Connections

The theme for this post has been rolling around in my head for probably a few weeks if not months now.  Obviously since it has been so long since I last posted, I haven't felt the need to actually write it out.  But I have been busy so that is what it is.

Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about connections and the connections we have with people specifically.  I have found myself in the last year not keeping up the connections I have made with family and friends.  Is it because I don't have a great way to communicate?  Of course not. I think that maybe we have too many ways to communicate.  I could Facebook you, call you, email you, send you a text and the list goes on and on.  But does that really help us to establish connections with each other?

All of this technology is both a blessing and a curse.  A blessing because we can be closer and know what is going on better.  My nephew who lives far away from me can still talk to me whenever he or I want.   We could get on Skype and see each other.  What a great blessing it is that he can know me even when he is little.  When we lived away from Utah when I was little, I didn't know my aunts and uncles like I did when we moved back to Utah. Sometimes its a curse because we think that just doing the small things like sending a message or a text will replace face to face contact.

Recently, some friends and I started spending more time together face to face and I am loving it! How wonderful it is to go to their house, feel the spirit that resides there and have a real conversation.  Don't get me wrong, I still send them texts, write on Facebook and email but just seeing their expressions, the tone of their voices and their love for me was priceless.

Does technology have a place in our lives?  Yes, it does but does it sometimes replace what is meant to be a human experience we are having on the earth?  Maybe it does sometimes.  I am as guilty as anyone for not nurturing those relationships to the best of my ability.  I am trying. I am trying to make more meaningful connections with my family and my friends.

I am reminded of a talk in General Conference that struck me especially hard.  I feel like I have no time to finish school, prepare Seminary lessons, do meal planning etc but I have the same amount of time as everyone else.  Am I using my time wisely?  Am I spending my limited time on things that have worth?  Am I really doing my personal scripture study or just sliding by?

It is a personal conversation that we each need to have with ourselves and have often.  I need to reevaluate how I spend my time and do a better job at managing it.  If I do that, I can make those connections that I want more meaningful and be the kind of daughter, sister and friend I want to be.

First Day

Today was the first day of Seminary and only 159 days to go!  I kid.  But seriously, things went as well as can be expected especially since I don't feel like I am quite in the groove yet.

I arrived early and began setting up only to realize that I had left my nicely typed lesson plan at home along with other things I was going to chat with the students about.  FAIL.  But I wrote a few things down quickly and figured I could probably wing it pretty well.

Some of my favorite things that happened:

One student wanting to stand for the class.  I made him sit down with the rest of us.

Two of my freshmen who like to giggle like girls--together.  They may be getting separated one of these days.  We will see how tomorrow goes.

Singing "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days" with Zion's youth.

Talking about becoming a Zion class.

I think its going to be a great year and I am looking forward to many more adventures in the coming weeks.

Little L and Little G

For your viewing pleasure, pictures of my sweet niece and nephew.

Lydia and her mom mugging for the camera.

Not quite sure what the G is doing here as I didn't get to go on this adventure but he still looks cute!

The little girl on a cow.

And in a teepee.

I probably bought her that shirt.

He looks pretty proud of himself doesn't he?

I just love these kids.  They are truly the light of my life and I enjoy every minute that I get to spend with them, doing things for them or just talking to them.  

One week more..

of sleeping in
not preparing lessons every day
not thinking about Seminary 24/7
being submerged in the scriptures.  Oh wait.  Already doing that.

Seminary starts in exactly one week from today and I am kind of freaking out.  Will the kids like me?  Will their parents?  Will they learn what they need to learn?  Will I be a good teacher?  How will I adjust to teaching in a home instead of teaching at the church building?  Who will come?  Will they stay awake?  Can I make the Old Testament exciting, interesting and new to teenagers?  ACK!

AND I have to still assemble lots of things and get things ready and I feel like its going to be here before I know it.  Parent meeting on Sunday. I will keep you posted.

Book Worm Wednesday

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I have always enjoyed books about vampires, witches and the like long before they became popular from books like Twilight etc.  I had first read about this book in my Entertainment Weekly and I wanted to buy it for quite some time.  When I got my Nook I figured it was a great time to try out not hauling around a 500 plus page book with me.

It was a quick read and one I found myself reaching for instead of getting bored.  The characters were well developed and the setting was one that was believable besides the fantasy aspect of the book.

