WORKING

I'm still working at this bariatric answer thing. It really goes to my head sometimes. I hate throwing up. Today I regurgitated my pills... I guess I took them too quickly. And my teeth always feel gross afterwards (even when I brush them immediately). Here are a few things I've learned (from experimenting with certain foods):

Pasta makes me throw-up. :-(
I like the fast pace at which I loose weight. :-)
When I shut the door to my bathroom, the girls can still hear me heave. :-(
I can eat a couple of Doritoes without getting sick (but I have to watch that I don't eat too many. :-)
Rice (even brown rice; which I thought would be better) makes me sick. :-(
Ice-cream does NOT make me ill. But I can only eat a couple of bites. :-)

HERE'S A QUICK PHOTO JOURNAL SO FAR...

The Nurse Who Put Me to Sleep

Ready

Set

Go

My Favorite Surgeon, Kelly

2 Weeks Later...

4 Weeks Later....

I LOVED the Grand Canyon...

7 Weeks Later... With Good College Friend, Christy

Whose Missing? G.J. Honda!

She needs to move here!

Scott and I - He loves my shrinking sizes!

What a man!

ANOTHER DAY

I am really struggling with insomnia. Last night I was awake until 4:00 a.m. My friend, Amy, said that if you are having trouble sleeping, you should get up and work. If you don't feel like it, then you really just need to rest until sleep overtakes you. So with that in mind, I got up last night and cleaned my entire kitchen, sorted out my medication and supplements, filled out paperwork for Scott and the girls to go to the doctor's office tomorrow and Wednesday, and read a book. Tonight I don't feel well again, so I broke down and took a benedryl and hopefully I'll be able to fall fast asleep quickly.

I also was sick today because of 8 stick-pretzels. I guess I shouldn't eat those either. :-( Katia made an awesome dinner of chef salad for us this evening. I ate the egg and a little bit of cucumber. It was delicious and I have kept it down! :-) Yeah!

Hopefully, all reading this will have a great night sleep. And that I will catch some zzzzs too!

Pictures tomorrow?! Hopefully!

FINALLY....

We FINALLY got the internet set up! I've been missing writing my blog for a week and a half. Sorry if any of my readers have been wondering where I am and how I am doing....

Things have been happening so fast and crazy here. We've moved into an apartment. It's small, but we're making it a home! Hopefully we'll be able to move into a house within the year....

I've already made some friends here in Kentucky. (Thanks to the church and service!) And all the friends I've made our very supportive of my new surgery. Amy Bettenhausen has let me throw-up at her home a number of times when I've eaten the wrong thing....

I think the hardest thing about eating right now is eating the right things. It's hard to cook my family meals with only my diet. So I fix them "normal" food and then I try a bite or two. Unfortunately that has usually caused me to regurgitate it minutes later.

I am still loosing weight though. I'm now, according to my cheap scale at home, 223 pounds! :-) And when I went to my new doctor last Thursday (who happens to be cute, young and really nice), she was impressed. She really liked how thorough my surgeon is/was. She likes that I have dieticians that call me regularly from Arizona. She told me to come back if I have problems or in 6 months, whichever comes first. In the past doctors want to see me much sooner than that! So I was excited there were no new problems, etc.

I am going to try to post some pre-surgery and post-surgery pictures this week, so "stay tuned!" We are still looking for the wires and equipment needed to download my camera pictures....

HOME SWEET KENTUCKY

Well, I arrived. I managed to sleep on both of my flights. So I got about 3 hours of sleep total. I'm super tired.

The first thing I saw in Kentucky was the color GREEN! From the air, everything seemed so green and wet below. It was raining and the water streaked against the airplane window pane. It's been raining ALL day! But at least it keeps it cool!

Scott and the girls picked me up and it was FABULOUS to see them! Hugs all around! Smiles all around! It was good!

I've already had a tour of Scott's work place. I like his office area because it's air-conditioned. :-) The warehouse is really humid hot. Everyone he works with seem really nice. And Scott is definitely happy in his work. He has loads of "plans" for the warehouse.

