Let It Be Christmas...

The semester is over, the Chirstmas tree, lights, and decorations are up, it is Christmas time!!! Yea! I love this time of year--family, friends, yummy treats, decorations, celebrating the birth of our Savior, and just a fun time!
The semester ended great--I pulled off a 4.0 so I was very happy--and I graduate tomorrow (Friday) with my associate's! So I'm excited! I sold my books back, got my books for next semester, and am ready for my classes--I think I'll relax and enjoy my 3 1/2 week break though first! I was super excited though, because I filled out the papers and did the 'lowest price guarantee' thing at the bookstore and saved like $70 on my books! Heck yeah...what a way to start off the Christmas season!
This last Monday I went with my mom, brother (Taylor), and Grandma Liptrot to see Scrooge: A Christmas Carol out at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse! It was way fun! We go every year, and it's just way cute and a fun time! We all went out to El Matador for dinner first, drove around to see some of the Christmas lights downtown, and then went to the play...a very fun night and a nice start to celebrating Christmas!
Next week (on the 17th) I'm going with my mom and Taylor (brother) to see Voice Male! I'm excited...we've gone to their Christmas shows before and they are way good and very funny! So it should be a fun time!
Last night we had achievement days (I'm with the 10 and 11 year old girls--it's so fun), and we did Christmas stuff...the girls made their own advent calanders--coloring a picture of the nativity scene and then taking Hershey's Kisses and making like a candy necklace (twisting them and tieing them with yarn and things in plastic wrap) and then they stapled the necklace to the picture...it turned out way cute! I took my camera and was going to take some pictures to post, but the batteries weren't working...lame! So you'll just have to picture it in your head!
I was home the other day and playing around with my camera taking pictures, so here's some...
I put Barkley sitting on our little reindeer by the tree and he totally sat there and posed for me!!!



I had to take a couple of myself by the tree too...(I'm a nerd, I know, but that's okay, it's fun!)



My other little dog--Pocco--wouldn't sit still to let me take a picture of him, so I may have to attempt that one again another time when someone else is home and can help me try to get him to hold still for a minute. I need to take some pictures of just the tree and the lights and stuff outside too...so pretty and fun! I'll have to post those later with more Christmas season news and updates!
Life is wonderful and I'm loving it!!! I hope you are all enjoying this Christmas season!!!

Grateful...

With it being Thanksgiving this month I wanted to take time to do a post on gratitude. So, here's a list of things I am grateful for (in no particular order):

1. The Gospel (having the Gospel in my life, a testimony, the gift of the Holy Ghost, being sealed to my family,the Atonement, the Book of Mormon, prayer, everything!!!)
2. My Family
3. Great Friends
4. My Health
5. The opportunity I have to further my education
6. A nice home
7. A car to drive
8. Living in a free country
9. Having so many temples so close
10. The advanced technology we have (through medicine and through technology to communicate with people)
11. Music
12. Writing
13. Books
14. Creativity (being able to have fun making different things and baking and things)
15. Having such a perfect mixture of seasons where I live (summer, spring, fall, and winter)
16. The mountains (outdoors)
17. Movies
18. Love, peace, comfort, support, strength (so many great feelings)
19. Insitute
20. Sleep
21. Pictures (captivating memories)
22. So many countless blessings
23. Clothes, shoes (sometimes it's fun just dressing up)
24. Food
25. And so many more things, the list could just go on and on....

I am so grateful for all I've been blessed with in my life and for all that I have!

Surgery, Birthday, School, Fructose...Busy stuff!!!

Kind of a weird title to the post, I know! But I figured it's totally beyond time for me to update this, so I figure'd I use words of things that have been going on for my title--very creative, huh?! ;)
So first off...on August 23rd, it was a crazy day--fall semester started and I was having surgery that morning (so I went to one class and then headed over to the surgical center to have my thumb fused). The surgery went really well--I'm in a pink cast right now! They took a little bone graft from my wrist and put it in one of my thumb joints (the mp joint), put pins through so that the bone could grow together, and it'd be fused! I ended up having an allergic reaction after the surgery so I had to go on some steroids to get it cleared up, but it got cleared, they got the stitches out, and the cast is on so that it can heal completely!
Here's some pics:





