Raisins

Take me out to the ball game! Up to the [almost] top row! Bring in some pistachios and cracker jacks. Sit in the heat and feel sweat on our backs!

... Ok. I'll stop there. :)


 Yeah. Basically we had a really great time on Monday despite not really ever watching the game. :)


And the Rockies even won! Just another testament to how wonderful Colorado is. :) No big deal.


I am feeling really grateful for the little things. Things like a note stuck in my car door, a heart drawn in the dust on the dirty car, or a nice bag of potato chips. ;) Little things matter. [Thanks, Tyler.]


This Sunday was our family/ friend fast. It was such a wonderful experience. I also had the opportunity to receive a blessing. [Thanks Wilsons/ Tyler.] Thank you to everyone for praying for me and just loving me. You all make a massive difference in my life. :)


Fact: Even errands can be a blast. :) Mom and I had an adventure-y errand trip yesterday.

We got the same book at the library. [She gets audio and I read them.] Aren't we so cute?


P.S. "Heist Society" by Ally Carter. LOVED IT.
I've already got the second one on hold. [And not that I looked it up or anything... But the third comes out on February 5th.]

Then we got super crazy at Wal-Mart and went "sans-carting!" The excitement levels were off the chart, let me assure you. ;)



 Our little gnome got a makeover.



His name is Achilles because.... Well... ;)


We've all got problems, right?

I have a feeling that our little friend had many adventures before he came into our lives. I guess it's not our place to judge a gnome by his scars.

Unconditional love. It's a wonderful thing.


And don't be fooled by the "folksey peasant look" this guy's got street smarts.

Much Love!!

Can you believe it?? Thatcher is 1 year old!! Miss you, Beedoh guy! Thanks for being the smiliest baby in the world. :)



We went to the museum on Thursday with Jes and Garren!

They have a snakes and lizards exhibit with real snakes and lizards. [And also cardboard bracelet lizards...]


This is where we decided to do our Harry Potter moment by the python. Don't we look super convincing?


You thought we were really falling in, didn't you? ;) [Especially me... sitting in the wheelchair....]

We also learned that there is a rebellious museum artist that hid little gnomes in many of his paintings because he was not allowed to sign his pieces. We found 3! I have high hopes of going back soon and completing the whole gnome scavenger hunt!

The best part about going to Red Robin and sitting across the table from a 3-year-old is that you get to make all of the goofy faces you want and no one looks at you weird. :) Here is Garren's "best" silly face. Complete with macaroni and cheese fingers. :) Mmmmm.


In the past little while, I have learned that sitting in a wheelchair is a really interesting sociological experiment. If you are ever looking to study an aspect of human nature, try this.


Last night Tyler and I went out. Shocker, I know. We got bacon burgers and sweet potato fries before heading to a hill in Littleton that overlooks... EVERYTHING. This picture doesn't even capture a little fraction of the beauty of Colorado.


On this hill we discussed only the important things. Examples:

"Would you still date me if I had a mustache and groomed it with the gel that is in Sharks' ampullae of lorenzini?"

"Under what circumstance would you kill me?"

Then we went back to our childhooden [The plural of childhood] and had somersault contests and played on the playground.

Perfect night? Obviously. Thank you, Tyler!! You are the BEST.


Much Love!!

"Hey. How you feel about coming over to the Wilson's? Pick you up in my grandpa's convertible?"

Well that's the easiest question I have ever had to answer. YES. 


It's always a blast with the Wilson/Armitstead clan.


Hann and I have been on a Teenie-Bopper-A-Day kick this week.

[A Teenie-Bopper a day keeps the... monotony of growing up and facing reality away... for a couple of hours at least... :) ]

Yesterday was Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. Today was Nancy Drew.


We camped out in my bed with only the necessities: Drinks, chips, candy, and our trusty books of choice.

Oh yeah. And attractive picture-taking skills, too. ;)




What can we say? Photogenicism [Is that a word? ...It is now.] runs in our family. Never a bad picture! :)


I got a "Get Well" card in the mail from all of the nurses from my last nerve block! Sweet!



Life's good over here! I hope you all are enjoying your journey. :)
 
Also: We are having a Family Fast this Sunday for my foot. Anyone and everyone who would like to take part is invited! Thank you so much for all of your love and prayers! You all make a massive difference in my life and I am so grateful!

