I get the giggles...

... Everytime I think " I JUST BOUGHT A PAIR OF PANTS FOR ME AT THE JBF SALE!!!!

Seriously, I went to the CHILDRENS sale, and ended up with a pair of jeans for me from the junior section- with room to spare. Too funny.


...... I GET THE GIGGLES!

Valleyfest

I took my neice victoria and Daya to valleyfest today... we had a lot of fun playing games, winning prizes, making crafts and snacking on some kettle corn!
(we also had fun at Toys R Us for geoffrey giraffee's birthday party before we went! )

The birthday girls ( oct 4th! ) in the birthday parade at Toys-R-Us.

Me and the girls

Sooo cute!

WLS : 6 Month Surgi-versary

6 months is here and now gone ...

It's now been 6 months since my life changed forever. This past week was full of appointments for and to do with my WLS and my 6 month surgiversary.
First off a check up with my endocrinologist revealed that my thyroid is now being over stimulated, so again, the dose needs lowered. I will drop down to 150mcg of Levoxyl and stay on the 10mcg of sytomel. Hopefully with this tweak my thyroid can become regular again. All other things appear to be somewhat normal or increasingly better from her standpoint.
Second a trip to my OB/GYN to try to figure out why I have yet to pass this latest pregnancy ( they suspected a chemical pg / early misscarriage ) and to find out where my female health stands at this point. What I got out of it was a pap- oh joy, and a lecture on how this much extra skin stores estrogen reserves and can cause some pain down below ( gee- ya think?! ) He did however run more test, update my chart, and tell me that he is 100% ok with me Trying to get pregnant upon my surgeons realease and that we would work in that direction as soon as I am balanced out again. It was good to see him as I havent seen him since after roo was born - and even better see what the scale said.... 139lbs! Fully clothed. With a script for the fertility drugs in hand that we can use when we are ready and some lab slips in the other I left his office to go upstairs to my 3rd and final appointment for my 6 month check up -

I met with Megan Vulcan the ARNP for my 6th month check up at 1pm. I weighed in and then took myseat anxiously because I was feeling like I havent succeeded in this journey.
HA!
She came in with a chart that showed somem percentages " 40% 41-60% 61-80% 81-100% " and then my name with a 97%. She didn't say anything about this chart at first, and went on to go over my labs, where I learned I am anemic ( need to go back on iron injections ) and that my overall lab work looked good. Infact so good that it led her to that 97% on the paper..... I am 6 months out and have lost 97% of my excess weight! I have <5lbs style="color:#ff0000;">(226)
Jeans size 6 (18)
Tops S-M (XXL)
Shoes 7 (8.5)
Ring 8 (11)

Measurements :

BODY PART DAY OF SURGERY (3/27/09) 6w VISIT (4/20/09) 3m post op (7/14/09) 4 month anniversary (7/27/09) & 6m anniversary (9/27/09) & DIFFERENCE FROM SURGERY DAY!

Left Arm 14.5" 14" 12" 11" 10.75" -3.75"

Left Thigh 28.5" 25.75" 21" 19.5" 18.5" -10"

Left Calf -- -- -2.75" 14" 14" 13"

Chest ( across largest point in bra ) 50.25" 47.5" 42.5" 41" 38" -12.25"
Waist 49" 45.5" 37" 35" 33" -16"

Hips 50" 48" 42" 41" 37" -13"

Neck 15.75" 14.75" 13.5" -- 13" -2.75"

Wrist -- -- -- -- 6" 6" 6"

Total loss 57.75" in 86lbs!

Apple Pickers

Daya in the orchard ( above)
Daya on the apple ladder
Mike and I in the trees - ooooh la la
He thinks his are the biggest in the orchard.... apple's that is ;)
YUM
Apple Pickers
The smile says it all
Ready to go pick some apples!
We went to greenbluff today to get our apples. We love picking our own fruit and veggies and each time we go up is a time to relish in the simple things. It's been a great way to teach and show roo where our food comes from, and how much people work for it. Not to mention the value in that iself!
It was a beautiful day for a bountiful harvest.
This week our mission was Jona-gold's and Gala's but soon our grannysmith and golden delish's will be ready to pick.
My plan is to make applesauce and some breads for mike and I!
We will see as you know its a busy week. If nothing else we have alot of apples to eat!

