All Your Appendix Are Belong To Us...Continued

I wanted to give everyone an update on how things are going with me, and share some of what actually happened since I have been getting a lot of phone calls. Well anyways the entire Appendix Saga started on Thursday night around 8:30pm, I was just getting back from spending some time with some girlfriends. I was feeling a little tired but otherwise fine when I was hanging out with the girls, but by the time I got home I started to have sharp pain in my stomach.

I assumed it was either gas or indigestion so I decided to try some Rolaids as this has helped settle my stomach in the past. As I don't get sick to my stomach or even indigestion very often I figured it was just a bad case of it. I told Chris to go to bed without me that night as I wanted to stay up until my tummy felt better. Well it was around 11:30 that I started getting so nauseated that I wanted to vomit, although however I couldn't do it. I then started to get the chills and started getting all shaky...I was feeling so sick but still thought it was some weird stomach thing, like gas or constipation or something like that. I tried going to the bathroom and walking around and all the fun things you try to do when you feel like that and nothing seemed to work.

Finally at 3:00 am I went into the bedroom and finally woke Chris up cause I was hurting so bad. He rubbed my back for awhile and also he gave me some Maalox to help settle my stomach. Finally I just passed out mostly from exhaustion and fighting the pain all night. I woke up with him at 5:00 and he said that I should go see the Dr. when the clinic opened at 8:00am. I agreed that I should go see the Dr. but I told him I would see how I felt at that time, and if I felt better that maybe I should wait it out. I was also worried about missing work.

So at 8:00 I decided that I would go into work and make an appointment with my Dr. during my lunch hour as to avoid waiting for a long period of time in the urgent care lobby, and also to hopefully pay less in expensive medical bills. I went into work and explained to a few co-workers how my stomach was very upset and how I went on to WebMD to try to figure out what it might be and hoped that it wasn't something serious because every time I went to the symptom checker and I listed my symptoms I would get a window saying "Please seek emergency medical attention right away." I was like "blah" it can't be that bad, and my co-workers also tried to reassure me that it probably was constipation or indigestion or something like that.

So anyways at my lunch time I went into the Dr. office and was like "so my tummy is really bothering me it hurts a lot with sharp pains in my sides and I was thinking it might be really bad gas or constipation or something, can you give me something to settle my stomach?" My Dr. was like you are probably right its probably just constipation but I want to do an exam. So she had me lay down on the exam bed and she pushed and poked around my stomach and listened with her stethoscope. She was like, "humm its kinda quiet in there," and "humm it hurts when I push on your lower right side? I think we should take a few X-rays." So after taking a few X-rays, my Dr. was like yeah I am going to need to do a more invasive exam. After doing the "fun" exam she was like "yeppers its your appendix." To which I was like "yipee! I get to go in surgery!" Just kidding. I was more like "really? hu?" She did all the fun pre-opp questions, and then said that she was going to call the surgeon to see what he thought. The surgeon was like "I would like to see her as I am fairly confident it is her appendix." So my Dr. told me to call my husband and let my work know that I would be going into surgery that day. She discharged me with all the fun paperwork that I needed to take to the hospital and wished me good luck.

I called Chris immediately and told him that he should come home from work and pack things just in case they needed to keep me overnight at the hospital. When I got home I immediately took a shower thinking to myself that if I did go in surgery the last thing I would want to do is take a shower when I was done. I also changed into my comfy clothes and by that time Chris was home. We packed up the laptop and a movie, and some books and off to the hospital we went.

When we got to the hospital we registered and then went up to my room. They wanted to bring me down into surgery right away but I was like "Whoa, I need to talk to the Dr. first." So finally the Dr. examined me and let me know he was 99.9% confident it was my appendix and that I should go into surgery. So off to surgery we went!

They prepped me for surgery with lots of poking and prodding. I actually got an IV for the first time in my life. So exciting! Not really, I was so dehydrated from not being able to eat or drink anything due to the pain that they had a lot of problems trying to find my veins. They finally stuck it in my arm. Note to anyone who has not had an IV, tell them to go for the forearm verses the hand...I don't think it is such a sensitive area. They tired forever in my hand and I think I was about ready to punch the nurse.

So then they gave me the anesthesia which was a lot of fun. I always try to fight it as long as possible to stay awake. One, because I am very inquisitive of my surroundings. The second reason is because I don't want them to think I am sleeping before I really am. So anyways the nurse was like just tell me about how you and your husband met, and think about an island and....

