Cuz that so makes me crazy. There is still life outside of being pregnant.
So who woulda ever thought that having a brain tumor would get extra attention for your unborn child? Not me! But it does. Today I went to a perinatal specialist. They get to do tests on me to make sure I don't have anything crazy going on with the baby.
I got to see another ultrasound of my little z. Dang, that is such a neat thing to observe. Little z turns out to have quite the little attitude. It took the doctor 20 minutes to get the baby situated where he needed. Silly little z, you were doing breakdancing on your little head.
The cool thing is that I get to find out like 4 weeks earlier whether it's a boy or girl. Hooray for brain tumors. (I mean heck, if you have to have one at least get cool perks as a result.)
Oh I also got my first pair of maternity pants yesterday. They are soooo dang comfortable. Once I start wearing them, I may never go back. ;) I'm not really hugely showing at this point, but if I wore the pants, you'd be able to tell.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Can hardly believe it
I am with child.
That's right... I'M PREGNANT!! (Whoop and hollering ensues by all!)
I always liked the term "with child". Especially around Christmastime.
As I come to the end of my first trimester I can almost believe that it's really happening.
I've wanted to be mom for sooooo long - actually I can't ever remember not wanting to be a mom. I have a picture I drew in kindergarten that says when I grow I want to be a ballet dancer and a mom. It's making me tear up a little bit thinking about how much I've wanted to be a mom. Not to say that things couldn't go wrong between now and June 25, but I never thought that I'd have the opportunity to actually bear the child that I'd be mom to. It's pretty overwhelming.
When I found out I was pregnant, I started crying. Not because it was so amazing. No, no - I started crying because I don't know how to be pregnant. (As if anyone knows "how" to be pregnant the first time around.) And no, there weren't any little cutesie things I did to tell everyone. It was mostly calls that were like, "Uh, hi - I'm pregnant." followed by dead silence on the other end. (Except my sisters - they were both screaming with excitement.)
We already have some names in mind - Zoe and Zack. (As if being a White doesn't put you at the end of the alphabet... sorry little z.) I've already started thinking of our baby as "my little z". How stinking cute is that?! We do plan on finding out if it's a boy or a girl. My gut tells me it's a boy.
Yes, and about the brain stuff. I can't have an MRI until I'm well into my 2nd trimester. Which translates into January 24th. And I'd be an absolute wreck if I had not turned that over to the Lord. He's in charge. I don't know what will happen but it will all work out. Things aren't always how we want them (spoken by someone who had 3 brain surgeries last year) but somehow it always works out (spoken by someone who is fully functional after 3 brain surgeries last year).
I'm just truly grateful for this little Christmas miracle. ;)
That's right... I'M PREGNANT!! (Whoop and hollering ensues by all!)
I always liked the term "with child". Especially around Christmastime.
As I come to the end of my first trimester I can almost believe that it's really happening.
I've wanted to be mom for sooooo long - actually I can't ever remember not wanting to be a mom. I have a picture I drew in kindergarten that says when I grow I want to be a ballet dancer and a mom. It's making me tear up a little bit thinking about how much I've wanted to be a mom. Not to say that things couldn't go wrong between now and June 25, but I never thought that I'd have the opportunity to actually bear the child that I'd be mom to. It's pretty overwhelming.
When I found out I was pregnant, I started crying. Not because it was so amazing. No, no - I started crying because I don't know how to be pregnant. (As if anyone knows "how" to be pregnant the first time around.) And no, there weren't any little cutesie things I did to tell everyone. It was mostly calls that were like, "Uh, hi - I'm pregnant." followed by dead silence on the other end. (Except my sisters - they were both screaming with excitement.)
We already have some names in mind - Zoe and Zack. (As if being a White doesn't put you at the end of the alphabet... sorry little z.) I've already started thinking of our baby as "my little z". How stinking cute is that?! We do plan on finding out if it's a boy or a girl. My gut tells me it's a boy.
Yes, and about the brain stuff. I can't have an MRI until I'm well into my 2nd trimester. Which translates into January 24th. And I'd be an absolute wreck if I had not turned that over to the Lord. He's in charge. I don't know what will happen but it will all work out. Things aren't always how we want them (spoken by someone who had 3 brain surgeries last year) but somehow it always works out (spoken by someone who is fully functional after 3 brain surgeries last year).
I'm just truly grateful for this little Christmas miracle. ;)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Once upon a time...
...there was this girl who LOVED to perform. She loved to sing and to dance and to act and to PERFORM!
One time many years ago, she was in a musical with her best friend. It was delightful. She made great friends and loved the choreographer and the director and the cast members. She took ample photos of her experience and came home brimming with stories to tell her husband.
Her husband didn't tell her then, but it made him a little sad. Although he was super supportive and so kind (even to her "stage husband" who came over to dinner a couple nights) it was hard for him when she was away so dang much.
Well, the musical got over and her Dad had a pretty frank conversation with her. He said He knew how much she liked to perform but He had other plans for her. Performing on the stage was NOT one of them.
She was pretty crushed. All her life she felt like she should have been doing this because it brought such joy and satisfaction. She said it wasn't fair that her other brothers and sisters got to do this and she didn't. It resulted in some pouting and a little whining to her big 'sister'. But ultimately she decided to follow her Father and to focus on other things.
