All about me!

My friend Katrina over at Callapidder Days posted 7 things about herself. She suggested giving it a try today. Since I have been at a blogger's block the past few weeks I thought I would give this post a try. I am sure this is going to be more information than you needed to know about me today, but it is all about me!

1. Starbucks. I will drive out of my way for a Grande, non-fat, no-whip Mocha. My poor family will sit in the car waiting for me for 20 minutes, while I stand in line on a Sunday morning for coffee. When I book hotels, I check to see where the closet Starbucks is located. FYI, family - For our trip in two weeks, there are 8 locations around the area.


2. Cookies. I have a cookie business, Cookies By Rachel, and I don't really care for cookies. I will pass on a cookie; now brownies and cakes I love.

3. 21 years. Tomorrow will be 21 years since my husband and I started to date. We started to date when we were 15 years old, high school sweethearts. We dated 8 1/2 years before we got married, 6 of those years were long distance. We would see each other twice a year on college breaks and talked 30 minutes twice a week.

4. Laundry. I don't do laundry. I am so fortunate that my wonderful husband handles all the laundry - washing, folding and 99% of the time putting it away. He is awesome!

5. Flip-Flops. I love flip-flops. I wear them year round. If it is too cold I just add socks. Yes I am a dork.

6. Organizing. I have OCD about organizing. I love Fridays when the kids come home with their weekly folders and I get to pull out all my colored pens and the calendar and get us ready for next week. I use three calendars - the main one that hangs on the fridge, my Centro Palm phone, and the Family Organizer. Everything is crossed checked daily and each family member has a color. I think I might need help!

7. DVR. I love the DVR. I believe that is the only way to watch TV now. I don't have to deal with commercials and can pause and rewind as needed.

Week Two

I am entering week two of my recovery. I was able to go off the pain medication for a few days which allowed me to feel normal. I feel like I can complete a sentence now and know what I just said.

When I was first told that I was not to do a thing for two weeks, I thought awesome! After day seven I realized that doing nothing is not awesome. It is hard to sit and stare at your house and think of everything you could be doing. Wishing you could jump in the car and run to the store.

I had a few set backs this week. Made two trips to the doctor and then today had to have some blood work done and an ultrasound. The doctor is pleased with the results of the ultrasound. It also put my mind at ease, that I have no internal bleeding, a ruptured bladder or a bowel blockage. As you can tell I have had too much time this week to look up symptoms. The doctors said that I am healing and believes a round of antibiotics should clear up the new problems I am having. They also told me that it will be at least another four weeks before I am totally back to normal.

During this time I have been seeking God and asking Him to teach me something. The past few days have been rough emotionally. I have felt useless and alone at times. Tuesday especially. As always, I called my husband crying. Then I went and got two oreo cookies and my Bible. All week I kept saying -"Teach me Your ways O Lord;" For some reason Ps. 86:11 keeps popping into my mind. So Tuesday I spent some time in pray and seeking God to "teach me".

God is teaching me that I need more patience and to allow others to help me. I am a big control freak. I have a hard time allowing others to step in and help me. I have a hard time asking for help. God has shown me that I can not do everything on my own and to allow others to help.

I have been blessed during this time, I have a wonderful husband that has taken care of me, a sister in law that brings me my Starbucks when I need it the most, and friends that have been providing meals for my family. Plus the many other people that have come by to help with the kids and take me to the doctors.

I am thanking God and praying for each of you. God has blessed me with great family and friends.

Mailbox

This recovery period is wearing me out! I knew I would have pain but I never thought I would have zero energy. I think that is what is so frustrating in my recovery. Each day I am feeling better - the past two days the pain is not as noticeable to me unless I move the wrong way.

So yesterday I thought I would walk to the mailbox. Our mailbox is half way down our long driveway - but I was up for the challenge. I decided to avoid the steps and walk up the yard. Halfway there I thought - I should have brought my phone - I finally reached the mailbox - totally out of breathe. I grabbed ahold of it as if I was drowning in water. I could not believe I was out of energy. I considered just lying down there to nap but decided to try and get back to the house. I figured if I collapsed in the yard someone would eventually find me. I made it to the porch again hanging on to the rail. I slowly made my way up to the bed and took a much needed nap.

