It's almost been a week, I'm healing....

Tomorrow will mark a week since my surgery. I am healing nicely. I am sore and bruised from the incisions, and still really tired. My tummy is still swollen too. But, that pain on my right side is GONE! Whoohoo!!!
So, the diagnosis. The cyst on my ovary was pea size by surgery date, so he left it alone. I was correct in where my pain was coming from. Everything else was FINE! The uterosacral ligaments that attach the uterus was where the pain was originating from. On the right ligament there were 5 " Cysts" with their own nerve endings. They are not supposed to be there. That was why I was in so much pain. I am just so happy it was something that could be fixed. Although, they are likely to grow back again at some point. Could be 3 years, or 3 months ( Hoping for years..) He was able to burn them off. There were a couple on the left side, so they are gone as well.
My Mom was able to come on short notice, and I was happy to have her here. I was able to sleep and rest. She made lots of yummy meals and treats.
Sorry this is short. I just thought I would give you all an update. I will hopefully be back online soon.
ChristinaMaria

Health Stuff

I went to the Dr. again yesterday. I am feeling very discouraged with my body right now. This year I have been through more health problems than I would ever care to have again.
I went back in because the pain I have experienced since July ( The same pain that had me end up in the ER in UT thinking I was having a appendicitis.) has gotten worse. The Dr. was hoping after this last surgery that it would go away. It has not. Even with the pain there, and the discomfort and tears, I have delayed getting back to the doctor. I have felt more like a burden to my family this year than a help. I sat on that all familiar fake leathered, slick, brown table covered with flowered paper at the Dr's office, and had unwanted tears falling down my face. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?" I screamed this in my head, as the paper under me shifted, and it made that crunching sound.
Dr. Worthan went through the scenarios. It could be that cyst from August, could be endometrios, could, could, could.....BLAH BLAH BLAH. I mean, come on. I played the "could" game already at home typing my symptoms into Google. Who's the Dr? Who gets paid the big bucks? After 3, almost 4 months, surely the good doctor might have an idea?
So, I get another Ultrasound. If it is an Endometrioma Cyst, than he can treat it with a shot of something that puts me into " fake" menopause. Great fun. If the cyst is gone, then that narrows the playing field for where the pain is originating. If the cyst is bigger, than surgery will be required, and depending on what he finds during surgery, I might lose my ovary and uterus, or I could feel like a million bucks because the pain would be GONE.
Ultrasound findings are that the cyst is significantly larger ( I don't know how big that actually is though) and it is NOT an Endometrioma Cyst. So, he wants me scheduled for next week for surgery. Tuesday it is. Another burdensomeness mess for everyone.Finding childcare, knowing that I can't lift my toddlers for a week or so. I just feel like I am an inconvenience for everyone involved. This is short notice.
I just want to feel better,ya know? I don't want to feel like I am in labor( That's what the pain feels like, early labor all day.) Done complaining:)

I know that compared to dear friends, my maladies are like kiddy candy. I just found out last week that my dear friend Paula, a friend that I have know for 4+ years, had our last 2 kids within weeks of each other is fighting for her life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer when her littlest baby was an infant( He is 2.5 now) She beat it, had radical mascectamy to be safe. She went in for a routine scan, and found that metastatic breast cancer that has traveled either through her blood or lymph nodes to her liver. They see five tumors in her liver right now.She also got more bad news yesterday. It is in her bones. Her back had been bugging her for a while. It's in her spine.
I want to scream. I am aching for her. I am crying and praying for her. She is fighting. She wants to see her babies grow up. She is only a few years older than me. I will write more on this later. I can't write anymore.
ChristinaMaria

Halloween 2006

Angel in progress( HAHA) Miss. Aubrie Nicole

 

Halloween Pictures 2006

Halloween 2006

Fairy Princess Sophie

Tinkerbell that refused to wear her full costume Delaney

Sword fighting, ninja destroying Knight Caleb

Dr. G.....wanted to be a Veterinarian, but decided to be a real Doctor Kiera.

 

My life!!

