Blessings...

Yesterday, I was again reminded of 2 things: 

#1 -  "God works in mysterious ways" 

#2 - "Blessings can be disguised"

As human beings, we generally tend to gravitate toward the negative in a given situation. In this particular case, I am making it a point to CHOOSE to find the positive and be thankful for it. 

As many know, my father had some health issues arise last Christmas. He spent quite a bit of time in the hospital in GF, and then went down to Mayo Clinic to get a second opinion. They found he had VAD - Vertebral Artery Dissection, which caused a stroke. You can find more information about VAD here. Long story short, there is a dissection in the artery that goes all the way through the spine and to the brain. Now, it was very comforting to have a diagnosis after many many MRIs, CT scans, and other series of tests. The treatment my father was told to follow was being on blood thinners for a few months. Apparently, arteries are supposed to be able to repair themselves and the blood thinners were a way of making sure he didn't get any more clots. He followed the doctors orders and was faithful with his medication. He got another scan done after 3 months, which was then sent down to Mayo. The doctor didn't see any change, so he wanted him to stay on the coumadin until another appointment in June. Well, this past Sunday, my parents drove down to Rochester for another MRI and appointment to see if there was any change in his VA. Unfortunately, there was no change, but his blood flow looked great, so the doctor was going to take him off of his medication... until they thought he had some blockage in his carotid artery in the front of his neck. My parents were to stay in Rochester another night to get a CT scan done, just to be cautious. Yesterday my mother called with an update. They found nothing in his carotid artery like they thought they may have seen on the MRI (taken the previous day). WHEW! However, they did find something in his lower neck in the same scan. They found it to be a subdural aneurysm. This is not like a "brain aneurysm" that most of us are familiar with. This subdural aneurysm is basically an area in his lower neck where blood "pools", causing the blood flow to be inconsistent. Treatment for this is to stay on coumadin until the end of November. When that time comes, dad will once again have to go down to Mayo and get a test done to see how everything looks. 

Did my parents plan on staying down in Rochester another night? No. When medicine is involved, do things usually go as we want them to, or plan? No. This is where my two thoughts come in...
My parents were not thrilled about staying down in Rochester for another night to get more tests done and play the "waiting game" to see the doctor. Nobody is too fond of hospitals and waiting around to get any sort of information. For all my parents knew, my dad had blockage in a different artery... luckily, that wasn't the case - which brings me to the conclusion that the "artifact" found in the MRI, which was later found inaccurate, was a "blessing in disguise." Had the doctor not ordered a CT scan and had my parents stay down another night, none of us would have known about the aneurysm... therefore, something could have gone terribly wrong later on down the road. God really does work in mysterious ways - and this is a perfect example.
So, in conclusion - my parents are at home and both back to work. Are we done with Mayo clinic and the various tests?? -No, but you know what... as long as my father is able to go on with his everyday life, even if that involves taking some medicine daily, that is definitely something to cherish and thank God for :) 

Time

I have been thinking a lot lately about the concept of "time." There are many different quotes or sayings out there about time: Time is of the essence... Time heals all wounds... Just give it time... It's TIME!  That last one is especially prevalent to me just because I picture myself telling Marcus, "it's time", when our little one is ready to enter the world. I personally know that I have either heard the various sayings above, or have said them myself at one point. These quotes, over time, have gently and carefully come into our lives by the experiences we have encountered.
I find myself asking a few questions about time. For instance, how is time supposed to heal all wounds? When we go through something tragic and we feel like we cannot pick ourselves up and dust off, the quote "just give it time" or "time will tell" doesn't mean much to us. But, IN TIME, we begin to understand that things happen for a reason, and our clarity isn't so clouded anymore.
Another question that comes to mind is, why do our lives revolve around time? It seems people are either waiting around for something to happen, or have such packed schedules that time consumes us. I feel like time can be either positive or negative depending on how we choose to look at it.. or react to it. We can either decide that time is a positive by believing time does heal all wounds - or time may help us with the trials and tribulations we are going through... or we can decide that time is a negative by choosing to have it take over our life. We need to remember that life is a constant guessing game. We would be much better off if we understood that life is not always going to go as planned, or according to "time." For example, I knew that Marcus and I were going to eventually have children. Did I think that we would have a baby due 14 months after we got married? NO! Did I hope to be in my job for at LEAST one year, before we even thought about trying to have a child? YES! You see my point? We can't plan for life... which in turn to me, means we can't have time take over our lives. Time affects our lives in so many ways, and because of that, we need to try and accept things as they come.. and when they come.

“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't

own it, but you can use it. You can't keep

it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it

you can never get it back.”

“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”

“Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.”

