tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47795316420619787482024-03-13T08:41:45.488-04:00The Ingram Family(Joi-fuhl) life: great delight or happiness caused by a life that is exceptionally good or satisfying.Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-5441014658223263322013-10-19T00:30:00.000-04:002013-10-19T00:30:02.866-04:00My Whitney!!!! My little HOPE<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"There they are, the tears are back. I suppose its time for me to stop writing for now.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is what I am hoping: ............................................................</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>That I will look back on this post, and laugh at myself, and scoff at the little lame and selfish soul that I was. That I will have so much love and adoration for the new little life that I cant imagine life with out it?!! That I will be so filled with gratitude for a Heavenly Father who "knows me so much better than I know myself"... as the Stephanie this morning just said..... oh to be her again.....</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Wow, I break so easily!"</i></span><br />
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I copied this from the post I wrote the day I found out I was expecting my Whitney! (see below, it is posted) My Whitney! Oh my goodness how we love her! I adore her! I love holding her! I could hold her all day if I could. I snuggle my little cutie in my arms and try to soak in all of her! Her smell, her soft, squishy body. I kiss those little chubby cheeks a hundred times a day! I love her smile, it melts me! She is beyond sweet, she is so content to just be held and loved. I thank Him EVERY single day for her. I am so grateful that He went ahead with His plan for me, even though I was screaming at Him to make it all go away!!!!!!!! It BREAKS my heart to read the words that I wrote that day!!!! This little wish I made that day of how I hoped I would feel really did come true.... times a million though!!!! I do laugh at that girl who knew so little! I am ashamed at how I felt then! I was selfish and so naive as to how much I could love all of these family members he has blessed me with! I am, beyond words, so filled with gratitude to my Heavenly Father "who does know me so much better than i know myself"! This little hope came true. I cant wait to write and explain how it all came to be!!<br />
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StephSteph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-59139489302306197342013-10-19T00:07:00.000-04:002013-10-19T00:07:14.593-04:00Cleveland ClinicThis is another post I wrote but did not publish.... wow, so interesting to read now!!!!<br />
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November 22, 2012<br />
We spent an incredible day at the Cleveland Clinic!!! Happy thoughts fill me when I think of that place! And spider man comes to mind too! :) (he was there, along with captain america!)<br />
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The greatness actually started before we even got there.</div>
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I know it sounds silly but after spending a lot of time on the phone with other Dr. offices/ hospitals/imaging centers, etc. this past year.... I was even impressed with their registration process. First of all they answer the phone by saying, "Hi! Would you like an appointment for today?" Haha! Their policy is to try and get you in within 7-14 days of your call! When they were trying to figure out which Dr. I should see, the man scheduling said that he was going to get a nurse on the phone to help us figure it out. The nurse suggested I see both, a neurologist and a cardiologist. They knew I was coming in from out of town so they switched some things around so that both appointments would all be on the same day!! Wow! :)</div>
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Debbie and Greg's sister, Emily watched all four crazy kids for us! We dropped them off yesterday, tuesday the 20th and then he and I drove over to Cleveland last night. We both were filled with so much worry and stress about the pregnancy. We worried that they wouldn't even be able to do any testing since I was pregnant! We called and told them our news, and they said that they would note it for the drs to see.<br />
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Here is an outline of our day for my own records:<br />
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November 21, 2012-day before thanksgiving</div>
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7am check in</div>
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7:15 EKG</div>
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7:45 Met with Dr. Shiavone, the cardiologist. He was incredible! He checked out every conceivable spot of my heart. He spent over an hour with us! That has never happened before! He was respectful, kind and above all else, he just listened!! He did not charge forward with any pre-conceived ideas. He took it a moment at a time and asked me questions to clarify! I am so humbled to have had such a caring Dr. !!! He said he could tell I was a runner, and that I was very healthy, and that my heart sounded perfect! He ordered some tests that were scheduled for later in the day. He mentioned that my pregnancies were the awfulness that they were because of a condition called POTS. Postural Orthostatic Tachicardia Syndrom. And that it could still be causing me issues now!!! I get to more of that later!</div>
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9:00 Dr. Shiavone had ordered some blood tests so we did those right there in the hospital.</div>
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10:40 Met with Dr. Wilson (at this point we did not want to see one more neurologist, we were sure they were all the same!) Of course though, Dr. Wilson was phenomenal! From the moment he stepped into the room we knew he was different because he was SMILING... (neurologists don't smile, they have to think super hard so they cant smile!! At least, that is what we thought after meeting all of the other neurologists! Haha). He said he did not want to read Dr. Shiavone's notes because he wanted to come to his own conclusions. He kept saying, "I want to hear your story, tell me every detail...." And so we did, we talked, he listened. He did is neurology tests there in the office and then said,"I think this is POTS! He got up quickly from the room, was gone just a few minutes and then came back and handed us a printout of the wikipedia definition of POTS. Greg and I read over it, and then just stared at each other in disbelief! Wow, 7 months of agony with lots of different medical professionals with absolutly no answers, and now we had spent just a few hours with 2 drs at the Cleveland Clinic and they had both independently diagnosed me!!!! Such a tender Mercy! We felt it in that Dr.s office! The feeling of peace washed over us! That He was going to help us, with the help of these Dr.s!<br />