I know you have probably had this emailed to you a gazillion times, but I still giggle every time I get it. So, I thought I would post it!

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.

Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.

He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls. As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?" "Yes..." was his incredulous reply . She answered, "Well today, I didn't do it."

Have a nice day!
ChristinaMaria

More strep, cotton candy hair. Old age.

Laney and Sophie do have strep. I went in to get checked, and although my test came back negative, he did note that my tonsils and throat were red and swollen, and pocked with scar tissue. He asked if I had problems with infections in my youth. That is an understatement.
Caleb was in the clear.
I am feeling so blah. I haven't been getting to the gym, and am feeling the effects of not exercising. Part of that is that stupid pain that has been giving me fits since July. I really wish I had the fortitude to go through medical school. Nursing school is looking better and better. When all the kids are in school, that is my goal. It's funny how your life's ambitions can take a radical change so late in life. When I was in college, my major was early childhood education. After I had kids, I said " NO WAY!"
I am not a young duckling anymore. I see it everyday in the mirror. I plucked a grey hair from my scalp on Monday. YIKES! I have laugh lines around my eyes. Nathan recently commented that I have wrinkles on my forehead when I am in deep though, or I am angry. ( Thanks for pointing that out dear..)
You rend to think of yourself as always being young. I am still Me, still Christi. I still think like I did when I was 16, and I remember all too well my teenage years like they were yesterday. It blows me away that I was 16 16 years ago. Half my life ago. You just never think that old age is creeping up on you. Not until you run on the treadmill for 30 minutes, and feel like your having an aneurysm.
I assume that is how our parents, and grandparents feel. Your heart and mind still are young and the memories are there, but your body starts to betray you. Hands that used to be porcelain, flawless and smooth now bear the effects of time. I have noticed it with my own hands. My Mothers hands. Hands that do mounds of laundry and dishes. Hands that bathe children, and peel potatoes. Hands that soothe fevered brows and clap the hardest as children kick a soccer ball, or sing in the school talent show. My hands now bare battle scars from raking leaves and lifting bags of groceries. All for using them as they were meant to be used.
So, I am growing old. So what. Graceful I may not be, but every scar, grey hair, line on my face will have been earned the very hard way. So bring it on Father Time!

Oh, Cotton candy hair. I desperately tried to straighten my hair this morning. I lined up my arsenal of product. Hair straightening serum and cream, a special brush, and blow dryer. I somewhat succeeded after 30 minutes of pulling and blowing hot air onto the cuticles. I was happy!
Then, I walked out to the van with the little ones to go run an errand. It was drizzly. As soon as that moisture hit my hair ( and not even the rain itself, just the moisture in the air) it was over.
I will use cotton candy as an example. Have you ever eaten cotton candy? Of course you have! When your tongue moistens the candy ( Pure sugar I may add), it melts. Yep. That's my hair. Simple as that. A clumpy, curly mess. I need desperate hair help.

G'night my little birds!
ChristinaMaria

Strep Throat

Yeppers, it's strep. Aubrie's Temp was 103 when they got to the Dr's. We will take the little girls in tomorrow to get them swabbed. Perhaps Caleb to be on the safe side. Hopefully their meds start to work fast. I was a little peeved at Nate though. I called his cell and told him to get the antibiotic shot. They get home and he says " They wouldn't get the shot." I said "What do you mean they wouldn't get the shot?" Long argument later, the girls balked at the idea of the shot, and Nathan thought he could save a few bucks going the route of 10 l o n g days of oral meds. * Sigh* ..... 1 shot in the hiney versus 2 doses a day for 10 days ( that is 40 doses among them in case you have to count on your fingers like me..) Grrrrr. I argued that the choice was not theirs to make, that it was non- negotiatible. I lost an already lost battle. Sometimes choices we make for our kids are not the most popular , and they may not be so thrilled with those decisions. But, in their best interest, some decisions are based on a logical and safer alternatives. Yeah..They will hate me when they get older, eh?
So, here I am with a sore throat, wondering if I need to get checked as well. I missed several weeks, if not months in 5th and 6th grades to strep( and thus becoming immune to several antibiotics) This is only the 3rd time Kiera has ever needed antibiotics. I am not one of those mothers that takes her child into the DR if the sneeze, or cough, and demands antibiotics. I do my research, and only need the John Hancock on a stupid piece of paper for the medication. I already knew the rash Kiera had was a strep rash. Maybe I should become a medicine woman and find the natural cure in Africa with Sean Connery. Hmmm...There's a thought!
Okay, I had better try and get some sleep. The girls will be missing one more day of school, and it will be like pulling teeth when I get their make-up homework tomorrow. I don't even want to think about how much work they will have.

