CT results

Chris talked with his doctor this morning. They found 2 nodules in his lungs but aren't too concerned now. He goes back in 3 months for another CT scan and they are expecting for them to either disappeared or grow bigger. If bigger - biopsy, if disappeared - yea!
I wish it were definative though - either "it's nothing" or "we need a biopsy". So we wait instead!
Love you girls!

Season's greetings!

We just made it home from a weekend with the fam in Colorado. I can say it was a productive weekend as far as the way Jen described productive -- plenty of eating and shopping. We were only able to spend an afternoon with the Linds because of different holiday plans, but we did do a lot of hanging out with the other side of the family. Our nephew Dylan stayed at Adam's mom's house with us, and kept us all entertained for hours on end. He's such a little chatterbox and is finally starting to say everyone's names. Unfortunately, my name sounds more like "Mimi" than "Kimmy" which I hope does not stick -- I do not want to be a Mimi -- at least not until I'm around age 60 or so. He's quite good with all the dogs' names though. It's pretty funny. He won't even try to say Uncle Adam, but the three dogs' names, he has down pat. I'm really excited to see him on Christmas morning -- he's just now old enough to be really excited about presents, especially presents that have to do with dinosaurs, his new favorite thing in the whole world.
Ok, I'll stop blabbering about Dylan. :p He's just my baby fix right now, so I have to eat it up!
We also avoided the Black Friday crowds as much as possible, but those 60% off sales were calling our names by Saturday. So we hit Kohl's (which we don't have in Seattle -- so sad!) and I got a couple gifts. But I'll still have some shopping to finish up in the next few weeks.
Juls, we'll keep praying for your family. I'm glad you were able to make it home -- I'm sure your mom feels better just having you around.
Ok, it's Monday night and I'm exhausted. Back to work tomorrow...
Love you girls!

CT Scans, Ultrasounds, and the Chick Magnet

I commonly feel as though I have nothing to write about, and then it seems that lots of little stuff happens. Then I feel like I have so much to tell you all! So here’s the latest…
Chris had another chest X-ray this morning. The Pneumonia has cleared out. Chris is still coughing and they say this could continue for another month yet even. I’m really glad we postponed the honeymoon. BUT, his doctor saw a nodule on one of the lungs and is bringing Chris in for a CT scan tomorrow afternoon. A little scary but no worries as of yet…
Last week I went in for my annual yucky appointment. The doctor felt what she thought could be a cyst on my left ovary. So I had to wait an excruciating hour and a half to see the ultrasound lady. That was not a fun time. But everything turned out just fine. I guess she was feeling part of my intestine which had moved around the ovary.
I hope the Thanksgiving season was productive for all of you – and by productive, I mean fattening and full of shopping :) We were able to get started on our Christmas shopping. I think we’re about half way done. We did most of the shopping later in the day on Friday and Saturday to avoid the crazy ladies getting all their gifts before 7AM. We managed to have 3 thanksgiving dinners over the weekend. I refused to step on the scale today and am anxious for my new tennis shoes to arrive and start the workout program once again.
We have decided to sell the “chick magnet” minivan. We are trying to make it as a one vehicle family. Yes, it’s difficult and frustrating at times. It also provides for many cases of compromise. We wanted to take this step in order to pay off the car loan and get out of some debt. As it looks right now, there is no room for little Jen and Chris juniors in the budget and we want to be able to have some freedom with our money and alleviate some budget pressure.
And I think that about does it for me! Can’t wait for Angie’s wedding to see you all!

Happy Holidays!