Dr. Wilson ordered a slew of blood tests (24) just to rule out all of those strange anomalies. Then he said, he thinks that my pregnancies were definitely to blame for POTS and that my numbness issues now are to blame as well. Further research will be needed so that I can understand this but... for now, just knowing what to research is exciting! <br />
Dr. Wilson really is amazing! After spending more than an hour with us he said that he truly does feel that the POTS is causing the numbness on my left side. I am excited to research that..... ?? He said a few things that are so neat that are giving me tremendous hope! He said, " I dont think you have MS, actually, I think we can rule out MS......, No, Stephanie, you do not have MS!" I needed to hear that! It brought me so much comfort!! Dr. Wilson told us that he has a patient who flys in every few months to check in with him and that she is a runner! A runner who has POTS! He said she functions for the most part with ease, and that over the course of treating her for the past couple of years that she is now up to running 5 miles a day. He said that I should probably find other things to do other than running. He said that I will probably find other things that are more enjoyable exercise wise..... (He doesn't know me well enough yet, haha) Running?! The thought has me so excited that it might be a possibility! :) Dr. Wilson said that priority number one is getting me through this pregnancy healthy, then maybe, we can worry about running, or excising in general.<br />
He gave me some great information to move forward with. He said that he does not want me to be on any drugs. Being pregnant is hard enough on my body so adding medicines that will throw other systems and organs out of balance would be bad! He said that one of the big antidotes to POTS is salt! Yep, salt! As much as i could handle. I explained that I throw up a lot when I am pregnant so he said that a constant IV is something that we need to look into so that I can get the adequate salt intake to increase my blood pressure. The other thing he said that would help is yoga. He said yoga helps to strengthen muscles without requiring my heart to work as hard as other exercises. He said that I would need to experiment with caffeine to see if it helped or hindered me? So we have good things to move forward with!! He wants to see me in February sometime for a recheck and then again after the baby is born to get a full workup.... <br />
12-5pm For the rest of the day we just finished up the tests that the Dr.s had ordered. I had a bubble heart ultrasound, a Stress test, an ultrasound to look for blood clots in my legs and a lot of bloodwork done! <br />
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It really was a great day. It was a total blessing being there. Its a special place. People were smiling as we roamed the halls and foyers and open areas of the hospital. When we checked into our different appointments and tests, every single employee seemed happy and kind. That is so rare!! I Love the Cleveland Clinic!! As I type this I feel overwhelmed at what I have before me, a difficult pregnancy, numbness, headaches and chest pain, after the pregnancy health questions... but we are so grateful that we are getting closer to getting healthier. The gnawing sickness that I feel is depressing though. I am trying to imagine taking good care of my 4 kids while feeling this way. Sad. Uggh. Having a diagnosis of WHY can only help, right? I really really dont want to be sick. But since the sickness has already began, its hard to feel like having the WHY will really make any difference at all! :(<br />
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Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-8964992340693423272013-10-18T23:06:00.000-04:002013-10-18T23:06:17.043-04:00Wow! What a difference!What you are about to read is a blog post I wrote the day I found out I was expecting my # 5. A blog post I wrote but did not publish because it was too ugly to admit that I felt that way! I wasn't going to publish it, but decided that its the part of the story that needed to be remembered because its where He taught me so much!!!<br />
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November 19, 2012 4:15 pm<br />
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Its been 3 hours.<br />
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I can finally breathe, only I am betting that I just ran out of tears, the new ones being made will surely come pouring out any minute.<br />
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I took the test right after I picked up the girls from school. I was still in my workout clothes from this morning and i stunk. Mia was down for a nap and Grant was just watching a show with the girls. I was going to hop in the shower real quick. I saw the little box just sitting there and thought, "hmm, I am a week late, I love taking pregnancy tests anyway."<br />
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The second I looked at it, the line that shouldn't be there was already there!!!!<br />
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What?<br />
Why?<br />
How?<br />
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Odd questions for a girl who has 4 kids, I know!<br />
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Thankfully I didn't have to add "Who" to those lists of questions.....since I already had so many to answer!<br />
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<b><u>What:</u></b> What? No! No! No! We are done having kids!!! We were using double birth control because I am/was so freaked out about not getting pregnant! My body hasn't recovered from Mia! My body is still numb since last April...and my chest hurts and my heart races at times and I am completely wiped out and exhausted most days!! and.......... I cannot be pregnant!! I just got into the Cleveland Clinic to help me get better! Next week is my appointment! What kind of tests will they do on a pregnant lady?????? I need to get healthier, I cannot be sick, I cannot lose another year to being sick! 2009, 2011, 2012, now 2013!!!!!!! My kids cannot take care of themselves for another pregnancy! Mia!!! Mia is still just a baby! She will be two when this one is born, maybe not even!!!!<br />
