The joy of being able to finish something- start to finish

It has been a long time since I have been able to accomplish a project from start to finish.  I would either wear myself out, end of getting really sore, or not be able to physically finish it... i.e. painting our bathroom.  I still officially cannot bend down on my knees.

Well I can honestly say that I accomplished my first DIY project in a long time.  I took on putting up a kitchen back splash... which we desperately needed as the wall behind our sink was slowly getting destroyed.  Chris helped towards the end with me with figuring out how to extend the light fixtures and as well as grouting.  But other than that... a few Starbucks green teas, some music and I had a VERY productive week last week.

We also did some landscaping, while I'll admit that Chris did most of it, I did transplant all the plants and get all of our other plants ready for summer.  Here are a few pics.  Enjoy! :)  I know I am.

 Our new "royal" crab tree which I named Kate in honor of my obsession with Kate Middleton

The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino

The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino Blogger Templates

Life is good...

I just realized this afternoon that I have been totally MIA for about a month.  WOW!  While that is totally unacceptable, the reason is that I HAVE BEEN FEELING GREAT!  My infusion kicked in towards the end of April and I have been going strong since.

This past week I was busy babysitting my mother-in-law's two kitties... along with our Mr. Kitty, it was quite an active household.  Every where I turned there was a feline waiting and yearning for affection.  It was quite interesting and made me realize that I never want to own three cats.

Anyways, I have been quite busy with projects around the house.  The weather has been decent with average temperatures in the 60's.  I have found that between the 40's and 50's my arthritis acts up a little bit along with rain and anything below 40's causes some pain.  Above 50's and I have been feeling great.  I even have been working out everyday and I can go up to 20 minutes on the elliptical.  Considering I was at 2 minutes in January I think that's an accomplishment.

I'll fill ya'll in on our backyard landscaping project, the fact that I just completed an entire kitchen backsplash, oh and an awesome little thing regarding my amazing husband getting me my dream beach cruiser bike to take to the pool this summer.

SO anyways... Life is good because ONE I'm feeling GOOD and TWO, I got to see these two little ones a few weeks ago.  We surprised my brother for his 30th birthday and flew down to Georgia for the weekend.  We surprised the little ones as well! :)  Can't believe how big they are getting.  Here are some pictures for our weekend! :)

Chris, Brant (my brother) and My Dad at the Atlanta Aquarium

Keegan (Age 4) trying to teach me how to courtesy like Princess Kate

Keegan teaching me how to me "fancy" like Fancy Nancy

Loving my little Kiki

Loving my little Mia

The girls were brushing my hair and playing "rapunzel"

The four year old showcasing her new Rapunzel sunglasses

My brother with his birthday gift from us fellow Iowa Staters

Like I said... Life is GOOD!

Just what the doctor ordered

Last weekend, Chris (my husband) had a bachelor party at Iowa State for a fraternity brother.  So I had planned on being along all weekend, maybe watching some chic flicks, who knows.  Well I did that Friday, but on Saturday, much to my surprise my two friends Heather and Liz were coming up from Des Moines.  It had been awhile since I had seen them.  Two other friends (we were all Gamma Phis at ISU together) that live in MN came over Saturday night to and we made a girls night of it.

It was so nice to just veg out on food, drinks (peeptinis), chat and catch up.  We had a LOT to celebrate.  Heather had just gotten engaged in January and Nicole earlier that week announced that she was pregnant.  What wonderful blessings.  So the night consisted of looking at ultrasounds and wedding stuff.

We didn't need anything else to make the weekend more memorable or fun, but much to our surprise Heather asked us all to be bridesmaids.  Such an honor and I cannot wait to be apart of her and Brian's special day!  You can see her blog post regarding the weekend here.  The wedding party is going to be so much fun and Heather will be a BEAUTIFUL bride.  Can't wait for May 2012~

Here are some pics Heather took from the weekend.

Me with my cupcake tree... Cookie dough cupcakes (yes please) :)

 Nicole (+1), Trisha, Heather (the bride), Me, and Liz

 Liz, Me, and Heather drinking our peeptinis

So... what a great weekend.  Sunday night was topped off with Chris coming home and us catching up on our wonderful weekends.  We then ended it by watching the Harry Potter 7th movie... have I mentioned I'm obsessed with Harry Potter???