Barnesandnoble.com summarizes the book this way:

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Book Worm Wednesday

Its been far too long since I have done a Bookworm Wednesday so for your reading pleasure here is a report on something I have read recently.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I really enjoyed this book for a few reasons.  One, it was well written and had a good plot line.  Two, it contained not only a story but pictures to go along with the story.  Kind of interesting pictures of people doing seemingly impossible things.  The pictures are from the early 20th century I think but go along with the story so well.

The author says this at the end of the book regarding the pictures:

"All the pictures in this book are authentic, vintage found photographs, and with the exception of a few that have undergone minimal post processing, they are unaltered.  They were lent from the personal archives of ten collectors, people who have spent years and countless hours hunting through giant bins of unsorted snapshots at flea markets and antiques malls and yard sales to find a transcendent few, rescuing images of historical significance and arresting beauty from obscurity--and most likely, the dump.  Their work is an unglamorous labor of love, and I think they are the unsung heroes of the photography world."

I am not sure what category to throw this book into.  Its fantasy but also maybe a little science fiction.  I think that teens would like this book as well as adults.

Barnesandnoble.com summarizes the book in this way:

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone and I think it would appeal to many ages.

Sunday Dinner

For the last couple of months I have really started to enjoy cooking and making new recipes.  For tonight's Sunday dinner I subjected my family to yet another experiment in my quest to find new recipes.

Our menu was:
Stuffed chicken breasts
Corn
Salad
Cut up Nectarine (the nectarines were getting quite ripe so I cut them up and put them on the table)
Rhode's Rolls
Dessert: Blueberry Rocho.

I will share the Chicken breasts and blueberry rocho here for your enjoyment.  I apologize for the lack of pictures but hopefully I will be able to add pics soon because we are getting a cable that plugs right into the camera and computer.  So stay tuned for that.

Stuffed chicken breasts
Ingredients:
4-6 chicken breasts.  (The recipe called for them to be butterflied but I just pounded them with my mallet.)
8 oz of cream cheese (I used the chives and onion flavor.  If you don't, add some chives to the mix)
1 clove garlic minced
Bacon (probably one slice per chicken breast and you will want to precook these)
Dash of onion powder (or salt whichever you like better)
Mozzarella cheese (one to two slices per breast)
Eggs
Breadcrumbs

Mix together the cream cheese, garlic and onion powder.  Set aside.
Pound chicken breasts so they are thinner (about 1/2 inch thick or so)  I sprinkled on some meat tenderizer before I pounded them.  Once they are to your liking, sprinkle on whatever spices you would like.  I used Lawry's seasoning.
Spread some of the cream cheese mixture on the inside of the breast.  Crumble on the bacon and add slices of cheese.
Roll up and secure with toothpicks.
Beat eggs and dip chicken in egg then in breadcrumbs.  Put into a baking dish.
Bake in oven at 400 degrees for about an hour.  (might be less if your breasts aren't as thick as mine were.)
Enjoy!

Famous Prize Winning Blueberry Rocho
1 lb cream filled vanilla cookies (I used Golden Oreos)
3/4 cube butter or margarine
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs (separate yolks from whites)
1 can pie filling (cherry, blueberry or strawberry)
1 cup chopped nuts--any type will work fine.
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Crush cookies and spread all but about 1/2 cup on the bottom of a 9X13 glass dish.
Cream butter, sugar and egg yolks until light and fluffy.  Beat egg whites until stiff.  Fold in the egg whites to the creamed mixture and spoon over cookie crumbs then spread out.
Cover with the pie filling.
Whip the whipping cream.  (Watch to make sure it doesn't turn to butter, it should be stiff)
Sprinkle with nuts and cover with the whipping cream.  Sprinkle remaining cookie crumbs on top.
Chill several hours.

Enjoy!

Prednisone I hate you

I decided to start another blog that I can just talk about my kidney transplant and things that are going on.  Join me there if you are interested in reading more about my medical journey.

The address is: prednisoneihateyou.blogspot.com

Happy Reading!

On the other side...

As most of you may know I received a kidney a week ago from an unknown donor. I couldn't be happier and I feel so blessed to have this incredible gift of life. I thought I would share the timeline of how things went down for your reading pleasure.

