Saturday, November 19, 2011

1 year ago today...

Exactly 1 year ago today I was heading into surgery to have as many of my 6 fibroid tumors removed as possible, and I only have 3 tiny scars as evidence. I am so thankful for that day because that day literally changed my life. I was miserable for the 2 years prior to my surgery. Having 6 fibroid tumors the size of large lemons growing in and on your uterus can be very life altering. I am so thankful that God pointed me in the right direction towards the amazing surgeon that I found in the Folsom area. She did the surgery, but she had a fertility expert in there with her telling her which tumors she could take and still preserve my fertility. That is why they only took 4 of the 6. They had to leave 2 in because if they took them I may not be able to get pregnant. And now 1 year later, as we are getting very close to embarking on the journey of starting a family, I am thankful that I chose to have that surgery.

WARNING!!! DO NOT SCROLL DOWN ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH!
A view of a few of my tumors

Monday, November 14, 2011

My Prayer...

Dear Lord,
Why do you have me here? Why do you have me in a place that I really don't want to be? Why do you have me in a place where I feel so out of place? Why do I feel like everything I do each day doesn't matter? Why do I feel so disrespected? Why do I feel so unappreciated? Why do I feel so helpless? Why do I feel like everything I've done over the last 7 years isn't working anymore? Why do I want to give up when I've never really felt like giving up on anything before. Why do I not even want to try my best?

I know the scripture that you don't give us more than we can handle, but why do You feel like I can handle so much when I feel like I cannot? Why are You stretching me? What are You trying to teach me? Why do You want me here for this season of my life?

I don't really know an answer to ANY of these questions...but...I know that you have called me to do this and I know that you will be faithful to complete what you've started in me.

Please give me patience and strength every single day as I go to work. Please give me joy even though I may not want to be there, and please give me love for those children that disrespect and don't appreciate me.

Amen.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Apple Hill...

Today marked my 2nd annual Apple Hill trip with my best friend. We like to hit up High Hill Ranch. She stayed the night last night at our house and we had our usual Sex and the City marathon. This morning we hit up Starbucks before starting our 2 hour drive. Apple Hill never lets me down. We shared a half a chicken for lunch, which is our tradition. Today's Apple Hill purchases included: apple donuts, an apple fritter, Christmas decorations, candles, apple cider, fudge, peppermint cocoa, and split pea soup. Until next year Apple Hill!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Playing dress up...

I got married 10 years ago and I don't really like my wedding photos because I was such a baby, that instead of looking gorgeous I merely looked cute and digital and artistic photography was unheard of in the wedding photography world. I've been tossing around the idea of getting photos done again in my wedding dress.

2 weeks ago I think I had pretty much the most fun that I've ever had. I got to play dress up again in my wedding dress! My amazingly talented sisters-in-law did my hair and makeup and the amazingly talented Tori Wible http://twiblephotography.com/ took my photos. I felt like a supermodel for 3 hours while we traipsed all around old Auburn and it was nice not having to worry about getting my dress wet or dirty since it's a decade old! I even had a cute little old guy and his friend taking photos of me.

We used old Auburn, the river with the Forest Lake Bridge in the background, a scary abandoned house, and a cool old barn as our backdrop. It was kind of scary wading through the river in my dress and climbing in a bathtub that looked like it had a tube from a crack pipe in it...but as you can see it paid off.

Here are a few sneak peeks. I'll probably put more up once I get the rest.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Ramblings...

"For I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

I have a lot of thoughts going around in my head, so I'll just spew them all here and hope that they make a little sense. I have been MIA for the last almost 2 months because I started back up at work and to make a long story short...this has been my toughest year of teaching in my entire career. I am so out of my element. I thought moving to a new school would be a piece of cake. I mean I've taught for 7 years. Boy was I wrong. I know nothing about the culture and demographics of the students I'm teaching. I'm so out of place! I wanted to quit, but then a dear friend of mine (Jessica) sent me the above verse in a text message and I've seen the verse a few other times over the last few weeks. I am reminded that God start a work in me 25 years ago. He put a desire in my heart for teaching and He has promised that He will finish the work that He starts in his children. I just wish that this particular thing wasn't so challenging. I've also come to realize that teaching has been kind of easy for me over the past 7 years. I've never had to really rely on God EVERY SINGLE DAY when I walk into my classroom...until this year. I find myself thinking in my head about 500 times a day, "God give me patience. I literally cannot do this on my own. Please give me your authority, wisdom and love."

I'm excited, yet scared, to see what God has in store for me this school year. I know that it has to be something good.

I've also been MIA because I've just been so downright exhausted. I didn't realize how difficult it would be living away from family and friends. It seems like every weekend we've been in Sac or have had family/friends staying with us. There hasn't really been much down time.

Life feels kind of crazy right now and we have a few things on the horizon for 2012 that may make life even crazier! Through all of the craziness God continues to remain good and He continues to put people and things in our lives to remind us that he is molding and shaping us into what He wants us to me.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings. Stay tuned for a few fun posts of fun happenings in my life over the next few weeks!