A Thank You, An Update and Some CUTENESS

First, I have to say a huge THANK YOU!  My last two posts have been very personal, and although I've been blogging for a long time, it wasn't until very recently that I went public.  Mainly, my blog has been my place to lay my life out.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  I just wasn't sure I wanted it laid out for anyone to read.  After the out pouring of support and love over the past few days, I only wish I would have opened up sooner.  Ya'll could have helped me through some pretty tough times. I'm glad I decided to become an active participant in the blogosphere because YOU GUYS ROCK!

Much to my surprise, my husband did actually read the book last night while I was gone.  Once we got the midgets tucked in for the night, we had an opportunity to talk about his bipolar, what I was noticing, what he was feeling and how to prepare for the psychiatrist appointment today.  After being so depressed for so long, the feelings he is now having are exhilarating for him.  He feels like the fog has lifted and is himself again.  I do have to agree.  He is much more pleasant to be around.  However, I still fear he is cycling upward.  I was relieved some when he said he could understand that concern.  We are working together to watch for signs and symptoms of a manic episode.  Talking to him about it isn't always this easy.  Yet, we are making more progress now than ever in the past.

I had high hopes for his appointment today.  Unfortunately, what we thought was going to be an appointment with a psychiatrist turned into being an appointment with an internist.  She had zero knowledge of mental health.  She doubled his medicine dosage and told us good luck.  Apparently, finding a mental health professional in our state is difficult...finding a good one is near impossible. 

Fortunately, he does have a good mental health counselor.  The on-staff psychiatrist at the counseling group has already agreed to see him.  But, her first available appointment isn't until the end of June.  He sees his counselor next week and will be making the psychiatric appointment then.  Hopefully, the increase in dosage and our open communication will be enough to starve off any life-altering manic breaks until he can start on a different treatment plan.

There is a light.

Now, before I bore you all with my crazy (and I mean that in the best possible way) family drama, I want you to know that bipolar has not consumed my entire life.  Although it is something we are working with, most days really are wonderful. 

And with all this cuteness, how can I not be grateful for everything in my life...including the crosses we carry.

The Bean

The Boy

The Tween