June 10, 2011

6:45 am- I received my first call from the Transplant office offering the kidney. I was asked if I had been sick or on antibiotics. I wasn't told anything about the donor or if I was 1st, 2nd or 3rd in line. I had received a call on April 30th that didn't work out so I didn't get too excited at this point.

7:00 am-Told my mom and she was excited. Dad was out of town in San Francisco working and we were also tending Lydia.

7:15 am-Tried to go back to sleep. Failed.

7:30 am - 2:30pm Watched Lydia and tried not to think about it. Ran a few errands and casually mentioned to my brother that I could go to the Princess Diana exhibit at Union Station tomorrow only if I didn't get a kidney. I think he almost fell out of his chair.

2:30pm- Went to a funeral for a friend from our ward who died of kidney cancer after beating the odds and living nearly five years after his initial diagnosis.

3:00pm- Received 2nd call from Transplant offering the kidney and telling me more about the donor. This donor was a "high risk" donor because she had high blood pressure and died of a stroke. But they were still waiting for the results of the biopsy and to see how the kidney was working on a pump.

3:15pm- Went back to the funeral and tried not to think about it.

4:15pm- Funeral over and I received a beautiful blessing from two members of my ward who were at the funeral. I was blessed that things would go well and that I would be an example to those around me. I felt much, much better after the blessing and felt that I would be able to go through with the surgery.

5:15pm-Got home and got ready to go to the hospital. I threw a few pairs of pajamas etc into a bag with my Nook and mom and I left for the hospital.

6:00pm- Arrived at the Emergency Room of St. Luke's on the Plaza in Kansas City. We still didn't know if the surgery would go through for sure but we were much more hopeful at this point. I was checked in and did all of the necessary pre-tests such as an EKG and chest X-ray. Dr. Randall arrived to say the surgery was a go and the kidney looked great. An IV was started and a few people arrived to wait until I went down to surgery. Margaret was still at girls camp and I told her she didn't need to come down. Ken, Xiao Hua, Vanessa and Mom were on hand to make me laugh and not feel so nervous.

9:30pm- Transport arrived to take me down to the OR so we all went down and my IV wasn't working. They stuck me 3 more times before success was achieved. I said good-bye to my family and was wheeled into the OR. I got onto the table and was asleep probably 3 minutes after getting in there.

11:00pm- First cut on skin and I thankfully don't remember this part.

June 11, 2011

2:00am- Surgery is finished and I am in recovery which I don't remember. Shortly after that I was wheeled to the ICU only because the kidney floor didn't have the one to one staffing that is required for transplant patients for 24 hours after surgery.

I awoke with a horrible dry mouth and in pain but glad that the surgery was over. Ken, Xiao Hua, Vanessa and Mom were there to pat me on the head and talk to me. Apparently I was pretty coherent and talked to them telling them I had to "power through" the pain which I did.

The next few days were awesome as my creatnine continued to drop and drop. The first morning was hard and I cried but we can chalk that up to high doses of prednisone as well. It makes me weepy so just a warning.

When I entered the hospital my creatnine was 11.2. Creatnine is a waste product in the blood that is filtered out by the kidneys so by measuring it you can tell how good kidney function is. Normal people have a creatnine of about .5 to 1.0. The morning of the 11th my creatnine had dropped to 8.5, the next day 6.5, the next day 2.4, then 1.8 and when I left the hospital it was at 1.4. I haven't been at a 1.4 for many years even with my last transplant.

It is still amazing to me how beautiful this gift of life is. My coloring is so much better than it was and I don't look grey anymore. I have a little color to my cheeks. I feel good even though I am in pain I don't feel bad. Its crazy that when you feel so bad for so long you forget how good you can feel. I still can't believe that 2 weeks ago I was on a cruise and not thinking this would happen for another month.

I wrote a letter to the donor family and it will be delivered to them. I hope someday to be able to meet them or at least write letters or e-mail.

There are so many more things I could write but suffice it to say that I am just feeling blessed and feeling the Lord's guiding influence in my life. He is the perfect planner and knew this kidney would work out for me.

Thank you to everyone who has sent love and prayers via any means. You have no idea how much it means to me to have that support. Props to my awesome family and Vanessa who stayed at the hospital and helped me out so much. MAJOR props to my mom who stayed awake for the first 28 hours and has always been my rock. Dad for calling everyday and being the awesome support he is from far away.

Here's to the gift of life!

