Recovery

I'm feeling good enough to sit up and blog for a few minutes tonight, so I'll catch up on some pictures. Today hasn't been too bad actually, the pain has gone down a lot, and I got to finally take a shower tonight which made me feel ten times better! I've been spending my days since Tuesday just laying in bed, watching a lot of t.v., sleeping, reading, and playing my DS. Today I went downstairs to eat dinner though....wow! I'm thinking tomorrow will be a pretty good day, we'll see though. Now to some pictures.

Day 59-Feb 28:

I've finished two books so far this week. Russell was going to buy me a new one today on his lunch break at the BYU bookstore, but when he mentioned that to Shelly, she asked if I wanted to read the Twilight series. Russell said yes, and when she went home for lunch she brought them back to lend to me! This should keep me busy for a while, and they're a great excuse to not do homework!!! Haha. I need to get some of that done tomorrow too, but tonight I'm starting to read the series that has so many people reading constantly.

Day 58-Feb 27:

Keera called me Wednesday morning to see how things were going and asked if she could bring dinner. Of course I said yes! I was in no shape to try and make dinner, and Russell was already waiting on me hand and foot. He is more than capable of making dinner, but it's nice for him not to have to do everything! Keera called back a little later wondering what we wanted from Chili's! I couldn't believe she was going to buy us Chili's so I just said we would each have some chicken crispers, but Keera knows me all too well and knows I would love a Chocolate Molten Lava Cake! When she showed up with dinner, there was some dessert along with chicken crispers!!!! The picture is about halfway through our wonderful dessert! Thanks Keera!!!

Day 57- Feb 26:

Surgery Day! At this point I had been to the lab, and changed into my very fashionable gown, cool leg massagers so I would not get a clot, had an EKG, and an IV. I was just waiting and waiting for my turn to go under the knife. Then I had to go to the bathroom!!! They unhooked my leg massagers and I carried my IV with me to the bathroom. Russell thought I looked funny and made me pose for a picture! They ended up taking two cysts off my left ovary and some blood spots from the right ovary. I do have some cool pictures of my insides, but they are not digital...sorry!

Junior Mint Frosting

Day 56-Feb 25: It was hard to go to class this morning as I was thinking the entire time "I'm not gonna be here the rest of the week, why bother on a Monday???" But I went, because I'm a paranoid student and good thing I did because out of Rick's backpack popped a container of Junior Mint Frosting just for me! Shelley is so wonderful and makes me Junior Mint Frosting every now and again. So....I had some Junior Mint Frosting with my lunch and now I need a cake mix to smooth the rest over. Thanks again Shelley!

Two More Days.....

First off....Happy Birthday to Rachel! I hope you have the best birthday you can on a Sunday!

One of these days I will get back to blogging everyday. At least I'm still on track I guess. Here's some pictures.

Day 55- Feb 24:


It is snowing...again! At least we got to and from church before it started I guess. I can't wait for spring. I do like snow, but I'm tired of it this year, probably because it hasn't ever ALL melted before it snowed again! I guess at least if it snows all week I will be in my bed recovering from surgery and not walking to class in it.

Day 54-Feb 23:

I found it!!!! We pulled in from the store yesterday and I was playing with some snow by the car and all of the sudden I found my doormat!!! It was buried in the snow by Russell's car. I need to wash it now, and then find something to put on it's corner so it never blows away again. There for a while I thought I went through all that waiting to get the perfect doormat for nothing!

Families are Forever...What a Relief.

Day 53- Feb 22:

As Russell was taking the trash out last night he slipped and fell on some friendly black ice in the parking lot. Today it is not feeling so friendly I guess, his whole shoulder blade is sore and by the time I got home from work this is what he felt like. He is a trooper though, always taking the trash out, rain or snow.

Day 52-Feb 21:

I took this picture yesterday because it is one of my very favorite things. Ever since I saw the one my young women's president had in her house I had wanted one the day I got married. It took a little bit longer than that, but we had our sign in time to move into our new house and I love it. It reminds me everyday how much a family is worth, and how you have to uphold that family name. Today though after reading this entry in my mom's blog I am especially grateful for an eternal family. As much as I want to have kids I also think it is scary. For some reason I am deathly afraid that my kids will get cancer. I find myself thinking that because it's the one thing I don't think I can live through it will actually happen to me! So I am grateful for eternal families, no matter what life brings for me and mine I will have eternity to spend with them.

Day 50 & 51

Day 51- Feb 20:


Here's a picture of the birthday boy himself. I wish, wish, wish, that I had nice, semi-professional pictures of Russell but....I'm not a photographer. Melanie.....maybe one day you can help me out in the pictures of Russell category!

