I know I have been such a slacker when it comes to updating this blog. I have a lot to catch up on. Like my Grandmother's funeral, Gracie turning 4, Bryant starting a training program to get a special certification that will take 2 1/2 years to complete, Kate turning 2, Halloween, etc etc.
However, right now I am just going to update on everyone about the surgery I just had. I am still unclear on some of the details as I was MAJORLY drugged up when the Dr. came to talk to me and Bryant had already left.
Last year I found a Dr. in Houston that I went to see. I have had a lot of stomach issues in the past. I had surgery 14 years ago, and it was awful. Spending 10 days in the hospital, having a blood transfusion, being unable to keep anything down and consequently getting severely dehydrated, having to have a balloon put down my throat to open a passage for food and water to pass through, etc. It wasn't exactly what I had expected.
I have continued to have issues. I'm very sensitive to certain foods. I have been extremely anemic since that time, at one point a few years ago having to see an Oncologist to get my iron levels to a safe point, not to mention the amount of weight I have gained. I do not eat more than any other person. In fact I eat quite a bit less, so why would I continue to gain weight?
The latest problem has been that out of nowhere I will feel kind of sick to my stomach and then all of the sudden it feels like all of my insides are being squeezed as hard as they can. I can't hardly breath, I can't sit, lay down, walk, I pretty much think I am going to die. It only lasts about 3 minutes or so, but it seems like 3 hours.
Okay, so onto surgery. After seeing this Dr for a year, and having all kinds of tests done and an endoscopy and an upper GI, etc etc, and after satisfying the insurance company with all the information they want (cause obviously, the people who work for insurance companies have all gone to medical school!), Dr. Nowzardan was able to convince them that I really needed surgery to fix some of these problems.
What was suppose to be a laparoscopic procedure however, turned into major surgery. Instead of 3 one inch incisions, I have a HUGE 12 inch vertical incision down my stomach from my sternum to my belly button as well as 2 huge drainage tube wounds.
Now, you have to understand, this Dr/Surgeon, is one of the best in the country. People come from all over to see him. He is very very good at what he does, and I trust him. He felt like there would be no problem doing a laparoscopic procedure on me. However, when he got in there (and this is where I get a little fuzzy on all the details) he said the surgery that had been done 14 years ago was done very badly and that my intestines were a huge tangled mess. He had to open me to fix me.
So, that's where we are at. I have had a really hard time being so laid up. I was planning to be at church today. I figured I would be sore for a few days and I'd have to be careful, but it was so much more invasive than that. I got to come home from the ICU on Thursday but I had to bring a drainage tube with me. SO GROSS. I hate the stupid thing. It is so painful and so disgusting and I cannot wait until Wednesday to get it out!
So, that is the story. Bryant has taken excellent care of me. I can't lift anything. I can't even stand up for long periods of time. I do try to walk and move as often as I can, but I am unable to care for me kids. I can't bend down, I can't lift anything over 5 lbs, I need help with almost everything. Luckily, not only did I marry the most amazing man on the planet, but I have the most amazing friends too. My friend Erin picked me up from the hospital since Bryant had to work. We have had dinner brought in, my friend Shari came and stayed with me all day on Friday to watch my kids and take care of me while Bryant was at work, my friend Jessica is coming tomorrow to do the same. I've had friends take care of my kids while I was in the hospital and my friend Christie is taking Gracie today and letting her spend the night since her daughter and Gracie are such good friends. I've had friends bring me movies and magazines to entertain me. They've even cleaned my house. Plus, my brother and sister (in law) send me flowers. I am overwhelmed with the love I have been shown.
Everyday gets a little better. I'm sore. I'm SO SO SO SORE. But I'm not nearly as sore today as I have been. So if I can just make it until Wednesday I can get the stitches and the drainage tube out and I will feel so much better.