A new " Journey "

And one were excited about.
Mike and I bought our new car today - Now spare me what Ive already heard " Didnt they just file bankruptcy " . The answer is yes.
We did --- and now we have to rebuild. We traded in our nissan for it and our payments will be about 100 less a month than we have been paying for both cars! Were extatic. Its a great fit.

We bought a 2009 dodge journey. Fully loaded and got a hell of a deal on it too!
Wonder where this Journey will take us?!

We knew she was special but now THEY think so too!

A few months back my SIL had received a letter in the mail stating that her daughter had been nominated and would soon be tested for the Tessera program, and they would keep her informed as to if she is making it through each step needed to be accepted into the program... we waited anxiously as they " tested " and did their little hoopla they have to do.
I was one proud auntie for sure to be thinking this is amazing, we know she is so special - now THEY think she is too!

While they tested my neice, they never really said what for, but she kinda knew it was something special because a very select few got to do what she was doing, she handled it very well though and went about her normal 8 year old self funloving summer!

Then comes the best news..... I about screamed ( maybe I did scream?! ) as my SIL read me the letter

( of which I will see if I can attach a copy here )

To the parents of VICTORIA WORLEY,

...... Victoria has been selected for entry into the Tessera program!

Then as she read more I cried. I am so stinking happy for this little girl. She is so bright and shows so much promise. Anyone who sees this child work on math, reading and just about anything inbetween can see she clearly is above where she shoudl be. This is a honor for her to do - and I think she will soar with this program!

Selina chose to share the acceptance letter that afternoon with Victoria, upon picking her up after school. She was smart enough ( See thats where toria gets it ;) ), to snap a pic as victoria read through the letter and learned of her great accomplishment!


Congratulations Victoria! We are so very proud of you!
( and hat's off to Jeff and Selina too - your raising two terrific kids - and it shows!)

Victoria -

Uncle Mikey, Daya and I along with your Mommy and Daddy as so excited to share this new adventure with you and watch you grow even more. We beleive in you and support you and cannot wait to see your smile as you tell us everything new your learning. Never forget who you are and where you come from - and realize just how blessed you are young lady.

All our love,
Uncle Mikey, Aunt April and Daya too!

Greenbluff

We went to greenbluff this afternoon in hopes of picking apples, that didnt happen because they were closing but roo had fun picking some squash and some peaches out!
We will try again next week...

I had a lunch date

In the middle of the afternoon there Daya and I were sitting on the lawn, under a huge oak tree eating our watermellon, hamburgers and sipping chocolate milk with a very special lil' man...

Sounds nice huh!

Morgan called a couple of weeks ago to invite Daya and I to his school for the family BBQ so we gladly went and joined him.
It was a beautiful afternoon, the food wasnt too bad ( lets keep in mind it IS school lunch ) and we got to play in the feild at recess time too! His teacher isn't very friendly or accomodating so we didn't get to stay and read or anything like that as Daya and Morgan were hoping - but all in all it was a wonderful treat.

The more I spend time with these lil people the more I love them - its funny to see them in their "environment" they really are fun to watch and for a people watcher like myself its so funny and entertaining!

on a end note Even more so than putting daya in with senior citizens putting daya in with her cousin's classmates .... is like throwing fresh meat to a bunch of sharks. Good lord!

Thanks Morgan for the invite!

Aunt and Uncle to be again...

.. this is a common topic :)

We have learned that we will be Uncle, Auntie and Cousin again in MAY 2010!
The O'Dell family will welcome baby #4!
We are so happy for this blessed addition and praying for their GIRL?!
Time will tell...

new love : Lettuce Wraps

OMG ... I have a new love!

So in our quest for good food on date night, and on our way to my WLS meeting - we decided we would try PF changs at my SIL's urging from lastweek.

We ordered the Chicken Lettuce Wraps - DELISH and perfect for us, because like all their meals they are served family style so you can dish as you will. Well this is my kinda place :) I eat like abird and the lettuce wraps fit well in my pouch :)

YUM best part is only 7.95!!! and fed us both!

Welcome home....

... " Katie " .

Your saying who is Katie?!

She is our new 3 year old Black lab/chow mix :).
We adopted her from the spokanimal booth at the fair yesterday.
She is a perfect addition to our family and we will spend the next few days trying to get her comfy in her new forever home.
So far though shes amazing!