Going Paperless

Since my Dad got his Nook I have been contemplating going paperless but I was afraid I wouldn't like it as much as reading an actual book. I was worried that it wouldn't feel the same or I wouldn't have the same experience as holding an actual book in my hands.

Well my friends, I was wrong.

I received a Nook from my parents for my birthday and can I just say how much I. LOVE. IT.? It is one of the best things I have ever had. I can shop and download books so easily now that it is scary.

Reading in bed has become more comfortable and enjoyable. I am looking forward to taking this slim volume with me on the cruise and not the typical 4-5 books I have to take on a vacation.

All in all, thumbs up to e-readers. Everyone was right.

Pork Chop Tuesday

Many years ago when one of my best friends moved to Kansas City from Utah we shared an apartment. For many weeks we hosted what turned out to be, Pork Chop Tuesday. We would provide the pork chops and perhaps a side and then others would bring something to contribute. For the most part the meal consisted of pork chops, rice, pork chop gravy, a vegetable and rolls. My chocolate chip cookies would often be made to round out our delicious meal.

I am not sure why we picked Tuesdays but I can imagine it would be because Monday was Family Home Evening and Thursday was Institute so that left us with Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I loved hosting these meals and enjoyed seeing my friends eating good food and just being together.

I went to visit my former roommate, RCH, a few weeks ago and made the pork chops again for her. She attempted to make them again last night but has asked that I blogger the recipe for all to share. I am not a picture taking person so please pardon that there are no pictures.

Ingredients:

Pork Chops- You can use any kind you like but my personal favorite are the kind with bones that are thin. But RCH bought a pork roast (I think) and then cut it into pork chops which would be a more economical way to do it.

Cream of Mushroom Soup-I use a lot of soup for this recipe. Usually, if I am cooking for 4 people I would use at least 3 cans (regular size) of soup. You may have to do the recipe a few times to know the amount that is right for your family or group.

Garlic and Onion Salt

Milk-this is an eyeball measurement which I will explain in a minute.

Steps:

1. Season your pork chops anyway you would like. I personally like to use garlic and onion salt on both sides. You could also add a little bit of pepper if you wish.

2. Brown the pork chops on both sides on Medium to High Heat (maybe around 6 or 7 on your stove.)

3. While the pork chops are browning put your soup into a bowl with some milk. You can eyeball it and add more later if you want your gravy thinner. Mix the milk and soup together until smooth.

4. While the pan is still on medium to high heat, add the soup mixture and let the soup also brown just a bit (maybe for 5 minutes or so).

5. Turn the heat down to low (maybe around 1 or 2 or simmer) and let the pork chops simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour. The longer you let them simmer the more tender your pork chops will be. If you are using the thinner pork chop you won't need to cook them as long. If you are using thicker or boneless pork chops you will need to cook them the full hour.

6. Serve with rice or potatoes and anything else you would like. The cream of mushroom soup becomes a gravy for your rice or rolls!

I hope you enjoy having your own Pork Chop Tuesday!

A realization

When I was young there were a couple of things that I wasn't any good at. Time and experience had taught me that sports and gym were not really my thing and neither was sewing.

For example, in high school my friends and I would try to come up with creative things to do during gym while playing and trying to get a decent grade. Sometimes this wasn't such a hit with those in our class who were a little more competitive. It was especially not appreciated when we moved out of the way of the volleyball. Needless to say I was thrilled when I didn't have to take gym my senior year. There was much rejoicing.

It may come as a shock to most of you that I do not sew nor think I have talent for it. My mother is the world's best seamstress and quilter. She can seriously fix or make or do anything when it comes to the sewing machine. Me, not so much. In Junior High when I had to take sewing my mom would end up finishing what I had started due to the fact that I would have a minor (Read: MAJOR) breakdown. The breakdowns mostly involved crying and I just didn't enjoy it AT ALL.

Which brings us to today and about a week ago when I had this realization about both of the topics discussed above. I started going to the gym in December and I actually like it. I am currently working on a secret project (for someones birthday) that involves sewing and it isn't so bad. I realized that just because I didn't like something in the past doesn't mean that I will forever be tied to that thing about myself. I can conquer something that I didn't think I could. Those labels don't have to define me forever.

I am sure that some of you out there had this realization a long time ago but for me it was a true aha moment. A moment that I have been pondering on for the past week and trying to think of how I would put it into words. I hope I have done it justice.

