April Monthly Mash-up

The first half of April was a continuation of the major stress.  Within the first week, we put the house on the market, I had surgery, one of the kids dealt with severe emotional issues, Ryan endured tests at the Cancer Center to monitor the state of his remission, and I took my college finals.  It's almost laughable now as I look back, because I don't know how I survived some of those moments.  There are times in life where we have to put one foot in the front of the other and not think past the next hour.  

But let me add that NEVER in my entire life have I felt closer to God than I did during that difficult time.  I will make a whole post about a few of those experiences because I want to remember them forever.

After months of kidney stone pain (and nearly becoming addicted to narcotics because I had to take them so often), I had surgery on April 3rd to remove a large stone blocking my ureter, clear the passageway through my ureter by placing a stent, and have several other large stones removed from my right kidney.  I was pretty nervous, but the procedure went well and everything was accomplished as planned.  The real pain hit once I was home and had to deal with the stent for 10 days.  My body HATES stents.  I couldn't move without intense cramping in my abdomen, so the narcotics continued while I somehow kept my house spotless for house showings.  While in this state, I took my finals and maintained straight A's.  

Pre-surgery pictures taken by Brynlie, who supported me at the hospital along with Ryan.

I need to give props to Christine for just a minute.  Rarely in my life have I had a friend who would drop everything to help me, but Christine went above and beyond when she saw a need.  I won't go into details, but I will be forever in her debt.

While I was still in stent-hell, I accompanied Ryan to the anxiety-inducing Cancer Center for testing, and a few days later we received the news that he is STILL CANCER FREE.  I'm not sure how to adequately explain my relief at the news.  

On the day I was finally able to have the stent removed, these words actually came out of the urologist's mouth while I was exposed on the table: "That thing is really stuck in there.  I'm going to need to 'use the force' to get it out."  Uh huh.  One of the worst experiences ever.  But within about 30 minutes of the stent being removed, I felt better than I had in MONTHS.  Finally I was pain free!

We've had some house drama.  Quick version is the wrong countertops were installed but there was nothing I could do about it since I had approved the slab of granite in an email rather than going to the shop to see it in person.  I was so incredibly busy on the day they wanted me to drive to Kansas and see the granite color, so I allowed a customer service rep to approve the $6000 slab.  I cried for days when I realized my mistake, but it was too late because the slab had been cut and installed by that point.

The next day was the scheduled installation of appliances.  I immediately realized I hadn't ordered a built-in microwave like I should have, so that was Mistake #2.  Then the installers realized I purchased the wrong stovetop because it didn't have a ventilation system, so I tried to order the correct one but Mistake #3 was a major issue since the granite had been cut specifically for the stove I previously ordered.

Pretty much I lived a nightmare remodel and realized I should NEVER take on such a giant project while already overwhelmed.  One the evening before our first Open House, I noticed a couple tiny cracks in one of the bathroom sinks that had a slight tint.  My brilliant mind told me to pour bleach in the sink for a couple minutes, but then I forgot about the bleach and went to bed.  In the morning, the sink was filled with black bleach that had stained the tiny cracks and rusted the drain.  I panicked and had Ryan miss church in order to get a new drain from the hardware store and quickly solve my latest mistake.

Now on to some fun stuff!  My church callings right now are Primary teacher for the 8/9 year-olds and Activity Day leader (again).  Maybe I'm repeating myself here, but these are THE BEST callings in the church.  I adore the cute girls in my AD group.  I took a picture of them after we decorated pots and planted flowers to give away.

My firstborn asked a girl to the Mormon Prom.  It was going to be his first date, and Ryan and I had promised to rent a limo and pay for the evening.  He didn't receive the answer he wanted when asking her, so he attended the Prom date-free.  I was proud of him for moving past his disappointment and trying to have fun.  Unfortunately, now he's gun-shy about asking another girl on a date.  

The dance was held at the Stake Center.  Kelsi was on a date with a boy from her ward, and Brevan spent most of the night with some of his best friends.  Pictured in the foursome selfie are Tanner, Darion, Ty and Brevan.  Brevan's friends are some of the best kids I've ever met.

My goofy kids chillaxin in the car during a Sunday afternoon drive when our house was taken over by prospective buyers.

I found peace in the Lord's house a couple times in April.  The tulips were beautiful and reminded me of Christ's cleansing power that makes me clean and whole.  I'm grateful for a Father in heaven who loves me perfectly, even though I am so imperfect.

On the 23rd of April, Bryn and I boarded a plane for Utah.  I planned this trip to help her adjust to the idea of moving to Utah.  We specifically went during a time that several dance studios were holding a competition so she could find a studio to join.  Also, Ashlyn was sweet enough to plan her missionary farewell at the time we would be out West so we could attend.

This girl knows how to accessorize when traveling!  She took TWENTY shirts and EIGHT pair of shoes for a 5 day trip.  She is high maintenance like her Daddy.  Compare that to me:  I took 4 shirts, 3 pair of pants, one dress and a couple pair of shoes.  Easy peasy.

Brynlie made us take silly selfies on the plane. 

On the first day of our trip, we had dinner with my parents before driving around Salem neighborhoods and staying with the Hughes family.  On the second day, my Mom joined us to meet with an architect about the design of our house.  Then we toured a few of the houses that have recently been built by the builder we will most likely use.  Brynlie was a trooper while my Mom and I asked questions, took notes and discussed plans.  We stopped for lunch at this cute diner next to Salem High School.  It was surreal to think that my children will most likely attend that High School in the future.

In the afternoon, Brynlie and I surprised Sean's girls with a quick visit before their soccer games.  We even got to watch a few minutes of Brooklen's game.  I'm excited to live closer to these cuties.

Bailey flew in to surprise Ashlyn, so we enjoyed Cafe Rio with Brandon, Angela and my parents.  It was fun to spend time with the newlyweds!

After spending the night at my parents house, I took Bailey and Brynlie to the Payson Temple Open House.  It was honestly one of the most beautiful temples I've seen and I think the girls felt the Spirit there.  Then we enjoyed exploring BYU campus before Brynlie and I attended the dance competition. 

Car selfies on the way to the temple.

We didn't actually have any tickets to the Temple Open House. . . so we were happily banished to the standby line.  We thought we might have to sneak ourselves into the temple like true rebels.

While in Provo, we drove through the Branbury Park Apartments parking lot and look what we found?!?  That used to be OUR carpet van, and it still has the same phone number with the same logo that I created years ago!!  The business is still going strong with new owners.

Early Sunday morning, Bailey, Bryn and I drove to Idaho with my parents to attend Ashlyn's farewell and spend a night with my sister's awesome family!

I was obviously meant to be a model.  I love my Mama and sister. 

Austin kept us entertained with his explanations of Asian countries and his cartoon animal friends.  Cutest autistic boy ever!  I wish I could stuff this 6'2" 18-year-old into my pocket so I could keep him with me all the time.

There's a whole lot of love on that couch.  Bryn, me, Lauryn, Ashy, Bailey and Kara.  I enjoyed every second of the laughs, tears and hugs.  I'm so proud of the choice Ashlyn made to serve a mission.  She is going to rock the world of some Nebraskians.  She entered the MTC on May 13th.

That's about it for April, besides some details I will put in another post.  April came in like a lion and went out like a perfect lamb, surrounded by family.  I am blessed.