This should be confusing with our other lab KAYDEE - who lives with my mom now :).

Madaya is in love, and Kia is liking her already!



Katie's History :
Katie was turned in to The spokane humain society about 12 weeks ago - the owners said she is too big to keep. The shelter there, kept her for 10 weeks then turned her over to the colilation at Spokanimal. They have spayed her, chipped her, vax'd her and got her checked out and up for adoption. They showed her at the fair and we fell in love.
Katie, much like all our other dog's has issues.... Her eye lids roll into her eye, and her eyes get green goop. They recomended surgery but said its mainly cosmetic and we can keep her healthy and happy by simply wiping her eyes, and applying drops.
Shes fun, funloving, smart and is a perfect fit already. We will have her examined by our vet this week, and she is already licenced and all that jazz. We are over the moon excited to welcome another fur baby back into our family.

Pre-School Interview gone wrong

We have been calling, researching and looking into many possibilities for Madaya and pre-school and mainly the right fit for our family.

Today Mike and I took her to a local pre-school that " finally had an opening " and we were both appauled.
While for child care the center seems like it may be a good place, for preschool we don't feel its an option. Its all one area for daycare and school and the kids dont seem to respond well to that. I know daya would not. She is too routine, and if there was that much activity going on around her the over stimulating environment would quickly become way to much for her.
They also had very odd potty rules - calls us funny or whatever, but our daughter goes on her own, cleans herself and not very often needs assistance or help. This " school's " Policy is to " escort them to the bathroom, stand there ( in the bathroom ) while the child goes " Were not ok with that because 1.) Daya doesnt like anyone in there with her and 2.) We have instilled the whole " NO ONE BUT DAYA MOMMY OR DADDY can touch any area down there! The school wipes each child. While I am sure its because they think they are helping, for our daughter it wouldnt be a help.

Lets sum this up with they commented on " how little she is and if they are sure she eats enough " We will skip that as I am pretty sure we dont need some highschool student working 3 days a week at this center determining that she needs to call CPS because our little girl is just that... Little!

Grr...
So our search will continue!

Updates

Sometimes we get so carried away, I forget to do the things I need to do. Blogging does fall into my " needs " catagory. I need it to stay focused, and see where Ive been, where I am going and how I am getting there - often needing to take a different path. I seen my physco yesterday and for once had a smile on my face going in and coming out. Yes, as usuall I did cry during the apt. but this time, for the first time it was all happiness, releif even a little satisfication. She beleives I am getting stronger - more than that though I beleive I AM stronger. Ive come a long ways. A few short weeks ok there was talk of me being on the verge of a breakdown, going through alot and just in general a mess.
Maybe its not all perfect but its my life, and I am dealing with it - This is huge!
I am moving into my new body finally and fighting through the mental hell this has done to me. I would have never imagined going through this much turmoil esp with myself. Now I sing my song like a bird. I wish I would have heard other songs while I was looking into it - I would have learned much sooner how much I am like everyone else and I am the farthest thing from being alone.

It will be 2 weeks before I see Dr. Palmer again and I know I can do this...

Our vacation was fun. It was too short yet, just the right length all in one. It was here and then gone before we knew it.
Weve been home now a week, and have filled it with cleaning, settling back into a routne ( summer is ending, and we need to get back to normal ) and have jumped head first into the birthday party plans for Roo bug, school for michael, and school for me.

Mike is going to school to get his GED. He is still in hopes of joining the Air national gaurd. I am still on the fence about that issue, but either way am so proud of him for going back to school. Its been a long over due situation.

Madaya has an interview at a pre-schoool Monday at 2pm. She is just as excited as we are about it really. She loves being around other kids, and as much as I enjoy teaching her here, she needs and thrives on the company of other kids too. It will be good for all of us I beleive. If she doesnt get in here, Mike and I have said we will wait until I start college in the winter session, and then put her on campus with me in their center. Time will tell.

That means I am next - School that is, we are working on the financial aid part of it now. I beleive I want to finish my Social Work maybe a BA?! but in the mean time I will work on getting my Medical Insurance coding down, and could do that from home. Again time will tell and they will help walk me through it all. Ive also toyed with the ideas of becoming a phlebotomist, or maybe a ultrasound tech. Both of which may not happpen - risks to each one.