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<b>I CAN NOT DO THIS!!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b><u style="font-weight: bold;">Why:</u> Why??? Heavenly Father knows the past year I have had!!!!!!!! I cannot be sick on top of being sick! Why does He want me to have another baby? 4!!! I want to have 4!!! I am not taking good care of the 4 he has given me!! I cannot have 5! I will not live through this! My marriage will not live through another sick year!! Too much survival mode! What am I to be learning that I am not? Am I not sufficiently humbled? Am I not trying to be the best that I can be??????? Ironic that I was just talking to my sister this morning and saying: "He knows us so perfectly, He knows what we can handle even when we think we cant". Well, I suppose that is where I am now. I believe that I will not survive this..... both emotionally and physically. Numb, heart racing, exhausted, pregnant, vomiting, fainting....etc.<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">How:</u> How? Heavenly Father, How!??? How do I take care of my family? How do I help all of us progress to where we are suppose to get to? How do I fortify my home, my kids, my ward.... serve at all, from my couch?????? How will I withstand the judgement? Me- with 4 kids, one on the way when I swore all over the place that I would never be pregnant again. We have lived in Richmond for 4 years...... and will have had 3 kids!!! Rabbits!!! I will be judged! We need to move, we cant fit 5 kids in this house!!! How, how will we move? We will need to do it soon, before I am dead and I can help!!!!! How do I love another one, when I dont want it??? I want to be healthy!! Its been too long!! Since before Mia, in Mexico..... I cant wait another year or more to feel well!!!???????<br />
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There they are, the tears are back. I suppose its time for me to stop writing for now.<br />
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This is what I am hoping: ............................................................<br />
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That I will look back on this post, and laugh at myself, and scoff at the little lame and selfish soul that I was. That I will have so much love and adoration for the new little life that I cant imagine life with out it?!! That I will be so filled with gratitude for a Heavenly Father who "knows me so much better than I know myself"... as the Stephanie this morning just said..... oh to be her again.....<br />
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Wow, I break so easily!<br />
<br />Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-31621703176746583302013-10-18T22:52:00.003-04:002013-10-18T22:52:45.469-04:00A return to collecting my thoughtsI have been having such a strong desire to write. I really wish I would have been writing everything down for the last year and a half. It would make it all more interesting and profound......But, I did not write it all, so I will just have to attempt to catch some of the insights I have gained from the past while living and catching the present. I thought I could just journal my thoughts in a normal handwritten journal but, I never did. For now, this truly is the best avenue for my thoughts to spill out. <br />
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So, here it goes. Attempting to journal and blog again. Hopefully I am able to learn more from my life by doing so!!<br />
<br />Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-89382590389385583272012-11-26T16:22:00.001-05:002012-12-07T10:17:55.537-05:00October 22- Just Me and Bill Murray, taking it one day at a time??You know what I have been thinking about lately......<br />
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Groundhog Day.<br />
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Not the actual date, but the movie.<br />
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Interesting, I know.<br />
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I watched the movie a year ago with Greg for the first time. I don't think I found it super inspiring at the time, maybe just funny.<br />
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Now I do though.<br />
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????? Ha Ha!<br />
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For those of you who haven't seen it, or maybe just cant see how any parallel could be taken from it, let me defend myself... :) Bill Murray's character is a man who is actually lost and doesn't even realize it. He is self centered, mean, and unlikable (well, in my opinion). That's obvious to everyone but himself. He gets an opportunity to change in the form of being forced to live the same day over and over. He spends a lot of time failing miserably and wanting to return back to the way things were, and get out of the little town. But, it is finally when he realizes that he can use this limitless day to improve that he begins to become great. He transforms into an amazing individual, and then, he is able to wake up, and move on with the rest his life, a much improved man, and not only that, he actually buys a house in the town he so desperately wanted to get out of he loves it that much!<br />
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Like the character in the movie, We wake up each day and follow much of the same patterns that we did yesterday, either because the things we did made us happy, or because we were too lazy to do something else, or because the things were habits from the days before. There are slight variations but its about the same.<br />
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It seems as though in the midst of challenges it has to be our focus to stay out of the rut that will suck us in. To not let the sadness or the monotony of life overtake us is the greatest challenge within a challenge. It is the purpose of the trial; to find the joy, to find our true selves, to find Him, in the middle of all of it and continue forward.<br />
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The hope is that little by little, we start to become great. And love the new place that we are. That we embrace the new phase, the new us. Its hard. Its harder than I thought it would be. I don't think I necessarily love this new life without running. Its just that I use to feel as though I was constantly grappling to get back to the old Steph, the one who woke up, super excited for a hard run and whatever else the day my endless energy would bring. I am slowly getting to know a new Steph though. She doesn't run as much, she does more yoga. She is more understanding, hopefully less judgmental She sews more now.... doesn't burn as many calories as running but is rewarding in its own way. Spiritually? Yes, spiritually I believe I am closer to my Savior. Which not to say that the old Steph wasn't, but there is no way she could have gotten to this depth without taking running out of the equation. <br />