Many years later, she had some health "problems" that resulted in some fairly "major" surgeries that changed a whole lot of things for her. Among other things, she discovered that she was terrified of being in front of people. Gasp! She who LOVED to perform in front of people bawled her head off the Sunday she was to sing at church. (She sang but there was definitely some bawling in the pew beforehand!)
About a year later, she heard about these auditions. She decided that auditioning would be the perfect way to overcome the "stage fright" she'd been dealing with. She decided that if she put down a certain part and ONLY that part there wouldn't be any reason to worry about being cast in the play (because after all, she and her Dad had this little understanding). So she went and auditioned. And it was definitely nervous-making but it reminded her of how much she LOVED performing. So the stage manager called and asked if she'd be any other part besides the one and only one she put down. She said she have to think about it and call back. So she called her husband and told him she really wanted to do it. He, having seen all the hard stuff from the year before, was again very supportive and kind about it. She called her big "sister" and asked her opinion (thinking that surely her big sister would remind her about her understanding with Dad) and her sister said it was a great idea. Then she asked her Dad. He pretty much said it's up to you at this point. Woo hoo! She called the stage manager back knowing that she'd get a part.
(I know this story is getting long but I promised Richard that I'd record it to remind myself someday.... as if I'd need the reminding - HA!)
She (obviously) did end up getting a part in the show. And she got a schedule for practices 6 days a week for an obscene amount of time. And a schedule for an obscene amount of performances. And she was ready to do it!
At the end of it all, the word she would use for the entire experience is AWFUL. Rehearsals were tolerable for the first couple of weeks despite how unkind the music director was. Rehearsals were no longer tolerable when the choreographer told them that they needed to stop treating practice like community theater and start acting professional. (They even got an email telling them to stop laughing and talking to each other because each spare moment was a moment to learn more dance moves.) Did she mention that this was community theater? And despite dedicating 6 days a week to rehearsal there was no compensation for being in the production - just the joy of coming and being yelled at because they weren't doing it like professionals and being called "boys and girls" and told to be quiet and focus on dancing. Oh, and one of her personal favorites, asking the music director to help her out with a part (because she was not a professional singer, for the love) and having him make disparaging remarks about her singing to her face... that was really neat. They didn't see the overall director (who she absolutely adored) until very very close to the end of rehearsals. He asked her if she was having fun and her response was "Do I have to answer that honestly?" Her castmates were nice enough but many of them were not "top notch" people. They were so focused on acting that it was the only thing that mattered to them. To top it all off, she was sick sick sick the last 3 weeks of performance. Oh holy cow she was sick. She stayed home from work sick a couple of days and still went to the theater because her double had to work those days.
Now don't be fooled, there were some good parts to the performance. She got in shape. She made a good friend in her "stage husband" who she sees at the church building most weeks. She totally got over the stage fright feeling. She realized that she can sing whatever note she puts her minds to and actually make it sound pretty dang good. She had some very kind comments by friends and total strangers after the performance.
You see how great those things sound? And yet the total experience was AWFUL.
Moral of the story: She absolutely knew that performing was NOT in the plans for her anymore. BUT she talked herself into it. She decided that there were circumstances that cancelled out what her Dad told her. Silly silly girl.
She is now grateful to have an experience that helps her "give up" performing. She realized that being gone all the time is not for her. And that there are more important things for her to focus on even if she doesn't understand them all yet. And she learned that listening to her Dad will help her reach her happily ever after.
One time many years ago, she was in a musical with her best friend. It was delightful. She made great friends and loved the choreographer and the director and the cast members. She took ample photos of her experience and came home brimming with stories to tell her husband.
Her husband didn't tell her then, but it made him a little sad. Although he was super supportive and so kind (even to her "stage husband" who came over to dinner a couple nights) it was hard for him when she was away so dang much.
Well, the musical got over and her Dad had a pretty frank conversation with her. He said He knew how much she liked to perform but He had other plans for her. Performing on the stage was NOT one of them.
She was pretty crushed. All her life she felt like she should have been doing this because it brought such joy and satisfaction. She said it wasn't fair that her other brothers and sisters got to do this and she didn't. It resulted in some pouting and a little whining to her big 'sister'. But ultimately she decided to follow her Father and to focus on other things.
Many years later, she had some health "problems" that resulted in some fairly "major" surgeries that changed a whole lot of things for her. Among other things, she discovered that she was terrified of being in front of people. Gasp! She who LOVED to perform in front of people bawled her head off the Sunday she was to sing at church. (She sang but there was definitely some bawling in the pew beforehand!)
About a year later, she heard about these auditions. She decided that auditioning would be the perfect way to overcome the "stage fright" she'd been dealing with. She decided that if she put down a certain part and ONLY that part there wouldn't be any reason to worry about being cast in the play (because after all, she and her Dad had this little understanding). So she went and auditioned. And it was definitely nervous-making but it reminded her of how much she LOVED performing. So the stage manager called and asked if she'd be any other part besides the one and only one she put down. She said she have to think about it and call back. So she called her husband and told him she really wanted to do it. He, having seen all the hard stuff from the year before, was again very supportive and kind about it. She called her big "sister" and asked her opinion (thinking that surely her big sister would remind her about her understanding with Dad) and her sister said it was a great idea. Then she asked her Dad. He pretty much said it's up to you at this point. Woo hoo! She called the stage manager back knowing that she'd get a part.