I also took the car and got it lubed.... Now we are waiting for 4:30 p.m. so he can "take me home" to a place I've never been before. :-)

LOST TWO OBESE "SIZES"

I'm down two obese "sizes." Actually two categories. There are levels of obesity. When I started this journey I was at morbidly obese. (Believe it or not, there are 4 categories above morbidly obese even!) Before morbidly obese is severe obese. Then just ordinary obese. I finally made it to the latter category! :-) I've lost a total of 35 pounds (20 of those pounds are fat!) I'm progressing well and am now able to travel to Kentucky this evening! :-) The category I'm shooting for is: Normal! I only have two more to go! Before Obese is Overweight and then Normal! Things are looking up! I gotta go pack!

THE GRAND CANYON

The Grand Canyon is AWE-INSPIRING! Joanne and Dexter decided to really spoil me by taking me somewhere I've never been before. And I'm soooooo glad they did! It was almost spiritual to see the beauty of the Grand Canyon. I had seen pictures before... but I didn't expect the powerful wave of emotion that accompanied looking out over the vast ominicient beauty the Lord created for us. The only thing that was missing was my family. Scott, Kiara and Katia would have also been blown away by they shear magnificence of the scene.

Our trip started off to Flagstaff to see Payton perform in the Curry Summer Music Camp program at Northern Arizona University. It was a fantabulous performance. The choir was great! Payton is very talented. She sang alto in this choir, but has also sung soprano in other choirs. As a music teacher, going back and forth between parts, is very difficult for someone her age.... I was also priviledged to see the orchestra (although watching the violinists made my heart cry for my eldest daughter.) They were AWESOME! They played Sparticus and Pirates of the Carribean. Both were amazing.

After the show, we went to dinner at a fun hamburger joint called Bun Huggers. The funny story was when Joanne told me the name of the place we were going - I heard "Butt Huggers." :-) I thought she was crazy! I had a delicious salad for lunch.

Then we went to the Grand Canyon. On the way I spotted an real-live elk in the middle of town. I made Dexter turn the car around and Joanne and I got out to take pictures. Dexter chastised us about getting too close to a "wild animal." But the elk posed for us to take pictures anyway. We were about 3 yards away from him. It was sooooooo COOL!

The Grand Canyon was OVERWHELMING! We walked the South Rim, and went shopping for souvineers at the shops on the way. We finished the magnificent day watching a STUNNING sunset. Yes, I took TONS of photos!

We stayed the night at a hotel and came home today via Jerome, AZ. Jerome is a sort of a ghost town. Although Dexter claims we were the only ghosts in town.... :-) It looked really cool!

We are back at the Gunderson's now. Only 28 more hours until I'm on the plane going home to Kentucky! I can't wait. I'm tring to pack, and wash clothes, and take medications, and watch the 4th Harry Potter on TV. I've been a bit sick today too. I keep running to the toilet to do my thing. I guess my stomach is just not wanting to process my foods today.........

PICKLES AND WATERMELON

No, I'm NOT pregnant. But for some reason I'm craving dill pickles. Especially Vlassic dill pickle spears. I've been eating them EVERY day for lunch. YUM! And usually I eat something else with it. The strangest combination thus far has been watermelon with my pickle. But I've also had cheese, banana, apple, etc. It's an EASY lunch and tastes GREAT!

MIND VS. TUMMY

I think the hardest thing about my "new eating habbits" is my mind and the taste. My mind says I'm eating too small to survive. And I love the tastes of food. I constantly want to eat more (like I did to get me to this state of obesity in the first place). But my tummy won't let me and then I spend the next 20 minutes in the bathroom throwing up what I ate. It's definitely not fun. And I'm really trying to learn how much is too much. It's a training experience that I am forced into. And that's what I wanted - what I needed. I need the extra help of being sick to realize how much is too much. And it seems to be working. I've lost 35 pounds so far. :-)

I've heard it said: Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels. I'm not sure if that's a true statement. I REALLY LOVE the taste of chocolate (which incidentally I haven't eaten in over 2 months). But I do enjoy fitting into my clothes better and seeing that I have cheek bones and a neck. :-) Maybe I'll feel differently in a year or two?!