I also turned 23 a couple weeks ago, and was able to do some fun stuff with my family! On my birthday I went with my mom, grandma, and little brother down to Trolley Square in Salt Lake to the Spaghetti Factory and then we walked around and shopped after...it was tons of fun!!! Then, the next day, my siblings, their families (my brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews) came over and we had scones for dinner, ate outside, the kids played games, and we just visited and had lots of fun! I love my family!!!
Now onto school!!! I know this might so weird, but I LOVE school! I was like counting down for the semester to start! I have one on-campus class this semester (public speaking...yikes!) and two online classes (stress management--awesome class--and microbiology). They've been great and I was totally excited because I actually finished my microbiology class today!!! I decided I just wanted to hurry and get it done, so I did the entire semester's work in the first 5 1/2 weeks of school! haha...I know, total nerd, but hey, it's done now! But this semester's going great, and I love it!
And finally...fructose! I know you're all probably thinking, what in the heck?! Well, I went and had this test done the other day and I went to the doctor yesterday for my results and to follow-up with everything, and it turns out that I have a very high fructose intolerance! Yuck! It's good cause I finally know what's going on, but it's a little tricky trying to stay away from fructose, high fructose corn-syrup, sorbitol, sucrose, and stuff when it's in like everything! So, if any of you know of anything without these in them that's good, I would love to have any input! haha!
Well, I'm finally caught up now in posting...yea!!! I totally need to do better on this! But I hope everyone's great--I love reading your blogs and hearing what's going on with everyone!

Getting Ready and Getting Things Done...

I have totally been so bad at keeping this blog up to date!
I've gone on a couple fun trips since I last posted. We went up to Lava Hot Springs for a weekend, and then the next weekend we went to Bear Lake with my family, my aunts, uncles, and cousins--it was a blast!
Today has been a busy day, but very fun and productive!!! We went to Walmart and my wonderful mother bought me a new cabinet/stand for my room to give me some more room to put things in and on, some of those plastic drawers, and then I went home and went through tons of stuff! My drawers have turned out WONDERFUL--I put all my ribbon, buttons, fabric, scrapbook stuff and craft things in them! Talk about organizing and looking so much better!!! The cabinet still needs to be put together, but once that's done, I can finish all my organizing! I'm loving it!
Throughout these last few days, I've been working on bows for my nieces for school (to match their new school clothes), working on the organizing and cleaning stuff, and getting all my school stuff ready and together (the wonderful going to buy all my school books--the books actually aren't that bad, I love them...just not the amount you have to pay for them).
And the final thing and probably one of the biggest going on is...I'm having surgery on Monday the 23rd! The end of July I went into see the hand specialist, because my left thumb has been subluxing and is very unstable (due to my ehlers danlos). Well, the doctor injected the joint with cortisone injection and wanted me to follow up in a couple weeks to see how it was. (He told me the shot should help with the pain, but it won't fix/help the instability.) I went back for my follow-up this past week and I told him that the shot helped take away the pain for about a week, but then it started coming back and is just gradually getting worse. So, the decision...fusing my left thumb at the mp joint (the joint just below the knuckle)!!! I'm kinda nervous, but the doctor is an amazing doctor, I'm ready for my thumb to get better, and I know that things will go well! The doctor said what they'll do, is take a small bone graft from another place (probably my forearm), cut out the cartilage and part of the bone in that thumb joint, put the bone graft between the bones, and then place pins and wire in--to hold it in place! So we'll see how everything goes--I'm sure great though!
I'll try and post again before the surgery (so within the next week), but I don't know how long until I'll be able to post again after--I'll try my best to, it just depends how I'm feeling--but I'll check on here for any comments, I'll be checking my email, and I'll have my phone with me if anyone wants or needs to get ahold of me!
I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the last part of your summer!!! :)

Decision Made...

I've decided that I'm going to sell bows. Well, just kinda make them and sell them as people would like--letting them choose the style, color, size, etc... So, if any of you are interested or know anyone who might be, let me know and I'd love to make some! They'll start out about $2-$3 just depending on the size, how many layers, etc...and then just vary from there (just depending on those factors so that I can get the supplies I'd need). There are lots of different fun colors, sizes, and things to do...they have an alligator clip on the back with a non-slip grip, so it's great for all hair lengths and great to slide on a headband even since it won't slide!
Anyways...here's some new one's I just made (for my niece's birthday--these are all doubles, so she can wear them single or two...in pigtails or something):

I need a favor...