(I know this story is getting long but I promised Richard that I'd record it to remind myself someday.... as if I'd need the reminding - HA!)
She (obviously) did end up getting a part in the show. And she got a schedule for practices 6 days a week for an obscene amount of time. And a schedule for an obscene amount of performances. And she was ready to do it!
At the end of it all, the word she would use for the entire experience is AWFUL. Rehearsals were tolerable for the first couple of weeks despite how unkind the music director was. Rehearsals were no longer tolerable when the choreographer told them that they needed to stop treating practice like community theater and start acting professional. (They even got an email telling them to stop laughing and talking to each other because each spare moment was a moment to learn more dance moves.) Did she mention that this was community theater? And despite dedicating 6 days a week to rehearsal there was no compensation for being in the production - just the joy of coming and being yelled at because they weren't doing it like professionals and being called "boys and girls" and told to be quiet and focus on dancing. Oh, and one of her personal favorites, asking the music director to help her out with a part (because she was not a professional singer, for the love) and having him make disparaging remarks about her singing to her face... that was really neat. They didn't see the overall director (who she absolutely adored) until very very close to the end of rehearsals. He asked her if she was having fun and her response was "Do I have to answer that honestly?" Her castmates were nice enough but many of them were not "top notch" people. They were so focused on acting that it was the only thing that mattered to them. To top it all off, she was sick sick sick the last 3 weeks of performance. Oh holy cow she was sick. She stayed home from work sick a couple of days and still went to the theater because her double had to work those days.
Now don't be fooled, there were some good parts to the performance. She got in shape. She made a good friend in her "stage husband" who she sees at the church building most weeks. She totally got over the stage fright feeling. She realized that she can sing whatever note she puts her minds to and actually make it sound pretty dang good. She had some very kind comments by friends and total strangers after the performance.
You see how great those things sound? And yet the total experience was AWFUL.
Moral of the story: She absolutely knew that performing was NOT in the plans for her anymore. BUT she talked herself into it. She decided that there were circumstances that cancelled out what her Dad told her. Silly silly girl.
She is now grateful to have an experience that helps her "give up" performing. She realized that being gone all the time is not for her. And that there are more important things for her to focus on even if she doesn't understand them all yet. And she learned that listening to her Dad will help her reach her happily ever after.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Come and see Susan in Joseph!
I have the delightful opportunity to perform in Artisan Center Theater's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
You are invited to come see me. I'm playing the part of Levi's wife. I'm on stage for most of the play. I'm in the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday night cast. (With the exception of 3 days that I'll be trading with my double.) I would be sooooo delighted if you came to see me.
If you call in (you can't use them online) and tell them you have a featured actor card, you get a dollar off each admission. And if you tell me so I can get one to you and you actually turn your feature actor cards in at the box office, I get a dollar for each ticket you buy. Artisan doesn't pay the actors. It's all volunteer. Soooo, if people turn in cards with my name on them, I can recoup some of my gas & costume money!
I'll be performing the following dates (they are all 7:30 performances unless specified otherwise):
Sat 10/8, Tue 10/11, Thurs 10/13, Sat 10/15 3:00 matinee, Tues 10/18, Thurs 10/20, Sat 10/22, Mon 10/24, Thurs 10/27, Sat 10/29, Tues 11/1, Thurs 11/3, Sat 11/5 3:00 matinee, Tues 11/8, Thurs 11/10, Sat 11/12
It's theater in the round so seats are on all 4 sides of the stage. (For this production, I personally wouldn't choose to sit on the West side.) The theater is pretty small so any seat is a good seat.
Artisan Center Theater
418 E Pipeline Rd
Hurst, TX 76053
phone (817) 284-1200
http://www.artisanct.com/
Let me know if you have questions.
You are invited to come see me. I'm playing the part of Levi's wife. I'm on stage for most of the play. I'm in the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday night cast. (With the exception of 3 days that I'll be trading with my double.) I would be sooooo delighted if you came to see me.
If you call in (you can't use them online) and tell them you have a featured actor card, you get a dollar off each admission. And if you tell me so I can get one to you and you actually turn your feature actor cards in at the box office, I get a dollar for each ticket you buy. Artisan doesn't pay the actors. It's all volunteer. Soooo, if people turn in cards with my name on them, I can recoup some of my gas & costume money!
I'll be performing the following dates (they are all 7:30 performances unless specified otherwise):
Sat 10/8, Tue 10/11, Thurs 10/13, Sat 10/15 3:00 matinee, Tues 10/18, Thurs 10/20, Sat 10/22, Mon 10/24, Thurs 10/27, Sat 10/29, Tues 11/1, Thurs 11/3, Sat 11/5 3:00 matinee, Tues 11/8, Thurs 11/10, Sat 11/12
It's theater in the round so seats are on all 4 sides of the stage. (For this production, I personally wouldn't choose to sit on the West side.) The theater is pretty small so any seat is a good seat.
Artisan Center Theater
418 E Pipeline Rd
Hurst, TX 76053
phone (817) 284-1200
http://www.artisanct.com/
Let me know if you have questions.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Problem areas of my brain
Okay, I finally got the pics to load.
