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!