Graves' Disease is in the Grave!!!

So as most of you know, I had been diagnosed with Graves' Disease last August. In October of 2008 I took radioactive iodine to shrink my overactive thyroid. After many prayers, God has completely gotten rid of my Graves' Disease. I am now hypothyroid and started taking this little pill once a day. The doctor said that it flipped really fast. God truly is a miracle worker. Although I'm not liking the side affects: (mainly gaining weight). I would much rather have hypo than hyperthyroidism. I will continue taking my pill once a day for the rest of my life. Now we just wait to see if the medication is the correct dose for my body and then once it is stabalized, I will only have to go to the doctors once a year for my annual check-up, unless I become pregnant and then they monitor you throughout the duration of the pregnancy and couple months afterwards. It is totally fine for someone to become pregnant and take hypothyroid medication while pregnant as well as completely safe for any babies.

Just continue to pray that God will continue to heal my body and give me the strength to get through the changes that are now taking place with my body. I know I was never going to stay a size 2 for the rest of my life, but sometimes I get a little disappointed at times. I need your prayers and support!

Thanks for all of you who have been praying for me and David as well. He has had to put up with my crazy mood swings for the last 6 months. (Poor guy)! Love you honey!

Happy New Year!!!

Well I have finally decided to get back to writing. I get on this everyday, but then feel like I have nothing to say. I guess that's how my entire New Years has been so far. Not much has gone on since it started. We are both back to the same routine of work. Not that I don't mind it, routine is good for me. It keeps me focused and always knowing what I have to do next. My student's were surprisingly good this first week back. I'm so happy!!! Water polo is going well. We are starting back to our water polo games as well; 2 next week and then 3 the following week. I can't believe how fast the season is going by. It seems like it just started and it will be over for me in about a month. Time flies by when you're having fun. David is still with AMR but starts a new shift on the 19th. He will be working Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm. It will be great spending the night and weekends together again like a "normal" couple. With his new schedule, it will allow us to go to Bible Study with our church; we are both super stoked.

Other than that, everything is the same. Samson and Delilah are still as crazy as ever, yet so much fun. I go to the doctors on the 26th of January for the latest results of my graves' disease. And that's about it. Please continue to pray that God is healing my body. I feel good, but the prayer is very much appreciated!

Merry Christmas!

Have a Merry Christmas and may God bless you on this CHRISTmas Eve and CHRISTmas Day.






"Today in the town of David A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Everything WRAPPED together...

So...I know I have been a little slacker on keeping my blog up to date. Things have been quite hectic. Since the last blog...

I had report cards and parent teacher conferences. Of course EVERY parent wanted to come this year. With 34 students and 20 minutes per conference, it takes forever. At least I have supportive parents; can't really complain too much. In a nut shell, they went well.

Thanksgiving! We (myself and dogs) spent Thanksgiving at my parents house with all of the yummy food, aunts and uncles, grandparents, parents, and brother. Of course, David had to work. I felt so bad. He missed out on everything. Poor guy! I did save him a ton of left overs and he loved every bite of it. =)

Thanksgiving Break! Over the break, I spent my time coaching the girls water polo team. It's a lot of fun and I'm getting to know a great group of girls. It reminds me of when I was in high school and the fun I used to have on the water polo team. Also, how in shape I USED to be. hahahahaha!!!!

December so far...Celebrated Dennis' 21st birthday at Pat 'n Oscars. That was a lot of fun. I can't believe he's already 21. We're all growing up so fast. On the 1st of December I went to the Endocrynologist for my Thyroid issue (Graves Disease). The doctor said my levels went down. Which is a good sign. Still waiting to see where it goes. He said it could take upto six months before we know if it completely worked. We're continually praying that the Lord healed me and that everything will go according to His plan. I feel a whole lot better than before. So we just wait, pray and see what the doctor says at my next visit in January. Please continue to keep me in your prayers though. And thank you to those who have been praying for me and keeping me in your thoughts.

We got our tree on Sunday and decorated the house for Christmas. I love this time of year of spending time together with family and friends. It really reminds me of Christ's love and what He has done for us. We hope all of you have a blessed Christmas Season. All our love, The Aten's

Dogs and Baths...

Our dogs love to get baths, well sometimes. They get jealous when the other one is in the tub, getting all of the attention. Here's what our dogs do during bath time every week. HAHA!!! Delilah being impatient...wanting to get into the bath. Delilah wanting it to be her turn. Waiting patiently now on top of the towels on the toilet. Samson getting a bath...not too thrilled about this mom! Delilah getting her bath, finally. All done with bath time. Samson has the same routine everytime. He has to roll around and drag his head and back on the ground to get the new, clean scent off of him. It's hillarious! After they are all clean, they love to put their sweaters on and stay nice and warm.

Been a while...

So I know it's been a couple of weeks. We have just been so busy with many things. Halloween, USC game, family birthdays, work, water polo practice, report card time, etc... I will be glad when next week is over and I have a full week off of work for Thanksgiving. I have so many things to be thankful for. God has truly blessed us in these last 2 1/2 years of marriage. How fast it has gone by too! We are so blessed to have a family that's so close and that we love to spend all of our time with, with a house that keeps us warm and protected (God did it all), 2 of the cutest dogs, that love us so much and we don't know what we would do without them either. (I can't wait until kids come, how much better that will be), awesome friends who are always there for us as well. The list could go on and on, but I would be typing forever and I should be finishing up with grading the essays my students wrote, since report cards are due on Friday afternoon. HAHAHA!!!

Just wanted to update everyone on where we have been and what we have done.

Trick or Treating with Jaiden, Heather's son.


Here we are at the USC Game. It was so much fun! They killed the Washington Huskies, 56-0. Can't wait to go to another game. David was in heaven!

Halloween Pumpkin Carving

Tonight Dave and I decided to carve our pumpkins since he will be working at night all week (mon.- thurs.) By the time he gets home, it's bedtime, so we decided to do it tonight. They turned out cute. LOL! We are definitely NOT professional pumpkin carvers, but we had fun doing it. I love carving pumpkins, but I always forget the horrific smell it brings when you first open up the top of the pumpkin. It was still fun.
Our pumpkins in the dark

We sure did have fun taking pictures and carving our pumpkins...




The dogs wanted to join in on the fun...


Have a great rest of the week and a safe Halloween.