6 months ago on the left, today on the right.
This one has a cyst that has increased dramatically in size. (It's a black oval, center right - which ironically is the left side of my brain.)
This one has several cysts increased in size as well as an increase in what could possibly be tumor.
(The white spot center right.)
The white v-shaped spot on this one is the brain's reaction to what's going on.
As you can see, it's not very happy.
Man, I never get tired of looking at my brain. It's so dang intriguing!
Boooooo!
I had my 6 month brain check today. I still have a brain. (Whew! I was a little worried about that.) Unfortunately, I also have some "problem areas" that need to be watched so I get to go back in a month. Man!
I have some pictures of the "problem areas" but I can't get them to upload - so. dang. annoying!
I did ask Dr. Timmerman if I could still be in the musical and he said yes but to be watchful if I start having symptoms again. He basically said not to worry yet. But he can't be cavalier about my brain. (I really liked how he used cavalier.) There's a part of my brain that is having a reaction to other stuff going on. He said it could be a late reaction to the radiation. We'll see.
So there you have it. Hooray for my brain.
I have some pictures of the "problem areas" but I can't get them to upload - so. dang. annoying!
I did ask Dr. Timmerman if I could still be in the musical and he said yes but to be watchful if I start having symptoms again. He basically said not to worry yet. But he can't be cavalier about my brain. (I really liked how he used cavalier.) There's a part of my brain that is having a reaction to other stuff going on. He said it could be a late reaction to the radiation. We'll see.
So there you have it. Hooray for my brain.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
6 years and a part in a musical
I should definitely be in bed right now but I feel like I need to write something.
Yesterday was our 6 year wedding anniversary. I feel incredibly blessed to be married to someone who loves me and loves the Lord so much. We are such a good match. Who else would let me have an entire bedroom dedicated to dress up clothes?! And who else would be so much fun dressing up for Halloween? And who else would be so much fun to talk to and care about? No one, I declare, no one!
I auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Originally, I just wanted to help myself get over the "stage fright" that has come with brain surgery. I indicated that I only wanted the main part (knowing that the likelihood of getting it was close to nill). But as I auditioned I realized that I'd like to be a part of this show so I told them I'd take any part. Richard and I talked about it and he is supportive of me doing this. (Again, feeling incredibly blessed to be married to someone who loves me so much.) It's a MAJOR deal to be in any show but especially this show. Vocal rehearsals 2 days a week for 3 weeks, dance rehearsals 6 days a week for 3 weeks and direction rehearsals 6 days a week for 2 weeks THEN performances another 4 days a week for 6 more weeks. It was a different audition process. First, there was a 3 hour dance audition. If you got through that you were called back for a singing audition. There isn't any dialogue in the show so I guess if you can dance and sing, it's assumed you can be a presence on the stage. Apparently my self confidence hasn't waned any because I just assumed that I'd get a part. (Uh, naturally I'd get a part - I'm just that talented, duh.) I'm not sure what I would've done if they didn't offer me a part - so I guess it's a good thing they did. I'm one of the wives, which is primarily a dancing role, and I have a solo in one of the songs.
One more thing before I go to beddy bye, I have my 6 month brain exam this Tuesday. They're gonna make sure I still have a brain. (I sure hope so, it would be a bummer if it disappeared after 6 months.) So I'll be sure to share the results of said brain exam. Nitey nite.
Yesterday was our 6 year wedding anniversary. I feel incredibly blessed to be married to someone who loves me and loves the Lord so much. We are such a good match. Who else would let me have an entire bedroom dedicated to dress up clothes?! And who else would be so much fun dressing up for Halloween? And who else would be so much fun to talk to and care about? No one, I declare, no one!
I auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Originally, I just wanted to help myself get over the "stage fright" that has come with brain surgery. I indicated that I only wanted the main part (knowing that the likelihood of getting it was close to nill). But as I auditioned I realized that I'd like to be a part of this show so I told them I'd take any part. Richard and I talked about it and he is supportive of me doing this. (Again, feeling incredibly blessed to be married to someone who loves me so much.) It's a MAJOR deal to be in any show but especially this show. Vocal rehearsals 2 days a week for 3 weeks, dance rehearsals 6 days a week for 3 weeks and direction rehearsals 6 days a week for 2 weeks THEN performances another 4 days a week for 6 more weeks. It was a different audition process. First, there was a 3 hour dance audition. If you got through that you were called back for a singing audition. There isn't any dialogue in the show so I guess if you can dance and sing, it's assumed you can be a presence on the stage. Apparently my self confidence hasn't waned any because I just assumed that I'd get a part. (Uh, naturally I'd get a part - I'm just that talented, duh.) I'm not sure what I would've done if they didn't offer me a part - so I guess it's a good thing they did. I'm one of the wives, which is primarily a dancing role, and I have a solo in one of the songs.
One more thing before I go to beddy bye, I have my 6 month brain exam this Tuesday. They're gonna make sure I still have a brain. (I sure hope so, it would be a bummer if it disappeared after 6 months.) So I'll be sure to share the results of said brain exam. Nitey nite.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
I really do love that cow appreciation day...
Is there any question as to the source of my creative genius?