2010 in Review

I will confess and say that I did steal this idea from a friend's blog. Thanks Mary!

2010 has been an interesting year for me to say the least and one that will live in my memory with both the happy and hard times.

In January I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease for the second time and contemplated what that would mean for the coming year. In February I started hemodialysis and felt a little better but not quite up to par.

In March I had a catheter placed so I could start doing peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home but didn't start actually doing it at home until May. In April I was lucky enough to lose my memory for a few days thanks to a seizure and I said some pretty funny things.

After starting PD I started to feel better and left at the end of August with Dad, Margaret and Lydia for a 3 week trip to Utah and Idaho. We visited with family, friends and got to attend my nephew's second birthday party. A great time was had by all and I figured out that I could travel while on dialysis.

In November Lydia turned one and it has been a pleasure to have been involved so closely with her first year. I love her a lot and its been fun to see her turn from a baby to a toddler--almost overnight it feels like.

I also had the opportunity to go to Nauvoo twice this summer and enjoy the pageant with Margaret and Lydia. We also saw my cousin Melanie while we were there.

I think the thing that I have learned this year is to be grateful for the things that I have been blessed with. My parents are awesome and my siblings and their spouses have been an incredible support during this trying time. Friends too have brought me much comfort and love.

To all of you, thank you for the impact you have had on my life. I love each of you and I am looking forward to a better 2011 and hopefully a transplant!

Transplant!

A few weeks ago, Mom and I went for our long awaited meeting with the transplant group at St. Luke's here in Kansas City. I am choosing their transplant program because St. Luke's was my former employer.

The first day of the two day process we went and I checked in just like I would if I were going to be an inpatient. I even got the stupid hospital bracelets that I hate so much and they kept falling off my wrists so they eventually ended up in my purse. Anyway, then we headed off to the lab where I let a student draw my blood. (I know!)

From there we headed up to the transplant office to meet with my coordinator, Dana. She was wonderful! She explained all about the transplant and I signed all of the papers to be placed on the list. We also met with the financial coordinator and the social worker.

On the second day we arrived and met first with the transplant nephrologist or kidney doctor. Dr. Stingo doesn't have privileges at St. Luke's so I have to have another nephrologist while I am there. After 3 months post transplant I will go back to Dr. Stingo and he will take care of me. The biggest concern about my getting another transplant was which medications would be safe for me to take after my experience in April with PRES. When we met with the nephrologist he wasn't very encouraging that a transplant was the way to go. Mom and I were pretty discouraged after that appointment but we then met with the surgeon and it was a completely different experience. He was wonderful and thought that we could do a transplant.

So now I am officially on the list and we will see what happens. Hopefully all will turn out well.

Hello world, its me Kainty

I am sure all of you (2 of you?) have been dying to know the results of my breast biopsy last week. I actually got the call on Wednesday because my biopsy got a rush put on it since I am the squeaky wheel and all of that. Both lumps are fibroid adenoma's (I probably misspelled that) and nothing to worry about. Even the one on the right that had gotten bigger since the previous biopsy. It was certainly welcome news and I was happy that I didn't have to worry about while I was gone on vacation.

Vacation? Yes, vacation. Although some might argue that my entire life right now is a vacation, we are leaving town for approximately two and a half weeks. Dialysis fluid is being delivered to each location we will be staying at. First, we are driving from Kansas City to Denver and spending the night with Ben's aunt. The next morning we will drive to Hurricane, UT (near St. George, UT) and stay for two days with my Aunt Karla. Then off to Salt Lake to stay until Sunday the to Boise, ID to see Little G!! He is turning 2 on 9/11 and I am so excited to see him. Margaret, Dad and Lydia will also be going so it will be a fun road trip. Mom is flying out to Boise today and we will see her in SLC next week. It will be nice to get away and not worry about things. Maybe I just want to get away since I spent the majority of about 4 months in the house except going to dialysis. Full report will be written on my return..or while I am gone.

What else? Oh, I've been trying to go to Curves at least Monday through Friday. Margaret and I are starting to walk every morning so we can walk in the 5K kidney walk on October 9th. Anyone who wants to join us or donate money to a great cause can e-mail me at kantrun@gmail.com I am not much of a seller or someone who can ask for donations easily. Sometime I should write about my absolute failure as a girl scout just to prove the point. But this is for a good cause and something I believe in which also helps me out right now. Its awesome the types of programs there are but I am sure they could use all of the help they can get.

