Its hard being a pup!

You asked - Here it is... the update.

Hanna has been home for 2 weeks now.

Fun times! Lol. That sums alot up.

No, actually it's been pretty good. She has been so good, and fits perfectly with our family.

Big sister Kia, has finally started playing with her, and showing her how to be a dog ( well our dog ), Hanna has decided puppy chow is not good enough for her and now demands to be fed what kia eats ( we make and buy some dog food ). Her favorite game is chasing Madaya around the house, and seems to have taken to resting on Kia's rawhide. She doesnt chew on it, rather using it as a pillow. Weirdo. I am so happy we spent the money on the nice dog bed ( can you see me rolling my eyes? ).

Oh hanna....

We love you!

She makes us laugh ... Babies for sale.

Overheard today :



Daddy : Hey Daya, I love you.

Daya : Hey Daddy I love you more...

Daya : Daddy?

Daddy : Yes Daya?

Daya: Can we have a baby now?

Daddy : No not yet hunny, soon though ok?!

Daya : Why Daddy? The babies not on sale right now?!



All of us : LOL!



She has been saying alot of funny things lately but she is just too funny sometimes. Her other big one lately is this...



Mommy : Hey Daya how did you sleep lastnight?

Daya : Not good - I had bad dreams!

Mommy : Why? What about? Tell me your dream!

Daya : I don't know? Kia took them and gave me them back. Bad ones.

Daya : See mom kia gives me bad dreams....



( boy if she only knew ;) ). Seriously she makes us laugh!

Everything has a Reason!

I am one of those people who beleive EVERYTHING and EVERYONE has a reason. Be it good or bad its just my personal opinion but more and more I think it comes to reveal itself as true!

This morning we headed out from our house after Ry picked us up, and headed down the back roads ( you would have to know where we are to see ) to go pick up Morgan and Selina.
The roads were slick and they didn't getting any less so on the way into town so we were using much caution.

One particular stretch of Government way is nothing but cliff and rocks on the East side of the road, and cemetaries on the West side... its a known dangerous area.
As we rounded the corner at Greenwood and Government way going way under the speed limit of 35mph we lost controll, went sideways and then were able to get back on track.
The one good thing about it was when we were sideways looking down over the cliff that most certainly could have been our resting point we saw a car into a tree with its lights still on and engine running. We would have never seen this car down the cliff if we would have not been going sideways to face that path ourselves. We immediatly pulled the truck over to the side of road and ran to help. Mike and Ryan took off down the cliff to see who and what the situation was and I stayed up top to call 911.
We were the first on scence and although neither of us had to do anything we are well trained in ( CPR, first aid etc ) Ryan did get her car shut off, safety situation figured out and tried to get the lady out of the car together Mike and Ryan kept the lady very calm, and assesed the situation so I could relay to 911. The ladies car was totalled but thank God it went into the tree, she could have easily came to rest at the bottom of the rocks another 200' from the 150' steep feet she had already came from! She informed Mike and Ryan that her husband was on his way, and that her dog was also in the car.
Right as the firetrucks and ambulance got there, Ryan carried her dog, rusty, a very shaken 90lb brown and tan cattle dog up the cliff to me, as Mike stayed with her to wait it out. As Ryan approached the top with Rusty the ladies husband came running he got enough out of me and went flying down the cliff himself to be by his wifes side while the firemen tried to stop him ( Side note : I will never forget the fear in his face as he saw the car intangled in the trees, and being told he shouldn't/couldn't get to her ) Nothing was stopping him.
Mike, Ryan and the Husband re-surfaced as the parimedics tried to get her out. The Husband hugged us all and thanked up for our responses and help. No thanks needed, were good people doing what good people do. What any person should do we said! It made us all feel good.

The crazy part was this. Yes, we slid too and yes we certainly could have been in that SAME situation. She was able to tell us she came from the exact same way and we seen the path and marks. But ... in the 30 minutes it took for us to find her, and get her help while we were waiting with her just as shaken 6 more cars did the same thing! At one point Ryan and Mike yelled at me to get behind the pole because a car was sliding and could have and would have hit me! Talk about scarey! We watched a city bus, a fire truck and 2 other smaller semi's hit things too. Once the police showed up he called into the city to report the stage 3 emergency ( icy road no controll ) and put flares out to slow and shut down traffic while those of us involved safely got taken care of.

