The Official Diagnosis...

It only took 32 years of waiting for me to be diagnosed with:
Autosomal Recessive Ectopia Lentis et Pupillae! 

That's what the geneticists call it, but I will always call it:
Googly Eye Disease!

Let's face it, I'm special and I now have a crazy random label to slime people with. Yeah, I said slime. I miss you Double Dare and You Can't Do That on Television!

You are all so jealous. Don't even try to hide it. You want these jello jiggly eyes and disconnected connective tissue so bad!!!!

So here's the lowdown.

John and I went to the geneticist again to hear about what the amazingly brilliant and most likely glasses-clad geniuses in Oregon found in my one vial of blood.

Source:http://jurassicpark.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._DNA




"DNA's in your blood!" (Jurassic Park reference)

This time they tested the AdamTSL4 gene and for this appointment we got to hear the results. Here's the post about the last appointment where I boggle their mind with questions...
The testing -which by the way this particular gene was discovered DISCOVERED only 2 years ago- showed that I had a mutation (small deletion) in the coding of it and therefore has caused my proteins that deal mainly with the zonules (those guys that hold your ocular lenses in place) to be all jank.

Some where along the genetics line, things got messed up. And I love the part where sweet Tracy said, "Your body just had to do the best it could." She is so sweet!

And it did, I mean I didn't go blind in my left eye until college! Then the right was like 9 years after that! Amazing. Thank you Lord. 

Hearing her say "tested positive" sounded strangely good. I've never heard those words before. It was kinda like finding the end of the rainbow for me. So many years. 

It looks like it may affect the rest of my joints/connective tissue as well. But of all the people tested, I think it's under 20?, I'm the only one showing those results so far. And yes, my hip still hurts every now and then and now my joints are very "worn out feeling" when I sit and change positions.

BUT THANK GOD I CAN STILL WALK!!!! 2010 really sucked.

So what does this mean?
1. Leelah is a carrier, bless her heart.
2. She may or may not be affected. She's got a 25% chance. Which reminds me, I need to make her another eye appt! But she looks like she is doing absolutely fine. By her age, I had cataracts and my nose was against the TV to see.
3. Leelah will pass it on to her children and they might be affected depending on the future hubby/daddy. So pick him good God!!!
4. I learned things.
5. My cardiovascular system, a common concern with ELEP peeps, is ruled out to be unaffected at this point.

And we have a fancy name to this way that God made me.

Eye update: Well you know Left Eye is always dancing to 'Wobble' like it's at a wedding reception. Right eye, Champion, is doing great.
To those peeps that tell me they are still praying for my eyes, I love you. Thanks so much for that. You are part of my miracle!

And I have new glasses with better lenses!

I do apologize for my Ice-Truckers hair do.

Show Us Your Walgreens!

I am mad at you Walgreens.

And I am mad at you celebrities that show your goodies under a jacket or under your arms/hands.
It's always the mom-ebrities that do it too. We get it. You still have it, thanks to Photoshop. And the youngins trying to prove they have it and they are not "little" anymore. Okay, so what? Now you're a complete hooch because you've just turned 18?

Has anyone been to Walgreens in a while? It's disgusting. Maybe it's just the particular one I attempted to patron today, but dang.

I counted no less than three separate magazines of Miley, Kate and that God forsaken SI chick that were all out on covers- completely uncovered- right there at little ones' eye levels mind you. My goodness. And it was all over- not just the mag section. Near the batteries. Near the photo pick up. Near the checkout.

HOW DO YOU TALK AT THE DINNER TABLE TO YOUR LOVED ONES (WHO MOST CERTAINLY SHOP AT WALGREENS) ABOUT YOUR LATEST MAG COVER? Oh yeah Grandma, nothin' to it. You just wear this jacket and nothing else- it's a little weird at first and totally awkward, but I'm really proud about how it turned out. I feel so liberated. 

Please do not get me started- DGMS!- about the pics I see on Facebook or Pinterest either. Gross.

I'm asking you. How is that helpful? Facebook: The 24 hr Show and Tell.

So that's the angry mom talking.
And then I get all sad and filled with pity.

Maybe if someone in these girls' lives had told them that they were lovely simply because they are them and they are God's, maybe if someone had told them that, would they still feel inclined to prove to the world that they are whatever adjective they pursue or strive for?

I, for one, will not be taking my daughter into Walgreens. I'm not starting a petition. I'm just trying to limit her exposure to crap like that.

It's not because I think she will turn out like that if she looks upon it. It's because I have more respect for those women then they have for themselves.

And I'm thankful for one headline that's out in the stores although it's so none of my business and no one elses'... I loathe magazines like these. I'm not passing judgement on you. I have been convicted in this area and had to stop. Just saying. But I'm thankful for this:


 Why is this news?

Please tell your little girl that she is lovely, it's imperative. We need less nothing-under-jacket women in this world. 

And read, Captivating by Stasi Eldridge. Must.

Frugalicious Friday- Our Then Some Story.

Awwww, she's trying to bring back that "segment" again? How cute!

