2012 Olympics here we come!

Jonah - our new Little Giant

So much for this guy looking like a preemie.  Jonah is eating like Noah did when he was that age.  He's got a big 'ol belly, double chin, and a short stack worth of rolls on his arms/legs.

I've been slackin on my camera game, but i did manage to snag a couple on my celly.

As you can see, his hair has lightened up a bit, and his eyes are getting a bit darker.  We still can't tell if he'll share blue eyes with Noah/Caleb, or if he wants to be even more like daddy (another brown eyed bandit).

Either way, he is one cute Universal.

3rd Place? At least we got a medal

Well, we didn't dominate as expected in the 2nd Official Brooklyn Shuz Tournament.  The competition was a little steeper, and they were gun'n for us.  We got knocked out in the semi's by the team that ended up taking the gold.  It was a great game for both of us, but they definitely earned the W.

Shoutout to Bobcat and Team Vodka/Redbull for blowing it in the finals 2 years straight.  We love you guys, and we feel your pain ;)

What's better: 2 silvers? or 1 gold and 1 bronze?  I don't know, but my neck is getting sore from all this precious metal.  See you next tourny.

Brooklyn Shuz 2nd Official Tournament

In a little break from all the serious stuff going on in the Hemberger family, i'd like to extend an invite to the. . .

2nd Official Brooklyn Shuz Tournament

Saturday, October 11th

Knights of Columbus in Hackettstown, NJ

Registration @ 7pm sharp

Games begin @ 8pm

Brooklyn Shuz is an extremely fun game thats easily played by anyone.  Even if you've never played, feel free to come along and join the in new H'town (& beyond) culture.  It's $20 a team (2 players per team) and the top 3 teams split the winnings accordingly.  For registration and information leave a comment, email me, call me, whatev. . . and i will contact the creator himself - Matt Gandley

Check the videos to learn and understand more about this new phenomenon.

Brookly Shuz - 1st Official Tournament

Brooklyn Shuz - Finals - Game #1

Brooklyn Shuz - Finals - Game #2

If any of you are wondering, my team -NappsBerger- are the current title holders. We'll be there defending our Gold Medals.

Below is my new team logo.  Expect to see it in this years highlights.

#6. the Mayo Clinic - no more Mayo Clinic

So here i am, sitting at my kitchen counter amidst a fury of toys, bikes, cars, random cheerios, dirty clothes, unopened Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield envelopes, and out of place EVERYTHING. . .

A few hours from now, Jamie's plane will be landing in Newark Airport.  As a (trying to be good) husband, what thought supposed to cross my mind here? 

A. I can't wait to see my wife again!

or 

B. Dag Baby! I better clean this house before she gets home!

I guess it's irrelevant right now, so i'm going to start cleaning.  Needless to say, Jamie is coming home.  We have a long road ahead of us in getting her finally diagnosed condition under control, but i'm excited to start this new chapter in our lives.  

I would rather go through a life of sickness and poverty with Jamie than an life of riches and health with anyone else.  can i get a witness!?!?

#5. the Mayo Clinic - THE DIAGNOSIS

This is the one we've all been waiting for.  This isn't the first time Jamie has gotten a so-called 'diagnosis', but it IS the first time we believe it.  It will probably be better from her own words, so the following is Jamie's email about her diagnosis. . .

   Hello from Minnesota!

After three very long years, the Mayo Clinic has found my problem, or should I say problems.  I have been diagnosed with a couple different things that can somewhat be related to each other as well.  Some good news and some bad.  I have what they call "Fibromyalgia"  At this time there isn't one sure-fire reason what causes Fibromyalgia, therefore, there is no known cure either.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes the nerves in your body to be overly sensitive.  Nerves are sending signals to the brain that tell you things that shouldn't be painful are painful.  A simple touch or hug can cause my body to feel severe pain when its really not.  Anything that will heighten my senses such as bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, touch, stress, caffeine, will cause my nerves to send an overload to the brain.  This is what causes my constant pain all over, extreme fatigue and tingling in parts of my body.

I also have Basilar Migraines.  It's a very rare form of migraine that causes temporary memory loss, temporary blindness, and visual changes. . . all of which I have been experiencing.  These Migraines can be more severe due to the Fibromyalgia sending the wrong signals.  They are going to be putting me on an anti-seizure medication that will somewhat calm my nerves down, and help with the migraines as well.

They are calling my "droopy left eye", 7th peripheral nerve palsy.  At this time it's believed Basilar Migraines can sometimes cause permanent damage (although very rare).  Our hope is that the medication I go on will calm that nerve down as well, and it will start to work properly again.

It is so nice to finally have an answer and be able to deal and cope with life ahead.  This medication is not going to fix my problems, but it will keep them under control.

I started a class today to learn how to live with this and not let it take over my life.  Of course the strategies were 'humming' and 'relaxing' to control your pain, but I think we all know the ONLY thing that is sure to work and heal is Christ Himself.  God truly is in control!  Tomorrow we will meet with the doctor for (hopefully) the last time.  He will go over all these things again to make sure there is nothing else they overlooked, or anything else they would like to do.

I could never repay any of you or thank you enough for all your prayers.  I hope to see you all soon.

~Jamie

I would also like to add that Jamie's 'seizure' type 'episodes' seem to have been a mixed reaction to the Fibromyalgia and Basilar Migraines.  I'm gonna call it an 'extra bonus' of this combination.

Hopefully the next update will say that Jamie is on her way home, but we'll see what the next day(s) will bring.