July 2014 - August 2014

July and August went by pretty quickly, thank goodness. Summer is hard for us because it's so hot and we just feel gross and out of place. So it makes some sense that it's been difficult for me lately. I have a wonderful rock of a husband. He may have his flaws, as everyone does, but if there is one thing I appreciate most about him, it's his resilience to stress. He's oblivious to the little things I obsess over. It's really amazing. 

But anyway, that's why there aren't many photos. I've been doing a lot of wallowing, but that doesn't mean everything has been bad! We're going to UVU. Stephen is, as always, studying computer programming. I'm studying criminal justice again. That doesn't mean I don't want to do mortuary science. I still miss it a lot sometimes, but geographically with Stephen in Orem, it just couldn't be done. Also, I'm really worried about lifting bodies. My back ain't as good as it used to be, and I don't see it getting better. Of course I'm happy, but I wonder what could've been. My math requirements would definitely be easier, that's for sure!

Good news is that things are getting better all the time! I got bangs again and a short haircut. Everyone likes it, but it took awhile for me. I ordered some new glasses to replace my broken ones. I'll post a picture in September. September 4th is PKD awareness day, so that's exciting. Stephen is getting his laptop fixed, so he'll be pleased. He also got a videogame he's lusted after. I was hesitant about it, but I like it too. Things are good, and they're getting better quickly. We love Fall! We're so happy it's here. September will be awesome!

June 2014

Well, June happened, and we got our brother back.

Studs.

I made a pretty dumb sign. Everyone else liked it though, so I'm happy! 

So that's basically it. We've been playing with our brother and friends. We're still working at Papa Johns, only that will change for me soon because I landed a janitor job that pays better and gives me more hours. We'll be making college-student BANK! Stephen got an A- in the class that he hated this summer. We're just doing surprisingly well somehow. I think I know who to thank for that. Here's to June, and an even better July! 

March 2014 - May 2014

So things have been pretty rocky, as far as everything but our marriage goes. I've been pretty down and just feeling awful, but I can apply for the mortuary science program this fall/winter! So that's exciting. I just have to get into Math 1010. Stephen is pushing through Summer school. And we're both working as much as possible, which isn't much during the Summer. I'm worried about money. I really miss Milo. I miss having something to love that will love me back. I guess maybe I'm just lonely. 

So we rented Chance.

We love him!

I got some books to read. 

Mostly because I'm so bored and I really like Corpse at least, but never finished it.

We also went to the Hogle Zoo. 

Gorilla posing for the camera.

I also had an incident. On Mother's Day, I woke up unable to lay on my back or stomach without excruciating pain. I took painkillers, but nothing was happening. I could only lay on the bed in fetal position, I couldn't get up. It was the worst pain I've ever been in in my entire life, and it wasn't going away, so we went to the emergency room. I went in saying I was having abdominal pain, and they were only somewhat concerned, and I figured it relevant to say that I have PKD. That lit a fire for some reason. I was rushed into a room and promptly given Morphine, which is my new love. This is the attempt at getting a good stick. I have a long history of being a hard stick, so I told them my phlebotomist uses butterfly needles, and the lady insisted on using a regular one higher up. Clearly, it didn't work. And I had a cool bruise for awhile.

They did an ultrasound and I got to see my cysts again. "Hello, cysts." Everything was fine with my liver and I guess nothing notable about the cysts, so we still don't know quite what happened. The support groups said it was definitely a cyst burst. I took an Amitiza the night before, but I've done that multiple times and this has never happened. I don't know. Now I have bills. And it's another stressor in my life. 

Stephen has been wonderful though. He is supportive of me and the best. I've gotten him hooked on Forensic Files and we sometimes watch People's Court together. I just love him and I can't imagine going through this without him. 

December 2013 - February 2014

Geewhiz I'm having a hard time keeping this up. Anyway, we celebrated our first anniversary together at a hotel. It was awesome. I love hotels.

We also took some pictures and went on a date at some fancy place. 

I got a replacement ring since the old one is too big now. It's obviously CZ, don't get it twisted.

I got a lot of bruises shoveling ice off a driveway with Stephen. A sign that I am, indeed, dying. 

Easy bruising

Speaking of which, March is PKD and kidney disease awareness month!