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And so, I am starting to use this limitless day to try and better myself. And maybe someday, when i wake up from this "day" I will realize that I am actually right where I wanted to be, after all.Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-88164484196379597312012-07-01T22:28:00.000-04:002012-07-01T22:28:08.237-04:00Surviving itOK, here is what I DONT have.<br />
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MS<br />
brain tumor<br />
bleeding on the brain<br />
Lyme disease<br />
Lupus<br />
ovarian cancer<br />
thyroid disease<br />
heart arrhythmia<br />
diabetes<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">seizures</span><br />
oh, and I am not pregnant! haha<br />
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We are slowly but surely ruling things out. Which is comforting to have the above things scratched off the list! <br />
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I met with my family Dr. he said that he does not know what could cause these symptoms. I walked out of his Dr. office very discouraged. He also called some friends of his who are neurologist and he got me an appointment with one of them....... In September! Um thanks.<br />
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Yikes, we will be trying other things before then!<br />
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I have been trying to move on-ish. When I start to get a little depressed at the current situation I have to remember that this wont last forever.<span style="background-color: white;"> And for Heaven's sake Stephanie! There are worse things!!!!!!!</span><br />
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I can't quite get on with it though.... Maybe I am not suppose to get comfortable with these symptoms as the new me, maybe I am suppose to get angry to help fuel me forward to search for answers....<br />
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You know when you have the stomach flu, and you feel awful, and you say,"Yuck, I am just going to take it easy today, tomorrow, when I feel better, I will run those errands, clean my house, take my kids to the park, etc.....<br />
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I cant do that!<br />
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I have a tendency to do that with this.... ailment? <br />
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It didn't dawn on me that I had been doing this to some degree until Grant's birthday, June 4th. I was driving to my pelvic CT scan bawling because it was my little guys birthday and because I had been "sick" I had not planned a lot or run the errands for presents and stuff. It hit me hard that I did not want to let that day pass me by with just a sort of "celebration" of him. I am passionate about not missing them, while they are right here with me. And I had been missing them. By putting off things that I would normally do with them I will miss these moments. Which is worse than any sickness or disability that could come.<br />
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I feel a little stuck.<br />
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I am struggling with the balance of trying to fiercely find out what is going on here.... and also trying to move forward with and for my family and maintaining a happy environment. They feel like opposites. I cannot do both at once for some reason. Either I am researching and calling doctors and moving forward somehow to get healthier. Or I am maintaining the household stuff, playing with the kids and just trying to be grateful and happy for where I am now and accepting the new normal. One feels like it requires survival mode, the other tries to repair. We cannot function in survival mode for too long. I think that is where I have been. And it was ok for a while. But it is not anymore. <br />
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When you are surviving, there isn't room in your body/spirit for planning for tomorrow, or preparing emotionally/physically/spiritually for what is to come. Not to mention making sure that the wonderful people in your life are cared for not just for today, but for tomorrow too. That their buckets have been filled today, and that there is lots more for tomorrow...... <br />
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There is just today. And making it through the day is all that matters. Old goals go out the window. Because, after all, if you make it into your bed at night, that is all that survival has asked of you.<br />
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I want to thrive again.<br />
<br />Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-30496286817175563852012-06-01T10:56:00.001-04:002012-06-01T10:56:30.732-04:00I scared off my NuerologistI thought I would make a fun list of symptoms since I get asked about them and then this way, I also have a list so that when they go away I can just check them off..... :) Please be aware that I am not trying to whine...<br />
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numbness on my left side (not new, but I am excited to check this one off)<br />
pressure in the left side of my neck<br />
headache and pressure on the back of my head (left side of course)<br />
pressure in my torso, pelvis area<br />
bloated feeling<br />
no appetite, I even try to eat but I am immediately full, and nauseas when I do.<br />
lower back pain<br />
fatigued<br />
constipation<br />
breathing feels "tight"<br />
occasional slurred speech<br />
night sweats<br />
pain, pressure in my armpits<br />
I have lost 8 lbs in the last month, 5 in the last 2 weeks.<br />
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Yay, I am so glad that I blogged about all of those details.<br />
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I went to the ER on Monday because with all of these symptoms and throwing up and slurring, I was sent over the edge.... Greg and the kids were at the lake so I had a perfect opportunity to go, I wouldn't inconvenience anyone. Haha.<br />
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They did a CAT scan of my brain, to make sure there was no bleeding, an EKG, blood work, and I peed in a cup.<br />
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All of these came back..... normal.... of course. Haha.<br />
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Because of my trip to the ER i got into my nuerologist sooner though! I was able to get in this past Wednesday. It did not go the way I thought it might.....<br />