These weeks to come are busy for this family.
With the above mentioned activities theres also fall activities, festivals, programs, harvesting, birthday party for daya, Birthdays for vicky and toria, a JBF sale that I am again selling at, then HALLOWEEN... and dare I say by the time that is over here comes Thanksgiving and then the C word!!

As for us personally were doing really well. Mike is happy at work and working hard on his health for the gaurd ( and him ) and is down a total of 85+ lbs in the last year. I am now at 140-141 lbs with only 10-11lbs more to go before I hit goal. Madaya finally hit the 25lb mark while fully clothed :) Were all doing so darn well its unbeleivable sometimes.

Some of you have asked and heres your official answer, Yes -There is talk that perhaps another baby will be in the near future for us, but leaving that up to god for now.
we just experianced ( still going through ) a chemical pregnancy aka early misscarriage. We've choosen not to tell many or anyone and that brings issues on its own. Vacation was kind of hard because I was expecting to pass the pregnancy at anytime, but it didnt happen we were 6 weeks pregnant... well here we are still waiting and now may need a D&C and not many will know or understand. Were ok with it - as we said its not the right time, just yet. There must be another plan!
We have to wait to " try " until my weight is stable and at goal. We can't controll nature, only try to time things accordingly. Lesson learned.
Sucks. Suffering Silently though.

Summer has ended for us as for activities and crazyness. Its been nice to settle back in to our routine and get back to the root of things..... this weekend we will wrap up the landscaping in the front of the house for this year, get the toys in the yard cleaned up for fall/winter, and get the gardens gutted as much as we can. I am back to only running errands 1-2 days a week, and scheduling better and budgeting more! I like how that feels.
Mike is off on Sundays, Monday's and Thursday's and were back to our family days :)

Until our next big update ....

WLS: 5 month line up

Good Afternoon

This afternoon we met some of the family and friends at Olive Garden to celebrate Mike's birthday ( From last tuesday ). ( and yes - I did eat some pasta ;) ).
We had a great time visiting with friends and the fam and then Mike, Madaya and I took our friends John, and Nicole to experiance " pig out in the park " . We had ice-cream by the river, took roo to ride the carolsel, and then walked the park. Daya made out like a bandit -
she got a " tat- too, like daddy's". Even though it was a little henna tattoo she was so excited and had to show it to everyone downtown I think.
After all that fun we headed back home for a movie, and snacks and put roo to bed.
It was a fabulous evening!
Here's some of the fun :)

The grin should say it all

Wee Momma!


I love this horsey!

Daya and " Toria "

Mike and Apes

A lesson gone wrong

A couple of weeks ago I let my nephew and neice bring home 2 turtles we found at fish lake, while there playing.

Selina didnt want them at here house so I thought " Ok, great this could be a great learning tool for Madaya, and the kids and we would bring them back labor day weekend.... ".

Well - Here it is the Tuesday after Labor Day and guess who has 1 turtle still?! Guess who may not be going to take the turtle back? And want to know what happened to the other?!

The day before we left for vacation we took the turtles to Selina's for the kids to watch and learn about while we were gone. Selina wasnt the happiest about this - but agreed. That night Selina calls and informs me that " we have no more turtles " yes, they were gone - disapeared. We thought maybe they excaped ( highly unlikely since they had been fine for a week prior ) or a wild animal got them or something ( again been fine for a week and we live more out here! )... we chalked it up to weird and didn't double think it.

The day after I come home - Selina calls and says " We found 1 turtle... well, the neihbors did actually " it was the male, Joey. He seemed ok. I inform her I will take him home with me so we can take him back to the lake - and our happiness that brought.
10 minutes later she calls " Apes - we have no turtle, well we kinda have a turtle?! " she goes on to explain... the dog having it in its mouth!!! And with a sick stomach she tried to explain the damage and how we would tell the kiddo's ( Who just were so elated to know they found the turtle in the first place! ).

I get there--- and Im gut wrenched his shell is missing about an inche from rim - gone in the front top, a good chunck near his back leg on his belly of the shell and another tear in his leg.
I took Joey home, and hes still here. We clipped his shell that was sharp and hanging ( oh I want to puke thinking of it ) and are nursing him back to health. He has no way to get his head inside anymore and his leg is healing. Were affraid of returning him to the wild, since he has no more protection.
So... for now... Joey resides in the Pemberton - Evans home!

