Uggs Less Often

Since I last posted about my health issues, I’ve been tested for TONS of stuff (and the testing continues!), but progress has been steady.

Just during the last three weeks:

• I began driving myself to appointments and meetings…HUGE! It’s feels so liberating!
• Getting ready for the day takes less than half the time it took two months ago, and Sterling hasn’t needed to help me dress…yay!
• My “normal” shoes are occasionally making their way off the shelves and onto my feet. This may not seem like a big deal to most, but I’ve been wearing Uggs nearly every day since November, and I swore I would never own a pair (I have two)! I guess that’s why you never say never.
• Although my body wants a nap every day, if it doesn’t happen, I don’t completely fall apart…good news!
• I have a little more energy every day, and my mobility is increasing too. One word—HAPPY!

You may be asking the same question everyone else has asked me. What’s made the difference? I wish I knew the answer. I’ve tried lots of things, and I’ll continue doing as many of them as possible, as long as I continue to feel better.

Even with all the progress, I’m still not in a position to travel via plane, so I won’t be going to OnStage Live or any Locals—disappointing, but a reality I’ve accepted with gratitude, considering all the good in my life.

And one of the things I’m most grateful for is that Sterling has been by my side…literally! He is my knight in shining armor and has saved me again and again, serving me and loving me like no one else could!

P.S. I appreciate the two pages of suggestions I wrote down from all your comments…from treatments to supplements to what kinds of foods to eat. I’ve implemented a lot of them. Thanks for caring!

One of My Favorite Times

Every six months, we gather with family to receive inspiration from our church leaders during our worldwide general conference. Some people attend conference in Salt Lake City, but most of us watch conference at home. It’s one of my favorite times of the year! (Go to lds.org to watch some of the wonderful talks. L. Whitney Clayton’s message during the Sunday morning session was especially touching to me.)

The Browns and most of the Douglass kids joined us at the cabin for the weekend. We snacked on yummy, healthy and not-so-healthy foods while we watched conference. (In fact, we went through an entire container—and not a small one—of Nutella…pretzels, apples, and bananas taste better topped with Nutella!) In between sessions, we enjoyed the sunshine and warmer weather. The evenings were spent watching movies together…and snacking some more! There’s just something special about having the opportunity to learn, feel the Spirit, and express our thoughts together while having fun too. I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend as much as Sterling and I did!

Also, in connection with general conference, mission presidents and their wives organize reunions for their missionaries. We didn’t make it to the evening reunion with all the younger missionaries, but we attended the brunch for senior missionaries at the Warner’s home. It was such a delight to see some of the couples we served with in Hawaii, and it brought back sweet mission memories!

A Feel-Good Day

My rainy Saturday started out perfectly when my sweetheart took me to brunch at a little café over the mountain. I surprised myself by how much food I ate, and it was just nice to be together and relaxed—a combination we’ve enjoyed little of lately.

The day ended perfectly when I went with Sara and Shalae and their girls (and Sidney’s friend) to watch the Women’s Session (you can find out more at lds.org). The talks and music were inspiring and beautiful, and being with family made it extra special. What impressed me most was the focus on living our lives centered in Christ—a gentle reminder for all of us. We went out for dinner and dessert afterwards, and it felt good to be with the girls.

Birthday Donut

I’m picky about my donuts, but Shanna loves any kind! Cake-like or soft, glazed or frosted with sprinkles, she doesn’t discriminate. So, a donut seemed the logical answer when I thought of her birthday packaging. Happy big 3-0 and lots of hugs, kisses and wishes, Shanna!

I hope having a photo and measurements of the key components will be helpful. The recipe for the frosting is ¼ c. cornstarch, 1 Tbs. white paint, 1 Tbs. white glue. After you’ve spread your frosting and it’s still wet, sprinkle your Sprinkles Embellishments, then spray the entire donut with spray mount glue, and finish it off with Dazzling Diamonds for the perfect, glittery donut!

Rainbows

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t a holiday I decorate for, but occasionally we’ll do a little something fun for our family. The gold coins are a novelty for the younger kids, and the peanut butter cups taste much better for the older ones, but what I love is the rainbow of color stamped on watercolor paper, using images from the Over the Rainbow stamp set. It’s like magic when you spritz with water and watch the colors blend together…super easy! And it makes a great background for the sentiment and for all the gold elements of this shaker tag!

Cooper and I made a simpler version of this tag for friends, which turned out really cute too. (I had extra chocolates and didn’t want them sitting around tempting me!) We decided to use the sentiment (from the same set) God gives us rainbows to remind us of hope. I love the simplicity of this saying…and the gift from God!