Saturday, December 20, 2008

Update and Cassie's Graduation

So Mel went home from the hospital yesterday (Friday). I took the day off on Friday to spend time with them because Mel had a hard time remembering this the day before, which scared me. I was so glad I did it because it was hard to leave them today. Anywho, she is home and doing SO well. The doctors were very optimistic and couldn't confirm lupus cerebritis, which is a good sign. They didn't find proteins in her spine, which means she didn't have to start the chemo medicine.(Praise the Lord!) I am super proud of how she did, and even though it was an exhausting week, I am thankful for every minute spent with them!

Now for the promised graduation update! Cassie is a 2008 graduate from Cal Poly! She still has 3 months left of student teaching, and then she'll be a teacher, too! It was super fun buying her all sorts of teacher stuff that I wish I had! I had an awesome time visiting with all of our mutual friends and especially with Jon and Noonie. It's always fun to see them, because we just pick up where we left off. I'm super proud of her and am looking forward to watching her grow as a teacher! Enjoy the pictures. :)


So now I am in San Diego enjoying Christmas break with my family. And on the day after Christmas, Cassie and I leave to celebrate her graduation with a trip to Catalina! I am so looking forward to it and I think I deserve the relaxing. :) I got to start the trip off with a visit with my SLO-no-more family. It was SO great to see them, but way too short. Maybe Katie will post some pictures so that I can steal them. :) Hope everyone is doing well!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The roller coaster...

of emotions has been throwing me off the track this week. I spent Monday and Tuesday all day at the hospital...and I was there after work yesterday, and will be there again. I am tired and emotionally drained. But it has all been worth it. Randy has been super thankful that I've been around for cards and scrabble playing. I was sad to go back to work on Wednesday, but it needed to be done. I missed the kids and they missed me.

Melissa is doing well. Monday she was exhausted and slept pretty much all day. Tuesday she was her normal self and talked all day. On Wednesday she had dialysis, surgery for the dialysis and some new medication, so she was way out of it. Her blood pressure has been coming down, so that's a blessing. It looks like the diagnosis will be lupus cerebritis. This is the swelling of the main "tree trunk" of the vessels in the brain. This is what most likely caused the seizures. Her outlook is good, especially since they started emergency dialysis.

It has been so hard to watch everything happen. This is my first real experience like this with someone I love. Every hour I spend is so worth it, and I know it means the world to her mom and Randy. Thanks to those of you who are praying. Keep it up!
Here some specifics you can pray for:

1) Their 4 year old son Andrew, it's really starting to affect him.

2) That Mel will get to go home tomorrow!

3) That they have a smooth transition the next few weeks.

4) That I will be able to leave for home without worrying too much.

5) That the doctors will be able to treat this with the lowest dose of medication possible. (its a possibility she may have to take some meds that are kind of like chemo)

I'm off to the hospital for my last visit. When I get home this weekend, I promise to update on Cassie's graduation!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Birthdays and other happenings

This was an interesting birthday. I turned 24 today. Doesn't feel any different than 23.

I started the day off with breakfast with the family. It was a fun way to start my birthday! I was with them because we had come to SLO for Cassie's graduation. (more on that in another post) However, about an hour prior to breakfast, I found out my best friend in santa cruz had a seizure. She doesn't have much kidney function left and was about to start dialysis.

Although I know she will be fine and God is in control, this shook me to the core. I was crying every few minutes and my heart just cried out to the Lord. I went up to san jose to see her, for just a few minutes and it was awkward, because what do you say? I just wanted to love on her and tell her how much she means to me...but the room was small and they were exhausted and she looked so weak. I left there feeling even more broken and helpless. She has had other hospital visits, but this one seems much more serious. Part of me (as dumb as it sounds) was heart broken that she couldn't spend this special day with me. She helped planned it, and we've been talking about it for months! I couldn't imagine it without her. But alas, life goes on, and it did.
Along with Melissa and Randy, I am blessed with TONS of other amazing friends in santa cruz. 15-20 of those amazing friends showed up for dinner downtown and games and Candy Cane Cream Pie at my house!(K, we had a whole one left over, too bad it wont make it til next Saturday...)Mike and Brian came down from San Jose and lots of other friends joined. They helped me to enjoy the little amount that was left of my birthday. The boys bought me a game called Loaded Questions and it was amazing. There was SO much laughter. I couldn't help but enjoy myself! It's like that kind of enjoyment that you're having so much fun, but then you remember who's not there to share it, and you feel guilty. But anyways, it was great fun and thank you to all who came, called or facebooked me with birthday wishes!

Thanks for reading, even though their aren't pictures (still working on fixing that.)

And please be in prayer for Melissa and Randy and their 4 year old, Andrew. Thanks. and Mel if you ever get to read this...love ya and am here for you always! :)

Thursday, November 27, 2008

This year I am especially thankful for...



Happy Thanksgiving!