Okay everyone...So I'm sure many of you are on facebook and/or at least know many people on it, so here's my favor:
Chase Community Giving is giving money to top charities voted for by us--the higher on the leaderboard, the more money they could possibly get. There's a charity that is very near and close to my heart, it's the "EDS Today" charity! It's been slipping in ranks, and we truly need it to get back up. The money's going to go towards research for a cure for this disease--it could change not only my life but many others! PLEASE, PLEASE, take just a few minutes and go on facebook, go to the Chase Community Giving page, click "like", then go to the "Search and Vote" for charities, type in "EDS Today" and click "Vote"!!! Please, just take a few minutes, if you could, to do this; and then, if you could and would be willing to, let all your friends and family know to do this--either by facebook, talking to them, or on your blog (because I know many of us read blogs before facebook). Thank you so much, and I could never thank you enough for taking the time to vote!
If you have any questions about this, how to do it, or anything, please feel free to ask me! Thanks and please vote!!! :)

Bows, Bows, Bows

I've loved making bows for my nieces and friends--it's so fun! So, I got to thinking...Since I can' work right now and am home, maybe I'd make some bows to sell--to help with some money. They'd start out at $2 and then vary depending on the size, how many layers, how many, etc...(to help with the price of the ribbon)and you can pick the colors and stuff you'd like. Would anybody be interested or do you know anyone who may be if I decide to do this?
Here's some new one's I've done:

Patriotic for July


Some for pigtails



A single one

Light to Dark...

I'm sure most of you will totally know what I mean when I say I was having one of those times when I just wanted a change with my hair...different color, style, or just something! I mean, as a girl, that just happens...we like a change and many times that change can come with our hair! So, I decided to go for it and I dyed it! Granted, I'd dyed my hair before--putting highlights in it and just more of subtle changes...nothing to drastic. Well, not this time! I went from light to dark--and when I say dark, I mean DARK! It was totally different at first, but I'm liking it! Here's some pics...

My hair color before:




My hair after:

My Crafty Side....

So I never thought I was quite crafty, but I kept seeing so many cute things other people made and I came across so many cute blogs with fun crafts on them that I decided I wanted to try my hand at making some new things. So, here's what I've come up with so far:

My shelf I painted and decorated with my willow tree figurines and hats...


Some fun circles I painted and decorated to hang in my room...


And a bunch of hair bows I've been making for my nieces...






That's it for right now, but I'm looking at and trying to come up with a bunch of other fun stuff! I love summer and just being able to relax, have fun, and do fun things! :)

Writing...

So I sat here, wanting to update/write on my blog, but thinking what exactly to write about...nothing new or exciting has really been going on--just the usual hanging out with family and friends, reading, doing school stuff, etc...But then I got to thinking that today's Sunday, the Sabbath Day, and so I wanted to put something down that went along with that. For those of you who may not know, I love to write--especially when it's things that we all can relate to in some way or another. I have this book just full of things I write, and so as I was writing in it today and looking through past things, I found one that I wanted to write on here and share with all of you. I really liked (well, I'd hope I liked it since I wrote it...haha), but that has to do with our Savior, the Gospel, and everything--it just fit perfect for today. I hope you guys like it--I think it can fit into each of our lives in some way. So here it is (sorry if it's kinda a long post):

"The Canvas"

That first breath that we inhale is the opening to our blank canvas.
Each a pure, clean slate awaiting the Master's hand--to place each stroke in its necessary setting;
As we gaze upon each of these strokes that have been shaped, shifted, and formed to fit that which our life has created.
Questions fill my mind: "What are these detailed lines forming?" "What is this creation that our Master seems to see so clearly and yet it has a sense of haze over my eyes?"
As I'm forced to face life's challenges, it seems that the strokes become more plentiful.
It's during my hardest times in life that the Master's hand is so quick at work.
I can't figure out what it is that He's creating, but I hear Him say: "Trust me my child, I am with thee."
As I near the end of my mortal existence, I pray and ask God one more time...
"God, why have I gone through all these trials, why has it seemed that when times were hardest your hands were fast at work, and God, what have you created from all of this?"
A still small voice is than heard: "Oh my child, when you first let out a cry into this world, a blank canvas appeared.It was your canvas and nobody else's.Each canvas is different--but my hand is still a part of each one."
"At those times when you thought you'd messed up, I was here to clear your canvas off and give you another try."
"And during those times when you cried late into the night longing for peace and tranquility, all of these beautiful lines, shapes, and figures were created from those tears."
"Now my child, take a step back and look at your canvas now."
I stepped back, and with wide eyes, I realized that all of those frustrations, the sorrow, happincess, and pleading for help and forgivness, had created my Celestial Eternity."