I should say not...
Monday, July 18, 2011
Got called out
Yeah so, Allison saw my last post with no mention of her (or her cute little tie wreath that inspired me) and totally called me out on it. So now I'm mentioning Allison and her cute little tie wreath that inspired me. Turns out she made her ties - although they totally look like ties you might get for your little boy. She really is quite the crafty chica.
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Saturday, July 16, 2011
Christmas in July
I went to a delightful Christmas in July party. A gal in our ward planned it and invited all the women from the ward. There were probably 25 or more women there! All ages too (seriously like 20 - 85).
Anywho, she had a white elephant gift-esque wreath exchange. I wasn't going to participate until 3:00 that day when I felt inspired to make this:
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That's right, it's a wreath made out of neck ties. Cute, huh? I went to Michaels and bought a flower foam wreath then went to Thrift Town and bought 9 ties. Most of them were 99 cents. (Next time, I may just go buy some from the 99 Cent Store.)
So I made it and put it in a box and off I went. There were 15 ladies that brought wreaths and I drew number 14. I think mine got unwrapped seventh or so and of course everyone knew that I made it. So it's my turn, I look at all the ones people made or bought and . . . I picked my own.
Anywho, she had a white elephant gift-esque wreath exchange. I wasn't going to participate until 3:00 that day when I felt inspired to make this:
That's right, it's a wreath made out of neck ties. Cute, huh? I went to Michaels and bought a flower foam wreath then went to Thrift Town and bought 9 ties. Most of them were 99 cents. (Next time, I may just go buy some from the 99 Cent Store.)
So I made it and put it in a box and off I went. There were 15 ladies that brought wreaths and I drew number 14. I think mine got unwrapped seventh or so and of course everyone knew that I made it. So it's my turn, I look at all the ones people made or bought and . . . I picked my own.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Cow Appreciation Day
Happy Day-after Cow Appreciation Day!! What is Cow Appreciation Day, you ask?!?! It's the opportunity to dress like a cow and get free food at Chick-fil-a. And as everyone knows, I can't do anything half-heartedly.
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Okay so if you think I'm cute, go vote for me here!! Chick-fil-a's having a contest & the grand prize winner gets 50 free meals at Chick-fil-a. Wouldn't that be a cool bonus for loving to dress up!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Young Women's camp
I went to Young Women's camp 6/15 - 6/18. It hasn't been til now that I felt up to blogging about it. It was held at Lone Oak Ranch & Retreat near Gainesville. The theme this year was "It's a Jungle Out There"...
Whatever happened to spiritual themes? Like "Steadfast & Immovable" or "Let the Holy Spirit Guide"? We did focus on the 13th Article of Faith (which is the general YM/YW's focus this year), but why not a theme to go along with it? Like "We Seek" or "Virtuous & Lovely"...
I guess you can't decorate your mailboxes like tigers, or giraffes or flamingos that way. Flamingos, you exclaim?! Why yes, Faithful Flamingos, as a matter of fact. Surprisingly easy to buy fun little decorations & prizes for your girls when you are the flamingos and it's time for all those luaus! We had some interesting animals - they were supposed to represent the 13th Article of Faith - animals like Cheerful Chimps, Chaste Cheetahs, Lovely Lions, Virtuous Tigers, Hopeful Hippos, Praiseworthy Panthers, Reporting Giraffes, Enduring Elephants, Truthful Toucans, and Honest Zebras. I'm not a huge fan of having our girls who live in such an intense world of "fashion" that's pre-occupied with weight, having to be called hippos or elephants. And I'm pretty sure Reporting Giraffes was supposed to be something tied in to Good report, cuz Reporting Giraffes didn't make much sense to me.
It was pretty fun to be the flamingos. The YW Presidency made feathered barrettes and the ward camp director had someone make flamingo earrings. The Bishop got us all inflatable flamingos. And of course we had the obligatory flamingo in our front yard - actually seven obligatory flamingos in our front yard.
This is my 15th year at camp... yes, that's out of 22 possible years... I've been various forms of ward camp director, YW pres, YW counselor, stake level leader, stake program director, and stake YCL leader. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If anyone ever wanted my opinion on camp this is what I'd tell them:
Oh! and I never told you - I don't have to go in for surgery for my neck. Yay! That was a nice little blessing. The neurosurgeon said that since the pain has gone away, I don't need surgery. If the pain comes back, we'll address it again then. Oh and I should stop jumping out of planes and doing things that will put extra pressure on my neck to avoid possibility of paralysis. Darn. I so enjoyed plane jumping.
Whatever happened to spiritual themes? Like "Steadfast & Immovable" or "Let the Holy Spirit Guide"? We did focus on the 13th Article of Faith (which is the general YM/YW's focus this year), but why not a theme to go along with it? Like "We Seek" or "Virtuous & Lovely"...
