November 2014

I looked, but I don't have any pictures for this month!

There isn't much to say. I've been seeing a therapist and getting medication under control...trying to deal with all of the nonsense that comes with the territory of seeking help. Stephen has been working very hard at his new job. He's there from 5pm to 11pm (often up to half an hour later) and it's sad. We miss each other a lot and our sleeping schedule is insane now, but we're happy with the money he's making - it makes life a lot easier to not worry about money all the time, and he likes having a job that actually aids people. He's a bit frustrated with his performance, but I keep reminding him that he's new, so he'll get the hang of it.

We're both doing pretty poorly in school, but John, my therapist, is telling me he's happy to write letters to my teachers. It wasn't necessary, as most of them didn't ask questions, but I appreciated that. As for Stephen, there isn't much he can do at this point. His work schedule is too intrusive for him to do both. I know some people can do both, but neither of us is one of those types of people. Hopefully, he'll be able to sign up for a class or two next semester or get some time off work.

Another thing, we really want to move! I absolutely hate driving Stephen across the valley to work. I'm highly concerned about climate change, so it feels hypocritical and wrong to drive that distance 4 times a day! I also think it would be better for Stephen to be able to walk to work and get some movement in. He is sitting for most of the day. I worry about him.

Anyway, Stephen is handling the stress of his new job very well. I couldn't be more proud of him for his tenacity. He's a beautiful creature, that's for sure. I'm not doing as well, but there is a lot of work to be done on my part. We'll see!

October 2014

October was a pretty eventful month for us! Stephen got the job (of course) and has been working 40 hours a week for two weeks! He passed his test and now has one more week of training to go before he can slow down to 20 hours a week. I mean, I like the bacon, but I miss my sweetheart! 

Stephen also got me an early birthday present: an acoustic guitar. His name is Allistar.

One day, I had a bad hankering for some animal interaction, so we took advantage of the local attraction called Hee Haw Farms. Unfortunately, we didn't realize it was definitely geared toward little kids rather than adults.

Still good though.

This guy kept following us.

He was so cute!

There were also tons of tiny baby pigs! They were the best part of that experience by far, at least for me. I think Stephen's favorite was the hayride.

I finally went to the school's health clinic to get some treatment for my mental health. The policy is to visit a school therapist first, to make sure you actually need medical attention as there is only one psychiatric NP for an entire student body. I ended up taking a 300 question test and speaking briefly with the therapist. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder with hypervigilance. My NP appointment is set for November 5th. 

This month has been so busy for us, but we're making a lot of progress toward better things. I'm so proud of Stephen for all of his hard work. He's been very organized and focused as of late, yet he still manages to take care of all my needs. I love him! And we're so excited for November! 

September 2014

Not a lot happened in September (at least not many things we could take pictures of). PKD awareness day went along without a hiccup. Not many people shared, commented, or even liked anything we posted, but a few did, and that was more than I expected. I was a happy camper, as long as it at least raised some awareness.

Then it was my dad's birthday party. It's his 60th, so it was kinda special. We took him to Antelope Island and saw a bunch of buffalo and tried buffalo burgers. They were gross, but at least I tried it. I found some men's underwear in the salt flats. It was cool!

I was going to take them home, but my ride refused for some reason.

Stephen couldn't make it, since he worked during our trip. He's been advancing through adulthood rather rapidly this month. While he's still working about 10 hours a week, he's going to school and keeping up with his homework. He recently applied to a web adviser position with a local, but very big, website company. I'm not sure quite what they do, but they're apparently a big deal. He'll be working about 20 hours a week for $14.50 an hour - which is twice as much as he earns now. We have our fingers crossed. 

Like I said, he's really pushing the envelope and he's doing it with a smile. Perhaps it's to make up for the extra load. I've quit my job with Papa Johns and am now an official housewife. Don't tell anyone, but it's actually not that bad. I can see why so many women look forward to this. And I've gotten this weird drive to be a mother. I know it's awhile away, but that doesn't stop me from being excited about it for some reason. I just want to pass on his genes. It's totally scientific. 

Overall, September was not as good as we were hoping. Things have gotten really hard for me and my mental state, but Stephen is flourishing, so at least we have that to be grateful for. Heck, we have a lot to be grateful for! And how about that rain? We love it. We absolutely love it. 

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.