Today after orchestra I busied myself wrapping presents, making a castle bundt cake, and making delicious chicken deliciouses for dinner (that was Russell's request!). I think he's enjoyed his birthday. I was happy that I found some amazingly perfect cards for him. We have a new game to play and plenty of new video games. I believe it's time for cake....and maybe a little ice cream!

Day 50- Feb 19:

I know, I know....two great looking boys on the same post! It's not my fault Keera got a keeper! this is Eric making a little make-and-take at the store last night. I never thought I would ever see Eric do such a think so I'm lucky I had my camera so we have evidence! As he used the dabber to put some ink on he said "It's like blush!" Haha. His card turned out great!

I tried to post Eric earlier, but when I tried to rotate the picture my computer deleted it!!!! I was worried I had lost the picture of the day, it's not like I can go back in time and take it again! Luckily though, Russell is amazing and found it for me again! Phew!

Birthday Boy

My wonderful husband is 28 today!

I have loved every minute I have been able to spend with Russell so far. We’ve known each other for just over a year now and he amazes me every day. Here’s a few things about my sweetheart.

He loves to play board games and owns over 300. This year he has a goal to play all his games that he hasn’t played before and so far I believe we’re on track to accomplish the goal. Although the list does grow longer as he keeps buying new ones!

He loves his job at BYU making websites for Continuing Education. It’s been amazing to see him grow in the last few months since he started there. I remember he was pretty nervous the first days and weeks he was there and it’s been nice to see him become more comfortable in his position, get to know his coworkers, and even move up to the Tier 1 team! They even play board games during lunch now!

Mostly I just love him for who he is. I love how he can always make me laugh. I love how he helps me around the house. I love how patient he is….hopefully some will rub off on me! I love his creativity. I love his enthusiasm for everything he does. Mostly, I love being married to him and can’t believe I found such a wonderful man to spend eternity with. Happy Birthday Russell!

President's Day

Day 49- Feb 18: We woke up to a flag outside our door this morning, even though we haven't paid to be part of the "Flag Project." It was nice to have a flag though. We enjoyed our President's Day holiday. Russell didn't have work and I didn't have class so we enjoyed our day together, even though I had to catch up on some homework. We did a little shopping, ate lunch at Fuddrucker's, and then just relaxed at home.

Convinced

After throwing up all Friday night and being miserable on Saturday, I must say I have been convinced that a flu shot or nasal spray or something is in order next year. I've never had the flu before in my life, but now for two years in a row I have gotten it. The worst part is that all you have energy to do is lay still, but your muscles hurt so much you can't get comfortable! I am feeling much better today, it was a little questionable this afternoon but after a nap I was back up and running. Here's pictures of yesterday and today.

Day 48- Feb 17:

I probably should have started homework this morning, but since I didn't do anything yesterday but lay in bed I needed to do something fun first. So....I made this little board-book scrapbook for Miss Andee, my little sister's tap teacher. She is having a baby boy and is due in May I think and I happened to have this little kit sitting around and figured she would enjoy it. I'm just waiting to see what his name will be and add it to the front cover for her.

Day 47- Feb 16:

These towels represent the only thing that brought any level of comfort yesterday.....a shower. I took about six. The warm water made my muscles stop hurting for a least a few minutes and made it so that I was comfortable enough to go back to sleep. I didn't have much energy though so each shower was about 5 minutes or less! The process went something like this: take a shower, sleep about an hour, be awake and miserable for a couple of hours while watching t.v. to keep my mind off being sick, get fed up, repeat the process. Russell thought I would run out of towels, but I didn't even use all the ones we have!

Hold On!!!

Wow! I didn't realize it has been three days since I posted. I've had two tests and almost a paper due. The people in my classes are fairly convincing though and we managed to get the paper pushed back to Wednesday. By the time they did it mine was already written, but I have waited to revise it. That's on the list for tomorrow. Anyway, here's some picture catch-up's.

Day 46- Feb 15:


Today we got The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity in the mail. I ordered them on Amazon because we are ready for a new book to read at night together. Since our Christmas book we have really enjoyed reading a chapter of a book each night and I've always been interested in these too books since the Apostles and Prophet quote from them all the time. So we are starting The Screwtape Letters tonight!