It's Thanksgiving week this week, and it's fitting to say, I have A LOT to be Thankful for this year. A good Dr who knew how to fix me the right way, a wonderful husband who loves me and has taken such good care of me, amazing friends who have gone above and beyond, and of course of Wednesday I will be so thankful to have the drainage tube out:) (Can you tell I HATE THIS THING?!) I'm also very Thankful that as soon as my Mom and Dad found out that what was suppose to be more minor laparoscopic surgery turned into a very big deal, they got on and bought a plane ticket for my Mom to come help me. She'll be here tomorrow. You know, having her come might....maybe....be worth going through all of this! I love my Mom (and my Dad who is coming Dec. 1)! YAY!
That's what I know so far. I'm sure I can get more information when I go back to the Dr. Thank you for all the prayers and the well wishes!
Bisous to all of you!
April
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Family Pictures
My friend Allison does photography as a side business. Here are a few of the shots she got of my insanely beautiful family! What do you think? Which ones to you like best? And if you're in Beaumont, I highly recommend Allison for all your photo needs! She is wonderful with kids, she knows good spots in town to do pictures, and she has excellent prices!
Dance Recital
Gracie has been in Dance Class since September and they have practiced their routine for Dance Recital all year! They finally had their big day in May! They did awesome! when you think these are 2.5 to 3 year old kids that did this, I think they did exceptional! They did their routine to the song "Day-O" and had the cutest costumes! They cost a fortune, but they were cute! Here is a video of the tech rehearsal (we couldn't take video of the actual performance, and this was the best I got! I got a little distracted but you can still see it! Gracie is the 3rd from the left...the tallest one in the class) There is also,a picture of my little dancer all dressed up and a picture of her entire class!
We are Alive and Well!
I know it's Been FOREVER since my last post. But I've had several requests for an update, which makes me feel that perhaps my blogging isn't in vain. Plus, since I'm the worst mother in the world and don't have baby books even started for my kids, this is good for me to write down things about them too right?
I'll just give a brief update on some events in the past few months, and then I'll post about our Family Reunion/Vegas Trip, our House, Gracie's Dance Recital and our trip to Austin we took this past weekend!
The end of March Bryant's sister and her family that live in Fort Worth came to visit us! Gracie absolutely LOVED having her cousins around. I hope they her cousins will continue to be important to her and become her best friends as she and Kate grow up. I have learned all too well, friends come and go, but you will always have your family in your life! Bryant's Mom and little sister Maren had actually gone to Ft. Worth to visit Pamela and family as well, so they were here for a few days as well.
I'm afraid there isn't as many things to do here in Beaumont as there are in the DFW area, but we really enjoyed having them come for a visit. We did take a day and go to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston though, which we all really enjoyed it!
Maren with Ava and Gracie at NASA
Grace and Kate at NASA
April was my Birthday Month of course! And let me tell you, it was FABULOUS! I was really nervous about turning 30 last year, and it didn't start out all that well. It was probably the crappiest birthday I had ever had in fact. Besides my parents who sent me flowers, nobody really gave a care that it was my birthday, which in years past would have been okay, but since I was so unhappy about being 30 a little birthday cheer would have been nice. However, all that is now a distant memory because this year as I turned 31, I had the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! First of all, I got to host our first monthly BUNCO Night for the ladies at church which turned out super awesome! Bryant took the girls out that night for me, and they came home with a new Kindle Fire for me! Which I have LOVED! SOme of my wonderful friends here totally threw a surprise birthday party for me! And it was a surprise too! I have no idea how they pulled this off, but it was so fun. They had a "French theme" and everything! I felt spoiled the entire month with little things here and there, and i have to say, being in my "30's" has been FABULOUS! I would never to back! We've kept busy with dance class, vacations, baseball games, temple trips, working on projects in our house and yard, playing outside, etc this summer so far! Bryant's job is going well, we love our house, our girls are growing like weeds, and life in general has been good to us!
Gracie being playing outside being silly!
Kate after a long morning fell asleep before I could even give her lunch!
