MRI

Who has two thumbs, and 400 pictures of her brain? This girl! 

Yup. Today I had my MRI. It was 30 minutes of "Click click click click. Whirl whirl whirl whirl whirl. Weeooo weeooo weeooo weeooo". Ok, maybe to you that sounds like a car alarm. To me, that was thirty minutes of the noises the machine was making.  If technology is so advanced, can't they make it quieter? Even with ear plugs, and foam blocks on either side of my head, it was so loud. After 20 minutes I had to get an injection. Blech. The tech was looking for a vein, and before he even tried he knew he wasn't going to be able to get anything. So, he went and got someone else.  She tried twice before she got it, and it was painful. I think the guy felt bad for me.  I was laying in the tube crying and he just kept patting my arm "It'll be ok.  We're almost done".  Then ten more minutes of loud, loud noises and FINALLY we were done.  I was able to get a disk with all the images on it, so now I can browse images of my brain whenever I feel like!

Apology and Obsession.

I know I've been post M.I.A recently, and for that I apologize.

However, I have found a new hobby OBSESSION.

Jazzercise.

Yes. And I know you're all thinking the Jazzercise from the 80's, but it's NOT.

We're rockin' Ke$ha, Pussycat Dolls, Missy Elliot, and other awesome, totally current music.

 I have 3 fabulous aunts that go, 1 of whom teaches, and 1 of whom is in the process of becoming an instructor.

As of now, I've done 9 classes in 7 days. I am officially getting my butt kicked!

V-Day

Every year Valentines Day comes around and I get excited to see what he's going to come up with, and every year he pretends like he completely dislikes the day.  I always try to get hints about what we're doing and he always pretends like he's forgotten all about it.  The first year we were together he kept telling me "Valentines day is stupid. We're so not doing anything. It's such a lame, over-marketed day." About 3 days before v-day he said something like "so, what are we doing for valentines?" (by then I was a little bitter, and annoyed because this was my first v-day with a boyfriend and I didn't think we were going to do anything.) and said something like "I thought you said valentines day was stupid. Besides, we couldn't get reservations now if we tried." to which he replied "That's why I made reservations two weeks ago." Ahhh...my little joker.  This year he did the same thing.  All joking aside, he still made reservations for our dinner, and got up early to go get me flowers before he went to work. He's a little silly, but has never failed to disappoint me.

Family Cook-off

Twice a year or so, my family has a themed cook-off.  This time it was a French theme.  I spent days looking for recipes to make.  I found a Le Cordon Bleu cookbook and figured that would be a good place to look.  I ended up deciding on a ham and cheese quiche, but didn't think that it would be a winner, since usually a dessert wins.  I found these cookies that looked delicious and thought maybe I'd win something with those. 

Well, after a bunch of things going wrong...lets just say that the cookies didn't win anything. 

After an evening full of delicious food, it was time for the winners.  We all voted, and it was quite tough because we had a lot of yummy choices. I wasn't expecting anything but I ended up winning.....

!

That's more than I've ever won in any cook off before! I didn't think I'd win anything for a quiche, but I was very excited! 

Third place went to Alesha for her Creme Brulee - Delicous

First place went to...drumroll please..

Crystal for Pot de Creme. 

Scrumptious little cups of chocolate.

The next theme is yet to be determined, and this time maybe I'll do better than second!

1 Year

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but it didn't happen.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of mine and Kirks engagement. I remember thinking that day would never come. It felt like that anyway.  Now, when I think about how big of a surprise it was, it makes me laugh.
If you didn't hear the story and you want the whole thing, go here. Here's the condensed version of the most romantic proposal ever *insert eye roll*.  


We were standing across the street from the temple, looking at how pretty it was.
K: Do you want to go there with me?
N: Uh...how many times have I said that?
K: I have something I need to ask you.
N: Sure, what's up?
K: *no response*
N: Turns to look at K, who's down on one knee
N: What are you doing?? You're getting your pants dirty.
K: I was wondering if you would marry me?
N: Are you serious?

Yes, that's really how it went. I'm sure that's not the response he was looking for, but what do you expect when you make someone wait that long! We went on to have a wonderful day, and I started planning as soon as that ring was on my finger.

If you haven't seen it yet, here is my beautiful ring. LOVE

Doctors, 2.0

Just a warning, this post might contain TMI for some people. (Mainly men, probably. Kirk doesn't even really like when I talk about this stuff)

 Today I had another appointment with my Specialist. After a little hiccup with the appointment time I was able to talk to him about the results of my blood test, and had another ultrasound done. 

The doctor was present for the ultrasound so he could see live what my lady bits are doing. I'm on the 12th day of my cycle and should have multiple follicles, preparing to ovulate.  What did they find? NOTHING. Well, a few really small follicles, but nothing ovulation worthy. They also measured my uterine lining which by now should be 10-12mm and mine was less than 2.  That means this month, once again, no baby. 

The doctor also said that according to my test results all my girly hormones are normal...except one.

My Prolactin level was above the normal/acceptable range by about 7.  Go figure.

