JJ-Isms!

I am watching my nephew for a week while my aunt and uncle are in Mexico and the more I am around him and talking to him, the more I am understanding his lingo. Like today. I sneezed and he came up to me and said, "Bess youuu." Cutest thing ever! Last night, he got my grandma's Vaseline and started putting it on his feet. He sees grandma put Eucerin on her feet so that's where he learned it. Then I said "JJ, where is your belly button?" He pulls up his shirt and points to it and then will show me where mine is. He's pretty cute. My aunt has ferrets and one climbed up my pajama pant leg last night and it scared me so I shook it off and screamed, and JJ just giggled SO hard and thought it was hilarious. I hate ferrets so they freak me out! Last night, he took my grandma's car keys and he has a toy zebra that he rides and he tried to start his zebra. That kid is too dang smart. Here's some pics of the last few days!!

He is so much fun and I'm loving spending this week with him. He does wear me out, but it is so much fun!

 

So, It Has Been Awhile!

It has been almost 2 years since I updated this thing!!! First thing is first! This guy you see in this picture is my boyfriend, Micah! We have been dating for 6 1/2 months and it has been the best 6 1/2 months of my ENTIRE life! I love him and he loves me! He is truly a blessing from the Lord! I am so lucky to have him! Here's how we met: I used to work at Safe Haven Health Care here in Poky. WE had to sign up for a training that was mandatory and we had a few different days to pick from. I think that week they had Thursday, Friday, Saturday available. I initially signed up for Thursday from 3 pm-11 pm. I came home and talked to my mom and told her about it and how it would put me working a 16 hour day Thursday (I had Friday off), and how she thought I should do Saturday so I could come home and crash, but said it ultimately was up to me. I thought about it and when I went to cross my name off for Thursday, I had a feeling come over me and it was like the Spirit was telling me, "No. Keep your name on for Thursday." I didn't think much of it, but I was just like, "Okay. Whatever." Turns out that is where my boyfriend was at. I am SO grateful I listened to the Spirit that day, otherwise I would not be dating this incredible man. April 17th he asked me to be his girlfriend and here we are almost 7 months later! :)

 

Next thing: My nephew is 19 months old!! ALMOST 2!! When did that happen!? I cannot believe how fast time has flown!!! He is at the fun stage where he jabbers, and you can't understand most of it but you catch a phrase here and there. He knows how to say my name and every morning when he gets dropped off to me, if I am still in bed, he will knock on my door (wake up call?) and say, "Enzie! Enzie!" By that point, I'm up for the day! But it is worth it! He likes to play outside and rough house and play airplane. He also is at the stage where he says "Why?" anytime you tell him something. Just a couple days ago, he entered the phase of the light sockets. (Terrible two's will be the death of me!) I told him no no and he threw what he was gonna put in the light socket and face planted and threw a fit. Moments like that make me not want children! (just kidding!)  This picture is him on March 22, 2012 and October 25, 2013. He sure is a fun, talkative, cute little guy. I swear some people think he's mine when we take him to the park or the mall or the store.

 

My nephew also knows what to do when I show him the camera. This picture says it all. . .

 

Yesterday was Micah and I's first Halloween together and it was a TOTAL BLAST! I HATE Halloween for several reasons, but spending it with the love of my life made it amazing! Here's a few pics to recap Halloween! We went over to his cousin Eliecia and Dal's house and just enjoyed time with their friends and family!

I am just loving life :) I have the best family, friends, and of course boyfriend. And his family is amazing! I always had hoped that I would get along with my boyfriend's parents and it happened! I get along great with his family! And my family loves him! Especially my mom and sister! They can't stop saying enough good things about him!!

November 17, 2013 will mark 7 months! :) Can't believe it!! And we are spending Thanksgiving together as well!!! I CANNOT wait!!!! Good food, good family, good boyfriend, good holiday!

 



I can do this!