I am SO thankful for my Jesus, my family(ies) and my friends.

I am also thankful for normal health, even though I don't currently have it. sigh..it's been a long week. Prayers are welcome...I'm feeling very discouraged.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Twilight


Isabella: Are you going to tell me how you stopped the van?
Edward : Yeah. Um... I had an adrenaline rush. It's very common. You can Google it.


Edward : That's what you dream about? Being a monster?
Isabella : I dream about being with you forever.

Isabella Swan: Look, You gotta give me some answers.
Edward Cullen: Yes... No... To get to the other side... 1.772...
Isabella Swan: I don't need the square root of pi.




I thought it was so GREAT, but a little cheesy. I am a total sucker for cheesy movies though. I think the guy who playd Edward is super weird in real life, but he started to grow on me halfway through the movie. A lot of the characters were casted well, and of course it was nowhere near as good as the book, but I was entertained. The only part I strongly disliked was the 2347987 screaming girls. I will probably go to see it again when the hype calms down, there were times during the movie that I couldn't hear the characters! Anyways, it was a fun girls night out and I enjoy a cheesy romantic movie every once in awhile! I think you'd like it even if you haven't read the books. It wasn't dark at all, and there wasn't that much vampireness (that comes more in the other books). go check it out!





Did anyone else see it? What did you think?

Monday, November 17, 2008

Spontaneity

Spontaneous:
1) Happening or arising without apparent external cause; self-generated.
2) Arising from a natural inclination or impulse and not from external incitement or constraint.
3) Unconstrained and unstudied in manner or behavior.
I, personally, LOVE being spontaneous. Unfortunately, my working life doesn't always allow it. I always think, I shouldn't do that, I'll be so tired in the morning! I remember talking with K and T when I was still in college about how hard it is to find spontaneous people. It doesn't have to be anything huge...maybe it was just showing up for dinner, when you know the invitation is always open (or the menu by the stove said mini meatloafs were coming...haha) Or it could be randomly driving a few hours for a shopping trip. The more responsibility, the harder it is to be spontaneous.


Last night, we were sitting at Woodstocks pizza after church and it was about 9:15 pm. We decided we really wanted dessert. Of course, NOTHING in Santa Cruz is open at that late late hour *shakes head* So we think, hmmm San Jose = Cheescake Factory, Bakers Square or Bjs. We choose Bjs because of its closeness and yummmmy Pizookie. So 4 of us headed over the hill for chocolatey goodness. It was SO much fun and SO worth it. I was totally Breaking Out, because I knew I'd be exhausted in the morning, but as a wise man once said....Blow it off! There were many laughs that we are still laughing about today. I think they got annoyed at me saying how awesome they were for being spontaneous...but how rare it is! Thank you to you 3 who made my Sunday awesome! I'm pretty sure our night reflected definition #3 of spontaneous...haha


When was the last time you did something spontaneous?

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Driving down the 101, Caaalifornia here we come...

I know, I'm a total nerd for starting the post with the OC theme song. Unfortunately, I had it stuck in my head ALL weekend. I headed down to Orange County to visit my favorite (formerly SLO) family. It was so nice to get away and enjoy my sweet time with them. The boys are SO big! I got into Ontario on Saturday morning, and my parents came up Saturday night. We just bbqd and hung out, it was nice to see them! On Sunday, we went to church, and I had lunch with some college friends I hadn't seen in awhile. That night, I taught(ish) them how to play Settler of Catan. Someone *cough cough* got a little obsessed with their roads and settlements, so we played about 5 more times before I left. So much fun, though. On Monday we went to Knotts Berry Farm. I hadn't been there in SO long, so it was a fun treat! Tuesday we relaxed and then headed to the airport. It was truely awesome. I was sooo sad to be back and go to work. :) Enjoy the tons of pictures to come. :)
This is the ride where you have to work to make it move. Doesn't sound like fun to me! :)

We were a little bored while waiting for the roller coaster.


Wednesday, November 05, 2008

The Tuesday that made history...

I thought this was awesome, gotta love Stuff Christians Like

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/11/432-election-post-you-have-to-write.html

Not to make fun of it, but I won't write another post, because my feelings have been greatly expressed in other blogs. What I will write about is how I have this weird feeling of "I don't care." In all honesty, I DO care. A lot. I may have stood with my ballot for 10 minutes while my roommate kept saying "We are going to be late for work" (I was truly undecided. I wasn't happy with either candidate, but went with the candidate who has some of my main beliefs) .

But, I was in class from 6 pm-10pm on election night. I missed it all. The speeches, the excitement, the history being made. I think that is a huge part of it. Did I learn anything in that class? No, I was more upset that I was missing it all. I just have had this weird feeling, and have been avoiding the topic today. I dodged 4th grade questions of "Who did you vote for?" My class had a big mock election after learning about both sides and the electoral college. (unanimous vote for obama, if you're wondering.) I felt really alone today. In a city (or school) full of liberals, I felt weird. Was I the only one that didn't think it was ok to post a big article about Obama on the front door of the school? All opinions aside, it is NOT ok to make it seem like the whole school wants that up there.

