Um, Ouch . . .

More than five months of pain have finally brought me to a point in my life that I thought I'd never venture. I'm taking advice AND I'm allowing people to help me. -Sigh- What will ever become of me? So if you have a suggestion on how to get rid of these delightful migraines and more than enjoyable headaches, now's your chance to let it all out because yes, I'm that desperate. So far I've tried everything from high density vibrations, different medications, massage, hiding under a blanket etc, etc. .  

And now I'm onto physical therapy. 

Physical Therapy just might be the cure that I've been searching for. And just to make sure I'm doing things right, I'm seeing two different physical therapists because again, I'm that desperate...  I just don't think I was fully prepared for the joys that come along with the therapy.  Here are just a few of the examples:  

1. Even after telling the therapist that I really enjoy having my head attached to my neck he sometimes seems determined to not let that happen.  
2. Bursting out in full belly laughter because of the uncontrollable muscle spasms that occur when hooked up to the electrical stimulation machine.
3. When the P.T. says, "you'll feel a little pop" what he is really trying to say is "this is going to feel like I'm breaking 34 bones in your back, sorry" 
4. My nerves don't like being bothered with electrical shocks followed by iced spray. I bet yours wouldn't either. Trust me on this one. 

After seeing three different P.T.s,  all three of 'em agree on one thing though... I'm messed up-- in a major way.  Nice, just what any woman wants to hear. 

Now just a couple more months of this bliss and I just might feel better. 

lolli lollipop . . .

Sometimes one lollipop just won't do . . .

I heart hair . . . .

Let me tell you a sad story. You might want to get a kleenex handy.

I have three beautiful girls and I love them a whole bunch, probably more than I could ever explain. I was so excited to have three girls too because besides all of the dancing and twirling, the giggles (and lets be honest, the drama) that come with having girls, I had dreams of never leaving the house without my girls' hair perfectly smoothed and styled.  Then I woke up. 

Getting my girls' hair all dolled up in my house takes more coaxing, fighting, and bribing than eating vegetables at meal time. I'm lucky to get their hair done on Sundays let alone decent for the rest of the week. Sad, I know. Actually, I find it more than sad... sometimes its just enough to bring me to tears or to my grumpy mom mode  (neither one is fun for any of the family.) 

Now for the happy ending to my sad story...

Kaydee gave me a gift the week of Valentine's. She consented to let me do her hair extra fancy for her kindergarten Valentine's Party. Go ahead, just imagine my delight.  AND she was practically smiling the whole time I was styling it into a heart. It was a good day.

What, you think I came up with this most adorable hair-do on my own? Nope, I'm just not that creative, especially with the lack of practice that I get. ;)  I got the idea here, which actually was a link off of my friend's blog (thanks Melissa). Just givin' credit where credits due. 

Valentine's is for Stake . . .

I got the most romantical gift from Greg this Valentine's and since I know its what every girl dreams about I had to share... he gave me some exquisitely marbled rib eye steak that he's going to cook himself. Does he know me or what? I am so stinkin' excited!

And then this evening we went to the stake dance. Yep, you read right. We went to our Stake's Sweetheart Dance and we even recruited our friends the Algers to come with us. I haven't been to a stake dance since I was 15 maybe 16 and this one outdid them all. Live band, gourmet desserts, chocolate fountains, cheese fondue, floor shows, a hot date.... We seriously had a grand time. I felt like I was back in highschool. Where are the picture's you ask? Hey I got the Algers to come to the dance, what more do you want?:)

None of this could have happened if it wasn't for our awesome babysitters though... thanks again Nortons. We are pretty much forever in your debt.

Happy Valentine's y'all!

random thoughts . . . .

Its 10:41 Valentines night. My kids are still awake, I know this because my three year old keeps sneaking into the kitchen to grab handfuls of conversation hearts to share with the sisters. I hear giggles and then Greg saying something about the lack of privacy he gets when he has to use the little boys room.

Sigh--I love my life so much.

But then the squabbling starts again... too much sugar, too much fun, and WAY past bedtime. Such a hot and cold day. Such angelic children at times and then such, um not angelic children.

Sigh--can parenthood really be this tough?!

Angee, angee, Angee . . .

