Time to LEEP

    So, this post will not be centered around crafts, as they usually are. Today is an update on personal life and an outlet for me. Two months ago I went in for the annual exam with the Gyn. Two weeks after I get a call from the doctor's office and they tell me some of the tests came back abnormal, and they would like me to come in for a Colposcopy to take a closer look and do a biopsy. Not really what you want to hear, but ok. We set up the appt. About a month ago, I went in for the procedure and was told I would hear back in about a week and a half. 2 weeks later I get a message from my doctor herself asking me to call her back that she wanted to schedule a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove the abnormal cells. Um, ok. Never heard of it. And what do you do when you don't know about something...you google it. Not really a fun topic to research. Apparently they use a metal rod with a cone shape at the end that transmit electrical current that removes the cell and then cataches that cell into the cone (used to do more tests on).
    So after researching it and kind of freaking myself out I emailed my doctor and literally 5 minutes later she called me back. She went over the procedure with me and I ask her about the abnormal cells and what caused them. She informs me that they are actually precanercous and are in the range of moderate to severe. I feel like I held it together pretty well while still on the phone with her. But once we got off, it took me a moment to 'compose' myself.
Along with her telling me about the procedure we talk about the recovery process and what that entails. Since the process of using electrical current weakens the cervix we have to wait at least a year until we can try to get pregnant. Maybe longer depending on how long it takes for the cervix to heal.
    Naturally I have been nervous for the upcoming surgery (scheduled for the 6th of October), but yesterday at church I seemed to have had a lightbulb go off in my head.
Since March, Robert and I have been trying to get pregnant. Now we thought it might take a few months or so to get pregnant, but I honestly thought I was going to be pregnant by fall. Now knowing about the precancerous cells I am grateful that we had not yet gotten pregnant. If we had I would have had to decide whether to have the syrgery and have a 95% of losing the baby, or not have the procedure and risk the very likely chance of the cells turning cancerous and spreading before they could be removed.
    I am not overly excited about the idea that it will be another year before I can even think about trying to get the one thing I long for more than anything else, but I would rather have a healthy environment for my baby then taking a risk.
    I am grateful Heavenly Father knows what I need especially when I don't. I truly believe that we did not get pregnant for this reason, that other health issues have refused to stay dormant to cause me to go to the doctor in the first place, and that any strength I have going into this procedure is from Him and my wonderful husband, Robert.
I am Blessed. Thank You.

Babies Galore

So it seems like this is the year for everyone having babies. In the second half of this year I have 7 friends who are pregnant. Here are a few of the baby cards I have made for baby showers.

This card I made for my Mom to give to a family friend, Brook, whose shower was last week.

This card I made to give to that same friend.

I also made a rag quilt blanket for her. It is quite large when it is open, so I just took a picture of it folded up. You get the gist. The front and back have the same pattern.

My other friend Carla, who is also having a girl had her baby shower this past Saturday. I made her a baby quilt, applique'd some onsies, and of course made a card, but I used leftover fabric from the quilt to make the card.

Here is the blanket. The one folded shows the flannel print that is on the back (and also the same fabric I used on the card). The picture below is the full quilt.

I am so happy for all my friends who are having babies. Maybe soon it will be my turn :)

Fingers crossed!

Whoever Family Reunion

Robert's sister, Christine, planned a family reunion for this year at Zion National Park in UT. The first Whoever Family Reunion. (whoever being whoever decides to come). This year it was Robert and I, and the Owens Family which included his sister, her husband John, and their kids Milton and Quentin.

Robert and I got a late start on Thursday, the 15th of July, due to a class he couldn't miss. On our drive we got caught in a thunder/rain storm around Barstow. And the closer we go to Utah the hotter it got.
We ended up staying the night in St George and then getting up and driving the rest of the way on Friday. When we got there it mid morning we set up the tent, unpacked the car, and then went hiking with Christine's family. We took the shuttle up to a couple of trails. It was 108 degrees that day. We came back and ate, lounged around and played.

Here is Robert using his Boy Scout skills to make our tent pole-stnad-thing.

On Saturday I drove Robert and his bro-in-law John up to the beginning of an 18 mile (or something like that) hike. After dropping them off I came back and with Christine and the boys we took it easy (as it was 112 degrees. We went and watched a video on the history of the park and then went to a class by a ranger who taught us about the different kinds of rock the park was made of. It was really interesting. In the afternoon we headed up the trails once again to meet the guys at the end of the trail and to play in the water. After being there for quite some time we gave up and went back to the campsite. The boys finally rolled in about 7 o clock. A little beat up.

Here are a few pictures I took on Saturday.

Sunday was Robert's mine first year anniversary. We woke up, went to church, came back and ate lunch. And then while Christine, John and the kids went to do more hiking, Robert and I relaxed and went down to the stream. At night the Owens Family put on a fun skit, while Robert and I did a campfire sing-a-long. After the kids went to bed, The Owen's introduced us to a new game called Blockus.
Monday, we woke up, packed the cars, headed to St George for some much beloved Bajio Mexican Grill for lunch, Ice cream for dessert, and then we parted ways for our homes.
As part of the reunion each family was required to do a scrapbook page of the family's doings from the past year, and do a family flag that will be used in the upcoming reunions too.

