Life With One Less Organ

So, as you can guess from the post title, I am now down one organ in my body. But don't worry, it's for the better.

(This story is detailed so that I can have it for documentation sake).

For about the last 2 years I was having these pains in my abdominal area. The past couple of months they were getting increasingly worse, to the point that it was getting hard to breathe. Well, it was time to go to the Doctor. His guess was that I was having problems with my gallbladder and he wanted to get some tests done. The ultrasound of my abdominal area showed that my organs were working fine and that there were no gallstones in my gallbladder. Well, something was obviously wrong so they decided to have me do another test. This test was a HIDA scan; a.k.a. they shoot some radioactive material in my system to see if it can get a reaction out of my organs. Well that test came back telling me that my gallbladder wasn't functioning properly. Hooray, the problem was figured out and it was time to go in for surgery to get it removed. As I met with the surgeon he decided to give me more details. To keep your gallbladder in your body it has to be working at least 35%. Well folks, mine was working at 3.9%, he wanted it out of me as soon as possible. 2 days later, at 5:45 in the morning I was at the hospital getting prepped for surgery. They did it laparoscopic; meaning they cut me in 4 different places and went in through the incisions. It all went okay, and now I've just been in the recovery process. I'm feeling much better than I did before, but there's still the whole fact of my body getting used to not having the gallbladder inside of me. I had my check-up appointment and my Doctor gave me the clear to start gradually getting back into all my daily activities.

So what have I been doing while I've been recovering? Taking it easy :).

Nicole is due in 2 months. Which means the time has come for Baby Showers! I have been making invitations, getting things ready, wrapping presents, and attending the showers. So much fun!

To celebrate the 4th of July, we went boating (of course). But sadly, since I had surgery, all I was allowed to do was sit on the boat and work on my tan. But everyone else did fantastic wake-boarding and surfing.

Dad wake-boarding

I love Brandon's face in this

Just hanging out on the boat


We went to the Stadium of Fire; which was absolutely fantastic! And we did fireworks and a barbeque with family and friends.

Excited to see David Archuleta


This lovely sunshine of July brings time to do some swimming.

Jaxon looks too innocent to be playing chicken

Victorious!


Chris, Becky, and Aimee Jackson came home from Brazil; so to celebrate we had a barbeque up in the park with family.


Family time is fantastic!

Happy Birthday Nicole!

I'd like to give a Birthday shout out to this lovely lady:

Nicole is 23 today! She is such an amazing woman. I'm glad I have her for an older sister. I don't know what I would ever do without her!

Best Buds:

Not So Little

In my eyes, Erin is still this little 14 year old girl. But she is 18, and will be graduating from High School in just under 2 weeks. I'm kind of in denial about this. She isn't allowed to grow up, she needs to stay as my little sister. Last night was her Senior Ball. And just looking at these pictures, you will agree that she is definitely not so little anymore. So sad.

Before the day date:
After getting ready:
Both so good looking:

Road Trip

Chelsea and I took a Road Trip down to Ephraim for the weekend to see my old roommates and watch them graduate. It was a ton of fun, even if we didn't get any sleep :).

We went a little crazy once it hit about 1 o'clock.

It was so good to see these girls again!


We also probably ate too much candy. But a road trip without snacks would equal no fun.

And yes, I did get a haircut. I risked it and got full bangs. It's still weird seeing myself with them.

Birthday and Spring

At the beginning of this month I turned 20! So strange. I am now no longer a teenager and it's a little hard to wrap my head around it. To celebrate, along with Brandon and Jeffery's Birthdays, we went to Fat Cats after the Priesthood session of Conference and did some bowling.


We've gotten some spring weather here between the rain and/or snow storms. We took advantage of it and did some yard work. Both Erin and Koda enjoyed the warm weather.


One of my favorite parts of spring is the flowers blooming.

Game Day

This is how I got ready for BYU Basketball today:


A cake and some cupcakes shaped as Basketballs.

An older photo:


We celebrated BYU's win against New Mexico in the MWC Championship by making JimmerJacks (flapjacks shaped as Js).

Happy Game Day!

GO COUGARS!

A Couple Fun Pictures

This time of year brings a lot of random snow fall. It can get annoying, but Koda seems to be enjoying it.

Erin would be very happy if she got a "pillow pet." ;)


And of course, I hung out with this little guy.


I was also informed of something pretty big that has determined what I will be doing in the fall.
That's right. I was accepted to Brigham Young University for Fall of 2011. It's going to be an adventure.

I am also now allowed to post this picture. I am going to be an Aunt! We are all so excited for Nicole and Jeffery. Just look at the glow on the Grandparent's faces.