Family Photos, Kidney stones, and more...

It has been a horrible week for me.  I woke up with awful pain and didn't know what was going on?  I knew I'd never felt pain like this before, so I woke up Bill and told him I needed to go to the ER.  He said he'd take me.  In the mean time I started puking because I hurt so damn bad.  It was awful.  It felt like awful labor pains, but worse menstrual cramps and this awful rectal pressure that made me feel like I had to pee and poop all the time.  It was just a horrible time.  I felt like I couldn't get comfortable.  I paced the floors for hours until I finally woke up Bill.  The trip to the hospital I had some relief because I just puked and it seemed to rid me of some of the pain.  By the time I got to the ER I felt like an idiot because I had after effect pain, a dull ache and rectal pressure but no horrible pain like I had been feeling.  The Dr was persistent with tests and there was blood in my urine so he ran more tests.  After a CT it was discovered I had kidney stones.  The Dr thought I passed one that morning, and that's why the pain went away, but there are 3 more behind it.  He sent me home on pain meds and told me to rest up.  I came home drugged myself up and went to sleep.  Thank goodness Brody slept all afternoon too.  I was OUT of it.  I spent three days in a sleepy drugged up coma until I think I eventually passed at least one more.  I feel so much better now.  I just hope that the others don't bother me and that hopefully I passed all three at once and it's all over.  I am totally off the caffeine.  I had been before surgery, but I had been drinking some diet soda now and again, which I shouldn't have, but I now am not doing it at all.  The Dr told me the stones were caused by calcium and high protein diets.  Well that's my lifestyle in a nut shell now!  So looks like this might be in my future again if my body responds to me like this, I don't think I will like it much.  I have to stay on high protein diet.  I also have to stay on my calcium and added D vitamins.  Go figure.  It's such a catch 22.

Our family did get photos taken last week.  I am so thrilled with them.  We LOVE them all it's going to be so hard to chose which ones to print for where!  We have some ideas, but are working on putting them all together.  Brandi Johnson took them and she worked well with the boys.  I am so thrilled to have some skinnier pics of myself with the guys.  It really means a lot to me to finally have some new photos. 

I am glad to be pain free, but seriously trying to play catch up around here.  There's laundry to do, dishes to do, floors to sweep.  It's a shame how this house can become so darned messy in a couple days of doing nothing.  All I was able to do was cook and barely that most days, so things have been piling up around here.  I caught up dishes yesterday and then today.  I also got laundry going and about done.  I have two more loads to dry and fold-hang and put away. 

Brody's been super clingy these last few days.  It makes it hard to do things with him up my butt all day long.  I love that kid to death, but sometimes he smothers me!  It's frustrating that he's polar opposite of Cole.  It really makes it hard on me to deal with such different kids some days.  Just the attitudes and personalities are so different to deal with. 

My weight loss is going good.  I lost 4 lbs these last few days with this kidney stone.  I wasn't eating much because of the pain.  When I did eat, I threw up a lot because of pain.  I am at 156 lbs lost as of today.  I really feel good about my progress so far.  I am so full of energy and full of life.  I think it's improved my whole outlook on things.  I am in size 16 clothing now.  That makes me so happy.  I love the fact that I can shop anywhere I desire and things will fit me .  I actually don't have to go to the plus size section anymore unless I want a loose baggy shirt.   I don't know who I am anymore.  When I walk past a mirror I just do a second take and then have to just shake my head in surprise about my reflection.  I really don't know how to put it into words except to say that my head hasn't quite caught up with my body just yet.  It is strange to feel like that.  This physical change happens so fast, faster than I ever imagined.  It just feels awesome to have a "new" body to look at and to carry around.  I think it's so strange because the fastness of it all really doesn't make sense to even me.  150 lbs in 7 months, WOWZERS!  I've spent years and years seeing my reflection as one way, and now that I am totally different, it's strange to see, especially in such a short amount of time.  The changes happened so fast that my brain just can't quite catch up yet!  I'm not used to such vitality for life.  I am not used to this added energy, I am not used to being so active and AWAKE in my own skin.  I love every second of it.  I will do all that I can for the rest of my life to stay this way.  This is who I really am and who I have always meant to be! 

Harvest has began.  They have the combine all ready to go and have been shelling some corn the last few days.  Bill's happy to be so busy and in the fields.  I am happy that the fall feeling is here.  I have all my fall decor out.  My pumpkins, scarecrows, and scents burning in my scentsy pots.  It smells and feels like fall.  I have made some creamy tater soup for supper.  It's simmering in the crock pot.  It smells so yummy I can't wait to dig into it!  I love love love fall!  I love the coolness, the crispness of the leaves, the snuggles, the windows open, it melts my heart.