~G'night all. Sweet dreams.
ChristinaMaria

P.S. I think I am psychic. Seriously.:) I dreamed Sunday night that I was sitting at the kitchen table and there was an earthquake. I told the kids to get under the table. I didn't find out until Monday, late morning that one had hit Hawaii. My friend Kari expressed worry, and wondered if we should go over to the islands and see if our assistance would be needed on the beaches....

Off to work I go

I started a part time job this week. I am working at Target in soft lines( Clothing, shoes accessories, ETC) Some extra money for the holidays, and our trip to Arizona this Christmas. Plus, if you you can believe it, it's a break for me. Something different, away from kids for a couple hours. I miss Nathan though. I enjoy the work. I was going to work the night shift ( 10-3 or 4) but decided against it. Even with my insomnia, I was afraid I would wear myself thin. So 6-11 is not too shabby. Only 20 hours a week.
Kiera saved up enough money to buy a replacement hamster for Delilah. She decided on a male on this time, and got as handsome chocolate and cream colored one and named him Covington. I am sad to report that his strong name was not enough to sustain him, and he passed sometime Saturday. Kiera was beside herself. I honestly could not console her. I told her that perhaps hamsters were not the best pet, and maybe we could convince Daddy to get a puppy. Her sad eyes have about won him over, and we may get a dog soon. Hopefully one that will snuggle with a 9 year old animal lover and be content in her arms for a few years.
We have all been so sick the last week. Some nasty , fever bug. Nathan is taking the older girls to the Dr. Here in a few. Kiera has a weird rash today, and her fever won't go below 102( 4 days now) Just when they seem to be getting better, they both crash again.

I will write more later.
ChristinaMaria

Bliss. Sleep.Too much to do Saturday. Long winded stuff about nothing.

YEAH!!!
I was able to fall asleep before 3 am! It was close, but I did it! I feel somewhat refreshed. Although, the last few precious moments in bed should gave been cozy and lazy, but the thoughts started up again. The Grocery list was running though my head. The washing machine that we need to put the new agitator part on so I can do laundry. Mowing the lawn, preparing my Sunday School lesson one more time for tomorrow. I get to train a newbie. Boy is my replacement in for a huge roller coaster of a ride! ( I was released last week. I will tell you later what my newest calling is..) What kind of cake Aubrie wants for her birthday on Monday. Chocolate or white? I would assume, her being related to me that chocolate would be in order. Chores. Maybe going to the YMCA to work out today and let the kids swim.
What ever happened to lazy Saturdays? Reading the newspaper while sipping OJ and eating puffed cereal? That is why I chose to take a Mommy break from Soccer this fall. I just could not even deal with 3 different practices, 3 different days. 3 games on Saturdays, all different times. Aubrie was really peeved at me. More so when her old team coach called me up to take the team pictures. I told her that each kid could chose what activity they wanted to do this spring. Aubrie wants soccer. Kiera is leaning toward Gymnastics. Caleb will play b-ball this winter, and I was thinking of Piano in the spring. He has shown an apitude for playing. Nathan played the one song he even remembers from years back,( E.T theme song, LOL) and Caleb went to the piano after he left, and played it. He has my ear for it,( I can play anything one handed by ear, but I don't read music well, although I know the notes....) and perhaps the gift to really make some beautiful music. He is such a talented guy, that little man of mine.

