Many Have Asked....Here's The Answer

How do I express being released after four years of service as Relief Society President?
Bittersweet. I will now have more time to devote to other things. I can volunteer in my kids' classrooms more, read more books, have a cleaner house, dedicate more time for the school board, use less minutes on my cell phone, be more available to family and friends, and simply just be able to be a 'friend' again. Some friendships did suffer for the fact that I had to be available to more people (more to counsel than to hang out with), therefore, I was less involved with those I needed to be with to cultivate relationships. I am also excited for a new challenge with my Stake calling in the RS Presidency. I love to teach, train, and work with people so I will be able to take all I've learned and work with a broader spectrum. I will miss being in the trenches, but happy to share knowledge and ideas to help other's work in theirs.

On the flip side, this week has been hard. First, I miss those whom I've served with. Not being able to see them or talk as often has left me with the feeling that a piece of me has been removed. I relied on them for strength, support, and filling me with knowledge and truth. Also, I am dealing with the struggle that I sincerely love the women of the ward and I now feel there needs to be distance. It will be hard to know of some of their difficulties and not be able to say, "How are you doing with this or that?" Not that I will separate as a friend, but the details, I no longer need to know. They have someone else to turn to. I just need to find the right balance again. And last but not least, I'm lonely. With the mantle of the calling comes such a sweet guiding spirit that was always there, in my ear, prompting and guiding me. Once I was released, it left. I feel like I've lost my best friend.

It is a great testimony to me, that no matter who is placed in a calling, the work rolls forth. I was grateful to be an instrument in His hands and know without a doubt 'God doesn't call the qualified; but qualifies the called.'

Sometimes We Forget

Thanks for everyone's support regarding my soon to be labor. After having heard plenty of reasons why other's would rather have a baby than a kidney stone...I have decided having a baby is harder work. I forgot, there are way too many rules:

I'm Going to Give Birth!!!

Yes, please start sending me gifts, making me meals, and ooh and ahh all over me because I'm going to need it. I'm so excited for this new phase in my life. One that the body starts going down the tubes due to my lack of properly taking care of it. No more invincibility, no more diet Cokes, diet Dr. Peppers. Why? Kidney Stones. I'm going to be a mother of a rock.

I've often heard it's quite a lot like childbirth and I'm beginning to see why. I'm continually in the doctor's office, I'm peeing in cups all the time, and begging for it to be over. Yes, Lori, for once I'm going to be copying one of your posts because I remember you giving us T.M.I. over your kidney stone...and although I had empathy for you, I did not completely gush all over you, I only hoped I'd never have to go through the same thing.

T.M.I. time: I've had symptoms of a urinary tract infection for months. Everytime I went to the doctor to test if I had one, it always came back negative. I kept going back as symptoms kept getting worse. I believe my doctor started to think I was a hypochondriac. Yet, alas, a few weeks ago, FINALLY a positive result... I had Ecoli and another infection...bring on the antibiotics. After 2 weeks of Cipro...nothing, in fact worse. I had such a horrible night one night, I had a friend hook me up with Percoset. Trust me, for me, this is worse case scenerio...I hate, HATE pain killers. I get so nauscious, talk gibberish, and wake up gasping for air in my sleep since I'm so relaxed, I forget to breathe.

I've heard horror stories of Urologists, but by this point, they couldn't make me feel any worse than I had already been feeling. So long story short, after interesting appts. and several CT scans....kidney stones. Lots. Common reason for kidney stones: dehydration. I have now consumed more water in the last month than I have for the past 2 years.

Doctor has informed me that if I don't pass this ginormous kidney stone by the end of next week, surgery will be the next step. It would be invasive and they would have to leave a stent in for a couple weeks. I'm doing everything I can to not let that happen. I've never had anethseia, nor do I want to. That scares me more than the surgery.