Next thing I knew I was waking up and the nurses were like "you did such a good job sweetie" and I was like "You guys are awesome!, you did a good job" and when they kinda just smiled and didn't say anything I said it again like 10 more times because I really wanted them to know they did a good job. Mind you I think the fact that I was coming out of anesthesia hand nothing to do with it. lol So as I laid there in the recovery room after surgery before going up to my room my mind was racing with thoughts of how cold it was, as well as how I really wished I could roll on my side to go to sleep but I couldn't seem to make my body do that. They also had this really cute stuffed animal of a puppy sitting on the reception desk and I kept thinking to myself, "Puppy! he is so cute!" Anesthesia makes you think the craziest things. The surgeon finally came in and let me know that I did a tremendous job and that it was defiantly my appendix. I was like "Thank you you are awesome!" He just laughed at me.

Finally they moved me upstairs into my room when I finally got to see Chris. I stayed in the hospital overnight and was able to watch HGTV which was pretty exciting for me as I don't have TV reception at home. I had to take some fun pain medications as otherwise I felt like someone riped out my insides. I also had to get up and go to the bathroom a few times...boy was that so not fun. Finally on Saturday morning however they let me go home. More to come on the home recovery.

All in all my hospital experience was great. I had the nicest nurses and greatest Dr. I had a nice big room to myself and I didn't even mind the liquid diet. I defiantly wouldn't wish appendicitis on anyone but I was truly blessed to have such great people working on me. Although this not been fun, God still blessed Chris and I in this experience.

More to come soon...

All Your Appendix Are Belong To Us

This is just a quick update to let everyone know, because I don't have access to Facebook right now, that I had my appendix taken out at 3:20 PM today. More fun pictures and things to come. Please just keep me in your prayers, but I am doing well.

Cascade 2009 - Resturants & Things

So every year around April 4th or so Chris and I make the weekend trek up to Grand Marais, MN. This year however we decided to take some pictures of some of our favorite stomping grounds, and bizarre novelties we spot every year when we are in Grand Marais.
How about going to the local blacksmith to get some new horseshoes!

Ah the world famously over priced Sven and Ole's Pizza where you can enjoy average tasting pizza at an expensive price. Not to mention you get to eat it in the comfort of your very own booth complimentary with your very own moose head! Did I mention that the Swedish accent of the server is authentic!
The Blue Water Cafe is the best little dinner in town. They make the most creamy blueberry malts in the state! They are by far, hands down the best malt I have ever had. Their menu includes a variety of home cooked American favorites, including all you can eat Friday Night Fish Fry and Saturday Night Steak Fry. They are extremely family friendly and even play some surprisingly upbeat music.


Beth's Fudge and Gifts is one of my favorite little stores to go into. She usually isn't open until May but she does offer a wide variety of Fudge flavors and has a more unique selection of affordable gifts then some of the other shops in town.


Did I mention that the Ben Franklin & Joynes Dpt. Store? It think this store would be equivalent to a tiny merge between an Ace Hardware, Fleet Farm and Target or something. It is the only department store in a very small town and did I mention it is a very tiny store? It carries a wide variety of things everything from moccasins and high class hiking boots, to cheap souvenirs. I would recommend bringing the kids here for an inexpensive souvenir. However, Claustrophobic be warned as this store has extremely narrow isles. Finally, if you forgot to pack something in your suitcase you are sure to find it here.
Now maybe its just me...but nothing says Live Bait like a giant creepy Fish going through the side of your shop, and a name like Beaver House.

I am a quality time lover

Ok, so we did this Love Language Test in our last small group and I thought it was kind of fun so I thought I would share. As Chris and I discovered it was a bit more challenging to take this test then we first thought it would be. What you are supposed to do (I think) is pick the sentence that best describes you or that you most agree with. Basically the option you are more drawn too, but it’s not easy to choose between them. Its like saying choose either the statement "I like peanut butter" and "I enjoy long car rides" they are completely unrelated, and you might agree with both statements. How do you choose something you agree with more? Anyways I did the test and although I felt like my top language was correct, I felt that the numbers might be a little off. My 1st love language is quality time. I tied on my second place language with Words of Affirmation and Receiving Gifts. Although I agree with the Quality Time and Words of Affirmation part, I am not entirely sure I agree with the receiving gifts part. I mean I love to get gifts, especially on my Birthday or Christmas, however I am kind of picky when it comes to gifts, I like practical things. Often times I consider different acts of services like a gift too me. So either I am completely out of touch with my inner love languages or the test might have confused my love of acts of service with my love of receiving gifts. Well I guess I will leave that decision up to those who know me best. Hope you enjoy taking this test. Let me know what love language you get.