Pictures...

So a couple posts ago I had said how I had just redone my room and how I painted my shelf and everything and that I'd post pics...Well, here they are!

My shelf I painted...


My quote on the wall above my vanity--I love it...


My wall with polka dots and frame full of pictures with friends...


My cute new bedspread (quilt) that my aunt made me...


I'm loving it, and just thought it was fun! I also came across some way cute blogs of fun crafts and things to do...
sewdangcute.blogspot.com
sweetcharli.blogspot.com
atsecondstreet.blogspot.com

They had some cute stuff if you want to check them out!
Hope everyone's doing well! :)

Cute Nieces and Studly Nephews....

So I wanted to do this post on my cute nieces and nephews because I just love and adore them all!!! These guys can all just make my day and are so cute and fun to be around and I'm just so proud of all of them! So we'll kind of go by families...
My oldest sister Janeice has two kids--Corey's 9 (he'll be 10 this summer) and Ashley's 5 (she'll be 6 this summer). They are such sweet and fun kids! Corey is such a smart kid, going into fifth grade (I can't believe how big he's getting) and he's just hilarious! He's the kind of guy you can always count on to make you laugh and have fun...I love him--he's definitely a stud!!! Ashley's such a sweetheart! She's getting so big too and graduating from kindergarten this year--I'm so proud of her!!! She is so fun to be around, and totally girly--it's great! She's just the sweetest little girl--she was over the other week and sat in my room and colored while I got ready and then we sat and painted her nails and just talked and had fun...she's such a cutie and I love her!
Ashley and Corey



My next oldest sister Jodi has four boys--Jeremy's 10, Justin's 7 (he'll be 8 this summer), Jace's 6, and Jon's 3 (he'll be 4 this summer)! Oh my goodness, talk about having some studly little boys! I love these guys they are so much fun!!! Jeremy is the oldest out of all my nieces and nephews and I can't believe how big he's getting! He'll be in the fifth next year and I swear he's going to pass me in height in like a year! This kid is so fun and has such sweet heart! He's great in sports and just a great kid--total stud! Justin is hilarious! I just love watching him because you can always just see these looks he'll get on his face--either of mischevious (wondering what is he up to), just total helper and sweetheart, and/or just laughing having fun! He's getting ready to get baptized this summer and I am so proud of him! He's a great kid and definitely studly! Jace!!! Oh I love this boy! He's graduating from kindergarten this year and I'm proud of him! This kid is great at sports, such a sweetheart, and just gives the best big like bear hugs! He's so fun to be around, I love him to pieces, and total stud! And, Jon...he's a ham! Definitely loves his mom and he's just so funny and such a character sometimes! He loves to make you smile and laugh and is getting so big and he's so fun! I love him and he's a little stud!
Jodi with Jeremy, Justin, Jace, and Jon


Jessica is next and she has two kids--Kaleb is 6 and Sammy is 3 (she'll be four next month)! Oh goodness, what do I say about these two?! Kaleb is a brain! He just had his kindergarten graduation and I am so proud of him! He got accepted into an advanced learning school for next year that he tested for and he's so excited--I'm proud of him! He loves to draw, read, and make things and he's just so fun to watch play pretend and give you hugs and talk to! He's a sweetie and a little stud! Sammy is such a cutie! She's a little girly girl and it's just a blast! When she comes over she'll always ask me to paint her finger and toenails, she wants to put on lipgloss, lotion, and she'll tell me 'oh I like your flower (in my hair) Jackie or oh I like this'...such a sweetie! And she loves to help out with cleaning, laundry, dishes, cooking, anything--it's great and so fun! She's graduating from pre-school tomorrow and I'm proud of her, love her, and she's just cute!
Kaleb and Sammy


Jill's my sister just older than me (the last of my siblings with kids--Taylor and Kara both have awhile). Jill has two kids--Abbie's 2 and Nixxon's 9 months (he'll be 1 in August). Abbie's so cute...little girly girl with blonde curly hair, big eyes, and just melts your heart! She loves to help with her brother, she let me sit and paint her nails the other day, she loves to laugh, and likes to play with her dolls and to just laugh and be around everyone! She's such a sweetheart and is learning so much--she called me and counted to ten all by herself the other day...I'm so proud of her and I love her--she's such a cutie! Nixxon, oh my goodness! He's such a cute little guy! He is probably one of the happiest babies I've ever seen and he's just so much fun to hold and be with! He loves to just sit and smile, laugh, look at you and at everything around him, and to jump! He's just so sweet and melts your heart to hold him! He's definitely a little stud!
Nixxon and Abbie



So those are all my little nieces and nephews! They are all so different from one another, have their own personalities, and are each just so much fun to be around and they just make my day and I'm so grateful to have them in my life! I love them to pieces and they're just so cute and studly!!!