Maren with Ava and Gracie at NASA
Grace and Kate at NASA
April was my Birthday Month of course! And let me tell you, it was FABULOUS! I was really nervous about turning 30 last year, and it didn't start out all that well. It was probably the crappiest birthday I had ever had in fact. Besides my parents who sent me flowers, nobody really gave a care that it was my birthday, which in years past would have been okay, but since I was so unhappy about being 30 a little birthday cheer would have been nice. However, all that is now a distant memory because this year as I turned 31, I had the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! First of all, I got to host our first monthly BUNCO Night for the ladies at church which turned out super awesome! Bryant took the girls out that night for me, and they came home with a new Kindle Fire for me! Which I have LOVED! SOme of my wonderful friends here totally threw a surprise birthday party for me! And it was a surprise too! I have no idea how they pulled this off, but it was so fun. They had a "French theme" and everything! I felt spoiled the entire month with little things here and there, and i have to say, being in my "30's" has been FABULOUS! I would never to back! We've kept busy with dance class, vacations, baseball games, temple trips, working on projects in our house and yard, playing outside, etc this summer so far! Bryant's job is going well, we love our house, our girls are growing like weeds, and life in general has been good to us!
Gracie being playing outside being silly!
Kate after a long morning fell asleep before I could even give her lunch!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Inspired by One Very Special Little Girl
I've been a mother for just barely over 3 1/2 years now. I have come to understand over these past 3 1/2 years what an important responsibility I have as a mother, to teach my children. Not only to teach them how to care for themselves, how to count, the alphabet, etc, etc, but to implement the gospel in our home as an everyday part of life. I want my children to know why they are here, where they came from, and what the purpose of this life is for them.
I feel grateful to be able to stay home with them and work on this a little each day.
I guess I didn't fully understand how special, how strong, how sweet, how simply wonderful my little Gracie was until this past week. She has truly inspired me. I have focused so much on what I need to teach HER, that I guess I forgot how much SHE teaches ME. This past week has really opened my eyes.
Gracie did one of the hardest things in her very young life. She gave up her Binky. Now, before many of you go judging me, and her, let me simply say--you don't know the situation or WHY she still struggled with having a binky at 3 1/2 years old. I bet if you made your 2-3 year old move around and live in 6 different places in less than a year and a half your child would be dealing with some issues as well. Unfortunately, with all the change, the uncertainty, and the lack of control she felt she had in her life, her Binky became her security blanket. It wasn't so much a binky to her as it was her lovey thing. Her comfort, the thing that gave her a sense of peace and security. So please, keep the judgemental comments to yourself if you have them!
Anyway, we've been talking to her for a while about getting rid of her binky. We've tried a few times before, but it was never successful. But last week, she found this Beauty and the Beast baby doll and matching stroller she really really really wanted. I thought it was expensive for a childs toy. So right there in the store we talked about it for a good 20 min or so, and she agreed if I bought her the doll and stroller, she would give up her binky. She also said if she didn't I could take it back to the store.
We came home and Bryant was here. She told Bryant all about her new doll and giving up her binky. She decided it would be a good idea to send her binky to Santa Clause and he would take it to Parker's (our nephew, her cousin) new baby sister Brynn.
So, Bryant got an envelope and she wrote out (in 3 year old giberish of course) what he told her to. She addressed it to Santa Clause, put a return name on it, wrote a letter explaining what he was to do with it, drew on a stamp and put it in the mail. And it was gone.
Well, Gracie did really good. She went to sleep without it! First time EVER she's gone to sleep without the binky. But of course she woke up a while later crying for it. Well, she didn't acutally ask for it. She wanted to. She really really wanted to. She sat on my lap shaking (I think she was literally going through a detox from it) and just cried and cried. And I just held her and told her how proud I was of her. At one point she said through sobs "I want my B, B, B" she wanted to say binky so bad--I know she did, but instead she said "my B-Baby." Oh what a brave little girl!