LOVE LANGUAGE TEST:

1. I like to receive notes of affirmation. (A) – OR – I like to be hugged. (E)
2. I like to spend one-to-one time with a person who is special to me. (B) – OR – I feel loved when someone gives practical help to me. (D)

3. I like it when people give me gifts. (C) – OR – I like leisurely visits with friends and loved ones (B)
4. I feel loved when people do things to help me. (D) – OR – I feel loved when people touch me. (E)

5. I feel loved when someone I love or admire puts his or her arm around me. (E) – OR – I feel loved when I receive a gift from someone I love or admire. (C)
6. I like to go places with friends and loved ones. (B) – OR – I like to high-five or hold hands with people who are special to me. (E)

7. Visible symbols of love (gifts) are very important to me. (C) – OR – I feel loved when people affirm me. (A)
8. I like to sit close to people whom I enjoy being around. (E) – OR – I like for people to tell me I am attractive/handsome. (A)

9. I like to spend time with friends and loved ones. (B) – OR – I like to receive little gifts from friends and loved ones. (C)
10. Words of acceptance are important to me. (A) – OR – I know someone loves me when he or she helps me. (D)

11. I like being together and doing things with friends and loved ones. (B) – OR – I like it when kind words are spoken to me. (A)
12. What someone does affects me more than what he or she says. (D) – OR – Hugs make me feel connected and valued. (E)

13. I value praise and try to avoid criticism. (A) – OR – Several small gifts mean more to me than one large gift. (C)
14. I feel close to someone when we are talking or doing something together. (B) – OR – I feel closer to friends and loved ones when they touch me often. (E)

15. I like for people to compliment my achievements. (A) – OR – I know people love me when they do things for me that they don’t enjoy doing. (D)
16. I like to be touched as friends and loved ones walk by. (E) – OR – I like it when people listen to me & show genuine interest in what I am saying. (B)

17. I feel loved when friends and loved ones help me with jobs or projects.(D) – OR – I really enjoy receiving gifts from friends and loved ones. (C)
18. I like for people to compliment my appearance. (A) – OR – I feel loved when people take time to understand my feelings. (B)

19. I feel secure when a special person is touching me. (E) – OR – Acts of service make me feel loved. (D)
20. I appreciate the many things that special people do for me. (D) – OR – I like receiving gifts that special people make for me. (C)

21. I really enjoy the feeling I get when someone gives me undivided attention. (B) – OR – I really enjoy the feeling I get when someone does some act of service for me. (D)
22. I feel loved when a person celebrates my birthday with a gift. (C) – OR – I feel loved when a person celebrates my birthday with meaningful words. (A)

23. I know a person is thinking of me when he or she gives me a gift. (C) – OR – I fell loved when a person helps with my chores. (D)
24. I appreciate it when someone listens patiently and doesn’t interrupt me. (B) – OR – I appreciate it when someone remembers special days with a gift. (C)

25. I like knowing loved ones are concerned enough to help with my daily tasks. (D) – OR – I enjoy extended trips with someone who is special to me. (B)
26. I enjoy kissing or being kissed by people with whom I am close. (E) – OR – Receiving a gift given for no special reason excites me. (C)

27. I like to be told that I am appreciated. (A) – OR – I like for a person to look at me when we are talking. (B)
28. Gifts from a friend or loved one are always special to me. (C) – OR – I feel good when a friend or loved one touches me. (E)

29. I feel loved when a person enthusiastically does some task I have requested. (D) – OR – I feel loved when I am told how much I am appreciated. (A)
30. I need to be touched every day. (E) – OR – I need words of affirmation daily. (A)

TOTALS:
A. Words of Affirmation
B: Quality Time
C: Receiving Gifts
D. Acts of Service
E. Physical Touch

WHAT IS A LOVE LANGUAGE?
A love language put simply is how you express and perceive love. Basically its how you show love to others, and what others do to you that you understand as love. Gary Chapman wrote a book on this called "The Five Love Languages." You can learn more about your love language and take more tests at his website: The Five Love Languages

P.S. Ok I take it back I think after reading more about what the Love Language Receiving Gifts, I might be inclined to this one…but I am still very practically minded when it comes to these. Chris is also a Quality Time lover but his second is Acts of Service.