Truly Thankful

I started my day off with an email from a dear friend in regards to a recent blog post of mine. She had read my blog about my feelings and emotions about Baby A's arrival getting so close - and wrote me an email full of wonderful information and tips on what to expect. I can't explain to you how at ease I am after my morning reading, so thank you for the awesome email :) It's refreshing to know that I'm not completely crazy for having so many emotions/worries. I feel so much better just knowing that there are people around to talk to and that Marcus and I don't have to do this "new parenting" business alone. I think we always knew that deep down, but soon enough, our world is going to be consumed with a new baby. There is a big part of me that doesn't want my relationships with people to change, but at the same time, I know they are going to. That's life. I'm just going to need to work harder to keep up with my family and friends and our growing family :) Easy as pie, right?? Maybe not, but it's still nice to know that there are others around to talk to and that we don't have to do this alone.

This past weekend, Marcus and I spent lots of time going through items we had for the baby, and items we are going to need before our baby comes. It was a bit of a reality check, but at the same time it was a relief to make a list of items we need.... and yes, I did make about 3 lists :)
I was also able to wash all the clothes we have gotten so far as well as blankets, washcloths, onesies, and bedding! WHAT A RELIEF :) Marcus was so paranoid that I was going to ruin the clothing by all of the colors bleeding together - he refused to help! Oh well, I guess I can't really blame him. Things are slowly but surely starting to come together and I'm quickly becoming more anxious. My sleep loss is becoming more and more as I am up every 2 hours to use the bathroom. This child is constantly moving and usually, it affects my bladder as well as my rib cage - which in turn affects my breathing... only 2 months to go :)

Dedication: Happy Father's Day

This post is solely for my father, Corey Plaine. As everyone knows it is Father's Day. I cannot be with my family today up in Warroad at the lake, and once again, I find myself melancholy. My siblings would agree with me when I say that our father is one of the most intelligent, extroverted, funny, sensible, and simple guys you will ever meet. He has all these qualities that I respect and admire, and can only hope to possess as I get older.

As a little girl, I would always want to be around him. There were numerous piggy back rides and activities we would do together. One was getting to ride in his pickup and take our dogs for a run out around the farm. I was always worried that they would poop out and not be able to get back into the bed of the truck, but he assured me they had just as much energy as him. (Definitely a Corey thing to say ;) As I got older, things changed a bit. He was always the type to pull my hair (in pure fun) and try to sit down and have a conversation with me about the happenings in my life. Me, I wasn't all for it. I had "better" things to do. I was a teenager and boys and friends were a bigger priority than conversations with my dad. Then came college... I struggled a bit in knowing what I wanted for my future. I had contemplated changing schools and my major, and my selfless father drove 2 hours to Fargo and took me out to Applebees for supper. We talked and went over the pros and cons of my options. It was the first time since I had left home that I felt as if we had a real, grown up conversation. He has treated me like the adult I am ever since and I have so much respect for him because of it. He is the one I find myself calling when I'm having trouble with a decision. He was the second one I talked to (behind Marcus) about accepting the job here in Omaha and moving 8 hours away. Once again, we sat down, went over the pros and cons and had a real grown up conversation. That's who Corey is, a selfless, humble man who will put everything down to help someone out. He puts others in front of himself and cares for people, beyond what he may show.

A day on the lake is where he is the most content... and I hope he has one of those days today - because he deserves it.

Happy Father's Day Dad! 

I love you.

Judgement

Judgement is the evaluation of evidence in the making of a decision. I believe this to be a pretty exact definition. We make judgements on a subject/circumstance based on the evidence we are given or have gathered. This doesn't necessarily mean the evidence or "information" we have is 100% correct. I feel that our society has changed so drastically with technology and the thriving media, that we tend to believe everything we hear - whether it's true or not. As if that isn't the most difficult part, we add in the factor of gossip, and that really makes things "sticky", so to speak. 

So why is it so easy to judge someone - regardless of our information source? Why is it so easy to instantly call someone up and tell them what we heard or what "new thing" has happened. Although very easy, we need to realize that it can do some major damage. I think many people judge others without even realizing they are doing it. It is honestly that easy. I just feel that we need to think about the people we are judging and consider where we are getting our information from... before we pick up that phone to call or text someone, or go on facebook/twitter and update our "status". We need to think about people for who they really are, and how we see them/know them... rather than the actions they have or the words they use. People say things they don't necessarily mean and people do things they don't necessarily mean to do. I'm sure all of us can think back on a situation where we said something we later regretted or did something that we wish we didn't. Maybe it wasn't as awful of a mistake as the next person, but it's still a mistake. Everyone makes them and I think people, including myself, need to be conscientious of that. Mistakes are just a fact of life. Nobody's perfect. Life is such a fragile blessing we are given - and we only get one chance at it. Do you want to be the person who is remembered for constantly judging and gossiping about others before you know the full story? 