Hey Girls!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I love the holiday season. It's my absolute favorite time of year and Thanksgiving ushers in the seasonal fun. =) Sorry I haven't written in a while. We've been very busy. Josh is finally done with his wretched rotation in Poteau, OK. So i have him to myself again. Seth is doing fine. he's so big and he's started teething, so he's a bit fussy lately with the pain. We are in Ohio now for josh to start his rotation for the month of December here in Ohio. We had to rush in about a week early because Josh's grandma died on Tuesday night. So, we weren't planning to be home for Thanksgiving, but we ended up being here because we had to get home for the funeral. My grandma is not doing well and we're all a bit edgey about that situation. She is awfully weak and I just don't know how much time we have left with her. I just really hope she makes itthrough Christmas. Josh's other grandmother had a heart attack last week. So, we're also kind of waiting to see how she does. My sister-in-law, Sarah went into early labor a couple weeks ago and has been on bed rest since then so it's good that we're home to help her out with my toddler nephew. =) My mom has her hands pretty full with grandma. So, I just really feel like it was God's plan for us to be in Ohio this month. Anyways, I finished my Christmas shopping for Seth today and that was fun. I'm enjoying being home for the Holiday Season. And I cannot wait to see you girls in a few weeks for Angie's wedding! (Angie, I just RSVPed for me and Josh today... we're coming). Love you all!

Gobble... Gobble...

Hello my beautiful friends -
It's turkey day here, which means lots of time of relaxing and eating. My dad is away on a trip and all of my siblings are with the in-laws today, so its just me, Aaron, my mom, and Joe. It's kinda fun cause its quiet and my mom is teaching me how to make a turkey today, which is easier than expected. My turkey is coming along quite nicely.
I feel bad for not writing for so long... Its been kinda crazy, as I'm sure you all understand. It's under 6 weeks till the big day and I still have lots of detail stuff to do. Aaron and I have been working on music for the ceremony and reception for the past week and a half. I decided to go non-traditional with the ceremony songs, which of course makes it harder for me. I have yet to find the perfect song for me to walk the isle to... If you have any ideas, please let me know. I plan on getting a lot of stuff done this weekend cause I have a holiday today and tomorrow. I'm going to try and get the programs started and I have to order the favors ASAP. Anyway... I don't want to bore you with the long list of things I need to get done this weekend...
Let's see, wedding has been all-consuming lately, so I haven't a whole lot more to talk about. My shower is next weekend, which means I get to see Liz and Steph... I'm so excited about that. I cannot wait for you girls to come! I miss my girls tremendously and can't wait for the wedding so I can see most of you again. Speaking of... Kim, I'm so excited that you and Adam are coming in for the big day. We are going to have so much fun. Besides my 2 bridesmaids who I know are coming, I haven't heard from the rest of you... I hope that you all can come and I'm anxious to hear if you are for sure. FYI, rumor is that Bryce is coming in for the wedding, which was very unexpected but very exciting. I also invited Hanna, but unfortunately she is in California - in school again - and doesn't have the funds to make it in.
So yea... I tried to talk about something other than the wedding, and obviously it did not work out so well. I wish I had some very exciting news to tell all of you... But like I said, wedding is all-consuming.
Well... I guess I'll go. I hope all is well for everyone. I miss you girls!
Have Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Turkey Day

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! Hope you all have a great holiday.
Love you girls!






Here's a random picture from our trip to Canada...
(We're pointing at starfish in a tidepool.)
:)

Dry spell

It's definitely been a blogging dry spell lately, girls. I've been meaning to sit down and write something for a week now, but haven't had the time nor the content -- my life is very unexciting at the moment.
We are going away for the weekend with Neal and Naomi. They reserved a cabin by the ocean up on an island by Vancouver. I have a three-day weekend because of Veteran's Day, so I'm looking forward for a few days of doing nothing. Of course, I'm sure they'll have a few twenty-five mile hikes planned for us. But in between those, maybe I'll get some down time.
I was kind of stressed about crossing the border again, since last time the border guard gave us so much flak for not having our passports...you know, since we're obviously terrorists. Of course, I'd put them away somewhere safe and secure and couldn't remember where that was. But I did find them the other night -- in a totally practical place, by the way -- so we should make the Canadians happy this trip.
Starbucks had all their Christmas decorations up this morning. It was so festive -- I really want to go shopping now.
We're supposed to be making our presents for Adam's family this year. Yeah, we have about...oh, twenty presents to make from scratch and we haven't even bought the materials yet. They might all be getting popsicle-stick picture frames.
Steph, I'm sorry to hear things didn't work out with Jay. But it sounds like it might be a good thing for both of you. Anyway, you'll have to catch me up with the whole story soon.
Jen, congrats on being a real aunt! That's very exciting. And I hope Chris feels better soon.
It is the baby season right now, isn't it? Really makes me want one... :p
Julie, we need to talk and plan out our wedding trip over to PA . I'll give you a call early next week so we can chat.
Love you all!