As I write this, I realize that maybe I'm not ready to deal with it all. I have struggled throughout this whole election process. I think I'm just scared, and I just act like I don't care. I'm not ready to face it, I suppose. So much for breaking out of my comfort zone. I should have been armed and ready to take on those conversations today, but no. Anyways, this is long, and I am tired (mostly of report cards).

And in other news, without giving specifics, I am asking for specific prayer about a fairly large move I am considering making. I'm praying for the Lord's will, if doors are opened, I'll go...if not, I'll move on, no harm. :) thanks!!!

Saturday, November 01, 2008

New title

I changed my blog title, mostly because I was bored with the old one. Any guesses as to why I chose this one?

Hallo-Wii-n Party

My friend Dan had a bunch of us over for a HalloWiin party! Obviously we played lots of Wii, ate some yummy food and just enjoyed each other. I was feeling kind of over Halloween this year, but got sort of dressed up as Ladanian Tomlinson, best running back of all time. :) Hope you all had a fun day!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Workin at the car wash...

Today we had our 4th grade car wash. We were trying to raise money to pay for the school buses for a field trip to Mission San Juan Bautista. It is the greatest field trip, and I was really disappointed that we wouldn't be able to go because of money. We worked hard, the kids worked hard, the parents worked hard, and we raise $350! Our goal was $450...so we were close! It was a lot of fun, but I have been exhausted all day. The rest of the day was spent catching up on tv (since we got TIVO) and on Netflix movies. FYI The Happening...don't watch it. It's scary and lame! (I only watched it for the Mark Wahlbergness). Hope you had a great Saturday!














Friday, October 24, 2008

Comfort Zones

I am officially in my comfort zone, and I don't like it. I am the type of person who loves to build relationships, but needs challenges to stay strong in the Lord. I don't feel close to the Lord, at all. I feel the farthest away that I have ever been. I think a big part of it is that I'm too comfortable. I am not feeling encouraged to go out and be bold. I love my friends and I love Santa Cruz. This has nothing to do with my friends or any people here. I have been feeling pulled to take on a new challenge., so that I can become excited about the Lord, again. Usually when I am reluctant to follow a "pull" it is something I am supposed to be doing. I have some ideas about what this may look like, but in the meantime, I am praying and saving money.

How do you get out of your comfort zone?



P.S. On a TOTALLY different note, I saw High School Musical 3 tonight. It was so much fun! The movie was very cute and all the teenage girls in the theater mad eit a hilarious experience.


Tuesday, October 21, 2008

40 years later...

Happy 40th birthday Tim!! Hope you had a great day. Becareful when you walk, your body is getting a lil old. :)

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Out on the town!

Last night we got to go out for a fun night to watch The Wild Rovers play. (our friend, Dan, is the drummer). We went out for drinks at The 515 and then headed to an Irish pub for the music. It was SO much fun.

I tried a new church today. It was good. It was SO refreshing to get out and try something new. :)





Friday, October 17, 2008

Twilight Movie

New trailer:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810010670/video/10181404

Anyone else as excited as me????

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Prayer

Something I definitely do not do enough of. Well, I'm asking for some this time. I have made the big decision, after 2 awesome years at Santa Cruz Bible, that it is no longer the place for me. So, begins the church hunting again. A few friends just moved into town and are working at another church. I'm going to try that one out and go from there. This process stinks, so I figured you prayer warriors can help me along. If you are my friend in Santa Cruz and know me from church, I will be seeing you just as much, I promise.

And two pictures, just because they are cute and I miss them.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Traveling...

Christy's postings on her blog about her mission trip to Texas for hurricane relief has got me thinking. I'm yearning to get out there and go on one. For those who don't know, I was 1 week away from a trip to Kenya in 2007, when the doctor told me it wouldn't be a great idea to go because of back problems. It was devestating. I had prepared for 7 months for a trip I would never get to experience. God used me while I was home, in other ways. I really don't think I ever recovered from the dissapointment. I remember turning off my phone on the day they left for the trip and got back from the trip, so that I wouldn't have to face it. It sounds dramatic, but i was sure God wanted me in those schools, teaching about abstinence and AIDS prevention. He thought otherwise, and that is sometimes SO hard to get over. I am finally starting to come around again. Our church isn't going on trips because of the hardships they are going through. I am praying on it, and keeping my eyes open for somewhere I can be used!

Other musings on traveling: I started a "Christal's trip to Greece fund." I'm sure it will grow very slowly, but I'll eventually make it there! With or without traveling pants. ;)

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Pictures for Christy

Here's some of the pictures promised from Christy's blog. Check out her blog from my blog list.