INSOMNIA

I am currently suffering from a horrible bout of insomnia. I'm having trouble sleeping at night. I usually can't sleep until about 2:30 or 3:00 a.m. Last night I went to bed, exhausted, at 8:00 p.m. Once I crawled into bed I couldn't sleep at all. I was awake until 4:00 a.m. I tried all the relaxing techniques I know. I counted sheep. I tried physically relaxing every inch of my body. I tried drinking hot tea. I think I need to talk to my doctor about it....

But otherwise, I'm in a great mood today! Only 5 more days until I see my family. :-) Today I did some blood work. I went shopping for some more peach yogurt. (It's my favorite Yoplait flavor!) I helped clean out Gabe's toys. (I love organizing and cleaning!) And now I'm blogging! Overall, it's been a productive day! :-)

DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND...

Today Joanne and I went to the mall. We decided that since I had lost 35 pounds already, we needed to celebrate. We went to the jewelry store, Tinkerbell. I got some new jewelry from Joanne - and I feel BEAUTIFUL! I don't know why jewelry makes me feel so pretty... but it does. I got a really pretty gold necklace with unusual swirls and butterflies in it's design. I also got a bracelet made with my birthstone, peridoe. I got turquoise ear rings, diamond-esque ear rings, and some really pretty gold ear rings. It was fun. And I feel pretty! :-)

IHOP - FAMILY HOME EVENING

I was invited to Ihop this evening for our Family Home Evening activity. I was excited to "try my new skills" at a restaurant. When the waiter took our order, I told him about my bariatric surgery and he let me order off the kids menu. I had tilapia and broccoli. I ate about 3 bites of the tilapia (which was DELICIOUS!) And the broccoli was steamed to perfection! I ate 2 floretts. I have left-overs for tomorrow! :-) And I wasn't jealous of anyone else's meals. And I ate slowly and enjoyed the company! So... yes... you can still eat out after gastric-by-pass surgery. :-)

BOSTON POPS TRADITION

I just finished watching the Boston Pops. It's a family tradition that started over 12 years ago with my in-laws. It's AMAZING! And this year's display and music was no exception. Toby Keith was the guest artist! I really enjoy his music! And when he sang "American Soldier" I cried. I just wish he'd also sang "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue"! :-) The colors and songs with the fireworks were spectacular. Scott said that maybe someday he'd take me to the Boston Pops LIVE! Wouldn't that be something?! :-) I think it would be a GREAT job to pick the music and organize the display for a show like this! I loved that they played the song "Go the Distance" from Disney's Hercules. I think the gold fireworks are my favorite! But the reds and purples are pretty AWESOME too!

The only thing that could have made this show better was if I was with my family watching it. I sure do miss my family on a day like today! Celebrating and holidays are something we like to do together!!!!

I did splurge tonight and ate two Ritz crackers while I watched the fireworks. Yum! And I don't feel like purging them either! :-)

TESTIMONY OF SERVICE

Today I attended church. I wanted to stand and bear my testimony. My heart was so full. But "I was a stranger in a strange land (a ward I'd never attended before)" and decided I would write my testimony to those of you who know me and as a part of my journey to health instead.

Today is also Independence Day! And as I listened to many people stand and express their gratitude for the service of those who came before us and of those who are now serving for our freedom and our country, I too wanted to express my gratefulness for them. Their SERVICE has made it possible for me to go to church on Sunday. Their SERVICE has made it possible for me to become a music teacher. And their SERVICE has made it possible for me to make the choice to be married in the temple for time and all eternity to my sweet husband. I reflected on my own father's service during Vietnam and my grandfather's service during WWII. I'm proud that they love our country enough to SERVE. And I'm proud to be an American! We stood at the end of sacrament and sang our national anthem! I was glad to sing out-loud and honor our great country and the flag that symbolizes our freedom and the SERVICE of so many great men and women!

Thinking about SERVICE made me realize how appreciative I am of the Gundersons and their true show of unselfish SERVICE for me during my recovery from this surgery. I've always loved to serve others, and it has been truly humbling to have to be served. But Joanne, Dexter and even Payton have unselfishly given of their home, their food, their bed, and most especially their love to me over the past month. I feel eternally grateful to them. The Gundersons remind me of someone else who was unselfish in their SERVICE: the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She taught that “one thing will always secure heaven for us—the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives.” Doesn't that describe the Gundersons? When MOther Teresa died, the First Presidency of our church declared, “Her life of unselfish service is an inspiration to all the world, and her acts of Christian goodness will stand as a memorial for generations to come.” That is what the Savior called losing our lives in service to others. Thank you, Gunderson's for your example and love!

