: a generous portion of pie. 4. rich or strong in flavor: a generous wine. 5. fertile; prolific: generous soil. Not only is this a great word, but in the definition from dictionary.com, it has three of my favorite things in the actual definition! Pie,Wine and Gift! A match made in heaven.

Sitting on a blanket chillin'... Here you can see the top part of her malformation And my camera STINKS lately and is not taking pictures with the best quality, but here is her malformatin and the dimple that tipped off our doctor to send her to a specialist. I can stick a whole top part of my finger in that dimple...it's deep. Weird. The malformation continues down in to her butt (for lack of a better term, I hate the word anu*, or rectu*, bleewyuck). And right now with the antibiotics for her ear infection, she has one nasty diaper rash on top of this. She screams bloody murder every time we change her. It literally breaks my heart.

at church today for the Because event! Should be a great way to dig deep in to some service for our community! I suppose I should go take a shower...no one wants to help out next to a stinky mommy.

patience. It's like trying to drink 8 - 10 glasses of water a day. Almost impossible to do it all the time. But today, yes I'm a little behind on my 40 days of community devotional, I read about patience and it really put it into perspective for me. Here's a quick, I hope, summary: -It helps when facing a patience-challenge to remember God will never ask you to give more patience to others than the patience he gives to you! -Impatience is not love. -...we're each at a different place in our journey with Jesus. Practicing patience lifts your perspective, helping you to see our diversity as a strength... -Anybody can be patient when it's convenient-but it's much harder to remain patient when the day is slipping away, or when it's the same mistake for the third time in one week. -One of the most practical steps toward real patience is learning to listen....more than just hearing someone else; it means to carefully and fully listen. -"Listen before you answ...

my hip hurts! It's like an annoying pain. Just enough to irritate me to the point of wanting to punch it! Yeah, like that would help. Other than that, feeling good! Just sitting here thinking of how I want my day to look. Tom's going up to the hospital again to visit with his grandmother. He'll pick his Grandpa up to take him up there too. I hope she heals quickly! I don't think she wants to be there at all, and she's really not eating which is not good for her! Well, anyone for that matter, but she really should be! I think we will attend the Valentine's Sock Hop for ECFE at Cambridge Primary tonight...we'll see how Shelby is doing. Then Saturday we'll be helping out with an event at church and then go out for dinner and dancing to my dad's band at Fatboys. I don't think we'll eat there, but that's where his band will be playing. It's fun, good old rock n' roll music, I love it! Then Sunday I think is a chill day, besides going ...

Awesome - adjective 1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight. 2. showing or characterized by awe. 3. Slang. very impressive: That new white convertible is totally awesome. I use this word quite a bit. I love it! I don't know if it's the "aaaaw" part of it that I love or the "some" but it is a great word! You can use it when your child does pretty much anything that's impressive. You can tell your brother he's awesome because he just is awesome. You can tell your sister she's awesome because she puked her guts out, and it's awesome because she's pregnant. You can tell your husband he's awesome because he cooks alot and takes care of you. You can tell your friends their awesome because they put up with you and that is totally awesome. You can tell your baby she's awesome because she puts up with alot of doctor appointments and people looking at her butt. You can tell your almost two year old she's awesome because she's starting t...

Bliss 1. supreme happiness; utter joy or contentment: wedded bliss. 2. Theology. the joy of heaven. 3. heaven; paradise: the road to eternal bliss.

Shelby still has an ear infection!! I brought her in today for her check up appointment for the RSV and ear infection. She's probably had one since about November! So that was a little dissapointing, but it explains why she has not been completely herself...I really thought it was gone though and that she was just teething. For all the antibiotics they gave her in the hospital, I thought for sure it was gone. So then my mom had been planning to take Shelby for the day and I came up with bringing the kids to the pool at the hotel in town. I'm glad I did it, although I was a little exhausted from waking up with Shelby at 1:45 am ( yeah, she woke up again...she had been doing so well, but now I don't blame her at all!), and I had to bring all of the kids to her appointment, which usually goes well, except for the "prescription pick-up". That always goes a little haywire. The older ones always want to get in to all of the drugs layin' around and the tiers of greet...

But oh well! I was going to start today, but I also started trying Brady on sleeping with no pull up. Let's just say at 4:45 am I was awoken to a little boy crying in my sleeping face saying, "Mommy, I'm all wet...can I sleep with you?" Umm no, but I can sure change your bed for you!! (another side note, Shelby slept from 7 pm til 7:15 am!!) So I changed the sheets and back in he went....and so did I. And then my morning was all thrown off from there, but that's ok. I got in some Tae-bo and crunches, made a dessert for tonight's small group (hope it's my turn because I forgot which one I took) and tried taking a nap. I was awoken 3 times. Two out of the 3 were hearing my dear sweet angels kicking the wall and giggling while they were supposed to be taking a nap, and the third was my dear husband bounding in to bed to...oh come on, to tell me his grandmother fell and was going to the hospital. So I figured what better time than to blog?! I have had a lot o...

Another night of sleep! Shelby went down at 7 pm and slept until 6am!! Not only that, but she went back down after a diaper change and a feeding and she is still sleeping at 8:35 am! And what's better yet is that I got to go to bed at 9:30pm! I have not gotten to bed before 11 pm in almost 2 weeks, so this was a big deal! A couple more nights of this and I will be golden! ( part of me wishes I would have stayed up when Shelby woke up at 6 am, you know, so I could start that routine I wanted too, but I was greedy for a couple more hours of sleepy sleepy in my nice warm bed ...) Thanks again for the prayers! Yesssssssssssss!

I woke up feeling much better today! Work was hard last night, it was one of the busiest nights they've had in awhile. Let's just say at the end of the night I was waiting on a table of the cambridge girls 7 th grade team and their parents (24 + people). I was tired. But...Shelby slept through the night!!!! Whooohooo. But...yes, another but, Brady woke up with leg cramps, go figure. But at least my sweet hubby took care of that! So if some of you sweet people have been praying for sleep...thank you, from the bottom of my heart!