January -
My voice issues from 2012 carried over into this year. We see doctor #2 and continue to go to vocal therapy with varying results.
My mom came to visit to help us get the house put together. This was the fun part of the year!
February -
Elizalde Photography made it's debut in the LatinaGirl XV&Bridal EXPO in Dallas - I'm so proud of this man, his work, and his love of serving his clients. We had a LOT of beautiful weddings and family shoots this year!!
March -
Birthday! Birthday! I love my birthday! J awoke a beast in me as I had never been to a NBA game before so that was so much fun! I couldn't scream, cheer, or even talk that much, but it was still such a blast that we attended several more games throughout the rest of the year.
3/14 Pi day with friends!
We also spent the majority of this month searching for another 4-legged addition to our casa. Many many many hours went into this and also much heart-ache as we prepared the house for a sweetheart who turned and viciously attacked my husband and our pup several times. We sent her back to her foster house, cried, and then found Ruby.
Doctor #3 (and the most expensive, yikes!) suggested that my voice troubles were connected to my muscle problems in my neck so I began taking muscle relaxers that took the edge off my pain. He also suggested that I go see a chiropractor. I was VERY skeptical.
April - aka the month of HELL.
Termites poked their heads out of our living room. Home warranty company doesn't want to cover it (seriously Home Warranty of America is the WORST). I swear I can hear them munching through my home with every day that passes. I.cant.handle.it.
Ruby gets whooping cough and terrible terrible allergic reactions. She snores and scratches herself bloody, which then gets infected. This is a weekly cycle all throughout April. Vet bills like whoa.
Wake up to a leak spraying all over the laundry room. That's one way to wake you up in the morning.
J gets in a car accident, thankfully he's okay, but the car is not. Buy a new car.
I meet Dr. Howell @ A Family Chiropractic. I tell him I don't believe in chiropractors. He proceeds to guess all the health problems I've EVER had based on my xrays - who knew they were all connected? Then Dr. Howell gives a pretty scary prognosis, using words like always, never, chronic, and 25% impairment. Many tears ensue and treatment begins. Physical therapy, trigger point injections, and adjustments. I have moments of reprieve from pain, and moments of terrible spasms. Voice issues finally go away - hallelujah.
My kinders are driving me crazy.
Old landlord who owes us upward of $1000 refuses to pay and threatens to call the cops on us. I consider suing but have no more energy due to all the other crappy parts of April.
My sister visits - a sweet, silly, and much-needed time of relaxation.
May -
Begin to see a little progress in my health - this month is pretty much gobbled up by physical therapy and my husband gently serving me at every turn.
My sister graduates from UT so we travel to Austin. I'm in blinding pain pretty much the whole trip due to a back muscle spasm for 36 hours. OUCH. We do get a chance to see the Whose Line is it Anyway? comedians and we have some much-needed laughs.
Elizalde Photography does some exciting baby birthday and senior picture shoots.
June -
Finally made it through a difficult school year. My summer plan is to get stronger and focus on my health.
Ruby's allergies get worse, it's a constant struggle to keep her from hurting herself. We discover that she is also food-aggressive when she attacks our other pup so now we're doing our best to keep them separated before.during/after meal time - this is getting wearisome.
Elizalde Photography does another beautiful wedding
I host my 1st (maybe annual) Book Swap party! It was so much fun, I just wish I had taken pictures!!
July-
A friend gets engaged! Yay!
4th of July
Dog fights escalate to a lot of blood and hysterical screaming. With many many many tears, we take her back to the shelter and grieve together. We only get through it by remembering that if the Lord sees and takes care of the sparrows, He will take care of our sweet Ruby. She gets adopted (for good) 1 week later - praise God.
My family came to visit!
Teach at VBS for a week - thankful to God for His wonderful lessons He gave and for the opportunity to share Christ one-on-one with several teenagers as well.
During this VBS time however, my pain comes back in full force. After talking with Dr. Howell, he recommends that I look at inflammatory foods. I cut out gluten for 1-week as a test and discover that within 3 days my muscle inflammation/pain and spasms have greatly decreased. This is a new beginning for me.
Went to a concert with my Anna! Gavin DeGraw, The Script, Train! When we bought these tickets I could barely whisper and I was able to spend the whole evening singing along! What a blessing!
My old computer dies.
Heisenberg takes over our Sunday evenings.
September -
Another concert -- MUMFORD! It was one of the best moments of 2013.
Find out a best friend is pregnant :)
October -
Our anniversary! I kidnapped J and took him to San Antonio & I make it through my first "travel" gluten-free!
November -
We leave our church of 3 years.
J celebrates his birthday.
I hosted my first (maybe annual) Favorite Things Party! We had a lot of fun!
Thanksgiving brought sickness and more house drama! Heater broke, plumbing backed up on Thanksgiving (yay for potatoes in the bathtub!) and Home Warranty of America did nothing (again! shocker...seriously worst company ever)
Very very cold in the house as the heater was still broken. And then there was Icemageddon for 6 days.
Heater was fixed and I've never slept so well.
Spent much of Christmas watching old family movies which was another highlight of my year.
Christmas. Joy. Hope. Peace.
Let us usher in 2014 knowing that whatever may come, the all-powerful loving God of the universe sees, hears, and loves you!!