Mike and Ryan has been unable to get her out of her car due to her leg being broken. She could not move it at all. Her husband later told us that when she called him, she must have passed out because he was unable to get details or anything and if it had not been for us, would not have known really what was going on or where!

She is so lucky she was stopped by that tree, that it was only a broken leg, only a totalled car and that we almost had the same fate. Honestly when we found her we anticipated much much worse as the car looked horrid, the position was not good and fluids were coming out of it. We honestly didn't know what we were in for!

The 3 of us were simply on our way to enjoy a day of skiing and doing nothing but having fun - but had no idea what God's plans were for the day.
It's true that Everything has its reason.

Thank you God for making us slide, for letting us find her and get her help! Thank you for making sure we were all safe and helping us all to re-realize that everything truely does have its Reason.

Ski(Board) Bunnies

Mike and I had a great chance to get away today and play in the snow ...

We went to 49° North today to teach our nephew Morgan how to snowboard ( which was a big birthday gift from his mom dad ) and to have some fun ourselves.

Our best friend Ryan agreed to do most of the teaching since 1.) he loves this lil kiddo and 2.) he is by far the more experianced in the situation right now since its been ( gulp.... 10 years! ) so long since Mike or I have been up there!

So we left early in hopes of getting there early ( see next blog post ) but didnt make it to the mountain until 9:30. Still plenty of time to play.

Morgan did great he took to snowboarding really well and quick with getting the basics down. Mike and I did great too!
I forgot how much I enjoy the freedom of being on the mountain and the joy the snow brings to me! Wow!

Mike and I will be headed up in 2 weeks with just Olga and Ryan this time to Schweitzer Mountain for a full day of fun in the snow :)

We also plan a couple of more trips for and with Morgan to continue is snowboarding education :)
Here are some pics from all our fun!

The ride to freedom - uphill

Ryan having morgan shadow him...

Mike's Ride down
In deep thought... please dont fall

Ready to play!

Hanna - Here to stay

... And were loving it :)

Our sweet Hanna got to come home to live forever with us on Thursday January 7th.
The first night was very rough she cried all night long... but she was doing good. No potty in the house or anything and was being loved ( and then some ) by roo and us!
The second day was fantastic, no whining, lots of play time, nap time and lots of visitors and new people.... Ok night but we moved her to the kitchen in her kennel cause we HAD TO SLEEP!
The 3rd night = WEVE GOT THIS DOWN already. She likes to eat a heated dinner, go out to go potty then off to bed and is sleeping in 5-6 hour stretches and cries only when she wanted out!
Today is our 3rd full day with her and she has been a dream she is so smart, so relaxed and getting along well with big sissy kia!
I think were on a roll....
Hanna is here to stay!

First night home...
See mom, take a picture!

Loving on Hanna - a new fav hobby!

Snowtubing

We took Madaya to Mt. Spokane today to go snowtubing at the tubing hill.
She loved every minute of it!

I hope to get some more pics of it up here soon but heres our try at a " family " pic. LOL.

I think our roo is an adventurist! Man does she love speed!

Hanna -- on the Grow!

I know.... I seriously need to quit being lazy and update this blog right?!
Some of you have seen, but since you SAME PEOPLE think I need to share more, here you go!

We got the chance to visit with Hanna on Tuesday and play with her for a while. She turned 1 month old today and will be coming home in a couple of weeks we hope!

Hanna is growing well! Since the last time we seen her, her eyes have opened ( they are bluish/brown ) and she is walking around. She is also starting some soft puppy food :). Her momma and siblings are all doing well and Heather and her kiddos are doing a great job of loving her and getting her ready for us to love forever.

We are all so excited to welcome her home soon!

All Fulled up!

Daya loves her Hanna!

Hanna loves to snuggle!!

Momma and Hanna both ready for a nap!

Puppy love!

2010 : Forward Direction

It's a new day, a new decade and a new year... alot for one post!

We will call 2010 a forward direction!

Last night we did not get to " ring in " the new year how we would have hoped, I spent it drooling on my pillow after 2 doses of cough syrup, while roo was snug in her bed doing about the same thing, and Daddy was at uncle Ryan's house celebrating with some of our loved ones for us. Mommy and Roo were sick.... sucks.

This morning though both of us were awakened with a kiss from Daddy and a good breakfast before Daddy and I headed off to work... yeah, you heard it right We both had to work this " Holiday " too.

