A good news update!

I've got quite a bit of happy family news.  I've been waiting until I heard back on a few things before posting, so I could put it all in one place.  I hope you'll rejoice and be thankful with us!

First, our Samuel (age 6) does NOT have diabetes.  Several weeks ago, he had a couple of episodes where his blood sugar was high (as in, over 200.)  He was pale, weepy, weak, shaky - Jeff thought he was coming down with something and on a whim, I grabbed the glucometer and took his blood sugar reading.  (I had one around from an earlier bout with gestational diabetes.)  His reading was high, and he had three more episodes that were similar (although not quite so high) in a week's time.  His doctor wanted to see him.  She tested ketones, then sent him to the lab for some bloodwork that shows if there is damage to the pancreas.  There was also a second test run (and I do not even know what it was called) but it shows very specifically that he does NOT have diabetes even at a very early stage.  She suspects that there was indeed a virus that his body was fighting and that it caused a spike in his blood sugar.

Second, Sammy got glasses this week.  I think he looks so cute in them.  If you don't know us in real life, Sam is a tiny squirt.  He's almost seven - and only weighs 42 lbs.  He now looks very scholarly (while he hangs upside down from the swingset.)  :)

*Ahem*

(Yeah, I know.  You want to wipe the corners of his mouth.  Me too.  It's a mom-thing.)

I wish he wasn't so camera shy.

Second - and I've not said much about this online, because we've been waiting for it all to unfold, but Jeff has been hired on full-time at his new place of employment!  Yay!!!  He left his job as a social worker/family counselor/mentor for a private social services agency (they did a lot of family self referrals and preventative work) back in April.  The hours were long, he was pretty burned out, and the pay was....well....while we were very very grateful there was simply no where to go with the company.

Jeff's done a lot of different types of work over the years of our marriage.  He's been a youth pastor, an associate pastor, a regular pastor.  He's been a carpet layer and worked in Purchasing.  He's done social work and fixed up houses.  He has his bachelor's in Social Sciences and Bible, and work toward a Master's in Business.  

He now works organizing a warehouse and keeping parts at the ready for a large company.  He loves it!  He gets variety and gets to keep things neat and tidy (so unlike at home!!!)  I told him that I want his job!  I find it hard to believe that a person can put something away in the right place and it ACTUALLY STAYS WHERE YOU PUT IT!  He also gets to drive the backhoe and forklift, so thinks that's pretty cool.  :)

He's been considered a temp since April at this new job, but starting Monday, he's a full and regular employee.  He still has long days - he's gone 12 hours at a time - but it's a good job and it's a foot in the door with a good company.  He's tired, but there's a light in his eyes and he still has energy when he comes home from work.  (Tonight he fixed a clogged pipe and fixed the vacuum and folded laundry and tucked the little ones into bed...that's pretty normal, too, I'd say.)  I'm so thankful for a good job for him - we've been praying for something like this for four years.  

There's a neat amazing back story as to how this job came about and the timing behind it.  God's hand was involved, it's pretty clear. 

Third, our son Nick (age 16) has been going through quite a bit of testing as well.  We've ruled out a lot of things - but maybe, finally, are zeroing in on a clue.  Specific adrenal testing has shown some signs of over-production of cortisone - potential Cushing's disease.  He has an appointment with an endocrinologist.  The bad news?  He can't get in to see her until January 25th.  That's frustrating - but at least we have a beginning - and when you've got a kid who is struggling and you don't know what is wrong, a beginning is a very good thing.