Most likely I've got a "condition" called Hyperprolacinemia. 

Most likely that "condition" is cause by a small, benign tumor that's pressing against my Pituitary gland in my brain.

I'm waiting to hear from the doctor about an authorization for a MRI, and I have to get another blood test done to verify my levels.

The good news about all these findings, is that I'm that much closer to knowing for sure what's wrong.

Also, if this pesky little tumor is the case, good chances are that it'll stay small, it won't require surgery, and it'll be just one pill, once a week to regulate the hormone. I'd have to stay on the medication till a few months after I get pregnant, and then be tested pretty frequently and maybe go back on the medication if the hormone gets too high again. 

Seems simple, right?

I suppose we won't know till I get my MRI done, and get the results back.

Again we wait...

Husband said what?!

Tonight while we were making dinner Kirk told me

"I wouldn't know true misery without you in my life."

Followed by

"Wow...that sounded really, really bad"

It's really not as bad as it sounds, but to leave it as funny as it sounds, I'm not going to tell you what the context of that conversation was.

Mothers' Day

I know today isn't actually Mother's Day, but I wanted to say something anyway.

In Young Womens today, the lesson was on Womanhood.  The teacher invited 4 women in the ward to come in and speak for just a few minutes each. She asked me, as a newly married, to talk about some of the choices I made that got me to where I am today. She also had someone that has little kids, someone with teenagers, and someone who is now a grandma. We all kind of said the same things like deciding early to marry a worth priesthood holder, dressing modestly, paying tithing, attending church functions, going to the temple on a regular basis, ect.

At the end of the lesson we came to the realization that out of the 5 of us (the teacher included), 4 of us had a dad that was either not a member of the church, or inactive. Now all 5 of us have been sealed in the temple, and are active in the church.

Now, I love my dad dearly.  He is a great man, and a good dad.  He supports my mom in going to church, and helps make sure my brothers go on Sunday and to mutual on Wednesday. He doesn't hold the priesthood though. I don't hold that against him, or love him any less because of it. I just knew that when I got married, I wanted it to be to someone that held that authority. I felt the difference when I went to friends houses who's dads were priesthood holders, and I wanted that for my family.

Back to moms.  Something all 5 of us also had in common, is that we all have incredibly strong mothers.  I know I wouldn't be where I am today if my mom wasn't as strong and amazing as she is.  Growing up she had to get 4 kids dressed, and off to church mostly by herself.  My dad would help comb hair, and I'd help with whatever I could, but it was my mom who got us all up, got clothes out, and pushed us out that door. Life wasn't easy for her, having to leave a husband at home while she took us to church.  I know there were times where she felt alone, and weak and just ready to give up.  She never did, and for that I'm so grateful. If not for her, I don't know what I'd be doing with my life, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be here.  She always pushed me to do those things necessary to end up with a temple marriage.

Mom's have a strength that no one really understands.  They love they have for their children is unselfish, and overwhelming.  They have to be strong, for themselves and for their kids.  I know I took my mom for granted sometimes when I was a snotty little teenager, but I will be eternally grateful for her example, and her strength, and push and drive.

I love you, Mommy!

Pintrest

The other day I was asking a friend if she had any ideas for a fun, but not trashy game ideas for the Bachelorette party I'm throwing for my soon to be Sister-in-law.  She didn't, but said I should try Pintrest. I proceeded to tell her that well...I'm not on Pintrest.

As you can imagine, that cause quite some shock. "You're not on Pintrest???!!!!" I believe was the response I have a tendency to be a little behind on trends. Aaaaannnd...I hear all these people saying they spend so much time on Pintrest, they don't end up doing things they really need to do! I've kind of avoided it because, well, I know I'm one of 'those kinds' of people.

Take right now for example. Last night as I was lying in bed, trying desperately to fall asleep I just kept thinking of the things I needed to do today.

1. Start cleaning out the storage room to make room for stuff that is downstairs in the "Game Room". (It's called that because there is a Foosball table in there. It never gets used.)
2. Move some of the stuff from the "Game Room" upstairs to the storage room.  Maybe then we'll be able to remember what we actually have in that room.
3. Uncover the *insert swear word here* elliptical machine from the mess, and drag it into out bare living room, that way I'll have to look at it every time I walk into the kitchen, and maybe actually use it.

Alas. It's almost 1 pm and I've managed to do none of the above.
You see, as I was browsing good ol' Facebook this morning, I saw a link my friend put up.  It was for the website Howtobeadad.com.   Instead of doing the things on my list, I've spent the last 2(!!), that's right, 2 hours learning how to be a dad. Why do I need to know how to be a dad?!  Well, I don't. But these two dads that run this website are pretty funny.

I've spent multiple hours on Pintrest so far, finding many wonderful things I'd like to do, and things that are awesome, and food I want to try. No luck in the game department, but I fear I'm turning into one of 'those people' who spend entirely to much time on Pintrest, and less time doing what I need to do.

PS - If you have any ideas for Bachelorette party games that don't involve man parts, would you let me know? I want the games to be fun, and maybe sexy...but let's leave out the man junk.