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After I had gone through just a few of my symptoms (he was the one I really wanted to complain to) he stopped me and said that he felt like he had ran the tests that he needed to and those were all normal and so I was now out of his specialty and that I would now need to report back to my family doctor. He said I did not have MS or brain tumors and so that was all he could do. He then said that to him, it sounded like I could have Ovarian Cancer. With these symptoms all together and the fact that my Grandma had it, he ordered a CT scan with and without contrast.<br />
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Interesting. I don't fit the risk factors (other than family history) so its highly unlikely. Some of my symptoms do line up but they are all so non descript. So we have another test, its scheduled for Monday morning. <br />
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I am excited for these test results to come back normal, and then after that.... I think I will move on to see if I have a weird allergy or something. :)<br />
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I really, really need to put cute pics of my kids on this blog. That is what blogs are for, isn't it?<br />
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<br />Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-18464283393218258092012-05-31T16:50:00.001-04:002012-05-31T16:54:09.126-04:00My Happy Ending<blockquote style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Greg and I have been talking a lot this past month about Admiral James Stockdale. He was the highest ranking Navy POW in Vietnam. He was a POW for 7 years and his attitude had everything to do with why he survived. Look him up, his story is super </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">inspiring</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. James Collins wrote a book called Good to Great (which is how we learned about him) and he interviewed Admiral Stockdale. When asked how he was able to cope he said,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em;">"I never lost faith in the end of the story, I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade."</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-venchar.com_10-0" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockdale_paradox#cite_note-venchar.com-10" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[11]</a></sup></div>
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When Collins asked who didn't make it out of Vietnam, Stockdale replied:</div>
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"Oh, that's easy, the optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, 'We're going to be out by Christmas.' And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they'd say, 'We're going to be out by Easter.' And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-venchar.com_10-1" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockdale_paradox#cite_note-venchar.com-10" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[11]</a></sup></div>
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Stockdale then added:</div>
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"This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse<u> faith</u> that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-venchar.com_10-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockdale_paradox#cite_note-venchar.com-10" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[11]</a></sup></div>
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Collins went on to describe this as the <b>Stockdale Paradox</b>.</div>
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Yes, we MUST have faith that we will prevail in the end.</div>
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And, we MUST confront the brutal facts of where we are at this very minute. </div>
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At times, it seems that they are opposites!</div>
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The end of my story says that I will be healed, in my blessing it said that it will be imperative to remember those words. At first I thought, "How could I ever forget? "What is this thing that is wrong with my body that would require such faith, and such a blessing?"</div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Now I am thinking, "Oh, I will need to 'remember' because it might take a while or maybe even a long time to be healed. Even now.... even though it has been a little over a month, in the grand scheme of things, that really isn't a long time. But I have to keep reminding myself that I have received a promise. A beautiful blessing that I will be healed. A Happy ending..... but the facts that I am confronting now need to be addressed and helped and if possible.....treated. </span></span></div>
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</blockquote>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-28593625249031829962012-05-25T22:59:00.000-04:002012-05-25T22:59:47.685-04:00What exactly do you mean....... normal?Normal?<br />
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As in, I am really tired all the time.<br />
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Normal?<br />
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As in, I feel a lot of pressure in my torso area.<br />
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Normal?<br />
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As in, I cant feel the left side of my body!!<br />
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So with all of these tests that we have been having, 2 MRIs, 3 different sets of bloodwork, a fun spinal tap, etc... everything is coming back... normal. But my symptoms are not normal. So what is a girl to do? I talked to the assistant for the nuerologist (for the 3rd time) and she, somewhat begrudgingly, told me that all of the test results were normal. I asked her what tests were next and what the new plan was and she said there were no more tests..... that I just need to wait for my next appointment (June 28th) and then maybe he can prescribe me something for my symptoms.<br />
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Um, No.<br />
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I do not wait. I will not wait for another month to find out why my body is reacting the way it is. Something must be the cause. Another month without running or really feeling like myself? No. <br />