Day 45- Feb 14:

Valentines Day! We enjoyed our first Valentine's day. Russell got me this wonderful outfit I have wanted for a couple of weeks and I can wait to wear it on Sunday! Because of course...I need to look my best for nursery! I made Russell a little coupon book with 12 coupons like "Free Game Night-You pick the Game" or "Saturday Morning Breakfast." I also got him the cute pink dragon from Hallmark. I was surprised when he saw it on my mailer and wanted it! We went to Chili's for dinner and had a great time, as always. Who wouldn't when there's Chocolate Molten Lava Cake involved!


Day 44- Feb 13:


These are my feet! Kind of weird, but I love to put them under Russell's shirt when they are cold. He makes funny faces, threatens to tickle me, and then I do it again! Haha. Sometimes I have to fight him to get them under there. Tonight I was doing it while laying on the couch watching some t.v., he didn't even suspect it at first. Don't worry, they're always clean!

Blog, Blog, Blog

The last couple of days I just haven't felt like doing much at all. Maybe it's the stressful week of tests and papers at school but I'm just not in a great mood. Here's a couple days worth of pictures though. I don't want to fall behind.


Day 43- Feb 12:



I spent most of the day working on and ethics paper. It took me a week to come up with a "personal ethical dilemma" to write about but I finally did it and the paper actually took off from there. Luckily I have a nice computer and was able to get a huge chunk of my paper written while working in the workroom at Archiver's between school and work today. I have a whole draft now and just have to make sure I understood one section correctly tomorrow in class and then revise!


Day 42- Feb 11:


This movie was quite possibly the only great thing that happened yesterday. From mid-afternoon until about 11pm I had the migraine of a lifetime and felt terrible. I did however, through the miracle of Netflix, watch Coach Carter and thought it was great. I wouldn't mind owning it. Russell even liked it and he doesn't like sports!

3 Day Marathon

I've been quite busy in the last three days so I haven't gotten my pictures posted. Friday night after I worked all afternoon we played games with some friends and didn't get home until 11 or so! We hadn't stayed out that long in a long, long time. Saturday I cleaned the entire house and then sat down to post right as Keera and Eric pulled up to work on their wedding announcements and then I had to go to work and didn't get home until almost 1am! There were 29 people at the Mania last night, it was crazy!!! So here I am....with 3 days of pictures.

First of all....here is the Valentine ladder kit picture that everyone has been waiting on. I finally remembered to take it on Saturday!

It's really not my favorite of the kits, but still fun to have! Now on to the daily pictures.

Day 41- Feb 10:

This is the time we got up this morning. This is the latest I've slept in my entire life and also the latest we've ever slept being married. Usually even on Saturday's we are up by 9, I think that comes from the fact that growing up my Dad would not let us sleep past 9. I didn't get home from work until 1am last night though, and then it took me a couple of hours to actually go to sleep so when the alarm went off at 7:45 this morning there was no way I was getting out of bed. So I turned off the alarm, went to the bathroom, and then crawled back into bed and put my arm around Russell and I hear "Why are you waking me up???" I reply "Because I don't want to go to church" and he promptly says "We don't have to." So.....we went back to sleep! And...the stabbing pain in my side also helped contribute to the decision to stay in bed rather than try and sit through church. T minus 20.5 hours until that OB appointment!

Day 40- Feb 9:

As I went upstairs to clean the bathroom yesterday I realized I couldn't put the Pine-sol in the sink to clean because the last time I cleaned I pulled the drain trigger right off the sink! I hadn't bothered to look under the sink because I was convinced we wouldn't have any of the tools needed to fix it. But.....I called my Dad before I cleaned and asked him if he thought I could fix it or if we would need to call someone. He was under the same impression, it was probably an easy fix but we probably needed some tools. So....I took a dive under the sink and found out that it was just a loose screw!!!! One little screw holds that trigger in place so that it opens and shuts the drain! So the facet is fixed and the bathroom is clean once again.

Day 39- Feb 8th:

In the couple of hours we had between work and playing games we went to our favorite store....Target! I finally bought a basket to put our shoes in by the door. For those who have been to our house you can imagine that it is much more organized than how they used to be....which was thrown all over the little entry tile area! I'm hoping the basket will also keep the tile a little cleaner too!

Nursery Time

Day 38- Feb 7: After our Primary leadership meeting last night I felt a lot better about nursery. We decided it would be best to have the kids split by age. They are going to have three classes, and Russell and I will be in charge of the oldest kiddos! I think it will be tons of fun really. I went and bought a manual and also two activity books for nursery. Now I just need to find time to copy, color, and laminate so that we can have the best nursery class ever! One book has little activities the kids can make and take home, the other has games we can play during nursery like Sabbath Day Bingo! Oh.....we also decided there will be no more throwing balls in nursery which I am grateful for.


