Brought to You By the Letter "P"

Last night was such a blast! It was a night full of fun and laughter. First we went to Wheeler Farm where I attempted to take Manda & Scott's pictures. They crack me up! I couldn't stop laughing. Especially when Scott would lick Manda at random intervals. And as I wasn't the subject of the pictures everything went smoothly. Then we headed over to the Clayson's for pizza and some crazy pumpkin carving. There was even a bit of blood...Scott sliced his finger. I think my favorite one was Manda's...Batman rocks! All in all it was a pleasantly perfect evening! Thank you to our wonderful friends for having Nick and I over! We loved it (as usual)!

Our Pumpkins!

Nick's (The Andork)

Mine (Lace Face)

Manda's (Batmanda!)

Scott's (Super Scott)

Medical Mystery

So as you know I am a bit of a medical mystery. I am always sick and the doctors are always saying, "There is something wrong with you but I'm not sure what it is." This has gone on for years with not much hope about finding whats going on with me in sight. This past year I seem to be doing worse and it's been a real struggle. I've seen at least 8 doctors, been to the ER, and had countless tests run. Everything keeps saying that all is normal. I admit it has brought me down and has caused frustration at times. But I have been lucky in that I have found two new doctors who are determined to get to the bottom of things. They listen to me and not just to my test results. It's quite refreshing. The latest in all this is that they do not believe I am a celiac, whew! That means not more gluten-free diet which has made me extremely happy. Last week I went to a new doc who is fantastic. After talking with me and looking at all the tests I've had and their results he believes I have endometriosis. And that it has spread to my colon and possibly other organs as well. I will be going in for more tests to find out for sure here in a few weeks. I admit even though I've always known it was a major possibility I would have it (it is very predominate in my family), it is a little scary. The treatments for it can leave you sterile but if you go without treatment and it gets worse you can become infertile. My grandma, mom and aunts have all had it and have been able to have children but the things that concerns me is that I am older than they where when they were having kids. Plus the fact that it is moving to other areas of my body. It has always been my dream to be a mom, I even got reprimanded in school for putting being a mom as my career choice. I know some would say that I'm jumping the gun a bit as I haven't been officially diagnosed however I can't help but be a little shaken up. I am just so grateful I have such a wonderful and supporting sweetheart. Nick has been such a rock and amazing with my poor health. I am so blessed!
*Here is a link that explains endometriosis better than I could...
http://www.endometriosis.org/endometriosis.html

Gluten free...the way to be?

This past year has been really trying, especially with my health. I've been from doctor to doctor. And earlier this month I spent a good 6 hours in the er. But to no avail, every test has come back as inconclusive or normal. So I've had two doctors suggest I try doing a gluten free diet for a couple of months and see if it helps at all. I started it this week. And I tell you it's the hardest thing I've had to do. I always eat wheat products. When I am hungry I turn to breads (especially toast) and pastas to fill me up. It was so hard yesterday when I went shopping to find food I can eat. I nearly cried. The gluten free products are so expensive; over $5 for a tiny box of pancake mix, nearly $6 for 4 muffins, $5 for a tiny loaf of bread. I have no idea how we are going to afford this. I have to admit, I am rather discouraged and it's not even been a week. I am hoping the CT scan I'm going in for next week will finally shed some light as to what is going on with me.

Celebrate!



This past week was both Nick and my birthdays (we are 4 yrs and 4 days apart). So we decided to celebrate. We took the weekend off and spent Friday night to Monday morning at a "hotel" in Taylorsville. It was actually an apartment complex that lent out some units on a per night basis. I think Nick liked it better than I did (the place that is). I didn't like the staff that helped us the first few times and the place was SO noisy. But it was wonderful to just get away and have our own space. The first night we got KFC for dinner, watched a little TV and played scrabble and clue (Nick won both). Saturday we went to Golden Corral and ate some yummy breakfast and spent the day relaxing watching "Chuck" until Nick whisked me off to the Olive Garden for a delightful diner. We rounded off the evening seeing "Inception" which we both enjoyed. Sunday was our total lazy day. We stayed snuggled in watching "Chuck" most of the day, only stopping to take a quick dip in the hot tub (it was full of leaves and bugs so it was rather quick). Unfortunately I started feeling really sick in the early afternoon and was still so when I woke on Monday so we spent our time at the doctors instead of going bowling. But all in all it was quite nice. We really needed the recharge!