7 1/2 more weeks left until I complete my first year of college. What a whirlwind ride this year has been! I have had so many emotions this year that I pretty much have felt everything. I know one day, in the end, all of this hard work will pay off. It's hard, but I can do it! On the plus side, 9 more days til Spring Break and 8 more days until I have a brand new baby cousin!!! EEEEEPPPPP!!!!! :)

On the serious side. . .

So I think out of all my friends, I've told about 6 friends what I'm about to tell you. I have a disability. I was diagnosed with Autism when I was just 4 years old. I haven't told anyone this, because I'm afraid of losing friends and I know it sounds dumb, but when i told someone, they told me I was weird and said they didn't want to be a part of my life because they thought it was a contagious disease. I've been afraid to tell anyone but I realize it's who I am and it's who Heavenly Father wanted me to be. I am on the higher part of the spectrum of Autism, but I still have it. I also have a brain disorder called "Asperger's" and it affects my learning and things like that. I have had teachers judge me for it. I have old my two best friends and my 4 other close friends. I have a photo shoot with one of my friends on Thursdays and she is doing it for people who have disabilities and even though mine isn't too noticeable, she asked me if I would be willing to do it for one of her projects and I agreed! I hope this post helps you to understand me a little bit more. Feel free to ask me any questions if you want! :)

I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

I absolutely love Sunday's! I am so grateful and blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I truly would be lost without the gospel!! It has blessed me in so many ways I can't even imagine my life without it!! I bore my testimony today for the first time since like May. My heart was racing from the minute I walked into the church building and I waited until the very last minute to bear my testimony, but I'm so glad I did!! I am here for a reason, and although I don't quite know the reason fully yet, I know the Lord knows exactly what my reason is! :) I just love Sunday!!!! :)

It's been awhile. . .

It's been awhile since I've updated the blog! So much has happened! Christmas, New Years, birthdays, starting a new semester, and other random life situations--like being in the hospital.

Last Monday, Jan 30, I went to the Student Health Clinic on campus because I was having breathing problems. The doctor there was so very nice and took as much time with me as I needed! I told him what was going on and what medicine I was taking to see if maybe that was what was causing it. I was NOT planning on making a trip to the hospital that day. The dr said that he wanted to do and EKG and Chest XRAY to make sure I didn't have blood clots because the medicine I was on causes blood clots. Now I'm thinking "Great. As if I haven't had enough medical problems, this happens." I went in for my EKG (they did it at the clinic along with the chest xray) and that came back normal. Chest Xray came back normal. So the next step was to go to the hospital to get blood work done. Check for blood clots, infections, deficiencies, etc. My grandpa came and got me from the health clinic and we headed up to the hospital. We sat there waiting for admissions for a half hour. Then getting all my info took about 20 minutes. Then there were 7 people ahead of me to get blood work done. We sat there for 45 minutes. Finally it was my turn to get blood drawn. Since I've had so many needles and IV's, this was nothing. The lab tech person said that she would call my dr as soon as she got my results. In the meantime, I went to work. About 6 p.m. my dr called. No blood clots! No infection! But I did have low potassium levels and extremely high blood pressure. My blood pressure was 160/112 that morning. So I got put on potassium supplements for 5 days and blood pressure meds for 2 weeks. I started feeling great the next day. But then I got weaker throughout the week. I finally just broke down and started crying because I was so tired and frustrated. That was Wednesday. By Thursday, I was able to go back to work. I am still feeling great! I get tired a lot easier now if I don't eat the proper foods. I'm on a potassium-enriched diet right now and I don't really like vegetables, but I know that if I want to get better, it's the right thing to do. :) I didn't know that potassium levels affected your heart rate, but the doctor said it did. My heart rate has been fine since Thursday! :) I go back to the clinic Friday to check my levels! Hopefully, everything is back to normal! :)

Yesterday, I had my aunt's baby shower! It was such a blast! I think J.J. has more clothes than I do now! ;) I can't wait to meet him!