After work ( which ended up being a 12 hour day for me! ) I went to my aunt's house to meet my family and celebrate for a bit. There roo and I had a very nice visit and time. I do love my family and while sometimes I wish they were different, or things were different honestly for the most part we are really lucky. I do mean that! Some people don't have anything, or anyone and can only " think " they do. We don't have to think, in all honesty we know!

Daya and I headed home, and called Daddy to wish him a happy 2010 again, and just as fast as the new day, new decade and new year came in - it went out!

Now, for me I am not big on " New Years resolutions " Almost everyone makes them and those same people break them. I don't like to let myself down so why add the stress?

Do we have goals in mind? Of course!

Do we have ideals? Heck yes!

Will they happen all in 2010? We will have to find out!

In 2010 we are hoping to see our selves continue with the great progess we have made. Continuing to live simply, within means, and focused on family would be a great start!

We hope to add to our family this year and by the end of 2010 be looking at the possibility of buying another home ( this most likely wont happen for a couple of more years, but its a start ). We are still working hard to make sure we continue to live by cash only and no debt. Trying to right our wrongs, and mend our fences.

Live for today. Dream of Tomorrow.

We hope to have much more time as a family doing things this coming summer, and figuring out exactly where and what we want to be doing together.

We are working on living healther each and every day. Both of us, maintaining our weight and whole health and wellbeing.

Madaya will start " real " preschool this year! She will turn 4! ( Hard to beleive ).

Mike and I will have been married 10 years in April!

A new decade, a new day .... Let's see where we go!

WLS Update : 9 months post op

9 months post op - No way!



I do not know how this time keeps going by so quickly. It dawned on me Christmas Morning that at this time last year I was crying cause I was dissapointed that my surgery had been post poned. What a difference a year had made though -

here I was sitting in my chair which is way too big for me now, in sweats I hade bought on clearance last year after christmas in hopes I would fit into them ( a size 4/6 ) that are now too loose on me, and so different in each and every way now.

I am blessed and what better way to remember it?! I broke out the photos of last christmas to recall. This is still an incredibly painful thing to do. I had no idea how depressed the weight really made me and visa versa!



So ... 9 months here is where I am at.



Emotionally: I still have my struggles. More so with the fact that what the pro's warned be about others and how they handle my journey is true! Many are no ok with the fact that I changed my habbits, my styles and my needs. They dont handle me being selfish with my needs, despite the fact that other that food being for nutrition only now, I haven't changed for or with them in any other way. I struggle daily thinking and worrying about what others think and I am working hard to correct this. As we know its not about " them ". I don't cry as often as I used to, but I am still very much having " anxiety " attacks if you will, when I go out to eat, think about a big holiday or gathering with food etc. I work myself into a panic about wondering when and if I can eat ok when others are around. My comfort zones are well known as well as my comfort foods. Its clear now how much emotions really did play into my food choices back then.



Self Image : I struggle. I do now see " ME " in the mirror, but its not the reflection I expected to see. I don't expect anyone to know what that means but when I look I still see what I know of me. Loving, Caring, Fun, Happy, and Free..... just much smaller on the outside. Just as much as I used to pick myself apart when I was bigger, I do it now that I am smaller. I get sick at the sight of my skin, my rolls and my shape. It makes me sad to think I have no breast, no butt, and wrinkles in my face. I still do not beleive that I can go almost anywhere and buy a size 4/6 and " slip them on ". I am learning to be comfortable but it takes time... and I am still new.

The physcologist thinks I have moved into my new body... were working on the mind.



Self Esteem : WOW! I have always known who I am... but sometimes even I doubted it. Honestly this journey has brought to light many many things. One of them is just how strong I really am. Sure, I know I have endured alot - but at what cost? Now I know why, and that I can do many things on many levels.

I.e. Going back to work. I will use this as my most latest because it is the latest. I have been blessed to have great jobs in my past - a few of which I loved alot.... but this new one is amazing and I am led to beleive alot has to do with who and where I am in life at this moment. I cannot recall a time in recent years I could have been hired for this job, to be on my feet all hours of the day, touching, talking and being looked at my so many families day in and out... without fear of " of my gosh they think Im fat " running through my head! Its nice to not hide behind my phone as a receptionist because I have a great voice - but to be seen as a whole person. As much as I would have liked to think people didnt think I was big, fat or whatever they wanted to call me --- I was. They did!

