Update

Thanks again everyone for thinking of me and for the nice emails, texts, phone calls. It was so sweet of you all! Here is an update:

The surgery went really well. I am recovering quicker than last time which has been nice! I went to the hospital Tuesday morning around 8am and was in the operation room by about 8:40am. They gave me my IV and some morphine and I got loopy really quick :) I got out of surgery about an hour later and didn't throw up at all afterwards. Much different from last time. Ended up only staying at the hospital probably for about 2 hours and then Josh took me home.

I slept most of the day and rested Wednesday and Thursday. I'm back to work today, but really drained and ready to go home already. I feel some pain in my shoulders from the gas they use during surgery, but not nearly as bad as last time. The worst pain I have right now is probably just trying to sit up. Once I'm laying down it hurts to try and bend at the waist. Also, the incision areas are a bit bloody (sorry for the TMI) and it makes me want to throw up a little bit every time I look at them, haha.

The endometriosis came back and the doctor cleared up as much as he could. I did have 2 cysts as a result from the endo, which were removed and hopefully this is what we need to start the next step. Just wanted to give you a quick update on me and let you know everything went great. Josh leaves for NY on Sunday so I'm going to be pretty bored while he's gone :( He's going for a conference out there for work. Lucky. Wish I were going with him...

Pasta! I did it!

So after a few failed attempts at this a couple days ago, I really wanted to figure it out because we love pasta!! I figured it out today! The previous recipe I was using from the KitchenAid recipe book, was a little too dry, possibly because we are in a dry climate. So I tried it with less flour and a little bit of water and wha-la!

Here is my creation:

Pre-dough


Letting the dough sit for 20 minutes


Rolling the dough




The dough is getting thinner and longer


Cutting the dough


Drying the noodles




Horray! I'm so excited! I'm going to let the noodles dry for an hour and then store them in the refrigerator or freezer for further use. I would make it tonight for dinner, but we just had pasta like 2 days ago. And if you know me really well, you know I LOVE ravioli. That is the next endeavor :) Anyone want to come over for dinner?

Surgery - One more time

Well guys... it's that time again. Time for another surgery! I'm obviously being sarcastic and wish so much that I don't have to do this, but I do.



A week from today (Nov. 10) I go under the knife (dun, dun, dun). This is the same surgery I did last year. It's called a laparoscopy and will be used to help treat my endometriosis.

Definitions:

Laparoscopy - a surgical technique in which a lighted viewing instrument (laparoscope) is inserted into the lower abdomen through a small incision, usually made below the navel. The abdomen is inflated with gas injected through a needle, which pushes the wall of the abdomen away from the organs so the doctor can see them more clearly.

Endometriosis - the growth of endometrial tissue-which normally lines the uterus-in other parts of the body. Endometriosis typically grows in the abdominal cavity and most often attaches to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus, bowels, or other abdominal organs.

So yeah... when I did it last year, it was hell, but I lived. Last year was my first surgery, so hopefully my body will respond better this time around. It's only an outpatient surgery, so I'll go in Tuesday and go home the same day. It's just that my abs hurt SOOO bad and you don't realize how much you use them, until every little move you make kills! The other super sucky part is when they fill you up with the gas, and they don't get it all out, then everytime you sit up the air bubbles fill like your chest and shoulders and you just want to lay down all the time so it doesn't hurt. But I'll let you know how it goes!

Tagged

Well... I've been tagged! Thanks a lot Lindsey :) I know I'm not required to do these, but since I haven't posted pictures from our Nashville trip... I'll do this while you all are waiting. (All 3 of you who read my blog)

List 10 truths about yourself:

(I'll try to list things that are less commonly known to make it more interesting)

1. I used to be known as the "ninja" in my family growing up because I would kick and thrash so much when I would sleep. So, on family trips I would always get my own bed because no one wanted to sleep with me. I was sad about it when I was little because my brothers would tease me, but then I realized I got my own bed and it was fine. Apparently (according to Josh) I don't do that anymore. Except I do steal the blankets still... and grind my teeth.

2. I skipped first grade. Not that exciting, so I'll tell this funny story. When I was in second grade I hated my teacher so much. She was so rude and even the parents didn't like her. Her name was Ms. Vranicar and she was at DeMille Elementary. Anyways, in the middle of all of our tables was a basket of books. Every couple days I would take a book and put it in my backpack and when I came home I threw the books behind the piano so my mom never saw them. One day, my mom found them all and said "Tiffany... what is this?!" So I spilled the beans and told her and my mom was so nice that she actually returned the books anonymously so I wouldn't have to face my teacher. Which brings me to number 3...

3. I absolutely hated school growing up. I would cry and cry and cry and my dad would threaten to "hog tie me" (jokingly, but I thought he was serious) and take me to school in my pajamas... my worst nightmare when I was in 2nd grade. So, I would come home on the kindergarden bus at like noon, so that I wouldn't have to stay longer than I needed to. Needless to say, it didn't matter, because I was a genius child anyways. (I mean I skipped first grade).