So... great news from the weekend, but unfortunately I haven't be feeling the GREATEST.  I haven't had any fevers but I've been sore and my fatigued then normal.  Not too bad, but I have had a little trouble breathing and I've been coughing a lot.  I had blood tests taken on Monday, so I plan on calling my doctor tomorrow.  Prayers my disease didn't flare up more before the infusion started to kick in... if so, more prednisone :(.  Trying to think positive, but I just haven't been feeling as great as I was the past month.  We'll see and I'll keep you all updated... I think part of it is the weather... yes its snowed this week.  I am not sure Spring will ever arrive in MN.

Well that's the update for now.  Hope everyone has a blessed Easter.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

Life has been a little crazy lately.  I realized last night that I haven't posted since my first infusion.  Well rest assured, my second infusion went well.  I did get a little touch of a lung infection afterwards though so I had to go on the "icky" antibiotic that makes me REALLY tired and nauseous.

My mom was up here for the second infusion, and then back up here for a baby shower that we threw for one of my childhood friends.  Needless to say my life has been a little hectic preparing for that.  Then this weekend Chris is going to Iowa for a bachelor party and I am having a girls weekend with some dear friends from Des Moines... Heather and Liz... I believe I have mentioned them one or twice before! :)

So lots of good things, but I haven't been feeling terrible, but not all that great either.  My disease did start to show that it was becoming active again from my April blood tests.  It looks like I'll probably have to do infusions every 4 or 4 1/2 months.  Not fun, but I figure if it makes me feel good all the time that is a plus.  With the change in temperature up here my arthritis has been acting up, and since my disease has become more active I've been coughing a lot and having a little harder time breathing.  Am I flat of my back miserable... no but I've felt better.  The infusion should start kicking in soon, so I'll be back to my "higher" energy self.

Hope everyone is enjoying their spring! :)  Here are a few pics from what I worked on from the shower... I love crafts :)

Thankful for Netflixs

So... real quick update.  I had my first round of the Rituxin infusion on Tuesday.  It started at 6:30 am, although earlier than previous ones, I liked this time as it got me in and out quicker since not too many people chose that time.  This was the quickest infusion at only 5 hours.  Something I can handle.  I watched two movies, and made small talk with a lovely lady sitting next to me.

I'm thankful that Chris took this whole week off.  He had Spring Break from classes, so we decided to take some you and me time... MUCH NEEDED.  We've watched movies, gone out to dinner, etc.  Its been great.

I'm feeling fairly decent after my infusion, although I was EXTREMELY tired.  I got a little sick that night, nausea, etc. but today I feel fairly good.

I'm thankful that my next round of infusion is in two weeks, and actually my mom is coming up for that one to give Chris a little bit of a break.  I haven't seen my mom since Christmas... mother/daughter time is much needed.

Spring is finally starting here in Minnesota.  Its been in the upper 40's/50's this week.  My joints are thankful! :)  The snow is slowly melting... hopefully in a few weeks it'll be comepletely gone!

My entire family is in Charelston right now, jealous they have 70's and its suppose to get up into the 80's!  Here's hoping Spring comes quickly.  Although, I will admit I'm already to migrat South, and I think Chris is officially on-board as well.  Two more years of school, and who knows what'll happen! :)

Hope the sun is shining in your household.

Warmly,

Greatful for Friends

Based on my previous posts, you can see that I was in a little bit of a "funk."  Rest assured, I'm doing a little better.  I still have all the feelings previously posted, but I'm REALLY TRYING REALLY hard to focus on the positive! :)

I'm so grateful for friends and family.  It's honestly what helps me get by from day to day.  Whether its waking up to a text message from my dear friend Heather Dunman or venturing out to Prior Lake last night to celebrate one of Chris' dear friend's birthday.  It helps to hear others laughter, and I find my self joining in and GENUINELY enjoying life.

So THANK YOU to Heather Prins, AJ Prins, Jake Weisberg, Matt Hermann, and crew for an amazing evening!  I was in a PURE FUNK and you all allowed me to smile and enjoy a wonderful evening with good food and amazing friends! I'm grateful Chris is friends with you all, which has allowed me to become friends with all of you!

Old school pics are in order! :) haha

I think this was at Gamma Phi Formal... Chris, me, Heather and AJ



Some of the guys at our wedding! :)

Chris and AJ (he was Chris' best man)--> Happy Birthday! :)