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I am trying to remind myself that normal, is good!! Bad news would be terrifying. Not knowing the real reason why, just might make me go crazy.Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-5963388386768717252012-05-25T22:56:00.001-04:002012-05-25T22:56:34.639-04:00......Blood patch...... fun?I called the radiology department at St. Francis on Monday morning. I figured that if my headache and backache were still this bad that they would probably like to know. Right? I thought that they probably got these kind of phone calls all the time though... whiny patients saying they just had a lumbar puncture and wanted relief?<br />
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As soon as I said what my issue was, the receptionist said, "uh oh, not good, I will page the radiologist and we will call you right back. Within 5 minutes he called back and walked me through where my pain was. He said that he would check back in with me throughout the day. And boy did he! He called me 5 more times that day to check in and then at 4:00 he ordered a "blood patch" for Tuesday at 1:30 with the Intervention Radiologist. <br />
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A blood patch is where they run an iv in your arm and then they insert another needle into your spine and then draw the blood and insert it directly into your spine so that your own blood will clot, and close the hole in your spine that should have healed on its own. The severe headache is from the inbalance of not having enough fluid because it is leaking... to cushion your brain.... ouch. I didn't care what they had to do, I was just so happy that they knew how to fix how I felt. It got a little tricky because when I was laying there he said that I was going to feel pressure from the blood going into my body, and that i needed to tell him when it felt like there was too much pressure and then he would need to stop. With the left side of my body being as numb as it has been since the spinal tap (an 8/9 out of 10), I had a hard time figuring that out but he was able to put in 8cc of blood. They said that i should find relief within a few hours. I was so excited for that!<br />
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They were right, by the time I went to bed on Tuesday night I was feeling a little better and by This morning (Wednesday) the headache was gone! I was still nauseas and everything below my head felt like it had been hit by a truck but hey, I'll take it!! haha!!<br />
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Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-60062145572903537982012-05-19T18:28:00.001-04:002012-05-19T18:28:58.675-04:00Spinal Tap Fun!I went to Indianapolis yesterday and had that wonderful spinal tap (lumbar puncture) that everyone is always raving about! :) haha. The actual procedure wasn't too bad at all! <br />
My mom (more on their visit later! :) and I and the two littlest ones left our house at about 6:15am and drove over to St. Francis Hospital. She dropped me off and then drove over to Bill and Debbie's (my in-laws) and took care of my little crazies over there. So awesome! I walked in and they took me right back and had me change into those awesome hospital gowns that automatically make you uncomfortable and sit in a special waiting area. My appointment was at 8:15am, at 8:30 a technician walked in and said that they were running behind and she asked when I would absolutely have to be out of there. Now as all mommy's know, when our children are in any kind of activity/performance, no matter the size, it is imperative that we are there!! I told the radiology tech that I had an all important, 1 minute long talent show that I promised Taylor that I would attend that started at 1:00pm, so I had to leave Indy at 11am at the latest. She promised me that would happen and left the room. Ten minutes later Kate was back with a big smile on her face and said she "got me in"!!<br />
Before I knew it I was laying on my stomach and the radiologist and Kate said that I was all done. Seriously, I was waiting for that long sting from the numbing medicine that I was familiar with from epidurals, but I just felt a tiny little sting and then it was over. He said that it was because he uses a much smaller needle than epidurals and puts the medicine in slowly because they aren't in a hurry like in epidurals. Yay! I did feel a little pressure, and they did need to tilt the table up to get the fluid out because it wasn't coming on its own but then, it was done. It was cool, they had an ex-ray machine above me and a computer screen that the Dr. (and I) could watch and it guided him the whole time in getting that needle into my spine. It really was neat to watch. Four viles later and they were rolling me into a recovery area where I had to lay completely flat and still for an entire hour. Then I was dismissed to leave! Easy!<br />
About 20 minutes later, my mom was driving us home on the interstate (I wasn't allowed) when I got a call from Kate at the hospital. She said that the radiologist told her to call and tell me that some blood work had been ordered and that I needed to come back. Boo! We turned around and by the time we got back to the hospital it was 11:05. Kate was yelling at people and they all started running and I got my blood work and was out of there in 10 minutes. Hahaha. She was awesome!<br />
We made it back home with 3 minutes to spare and I got to see the coolest little 1 minute gymnastics/dance show ever! :)<br />
And then the pain hit, yikes. I now know what people are taking about when they say they got a "spinal headache". Wow. I had been in an upright position for way too long and I guess you are suppose to try and lay down flat on your back for 8-12 hours. Its been almost 33 hours and I still cant be up too long or that piercing feeling comes back into my head and back. Poor Greg, he has played the role of daddy/mommy way too many times. That makes me sad. <br />
Now we just wait. Kate said that we should know something by Monday or Tuesday... maybe Wednesday. Yay! I am glad that we don't have to wait too long! :)Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-21989089536505733742012-05-09T14:44:00.003-04:002012-05-09T16:43:41.280-04:00Come what may and love it! ??Today I went for a run. Something I have done countless times, dare I say a gazillion times, since I was 13. Something that quite frankly, I am obsessed with. I was hoping that I would feel different. I didn't. The neurologist said I could run as long as I didn't start the run fatigued, and as long as I stopped running if I felt fatigued during the run. I got a 1/2 mile in before I had to turn around, the numbness swept in and blanketed my left leg again, its too bad, because I really needed to be out there longer. Running clears my head, and helps me to drop all of those silly things I worry about. <br />
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Silly things to worry about. I feel guilty. There are worse things! I keep telling myself that, but I am having a hard time dropping the fact that I cant run the way I need to right now. </div>
