Kidney Stones!

I never thought I'd be excited to find out I had kidney stones, but after almost 3 years of suffering it was such a relief to finally find out why! I'd really like to go back to the G.I. doctor and demand my money back. I knew he was wrong (told me it was IBS and to eat more fiber and I'd be fine), I even told him so. Probably why he referred me to his Nurse Practitioner (who listened better). For those of you who didn't know because I hate to complain, I've been suffering from crippling pain, nausea, and vomiting that comes and goes. I've unintentionally lost 20 pounds due to my inability to eat food and keep it in my stomach, not a diet plan I would recommend. I weigh 128 and should be 140. I have felt weak for a long time and haven't been able to do much about it. I was beginning to think there was no cure and I would forever be useless. I've had many expensive and painful test trying to find out my problem only to leave me poor, hopeless, and still in pain. (oh, and my stomach empties slowly, only cost $1200 and 2 days away from my baby due to radioactivity to find that out). Then FINALLY on May 16th the pain and vomiting wouldn't stop and 2 nurses had to swoop in and save me, finishing my job so I could go to the E.R. (bless you Cliff and Heather). At the E.R. this time I had a CAT scan which found 2 large stones along with smaller ones trying to pass. Not only did I finally get a diagnosis, but I also got respect and compassion from my husband who as you can imagine was also at his wits end having to do everything alone every time I got sick. Amazingly I was fine the next day and made Andy run a 5K on his B-day even though he tried to quit so he could be with me (he really does like to race but now the end was near he finally had the strength to be supportive). I had appointments with the urologist on Monday and Wednesday, Thursday I had lithotripsy where they TRIED to break up the stones with ultrasonic waves, but it didn't work well on my hard old stones. Usually it takes 400 hits to break them to dust, but after 3,400 hits (the max allowed) they were only reduced (and my back felt like a punching bag). Next morning at 2am enter pain and nausea that woke me and only got worse. By 9am I was in the worst pain in all my life, and I couldn't stop vomiting. My mom rescued me and took me back to the doctor and Andy took the kids camping (he still kept in touch). Apparently my still too large stones were unsuccessfully trying to come out. After 3 injections for the pain and nausea I was able to stand it long enough to make it to surgery that evening where the doctor removed my stones and placed a stent (think hollow straw) to help things drain right until I heal. I am so relieved it is almost over. Thank you all for your prayers. And bless Dr. Cannon for finally fixing me even though he had to stay late on memorial weekend to take care of me. He is a good soul, I can tell he really cares. Thus ends my story. I could go on longer, but I won't. Anyway, I will try to update more soon. Now you know why my posts were so sporradic, it's not just the kids.

Naomi Gym Jazz Videos

Naomi had her first show off day at gym jazz on saturday, so I thought now would be a good time to show some videos from her gym class. The man in the first video is a U.S. champion gymnast who teaches a class at Naomi' gym. There is also a woman who is a world champion, though I haven't seen her yet, Andy has. Naomi likes her gymnastics. Naomi also did uneven bars, balance beam, and trampoline on show off day, but my camera battery died. I spent most of the day chasing Sabian around anyway. At least her grandmas got to watch her.

Family pictures 2008

We did a super family theme this year, which I thought was a lot of fun. My decision was mostly made by a fatigued mind that said I could get all the clothes cheap and easy since superman stuff is everywhere. Every year we get pictures, most of the money is spent on new clothes. This year it was a quick one stop shop at walmart for everyone except Sabian who found Jammies at the mall.

Why is it so impossible to get a family photo with every kid looking at the camera and smiling?

After the third time of not listening, we had to give up on telling Naomi to put her feet back down. As an afterthought, perhaps we should have had her take her shoes off so we didn't have to stare at the bottom of her shoe.

Rexburg Temple

I forgot to publish this photo back in January when we went to the open house.

Adora is so sweet

Those baby blue eyes and those two little teeth keep making me smile.

Sabian loves duplos

He seems content to build all day. The last tower I helped him build when he became frustrated that his single depth creations were less than sturdy. He can stay entertained for hours with those blocks, and I can be entertained just watching him. He has great determination.

GYM Jazz

We signed Naomi up for a combination of Gymnastics and Dance in one class. I was impressed with her tumbling and her work on the uneven bars. She still has a lot to learn, but she did very well for a first day, her instructor even said so. Naomi said her teacher kept asking if she'd done this before, to which she replied "I've seen it on T.V." Naomi continued to talk about gymnastics for the rest of the evening, partially because she was so excited and proud of herself, and partly I think because she loves saying the word 'gymnastics.'