I could not believe how weak I felt. I workout at least an hour 6 days a week and yesterday I could not walk to the mailbox! I know it is a healing process I have to go through and in a few weeks I will be back to normal - working out, cleaning, cooking and baking cookies - and begging for a day of rest!

Recovery

Recovery is an act of recovering; restoration or return to health from sickness; restoration or return to any former and better state or condition; time required for recovering. dictionary.com

I am in that act of recovering -waiting to return to health. I had surgery three days ago and now have a two week recovery process. Two weeks of no driving, lifting, pushing or pulling. One week of limited stair climbing. Basically doing nothing!

Doing Nothing - is something that is hard for me not to do. Those that know me personally know that I hate things out of order and have a hard time allowing people to do things for me. The past few days my wonderful husband has been doing the laundry, cleaning, cooking and taking care of the kids and me. I am having a hard time sitting still and watching - I am learning that it is okay that the table chairs are not lined up right - I told you I have issues!

I am following the doctors orders and resting in bed today - I have my laptop, books, TV, a snack, phone and painkillers. I don't think I have sat this still in years.

Thank you Michael for taking care of me, Grant, Marah and the house. You are doing an awesome job and you make a killer grilled cheese sandwich! I love you.

My 9 on the 9th

We left for the beach on Thursday, and spent most of the past week getting ready. My kids were so excited and drove us nuts all week - basically my fault - my husband claims I am the worse when it comes to trips, birthdays and Christmas. I can't help it. I love the excitement of new things and giving gifts that I usually get the kids so excited that he goes nuts.

When I sat down to write out our list of items to take - I started with the most important ones that I knew we would need for the at the beach.

9 Things I have to remember to pack for the beach

1. Swim Suites - The only thing my kids will be in all week - why do I even pack other clothes?

2. Beach Towels and Beach Chair - I plan on taking my towel and chair and planting myself on that beach all week and just enjoying watching my kids and husband play in the ocean.

2. Sun Screen - I don't want us to look like "that" family at dinner the first night - all red and everyone gasping as you walk by.

3. MP3 Player - for those walks that I dream that I might get to take.

4. Books - Maybe I will finally get to read one of those books I have had on my list.

5. Camera - for all those great family photos - that I hope I get to be in this year.

6. Wii - for that family fun time in the condo.

7. Sunglasses - which I need to find a new pair. A girl can never have too many sunglasses.

8. Maybe the laptop.......... - To stay in touch with my BFF's back home.



To view more 9 on the 9th visit "Mrs. N over at All that Naz

Going Shopping with Kids

Need I say more - I could just stop with the title and all moms would understand. But of course I won't - partly because I am considering this cheap therapy! Oh what a day we had - it all started with leaving at 9:15am to make a trip to Starbucks for some coffee time with mommy - then off to swim lessons - (yes - we are still doing that) - then to Chick Fil A drive thru - then to the Strip District to shop.

As you know I have my own Cookie Business and am always looking for a good supply house. I heard of Restaurant Depot - a place for food business owners - WOW!! I thought - this is awesome - I can get everything at one stop - Sam's at times does not carry everything I need.

So off we go - First Mistake - taking the kids. This place was crazy!! Everyone has a rusty flat bed - going in different directions with wheels that don't work well. Forklifts flying by - blowing their horns. Second Mistake - leaving my list at home!!! Third Mistake - not doing a walk thru first. Fourth Mistake and the big one - losing the first time shopping pass somewhere in that warehouse!!

What have I learned from this shopping experience - NEVER take my kids with me, wear my running shoes, take WD - 40 to oil those wheels, pin my list and membership card to my shirt!

9 on the 9th

From my friend Katrina - I heard about - "Mrs. N over at All that Naz has started a monthly meme called "9 on the 9th." Participating is as easy as can be -- just post 9...of anything. On the 9th of the month."

9 Reasons NOT to get off this chair and go outside

1. Already spent 4 hours in the very hot sun watching my kids swim
2. My sun burn hurts too much
3. Still way too hot out
4. I am way behind on returning my email
5. I need coffee
6. Still eating my M & M's and might have to share :)
7. Still working on my 9 on the 9th
8. Too lazy
9. I have the perfect view of watching my adorable husband power wash the house!