Sick of it

Sickness, that is. I recovered last week from a cold that was worse than any cold I've had since probably high school. Despite the cold, rain, and snow of Michigan, it seems to be the sunshine and warmth (and pollution) of California that has done me in. I've gotten sick twice since we've been here, and previous to that I had not been actually really sick in years. So thank you California! I was thankful for antibiotics this last time around that is for sure. It took me over a week to feel 100% again, and would have taken a lot longer if I hadn't had good old xithromax! Maybe it's because I'm a nurse, I'm not sure, but I am comfortable taking excedrin for a headache, or telling a Mom to give her child tylenol for a fever or before a vaccine. To each his own, of course, and certainly in strict moderation when we're talking about children in particular, but I believe things like antibiotics exist because God in His wisdom made brilliant men (and women!) who discover these medicines. (However, lots of childhood illnesses are merely viral and need only to be treated with lots of hugs & kisses)

I think I get upset because in my job I see so many kids who are really, really sick. Cancer, mental illness, HIV, and worse yet are all the kids who have a "syndrome" that we dont' know how to treat or what to even call it, but will certainly end a life much, much too soon. I know that God loves and suffers with each of these children, but it's upsetting when someone (i.e. everyone' s favorite nutty celeb Tom Cruise) makes judgements about using medication to treat serious illnesses when that person has never been anywhere near that kind of suffering.

Sorry, that was a pretty big soap box, and I am by no means against homeopathic treatments or waiting the cold out, and no, I don't think babies and children need lots of pain killers for every sore tooth or vaccine....but I don't think I'm a failure if I take medicine or give medicine to a child.

P.S. I think my friend Serina posted recently about feeling sick and taking medicine, so as a side note let me say my soap box is in response to an annoying conversation I had with a parent recently, and not anything else. Any decision one makes about this topic is going to be the right decision when it is thoughtful and informed...unfortunately many parents I see think every website is truthful and and all doctors are crazy.

Editorial Adjustments

It's late, I'm exhausted, and work has been difficult lately, but I wanted to point out that in my stalling going to bed because I can't sleep when Andy is out late I made some sidebar changes. I now have books I want to read listed to encourage me to actually read them. When they disappear we can all assume I read them. I promise. Scouts honor. Alright...stalling over.

Things I want to do in my life...

I was inspired by Andrea to blog about this topic. I changed it slightly from "what I want to do before I die"...that was a little morbid for me. So, here is my list (not in any particular order):

1. Have children with Andy
(addendum: adopt a child)
2. Watch our kids grow up together
3. Own our own home
4. Fix up that home together (I'd like to buy something older and spend time redoing it)
5. Take Andy on his castle tour of Europe dream trip he talks about
6. Go to Hawaii (with Dan and Andrea cause they're fun)
7. See some people I care about come to know the Lord
8. Own a piano and teach my children to play
9. Have a workable understanding of Spanish
10. Learn american sign language
11. Have a BIG garden, veggies, herbs, and of course lots of flowers
12. Always feel like I'm growing in my relationship with Christ
13. Get a masters degree in something that makes me happy
14. Learn to sew!

I guess that's it, I have to go get ready for church now, but I tag Tricia & Serina to blog about this, it's fun and you can learn a lot about people's dreams.