May=Ehlers Danlos Awareness Month

Okay, so it has been a super long time since I posted--I really need to get better at this, and I promise I will try. But, here's an update on what's been going on since my last post....
As far as medically, the doctors decided they didn't want to do surgery on my knee so I've just been trying to be careful, do some strengthening, and we've been taping and bracing it. I went back for a check up in Colorado on my hip and they said that it is looking really good, I finally got my brace off (only had to have it on for about 4 1/2 months), I get to start some additional strengthening stuff on it. and I'm just supposed to take it slow and be very, very careful!!! Alot of my other joints--my wrists, fingers, shoulder, knee, and stuff have been getting worse and having lots of problems, but the doctors have said that as of right now there's nothing really we can do for them besides bracing them (I have braces for both thumbs, one wrist, about 5 fingers, and my knee), taking it easy, and doing what little easy things I can to strengthen them. But, things are going pretty good. I've been sick the last couple weeks with abdominal pains, headaches, sinus, and then a virus, but I went to the doctor today and got some medicine, so hopefully it should start going away in a couple days. I gave it to my mom though--I feel bad...sorry mom!!!
On other notes...Spring semester ended and I was able to finish with a 4.0! Yea!!! I'm taking summer semester off, but am studying some different stuff on my own to try and be ready for fall semester. I finally finished painting my shelf and a couple other things and hanging it up in my room that I redid, did some cleaning and organizing, so it's finally almost finished! I'll have to take some pics and show ya when it's all done...I like it!
And finally, to end this post, I'll get to the title of my entry..."May=Ehlers Danlos Awareness Month"! So, as most of you probably know, I have a rare collagen disease called Ehlers Danlos that I was diagnosed with about a year and a half ago. Anyways, May is Ehlers Danlos Awaress Month and we're (the ehlers danlos national foundation and the eds--ehlers danlos syndrome--community) trying to get it recognized in each state and raise awareness about it because it is so unheard of. So I thought that I would post about it on my blog to let you all know that it is Ehlers Danlos Awareness month and I'd really appreciate the support from all of you on this subject that is very important to me! If you have any questions about it or would like to know more information on it, you can always ask me--please feel free to--or you can visit the national foundation website at: www.ednf.org There's actually a big learning conference this summer in July (for the annual learning convention and celebrating 25 years of the foundation)back in Baltimore that I want to try and go to.
Well, I hope that each of you are doing wonderful! I will try to post again very soon!

MRIs and Spinal Taps

The last week has been pretty busy. Last Thursday I went in to have an MRI on my brain--to check and see if my spinal pressure was low (because I have had a constant headache for the last 6 weeks or so). When I got there I needed to also schedule an MRI on my knee (due to some pain and instability from my ehlers danlos), and luckily and so nice as they were, they just did both MRIs at the same time.
I got a phone call that night from my neurologist, and the good news was that my spinal pressure was not low, the bad news, we still didn't know for sure what was going on with these headaches. So, yesterday I went back into the doctor's office and they had to do a spinal tap to check and see if the spinal pressure was too high. Good news again, my spinal pressure was normal! Yea! The neurologist said that it sounds like since my spinal pressure is normal, which is good, that I have chronic migraines and that due to some of the pain medicine doctor's have given me for my joints and my kidney stones, it has caused them to get worse.
As far as the MRI on my knee, it did show a tear in my meniscus (the cartilage in my knee), and I go to the doctor today to find out what is going on for sure with that.
Other than those things, nothing too much new or exciting is going on. This semester of school gets done in like 4 weeks so I am super excited about that! Yea!!! And, I was able to have a wonderful, fun, well-needed movie night with Jenna the other night...thank you SO much Jenna for always being there for me--I love ya to death girly and I honestly don't know what I'd do without you!
I am continually blessed with an amazing family and great friends who I love so much and am so grateful for, and also a loving Savior and Father in Heaven who continually watch over me!

