job change

Hello all!!! It's been a little while - sorry about that! Happy to report that my thyroid has been behaving, I actually get cold sometimes - haven't had that for 2 years or more.

I wanted to let you know that in 2 weeks I will be leaving MeritCare, which has been my "home" for the past 6 years (and some change). I will be soon working for Dr Jeffrey Harvey, an orthodontist, in south Moorhead. My position is called a scheduling coordinator, which has similar functions of my job here at MeritCare, but a few new ones I don't even know all about yet.

I've been a little frustrated with MeritCare in the inability for advancement and growth, so felt I needed a change - maybe it's turning 30 and need to "mix it up" in this new decade, I don't know. I am a creature of comfort, so am a little anxious about the change, but it's what I need to do right now and is good for my family, finally putting that bachelor's degree to use.

It will mean changes in our daily life, James will now have to bring Brady to daycare, but I will still pick him up. I think James is actually excited for that, just to become a part of that daily routine that he hasn't been for 2 years, except on rare occasion. Being in the dental world, I'll get to frequently have Fridays off - not sure what I'm going to do yet with that time but excited to find out.

So - that is a change in my/our world and hoping for the best. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well in the transition and my new co-workers like me!! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Fall Festival

We had such a fun time on Sunday going to our first Fall Festival here at Rheault Farms. For those of you not familiar - it's a farm-like layout that turns into a pumpkin patch of sorts for the last 2 weekends in September and is run by the Fargo Parks and Rec department.

Kids can pick their own pumpkins, decorate them with glitter, ride ponies, shoot hoops, toss bean bags, ring toss, ride the train, jump in the bounce house, climb the inflatable ladder and slide down the other side and other things. This was our first time at any sort of pumpkin patch with Brady, so were quite exited - and of course took plenty of pictures.

We were joined by our good friends Sonny & Christy and their daughter, Jada. Jada is just over 5 months younger than Brady and they have a really good time together.

Apparently something about falling down was quite funny . . .

The only thing he wasn't having was the ponies. He was a big talker until it was his turn to get on for a ride - he curled himself up in a ball so his feet wouldn't even touch it

He did surprise us in liking the slide - although, as you'll see, I got to go with him. Can't say I minded too much after he realized he was safe and when his belly laughing started. I was afraid we wouldn't get him to do anything else.

Hopefully the LAST thyroid update!

I was right!!! The pink pills are it! I had another blood test on Sept 25 to find that my levels are now in the normal range. My TSH level is at 3.69 - nicely in the middle of the 0.4-5.0 normal range. So - this is the right dosage and as far as I know, I only have to have it tested once a year now. I was too excited to ask questions when I got the phone call! Just wanted to share the good news!

thyroid update

Ok - so, if you had read my post on August 1st - you'll see that I was to have my blood tested next in 8 weeks from then which would be approx. the 3rd week in September. Well, I ended up having a blood test after 4 weeks instead, after urging from my wonderful nurse co-workers.

I had been on one dosage from May-July and it changed with the blood draw I had on the 25th of July. This past week and a little more was causing a LOT of trouble for me and it didn't dawn on me that the only thing I had changed was my Synthroid dosage. I was extremely tired, not just from a busy day of work or even playing volleyball - I would sit on the floor to play with Brady and fall asleep sitting straight up. After a few days of that, combined with headaches worse than previous migraines and overall just feeling really crappy - I mention to one of our nurses at work. She wants me to call my doctor and see if they'll order another TSH check to see if that is the culprit.

Sure enough - had my blood drawn on Thursday, August 28 to find that my once too low TSH (was 0.18 and wasn't supposed to be lower than 0.4) was now at 11.69 (and not supposed to be over 5.0). A little over an 11 point jump in 4 weeks - no wonder I felt like crap - that's a HUGE difference! So - now I'm on yet another different dosage of Synthroid, if you're counting - this is my 3rd dosage since May . . . can't say I'm a fan of this constant switching. But, going into this situation, I knew that it usually takes a few tries to find the happy-medium needed, so can't say I'm surprised.

I have decided, however, that this dosage is going to work! Why - you ask? These pills are PINK!!! That has to be good right? hahaha

Anyway, that's all for now - my next blood draw will be in 4-6 weeks, unless I'm feeling crummy again before than. ttfn!

Brady's 2nd Birthday

Brady is 2!!!

Sunday July 27th marked Brady's 2nd birthday. Of course, like all parents say - we don't know where the time has gone. We had family and friends over for an Elmo themed party. It was a beautiful evening, so the kids were able to enjoy all our outdoor toys, a pool, and Auntie Sandy's bounce house we borrowed. We feasted on tacos-in-a-bag and of course cake. At right is Brady eating with his cousin Dylan (my brother's youngest). Dylan is 13 days older than Brady. And my mom trying to get both to eat :)

Brady was lucky enough to have great-grandma Doris make his birthday cake. She was a little concerned about how it turned out, but I thought it was great. She cut out tinfoil to act as the windows, Kit Kat bars as the bumpers, yellow M&M's for the headlights and chocolate mints for the tires. I think she did an outstanding job and from the pictures you can probably tell he certainly enjoyed it.

