Is is hot in here or is it just me?

Hot flashes, night sweats, not sleeping, fidgety. Those are the new adjectives that describe me. I right in the middle of a hormone battle in my body. I'm not getting enough and my body is stiking back. This has been a bit of a tough week. I decided to stop all the over the counter hormones and just wait until I am evaluated by the pharmacy to see what I really need. The first day was tough, but now I am feeling a bit better. I meet with him on May 12 , 2006 and he
prescribed bioidentical hormone therapy which my doctor is not buying into yet. So there was a little convincing to do but he ordered it. I am now getting sleep and staying a bit dryer.

My youngest child, Tyler, is graduating from High School this month and going to Americorp. He will not be able to come home easily, so it will be a couple of months at least that I won't be able to see him. I am so excited for him and I know that he is excited as well. I am sure he is a little nervous as should be expected, but what wonderful experiences lay ahead of him. It is difficult as a parent to allow or encourage your children to reach for their dreams and do what makes them happy, especially when it is out of the norm. People's reaction to Tyler going in to Americorps varies. Some ask a lot of questions, while others don't know what to say and just kind of smile. I think that I am fairly good at reading people, that's why I think I can see where my children needed to be. Tyler is a special individual, as are all my kids and they each have their own desires, dreams and ambitions. I just want to always encourage them to dream and to follow those dream. Oh, mistakes will be made, but from those mistakes, opportunities will come. They must never stop dreaming and reaching over and above.

This week I have also really missed Mackenzie. I even dreamed that she came home for a weekend from Prague. I know she is having a wonderful time. Living out her dreams and making fabulous memories. I am excited and happy for her, but I miss her like crazy. Mackenzie is a big courageous person in a small package. She knows what she wants and goes after it with out fear or looking back. I admire her commitment to life and her ability to live life to the fullest.

Jeff, oh, Jeff. He is a pleasure to be around as well. He is fun- loving, kind, onery and wonderful. Living in Denver and working a job he loves keeps him away from Wichita, Ks and home, but listening to his tales over the phone is quite enjoyable.

Well I have to get to bible study. This is a great group of women, I truly enjoy them. They have been very supported through this year of medical problems, the baby in the family graduated, my only daughter in Prague and my oldest in Denver. I have needed the support and received it. I thank this lovely ladies for being there. I think every woman needs a bible study, bunko group, scrapbook club or bowling league to help them get through the daily struggles called life.

A New Start to my journaling

It is Saturday morning on April 8, and I am going to start journalling via a blog. Wow, I am becoming a computer geek. This seems like a the way of the future, so I'm going to try it.
Luckily last night I got a good nights sleep. I took some tylenol pm to help me sleep. Since the surgery, I have not been sleeping well. I know it is the hormone imbalance, but I would like to figure this out with natural supplements if possible. I'll give it about 6 months on my own and if that doesn't work, I'll talk to the doctor again. Other than the sleep issue, I do feel a lot better and that surprises me. I didn't think I felt bad before, but I guess I just accepted how I felt.

Well Tyler graduates in about 6 weeks. Wow, no more kids in high school. No more grades to worry about, no more early morning detentions, no more required haircuts. I can't believe the time is near. Will I miss Tyler, you betcha. He has been such a joy to have around. Fun to talk to, fun to be with, he is a neat young man. Am I looking forward to the empty nest syndrome, yes in a way. I am looking forward doing things that I and Don want to do. I am looking forward to playing more golf, maybe going on a few short trips, probably to visit kids. I would like to go visit Debi in Houston on a weekend. To just have the freedom to do as I please. I loved having the children and all the pleasures they have brought. But now I will be 50 in about 7 months and the time has come for Becky. Will I reinvent myself? Probably not, I like who I am and what I do.

This is an exciting time for our family. Jeff is doing great living in Denver. He's got friends galore, a job he loves, a parrot, a ski pass, a mountain bike, and food on the table. What more would a 23 year old want. Mackenzie is in Prague, Czech Republic studying architecture, which is her love. She is traveling in Europe, studying art, taking fabulous pictures, meeting people from all over the world, enjoying new foods, seeing Greece, what more would a 21 year old Architecture student want. And Tyler, has been accepted into Americorps. He graduates in May from high school. He is managing the girls soccer team, finishing up high school, has great friends, has a date to the prom, has plans to go into the Americorps and travel the USA, works at a golf course and can play golf all he wants. What more would a 18 year old want.

Am I proud of my children? Ohmigosh, yes. With God's help, Don and I have raised 3 very wonderful, productive, funloving, brave and courageous individuals. The have sweet souls and are very compassionate. They have wonderful friends, which is a reflection of the people they are. I look at them and think about them and my body smiles, starting deep in my heart and moving up through my upturned grin to the twinkle in my eyes. I love them and I thank God for giving them to Don and I, to know and to love for the time they are on this earth.

Well that's all for now.