I'm Really Bad at Posting...

So I know that I said in my last post that I was going to try this year to keep my blog regularly updated, but, as you can tell, this obviously hasn't happened. haha! And I know that today's post won't be too long, but I figured I'd give everyone a quick update as to what's been going on (and kind of as to why I haven't posted in so long).
Well, we will just say that this last month or so has been quite busy and full of surprises, to say the least. I have been sick for about the last month and we have been in and out of doctor's offices and the ER probably more times than I could count. I've had kidney stones in my kidneys for about the last 6 years, but they've just kind of stayed there (not really passed--only a couple times--and stayed pretty small). Just recently, however, they started passing and growing. I was in the ER one day passing one on my right side and then two days later I was passing one on my left side. About a week later I began just not feeling well and it got worse each day. We were, again, in and out of the doctor's and ER, and I ended up finding out that I had a horrible UTI, an impacted colon, my kidney stones were growing, and all of this had also kicked my migraines on (so I've had a constant headache for the last 3 weeks).
Anyways...Long story short, we got my colon and UTI under control, and I ended up going in this last Friday for surgery on my right kidney (to do lithotripsy and break the stones up). The surgeon said we could only do one kidney at a time, so we did the right one now, and when that one is all healed and under control we will do the left one. He told my mom that I two (of the three large stones they broke up)of the stones were 7mm each and the third stone was almost 1cm!!!
So, I've been home resting and trying to take it easy, heal, and recover from all of this. Sorry again I haven't posted in so long, but I will try my to be more diligent! :) I better get going and rest some more, but there's just a quick little update. I hope that all of you are doing well!

It's Been Awhile...

First off I apologize for never updating afer the surgery--I let everyone know what's going on, update right before I go in for surgery, and than BAM...I stop!!! But, this year, one of my goal's is going to be to try and keep this thing actually updated!!! But, since there's been SO much that has gone on since I last wrote, I will write some today and then update on other things tomorrow and so forth. So, here we go....
First, lets start with the surgery! The surgery went well!!! My wonderful surgeon, Dr. Philippon, said that the bones and things from the previous surgery was healing great, but he could definitely tell why I was hurting so bad...There was a BIG hole in my hip capsule!!! So, he took a section of my IT Band out and reconstructed a new hip capsule!
However, because this is me everything can't go quite as smoothly as just that! :P So, after the surgery, instead of just having to stay over in the hospital that night (because it was late when we got out of surgery) and getting out in the morning, I had to end up staying for about 3 days! They had an epidural in my spine to help with the pain and when that came out we found an allergic reaction (from the medicine) spreading horribly all over my back, my heart rate went up high, and my blood pressure dropped clear low again (like it did when I was in the hospital in the fall...at about 70/40). I was finally able to be released from the hospital the day before I was scheduled to head back home to Utah!
However, our crazy adventure in Colorado can't end there!!! The day after being released from the hospital--our day to return home....Things changed from flying home to driving home!
See, we were all set to fly home, but after this surgery...now being in my hip brace again and with a big restriction on my range of motion, we were wondering how flying home was going to work. (Because the planes we'd have to fly home on are those small, 36-passenger planes). Two of my wonderful sisters, Janeice and Jodi, left Utah late Saturday night (the day I got out of the hospital) and actually drove all night and got to our hotel at like 5am Sunday morning, picked my mom and I up, and drove us home--instead of trying to have us fly! It worked out so much better, and I am so grateful to them! I have such a wonderful family who is always there for me and looks out for me and I am so grateful to them for that!!!
So, as of right now....My hip is doing okay! I am able to walk without crutches (I only had to be on them for about a week since the bones were doing well), but I do need to make sure I just don't wear myself out. I'm back into my lovely hip brace (that wraps around my waist--at like my ribs--and then goes clear down my leg to about my ankle), with range of motion from 0 to 90 degrees, and on for the next 3 to 6 months! I use a CPM machine each day for about 2 hours a day--for 6 weeks (so 2 more weeks. And basically just rest and try to do things as well as I can without overdoing it! No physical therapy though right now (or for awhile) because the doctor's just waiting and hoping my hip will heal up tight!
So, that's basically the update for now...at least as far as my hip is concerned! I will continue to to update everything else that's been going on another day! But as for today...I am grateful for everything that the Lord continually blesses me with--for my family and friends, for the health and strength that I do have, and for so many blessings and opportunities in my life! :)