Now It's MY Turn

I may not be the best example of a healthy person, but I have been able to avoid the OR (for the most part) more than some.

Tomorrow, that all changes.

I "get" to have my diseased, painful, irritating, and awful Gall Bladder removed. YAY!!

It first started bothering me when we were living in Denver after Noah's heart transplant. I was so worried that I would need surgery while I was away from home and with a sick child. But the Lord blessed me and got me through it.

Those prayers and blessings got me another 2 years out of that sick organ. But for everything there is a season and the season of surgery is upon me.

I must say, that even though I have had to have emergency brain surgery to save my life, foot reconstruction to avoid amputation, and seen a child survive and thrive after having their heart removed and a new one put back in, I am still a little nervous about 4 small "pokes" into my jelly belly.

I know it's going to help me feel SO much better and to not have it be painful and make me sick everyday will really help. But every surgery isn't without risk.... and I worry more for my children and my husband than I do for my own safety.

I don't think I like being the patient very much... but hopefully this will be the "change in seasons" that leads me to a healthier life outside of the Dr's office (and OR).



Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

A New Life Experience... And Some Other Stuff

I was 19 when I boarded an airplane for the first time.

I was 18 the first time I went skiing (I live 20 minutes away from the Greatest Snow on Earth!)

I've been East of the Mississippi, West of the Rockies, and I've been out of the country on a Mexican Vacation.

I have not, however, been to Yellowstone National Park. Until this past weekend.


Shane has been numerous times, seeing as he grew up about 2 hrs from the park. He has promised to take me every since we met, it just has never worked out before.


We finally decided to get away for the weekend and head up there. My parents graciously agreed to keep the kids for a couple of days so Shane and I packed a few things, threw the tent in the car, and headed to Yellowstone.

It's as beautiful as I heard it would be. How incredibly amazing!!


It was difficult being away from the kids. I've spent a night away before but was never more than 3o minutes away and I was back home before a full 24 hrs was up. So to be 5 hours away and gone an entire weekend did gnaw at me a little. But I tried not to think about it since I knew they were in good hands.


I was able to spend some much needed one on one time with the man I love. It's so easy to get distracted with life and parenting... so to be alone together and enjoying Mother Nature (and be unplugged since there isn't any cell phone coverage up there) was fabulous. It reminded me how much I am so in love with him and enjoy his company.

I had been a bit nervous about going this particular weekend, because I found out that President Obama was making an appearance at the park on Saturday. I was so upset when I found this out. One, because I could imagine the crowds, the road closures, the red tape... and two, because I didn't vote for the man. He's NOT my favorite person at the moment. So while I respect and honor the office he holds (and I won't "bash" him solely for that reason) I wasn't excited to have my personal time interrupted by ideas I don't agree with.

As we drove into the park, we saw Air Force One fly right in front of us. The picture I was able to get isn't as great of a view as we originally saw... but it was still neat to get a picture of.

The only other impact his visit had was when we were visiting a little steam lake and the transport helicopter flew overhead, flanked by Blackhawkes. (I must admit, that was pretty cool.)


Old Faithful was INSANELY busy. Parking was horrendous. I had heard that the road into Old Faithful was really backed up and at a stand still when The President had been there earlier. But that was cleared by the time we got there. We were still able to see Old Faithful's eruption up close and personal. And I was able to check in with the kids and talk to Lilly on the phone. (As she handed the phone back to my Mom, I heard her sweet little princess voice say..."I love my Mommy.")

We spent the entire day on Saturday touring the Park. I saw geysers, steam vents, hot pots and mud geysers. I saw Buffalo (and heard them), smelled fresh air, and bathed in Sulfur Steam more times than I can count.


That night, we set up our tent. We lit a fire and gathered close and roasted hot dogs on sticks.


Then it hit.

It was 35 degrees that night so we were bundled up close in the sleeping bags. This would have been fine, but I was in excruciating pain! It felt like someone was trying to pack barbed wire into my stomach. I was sweating bullets (but every time I pulled the covers back I turned into an ice cube) and knew I was going to puke.


The moment came and I rushed outside. I didn't make it very far.... I worried about attracting bears, but I really had no choice.

And I don't just throw up easily. I usually get super nauseated but never throw up. This time, I puked all night and all day Sunday. One time I tried to make it to the flushing toilets (that were incredibly clean I might add) and only made it as far as the stall. Yeah... I felt really bad about that one.

Sunday morning we had planned to visit a side canyon and take a dip in a heated river that our friends had told us about. Instead, I begged Shane to take me to the Hospital (2 hours away in Idaho Falls).

We packed up and headed home.

By the time we got to Idaho Falls, I wasn't puking anymore and the pain had calmed down a bit so we kept driving. I knew it was my gall bladder and the last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a small town hospital away from my kids.

We made it home.

I feel better now. Still having an attack but nothing as major as I was. My Doctor has agreed to take the darn thing out so now I just have to call and schedule it sometime around our trip to Denver. I just hope I can make it that long. UGGHH!! ***UPDATE*** My surgery is scheduled! Friday the 28th. I'm both nervous and thrilled.

So even though my body is truly my own worst enemy and it's trying to sabotage every thing I do, it was still a successful trip. I enjoy the scenery, the company, and the time-off.