It took a few nights of getting use to, but she did it! She got rid of her Binky! She is such a big girl. And I saw what a strong spirit she has going through this. She was determined. She was sad, but she knew she had made a promise to get rid of the binky. It's no wonder she, and all the other little children were saved for these days. If anyone can make it through the trials and adversity in todays world, it's these precious children.
Through the first few difficult days, she would often come find me, or crawl up in my lap and say "Momma, I love you. You're my best friend."
I feel so honored to be your Momma Gracie Girl! There is a lot I can learn from you. I love you so much!
I feel grateful to be able to stay home with them and work on this a little each day.
I guess I didn't fully understand how special, how strong, how sweet, how simply wonderful my little Gracie was until this past week. She has truly inspired me. I have focused so much on what I need to teach HER, that I guess I forgot how much SHE teaches ME. This past week has really opened my eyes.
Gracie did one of the hardest things in her very young life. She gave up her Binky. Now, before many of you go judging me, and her, let me simply say--you don't know the situation or WHY she still struggled with having a binky at 3 1/2 years old. I bet if you made your 2-3 year old move around and live in 6 different places in less than a year and a half your child would be dealing with some issues as well. Unfortunately, with all the change, the uncertainty, and the lack of control she felt she had in her life, her Binky became her security blanket. It wasn't so much a binky to her as it was her lovey thing. Her comfort, the thing that gave her a sense of peace and security. So please, keep the judgemental comments to yourself if you have them!
Anyway, we've been talking to her for a while about getting rid of her binky. We've tried a few times before, but it was never successful. But last week, she found this Beauty and the Beast baby doll and matching stroller she really really really wanted. I thought it was expensive for a childs toy. So right there in the store we talked about it for a good 20 min or so, and she agreed if I bought her the doll and stroller, she would give up her binky. She also said if she didn't I could take it back to the store.
We came home and Bryant was here. She told Bryant all about her new doll and giving up her binky. She decided it would be a good idea to send her binky to Santa Clause and he would take it to Parker's (our nephew, her cousin) new baby sister Brynn.
So, Bryant got an envelope and she wrote out (in 3 year old giberish of course) what he told her to. She addressed it to Santa Clause, put a return name on it, wrote a letter explaining what he was to do with it, drew on a stamp and put it in the mail. And it was gone.
Well, Gracie did really good. She went to sleep without it! First time EVER she's gone to sleep without the binky. But of course she woke up a while later crying for it. Well, she didn't acutally ask for it. She wanted to. She really really wanted to. She sat on my lap shaking (I think she was literally going through a detox from it) and just cried and cried. And I just held her and told her how proud I was of her. At one point she said through sobs "I want my B, B, B" she wanted to say binky so bad--I know she did, but instead she said "my B-Baby." Oh what a brave little girl!
It took a few nights of getting use to, but she did it! She got rid of her Binky! She is such a big girl. And I saw what a strong spirit she has going through this. She was determined. She was sad, but she knew she had made a promise to get rid of the binky. It's no wonder she, and all the other little children were saved for these days. If anyone can make it through the trials and adversity in todays world, it's these precious children.
Through the first few difficult days, she would often come find me, or crawl up in my lap and say "Momma, I love you. You're my best friend."
I feel so honored to be your Momma Gracie Girl! There is a lot I can learn from you. I love you so much!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Cruisin'
I know you've all been waiting patiently to hear about our Cruise! Let me just say it was FABULOUS, AWESOME, RELAXING, ROMANTIC, FUN and everything I hoped it would be and more! Bryant and I had planned to go on a trip after he graduated with his DPT, but there was no money, and no time to go either before he started his job. However, we took a very quick, whirlwind trip back to Idaho for Bry's sisters wedding. They went to Hawaii on their honeymoon. It got Bry and I talking about how much we really needed a little get a way. Just the two of us.