I guess you can't decorate your mailboxes like tigers, or giraffes or flamingos that way. Flamingos, you exclaim?! Why yes, Faithful Flamingos, as a matter of fact. Surprisingly easy to buy fun little decorations & prizes for your girls when you are the flamingos and it's time for all those luaus! We had some interesting animals - they were supposed to represent the 13th Article of Faith - animals like Cheerful Chimps, Chaste Cheetahs, Lovely Lions, Virtuous Tigers, Hopeful Hippos, Praiseworthy Panthers, Reporting Giraffes, Enduring Elephants, Truthful Toucans, and Honest Zebras. I'm not a huge fan of having our girls who live in such an intense world of "fashion" that's pre-occupied with weight, having to be called hippos or elephants. And I'm pretty sure Reporting Giraffes was supposed to be something tied in to Good report, cuz Reporting Giraffes didn't make much sense to me.
It was pretty fun to be the flamingos. The YW Presidency made feathered barrettes and the ward camp director had someone make flamingo earrings. The Bishop got us all inflatable flamingos. And of course we had the obligatory flamingo in our front yard - actually seven obligatory flamingos in our front yard.
This is my 15th year at camp... yes, that's out of 22 possible years... I've been various forms of ward camp director, YW pres, YW counselor, stake level leader, stake program director, and stake YCL leader. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If anyone ever wanted my opinion on camp this is what I'd tell them:
- Camp in wards NOT in levels - I've done it both ways as a youth and an adult. When I was a youth there were girls in my level in my cabin who were "too cool for camp". They made my week a living hell. The only thing that stands out in my mind about that year is the night those girls thought it would be so funny to pour lotion all over my sleeping bag while I was in it. As an adult, it is soooo much easier to make sure your own girls are doing what they should. You don't know about the special needs the girls in each ward have. And when you camp in wards, it tends to lend itself to opportunities to serve and love each other.
- Sing, sing, sing - Every single year print out a booklet with the camp songs for every single girl to keep. Or print it out for everyone the first time then each following year print it for the 1st years and new comers. This year at camp we sang about 4 songs - because that's all we knew. (And I'll tell you that I love the Noah's Ark song, but variety would be nice.) We had 2 different music booklets passed out during some of the meals then collected immediately after the meal. The 2 different booklets didn't have the same songs. Oh and the YCLs in charge of singing were getting very frustrated that we weren't all singing and were not very nice about it. I understand their frustration - singing at camp brings such camraderie!! The young women like to sing. They like to sing fun camp songs. If you get it started the first year and have someone teach the songs during free time or before certification or for "class" time, and continue providing song booklets - it will grow. (If you build it, they will sing.)
- Start things on time - please!! Our ward was 5 minutes early to flag ceremony and certification and meals and not a single thing started on time during the entirety of camp. By the last morning, we didn't ask our young women to be early. If we got there "on time" it was plenty early. Maybe you get to eat in the order you get to the flag. Maybe you just miss some stuff. (But chances are good that if the we know you'll start on time, we'll be there.)
- Have "chaperone" meetings during certification every day - the YCLs and stake level leaders have got the certification down and I'll likely remember that better than after a meal.
- Be specific about what is "mandatory" and what is "optional" - is a movie under the stars mandatory? Do all the girls have to participate in archery and horse back riding? If so, great! If not, what are their other options? If the other option is to sit and talk with the leaders, then let us and them know.
- Have crafts! - the crafts this year were so delightful! Super cute and fun! Our ward's young women are not especially crafty, but they still enjoyed the crafts. I still have some of my crafts that I made at camp as a young woman.
- Stake "tuck in" - one of my favorite memories of camp directors from the past is the years they would come and sing to us at lights outs time.
- Chuck the awards for skits and the awards for wards - I've gone back and forth on this one. But seriously we would have been just fine without a "The ward who doesn't have any sour patch kids" award.
- Have a trading post - before camp I was doubtful. I questioned why the young women needed to be "rewarded" for bringing items for humanitarian kits. I'm not doubtful anymore. The trading post was so well done. I can see in the future finding other things to "reward" young women for (like being ON TIME!)
Oh! and I never told you - I don't have to go in for surgery for my neck. Yay! That was a nice little blessing. The neurosurgeon said that since the pain has gone away, I don't need surgery. If the pain comes back, we'll address it again then. Oh and I should stop jumping out of planes and doing things that will put extra pressure on my neck to avoid possibility of paralysis. Darn. I so enjoyed plane jumping.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Bestest High School Musical birthday party ever!!
Seriously had the most delightful birthday party this weekend. We had the party in the backyard. First I decorated the backyard.
Then I asked everyone to dress like they were from High School Musical.
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| Jonathan hasn't ever seen HSM but dressed up anyway! Jayne and the kids were dressed all summery from High School Musical 2. |
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| My East High cheerleaders!! |
We had pizza.
And played games. Like pin the diploma on the graduates and musical plates and basketball relay.
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| Thank goodness I had Jayne and Allison helping me with the games! |
Then we sang happy birthday and had pie and cheesecake.
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| That's right - red and white candles! |
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| The pic is perfect - you can see the smoke coming off the candles! |
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| Super star for blowing out the candles! |
I had a great time. I'm so glad I have such good friends and awesome siblings!
Special thanks to my sweet honey Richard - who supported my obsession and smiled through it.
Oh and as a side note - I wore my HSM outfit to church the next day and got the most compliments that I've ever received on an outfit at church. Gotta love High School Musical!
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| I like this one because you can see Molly's head and Tally's tail near my feet. |
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Update
I noticed that my blog got a lot of hits last week. I wondered why... then I realized that I pretty much left you hanging with that whole spine surgery thing.