My dear friend, that shall remain nameless... tagged me. I love being tagged. Seriously. ;)

8 favorite T.v shows:
1. House
2. Psych
3. Monk
4. Lost
5. 24
6. How It's Made
7. HGTV--practically everything on it
8. King of Queens

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Had an epiphany about what I want to do for my 30th birthday celebrations
2. discussed my prescription options/problems with the nurse
3. fell asleep on the couch--twice
4. helped Kaydee with her Storytelling competition selection
5. Had a nice long bath
6. made 4 pb and j sandwiches
7. worked with Nicole on her homework
8. watched Jungle Book with Natalie

8 Things I look forward to:
1. Date nights
2. my cabinets being painted
3. springtime
4. being healthy
5. snuggling up with a good book
6. people commenting on my blog
7. fitting into my my favorite pair of jeans
8. being out of debt

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Gloria's Little Italy (not that I've written two posts about it or anything...)
2. Ruby River Steakhouse
3. Little America's Breakfast buffet
4. Tucano's
5. Chili's
6. Olive Garden
7. JCW's
8. Cafe Rio

8 Things on my wish list:
1. a finished basement
2. a family Cruise
3. new gas stove
4. a deck
5. braces (again)/veneers/mouthwork
6. new running shoes
7. a CHI flat iron
8. an amazing singing voice

8 people I tag:
1. Stephanie A.
2. Jay
3. Andrea
4. Jessica (cuz I know she'll be starting a blog any day now...)
5. Katy O
6. Caron
7. Melissa B
8. Marissa

A day for Love . . .

I'm not sure if its because Valentine's is just around the corner or if its just because she's just one of the cutest 3 1/2 year olds that you'll ever know but we've heard the 'L' word quite a bit out of Natalie's mouth today. I guess Natalie is just full of that loving feeling.

I first heard it when Natalie was deciding on which game she wanted to play before church. She spotted this loverly game and instantly had her heart set on it... the only problem? She's not exactly the owner of it. Her 5 year old sister is. dun dun dun.... I guess she was ready to do whatever it took to gain the privilege of playing with the ladybugs because although she asked nicely she was in the defensive stance and was ready to beg and whine if needed. Kaydee easily said yes which not only pleased her to pieces but surprised me a bit that

a. my 3 year old asked so nicely the first time and

2. my 5 year old didn't even flinch before she said yes

Two minutes later I hear in the sweetest three year old voice, "I love you Kaydee."

Greg got an "I love you" for making breakfast and I got one for making her hair look like a princess and another one just because I was snuggling with her on the couch.

And then we celebrated one of my greatest friend's birthdays. And as in years past, we were invited to the big family celebration--even though we're not even family. Ya, I know... it makes us feel special. As I was running around in the kitchen making the cakes (and Natalie was setting up the Ladybug game) she must have been contemplating quite a bit what I was doing.

She asked in a slow (not so normal for her), very drawn out way: "It's Jack's --Mom's --birthday?"

Me (after I realized she was talking to me and I put her words together) : "Yes. It's Jessica's birthday party today"

Natalie : "I love Jack's Mom's birthday"

a couple of seconds later

"I love Jack's Mom"

about 20 seconds later

"and She loves me"

Me (grinning and trying not to giggle) : "yes, yes she does."

February at last . . . .

Holy cannoli this was the week for birthdays. Some of my mostest favorite people in the world have their birthdays the first week of February and it makes me so happy that they are part of my life.

Seriously, do you think I could get this awesome on my own? No way. It took a lot of time, love and fun from other awesome friends and family to mold me into who I am today. So really, if you hate my stinkin' guts, I guess you can blame them.... ;)

So Happy Happy Birthday to Chantelle, Jay, Jessica, Jeanette, and Brianna and anyone else I forgot. I love you all.

In other news, my brother's okay and whew, it was a close one.

Let me preface (the rest of this post is for posterity sake):

You ever have a sibling that you just don't get along with? Well my bro Mark used to be him. I laugh at it now cause he is seriously one of the greatest guys I know, but growing up....um, well--we didn't exactly get along. I had buttons and A LOT of them and Mark liked to push every single one of 'em and of course I pushed his just as much. It wasn't until after I was out of the house and married that I really was able to see how AMAZING this brother of mine truly is. And I love him too.

Fast forward to Monday, Feb. 2, 2009--early morning. Mark went to bed feeling quite ill. By 6:00 a.m. he was totally unresponsive to Brianna's attempts to waking him up. My fabulous sis-in-law even threw a cup of water in his face--not even a flinch. She called 911 and the paramedics rushed him to the hospital to find out that he had a lethal dose of his prescription medication in him. They started counteracting the drug immediately. He had to stay in the ICU for a couple of days as the prescription drug left his body.

He had taken his new prescription and it wasn't explained very well to him... something to do with delayed release vs. what he was used to from previous prescriptions.

The really scary part? The doctors told us that even an hour later it would've been too late.

Did I already say that I love my brother? I don't think I say it enough...