Its all so different now. I love to slip on my work clothes, put on my make up and think - WOW I AM APRIL AND I CAN DO THIS!



Physically :

I am tired. They say this comes from the low iron levels. I am still anemic.

My bones ACHE!!! And I do mean ache - but they say its because your body isnt used to not having the fat padding it used to around all the joints, and bones in general. This gets better with time ( lord willing! ).

But I am doing ok. I am getting - for the most part - my 6 meals in a day, and am now slowly getting more active in hopes of finding that balance. Soon will be adding in swimming to the plan and looking forward to that!



Summary :

9 months post op RNY Bypass.

Currently about 130lbs and struggling to get back to the 135-140 range!

Size loose 4/6 bottoms and S/M on most tops.

Ring size is now a 7.5 ( was 11 )

Still not cycling normally, batteling thyroid and iron issues.





And since its been a few months since I have done measurments I will post this :



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) & 9 month anniversary (12/27/09 )DIFFERENCE FROM SURGERY DAY!
Left Arm 14.5" 14" 12" 11" 10.75" 10.0" -4.5"
Left Thigh 28.5" 25.75" 21" 19.5" 18.5" 18.5" -10"
Left Calf -- -- -2.75" 14" 14" 13" 13" -3.75"
Chest ( across largest point in bra ) 50.25" 47.5" 42.5" 41" 38" 38" -12.25"

Waist 49" 45.5" 37" 35" 33" 31" -18"
Hips 50" 48" 42" 41" 37" 36" -14"
Neck 15.75" 14.75" 13.5" -- 13" 12.75" -3"
Wrist -- -- -- -- 6" 6" 6" 5.75"



Total loss 65.5+" in 9 months.

A Holiday that couldnt be beat!

I haven't had time to update lately so I am making myself sit here and do it now - better late than never!

A Holiday that couldn't be beat!
Christmas - in short, was simply wonderful this year!

It was spent at home and some of the family joined us later.
There was alot of fun that we had but really was just nice to be back to the basics and simple. We did not even " plan a dinner"! Everyone just brought something to share and it was wonderful!
Mike and I both had to work on Christmas Day so we celebrated on Christmas Eve.
Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Ann, Kandis, Ryan and Selina came to celebrate with us after most of us met at church at noon for service. We exhanged gifts with the kiddo's and enjoyed each other's company until it was time for bed.
Madaya was beat since earlier in the day she had her time with mommy and daddy and our little christmas together, then church ( a birthday party for Jesus ) and then of course her cousins and play time when everyone joined us!


Christmas Day we woke up at 5:30 am and while Mommy and Daddy got ready for work we made our traditional Breakfast of pigs in a blanket. We watched as Daya "opened" her stocking then off to work we went, leaving Daya and Grammy to enjoy the day.
No complaints other than I wish all our family could be together, and seriously this was one of the most joy-ful of holidays we have all shared in a while!
As for gifts we did great! Mike and I stuck to our budget of 150.00 for Madaya's gifts and Stocking ( we dont do santa so she does know its us! ) Thanks to great shopping on black friday she got a Motorized scooter, Art easel, Cherry Blossom Market, Art things, chair, 3 puzzles, 4 games and 2 outfits from gymboree and her favorite... a piano " an-o ".
* She was spoiled by many others too and those are not listed above.
Mike and Daya got me a scrapbook tote on wheels, 3 outfits from aeropostle and a pair of boots. Daya and I got daddy an aircompressor, sweatshirt, MP3 player, candy, and a pull up bar.
Our church blessed us all with Clothing! ( Which was very much needed! ) and was such a help to all of us!

We have sure felt the love lately and are truely thankful for all we have come to learn, endure and share with others!
We are wishing all of you a very happy 2010 and pray that you each and all realize just how much you mean to us and the world!
Mike, April and Madaya

Here are some photos from our day. I have not posted the ones of everyone here yet.

Will do soon!

Daya and her stocking

The frontroom before everyone came

Daya's new ornament perfectly suited : A dancing giraffe.

Sing with me guys!

Daya wearing her baby in the sling momma made for her!

Markers make her happy!

For roo - With love, Daddy and Mommy!

Roo's new wheels!

See roo go?

Daya made plates and Mugs for everyone!