The Zoo with The Smith's

Chris and I recently had the privilege of spending some time with The Smith's while visiting Como Zoo, in St. Paul, MN on Easter weekend. It was quite the zoo there literly but we had a blast spending time with their family getting to know them better. Xavier their little boy was such a fun little boy fun of energy and excitement. Here are some fun pictures of the day.

This is Xavier and his mama Alexis in the Fern Room of the Conservatory. Xavier was having a blast running up and down the isles and playing in the little stream there.

This is a close up that Chris was able to get of Xavier on Dougs back. Doug and Alexis were trying out their baby backpack thingy for the first time. I think that Chris got a great shot!

Here are the Smiths and My back as we were examining the Lions Den...to bad we weren't posed for this shot...but its kind of fun anyways.

Spring is in bloom for with Easter Lilly's in their flower room.

Doug said he liked the Big Fish at the Zoo so we made sure to get a picture of it.

I love this goldfish pool and beautiful statue.

These are my favorite little guys. I always tell Chris I waddle just like a penguin when I walk.

More flowers in bloom.

Pretty Kitty!

Shakopee Fire

So my co-worker and I were coming home from Lunch one day when we saw this huge cloud of black smoke in the air. We kind of joked to each other that RTI was going up in flames and we would have to take the day off. Well RTI was ok, but directly across the street...ok freeway (169) from RTI was a huge brush fire that had gotten out of control.

Unfortunately when we were stuck on 169 in bumper to bumper traffic we didn't think to take pictures of the awesome flames. We had a good excuse though...we were trying to figure out which option would be better; to either roll down the windows, or to keep them up as we couldn't breath as smoke was filling the car. 169 was clouded with the smoke that was coming from the brush fire, and since there was bumper to bumper traffic we had little options but to just wait there while the traffic cleared.

Luckily for our lungs it cleared quickly and on our drive up the frontage road to RTI we finally remembered to stop and take some pictures. The rest of the day we spent smelling like we had just been to a bond fire but we didn't seem to mind as we were use to putting out fires at RTI...well not literally though.

Here are some news clips form that day:

KSTP Channel 5 News & KARE 11

Personal Challenge

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:1-3

I made a challenge to myself at the beginning of Small Group this year to do something outside of Church (e.g. go to coffee) with every woman from my Small Group. I put the criteria on my challenge that I was supposed to at least try to serve the lady in at least one small way (e.g. buy her coffee) during our time out together. The main reasons was that I was feeling a disconnect from women at The Rock, and a longing for women fellowship, encouragement and accountability. I figured that starting with the ladies in my small group would be the best place to start as these ladies would see me more often. Therefore, I would not be able to chicken out as much, or if I did chicken out I would have more opportunities to connect with them. I was longing for strong christian women to be actively involved in my life, to build into me and challenge me. The second reason, was that I knew I needed to step outside of my comfort zone, as I can usually be timid until someone else makes the relational first move. I knew that my attitude was getting frustrated and bitter. I was finding myself sitting back wondering what was wrong with me that no one in the four years that I had been going to The Rock ever invited me out to coffee. I was failing to notice that the lies I was allowing myself to believe were actually blinding me to attempts women had made to reach out to me. I really didn't think women wanted to get to know me. Also I was allowing my insecurities to continue to keep me back from enjoying the fellowship from Christian women I so badly desired. The last reason I challenged myself to do this is because I wanted to get to know my Church family more so that One; I could serve them better so that they could see my strong desire to live for Christ and two; they could serve me better to help me become more spiritually mature. We are now nearing the end of the year and I have been blessed in so many ways by putting the lies I was believing and my insecurities aside. I chose to trust God and ask Him for courage. I chose to ask God to help me with my insecurities and discouraged thoughts. I chose to believe the best about my Christian Sisters trusting that God was working through their lives just as He was working through mine. I chose to realize that my Sisters at the Rock were on my team, and that just like me they desired to serve God and live for Him. I choose to defend them in my thoughts, to pray for them when I got the chance and by letting go of control God has been able to change not only my feelings but also the direction my relationships were going at The Rock. Things are not 100% perfect, I still desire stronger, deeper relationships, but in time I trust that this will happen as all relationships take time. However, I know that God has blessed me through my personal challenge and things are moving now in the right direction. I have definitely learned the importance of the body of Christ and my desperate need for God and the Church in my life. I am so proud and happy to be apart of The Rock as together we continue to build into one another. Feel free to challenge yourself with the same thing or something similar if you feel like you could benefit from deeper relationships at The Rock. Ask yourself, "what am I doing to serve my Church?" Trust me God will use it!

More encouragement about this in Ephesians 4:17-32.

"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.