Health Update

I went to my neurologist this morning he changed the dosage to my medications again as our goal has been to get me off Keppra. 


For the next 7 days I will be on half a pill of Keppra and then I get to completely stop taking it.  I am so excited, although I am not sure how long it will actually take for it to get completely out of my system but atleast the process can start.


He has changed my Lamotrigine to 200 ML twice a day and that is the level he is hoping to keep me at for the rest of my life, as long as my seizures go away completely.


This past month I had around 5 to 7 seizures.  I've had some in the middle of the night so it's really hard for me to tell if I dreamed them or if they really were seizures.


I know many of you have been lifting me up in prayer and I greatly appreciate that.

Giveaway Time!

There is a Lilla Rose flexi clip giveaway over at Chilson Family blog.... check it out, and leave a comment on her blog post.

Cookie Time!

After church yesterday the widow's group got together to bake cookies for an upcoming Spanish conference at the church.  We had a blast making a mess in the kitchen :-)

We made 6 batches and Denette was always happy to test both the cookie dough and the finished product.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Cookie Dough Frosting

Ingredients

cupcakes

• 1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup sour cream (or substitute greek yogurt)
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla

frosting

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• milk
• 1/3 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and put cupcake liners in muffin tins.
2. In a medium bowl whisk cake mix, cocoa powder and baking powder.  In a second larger bowl, combine vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, sour cream (or greek yogurt), and vanilla and mix well.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk until mostly smooth (a few little lumps are okay).  Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Allow to cool completely.
3. While cupcakes are cooling prepare the frosting.  In a medium bowl cream butter, cream cheese and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until very fluffy.  Add flour and salt and mix well.  Add vanilla and powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each.  Use milk 1 tablespoon at a time if need to thin to desired consistency.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Spread frosting on cooled cupcakes.

Enjoy!

Note: this is a Pinterest recipe.

Loaves & Fish

Yesterday morning I had the privilege of participating in a ministry called Loaves & Fish.  Every Tuesday morning believers from different churches gather in North Las Vegas to reach out to the homeless and hungry by sharing the gospel through an evangelistic message and by providing a hot meal…feeding both their souls and their bodies.

God worked out transportation for me and I praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve.  Lord willing I hope to continue this ministry on Tuesday mornings.  Please pray with me as I continue to seek His will for my life.

It always amazes me how you go to bless someone, but you walk away being more blessed yourself.

March 7th

A year ago today I gave Kathy the scare of her life.  On our way home from work, I had a grand mal seizure.  A new season in my life started with this health trial.

Praise the Lord I haven't had another grand mal since that day.

I am still learning what I can do to reduce the stress in my life.  I'm learning how much I can do in a day without totally exhausting myself and causing me to be more prone to mini seizures which I still experience occasionally.

Two neurologists, an MRI, 2 EEGs, 5 medications and multiple dosage changes later and I am thankful to report I went from having 7 to 10 mini seizures a day to having 1 to 4 a month.

Kathy and Paul have been so patient with me and the mood changing side effects from my medication. I know living with me has not been easy and I am so thankful for family that loves me and is willing to put up with me.

Praying about going on another missions trip this next year.  Not sure I'm totally ready but I am praying for God's guidance.

To God be the Glory!

Oh What Fun!!

 What a blast last weekend was at the Lilla Rose convention.  There are so many things I love about this company family.

The actual convention was on Saturday but since so many ladies travel so far (most of them from the east coast) they decided to have a special event Friday and Sunday.

We drove in late Thursday night and I got settled in my hotel room.  Friday morning I got a message from my upline Paula (who I have never met in person) and she tells me she is taking her team of leaders to brunch.  I was excited but nervous since I am not the greatest at making conversation with someone until I really know them.  I am so glad I went because I got to know some very sweet ladies.

This is Paula - a wife, homeschooling Mom to 7 children, and a director in Lilla Rose.

After our brunch Friday we went to the retail event which was a time to register for the convention, pick up our $600 worth of hair accessories that Lilla Rose gave us for attending the convention, and we had an opportunity to see their head office and do some shopping.  They had made items up to 75% off.

While we were waiting in line to purchase our sale items John (creator of the flexi clip and owner of Lilla Rose) was walking around, checking to see if anyone needed waters, stopping and taking pictures with everyone, talking and making jokes.  He is a very personable, nice, down to earth guy who cares about others and listens when we have ideas or suggestions. 

Lilla Rose offered us an opportunity to do a professional video for our Lilla Rose website.  One of the options during pre-registration was "I'm not sure/thinking about it" so I selected that option.  I didn't want to say NO automatically (even though that's what I was thinking) and I definitely wasn't ready to say YES.  

A few days before the convention the convention they emailed us with three different scripts that we could practice on and pick one to use in the video.  After praying about it, I realized that I needed to step out of my comfort zone and do the video, so I picked my script and I practiced and practiced and practiced some more.  

I woke up Saturday with a horrible headache.  After breakfast and sitting thru one of the sessions I my jaw was real tense and then I realized that it was nerves about doing the video.  

I went and put my name on the list so I could be next.  There were two ladies in front of me, they called me in to do my makeup and a little touch up on my hair and then I was off to do the video.  

The guy filming was really nice.  He explained the process of how he would control the speed of the words on the teleprompter and then I did a run thru so he could get the lighting and microphone all set up for me.  

He could tell I was really nervous so he said to just relax and that we could go thru it several times until I got it the way I wanted it.  I did the first official take and stumbled over some of the words.  On the second shoot I was able to get all the words out correctly.   I was so glad that was done, but hey, now I can say I was in a professional video using a teleprompter and all.  

I know to many this may not seem like a big deal, but for me it was a huge stretching experience but in the end I'm glad I did it.  

Stay tuned for the video.  They are editing it with graphics and adding my website and it should be ready next month.

I had the privilege to sit with Hannah at dinner.  She and I have a mutual friend in Georgia, so it was great to be able to talk with her.

Have I mentioned being part of the Lilla Rose family is so much fun.  Hard to believe but there are a few men in the Lilla Rose family and I have to say they are hilarious.  They have a comeback for every excuse a lady will use for them to not look or try the flexi clip.  

They shared their tips on doing events/shows and I was so impressed how well they could manage hair.

This picture below was a "contest" John came up with for the Lilla Rose men.  He got some purple wigs and they had to do a french twist in their hair.  It was hilarious.  We were all laughing!

 I must say we were totally spoiled at the convention.  Not only did they give us the $600 worth of hair accessories but they also showered us with all these gifts, most of them only available to consultants.

 One of the most amazing gifts was this beautiful flexi clip that John handmade for each of us at the convention.  The dangle represents the rank we are currently at.  I am a supervisor so I got this beautiful clip.  I will have to take a picture of Kathy's clip and show it to you.  Her beads are different than mine also.  Just gorgeous!

I loved looking at all the beautiful hair styles at the convention but the thing I loved the most is that they didn't do classes on how to become a millionaire or who do you have to step on to get to the spot you want or how to take care of me first and not think of others.

The ladies that spoke, many of them introverts with no business skills, shared what a blessing it is to show ladies the flexi clip and get it in their hair and see the joy on their customer's faces when they realize that the clip will hold their hair.  It takes a minute and they feel so beautiful afterwards.

What a perfect, blessed, fun filled weekend!