Incase your wondering - We have yet ( and doubt we will ) find Chloe, the other turtle.


History and Lesson Learned
These are Western Painted turtles. We had 1 male, and 1 female. Toria named the female Chloe, Morgan named the male, Joey. They both were around 3-4 years old. Click on that link to learn more of them.

The biggest lesson is : LEAVE NATURE ALONE!!!

Note to self : DONT LET THOSE KID NEPHEW AND NEICE OF YOURS TALK YOU INTO STUPID THINGS!!!

Joey ( his head WOULD BE in the shell )

Under sides of the Male and Female painted turtles

Joey and Chloe - Before Doom's Day!
(Joey on Right )

* I wont put pics of his wound and underside on here - a little gross for me actually!

Oregon Coast Slide show

Ok now here's part of the pics - Im too lazy to look at them all and edit! Enjoy the slideshow!

WLS : 5 months post op

You get the idea! ( Mike said he will try to take some comparrison pics this weekend )

Wow - When time flies it really does fly. I keep forgetting to get my 5 month photos taken and put up - so since its past I'll have to put a crappy one up just for your veiwing pleasure.

August 27th - marked 5 months post op.

As of that day I was down 82lbs.

I had about 15-17lbs to go.

Comfortably I am wearing a size 8 ... most are size 6.

The weight loss has slowed way down thank goodness and I am eating more calories now. Trying to get in about 900-1000 a day with working out. It seems to be working well.

Thats about a week ago - and even with a vacation and not eating right I am down 4lbs!

Today's weight at 5 months 2 weeks post op is 142.2lbs!

I wont do measurements till this months anniversary so stay tuned!

Mike said he is now down about 35lbs too!!! Just 20lbs

more to go for him - I am so proud!

Cutness

Here are some snapshots of the cuteness we encountered on our trip!

I named him narcoleptic steve - he kept falling asleep and his head would end up in the water!

Cuddles on the dock - sealions

basking in the sun

See his heart shaped nose?

Harbor seal waiting for dinner from the fish guys!

Seagull enjoying a fresh crab dinner ( We watched him pull it out of the water )

Thats a hermit crab in the heart!

He was posing - or something?! - Sealion in Newport, Oregon

Harbor Seal & Baby - Otter crest, Oregon

Vacation

Yes - this sums it up!

Mike and I think our footprints look like a heart!

Was she happy?! or what!

See it... ( I have a thing for hearts found in nature )

God shes cute!


Above you have seen some of my absolute favorite snap shots. As you can imagine I have millions ( ok only a few hundred ) of other photos, both snap shots and planned. I have yet to get through them all but you can bet I will share when I do.

We got home lastnight and boy I kind of think I need a vacation from the vacation.

First of all this is our first trip as a family to the ocean and our first long trip with Madaya really all together - wow is traveling with a toddler way different than as a couple.

However we had a blast. The Oregon coast is so magestic. I don't know why really but I am almost possitive its the combination of nice people, friendly shops, a beautiful coast line and oh yeah... NO TAXES!!

We had rented a condo on the beach on stiletz bay - in Linoln City, Oregon. The condo is definetely the way to go vs. hotel. We had our own room, bathroom and a great veiw. We even had a kitchen and that was a life savor to our life style! This afforded us the ability to eat as we do at home, and try to stay on a somewhat normal routine!

The days passed quickly as we filled them with playing in the sand, sight seeing, fishing, a trip to the aquarium, tide pools, whale watching and even a trip shopping.... the outlet malls are wonderful why dont we have a tanger center here?!

Mike did great on the charter - he caught 5 salmon but got to keep 1! And 10 sea bass. Curt did too! We all went whale watching. I loved it, Mike loved it Daya was ok with it and Bree... well lets say she doesnt have sea legs. She didnt puke though!! GOOD JOB BREE! and curt wad fine take it or leave it kinda trip I think for him!

I have a smile on my face just thinking about it all. I really enjoyed my time and my vacation -

Mike and I are still planning to make it to the carriebean and this so makes us want to do it more, and all inclusive!

Imagine! Dream.....

Back to unpacking ( and I'll even upload some photos if I can get a minute )