My appointment with Dr. Beshay at UT Southwestern is on June 2nd. Depending on what he says, I imagine surgery will happen towards the end of June. I've grown accustomed to the pain down my left side. My fingers are every bit as numb as they have been but it doesn't bother me as much. I've learned a bit about spine MRIs. Very interesting. I wish I could figure out how to post one. Right now they are on a cd so I can't exactly take a photo of them in my window like I did my brain MRIs. So stay tuned, I should know more after June 2nd.
So Mother's Day was lovely this year. I got one of my first Mother's Day gifts. It came from Brad.
It's a swan with roses! I moved a frame to take the picture, replaced the frame, had the frame fall down & smashed my swan to bits. I was sooooooooo upset. Seriously lame-o! The book came from our bishopric and the candy bar came from one of my friends who gets how hard Mother's Day can be when you aren't a mother. Luckily it wasn't a hard day for me. Cuz Mother's Day is really more about my mom then about my being a mom! I really have a great mom. She's always willing to let me call and vent. And then she helps me come up with the Christlike thing to do. I really appreciate that. We get to go visit my parents in Mississippi this summer. I'm totally looking forward to it!
Speaking of looking forward to it - this Saturday is my birthday. We are having an all out High School Musical birthday party. I'm so excited. I've found some awesome things for my goody bags and for prizes for my games. Here are some of the prizes. It's a terrible picture but you'll get the idea.
Seriously love dollar stores and super cheap stuff from Party City. The most I spent on a prize was $1! the hardest thing was deciding who to invite. I wanted to invited like 50 people but obviously I couldn't. I can't wait to show you the awesomeness that we have planned.
My appointment with Dr. Beshay at UT Southwestern is on June 2nd. Depending on what he says, I imagine surgery will happen towards the end of June. I've grown accustomed to the pain down my left side. My fingers are every bit as numb as they have been but it doesn't bother me as much. I've learned a bit about spine MRIs. Very interesting. I wish I could figure out how to post one. Right now they are on a cd so I can't exactly take a photo of them in my window like I did my brain MRIs. So stay tuned, I should know more after June 2nd.
So Mother's Day was lovely this year. I got one of my first Mother's Day gifts. It came from Brad.
Speaking of looking forward to it - this Saturday is my birthday. We are having an all out High School Musical birthday party. I'm so excited. I've found some awesome things for my goody bags and for prizes for my games. Here are some of the prizes. It's a terrible picture but you'll get the idea.
Monday, May 2, 2011
1st opinion
Went to the doctor about my MRI and EMG results. I got a recommendation for surgery. The surgery is to fuse my C5-C6 and C6-C7 together. The doctor called it an ACDF surgery. He recommends that I get it done within the next 2-3 weeks.
I'm going to get a 2nd opinion at UT Southwestern. I'll let you know when it happens.
This is definitely a fun new challenge.
I'm going to get a 2nd opinion at UT Southwestern. I'll let you know when it happens.
This is definitely a fun new challenge.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
2am and I'm awake...
awake, awake, awake, awake, awake, awake
Oooo maybe if I chant 'go to sleep' it will help.
go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep
Nope, didn't help at all. Sigh. I wake up like an hour ago to use the bathroom, and when I go back to bed I can't sleep. So I'm laying there and then I get nauseated! What is this?! I didn't take a pain pill right before I went to bed. Although I kinda wish I had. (The pain pills that work for me also make me sick to my stomach if I don't eat enough with it.) And no, I'm not pregnant for those of you who might have gone there.
Last night, I started thinking about how it will be after we die. I've spent a lot of time contemplating that. How will it feel to truly understand eternal beings? What is our purpose post-mortal life? We learn about our purpose here but what about there? Just to be eternally happy? (Or unhappy as the case may be.) That can't be it, because look at Heavenly Father. We are here, so obviously there is more to it. Eternal perpetuation of famlies? Hmmm... I should ask Mom. She always knows how to put stuff in words so I can better understand. Ooo ooo! I should ask my Grandparents if they'll come visit after they die and let me know! That would be soooo cool. (Grandma - remember this for the next time we talk on the phone, k?) I've had dreams about how it will be. There's always an incredible feeling of joy. An overwhelming level of emotion. I've felt that way before - ridiculously happy. It would be neat to feel that way all the time.
It's hard to try to understand eternity when you're trying so hard to just be nice to people for the next 10 minutes, don't you think?
Ok, enough thinking about things my finite mind doesn't understand. I think I'll try to go back to sleep.
Oooo maybe if I chant 'go to sleep' it will help.
go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep
Nope, didn't help at all. Sigh. I wake up like an hour ago to use the bathroom, and when I go back to bed I can't sleep. So I'm laying there and then I get nauseated! What is this?! I didn't take a pain pill right before I went to bed. Although I kinda wish I had. (The pain pills that work for me also make me sick to my stomach if I don't eat enough with it.) And no, I'm not pregnant for those of you who might have gone there.