Nathan and I got to go out last night on a date. We had free movie passes. We went and ate at On the Border, and then saw The Guardian. It was a pretty good movie, overall. I am not a Kevin Costner fan, or Ashton Kutcher, but it was a good film. So, I give it 3 thumbs up! That is, If I had 3 thumbs I would do so.Maybe 2 thumbs and a big toe. :)

I have been enjoying old pictures that Holly's friend Barbara has been sending me. I look at them and see the fight I fought even then for control of my hair. I guess the 80's isn't the best hair decade, especially for someone with curly hair. At the time I thought it looked good. I had a fro. Blow drying curly hair, as I see from the evedience, only increases frizz. And the poor ozone from all that Aqua Net. Watch for pictures from my past later on today!

Insomnia

Insomnia is characterized by an inability to sleep and/or to be incapable of remaining asleep for a reasonable period. Insomniacs typically complain of being unable to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than a few minutes at a time. Both organic and nonorganic insomnia constitute a Sleep disorder. It is often caused by fear, stress, anxiety, medications, herbs or caffeine. An overactive mind or physical pain may also be causes. Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it.

I can't sleep. I just lie there looking at the red projector clock on the ceiling. I count how many times Nathan turns over. I kick the cat around with my restless feet. I hear every creek the house makes. I listen to the Fedex planes fly over the house. I hear every groan, snore, sigh, cough, sniffle that each child/spouse makes. I know every morning around 1:30 am Kiera stumbles up the stairs, knocking into walls and doors, fumbling for the bathroom light( Even though there is a functional, bright night light.)

My mind is overactive. I think about too many things, but this occurs all day every day. I really would like my night to be free of worry and wondering. When I do get that opportunity to fall into a deep sleep, I am living my day over again in my dreams. ( Very vivid dreams, I might add)

I have tried just about everything. Herbal Tea. Hot shower. Last night I ended up on the couch reading some love story at 1 am. ( I hate romancy novels...yeah, I know that romancy is not a word. Add it to my list of Christiisms.) I was giggling, eating Haagen Daas Dulce Leche ice-cream out the container, with a purring cat snuggled up against me. Sounds nice, but preferably during the daylight hours. I did eventually fall asleep. I woke up on the couch, and no sooner than lying my head on my own pillow, in my own bed, did both little girls wake up. Sigh.

So, it says above that " Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it.So, what is the underlying cause? It's not like I am lying there in a darkened room, tired and praying to stay awake. I WANT to sleep. I NEED to sleep. SO, what is the cure??

ChristinaMaria

SHOUT..it out!

All the laundry. So many clothes. Socks. Lots of socks. Too many socks. I need to invent a device that matches them for me after each load. Like, each sock has a little micro chip in the heel. It can't be matched up unless it matches the chip in the matching sock. When the sock monster takes off with one, it would sound an alarm! Either that, or you could clap, and it would suddenly appear. Well, it's nice to dream anyways.
And I need to find a place that sells vats of stain remover. I can use a whole bottle on one pair of Caleb's shorts. Even that doesn't guarantee that it will come out clean. Maybe we need to invest in a laundromat heavy duty quadruple load washer. Sure would make it worth my while! Then again, we would have to get the super duper dryer to go along with it. Maybe we could charge the kids money to do their laundry....Hmmm, that's an idea! DING DING! They would learn how to budget their money even more realistically. Tithing. Savings. Laundry coins! I think Aubrie might roll her eyes right out of her head if I proposed that!

R.I.P Deliah

I guess I am wondering if it's bad when your computer sounds like a hamster on an exercise wheel. I think there might be one hiding in there, or maybe the computer just has a really bad cold. I hope it doesn't croak.

I have no motivation today.