Work is going great! I am working with the 2-3 year olds right now and they are a handful, but they are so fun! They wear you out as well. They saw the bandage from when I got blood drawn and they just kept asking what happened and were very concerned. I love those kids! :)

I got an A- on my first college paper this week as well! I was pretty proud! One of the highest grades in the class. :)

I don't know what I was thinking taking all my generals in one semester. English, Biology, Biology lab, Sociology, Bowling, and Aerobics. It's been a really rough semester.

Well, that's my life right now! :)

Christmas!

I get to see a great friend tonight!!!! I just love her! Hope everyone has a happy holiday and a Merry Christmas! :)

School

I cannot believe that I have two weeks left until I've completed my first semester of college!!! Time is flying!!!! I am so excited!!! I'm sure it went by fast because I'm also working! Have I mentioned I love my job!? ;)

Kid-isms! :)

Since working at a daycare, I've heard kids say some of the FUNNIEST things! I had one girl ask me yesterday why was I born with my birth defect and that it was my fault. (This one was not so funny and kind of ticked me off!) I had a 2 1/2 year old ask me "Can I come see your baby?" I informed him that I didn't have a baby and he just kept asking! He's so cute! :)

It's Been Awhile!

It's been awhile since I posted! I am just so busy with work and school. I love my job and my co-workers are amazing! I've met so many awesome people and I couldn't have asked for a better job!!! :) I am majoring in Early Childhood Education because I love my job so much!!! :) I never dreamed that I would ever been in the education field, but I guess Heavenly Father knew it was meant for me! If I get accepted into my program, I can start in the Fall of 2013. I am so excited!!! :) I can't wait until Thanksgiving break though! I am so sick of school! I have to work Tuesday and Wednesday of the week Thanksgiving break starts and I love my job so much that I look forward to it every day!! :)

I have a new. . . .

JOB!!!!! I got hired as a sub at the Early Learning Center on ISU's campus!!! :) I LOVE it!!!! I have only had 1 day off this week and I so wish I could hvave worked the whole week!!! :) I get to be with children and teach them to read, and things like that! :) I am so excited about this job!!!! :) By the time Friday hits, I'm ready for a break, but I'm so glad I have weekends off to be with friends and family and catch up on homework! :) I love it!!! :)

Recent Happenings!

A lot has happened since I blogged last! Here's just a few things that have happened:

1) I changed my major! I am no longer going into Nursing. I know I was dead set on it for about 5 years, but as I went through some of the classes, I realized I couldn't do it. So instead of Nursing, I'm majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Biology or Special Education. I think the BEST thing that came out of it, was that I get to drop my Anatomy class. Why take a class if it doesn't count for anything!?

2) I am the Class Representative in my 8 a.m. institute class, which is Book of Mormon with Brother Lee! :) I am so excited!! :)

3) The best thing that's happened since I last blogged is my aunt is having a baby!! We are so excited!!! I can't wait for her to have the baby!! We know what it is, but some family hasn't been told yet what it is, so I won't say anything! If you want to know, text or Facebook message me and I will tell you!

4) Conference was AMAZING!!!! My favorite talk was from Elder Neil L. Andersen on motherhood!!! OH my gosh I can't describe how fabulous it was!

My Story--Why So Many Surgeries?

I have had requests to write out my "story" and why I've had to have so many. So here it is!

I was born with a birth defect called "Medial Cleft Syndrome." I was born with a completely flat nose, a hole in my lip, and skin tags. You can see in the pictures! :) I was about 18 months old when I had my very first surgery. They removed my skin tags and repaired the hole in my lip.

I had my second surgery when I was about 2 1/2. I honestly can't remember what they did. I think they just tried to fix my nose, but I'm not 100% sure.