Gracie was born and two weeks later Bryant started his very demanding and stressful PT program. Then Kate came along, and we moved 5 times (literally). This past year and a half or so has been the craziest and hardest I have ever gone through in my life. In fact, I finally went to the Dr shortly after getting to Beaumont and was put on depression/anxiety medication. Elder Holland came to Beaumont for Stake Conference in August and talked about trials. He said "sometimes you have to just grit your teeth and get through it." I totally felt like I had been gritting my teeth and getting through everyday for the past year+. I know everyone has their trials, and others might think there's are so much worse than mine, but the past 18 months or so have been very difficult for me for many many reasons. I appreciated Elder Holland and his comments on the matter.
Needless to say, Bryant and I were due for some one on one R&R time with each other. The Cruise was the perfect vacation for us. For one thing, it was affordable! For another thing, they had lots of activities and shows, etc that we could go to, but we didn't feel obligated to do anything. We could decide 10 minutes before the event started to go, and just grab the stairs or the elevator to get to it really quick.
We had FABULOUS food on the ship too. We were adventurous and tried everything from duck and escargo to alligator fritters and frog legs. It was really fun!
We went from Galveston to Progresso, Mexico in the Yucatan. We did take an excursion that day to
Chichen Itza and toured the Mayan ruins there. It was so incredible. Probably one of our favorite parts of the trip. We could have spent some major hours there looking around, but we had limited time since we had to get back to the boat! We also left with a beautiful stone dining set that we talked them into letting us have for like $25!
The next day we went to Cozemel. Cozemel is in the Caribbean Sea so the water there is beautiful! We didn't do an excursion that day, we just grabbed a taxi to a beach. We weren't that impressed with the beach we went to unfortunately. It was a "resort" so we had to pay to get in, and then there was so many rocks under the water you couldn't even walk into the water without loosing your balance. It was still a fun time though. To just sit on the beach and look at the beautiful water for a while.
It was so expensive to use our cell phones, that we were phone and internet free the entire time we were gone. It was so nice to just spend time with each other with no distractions. And I must say, after 5 days, we didn't get tired of each other once. It was a much needed break from the demands and responsibilities of everyday life, and a great way to just focus on each other.
Of course my incredibly awesome Mother came to watch the girls for us. I didn't worry at all while we were gone knowing they were in such good hands. I'm so glad they have a "Bubby" that loves them so much. And they know it. And in return, my girls love her so much. Gracie asks me about 3 times a week if I bought plane tickets to go to Bubby's house yet. Poor girl is having major Bubby withdrawls!
I can't wait until our next Cruise! It will be sooner than another 7 years form now that's for sure! Maybe we'll bring the girls along next time!
Anyway, here are some pictures of our trip! Enjoy!
The Pyramid at Chichen Iza--It was incredible!
The city of 1000 Columns...
The Ship itself. It was HUGE
Me posing on the deck on one of our sail days.
Bryant and I at dinner one night. Best second Honeymoon EVER!
Gracie was born and two weeks later Bryant started his very demanding and stressful PT program. Then Kate came along, and we moved 5 times (literally). This past year and a half or so has been the craziest and hardest I have ever gone through in my life. In fact, I finally went to the Dr shortly after getting to Beaumont and was put on depression/anxiety medication. Elder Holland came to Beaumont for Stake Conference in August and talked about trials. He said "sometimes you have to just grit your teeth and get through it." I totally felt like I had been gritting my teeth and getting through everyday for the past year+. I know everyone has their trials, and others might think there's are so much worse than mine, but the past 18 months or so have been very difficult for me for many many reasons. I appreciated Elder Holland and his comments on the matter.
Needless to say, Bryant and I were due for some one on one R&R time with each other. The Cruise was the perfect vacation for us. For one thing, it was affordable! For another thing, they had lots of activities and shows, etc that we could go to, but we didn't feel obligated to do anything. We could decide 10 minutes before the event started to go, and just grab the stairs or the elevator to get to it really quick.
We had FABULOUS food on the ship too. We were adventurous and tried everything from duck and escargo to alligator fritters and frog legs. It was really fun!
