Busy Week

Busy Bees are the Shepherds lately.

Last week Mark and I attended the 1-67 Battalion Military Ball. We had a great time and it was nice to get to dress up and attend one last military event.






On Friday we went on our 1st ever group date...can we say B.L.A.S.T! We had soo much fun with some of the greatest friends in the world. Let me just say it will not be easy to leave all of the wonderful friends we have made here in Colorado over the last few years. tear.





On Sunday I worked on homework at the library all afternoon. Sounds exciting right?! Probably not because the real fun didn't begin until I got home from the library. Let me just say that the words "deathly ill" had nothing on me that night. For hours I was so sick I could barely move, even contemplated calling an ambulance. Monday afternoon I had an appointment with my PCM anyway so I went ahead and went in. After just a few minutes he decided I needed to go to the ER as he suspected I may have needed either my gallbladder or appendix removed.

So off to the ER we went. Some blood work and CT scan later, we opted for going in to take a look with a scope since they could not see my appendix on the CT scan.

Well my appendix was fine but he removed it anyway...what does that organ really do anyway?:)

But he did find some swollen lymph nodes on my small intestine which had him a bit concerned. The next morning I met with a gastroenterologist and she stuck another scope down my throat to have a look.

2 days and way too much jello and broth later, we had the biopsy results: Celiac Disease



Evidently I don't absorb gluten, similar to an allergy. Looks like so much for yummy bread and many other tasty treats, it's time for a diet change.



Should be interesting, but obviously I have no choice as far as my health goes. Untreated Celiac Disease can lead to even worse things, so I will obey doctors orders.



Eventually we will be a gluten free family, but for now as I learn the tricks of the trade and how to cook gluten free, it will just be me. It will be good.

So...

It's official.
On January 29, 2010, the Shepherd Family will say goodbye, again.
But this time we are NOT sad...no no we are not.
Why you ask.
Well you see by saying goodbye this one last time...we will never have to say goodbye again, to our Marky that is.
(insert Happy Dance moves here)
That's right boys and girls...or one or two women who read this blog.
Mark is leaving the Army for good!
This is huge, definitely worth celebration. Or at least a happy dance.
After 7 years Mark will leave (our one and only duty station) Fort Carson and move on to bigger and better, (and closer to home) things.
As a family we are thrilled.
I am definitely not admitting that this was an easy decision, but it is definitely the best decision. And one that we were only able to make with guidance for God himself.
What does this decision mean for us??
Well it means that we are moving back to the homeland, a.k.a Texas, Mark needs a job..and more important, our family is together, for good!
So there it is, the big news. We are anxious for change and are at peace with the decision.
We will trust and God will provide.
Hooah!

Major Slacker

I know I am. Life has been busy.
-Jillian started and finished her 1st season of soccer. She loved it, especially the part when she got to wave and blow kisses to all of her fans..while chasing the ball of course.
-Emma has grown hair. A lot actually. All in the back. Decided today that neon stirrup pants and an acid wash denim jacket would have been a more appropriate halloween costume.
-I am still in school. Always a good thing, right? But slowly getting closer to being done.
-Mark bought a gun. Against my better judgment of course. But non the less, "we are protected".
-Recently we took our annual trip to Happy Apple Farm and picked pumpkins that sadly turned just gross 2 weeks before the actual holiday. We still carved them.
-Jillian loves preschool, even though she still throws a HUGE fit every.single.time I drop her off. She knows what to do when her house is on fire and how to be safe on a school bus. Definetly getting our money's worth there.
-I am tired. That's nothing new. Big day tomorrow for the Shepherd family. More about that later.

That's all I got.

He's FINALLY Home

The deployment is finally over and Mark is home! God is Good!

The girls and I could not be more grateful to have our hero home, safe and sound.

Although the year was long and tough, watching him and hundreds of other soldiers walk through the doors to their familes was worth every tear. The pride you feel when you finally see your husband, the father of your children, a U.S. Soldier whom has put his life on the line for the 3rd time, finally come home...there are no words.

The day Mark left last year I called my friend Kim and asked if she would be there to photograph his homecoming. We have been through this two times before, but knew this would be the last time and we have two young children now, I want them to see this and remember what their daddy did for them, their country. Thank you Kim for the AMAZING pictures, I could not have asked for better memories from this day.

4

Jillian is...

our first born, the comic relief, creative, energetic, OCD, independent, the best hugger,

daddy's girl, Emma's best friend, our 4 year old.

3 days old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

Happy Birthday Jilli Grace, We love you!

4 Years Ago...

my water broke 5 hours later...

Pray

Stellan's Story from the Beginning

I have been reading this blog for nearly a year now. This little boy, Stellan, was sick in utero but was born completely healthy. Then at 4 months things began to go down hill, only to continue to keep his family and his body on an emotional rollercoaster. He is back in the hospital and not doing well at all.
Please Pray