Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

So, I am probably the last person on earth that hasn't started a personal blog. Maybe it is because I never thought people would be all that interested in my life! However, for those that are close to me, yet far in distance... I figure this is a good way to keep in contact. Unfortunately those we love are spread across the country and we don't have the luxury of keeping in touch like we used to. The beauty of technology, right?

Let's start with the basics, shall we? :)

I just turned 23 in May. I cannot believe it has been 5 years since I graduated. Seems like just yesterday I was roaming the halls of high school! So much has changed since then it is crazy. I love looking at people's Facebook pages to see where they have gone in life. It fascinates me :)

I am half way through college, depending on the day of the week, my major changes, haha. I just cannot make up my mind but I am confident I will find a place I fit. I am working through school slowly. Being sick has taken its toll on my school work. However, graduating college has always been a huge goal for me. I will achieve it someday!

Jocelyn is 4 already! I cannot believe it. She tells me everyday that she is growing bigger. Even though she is tiny, maybe 25 lbs, she is getting smarter and amazes me everyday. She is a miracle child. Maybe sometime I will post her story for you to read. She loves animals. She nearly smothers our kitten, Lumiere, everyday. I swear she is going to love him to death one day.

Gabriel is turning 2 in September. He is my little angel. He is such a daddy's boy though! Everyday when Alex walks in, he runs to him and stays permanently attached to him at the hip! He is so cute. I may be a bit partial though, lol. He loves Dora and has absolutely no fear. He is so outgoing and happy. He makes my life complete.

Then I am brought to the love of my life, Mr. Alex Latimer. He is my rock, my best friend, my everything. He has been there with me through literally everything--every emotion, fear, blessing, curse and moment for the last 3 1/2 years. I honestly don't know what I would do without him. I love you babe!

Well how about an update on our little life....!

• Alex has been working for a company called Symbiot Business Group, working in HR. It has been great to have him working in a field that he is confident in. I know after he was let go from the zoo he kind of lost himself and it is good to see him back on top. Although, I have to admit, I was getting a little spoiled having him around to help me with the kids all the time.

• He just got word he may be getting a promotion! This is such a great opportunity for him and our family as he expands into a management position in this company. I am SO proud of him!

• We have moved into our first official apartment as a family and we are loving it! Having our own space has been something we have longed for since I was pregnant with Gabriel, and now we finally have it. I have completely immersed myself in DIY ideas to decorate. I just have to wait for money to actually do them, haha.

• Wedding plans have begun for our wedding! We are tenatively hoping for June 8, 2013. Of course, details will come when we make final decisions. I don't even have a ring yet! But anyone who knows me will know that I am going to obsess over plans anyways! Alex knows he is stuck with me, I think he has resolved that he is going to have to marry me ;)

• I am starting to see babies EVERYWHERE. That must mean that my little Gabriel is getting to be a big kid and my mommy sense is tingling, haha. No worries, we have NO plans of getting pregnant again right now, but it is definitely something we want in the future!

And alas.. I should discuss the elephant in the room. MS.

• I have discovered that MS patients refer to themselves as MSers. Interesting. I guess I am officially an MSer now. Like its a club. A sucky club with very expensive and taxing membership dues.
• GREAT NEWS, I have not had an MS episode in about 6 months! It has been fabulous. Of course I do deal with some symptoms on a daily basis--migraines, fatigue and weakness-- but I have felt better this last 6 months than I did in the whole year prior to this, so I couldn't be happier!
• Following "The MS Recovery Diet" stinks. I absolutely hate it. It is a diet that is completely gluten free, dairy free, egg free and legume free. Yeah, what am I supposed to survive on, you ask? Fruits, vegetables and pure proteins. Thats it. No bread, no pasta, no preservatives, no beans, no cheese, no peanuts or peanut butter, wheat, milk, ICE CREAM. LAME. But, when I follow it strictly, I have never felt better since I was diagnosed, and for that.. it is worth it. But I do have my moments when I have to vent because I miss my beloved pizza! But, the weight loss is nice, haha.. its kinda hard to get 1800 calories a day in when you can only eat veggies and fruit.
• Since starting my diet I have gone from 9 pills 2x daily to just 3 pills 1x daily! That is right.. from 18 pills to 3. It is amazing. Well now I also supplement vitamin D and B12 as well. (I HIGHLY recommend this for ANYONE suffering from fatigue!) Whoever says diet doesn't have anything with MS needs to come and visit me so I can prove it.
• I will be having another MRI done on my brain by the end of the year so everyone cross your fingers that my steroid injections are working and there are no more lesions on my brain. Come on baby.. no whammies.. no whammies.. :) I will keep you guys updated.

Can I just say that I love my family and friends more than anything in the world and without you, I would have surely died already. Life has been tough for me, and if I didn't have such wonderful people surrounding me, I think I might have given up along the way at some point. I love you all. Thank you for everything. We appreciate you more than anything!

-Valerie