Just thought I'd show some love to all my fellow "gazelle-intense" pals out there and tell a little story that might (I pray) inspire you!

First thing- if you haven't seen this blog: Cha Ching on a Shoestring- you must!!!! The deals blow me away. I got Leelah a cheapish pair of Toms and a free Starbucks and loads of other goodies simply by liking her page on FB and checking her blog out. Do it!

It's the beginning of the year, and if you are a church goer you've probably heard the tithing sermon by now.

Some of you out there might be like my hersband and I.
You are not tithing or if you are, you are giving 2-5% and that's after taxes - i.e. net income. You have the mindset that due to financial constraints, you are simply not able to tithe.

Look my dearies, I'm not judging you. Up until 3 weeks prior, we were you. 

Let's first get this out of the way. I'm no one's Holy Spirit and neither are you or anyone in your life that thinks they are.

Let me urge you to get with your spouse and pray that debt down and budget together. That is the one thing I hear over and over on DR's show, couples get through this debt dance together. You have to win as a team.

Prayerfully consider as God's steward of the money He gives, what to do with what you have been blessed with.
Steward: (definition from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steward)

Definition of STEWARD

1

: one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts)

2

: shop steward

3

: a fiscal agent

4

a : an employee on a ship, airplane, bus, or train who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers

b : one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution of food and drink in an institution

5

: one who actively directs affairs : manager

See steward defined for English-language learners »

See steward defined for kids »

According to a stat I heard on Dave Ramsey's website, only 3% of evangelic Christians tithe. I'm not sure if that is for 10% or period. But still. Dang. Dave proposes that people are broke (which is "normal") and that's why tithing is not a priority.

 I agree completely. That's why we are doing are best to financially osmosis teach Leelah how to not be a "slave to the lender."

Here's where it gets real...
Personally speaking, we were not able to tithe the full out 10% of our gross income because of our diligence in paying off our debt to obtain that long awaited goal (Since 2008!) of Debt Freedom.

However, my heart has known that we have been called to trust God and obey in tithing 10%. Before taxes.

A choice nugget I've heard and what has helped me to understand tithing is that God does not want or need your money.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.- James 1:17
He wants your obedience and your trust in Him that He will provide for all your needs and then some. 
I would like to share our "then some" story. 
Yeah I heard the call. Some years ago in fact. And there's been a lot of turmoil in between hearing it and putting it on the back burner. There were full out fires on my stove, Lord! Grease fires of health onslaughts and trauma!

And then 2013 happened...
The tithing sermon and class message.
It was time. Time to obey.
So we dreadfully made out our budget together, like always, and added in the new amount for the church giving. Set it up for electronic giving- that way we couldn't forget- and grinned and bared it.

We were confident that this move was going to completely devastate and halt our progress in paying off debt.

I did have a little twinkling thought and quietly said to God, "I know You know what to do with our money. You are bigger than our debt." Some kind of a heart cry like that.

This was a Thursday night. We have standing Budget Meeting (BM you might say) once every 2 weeks together. That sounded a little gross...

Friday, (otherwise known as the next day) after I get done basically whining at lunch with my girlfriends about being gazelle intense for 5 years, John informs me via text:
"Just received the biggest bonus ever!"

And tears.
Glory all to our Father for this and THEN SOME moment!

THE
NEXT
DAY.

This is not bonus-bragging by any means. God is the one that gave us this! And you know what we did with it?
Paid my car off thus leaving John's school loan as the final chunk of debt.
Yes!


There we were thinking we'd be dead in the water with our debt payoff and God ACCELERATED IT by 3 months time!!!!!

This is not a prosperity Gospel message. This isn't just name it and claim it. This is just our little story of His "then some" for us.
Did we like putting down that number in our budget? No.
Did we understand it fully? No, we're Aggies.
 Did God know what He was going to do with it? Yes. 
Do I think God was mad at us for not giving in the past? No. He knew when we would give and He gently leads.

Thank you Lord for gently shepherding us to this moment and beyond.
Isaiah 40:11
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.
 

Staycation- Went to the Movies

It's just the ol' Johnicles and me thanks to Nana and Papa who are watching our sweet lion-lover.

What have we been up to? Eating. Walking around the Downtown in extreme gale/gusts of wind. Eating. Planning our next meal. Sleeping in. Eating again. Getting gout from all the eating. And
we went to the movies!

We saw Silver Linings Playbook.
Thoughts:
- Why didn't Bradley C. get any nom love this year? He did a fantastic job IMHO. Yeah J-Law was great, but I kinda thought she did a great job playing herself which is pretty awesome (minus the potty mouth).
-It's cray. I mean really, it's about mental health issues. Which made me want to write the director and book author a thank you note for showing how normal being abnormal is. I mean everyone in the movie had issues.
 Even the therapist.
-I loved that Bradley Cooper's character was loyal to his wife. LOVED that. Oh my goodness we need more messages like that in this messed up-do-anything-you-want world.
-It reminded J and I of As Good As It Gets. But with a lot more cursing- could have done without that language.
-My favorite part? When J-Law was showing Bradley Cooper her little dance studio that she put in herself and says something to the effect of, "I'm not that great of a dancer. I just do it to have fun."
I don't know why, but this line was so very freeing to me. It was one of those movie moments that preached to my soul.
I would love to read the book, but again, can't take all the a-b-c-d-e-F in there. There are better words to read than that.