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2.5 weeks ago, on April 21st, I was doing my normal Saturday morning long run. The Indy mini marathon was 2 weeks away, this would by my last long run before the race. When I was 4 miles into my run the left side of my body went completely........numb. </div>
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For the last month my toes had been feeling that pins and needles feeling when I went running, I thought my shoes were too tight or ....something, then the feeling stuck around even when i wasn't running. I made an appointment with my doctor and the earliest I could see him was May 1st. </div>
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I immediately started praying. I felt like I should turn around and run, not walk, back. Every time my foot hit the ground I had to look down to make sure it was still there, and still working. It was, I just couldn't feel it. I called Greg when I had a mile left, he met me at the trail parking lot and we both tried to grasp what just happened. The severity of the numbness lessened slightly when I got home, but the feeling stuck around.</div>
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I got into the nurse practitioner the following Wednesday, April 25. She did a couple of little tests in the office that I failed miserably, and so she scheduled 2 MRI, one of my brain, the other of my cranial neck area..... and told me ,"NO RUNNING!!" Um. I was able to make it to the van, load the 2 little ones, make it home, turn on Barney for Grant and put Mia down for a nap and then.... I let myself lose it.</div>
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On Friday, April 27, my MRI was scheduled at 3:20. As the day went on I felt like I was getting worse. At about 1:00, it felt like I couldn't breath, I felt weak and tired. Greg came home, picked up the girls from school and we went to the ER, they checked all of my vitals and the ER doctor said that everything was working, my lungs, my heart... but that I probably just couldn't feel them working on my left side. We went ahead with the scheduled MRI and my amazing mother-in-law drove over and took the kids home to give Greg and I some time. After the MRI we drove over to Hays Arboretum. We talked about what this could be; tumor? MS? some weird fluke virus sent here to teach us something? We talked about our future, and that our picture of it will probably need changing. We talked about the fact that we have an all knowing, and loving Heavenly Father. We read Elder Wirthlin's talk, "Come what may and love it", one of my all time favorites. I will never forget that moment with Greg. I have always said that I need running and Greg to survive. So of the two, I am so glad it was running that got nixed and not my very best friend. </div>
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Sunday, April 29th, started hard. One of the worst. I am sad to say I had lost hope, its amazing how an experience like this brings you to your knees.... and your breaking point. I watched Elder Neil L. Anderson's talk called, "What thinks Christ of Me?". Amazing!!! And President Henry B. Eyring's talk, "Mountains to Climb". Humbling!!! Later in the day, Bishop Baker came over. What followed was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I am so grateful that God's power can be here on the earth. Because of this experience I can never doubt that my Savior is aware of me. I am full of hope, everything will work out, and if my hope wanes, I know I will need to remember this experience and have greater faith.</div>
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Matt and Janet (My brother and his wife) and their kids got here sunday night to spend the week with us and run the mini marathon. We quickly filled them in. We were so very blessed to have them here for this past week. They watched the kids while we got more MRI and test results and they lightened the mood around our home. We all had so much fun with them!!! Janet did way more than her fair share of chores around here. </div>
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I have felt so blessed to have friends and family fasting for me! I feel so humbled! I am so grateful for their love and support.</div>
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I met with a neurologist yesterday, which was a pure miracle in and of itself that I was able to get into one so quickly (thank you Leah!). I had some blood work done and I will probably have a spinal tap sometime in the near future. </div>
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I must end this ridiculously long post! Wow! My stake president, who lives an hour away came over last monday and told me to journal all that I can about this experience and to share my testimony of my Savior with others. I will work on that. Until I can run for reals I will need to find other ways to drop those silly things I worry about and clear my head in other healthy ways. I will work on that too!!</div>
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</div>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-64577833483420502492011-10-23T22:00:00.010-04:002011-10-23T22:57:02.780-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83uvrL_VjV0/TqTT69ookXI/AAAAAAAABtY/aS7fAxaiHGs/s1600/summer%2B11%2B003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83uvrL_VjV0/TqTT69ookXI/AAAAAAAABtY/aS7fAxaiHGs/s320/summer%2B11%2B003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666887241069793650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhsnV_spmgw/TqTT6hUzaQI/AAAAAAAABtQ/O691T4DWfw8/s1600/summer%2B11%2B006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhsnV_spmgw/TqTT6hUzaQI/AAAAAAAABtQ/O691T4DWfw8/s320/summer%2B11%2B006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666887233470425346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFFT8JJCLiY/TqTT7P1T-NI/AAAAAAAABts/pz12ovJW9b0/s1600/summer%2B11%2B012.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILadrRp2ScE/TqTIhEouUQI/AAAAAAAABlQ/3jSzLjPRlV8/s320/summer%2B11%2B552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666874701644714242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2M25X8gdrY/TqTHPWPBWPI/AAAAAAAABkE/h-8lj52ixcA/s1600/summer%2B11%2B566.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2M25X8gdrY/TqTHPWPBWPI/AAAAAAAABkE/h-8lj52ixcA/s320/summer%2B11%2B566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666873297619474674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Opqqf48NMvM/TqTHPFWhRJI/AAAAAAAABj8/91kwbO0wQPk/s1600/summer%2B11%2B571.