We went from Galveston to Progresso, Mexico in the Yucatan. We did take an excursion that day to
Chichen Itza and toured the Mayan ruins there. It was so incredible. Probably one of our favorite parts of the trip. We could have spent some major hours there looking around, but we had limited time since we had to get back to the boat! We also left with a beautiful stone dining set that we talked them into letting us have for like $25!
The next day we went to Cozemel. Cozemel is in the Caribbean Sea so the water there is beautiful! We didn't do an excursion that day, we just grabbed a taxi to a beach. We weren't that impressed with the beach we went to unfortunately. It was a "resort" so we had to pay to get in, and then there was so many rocks under the water you couldn't even walk into the water without loosing your balance. It was still a fun time though. To just sit on the beach and look at the beautiful water for a while.
It was so expensive to use our cell phones, that we were phone and internet free the entire time we were gone. It was so nice to just spend time with each other with no distractions. And I must say, after 5 days, we didn't get tired of each other once. It was a much needed break from the demands and responsibilities of everyday life, and a great way to just focus on each other.
Of course my incredibly awesome Mother came to watch the girls for us. I didn't worry at all while we were gone knowing they were in such good hands. I'm so glad they have a "Bubby" that loves them so much. And they know it. And in return, my girls love her so much. Gracie asks me about 3 times a week if I bought plane tickets to go to Bubby's house yet. Poor girl is having major Bubby withdrawls!
I can't wait until our next Cruise! It will be sooner than another 7 years form now that's for sure! Maybe we'll bring the girls along next time!
Anyway, here are some pictures of our trip! Enjoy!
The Pyramid at Chichen Iza--It was incredible!
The city of 1000 Columns...
The Ship itself. It was HUGE
Me posing on the deck on one of our sail days.
Bryant and I at dinner one night. Best second Honeymoon EVER!
Christmas 2011
I know this post is really really late....but better late than never right? I've mostly been waiting so I could post pictures!
Christmas was really great this year. We tried really hard to keep the presents to a reasonable amount and really tried to focus on having a Christ centered Christmas. Gracie is at the age where she is really understanding things these days. Of course presents are fun, but we want her to understand that Christmas is a time to think about the Savior, and his birth and how we can be more like him. Not how many presents we can fit under the tree.
It was so nice this year to just spend a simple Christmas as our own little family. We let the girls open their new PJ's on Christmas Eve, which they both loved! Christmas morning we woke up and went to church. It was just Sacrament Meeting of course. I made quiche and rolls for breakfast and then we let the girls open presents. It was a nice, relaxing day spent with my favorite people!
Gracie opening a present...in her new PJ's! She actually got 3 new PJ's but for Christmas Eve I found matching tinkerbell ones for the girls!
Kate playing with her new Turtle that holds balls. She likes the balls better than the Turtle!
After a while, Kate got tired, so she crawled up on Bryant and fell asleep!
Gracie showing off some of her loot!
Christmas was really great this year. We tried really hard to keep the presents to a reasonable amount and really tried to focus on having a Christ centered Christmas. Gracie is at the age where she is really understanding things these days. Of course presents are fun, but we want her to understand that Christmas is a time to think about the Savior, and his birth and how we can be more like him. Not how many presents we can fit under the tree.
It was so nice this year to just spend a simple Christmas as our own little family. We let the girls open their new PJ's on Christmas Eve, which they both loved! Christmas morning we woke up and went to church. It was just Sacrament Meeting of course. I made quiche and rolls for breakfast and then we let the girls open presents. It was a nice, relaxing day spent with my favorite people!
Gracie opening a present...in her new PJ's! She actually got 3 new PJ's but for Christmas Eve I found matching tinkerbell ones for the girls!
Kate playing with her new Turtle that holds balls. She likes the balls better than the Turtle!
After a while, Kate got tired, so she crawled up on Bryant and fell asleep!
Gracie showing off some of her loot!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
