Gratitude

Words cannot express the gratitude I have right now.  I have felt such an outpouring of love from so many family and friends that I don't think I can say thank you enough.  

The kind words, prayers, and love coming my way is something that I recognize each and every day. To my husband, Scott, who has been there for me every step of the way through recovery, Thank you! To those of you that have brought over meals for us, Thank you! Those of you reaching out to me and seeing how I'm doing, Thank you! Those of you offering your help, Thank you! To those of you keeping me company, Thank you!

This past week has been a big change for me from my everyday routines.  For the past three years now, I have been waking up early, getting ready, packing a lunch, and heading out the door to go teach for the day.  This week has been nothing like that.  I have not been to work all week and I seriously feel lost.  Sometimes you forget how wonderful your job is until you have it "taken away" from you.  I miss teaching, my students, my co-workers, my life as a teacher.  

I am so grateful for the life I have.  Although there are trials in life, that doesn't mean I still can't be grateful.  I am grateful for the trials that come into my life, because I know that they make me stronger.  There is purpose to our lives, and we are blessed with a great way of learning through our trials.  

To go through the trial of having surgery and losing a part of my body, it has been difficult.  To think that the future of me and Scott starting a family may be even more difficult now, it's hard to accept.  However, I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me.  If Scott and I are to have a family, there will be a way. 

I am grateful to have the knowledge that I have.  I am grateful to have loving family and friends to support me and help me along this adventure, we call life.  I am so grateful to have the life I have and to be healthy and strong.  

How do you Recover?

In some ways I am having a hard time "taking it easy" through this recovery, because I am not used to having this much time to do "things".  I am usually running here and there getting things ready for my class day after day, and I love doing that! However, I am not having a hard time "taking it easy" because I seriously can't move.  I have the hardest time getting up and moving around, but when I'm just sitting or laying on the couch, I'm feeling pretty good.

Rather than get more planned for the rest of the school year, I'm trying to really take it easy and not worry to much about school.  I will admit though, that I have spent time doing some planning, I won't do too much more, I promise!

So here are a few things that I've been doing to recover...

1. Catch up on some good shows.  I'm a sucker for drama and have almost enjoyed watching Bachelor in Paradise more that I thought.  It is just too funny to see everything that happens and how people react to dumb stuff.  Then, there are always some good finds on Netflix, right when you need a new or movie to fill some free time.

2. Update the Blog.  I am always trying new things and making the blog look a little cuter.  There are just so many options that I can't help but try new things when I have the time.

3. Pinterest.  It's not very often that I can spend a good chunk of time exploring Pinterest.  It can be a dangerous place though...I have so many fun ideas of little crafts I want to do, but now I have to go get the things I need to get the crafts in the works.  I also love all of the quotes and fun illustrations I've been finding too.

 

4. Read.  I have been finding some good books, and wouldn't you know, most of them are children's chapter books.  I am always trying to find more books for my students to read that would interest them.  So, what better way to find books that read them for yourself.

5. Sleep.  This one doesn't need any explanation...sleep is a MUST!

6. Doodle.  I heard about Adult Coloring Books and was so excited!  When I was in college, some of my roommates and I would find Children's Coloring Books and de-stress from classes with a little coloring session.  The Adult coloring books look amazing and I am so excited to be getting mine in the mail within the next few days...

Well, y'all that's what I'm doing to recover now a days.  If you have any suggestions of what helps you recover, send a little love my way and share your ideas.  

Have a great day!

I Can Do All Things...

The last 48 hours have been quite a trial for me.

Before school even got out on Friday at 1:25 PM I was feeling so sick to my stomach. I couldn't even finish the day with my class and had someone come in to finish the last few things of the day with my class. 

By 1:40 PM I was on my way home, praying that I would make it home safely without starting to feel extremely sick again. I made it home and immediately got into bed, but could not get comfortable in any position at all. The pain continued to get worse and worse, so Scott came home from work to help out and get me through what I thought would hopefully go away. 

Nothing was helping at this point. I called my OB to see if this was a reaction from taking my third cycle of Clomid. The doctor did not seem too concerned and he said it was a just a reaction and that the pain would eventually subside. I couldn't believe that's all he said with the extreme pain that I was in. So we waited and waited. I tried to fall asleep and by 3 AM I  couldn't handle the pain any more.  We grabbed our things and headed to the Emergency Room...the last place I wanted to be. However, I was so ready for the pain to go away. 

We got checked in and had tests started immediately. After blood tests and ultrasounds, the OB on call came in and said that my left ovary was about 8 cm, about the size of a tennis ball, and was torsed. Well, that explained the pain! 

They prepped me for surgery and off I went. The next thing I knew I was out of surgery and not feeling the pain anymore. 

Turns out that my ovary had completely died. It had become so enlarged and twisted that there was no blood flow for about 12 hours causing the ovary to die. They OB that did my surgery removed my left ovary, which ended up being 10 cm. 

So, after all of this, I can say that I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without Christ. He is my strength. I know that he has suffered more than I have and I can lean on him no matter what. 

I can do all things through Christ, and as you put your trust and faith in him, you can also do all things through Christ. 

Inspiration Sunday

Sundays are special days.  Sundays are the day of worship.  They are the day of rest.  A day to reflect on your relationship with your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  A day to strengthen your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  A day to share your testimony with others.

Scott and I had the opportunity to speak in church today.  We are loving those that attend our ward, the group of members that attend church with us, and have felt so welcomed already.  While preparing my talk the past few days, I have felt that I should share inspirational thoughts more often.  As I studied and searched what I would be speaking about, I found so many wonderful quotes and messages to share.  Finding all of those quotes and messages gave me so much joy and made each day even better for me.  I have given myself the challenge to fine a new quote or message to share with you.  So, from here on out, I hope to bring joy to your life and make your day better with the messages that I share.

I hope that you all had an uplifting Sunday and are ready for a new week.

Have a great week!

Family Shenanigans

The past few weeks have been full of adventure with Mom, Dad, and Olivia coming out basically every other week.  Olivia had the opportunity to attend two volleyball camps here in Utah, so that brought us all together a few times.

Their first trip out, we were able to take Mom up through the American Fork Canyon and go on a little hike up past Silver Lake.  It was so beautiful and fun to get to spend time together with the girls...we sure missed Olivia, but she was working hard and having fun playing volleyball every day.

Since Mom and Olivia were driving home, I decided to catch a ride and make a quick trip out to Cali. It was fun seeing family and friends out there.  

I got to meet the newest addition to the Gowdy family too! Eli was born a few weeks before I went out, and I was lucky enough to go and spend time with him and his family.  It's fun to see all of his older sisters taking care of him and helping out there Mom and Dad, Ryan & Aly.  

Soon after that trip, the whole family got together for a trip up to Park City.  We had so much fun spending time together...and of course there were lots of laughs and memories made.  

My family means the WORLD to me.  I am so grateful for them and the special bond we have with one another.  We have been through good times and bad times, but all of those times are what bring us closer and make us a stronger family.  I long for the day when Scott and I can begin a family of our own, but as of now, Heavenly Father has a different plan for us.  We may have hopes and dreams of what we plan on achieving in our lives, the don't happen when we would like.  

Always remember that Heavenly Father has a plan for each and everyone of us.  His plan is far greater than our plan.  There is purpose to our lives.  We are here to live, learn, and gain experience.  Be grateful for the struggles in your life, they make you stronger.  Be even more grateful for the joys in your life.    Love your life and live it to the fullest each and every day!