The Daily Grind

People always tell me how 'exciting' our life is. HAHA. That always makes me laugh. Yes, we try to do our share of fun things that help distract us from our day to day life...but when it comes down to it we are as routine as the rest. Here is what we have really been up to:

Jen:
Work--I am so blessed to have such a great job. The dental office at work has stayed consistently busy even in this down economy. So many dentists have gone out of business in Arizona. It is crazy. I know several hygienists who have lost days, hours have been cut, or have even been laid off completely. I celebrated my 3 year anniversary with the office in September '09---wow, did that go by fast! I love all my patients, and it is amazing to see how fast all the kiddos grow up over the last few years. I am still so lucky to have 4 days weekends every other weekend! Ohhh--I live for those!! It is so nice!!
Back--My back is doing great. I put essential oils on it twice a day regardless of how I feel, do my daily stretches, and monthly acupuncture. I need to start going back to the gym, but I think I am just so nervous that I am going to do something crazy to it (that is where I initially hurt in back in August). I am glad to not be feeling like an old lady anymore thankfully.
Cooking--Since I am lucky enough to pretty much have my dream kitchen in this house I love to cook now. Isn't it amazing how much your environment can affect your mood. I hated, no absolutely hated, cooking in our apartment. The sink was so shallow you couldn't even wash pots and pans without flooding the entire kitchen. The fridge constantly leaked water all over the floor, the microwave couldn't even hold a full size plate in it and still have room to rotate around to heat the food evenly. Wow--has life greatly improved in the kitchen. I have a gas stove/oven which truly makes me smile. I had forgotten how a fridge was supposed to work, and how long food can actually last when it is in a working appliance. Seriously, I think that fact alone has made our grocery bill decrease. I've been trying new recipes, but really need to get them all organized in some kind of folder system.
Church--After being in 3 wards in 2 months I am so ready to finally have a ward to call home. A few weeks after moving into our home, our ward split and re-did the boundaries. Now we are in a new ward and love it. I don't have a calling yet (the night the bishop came over to meet us I was at a movie with some girlfriends--so I got off the hook)! We have really enjoyed getting to know everyone and already have made some very good friends. From what I hear, we are the only 'family' in the ward that doesn't have kids--so I have really had to make an effort to have things to talk to people about that don't include diapers and feedings, but I think I am doing well.
I substituted in primary last week teaching the sunbeams. In sharing time the kids were given lifesavers, and a little boy in my class starting choking on it! So right away I went into my work mode, and put him over my knee and starting slapping his back. Pretty scary I must say!! Thankfully he was fine, but after that I told the primary president that I didn't need to be in primary again. I think I was more traumatized then the 3 year-old!

Nick:
School--It's official Nick got his acceptance letter into Arizona State University, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering!! We are so excited and proud of how hard he has worked. His emphasis is Heavy Civil Construction--aka--playing in dirt as he says. Currently he is going to MCC so we can save money. Tuition there is 1/3 of the cost as ASU, so it has been nice that the counselors at ASU have told him all the classes he can take at MCC. He was planning on transferring to ASU in the fall, but might wait until Jan 2011 so he can take advantage of one more semester of cheap tuition. This semester has been a 'fun' one so far for him. The unfortunate thing about the 3 construction classes is that they are only offered at night. So he has left for school before I get home from work, and isn't home until 10pm Mon-Wed. He is enjoying those classes and actually likes learning applicable things. Physics and Trig are a different story. He really dislikes his teachers (which is always the worst--the classes might as well be self taught). So he spends his days in the lab and tutor center learning it on his own. Needless to say we already are counting the days until this semester is over!!
Legs--We feel very humbled and blessed to have this 'little' problem in our lives. So many other people we know are suffering with very severe ailments and diseases that as we say our nightly prayers together I feel the peace that comes upon us. Nick sprained his ankle a few weeks ago playing softball (are you seeing a trend here--that maybe Nick shouldn't be playing softball). It is still pretty swollen, and he broke out in a red/hive appearing rash again around that injury. It is almost like his body doesn't know how to respond properly to the smallest of injuries now. Twice he has had blood work, and it has come back fine. We are so grateful. The doctor and specialist say to 'wait it out' but in the meanwhile I have been doing my own little treatments on him. I have been going to a 'naturalpathic' (totally the wrong spelling..sorry) class on Thursday nights ever since I hurt my back, and have learned several things that we have been doing for Nick. He thinks it is dumb and doesn't work, but I give him the 'puppy eyes' and say, 'just do it for me.' I do really think it has been helping though. And it is much better than taking steroids and using steroid creams like the doctors say. We continually pray that he is on the up and up. Thank you everyone for having him in your prayers . We feel them coming in.
House Projects--I need to make a post of all the things that Nick has done around the house. It looks awesome. New door casings, headers, baseboards, crown molding, ceiling fans, new light fixtures, and installing a garage door opener. He worked so hard on his semester break from school (he wasn't going to sit around and wait for his legs to look better, so at least he was productive). Everything is almost painted now. Now we just have to save some money for more projects. He is loving having a home to truly make his own.
Church--It is an understatement to say that Nick loves the new ward. He has made several good friends. In fact at the Elders quorum BBQ last weekend he and 3 other guys sat and talked about guns, police chases, hunting, basketball, and just about everything else that made me go sit at a table and meet new people for over 3 hours! He has played basketball a few nights (until the sprained ankle), and got a new calling as the assistant deacons quorum advisor and assistant scout master. I must say this scouting calling has me nervous-considering a little scratch will cause him to have hives these days--but I keep telling myself that the Lord wouldn't call him to something that he wasn't capable to doing. Nick is ecstatic to be able to participate in scouting...minus the fact the that only thing we own is a flashlight, tarp, and a cooler! He doesn't even have a sleeping bag, and the first camp out next weekend is a snow camp out up in northern AZ. I have a feeling this will be an expensive calling! I pray that his body will let him fulfill his calling.

Whew--what a post! Lots of words and writing...sorry. I promise a post with pictures soon. Just an update on the daily grind.

NoT AgAiN...ugh!

In case anyone is keeping track---Nick's rash....IS BACK! Seriously, it is like one of those unwanted guests that keeps knocking at your door at 2am even when the porch light isn't on. I hate it, but Nick hates it mostly because of how much it totally stresses me out. I think I stayed up starring at the clock until 1:30am worrying about what crazy disease is festering inside of him.

The back story---
Oct 2009-Nick slid in a softball game--Psudemonas infection in leg
Oct 2009-bit by a bug on foot of the infected leg
Nov 2009-diagnosis--Non palpable purpura---a big word for a 'condition' that has an unknown cause and may come and go or stay awhile. Consisting of a purple rash with hive-like bumps that cover his leg/body.
Dec 2009-specialists says to 'wait it out'...WE ARE STILL WAITING...and to take prednisone for the flare-ups (SIDE NOTE---that is one of the most trash your body medications---not one anyone would wish to take).

So, if you have an extra prayer to give...say one for Nick and that so uninviting rash. (*My patience could use some extra help too*)