Much Love!!

WARNING: The following information may be shocking to certain readers. Check your pulse and read with caution.

Dad finally got rid of his recliner!!!

The gross one we have had for 3.5 Billion years! Can you believe it!?! Go, Dad!


Tyler is a good sport. We always put him to work when he comes over carrying heavy things or fixing stuff. Thanks, Tyler!


What does one do on a Friday night? Great question.

But TWO do this:

[He was really excited to take this picture. Can you tell?]


Sonic [Double date with Quinci via poor quality cell phone picture.]

AND THIS:

North Dakota [AKA the most exciting state in the country.]

 
Yes. Being easily entertained is a good thing when you are poor college students. :) "Isn't it great!?!"

Much Love!!

 I learned how to fish tail braid! Accomplishing this with long, curly hair is quite the feat, let me tell you.


 Last night Tyler and I decided to make a treasure map! We drew it completely left-handed!


It's ok to be impressed. If you see anything that looks good, he drew it. If not, it was me! Haha He's got skills. [Personal favorite part? He drew my doctor as a pirate.]

Nerve block number 2 this morning!



This is me being a cyborg in pre-op. 



Coolest hospital socks I have EVER worn!



Post-procedure. Complete with oxygen mask lines and vacant expression.



I won't lie to you. That was ROUGH.

If anyone ever poses the question: Hey, do you want to have a double lumbar nerve block while you're still awake?

SAY NO.

This definitely makes it in the top 5 most painful things I have ever experienced. BUT it was only about 15 minutes and I will [most likely] never have to do this again because it was unsuccessful.



Doctor # 9 has finally decided that I do not have CRPS. This is good!

Back to Doctor # 8 and possibly Doctor # 7 to try some more tests!

And in other news, I just registered for online Fall classes! Woopie! Life is a blast!

Much Love!!

New look for my blog... Not really sure how I feel about it yet... I am still tweaking it.

You know those times when you are singing a song and all of a sudden you stop and realize what the words mean?

Well I had a moment like this not pertaining to a song, but a light switch. I was walking out my room [like I do several times a day] when I really noticed my light switch.


Ah the perks of living in the guest room of sorts. It's ok to be jealous. :)


Remember on Friday when Hannah went on her first date and I made them pose for a picture? Retaliation. [Even though this certainly was not our first date.] Awkward, fake smiles, oh baby!


One of these days we will get a good picture.

We went on a group date. AKA a party. We picnic-ed gourmet style and watched home videos. It was super. :) I guess not all group dates are scary after all! [I guess it helps to be with someone you really like...]


Dad had a Birthday! Woopie! We had the whole gang over to party! Including Kristie and the Clark kids. :) At one point Holly and I determined that Kristie needed a good cuddle.

Game plan: "I'll take that side of her and you take the other. Ready.... Go!"


She never saw it coming. :)

It was a wonderful day! Everyone had smiles on their faces.




And Brenden's biggest fear is hugs from girls! If that isn't fun, I don't know what is.


Wonder no more!



But hey, this isn't something that happens everyday. Don't mind us. We are just spicing our lives up a little! Haha :)

Third stop: Back to Doc # 9's office to talk about options. Do I look like a druggie or what?


It's looking like we are going to try a nerve block again this Thursday. This time with... limited anesthetic and in 2 spots on my spine instead of 1. If it works, it'll be physical therapy 3 times a week. If not... Well... Uh... I'll let you know as soon as anyone else has a suggestion. ;) Haha

Today was not my favorite day. I was feeling really discouraged after the doctor. BUT:

I am feeling very grateful for the little things. Sometimes the simple, little things are what keep us afloat when the current picks up.

Example: When you put the key back in your ignition after filling up an empty tank and the gauge flies up to full.

Call me crazy, but it always brings a smile to my face. :)

[I won't lie to you. About 3000 life metaphors come to my mind at the mention of "full tank" ... I'll keep them to myself this time, though. :) You're welcome.]

Simple things bring perspective, I think. They cause us to step back and realize that hard times really are just a fraction of the time that makes up our day and a single aspect of our lives. They are not all-encompassing and They Do Not Last.

I am grateful for simple things like a Full Tank to give me a little bit of perspective. My day has been completely turned around. I guess it is true what they say about small and simple things. Alma 37:6 :)
 
Much Love!!