From Nick



Better shot of Nick's flowers to me



From my Dad



My sweetheart @ Olive Garden




Enjoying Ihop



Motor On!



Meg with one of the classics




Me :)

Last month was MINI takes the states (it's a huge road trip for all MINI owners to gather together and have a blast) in Denver. While I was not able to go on the adventure (sigh...someday!) I did go to the big party they had here and drug poor Meghan with me. It was crazy! Tons of MINIs and people from all over. They celebrated all that is Utah by passing out green jello and "Utah Beer" which was a bottle of water. And I had to get the t-shirt of course! It has a picture of a MINI in a cube of green Jello on the Salt Flats with seagulls flying around. They had lots of MINIs on display including some classics. But the pièce de résistance was the unveiling of the new MINI Countryman. I wasn't sure if I would like a 4 door MINI but boy was I wrong! It is super cute! It has 4 doors, 4wheel drive, and lots of room. I've decided it should be our new family car (no this isn't an announcement). Nick's been fighting me on it, he thinks MINIs should only have 2 doors and no more. We shall see what he says when I take him to do a test drive after January when it is available to the public. Needless to say it was great! I'm glad I went (and that Meghan was able to join me) and I will one day do the full shebang!



Signed by the man himself



Nick's dream car-the John Cooper Works 







The Countryman *sigh*



Roomy interior





Sittin inside!

Fancy Dress Par-tea!

So Manda saw this cute tea party a friend of hers did and showed it to me. We decided we needed to have one too. So we did and it was simply smashing! Our only requirement was that everyone had to dress up. And boy did everyone come through on that one. Even the little ones! It was a lot of fun to plan. Even though getting our outfits where a little on the stressful side...Let me share...Manda and I decided to go check out a vintage store I'd heard about downtown (Decades, so fun!). Well while we were sitting at a light a lady bumped the back of my car. You could hear it and feel it move a tiny bit. So we both turn around and look at the lady behind us and she points to the side of the road so we pull over. Well before I can get out she keeps going. We decided to give chase. I'm so glad Manda was there because I had no idea what to do. Manda took action and called the police and told them what happened. The dispatcher said he was sending an officer. While this was going on the lady pulled into a parking lot and I followed. She got out and came over to us demanding to know why we were following her. We told her she hit us and she started freaking out saying she'd done no such thing that she had told us it was close. As I was sitting in my car starting to get upset an officer came to our rescue. Luckily there was no damage. We were told that we did the right thing. Both officers were great. It was not a fun experience. Manda and I where booth really shaky for quite some time afterwards. But we did find cute hats and a dress for me...The tea party was lovely! Everyone had a grand time. And I think we will be doing it again next year. *Thanks mom for letting us use your china!

Mindy, Steph, Kiel, Kate, Me, Manda (and Scott behind the camera)

Kate & Claire who loved the strawberries (and sharing them as well)

Manda &Scott

Kelsi, Kiel, Steph

Gavin & Mindy

Kate & Claire

Me!

Manda

Claire & Me...I just love her!

Proper young ladies: Steph, Manda, Me, Kate, Mindy

Being not so proper :)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

We had such a rad time at Em's 80's themed girls night! Everyone dressed up, we played "Dream Phone" and "Mall Madness," ate pizza and ring pops, and just had a rockin time! It was nice to just hang with the girls and giggle like we use to. I loved everyones outfits and hair! My hair did not cooperate in the slightest, you'd think that'd work for the 80's but sadly no it was just a flat, stringy mess. Sigh, I had wanted to crimp it but didn't have time. I guess I'll just have to wait for the next 80's party I go to :)



Em & Kaylee (who matched Manda)



Amy (who was so funny about looking preggo)

Shell with the best hair!

I learned an important lesson with this outfit...try it before you by it even if it says it's your size

Manda rockin the side pony!