We also moved into our own apartment in February!!!

Bathroom

I painted some signs because I am bored to death sometimes. 

Also, I'm trying to get into woodworking.

This was for Valentine's day.

Then we went to all-you-can-eat sushi!!!

With us moving in though, we had to give up my sweet, sweet baby. I miss him so much! I'm going crazy without my Milo. I just hope he's happy wherever he is. I love that little guy.

I also dyed my hair. This was not my intended look, but it turned out okay, actually. I now have black, red, and blonde hair.

With some pink added, of course!

Stephen got a haircut as well. Isn't he CUTE???

Couple Time!

Kiss Time!

The End.

Epilogue: Steve is at UVU right now, charming the pants off his teachers - they seriously love him. He's so smart! He's getting good grades and is so good at making pizza. Oh yeah, we work at Papa John's now. I'm doing as horribly as ever at school - which is to say that I'm getting A's in the classes I care about and F's in all the others.

August - November 2013

Has it really been that long?

I literally have nothing for August. That's pretty sad. On to September! I became official.

Viola hand.

I also did pretty well on my final. 99% on a 100 question exam. It's not perfect, but it's fantastic for me!

Here is another photo from September. 

So freaking cute!

Then Stephen had his first choir concert in October.

It was at this lovely place.

                                            
                                       If I knew how to use a camera properly, this would be longer.

Due to being incredibly broke, I also sold my dearest friend to a violinist who wanted to learn viola.

Enjoy your new life, you magnificent creature.

Then we just took some more photos. 

That moustache...

Well, that's about it. Pretty boring, actually, but things will be more awesome next year! I'm currently signed up for Mortuary Science 1010, Communications 1020, and Doula and Pregnancy Preparation at Salt Lake Community College. I want to try my hand at mortuary science and see where that goes (long story, but let's just say my forensic science textbook helped). Stephen is signed up for more general eds at UVU and Levi gets back in May. We plan to get sealed in October and we may even get pregnant if our financial stability improves and my health problems let up a bit. Maybe we'll just get a puppy (we're definitely getting a puppy). 

July 2013

So we've had a very eventful July. Where do we even start?

I got a CT scan of my abdomen because my doctor finally became concerned about my issues. He wasn't worried about my chronic bowel issues or the fact that nothing was working, he was concerned about the weight loss and abdominal pain. Not that he's wrong, it's just that the other problems were bothering me more. ANYWAY, I was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease on July 26th, 2013.

So, of course I got some awareness pins.

If you want more info or pictures, follow this link: http://vpkd.blogspot.com/

We decided to get away for a weekend and rent out a hotel room in Orem. Turns out, the entire area was booked for some convention. But instead of giving up and going back home, we decided to travel southward and rent a decent hotel room. And I mean hardly decent.

That's the fridge door falling off.

This is a pill we found on the floor. Cursory search says it's a mere antihistamine.

We had fun though! 

We also got new tires while we were down there!

I've quit my job yet again. This time, it was due to complete panic on my part, and I regret it intensely, but I've also put in the deposit for CNA school next month (September)! I also got some scrubs.

But you don't get to see them on until school starts!

Steve is still doing well at work. He has a hard time with a supervisor of his, but apparently everyone does. He has been such an angel. Love him to bits. That's all for July, sorry it was so late!

As far as June 2013 goes...

It was eventful. After a week of working at the call center from down under (way down under), we quit. It was pretty spontaneous. We were just doing our regular whining routine on the way down and I said: "I wish we could just quit." And Stephen replied: "Why don't we?". And that was that. It was a good thing.

Anyway, now we have pretty neat jobs! I'm an Adventure Guide at Maverik and Stephen just got a job at Burger King!

Sexy.

Between jobs, we were able to go to our first concert together: They Might Be Giants.

It was pretty dark. And loud.

But I was able to get Flansburg!

And John on the accordion (for Steve).

Look who got some bumper stickers from Flansburg!

Did you notice his shoes? They're new! We got them at Walmart for about $15! 

They'd be cooler if they lit up.

He also got a cool new watch from his cool (not new) brother! He really loves it. 

He immediately referred to his other watch as his old watch.

Well, that's it for now as far as updates and things go. July starts now! Hope it's good! Thanks for reading!