Breaking news!

Yeah, really it's no big deal - sorry to get your hopes up! :)
You remember that I mentioned that I had met and was seeing a guy? Well, scratch that. He wanted a little more that I was willing to give, so we are no longer considering anything romantic. We'll still talk, I'm sure. Ok that's it...just wanted to make sure you were all updated! :) I love you girls!

Auntie

I think Steph and I were on the same mind track... I was opening up the blog thinking "if someone doesn't write, I'm going to have to break the silence!".
Life's been really good lately! I really enjoyed seeing Stephanie this weekend. It was refreshing to have girl time, and to get out the Quad Cities even if just for one night.
The best news of this week is that my brother (my real brother,Brian, who walked me down the aisle) called last night to say he and his wife (Carol) are expecting! I screamed and jumped up and down of course. This is entirely different as this will be my first time being a real (flesh and blood) Aunt! I've been praying for a red-head girl but i don't think Brian's too thrilled about that idea ;) Anyway, he's thrilled and overwhelmed and I'm just plain HAPPY as can be.
Chris is recovering from Pneumonia slowly but surely. He's off the antibiotic now so we just wait and see if it worked. He has a chest x-ray scheduled for the 28th of November to check again. Please continue to keep him in your prayers!
Oh, and if i haven't posted it already, we've changed our honeymoon plans - again. We're going to Jamaica still, but in January instead. Doctor's orders i guess. So we'll be leaving on January 7th, just a few days after I get back from Angie's wedding! I looking forward to going at that time as the holidays will be done and over with and it will be frightfully cold here.
Lastly, i got new allergy testing done today and it seems that today (as compared to 10 years ago) I am less allergic to cats and dogs! So maybe someday... if i can convince Chris...
hope everyone is happy and healthy!
miss you all!

Break the silence...

Ok, ok. I can't stand checking this thing a million times a day and there's nothing new, so I am going to ramble on about my life for a while - just because I know there are others like me who check this all the time just for something to read. :)
Things here have been pretty good lately. I was working at Pottery Barn, but due to some scheduling conflicts, I am not there anymore...yes, that was short-lived, but it just wasn't working out. They thought I was going to be here for the holidays, and when they actually looked at the availability sheet I filled out when I was hired, they realized I wasn't - plus some due to Ang's shower and wedding. And I just didn't want to work there anymore. :)
So, I am down to one job again, but that's ok. It leaves time for other things. For example, Jen came to visit for a day this past weekend. We got some good quality time together and some ideas for the Sapphire's reunion that is here next year. Is everyone still ok with the July 4th weekend? That's what we were planning. There is a LOT to do around here that time of the year.
Also, I met a girl when I did the Breast Cancer Walk last month (she was doing it alone as well) so we hung out a little this weekend - went to lunch at a diner that Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn have been spotted at, then to the Art Institute for a wonderful display of French Photography. Very educational.
And, lastly, I have met a guy. We've been talking and hanging out for about 3 weeks now. Just seeing where things will go. We don't live very close to each other (he lives in Hyde Park/south Chicago and I live west), so we don't see each other often, but we talk on the phone a lot and meet up when we can pencil it in. His name is Jay (Jason) and he's lived in Chicago his whole life...works in an office near me right now, but is training to be a firefighter. Very intellectual (degree in fictional writing from Columbia College) - great conversationalist. Hilarious. So yeah. I'm not keen on the idea of jumping into something to quickly with this guy, but I know he's sort of looking for something a little more serious, so I don't know how I feel about that. But it is nice to know that he's interested...I'll keep you posted.
Let's see. I don't think there's too much more going on. I am getting ready for all the holiday travel. I am running down to the south 'burbs this weekend to see my aunt and my cousins, then it's just two more weeks until Thankgiving! Is that going incredibly fast for anyone else?
Ok, that's me...who's next??

Halloween

Hey girls! I think I already sent these pics to you, but I thought I'd post them just to make sure you got to see them. This was Seth on Halloween night. He helped greet trick-or-treaters at the door as the Cat in the Hat. Hope you all are doing well. Love ya!