SERVICE is the hallmark of a Christlike life, the highest expression of Christian stewardship. Service drives out selfishness, the great enemy of spirituality. And the greatest example I can think of unselfish service is my Savior, Jesus Christ. He said that “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Not only did he give us the perfect example for earthly SERVICE, but for our sake he willingly gave up his life. He went through horrible things both in body and spirit, which I cannot comprehend, just to give us the blessing of the atonement and the resurrection. Christ both lived and died for us. His SERVICE inspires me to be a better person!

Christ once asked the question: "what manner of men ought we to be?" He answered by saying: "we ought to be even as He is." I hope I can emmulate his love and SERVICE! So I can return and live with Him someday!

PAYTON'S HOME...

Payton came home from girl's camp today. She had soooo much fun. She keeps talking a mile a minute about all her adventures. :-)

It really makes me miss my own daughters. Joanne has really missed her daughter and part of me misses Payton too... but I really, really, really pine for my own offspring.

Yesterday I got a really great note from Amy (the lady who has been taking care of my daughters while Scott is at work). She wrote that taking care of Kiara and Katia was a joy and that it will be sad when they don't get to come over every day anymore. Her sweet letter made me cry. I'm so glad they are being taken care of by people who love them. I love them! I yearn for my girls. And I can hardly wait to share their moments with them again!!!!!!!!

So, welcome home, Payton! But I really do desire to return to being a mother to my own children!!!!!!!!!

SINGIN' THE MEDICATION BLUES

Woke up this morning
Feeling sorry for myself...
Too much medication
And supplements for my health.

Pills get stuck
Goin' down.
They come back up
Causin' me to frown!

Oh what a problem...
I'm singin' the blues.
Tablets and capsules
No matter what... I loose!

ECLIPSE LOVE!

Yesterday I was too tired to blog. I do have low energy sometime. But I have to blog about seeing Eclipse! It was fabulous! In fact, I think it was the best movie made in the franchise so far. It was funny, suspenseful, and true to the book. My favorite lines were when Edward confronts the buff, bare-chested Jacob and says “Why can’t you put a shirt on?” The tent scene is especially entertaining because Edward and Jacob are forced to team up to protect Bella but cannot set aside their jealous rivalry long enough to stop bickering over her. Jacob’s “I’m hotter than you” retort to Edward made me laugh out loud!

When I read the books, I was defintely Team Edward. But the movies have made Team Jacob seem equally entreating! I love both men! And luckily, my husband has the best of Edward and the best of Jacob! Scott is truly the perfect man! (And he's neither a vampire or a werewolf!)

WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL DAY

I feel like singing! "Beautiful, glorious, heavenly, marvelous, wonderful, wonderful day!" I've really had a fun day! Joanne and I decided that we needed to celebrate being girls today. So she got a babysitter and we took off!

First, we saw "Knight and Day." It was sooooo funny! I laughed out loud through-out the show. "Knight and Day" is a refreshing reminder of why Tom Cruise is a superstar. And Cameron Diaz has that undeniable charisma about her. I loved it.

I also got a much needed haircut. Which felt AWESOME! I love the feel of a new haircut. It's not drastically different. In fact, it's just a trim, but it's great!

We had lunch at Paradise Bakery. I had a fruit cup. (Today is the first day I've been able to eat fruit and veggies!) Yum! I had some strawberries, cantelope and cucumbers.

We ended our afternoon relaxing. We got pedicures and manicures! I'm sure they give those in heaven! The massage with the pedi and mani were HEAVENLY! And Gage was adorable when we got home. He saw our beautifully painted toe nails and fingernails. He "oohed" and "ahhed!" He made me feel like a million bucks!

I still have tons of medications and pills to take, but I don't feel so bad about it today because it truly has been a: "Beautiful, glorious, heavenly, marvelous, wonderful, wonderful day!"