I am going to give you some quotes about judgement... I think that is a meaningful way to end this post: 

"If we are quick to pass judgment on others, we forget that they, like us, are human beings."

“It is just as cowardly to judge an absent person as it is wicked to strike a defenseless one. Only the ignorant and narrow-minded gossip, for they speak of persons instead of things.”

“Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.”

“It takes a good deal of character to judge a person by his future instead of their past”

So many emotions...

Have you ever had that feeling where your heart aches so badly for someone you love that all you want to do is take away their pain for them? I haven't experienced this pain very often, and I consider myself lucky. I wouldn't wish that ache on anyone. It makes me want to curl up into a ball and just cry. It would be so nice if my crying would make someone else feel better, but unfortunately that isn't the case. I wish life didn't throw us curveballs when we are least expecting it, but you know what... that's life. There's a quote from a Rascal Flatts song - "When life throws ya curves, you learn to swerve."  SO TRUE! We as human beings, learn to deal with situations we are given as we are given them. There is no book for "how to get through life." Unfortunately we cannot plan our lives... or plan for life. It is what it is - and we need to find the positive in every situation, no matter how difficult that may be at the time. You all know that I am a firm believer in: God has a plan for everything - and everything happens for a reason.

Last night, Marcus and I got our tour of the hospital where we will deliver our baby. WOW... what a reality check. We had visited a friend up there after she had her baby, so we saw the "mother/baby" floor where we will stay after the baby is born. That wasn't part of the reality check. It was the sterile surgical cart, and the baby warmer, and the other elements of the labor/delivery room that really snapped us back into reality. I now realize how much we have to do before this baby comes. I have a month and a half before I go back to work, so that should be enough time... right? What an overwhelming thought! It's times like this I wish I lived closer to my mom and sister - so they could help me with all of this. I suddenly feel so unprepared for what is about to come. I guess we can't turn back now, so we just need to embrace it, right? If anyone has got any advice... or maybe, possibly a "checklist" of things we need to have/get done in the next 2 months... that would be much appreciated :)

Milestone

Marcus and I have been very busy this past week. He has officially started his new job and I am now officially on summer vacation :) We traveled quite a bit this weekend and got to see family - which was amazing! This was probably one of the best weekends we've had in a long time...
Maybe that had "something" to do with June 11th. One of my best friends got married to the love of her life and we couldn't be happier for them. They are truly an inspiration to myself and many others. Their wedding was on Saturday, 6/11/11. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and Marcus and I had such a blast celebrating their day with them. It was also our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY.  I couldn't think of a better way to spend our anniversary than at a wedding - reminiscing about our special day just one year ago. So, a huge CONGRATULATIONS to John and Tanya Syvertson! Marcus and I were so honored to spend the day with you and we wish you the absolute best - love you both :)

Marcus and I have been married one whole year. ONE WHOLE YEAR :) I can't believe it. So much has happened this past year - and the most important part... we made it! Life is full of twists and turns and ups and downs, and we have gotten through all of them. We have made some huge decisions together, as a team, and everything has worked out the way it was supposed to. Obviously one of the major changes in our lives was our move 6+ hours away from our families. This one hasn't been the easiest, but I honestly feel as if it is right for us, right now. Another major change (or adjustment) that hasn't fully happened 100% yet.. is the baby. Once August comes, our lives are going to be completely different, and I am so excited for that next step. I feel so blessed to have him in my life and I cannot wait to share many more years to come!

I am going to end this post with a few pictures of our weekend. Enjoy :)

The Syvertsons <3

Myself with the stunning bride

Our nephew Olen :)

30 weeks - only 10 to go!

On our 1 year anniversary

Change

I am warning everyone from the get-go that this post is going to be a bit of a vent session... I need a change. I don't know if this pregnancy is what's causing it or what... but I feel like I need a change. I hate the concept of gaining weight (yes, I know it's a good thing when we're talking about pregnancy) but I don't care for it. It is extremely difficult to find clothes for this 95 degree heat and feel as if I look somewhat cute. I am constantly breaking out and my varicose veins really aren't all that attractive, not to mention they hurt. I get the impression that some people really enjoy being pregnant, and I'm starting to question my thoughts on how I feel about being pregnant. Some people can pull it off, and some people can't. I haven't had the worst experience, but I guess I haven't had the best one either... maybe I need to just chop off my hair and then I'll feel better?! Thoughts?? Suggestions on the hair??

Sorry for the vent session, but sometimes, it just needs to be done.. and seeing as I'm sitting at home alone and Kdawg being the only one to talk to... I figured this may be a better option. (Although Kona is a very good listener ;)