Sunday, March 23, 2008

So I was reading through my post AFTER posting it and realized my first paragraph made no sense at all. What I was meaning to say was even though sacrament was full of people, primary wasn't. We did start with about 15 kids, and by the time primary was over, we only had 8. I also had sharing time this week and it went really well. We talked of course about Christ, but more about the atonement and repentance than the actual Easter story. Sorry for the confusion...welcome to my world!

Easter...


Let me preface this post by apologizing for not getting any pics of Ellison in her Easter dress up. I just plain forgot to grab the camera, however did mention it earlier this morning as we were running out the door to try to make it to sacrament meeting before the sacrament was passed...we failed in both areas. Easter in Mississippi is so different from Easter in Utah. Some members here observe church the way other religions do...a Christmas or Easter thing and sacrament was full. By the time primary was over, the size dropped from around 15 to 8. But nonetheless sharing time went fine.
This coming week is the last week I have my student...I am ecstatic and I am sure she is too. It has been a long 12 weeks and I am ready for her to be done. We have had many bumps in the road and a few weeks ago I got to the point of telling her that if she left the hospital hating me, it was fine as long as she had learned to treat her patients safely (all my coworkers think she is crazy too). Anyhow, even though we didn't mesh well, clinically she is doing fine...professional behaviors still need work.
Kam has had the past week off for spring break and has been enjoying the time home with Ellison. I think if he had the option, he would be a stay at home dad. He has been enjoying his time so well, that I have had to nag him to study...which he still hasn't done. Ellison has also been battling a cold for the past week, and I think she is finally on the upswing (thank goodness). We also got our taxes back this week and found out we are getting a nice little return. We will be using part of the money to pay off medical bills and get Kam some insurance. We of course will save some, but I was also thinking new carpeting in the house would be nice, but it's probably a long shot! So, I am going to pose this question, just what are all of you doing with your tax return money?

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Dare I say Spring?



The weather has changed considerably in the past few weeks, and for the past few days, Kam and I have HAD to turn on the air conditioner in the car. I have started wearing some capri pants (the ones I fit into), and found some cute little summer shoes on sale at Wal-Mart (can't beat 5 dollars a pair). I almost don't want to welcome such beautiful weather in fear that it will change again. It has been so nice taking Ellison for walks in the evening, and having some sunlight after 5:00 pm (although I despise the time change). And we keep talking about getting a bike trailer for Ellison to ride in so Kam and I can start riding our bikes again.
With such great change in weather, come the bugs. Kam and I had some friends over for a BBQ the other night, and had to pull out the bug spray because the mosquito's were out in full force. I got bitten a few times, and I think Ellison got one right on her little cheek.
This morning we had one of our quarterly primary activities. We had an Easter activity. The kids started off by making biscuits with marshmallows inside. Once the rolls have baked, the marshmallow melts, and the biscuit is empty...just like the tomb after the resurrection. We also had a scripture treasure hunt around the church for the older kids, and a color and take home puzzle for the little ones. The kids also had a chance to decorate sugar cookies, and we ended with an Easter egg hunt. Overall it was successful, however somewhat disappointing because only six children showed up. Sometimes it is so frustrating and disappointing that we as a presidency put so much time and effort into these activities only to have a poor turnout. I am grateful we were able to serve the six that were there, but would have loved to see the numbers we planned for.
The rest of the week was alright. I went back to work on Tuesday after dropping my mom off at the airport. I have hated leaving Ellison, it is so awful. The week seemed to be so long even though I only worked 4 days. I found out my blood isn't thin enough yet after surgery, so my doctor bumped up the coumadin dosage for a day, and I go back and have it re-tested on Monday. (I guess through all this experience, I have come out on top regarding one thing...I am no longer afraid of needles). Kam has officially started his spring break, although I am a bit jealous that he gets to stay home with the baby while I haul off to work. Other than that, all is well in our corner of the world.

Saturday, March 8, 2008


Thank you to those of you who called or commented on the blog regarding my surgery. Here is a run down of the events. On Monday I went in and had all the pre-surgery tests done. First they took me to the lab where they drew 12 viles of blood (they had to stick me 2 times to get the blood and then sent many of the viles to the lab to test for clotting disorders), I then went and got an EKG (I guess to make sure my heart is in working condition), I then went to get a chest x-ray and a venogram. To do the venogram they have to start and IV type of thing, so I got stuck again in my foot...they didn't get the vein. They called in another person who stuck me again...didn't get a vein and blew the vein they were trying for. They called in another person who finally got the vein and the venogram was done.
On Tuesday Kam and I were at the hospital by 6:30 am. They checked me in and we waited, and waited and waited in the waiting room for about 2 hours. It finally got to the time where I needed to pump, so off I went, and not 5 minutes later they called me for surgery.
Kam and I were taken to the prep room, an IV was started and meds given to put me out. A few hours later I wake up in recovery and the nurse tells me, the surgery didn't work. Overall I am doing fine, and only stayed overnight in the hospital. Unfortunately the surgery didn't work. The surgeon said the clot was too big and too hard to push through, so it still remains in my leg. He cut me in 2 different spots to try to get through the clot, but just couldn't. So, I remain on the coumadin for another 6 or so months for the clot to dissolve. The surgeon did say that he may want to go back in again in another year and place a stent (a device to keep the vein open). He thinks I may have a narrowing in my vein which may have started this whole clot business in the first place. He says if we place the stent it should help prevent further clots. So we will see what happens in the next year.
I have been very fortunate to have my mom here and am so grateful for the help she has given us while I have been down and out. Ellison is glad that she has gotten to know her Grandma better and made a new friend.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Cute Clips of Ellie...

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Happy Birthday...



Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear dad,
Happy Birthday to you!

We love and miss you lots!