I am off now to do some more e-mails, my job for my brother and indexing on Family Search. Loves!

One good thing

about Peritoneal Dialysis is that once I am hooked up I can't run into the kitchen for midnight snack.

Thoughts?

Frustrated

If I didn't have to go to another doctor I wouldn't. Seriously. Its been that kind of week already and its only Tuesday!

I had to have a mammogram as part of the listing process for the transplant. That's fine. I know I am 35 and that sort of stuff needs to start happening. Going in I knew that I had a lump on the right side that had already been biopsied seven years ago. I didn't expect to also have something on the left side. As I expected, because I am me, I had to have further testing on said lumps. After the ultrasounds it was determined that I should see a surgeon for a consultation to have a biopsy of the lumps. Fine. The women's center where I had the mammogram and ultrasound said they would request the records from my previous biopsy for this appointment.

Yesterday I go to the appointment expecting to hear that I need a biopsy. Obviously because I am me and things can't just go easily. Anyway, at the doctor's office the doctor is puzzled because he doesn't have these records. His nurse doesn't really care that I am upset by this and instead gives me a lecture about self exams. I know this. I am not five years old nor am I lacking intelligence. I explain to her that I have had other things on my mind. In an extremely condescending voice she explains that I should do them so if there is a problem I can alert someone. Thanks Sherlock I had no idea that is why we do monthly self breast exams.

For the record, I know that I should do them. Just so you know.

I leave the doctor's office $25 poorer (which I can't afford) and have no answers. Thankfully, his nurse called me today to set up the biopsy for next Tuesday. Yes, I get to have the right one done too. Lucky me.

I am not the type of person who complains a lot to other people. Sure, I come home and tell mom and dad about it with all sorts of passion. But I don't really ever take the next step like writing a letter.

Today I did.

I am glad I did it. I think there is no excuse for the women's center not doing their job and for the doctor's nurse to be so blase about the whole situation. So I wrote a letter to both places expressing my displeasure with my most recent interactions with their offices.

I am not too worried about the biopsies but I wish that something in my life would go easily. Hopefully this will turn out to be nothing.

I had a dream...

that Tim Gunn and I were BFF. Weird huh?

Margaret

Happy Birthday to my sister Margaret!

I wanted to just write a few words about her and how great I think she is on her birthday!

Margaret is my youngest sister and someone I look up to. Even though there are 6 years between us she has taught me a lot in her life. She is passionate about the German language and about teaching. When I was first teaching Seminary and I needed advice about classroom management I called Margaret.

She is a loving person and a wonderful mother. I love to watch her care for Lydia and play with her. I am amazed at how natural all of the aspects of motherhood seem to be for her and how comfortable she seems with the demands that motherhood makes.

Her love for the gospel and her commitment to her church calling are something else that I admire about her. She is always willing to go the extra mile to serve and love those she comes in contact with.

Margaret is also very funny and we always have a good time together. I know that when she was younger she got teased a lot but I would not want to be sisters with anyone else.

I love you. I hope you have a great birthday and a great year!

I try..

I try to think about things to blog but then I think what if someone really doesn't want to read that? Or what if I can't articulate what I want to say? Then I think who cares? Only like 5 people read this blog anyway so what's the difference?

I just read a friend's blog and she is going to try to be positive for the next 30 days and see where it takes her. I like that idea. I have especially been a little hard on myself lately and a little negative so I want to try to change that too thanks to the inspiration I received this morning. I want to be thankful for what I have and thankful to be breathing. So what if I have to go to the doctor a little more right now. In the end, if I get a transplant, it will all pay off.

I am looking forward to a little vacation at the end of this month so that will be a good time. Dad, Margaret, Lydia and I will be driving to St. George, Utah then to Salt Lake City to finally end up in Boise, ID to celebrate Gram's birthday on 9/11. I can't believe that he will be 2. It should be interesting to have my fluid delivered beforehand and see how it all works out with traveling. I will let you all know how it goes.

I have been going to Curves with my mom and I am enjoying that. It isn't much but at least I am doing something. It feels good too and I like getting up and having something to do besides sit around. I am trying not to do that.

So here's to a great August!