Day 37- Feb 6: We did manage to make it to the post office before they closed on Wednesday and got our valentines box from my mom. Our pillowcases went straight to the pillows! My favorite pillowcases are the ones with snoopy. We also are enjoying our candies and decorations. Boy am I glad my mom still sends goodie boxes even though I'm married, otherwise our house might be quite bare for the holidays!

USPS

Day 36- Feb 5: I don't know why the postal service will sometimes deliver the packages from my Mom and other times decides to leave these nice little notes even though Mom says she makes it so we don't have to sign for them. To me it's just a hassle. I would much rather have had the Valentines goodies from my Mom today rather than waiting until Friday (my first opportunity to get to the post office before it closes)! And of course, they never actually redeliver even though it says they will at the top of their annoying little note they leave on your door which in essence means: You got something really cool but we are holding it hostage at the post office for days on end until you rearrange your entire schedule to get there before we close......even though the mailman drives to your home each and every day!

Never-Ending Ironing

Day 35- Feb 4: As we were getting ready this morning, Russell said "I might need some shirts this week." This statement I guess proves his theory that "When I put a shirt in the ironing it doesn't come out for a month!" So tonight I lovingly ironed three of his shirts so he could make it through the week. The rest of the basket will have to wait until a more convenient time. I could make it easier on myself by not insisting that his shirts are ironed, but I can't have my husband wandering around looking anything but 100% put together! I guess I could teach him how to iron, but then I would have to convince him ironing is necessary first. He still manages to sneak some shirts upstairs without being ironed, especially when he does the laundry while I'm not home!

Thoughts

First of all Happy Birthday to Cooper! I can't believe she's 13, it seems like the little girls have grown up faster since I've left home.

I watched President Hinckley's funeral today. I had to work yesterday so Russell recorded it for me (and mom, and sis if you want a copy). As I watched I had two pressing thoughts, the weird thing was neither were actually about the Prophet.

My first thought came as he daughter was talking about him while they were driving to the cemetary. She was saying that she worried for the longest time about how she would teach her kids the things they needed to know about the gospel etc. and said that when she heard him bear his testimony in a sacrament meeting she realized the best thing she could do was live the gospel in a way that would allow her children to use her as an example.

As much as I long for children, I am scared to death that I will not be able to teach them the things they need to know to live a good life and return to our Father in Heaven. Her words reassured me that if I am trying to be the best example I can, they will learn and hopefully choose to do the same things.

This leads to the picture of the day Day 34- Feb 3:

I have this picture of Christ holding this little boy in my living room. I hope I can teach my children as tenderly as the Lord taught those children who walked with him.

My second thought, which has stayed with me the entire night is more of a feeling. I feeling of sadness for President Monson. In a matter of less than a year President Monson has lost the two men he worked closely with for 40+ years. To me, this would be just short of losing his wife. As I watched him, especially at the grave site, it was obvious that he felt left behind a little. And in the midst of all his sorrow, he has to shake it off and be in charge. I can't even imagine having that responsibility. I pray that he will have the strength he needs to continue on as the Lord would have him.

365 Days

One year ago today a handsome boy walked into Archiver's with a friend and needed some help making wedding invitations. He happened to ask me for the help, I didn't think anything of it and quickly showed them where the paper was they needed, how to emboss, and then checked them out. He did make it clear before they left that the two of them were not getting married...her fiance lived in Atlanta. The next day I found a message from him on my facebook account and a few months later we were married! It's kind of funny that as of today we've been married for 225 days and we've finally known each other for 365 days!

And...the picture of the day is on a different subject. Day 33-Feb 2:

I've finally had some time to sit down and get a couple projects done that have been needing attention. After I finished a present for Camille, which I can't post because it would ruin the surprise, I made these cute little books for Larkin and Allyson's twins. Don't worry, they were born in November but at least I've finally got them done! They turned out even cuter than I thought, the only hard part was getting the ribbon through the tiny holes to bind them! Can't wait to give them to the proud parents, and to make some for myself someday.

A New Month!

I'm pretty glad January is over actually, now it seems like I can move on with the rest of the year. And....the semester is one-fourth done! Here's the picture for Day 32 - Feb 1:


Russell put up the valentines decorations for our ladder yesterday, he couldn't wait anymore! But...I did wait to put up my one other valentines decoration until February began, my love sign from the quilted bear. I love to decorate for holidays, I think mostly because my mom always has so this is the beginning of the valentines decoration collection!


I'll post the picture of the ladder once it is light outside again to take a picture~!