Speaking of hamsters, I feel bad about something I did yesterday. Two weeks ago, Kiera's beloved hamster Delilah was found in her cage deceased. For those that know our sweet Kiera, you know that the world was ending on that day. She was hysterical, and inconsolable. Delilah live much longer than I had anticipated ( 8 months longer than poor Annabelle, who died after only 2 weeks. Words of wisdom; don’t wash little hamsters with dawn dishwashing detergent.... )

Kiera had a proper hamster funeral in our " Pet Cemetery" on the south side of the backyard. Yesterday I was in the backyard-playing ball with the kids, when I noticed a little white box above the ground. I recognized it, and hastily picked it up before Kiera saw it. Poor, poor Deliah. She had been dug up out of her VERY shallow grave by a raccoon or other varmint. I hid the box behind my back and walked sideways to the gate. Kiera called out " Hi Mon, whacha doing?" " Um, Checking dinner, could you watch the little ones?" YIKES! I threw the poor little beast in the garbage can. Darn. Kiera is so tender-hearted about animals that I hope she she never finds out.

Picture contest!

Getting in on the fun!



Okay, caption this picture contest. I will post the winner by September 30th!

 

After an exhausting day, the princess fell into a deep slumber.

She didn't realize that the floor was much harder than her soft pillow.

Goodnight sweetheart, Goodnight.

She moved the carpets together!

 

She was telling me she wasn't going to " get" her stories!

Look at those bicepts and tricepts!

Where to next...Mom & Dad's room!

 

CHEESE!

Awww..melt my heart why don't ya!

Getting her room cleaned! Good job!

She kept finding little pieces of this and that to place in front to suck up!

 

"I'm going in there Mom , K?"

What a cutie pie!

Love this little girl in pigtails!

"Hey..What up Chica?"

 

Hmm..Caleb's room next!

 

Sophie wanted to help vaccuum yesterday. I followed her around the house as she was such a good helper!
She put all her weight into it! ( All 26 pounds of it!)


Very intent on the job in front of her!


Just what are you looking at Mom?

Hi!

I thought another addition of The Complaint Book would be a fun Friday read. I see a trend here with poor Caleb's name. The kid doesn't have a chance of getting a word in edgewise with all these girls around. Remember all spelling and sentences are their own.

August 29th. 7:27 p.m. Central time. Log book.

" Caleb would not help me clean after working for at least an hour." -Kiera

" Caleb embarrased me at the parent + teacher meeting today." -Aubrie

8/30/06

I NEED SOME PRIVACY AROUND HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Kiera especially keeps coming into my room, and reading private things, and messes up my bed. Please, I need some privacy!" - Aubrie

8/30/06

" Make Kiera stop staring at me! She stares at me during the day, ALL the time!Whenever she gets the chance, she stares at me. IT GET'S ON MY NERVES!" Aubrie


September 5, 2006
" Caleb will not stop yelling, "Kira Kira Kira, and I am tired of people not calling me by Kiera as in 3 syllyboles. He also called me stupid Kira.

Best friends. Sophie, Delaney and friend Sadie in Orem, Utah.
Summer 2006

 

I had a wonderful day today!!! I got to enjoy my birthday present. A full day at the spa. Manicure, pedicure, facial and full body massage . I also had a lovely spa lunch. I felt out of my element eating in a room all by myself.I am still walking on cloud nine I have a truly wonderful husband who loves me!

I made a second installment of The Complaint Book for my kids. Tattling is rampant, and I am tired of it. On the front of the notebook it reads:

Complaints

Please tattle in here. It will be read weekly. Remember: If no one is hurt, no one will get hurt, no danger is involved, you are to write account here. Annoying habits are included!

Here is a sampling from the first hour of unveiling. All is included, even spelling is their own:

" Kiera slammed my foot with Sophie's barbie Bicycles, even when I told her to stop! She did it on purpose. " -Aubrie

" Well, Aubrie pushed me for it. Ouch. Either way, Caleb undressed in the kitchen and was pretending to take off his underpants ( Underwear)8/28/06:(
Please read what Caleb did. Thank you!!!!!-Kiera

" Caleb came downstairs and snuck T.V." - Aubrie


* SIGH* I have a feeling this will be a funny read every night. Maybe this will ease some of my misery hearing 3 kids assaulting me from all sides. HA. We shall see.

Goodnight!

ChristinaMaria