4. I have never been in a car accident. Small, big, their fault, my fault.. nothing. I count my lucky stars and I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

5. I can type 100 wpm with 100% accuracy on www.typingtest.com. I don't know why, but I always loved taking typing tests. It was like a game for me.

6. I have never, ever had a bloody nose or an ear infection. (The ear infection may be disputed by my mom, when I was like a baby, but not that I have ever known).

7. I am a chapstick addict. Growing up I would lick my lips all the time and was even given the name "Lip licker" from my brothers, kind... I know. I would lick all around my mouth and have like chapped mouth (instead of chapped lips), gross, but whatever. So, I would sleep with vaseline on my lips every night and to this day, I can not go to sleep without putting vaseline on my lips. And throughout the day, I have chapstick on me at all times.

8. I was almost arrested in college. Another funny story... so I went to BYU and lived in the dorms. A friend of mine in one of the other dorms was telling me how much everyone hated this one guy on their floor and how loud and obnoxious he was. So, being the intellient person that I was, called his room number and pretended to be the Provo Police and told him there was a noise complaint and to keep it down. Well, the next day, my friends wanted me to do it again, so I called back and chatted with this guy. Anyways... he must have caught on, because I got a phone call a little while later (I thought it was him calling back) and I answered the phone "Provo Police" and the voice on the other line goes, "no... you are not Provo police.. I AM Provo Police" So yeah.. the cops came to my dorm told me I could go to jail for the night for impersonating a police officer and harrassment. Thank goodness I cried and they didn't take me to jail.

9. I kept a journal from Freshman year of college until I got engaged to Josh. Religiously for 4 years straight... then stopped. Haven't written since. I'm so sad, but at least I have everything about meeting Josh and how hot I thought he was when I saw him the first time :)

10. I eat my sandwiches from the bottom up. My favorite part of the bread is the top crust, so I save that part for last. I eat the gross bottom bread, but by the time I get to the top, I'm kind of full and don't usually eat my favorite part anyways. Haha.

Now... I tag... Veronica R., Lacey M., Brenda W.

Nashville, TN

This is where we are headed tomorrow. Can't wait!

I can't wait... to bake, bake, bake!!

So, I made this purchase today:



and I couldn't be happier!! Unfortunately, I ordered it online, so I have to wait until it arrives :(

But I found a great deal! I get this beautiful KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Mixer, with all of the attachments it normally comes with, plus this beauty:



It's a pasta roller/cutter to make homemade pasta! I took a cooking class in college (my favorite class at BYU), and we made pasta there. It tastes so good and you can control what ingredients go in. It takes awhile to do on your own, but with this handy little attachement, 1/2 the time has been cut out!

The next wonderful thing it comes with, is this:



It's a slicer/shredder. It'll be perfect for grating cheese, slicing vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and also shredding things like carrots and potatoes for hash browns.

Obviously, other than those attachments I'm going to make some great things like, bread, cookies, cinnamon rolls, pizza dough, cakes, mashing potatoes, meringues, you name it!

I seriously can not WAIT! I was at my sister in law's house (Rebecca) on Sunday for conference and we made some delicious homemade cinnamon rolls in her KitchenAid, and it was SO easy! I'm so glad Josh is amazing and didn't mind if I purchased this. Now, I just need to use it all the time so I get my money's worth. Good thing these things last forever, because once I stop working, this bad boy will be working much more frequently :)

September Recap

This past month (which I've been putting off my blog for) has been a good month. Nothing too eventful has happened, but it was still a good month! I'm currently at work and don't have my pictures on the computer, but those will follow.

What I love about this stage in life, is how much time I get to spend with Josh. What a blessing to be able to enjoy our time together and make memories that will last us a long time. Since we have the time together, might as well enjoy every minute of it, right?!

A couple weeks ago we went up to Salt Lake and spent the afternoon up at Energy Solutions Arena for the Dew Tour. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a competition for skateboarding and BMX riding. We actually went last year and it's really fun to watch! We went with our friends Sonny and Kelly and it's always a fun time with them. They also had a bunch of booths and free swag to take home.

The week after we went to the Barnum and Bailey Circus! Did you know that they started out in Brewster, New York? (Josh's hometown). Pretty cool! The circus was awesome! I was a little afaid it would be kind of kiddy, but it totally wasn't! The elephants were my favorite, and it's amazing how they can train those animals! They also had these trick dogs that did really cool tricks. One was doing back flips, hahaha. It was a great night and we definitely enjoyed the show.

The other exciting news for September is I switched positions within Fidelity and I absolutely love my new job! I'm still working up at Gateway, but instead of taking phone calls, I am now helping people through email and chat! It's so nice. I just listen to my iPod, talk to the people next to me and just search the internet, oh yeah, and help the customers haha. Not too bad! So I was lucky to be able to move departments, HORRAY!

As for the future, Josh and I have some fun upcoming plans too! Here's what is on the agenda:

October 11 - October 17 Scott, Karrilynn and kids come in town! So much fun, can't wait to see them!

October 17 - Josh's birthday!