Last night, I started thinking about how it will be after we die. I've spent a lot of time contemplating that. How will it feel to truly understand eternal beings? What is our purpose post-mortal life? We learn about our purpose here but what about there? Just to be eternally happy? (Or unhappy as the case may be.) That can't be it, because look at Heavenly Father. We are here, so obviously there is more to it. Eternal perpetuation of famlies? Hmmm... I should ask Mom. She always knows how to put stuff in words so I can better understand. Ooo ooo! I should ask my Grandparents if they'll come visit after they die and let me know! That would be soooo cool. (Grandma - remember this for the next time we talk on the phone, k?) I've had dreams about how it will be. There's always an incredible feeling of joy. An overwhelming level of emotion. I've felt that way before - ridiculously happy. It would be neat to feel that way all the time.
It's hard to try to understand eternity when you're trying so hard to just be nice to people for the next 10 minutes, don't you think?
Ok, enough thinking about things my finite mind doesn't understand. I think I'll try to go back to sleep.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
I have an illness...
I have an illness.
I told Brad that when I got home after my tests and he was like "What is it? Is it something in your back?"
"No."
"Does it have to do with that bag of High School Musical stuff you just got from the 99 cent store?"
Yes! How pathetic is that?! It's like I get so excited I just want to get everything (which I didn't by-the-way.) Especially, when I get to thinking about my birthday party that is going to rock.
But enough of that, on to my back...
Cervical ridiculousa!
That's what Harry Potter would say to fix my back from what the chiropractor said is "cervical ridiculitis". (Yes, that is pronounced just like "ridiculous" with "itis" at the end.) This is like day 23-ish of my fingers being numb. I decided that going chiropractic was not the way for me so I went to a place called Spine Team Texas. They had me get tests done - MRI and EMG. I've had plenty of MRIs. I didn't like the machine they did it in though. I was totally pressed up against the ceiling and it was a little suffocating. I should have suggested they put one of those snazzy "periscope" mirrors on their machine. You have no idea how close to the ceiling you are when you are looking out at the back of the tube.
After the MRI, I went next door and had an EMG. That's where they put not-sharp needles in your arm and see what happens when they mess with your nerves. I guess they can't be sharp needles because of the whole digging around in your arm thing. She said my C6 and C7 nerves are showing the problems. Which sounds like what the chiropractor and new doctor said about the space between my C6 and C7 being signifcantly smaller than it should be.
I look forward to being able to "read" spine MRIs just like brains MRIs. (Man, maybe someone is trying to give me the hint that I should be a neurologist!)
My follow-up appointment is next Monday. I'm sure you'll hear about it again then. :)
I told Brad that when I got home after my tests and he was like "What is it? Is it something in your back?"
"No."
"Does it have to do with that bag of High School Musical stuff you just got from the 99 cent store?"
Yes! How pathetic is that?! It's like I get so excited I just want to get everything (which I didn't by-the-way.) Especially, when I get to thinking about my birthday party that is going to rock.
But enough of that, on to my back...
Cervical ridiculousa!
That's what Harry Potter would say to fix my back from what the chiropractor said is "cervical ridiculitis". (Yes, that is pronounced just like "ridiculous" with "itis" at the end.) This is like day 23-ish of my fingers being numb. I decided that going chiropractic was not the way for me so I went to a place called Spine Team Texas. They had me get tests done - MRI and EMG. I've had plenty of MRIs. I didn't like the machine they did it in though. I was totally pressed up against the ceiling and it was a little suffocating. I should have suggested they put one of those snazzy "periscope" mirrors on their machine. You have no idea how close to the ceiling you are when you are looking out at the back of the tube.
After the MRI, I went next door and had an EMG. That's where they put not-sharp needles in your arm and see what happens when they mess with your nerves. I guess they can't be sharp needles because of the whole digging around in your arm thing. She said my C6 and C7 nerves are showing the problems. Which sounds like what the chiropractor and new doctor said about the space between my C6 and C7 being signifcantly smaller than it should be.
I look forward to being able to "read" spine MRIs just like brains MRIs. (Man, maybe someone is trying to give me the hint that I should be a neurologist!)
My follow-up appointment is next Monday. I'm sure you'll hear about it again then. :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sock Hop
I got the pics of the sock hop. It was awesome!!! I think the young women and their dads had a great time.
Here's our refreshment table with cheeseburgers, french fries and onion rings.
Here's the cheeseburger tray made out of records and tumblers. It looks pretty wonky from this angle (see first pic).
Here are our onion rings. (On the left are french fries (some with ketchup))
I think this is pretty much the only picture of me from the night. You can't really tell from this picture, but I totally look like Mrs. Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver. I think we were learning the hand jive.
Seriously, how fun are these dads?!
This is Sydney showing us how excited the young women were about their dads. (Which by the way, Dad I know that I was so embarrassed by you when I was a teenage girl. If only I had realized then that all teenage girls feel that way about their dads. I would have been a much nicer teenager. Now, I would LOVE it if you got dressed up and acted dorky with me!)
I just love this picture. Bro. Burgess was so fun during our game. It was fun to see the girls with him.
This is how most of the young women looked as their dads tried to teach them how to dance.
Here's the whole gang (well minus the young women's leaders and bishopric wives). We had 4 young women whose dads couldn't make it. The 2 counselors in the bishopric were their sock hop dads. They were pretty delightful especially Bro Green and the Souza girls. They were so good natured and fun. It was great to be a part of such a fun activity. I'm so grateful for dads that love their daughters.
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