Next time, though, I'm renting an RV and bringing the kids (and will hopefully be gall bladder free).


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

P.S. I have tons of more pictures. As I get the cleaned up and edited I will throw them into future posts. So I apologize in advance for any Yellowstone Picture overload you may suffer. Hopefully, the beauty of the place will make up for it.

Right and Wrong and Why I Believe It Doesn't Always Matter

I've been blogging for just over 2 years. It's been a fantastic outlet and resource for me. I've "met" many wonderful people, seen many miracles, learned of inspiring stories, and been uplifted by lives of those around me.

Today, however, I came across a blog post that left me with a very heavy heart.

You see... one of the types of blogs I like to read are those written by fellow "Christians Mommies" (if you will). I read those that aren't and those that don't say... but I can't help but enjoy those that share their faith and belief in the things of God. I don't care if they are of the same religion. In fact, MANY are not. That doesn't bother me though. I think it's just wonderful that we share a common belief in something. Be that a belief in Christ or even just choosing to live a life with religion. Living a life governed by self-control, commandments, service, and self-sacrifice is not always the easiest decision.

There has been many times, both here on this blog and over at my Noah's Adventure blog, that I have shared my own personal beliefs and testimony. I know many people probably don't agree with the things I believe but I have always hoped our differences would be over-looked and we could be united just as a people of faith.

I've always been very passionate about having the freedom of choice be it politics, religion, what movies to watch... Just as much as I don't want to have my beliefs attacked or questioned, I have tried very hard to give others that same right. That's not to say I don't mind a good discussion now and then. I don't mind talking about opinions and challenging a way of thought. Being constructive and challenging is very different than arguing and disparaging.

So I have never understood why, with some people, for them to be right... I have to be wrong.

Why is it, that for you to share what you believe, you have to do it in a way that attacks or belittles what I believe?

As I have gotten older (and wiser, maybe???) I have decided that the best way, for myself, to help others understand me is by example and sharing a belief or testimony... not by pointing out all the things I disagree with about the other persons beliefs.

So today, when I read a fellow Christian Mommy blogger's post about all the things she "didn't believe", I was so disappointed (but it needs to be said that I am VERY against "hate commenting"). Now, I know by writing this, that I, in-fact, am no better. To avoid being hypocritical I need to admit that if someone's beliefs mean blatantly disagreeing with anothers, than that is their right.

Also, I do believe that there are times when it's more than just allowed, it's needed! Sometimes we shouldn't keep our mouths shut when we disagree. We have to stand up for what we believe.

I guess what I am trying to say is that it just saddened me. It's like, here I am, thinking that our common belief in God and Christ and living a life of faith was enough to unite us and give us a common ground to stand on. When what it really is, is that my faith and belief isn't good enough.

So you don't believe in Enternal Families... Okay. That's fine. That's just one of those things I guess I am thankful to believe in.

So you believe the Bible to be the only testamant of Christ.... Okay, that's fine too. I would rather you believe in Christ at all than not believe.

Why does it have to matter that we don't belong to the exact same church? Why do I have to be wrong for you to be right?

Because I do believe in Forever Families does this mean my prayers don't count?



Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

She Shakes Her Sticks To Music Alright

This is how truly stinky at blogging that I really am...

Lilly graduated from her first year of preschool last May. Her class put on this cute little performance and sang songs and "walked down the aisle" for their year end treat.

Well, during one of the songs, Lilly used her rhythm stick as a microphone instead of tapping the beat. Her teacher, Miss Nicole, says she had never done this before. I guess she just got the wild urge to perform with all those people there.

Needless to say, it was the cutest thing ever and had the entire audience cracking up.

The video quality isn't too great seeing as I recorded on the compact settings so it would be small enough to upload here. (I recorded it with every intention of posting this back before summer started and here I am doing it as we are getting ready for it to end... )



Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.

To You (You Know Who You Are)

Dear Friend,

I miss you.

I don't know how we got to this point or why, but it sucks.

I know we are all guilty of doing crazy, stupid, and selfish things at times and it's so easy to be angry, hurt, and frustrated. To place blame and point fingers. Forgiveness? Not always so easy. Shouldering our own responsibility for events?. . . Sometimes even harder.

But I realized something today.

Just because we make mistakes doesn't mean the people who love us should abandon us. And I think you have had enough of that to last two life times. I'm sure it's hard to expect anything different from people at this point. But this time it is.

I made you a promise and it's a promise I intend to keep.

I'm not going to walk out on you. You can push me away. You can avoid me. You can take me for granted. I'm not giving up. Know why? Because that's what you do when you love someone. I won't let you use me. I will stand up for myself. But I will never walk out on you. And no matter how angry and hurt that I am (and truth be told, I have been VERY angry at you and very hurt by you lately), I will always be here for you.

Maybe one day you will get it and just accept it. (Hell, maybe one day I will too and I'll stop being so hurt by things....)

I know that I'm not even close to being a perfect friend. I know there have been times that I have hurt you and I am truly sorry.

But I know not everyone is as lucky to find a true friendship like we have. It's worth far more to me than carrying a grudge.

So when you are ready, know I am here. I have always been here and I always will be.

I made a promise that I intend to keep.


Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.