October 22 - October 26 We're going to Tennessee! Josh served his mission there and we've really wanted to go back ever since. Now we get the chance!

November 6 - November 8 Lacrosse tournament in Vegas, which I'll probably tag along for

November 12 - Novemeber 15 Josh will be going to NY for a work conference (I don't get to come on this one .... sad)but he will be able to see his brother and all of his friends.

November 24 - November 29 - Parents in town for Thanksgiving!!! YIPPEE!

So there is a lot to look forward to.. and that's just the next 2 months! With Chris and Megan's wedding in Dec. we also get to go to California! What a busy time of year for us.

I really do have a good life. Sometimes I feel down on myself for things I don't have, but I do have wonderful people in my life. An amazing husband, incredible parents, in-laws, and siblings. I am so blessed and hope I can see all of the good and stop focusing on what is missing in my life.

And a quick update on the fertility issues... have had a few complications these past 2 months, but I'll be back on injections in a few weeks and we can start again!

Snowbird Getaway

This last weekend Josh and I enjoyed the chance to go stay up at Snowbird. It is absolutely gorgeous up there during the summer time (well winter time as well). I'm so glad we got to get away for a little bit and spend some time together. We went up and did a bunch of activities the first day. It was also oktoberfest while we were there so it was pretty crazy, but fun music and lots of fun things going on. Here are some of the things we did when we got there:

The Alpine Slide:



The Mechanical Bull:



The Peruvian Lift:



We also did the zip line too which was cool, but no pics to prove it.

Where we stayed:







We took the tram up too and this is what we saw:








It was such a fun time! We also had dinner at this really great Mexican place at the lodge and in the morning we had a breakfast fit for a king! Seriously, it tasted amazing and Josh got this huge omelette and I got biscuits and gravy. Never had that before, but man was it good!! Josh and I want to make this an annual thing. We had so much fun and can't wait to go back! It's great because it's only about 25 min. away from home.

Redecorating!

Here are some photos so far... ignore that my camera sucks and there are spots on the photos.






A few things were accomplished this weekend and many things weren't :) We have so many little projects around the house that we want to do, but we're getting them done slowly because of so many other things that just pop up! But I'd rather do the fun little things and worry about the work later, lol.

But Josh and I had a great weekend together. A lot of it was spent watching Lost. We haven't watched this show yet and decided there's so much hype, might as well get started, right!? Well, once you start, you can't really stop, as many of you are aware whether it's Lost, 24, Prison Break or whatever. Even though I feel like I'm wasting time, it's so fun to just hang out at home and spend time with Josh.

Another thing we did this weekend was buy a dresser for our room! We've only had a small little dresser since we've lived in our new place, so Josh has had NO WHERE for his clothes, except on the floor or piled high on the closet shelves. Not because he's messy, but because there was no where to put them! Now with the new dresser, there's plenty of room and I'll be happy to put the laundry away now since there's a place for it! (Pictures to come)

We also got this really cool mirror for our bedroom that I love! We got curtains to hang and also lowered our bed, so it's a little bit more modern. I can't wait to show you pictures of when it's all done. Curtains should go up tonight, that's our plan anyways. Until we decide Lost is more important.

Josh also had a fun campout with the scouts this weekend and was gone Friday night. They had to hike in and out of where they camped, 4 miles each way! Yikes! Glad I'm not a scout, lol. While he was gone, I got to spend time with Mike and Becca and my sweet nieces. I love those girls!

Our other projects we hope to accomplish in the coming months:

Paint
New Carpet
Redo kitchen cabinets (white)
Backsplash in kitchen
Tile bathrooms/kitchen
...and so much more :)

It'll look SOOOOO amazing when it's done! I'll post some pics tonight though of our progress.

Zions National Park

I know it's time for a new post and here it is! This weekend Josh and I went with 2 of our favorite couples out to Zions. It was such a blast! It was a short quick weekend, but completely worth it. We went with Marshall and Jen and Chucky and Ashley.

We left early Saturday morning, drove down to the park and then started a hike up the narrows. The Narrows was a beautiful "trail." I put it in quotes, because I didn't know you're hiking through a river. I've heard of this hike and I've heard of there being water sometimes up to your knees. Well, our friends neglected to tell us this was the hike we were doing, so I didn't really prepare clothing wise. I also didn't prepare for water up to the middle of my waist!!

But after we got in there and started the hike, the water was second nature and we all LOVED it! It was gorgeous and the mountains were amazing! The water was a nice cool down from the sun and it couldn't have been better. We were also lucky that it was cooler this last weekend than normal. It should've been around 110 degrees, but it was only around 85-90, which was perfect.

After the hike, we made our way back to the camp site, set up our tents, made some gourmet camping food (chicken tacos with peppers and onions, yum). We roasted some marshmallows (one of my favorite things while camping), and then hit the sack. We planned on getting up and doing a short hike the next morning, but we were all pretty tired and sore from before that we just headed home. We did hike like 4 1/2 hours the day before!

I'll post pictures soon, but I am really loving Utah in the summer time. There are so many amazing things to do and see and I'm glad we're taking advantage of it!