My point is, drink plenty of water and if anyone would like to throw me a shower or something, I'm game. Not sure what kind of stone I'm having yet, but a unisex gift is fine. What the little fellow/fella could look like:

Cute, aren't they?

13 Years of ???

13 years of bossiness, 13 years of snoring, 13 years of nose blowing, 13 years of back seat driving, 13 years of mistakes, 13 years of sarcasm, 13 years of sports, 13 years of shopping, 13 years of cleaning up, 13 years of budgeting, 13 years of serving, 13 years of anger management, 13 years of honey-do lists, 13 years of remote control arguments,13 years of hard times.....13 years of bliss. Happy Anniversary, babe. This year I had no idea what to get Jason. So, I thought to go for the cheesy sentimental. I thought of 13 great memories, put symbolics of them in a bag, and had him guess. How wonderful it was to reminince. We've been conditioned to running through this marriage, not many easy strolls. It's challenging, tiring at times, yet, the joy from it is worth the race.

1. KIT KAT...When I was pregnant with Brynna, we lived in a condo next to a gas station. He had to jump the wall almost every night and buy me a Kit Kat that I was craving.

2. GASTON...This has to be the most favorite impression my husband does. He does it perfectly. I think why I like it so much is because it is such an alter-ego thing for him. He can always make me smile talking like Gaston.

3. OLIVE OIL...For the endless blessings he has given his family and all that he will continue to do to bless us.

4. LOOFA...One time, Jason was in the shower and lost his footing...I've never seen anyone wipe out so hard. Fell out of the shower, taking the curtain and everything down with him. An image that is imbedded.

5. KNIFE...I am a huge clutz, but Jason is worse. He is continually hurting himself...stabbed himself with a knife while making breakfast, has fallen many times down the stairs, charred himself and lost hair over the BBQ, the list goes on and on...

6. YEAST PILLS...While on an airplane with a bunch of Mardi Gras attendees, Jason was watching a movie with the headphones on. Out of nowhere, at top volume (because of the headphones) asks me 'How's your yeast infection?' I was humiliated. While exiting the plane I actually had someone tell me..'good luck with that'...and they were like 6 rows ahead of us. I could have killed him!

7. GHOST...We had the best time staying in the haunted hotel. He has been willing to give in to things that interest me.

8. FLAG...He is the peacemaker of our home and has captured my heart.

9. TOILET PAPER..He has been enlisted many times to participate in my pranks upon others. He's not always happy about it, but he's the best accomplice EVER.

10. APPLE....He has been my greatest teacher and I'm so proud of him for continuing his education.

11. CANDLE...So, I almost burnt a house down once. And by that I mean, furniture, carpet, and other things went up in flames. I panicked and started using anything to put it out...even my bare hands. When he came home from work, I was shaken up and told him everything. His response...'Can you believe I had to stand on the bus the whole ride home?' Idiot.

12. ALARM CLOCK..We had a huge blow up over time once. Or should we say, I did. I was a little out of control. Not one of my finer moments. He has taught me to learn to admit to my mistakes.

13. DYSART SHIRT....Jason was my biggest cheerleader while running for school board, and anything I've done. He has taught me I am capable of anything.

AND FOR ME....Jason didn't go for the cheesy sentimental. He went for the shallow, materialistic...and I LOVED it!

I'm Turning.....BLUE

I am one of those girls who actually really likes football. Growing up in NE...it basically runs in the blood. Jason, on the other hand is a BYU fan. Usually hearing him endlessly talk about them turned me off and I would tune him out. The biggest threat to my marriage has seriously been Ty Detmer. My husband has a huge crush on him and I think would choose him over me...at least for a date anyway.
It's Saturday night....game day for NE and BYU..same time. I sacrifice (like the good wife I am) and give in to a get together to watch BYU. The Kellis fam just got back from taking Daniel to college and bought us all t-shirts. I have to say, it was one of the most exciting games I've seen in a long time. I may just tune into them more, after all, they took down one of my most hated teams of all time.