And another thing. Can we just stop it with the F word already? We perused Urban Outfitters and the F word- full out with all the letters- was everywhere. It's like a chic-Spencers now? Whaaa? No future teenager version of my child will NOT be shopping there.

So declasse! 

And our yum yum yumsies- we budgeted and have dined at:
Pink's Pizza- so it was okay. I prefer Star Pizza, Mazzei's and Top it Pizza. Oh they played music with full on F--- in the lyrics, so yeah, no taking my kid in that joint either!
Rainbow Lodge- we ate Elk Eyelashes! JK. Skirt Steak with chimichurri- we did lunch so as to save! John had crab cakes and all was well with the world.
Black Walnut Cafe- I'm going to say I just haven't found my dish here. But I won't give up on it yet.
La Lupita- Woodlands peeps need to get on this! Mexican- no Tex, Just Mex as they say. Kinda pricey, but yum! Get the steak tacos and make the add queso fresco!
Tomorrow--- we are hitting up Crescent City Beignets for b'fast.

Welcome to Katy, TX Bonefish Grill!

I dreamed a dream of fine dinniiiiiinggggg in Katy,
my homeland.

And unlike, Fontine, my dream came true: Bonefish Grill y'all.

Yeah, I've been blowing up Facebook about it because I've been twice.
"Look at me, I'm a flippin' dolphin, I know somethin'!"

Some might be thinking, "Does that chick like work there now and stuff?"

No, I'm not qualified enough to work there- those servers know their stuff. I will get to that later.

I'm going to speak Mom-ese for my fellow Katy/W. Houston Mamas out there so you go there asap with your girls on a good ol' fashioned GNO.
 
 How to get to the Cinco Ranch Location:
If you are heading on 99/Grand Parkway and you are heading towards "Fancy Walmart" in Richmond, i.e. going South, exit Cinco Ranch Blvd and head on over to La Centerra. You're gonna wanna enter in through the Starbucks/Apricot (I can't buy anything in there) Lane Store entrance and go allllll the way to the back.
Other locations- they are in it to win it in Texas now!
Webster: 19325 Gulf Freeway
Webster, TX 77598
And Willowbrook: 7877 Willow Chase Boulevard
Houston, TX 77070

Look for this... Now, this is one of my fancy pics y'all so I had to watermark it...

 There's a revolving door. Just be brave and go through it.

What to Wear:
Look, Moms. This is the perfect blend of our kind of "Sparkly shirt means dressed up." Put that fave tunic/sparkly shirt on with jeans and you will be just fine. Or not. I wore a tshirt there for the Media Review Night and was just fine.

The Service (You won't get the stinkeye here):
From the hostesses to the waitstaff, I was impressed. This was the kind of place where details are of the most importance. To sum up the servers in 2 words: Kind and Knowledgeable.
Definitely polished, but not in an oddly rehearsed way more like a "I'm a proud I work at such a fine establishment" way.
Now, us Moms as fellow CFA guests appreciate a kind waitstaff!

It Feels Like:
I'm all about the "feel" of a place.
This place with all its touches is lovely. It is a chain only the definition of multiple locations from Florida to Texas- but wait- I felt that is was much more like a solo-chef situation. It reminded me of my favorite restaurant in aTm.

The Price:
I am putting this before I tell about the food. Now look here, I'm a self-proclaimed Dave Ramsey girl and showed a few other Media Reviewers my envelopes. I'm pretty sure it embarrassed them and maybe me a little if I think too much more about it.
This can be a budget friendly spot- but you need to budget for it. You and the husrshband can get away with a great meal for about $45 if you go big. Or you could come during the happy hour- Sun. - Thurs. 4-6:30 and guess what- THEY HAVE FOOD THEN!!!

I love that trick by the way. Forget the drinking, I'm not into that anyway. I'm into the cheaper Happy Hour Food options!!! Cheaper food when you go there!!! So maybe get away with a meal under $20 instead- how does that sound!?

The Food:
I can vouch for the following:
Wagyu Beef & Ginger Dumplings

Saucy Shrimp- this one really surprised me in its sweet taste!
Pecan Parmesan Crusted Rainbow Trout
Chicken Marsala (Y'all don't even understand. This is my new favorite. It haunts my soul. I must go back...)
Dorado (Mahi Mahi) You get to choose a "signature sauce" LEMON BUTTER RIGHT NOW. This is my new best friend. 
But I hear the Chimichurri sauce was pretty awesome too...

What I'm Gonna Try Next:
The Coconut Shrimp with Jasmine Rice! And their brunch!



If you wanna know more, I implore you to check out their website. If you stop in, please ask for Andrew, the manager. I know he'd be more than happy to say hi. Their Joint Venture Partner even brought us our food, cleared our table and checked on us- I told you they were nice :).

Be warned, you will forget those other fishy chains once you come here. I have!