My third surgery was my big one. My 14 hour one. I can remember bits and pieces of that surgery. I know that I was 3 1/2. I remember waking up in recovery and my dad was at the side of me. I couldn't move, but when I opened my eyes, the recovery room was green. (Must of been the drugs)!! I remember my dad saying he was there. I told him I felt like I was going to be sick. I couldn't move, so I just threw up, and it went all over my dad's shoe. I remember the nurses moving me to a new bed, to change the other bed. I had my eyes removed from my sockets and put back in, my brain was scraped from my forehead, and they took a piece of my forehead bone and put it in my nose! The drs told my parents that I would be in the hospital for 3 weeks. I proved them wrong. I was only there for a week! :) My eyes were swollen shut for, I don't even know how long! I had 14 staples going across my head--ear to ear-- and getting those suckers out HURT!!! The whole week I was there,(I had the majority of my surgeries at Primary Children's Medical Center, in SLC, UT)I wanted to just go on wagon rides, and eat the pink frosted sugar cookies! :) If I had those two things, life was good! :)

I have had numerous sets of ear tubes. I have probably had 4-5 surgeries just for ear tubes!

When I was 6 years old, I had my tonsils taken out at EIRMC in Idaho Falls, ID. That surgery was nothing to some of my others!

When I was in 8th grade, I had braces, and I kept getting a puffy pus pocket where the metal was rubbing up on my gums. I thought I was allergic to the metal. Turns out, I had a cyst. So over Christmas Break of my 8th grade, I had the cyst taken care of. My mom got to watch that surgery because I made her swear to me that she wouldn't leave.

My sophomore year of high school was when I had to have another surgery. I missed a week of school. On April 10th, 2009, I went to have my nose done. I had 2 bones that had collapsed inside my nose sometime in my lifetime, not sure when, but as far as I knew, I was just going into get the bones in my nose fixed. Little did I know, they would be doing more. This is when I became upset with my mom. She knew they were doing more than what she told me. When I woke up in recovery--around 11:00-11:30, I noticed something different about my left ear. I asked the nurse, still drugged up, what they did. She said they had taken a piece of cartilage from my ear to put in the tip of my nose. I just said okay and went back to sleep. I let my mom know how frustrated I was that she didn't tell me later. I sobbed about it. I remember it being Easter weekend. Not the best way to spend a holiday on Hydrocodone. I had a splint on my nose for a week. That was the biggest pain in my butt EVER!! I have never itched so much in my life!! My splint fell off the day before I had to go get checked, so I panicked, and called the dr's office frantically. They told me it was nothing to worry about.

June 2nd, 2010 I had my wisdom teeth out. They had to put me completely out (right in the drs office) because my blood pressure was so high from the anxiety. I think that surgery only took about 45 minutes. I remember the recovery room and everyone laughing at me becaue I was drugged up and saying funny things! :) I was very lucky and didn't get dry sockets! I lived on mashed potatoes and hydrocodone for a good 4 days. So glad those days are over!!

Now that you know all about my surgeries, you're probably thinking I'm strong and tough and all that good stuff. But to be completely honest, every time a doctor tells me I have to have surgery, I panic. The stress sets in, and I get sick from all the worry. To this day, I am nervous to go to the dr because I don't want to hear the words "We can do surgery to correct this." Now that I am 18 though, I am the one who has to give the doctor permission to operate. Unless it's a life or death situation, I am not having anymore surgeries. I am 120% happy and confident with the way I look and I wouldn't change ANYTHING!!! :) I think that me being put through all those surgeries has made me stronger. I know that if I didn't go through it, I probably would be a wimp.