Apparently decided he didn't want to use a fork and used my Pampered Chef spatula - at least he waited until the others had received their pieces of cake :)

We were thrilled that so many were able to attend and think Brady had a wonderful time. He was

able to go swimming with cousins Danielle & Cheyenne as you see above. Had fun playing in the shallow pool and his Little Tikes cars as you see below.

The shallow pool was a gift from his aunt & uncle, Brian & Sandy. We were a little concerned since he hadn't shown a lot of "like" towards pools and water, but I think this has helped him turn that around . . . or so we hope :)

He still isn't the biggest for opening gifts. At least not what I thought he'd be right now - I thought most kids at this age are SO ready to open presents that nothing else matters - not so much with Brady. And he seems to have a short attention span . . . hmm - wonder if that came from his mother? Fortunately, he had cousins Grant & Cheyenne and friend Jada that were more than willing to help - it's always good to have help right?

The birthday party was complete - a big thank you to Brian, Sandy and kids and my family for helping tear down the toys and bring in chairs/tables and presents - it would have taken MUCH longer without their help. The last picture I want to share is of Brady and his cousin Dylan, just because it was too funny. They are sitting on the kitchen floor, eating watermelon - so I ask them to look at me and say "cheese" . . . they looked at each other and said "cheese" - they got it 1/2 right! I just love how it turned out.

I still can't believe he's 2!!!

Lisa update

Hello all! Happy Friday! I can't believe it's already August - that's crazy!

Anyway - wanted to update with how my thyroid is behaving . . . in that it isn't . . . or at least not completely yet anyway. My T4 is now behaving, but my TSH is not. The last time I had blood work done, my T4 was at 0.4 and was too low after my radioactive iodine treatment so I started taking Synthroid to bring it back up. My T4 is now at 1.7, so is in the normal range but on the high end. My TSH was not much of an issue before, but is now not yet balanced out. It is at 0.18 and is supposed to be between 0.4-5.0. I need to continue with the Synthroid, but the dosage has changed and I will be having blood work again in another 8 weeks. That's my update for now.

A huge thank you for those extra prayers for my cousin Heather. She is doing amazingly well for what has happened to her. The MRI results of her knee showed an ACL tear that will require surgery and a fracture to her tibia. So in total, broken tibia, broken wrist and torn ACL. She and her husband were seeing a doctor today to get a second opinion on what should happen here in the near future with regard to her injury, possibly surgery and her pregnancy. But, for now - she's taking it in stride and seems in good spirits despite what has happened - she's such an amazing strong woman!

I hope to get pictures up here of Brady's 2nd birthday - I'm hoping before the weekend is out!

Have a great weekend!

remainder of vacation and prayer request

Hello all -man am I terrible at updating this thing, I promise I'll try to get better - k?

I'll start with the story to the end of our vacation which was in our last post and have a favor to ask at the end.

On July 5th and 6th, we spent time with my Anderson side of the family, to catch up but also for a specific reason. I have 2 cousins (brother & sister) that are living in Colorado, they are both expecting their first baby this fall. My cousin Heather and her husband Dustin are due in early November and cousin Jeff and his wife Kelly are due in early October. They were home to MN to visit family, so a double baby shower was planned while they were here - so that event is what rounded out our week vacation.

22 of us, I believe, took in a Twins game on Saturday night, the 5th and then met again for the baby shower on Sunday before heading back home. We had a great time just visiting with family, but specifically with the cousins since we don't see them as often as we'd like and talking to them about their impending parenthood.

This is a picture of as many cousins that were able to make it to the shower. We're missing 3 of our cousins that live in California, but the other 6 of us were there with our families.


From left to right (back couple rows of adults): Jeff Haanen (cousin), Dustin Camping, Heather Camping (cousin), James holding Brady, Kelly Haanen, me, Susan Miller (cousin), Scott Wittnebel (cousin), Nikki Wittnebel, Brad Anderson (my brother) holding a sleeping son Dylan, Sara Anderson


From left to right (kids in front): Ben & Nicholas (sons of Susan), Hannah (daughter of Nikki) and Grant (son of Brad & Sara)

The kids are a little less clothed because it was very hot and humid in Plymouth that day and the sprinkler was going full blast :) It was a great day and so excited for them!


Now, on a heavier note - I want to ask for any extra prayers. My aunt (mom to these 2 that are expecting) informed me today that Heather was hit by a car yesterday. She and Dustin were walking through Estes Park, CO and were crossing the street when the car that was waiting for them to cross was rear-ended and hit Heather. She was tossed about 5 feet, fortunately never lost consciousness but was taken to the ER to get checked out. Her right wrist is broken and left knee in a great deal of pain. She was having an MRI on her knee today to see what the damage is, but I haven't yet heard. The best news: baby is fine. Obviously, we pray that it remains that way. Heather may have a tough road ahead in the immediate future, but can recover from physical injury - it will just take time. Thank you for including my family in your prayers!