I'm Not Crazy Afterall

So, in my last post I was not feeling well, and I'm still not. I thought it was stress or a food allergy. I really didn't know what was going on. I tried everything I could think of to start feeling better. It wasn't the first time I had stomach aches and I was sure that I could get rid of them on my own. Well, after a month of not feeling well, and actually feeling worse as time went on, I decided I needed to go to the doctor. I was sure the doctor wouldn't find anything because I still believed it was just stress, but I couldn't take it anymore. I was going crazy.

The doctor was great. He listened to me ramble about what was going on and what I thought it was. He set me up to have an ultrasound and I had some labs drawn. I don't think he bought any of what I was saying about my stress or my theory that I had an ulcer, but he listened and was very helpful.

This morning I had my ultrasound. They checked my liver, my gallbladder, my stomach, my kidneys, and my pancreas. I was sure they wouldn't find anything and that I would end up having a bunch of more tests to go through. After the ultrasound the technician told me it would be a couple days until I had the results.

A few hours later I got a call from my doctor's nurse. The results were in. I have gallstones and they are setting me up with a specialist to take care of it. There is a lot running around in my mind now. One, I am so grateful for my doctor for rushing all of this through for me. He is awesome. Two, I don't want to have surgery, but I am glad that what I have is treatable and that we have the technology to take care of it. And three, how on earth am I going to take care of a one year old post-op? I'm a little nervous about all of this, but I am glad I'm not crazy, and I'm looking forward to being well soon.

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Ugh...Not Feeling So Hot!

I have learned some things about myself over the years. One of those things is that I internalize stress. I can be completely relaxed, normal, and not feeling stressed at all and then suddenly it hits me. The terrible stomach ache. Everything I eat makes me sick. I can barely function, and I get very overwhelmed. Sometimes I can't even pinpoint the source of my stress.

I have been suffering a stress illness for the last couple of months off and on. I know I need to slow down and relax. How do I do that, though. I have three small children, I've been out of town 3 times in the last couple of months, I have a demanding calling, and a household to take care of. It seems no matter how hard I try to put myself first I always get pushed to the side. It's not like I can take a vacation from life or anything. So now what?

Well, here's what I'm going to do. First I'm going to delegate! My family is about to get some assignments, and my assistant in my calling is going to take on more responsibilities (hopefully). Then I'm going to exercise, eat right, and get ready everyday. I spend too much time in my PJ's. But most important, I am going to start taking better care of myself spiritually. I have really skimped out on my scripture study lately. I can really feel it too. It seems like I never have time to focus on my studies. Well, that was the excuse I would use. Now I know that I'm not a happy patient mommy without it, so it's making it's way back on the top of the priority list.

Hopefully, I will be feeling better soon. These stomach aches are getting old. Wish me luck!

Lindsey's Wedding

This last week we all went to Nauvoo, Illinois for my niece's wedding. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. I was 8 when she was born, so she's not much younger than me. It still feels weird that I am old enough to have a niece that is married. The wedding was beautiful and we a had a wonderful time. I'm so happy for them and hope that they have a very happy eternity together.

Here's Lydia with her cousin. Lindsey is the oldest and Lydia is currently the youngest grandchild.

Walt Disney World Trip

I just thought I would share some pictures of Brad and I on our trip to Walt Disney World last month. We had a great time. It was really fun for us to go by ourselves, but we really missed the kids and can't wait to take them with us on the next trip. I'm still trying to decide whether or not to go through the trip day by day on my blog. I am a huge Disney fan. I grew up near Disneyland and I just so excited talking about it, but I know everyone else isn't like that. If I have time I might post more about the trip later, even though I am sure it will probably bore everyone. Let's just say we had a great time, and this definitely won't be the last time we go.

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

(We were supposed to be looking scared. Brad couldn't do it.)

They have photographers around the parks that will take professional pictures of you. This one gave me wings. I thought it was really cute.