A post with pictures!! :) Part 2

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A post with pictures!! :) Part 1

Following this post, There will be pictures from newborn-4 years old including surgeries. I have had a lot of people ask what I looked like before my surgeries. I am going to upload pictures now! :) I'm grateful my mom took pictures, because I think it's pretty neat to compare before and after! :) Please don't hesitate to ask questions! I have to figure out how to put captions with pictures, so until I figure out how to do that, I'm doing two posts!!! :)

To go along with the pictures

Yesterday, I had someone tell me I've faked all my surgeries and that the only reason I have friends is because they feel sorry for me. I CLEARLY cannot "fake" all these surgeries. Anyone who knows me, knows that I haven't faked it. There are pictures below this post to prove it. Not that I have anything to prove, but I also have a lot of people asking me what I looked like before all my surgeries.

Like I Can Really Fake This

Don't just assume

My math teacher came up to me today and said "MacKenzie, how many kids do you have? You look like you could have 4-5." I proceeded to politely tell her, "Well, I just graduated high school in June. I don't have any kids at all." She then told me "Okay, well, then you MUST be married!!" I then told her "I'm not married and I don't have kids!" She looked at me confused and walked off.

What did I learn out of this whole thing!? Don't assume things that you know nothing about!! I DO NOT have 4-5 kids and I am NOT married!!!

Institute

So I started institute yesterday!! I. LOVE. IT!!!! It is so much fun to meet new people, make new friends, and most of all, learn more about the gospel! I LOVE all of my teachers and even though today was only the 2nd day of it, I feel like it's making school seem a lot easier! It's nice to get away from the real world and go to institute. I am taking Book of Mormon, Doctrines of the Gospel, and Doctrine & Covenants! I really enjoy my Doctrines of the Gospel class! :) Next semester, I'm going to try to get into the "Dating & Courtship" class! :)

I'm Still Living!

Now that my first week of college is complete, I can talk about it! :) When Monday came, I was so excited to start college and I thought it'd be completely different than what actually did happen! I went to my Anatomy and Physiology class (which I LOVE by the way!) and the teacher is so fun! He knows how to incorporate fun while he still teaches! :) I have learned so much from his class in the last 3 days. I have Anat & Phys 3 times a week. I also have Math on Mondays. Math was a big shocker and wake-up call to me because it made me realize that college wasn't ANYTHING like I had expected! I have come to the realization that college isn't all about having fun. I have to focus on my homework (don't believe anyone who tells you that there isn't that much homework in college. I found this one out the hard way.) I also have learned how to balance when to do my homework and how long to spend on it. I had to learn how to make it all work on top of having an online class to worry about. It's a lot of stress the first few days, which brings me to my next point.

Stress. We all have something in our lives that stress us out and they are all different in everyone's life. I just happened to become so stressed out this past week, mainly Tuesday and Wednesday, that I lost it. I bawled for a few hours. I felt like I couldn't do it anymore, and this was only my third day in college. I have another two years at least of this and I thought to myself, "How in the world am I going to do this for another two years, at least?" I thought about it and told myself that I'm sure it's normal. I also had amazing friends to talk to that have already gone through their first year/semester of college. I am so lucky to have such supportive family and friends telling me I can do it, and it'll get better. And they were right. By the time Thursday rolled around, I told myself "I can do this. Besides, it's the last day of math for the week." And I did do it. I didn't die and made it through yesterday without any meltdowns. I know it sounds ridiculous, but sometimes a meltdown makes everything seem like life will be okay. And it is. I went to Anatomy and Physiology today and I am learning the ropes of college and I am starting to REALLY LOVE it! I love the independence and I love seeing friends on campus! I love the fact that the teachers are more laid-back in college than they were in high school. I am loving college right now (except for the 300 math problems I have each night), but I guess "What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger" right!? I could get used to this! :)

I am SO EXCITED for Monday! I will start Institute! I cannot even describe how excited I am! I think it'll make school seem a lot easier. I just am so excited!! I heard it's better than seminary, if that's even possible.

To sum it all up, I am pretty dang excited about this new 'adventure' in my life! I'm at the point in my life where I think about marriage, kids, etc. and just the future! It is so exciting, but at the same time, it's scary! I cannot wait to see what life has in store for me! :)