Here is our scrapbook page from out first year. Sadly, we really don't have the many pictures. I really do need to get better at taking pictures. (I don't know why it is sideways)

This is a picture of our flag. We decided to represent ourselves from characters from the Mr. and Miss series. The silver stripe is a bit of our randomness. Every reunion we will also put a patch from the location it took place at. And we left room for our family to grow...
(again with the sideways thing)


The family reunion was a blast. And we look forward to the next one.

Seaworld

So. I haven't posted anything for quite some time and have alot of catching up to do, so there will be quite a few posts in the next little bit.

First off. Robert and I went to Seaworld on July 5th. Yes, it was crowded and hot. But we had a blast. Here are a few pics from that trip.

Here is one of Robert and I walking around.

This is a picture of the one of the pilot whales in the new Blue Horizons Dolphin show. If you haven't seen it and you get a chance...GO! It is very cheesy, but they have dolphins, pilot whales, birds, acrobats and divers. If you ignore the main girl and guy, it is great!

Here is a picture of a couple of the dolphins. They have either 7 or 9 total in the show.

Here is Robert holding a Starfish.

We also went to the sealion and otter show, but didn't take any pictures there. But as always we enjoyed the show. Biff is hilarious. The day and night show are different, but both funny and worth seeing. The day one is a spoof on reality shows like Survivor, one of the dance shows, and etc. The evening show is a spoof on Seaworld itself. So FUNNY!!

And of course who can not go to SeaWorld without getting a picture of "Shamu".

Termination Notice - Effective Immediately

Dear Managements for PCOS, FM, and Hypoglycemia,

This is your Termination Notice to be effective immediately. Through time and thoughtful consideration it has been decided that your presence is no longer welcome.
You will no longer control my life. You will no longer make me miserable and unable to function. You will no longer cause me heartache and tears.
I appreciate the patience you have taught me and the strength I have gained from your involvement, but I am confident your services are not needed.
I have wasted too much time bouncing back and forth between all three of you. No more. It is time for me to take control.
There are important things I want in life that you will no longer keep from me.
I am aware that you may fight to keep your position, and it may take time to completely rid myself of you, but please know this...you will leave and I will succeed.
Please spare me your thoughts, I am no longer blinded by your lies that you are the controller and that I must "deal" with whatever you say.
I am the controller. I am the boss. I am more powerful.
I thank you for your time, but you will not be asked to return.

Sincerely,
Heather

The Finish of Birthday Week

Day 6 Thursday, June 10th
Today is a surprise day. After work I taught my piano lesson and then Robert and I were off. Not quite knowing what to expect Robert headed onto the freeway. We ended up at Grossmont Center Mall. Walked into the mall and right into a place called Caermic Cafe. Inside I go to choose anything I wanted to paint. I picked an adorable penguin piggy bank and Robert picked a very cute garden gnome. We were there painting for about an hour and a half. Once we were done we left out masterpieces (once you paint them, they fire them and so we couldn't take them home with us until the following Tuesday) and headed across the street to Olive Garden. YUMMY!
We got a chicken flatbread appetizer, and I ordered the five cheese Ziti while Robert ordered the Tour of Italy. Too full, we couldn't even finish our dinner let alone have dessert. Such a wonderful day!

My Penguin (you can't tell in the pic, but he also has rosy cheeks)

                     Robert's Gnome
                                                                                                   

Day 7
Friday, June 11th
Relaxtion day. It was nice just to be together after work and relax. Especially after my fun filled week.

Day 8
Satuday, June 12th
OK. So technically my birthday week is over, but a present that Robert had ordered did not come until today. So he considered this part of my birthday week. I actually had alot of fun today though. While Jessica and my Mom went to a bridal shower I got to watch Gabe. We went to Target and then to the park to play for a bit. Then back to the house for a nap and then a battle in the backyard with water guns. Needless to say Gabe got soaked and loved it.
When I got home Robert had already checked the mail. Excited to see my last present I opened the box and found the movies Little rascals and Summer Stock. Two movies I have been wanting for awhile now. Plus Summer Stock is my favorite musical!
So all in all. I am one spoiled girl who had a wonderful birthday with a fabulous husband...who spent too much money :)

Recipe Time! - Honey Glazed Chicken Stir Fry

Since it was so delicious, I thought I would share the recipe with you...

Honey-Glazed Chicken Stir-Fry
Start to finish : 25 minutes

* You can use frozen vegetables to save on the preparation time, but I prefer fresh.

Ingredients
• 12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast halves or skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 4 cups vegetables, fresh or frozen (sweet pepper, onion, broccoli, mushrooms, etc
• hot cooked rice or couscous

 Directions
1. Rinse chicken; pat dry. Cut chicken into bite-size strips; set aside. For sauce, in a small bowl stir together honey, vinegar, orange juice, soy sauce, and cornstarch; set aside.
2. Pour cooking oil into a wok or a large skillet. (Add more oil as necessary during cooking.) Heat over medium-high heat. Add vegetables to wok; cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or till vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from wok. Add chicken to hot wok. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or till chicken is no longer pink. Push chicken from the center of the wok. Stir sauce; add to center of the wok. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly.
3. Return cooked vegetables to wok. Stir all ingredients together to coat. Cook and stir about 1 minute more or till heated through. If desire, serve immediately over rice or couscous. Makes 4 servings.