Lydia's Dr. Appointment

I took Lydia to her 1 yr appointment this morning. We have been going to the same pediatrician for 5 years and absolutely love the nurse that works with the kids' doctor. Well, today she wasn't there for some reason. Lydia is a really easy going baby and has had little trouble at any of her other Dr. appointments. No big deal right? Actually it was horrible. They had a girl filling in for her that I have never seen there before. She was nice and all, but she was so clueless. She took Lydia from me and put her on the scale and proceeded to remove her clothes and diaper. By the time she was ready to weigh her Lydia was frantic and wouldn't sit still. I ended up having to hold her on the adult scale to get her weight (not fun for me). It took me 10 minutes to calm Lydia down.

Later when the doctor came in she was happy, but started to panic again when the doctor approached her. The poor thing was traumatized. Then the same nurse had to come back in and give her shots. She was so unorganized it took her forever, and I had to hold Lydia down on the table the whole time while she fumbled with the needles. It's a good thing I'm a veteran mom. If Lydia was my first I probably would have been livid. Poor Lydia had such a hard morning.

The good news is that she is healthy and doing really well. She's 21 lb. and 29" long. I love my little girl, and hopefully the other nurse will be back the next time we go to the doctor.

Birthday Cake...YUM!

Here's some pictures of Lydia enjoying her first birthday cake. She seems to like it.

My Baby Then and Now

Taken the day she came home from the hospital.

Here she is at 1 year old. It's amazing how fast the time goes by. She has changed so much over the last year. I think she just keeps getting cuter!

Life Overload

It's been a while since I have posted anything. I have been so preoccupied and busy that I just can't seem to get on here to post anything. Shortly before Brad's graduation I was called to be in the Relief Society presidency. I am the counselor that is over all of the additional Relief Society meetings (enrichment). I am finding this to be a real challenge because I am not a very social person. I tend to sit back a watch people and not get all that involved with things. Well, now I am having to move out of my comfort zone and be outgoing.

So, coming up here soon my meeting coordinator and I are going to be planning our meetings for next year, so if any of you would like to help us come up with ideas it would be great. What are somethings that you have done in your wards that have been really fun? Or, what are some things that you wish that your wards would do?

Thanks and wish me luck!

Graduation!!!

I thought I would share a few pictures from our graduation festivities this weekend. We attented a banquet for the graduates on Friday night. Saturday afternoon the actual graduation ceremony was held. I am very proud of Brad and am so excited that we are finally at the end of this road. I was so much work, but I know it will be worth it.

Easter 2010

I thought I would put some of our Easter pictures up. I couldn't get my kids to pose for a picture together this year, so here are some snapshots that I got of them individually.

Happy Sick (I mean sixth) Birthday!

Yesterday was Zachary's sixth birthday. He stayed home from school with a sore throat and a fever. I wasn't sure how the party was going to go with a sick birthday boy, but as the day progressed he seemed to be doing better. We had the party as planned, and he had a lot of fun. After the party, however, Zachary crashed on the couch and his fever came back. Brad took him to urgent care. Turns out he has strep throat. He also has a rash all over his body. Apparently when you have strep and a rash it's called scarlet fever. It sounds really bad, but it's not really any worse that strep and it's treated the same way. He is on an antibiotic now, and is feeling much better. By tomorrow or the next day he should be able to go back to school. It's amazing to think that children used to die all the time from this. All they needed was an antibiotic. I feel so blessed to live at this time in history. Here are some pics of my sick little boy at his party.

Lydia Update and New Table

Just thought I would share some cute recent pictures of Lydia now that she is 5 months old. She is such a sweet baby. She was 15lb. 5oz. at her 4 month appointment. She's definitely my biggest baby so far. She is doing really well. She's rolling over, and sleeping through the night!

In other news, Brad and I decided to buy a new kitchen table. We had outgrown our old one, and we got a great deal on this table. We both fell in love with it at the store. I love it, and it has the ability to expand to seat up to 10 people.