Merry Christmas and a Health Update

Christmas was really nice this year. We had a "white Christmas" which was totally story book-like, but those who know me know how much I hate snow...we spent time with family and friends. The kids made out good from each other, J and I, their Grandparents, and of course Santa. And J and I didn't do too bad either. The highlights of the gifts for all of us is the Wii. Yeah, we fight over it, and it's pretty much all we want to do from the time we wake up until the time we go to bed. Who needs to eat or take potty breaks, right?
I am feeling so much better, but am still sore, and I get very tired very quickly. The incision is pretty much healed up (I got to take a BATH this morning!!!!) and sitting up and rolling over in bed is still really difficult (sit ups and crunches are not in my near future). Went into the doctor for my post op check up, and the pathology results came back, no cancer, lots of muscular endometriosis, which the doctor could see, and they also found lots of muscular fibroids. My mom had fibroids. I had 2 tests to see if I have fibroids, but they always came back negative, but with them being deep in the muscle, a hysterctomy is the only way they would have ever been discovered. Not that I even questioned doing the surgery ever, but the doctor said I REALLY needed to get the things out, and was glad we did. Life is already so much better without those parts in there, if you know what I mean...:)
J is building a nice storage/workshop shed in the back yard. Too bad he has to work around the stupid snow. He has been so wonderful since my surgery; shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, yelling at the kids, because, did you know, it takes healthy abs to yell? etc. He is totally the best husband (I forgot to mention he even brought me flowers when I was in the hospital) and I am so grateful to him for all his hard work and patience.
Spell checker is not working, so I appologize for any spelling errors...oh well.
And, yes, the photos are all backwards, but I don't feel like fixing them all...
Big A holding his cousin...

Louie Blue reading "Cat in the Hat" to her cousin and her aunt's sister...

Mr. Butler playing pool at his uncle's house after Christmas dinner

My sister-in-law and a few of the cousins...

Big A, Kirby, and Mr. Butler Christmas morning...Love that LONG Scottie Dog tounge!

Our White Christmas...I love the little bit of sun trying to shine though...

Kirby enjoying her bone from Santa under the coffe table...

Mr. Butler in his favorite color...camo...even with a camo Santa Hat...

Louie Blue..."I'm opening this one first..."

Big A and the best gift ever!!!!

Our buddy Johnny and his antelope that J did all the taxidermy on...good work honey, it looked great, and Johnny loved it!

J at Johnny's house on Christmas Eve.

Big A, Papa(J's dad), Mr. Butler, Kathy (Papa's wife), and Louie Blue...

Putting together puzzles...

I'm Sure Glad I Don't Have To Drive In This...

Instead, the doggies and I will stay inside and do a lot of this...


and enjoy this.

Especially since it's still coming down, and the weather man in calling for more all day long.

I'm still super sore, sleeping is hard (turning and rolling over) and the hormones are all out of whack, but I'm slowly getting better.

Back Among the (semi) Living

So, the surgery is done, was a success, and in the past few days I became a pin cushion, a trainer of muscles I didn't know I even had, a much bossier person than ever before (could that even be possible?) and a lover of drugs (the pain killing and anti-nausea kind)

The endometriosis had come back on the ovaries, and as my doctor expected, it was in the uterine muscle, which was the cause of all the cramping, all month long. But, it is all out, I have a hormone patch on my belly, and once the incision heals, I will be like a new woman. I do not regret the surgery one bit.

I came home from the hospital Saturday afternoon and have spent most of my time in my wonderful, comfortable bed. As hard as it is, I have to walk, so J leashed up the 3 dogs and we walked down to the end of our street and back last night. That will be our nightly little ritual now together.

For now, I will be spending my days either in bed sleeping or sitting in the recliner with a hot pad on my belly, watching endless hours of TV or reading. I'm really looking forward to it.

I have to say, my heart goes out to you ladies that had to have babies via c-section. How hard it must have been to be in this painful condition and still have to take care of a tiny new baby. It's all I can do to take care of just my self in all this pain. You totally have my respect. But I'm glad this surgery has made it so I will never have more kids. I'm getting too old for this...:)

24 Hours to Go

I will be in surgery! Man, I can't wait.

Ok, I'm A Little Slow...

But did anyone notice that on page 45 of the November Ensign, there is a picture of our Stake President and his son?

Nice Celebration

J and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 18 years. It was good food, good service and good to be out together again without kids. We went to Carino's. I had the seafood fettuccine Alfredo. YUM. J had a penne chicken that was very similar to a dish I make, and he said mine was better. Woo hoo!

Then we walked around the mall a bit and then went to Meadowood where I got him his anniversary gift (I'm not telling what is was though) and we went home.

We both enjoyed our evening, the last nice evening we'll have for a few weeks since my surgery is in 2 days!!!

Our Christmas decorations are mostly up. I still have a few things to hang up in the house, but I don't have any tape, and J has to put the inflatable Frosty and Grinch up on the lawn, but for the most part, the house is ready for Christmas.

Tomorrow will be my busy day getting everything in order at home and work so I can report to the hospital dark and early Thursday morning, I'll be spending a day or two after the surgery in the hospital recovering, and then I'm coming home and crawling into my bed to stay for several days.

So, after tomorrow, you probably won't hear from me for a while. I'll be off work for 4 -6 weeks, and you know how much I use my home computer...maybe if J's up to it, I'll give him my password so he can at least give you all an update on my health status.

I'm really looking forward to the surgery and the rest and relaxation after it. What a great Christmas for me. J is going to do all the shopping, cooking, etc, and the kids get to help out cleaning and doing laundry. And everyone gets to play the "Quiet Game" while I'm sleeping. Good time, don't you think?

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Our oldest living apostle passed away last night. May he rest in peace.

Happy 18 Years!!!!

I can't believe we've been married for so long!!!!We have an adult marriage now~

In these 18 years, we've lived in 3 of our own places, and with family 3 times. We've had 10 different cars; I've had 6 different jobs; J's had 7 different jobs. We've had 11 different animals from dogs to cats to birds. We have 3 kids (I think this is where the "For better or worse" comes in) and a daughter in Heaven.

We've had our fair share of ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade them if that meant trading you, honey! Our hair color and length has or is changing a bunch of times over the years (one of us more). The belt has been let out a bit more than we'd like (especially me) but there's just more of us to love!

I love you with all my heart and soul. You are my best friend. You make me laugh, you make me happy, you keep me on my toes; you are everything to me!

Here's to the next 18 and more! Man, kids graduating from high school this year are as old as our marriage. I think we're getting old!