I learned something about Jo when we went to a late night movie. She is afraid of being outside at night. So I got out my taser to protect her. ... Not that I need it of course. ;) Looks can kill.


This morning my library website suggested BOB ROSS for me! Ahhh! I love Bob Ross! So Hann, Liz, and I watched Bob and his "Happy Little Accidents" on YouTube for a good 20 minutes. :) Oh Bob.


 Look out world. These lips are licensed!!


What a babe! First date = diversion for the surprise!




The decorations were a blast, the food fantastic, and the guests loud! :) Hannah was surprised AND we got it on video! Great party! Thanks to Matthew and Sarah for planning the whole thing!


Love you, Jo!

Much Love!!

 GREAT NEWS: I got Jackson to hold still for some pictures! :) What a cute-ikle. I cannot believe how big he is getting... I love how he put his hand by his face. What a little model.



Hann had a Birthday! Shout HURRAY! Sweet 16! Her Birthday was... quite the day. Details to follow.

I made her the ever-popular kissing license. ;) Look out boys! [Especially buff potato farmers.]


I had a nerve conduction study/ EMG done yesterday morning. ... I would not wish this upon anyone.

I had heard this described as... unpleasant. Every time someone went to explain it to me they would pause exactly like that. "It's...... unpleasant." I get it now. That is exactly the way to describe the experience.

Here's what went down: This nice man sticks electrode things on me and pokes me with... a tuning fork? Then he turns up the frequency and yeow! He did this all over my leg and foot. Some places were more unpleasant [and sometimes downright painful] than others.


 The best way I can describe the feeling is what happens to a string instrument when the string is struck. Except with electricity.


 They were really ubrupt and... powerful shocks. And I was often concerned that the nerve was going to jump out of my body to escape... or maybe just explode. ... Unpleasant. ;)


Then came the needle part. [The good news: I did not pass out! Can you believe it!?! I am getting so good at being poked. I might even put it on my resume.]

Dr. #10 put electrode things on me again and stuck a thin, but long needle in my muscles. 5 different muscles. Again, some were worse than others.


 He did not just stick it in and take it out, OH NO. He would put it under my skin and wiggle it around and keep moving it up and down in and out of my muscle. Then have me flex and relax.
"Ok. I need you to relax your leg muscles." Ha! Ok. As soon as you take that needle out or at least stop moving it around! Haha

Unpleasant. :)

But no lasting effects other than being a little sore. And the study was normal. This means no nerve damage. This is good. Time to look elsewhere for answers, I suppose!


All of us girls [including Malena] went shopping for Hann's Birthday. We also played around on the piano and ate sushi. :) Jo, you sure know how to celebrate.


 Then all hail broke loose. Literally. We got the biggest storm I think we have had [excepting snow perhaps] since we have lived here.

 This is a picture of the earlier, less severe bout of hail.


 Major flooding, tornadoes a little south of us, and hail, hail, HAIL!

The crazy storm could not dampen our spirits though. :) What a blessing to be able to stay safe, dry, and happy inside our house with the BEST company. Happy Birthday again, Jo. :)



The damages: All of the cars outside took a major beating. :/

 Here's my baby. Just adds character. ;) Too bad it's covered, huh? I kind of like it like this...


And the roof is totaled. Yikes!

 Luckily I was playing with Mom's camera outside just a bit ago so I can give before and after pictures!

Before: Pretty, perky flowers.


 After: Mangled... discouraged flowers... [We all feel like that sometimes, right? I'm sure they will make a comeback.]


 After: Leafy, holey lawn.


Looks like Autumn came for a little visit in June! Haha

BUT we got a lot of moisture and a free lawn aeration.... :)


Want my oh-so-thoughtful life metaphor of the moment?

Too bad. I'm gonna type it anyways. :)

Things are better when you look past the mustaches in life.

... I'll explain. Mustaches are... gross. But sometimes attractive men [Of course I am not referring to anyone specific] decide to grow a mustache. Does this make them unattractive? No. You just have to look past the mustache. :{D

Why say "look at the glass half-full" when you can say "look past the mustaches in life." ? Much more exciting and meaningful.

Here's to Hail-fire and looking past mustaches. :) Thank you for your prayers. They are felt.

Much Love!!