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Opqqf48NMvM/TqTHPFWhRJI/AAAAAAAABj8/91kwbO0wQPk/s320/summer%2B11%2B571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666873293087523986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onIS1WbA6GQ/TqTHOp6hRoI/AAAAAAAABj0/rm6FXr2MpVU/s1600/summer%2B11%2B568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onIS1WbA6GQ/TqTHOp6hRoI/AAAAAAAABj0/rm6FXr2MpVU/s320/summer%2B11%2B568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666873285722326658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5UPnHF1Vq70/TqTHOTcCD-I/AAAAAAAABjk/RK1Z0b4uwW0/s1600/summer%2B11%2B580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5UPnHF1Vq70/TqTHOTcCD-I/AAAAAAAABjk/RK1Z0b4uwW0/s320/summer%2B11%2B580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666873279688871906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zULy7yJGm_U/TqTHPbwQbBI/AAAAAAAABkU/eLJ5PfJoPTc/s1600/summer%2B11%2B565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zULy7yJGm_U/TqTHPbwQbBI/AAAAAAAABkU/eLJ5PfJoPTc/s320/summer%2B11%2B565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666873299101051922" border="0" /></a>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-90980827410463127782011-06-12T11:52:00.004-04:002011-07-03T20:25:43.001-04:00Its my computer's fault!!!!!<div><div>So I am obviously sooo very behind on my blogging. I could blame it on my computer, which... no offense computer, but it is mostly your fault!!! But, there is no reason why I cant get on here and blog about all of the good/ the bad/ and the ugly... but mostly wonderful things that are happening around here lately. I wanted to post a lot of pictures of my kids and adventures but my computer says it is "full". Full of what? Of pictures. I have been trying to work on some family memory books but I started 3 books at once and now it is grumpy and wont let me open my blurb program to work on the books and i cant upload any more pictures onto my computer because it keeps saying that it is full. Grrrr. We have tried everything we know how to do, so now... I have just been sitting, waiting. (well laying, waiting). </div><div> </div><div>That seems to be the theme as of late. Lay and wait. Yuck. I know, I know, I need to lay down for baby and take it easy, I am mostly ok with that part. But I have also been "laying and waiting" on other things that I dont need to be. It seems to me that I have been pretty lazy in other areas in my life and letting, actually forcing, time to go by. I need to stop that!!!! hahahahaha. I will probably look back on this last bed-rested-ness and think, "Dang it, why didn't I do that when I was just laying around all day?". Especially when this little one is out and i will be running around again with my little crew and wondering how in the world I am supposed to get everything done!?!! </div><div> </div><div>We always want what we cant have. haha. </div><div> </div><div>So I am wondering?? What should I do right now, to prepare me for what is coming.... in like 5-7 weeks? Yikes?! I feel like I have been blindly counting down the days to "get this part over with", but I have not been "preparing myself" for what is actually coming!!!!</div><div> </div><div>I am not talking about the physically demanding part of being ready. Heaven knows I wont be ready for that after the atrophy of what is now my body. You know, the kind of preparing that it takes to emotionally/spirtitually/mentally handle jumping back in there again. I will go from listening to the clock tick ever so slowly to running full speed with my 4 kids and I really, really REALLY want to be enjoying it! </div><div> </div><div>I want to soak in those little moments that I feel like I have been missing out on! But if I am not careful, I am just going to be a stressed out, yelling "monster mommy" who isn't taking the time to just love and enjoy that newborn baby smell, or the sweet little faces those newborns make when they are sleeping, or taking hundreds of pictures of my big kids loving the new one that we have all worked so hard to get here.</div><div> </div><div>Thankfully after about a month I will have running on my side again... well... haha, walk/jog/panting is more like what it will be..... but still, the whole moving around and getting endorphins from that will help. </div><div> </div><div>Anybody and anyone: Give me specifics! If you had one month to really prepare yourself for the RE-ONSET of motherhood... what would you do???? I have an amazing opportunity here. It is the calm before the storm, I know it is going to be crazy! What books should I try to read? What should I try to organize (bad question, haha, everything!!!) What should I "do" with my big, little ones to help them be prepared and excited for her to get here?</div><div> </div><div>Any tips you have will be great. As moms I know we all have in the back of our minds a list of "If i only had a little more time I would _______________ to help me be a better mom!" Granted I need to do most of it from my couch but still......... I want those lists! :)</div><div> </div><div> </div></div>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-11820827699332019012011-04-10T11:58:00.006-04:002011-04-10T13:12:53.443-04:00Sweet Tender Mercies.So its Sunday again and here I am...... At home while my sweet husband has taken those sweet kids to church again. He is amazing!!!! When they all pile into the car to go to church and in one second, chaos has turned to absolute silence..... ..that is when I hit bottom. This wave of depression hits me and guilt instantly takes over. Why am I here?? Why am I not at church?? Why is my husband having to pull <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">soooo</span> much more than his fair share? Why do my kids have to make their own breakfast? Get themselves ready and help their little brother too? Then, I am the one crying.....instead of my kids, or for heaven's sakes..... Greg. That man is a rock. I cry because I think... <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steph</span>, get a hold of yourself... lots of people go to church when they are sick. Just suck it up and get ready and go! Pick yourself off of the floor (literally) and do something good with yourself! But then a sweet peace comes. A peace that can only come from a loving Heavenly Father, who, .... knows just how I am feeling. And helps me to know that for now, I am doing all that I can do. He helps me to humorously remember all I did do this morning to just help a little bit and how much I had to lay down to avoid any hittings of my head. haha. And, that bringing this sweet baby here, is the best thing that I can be doing. Wow. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude. I truly learned, and re-learned something today. I was reminded of a scripture I have always loved but was able to really appreciate today! Its in Matthew 11:30 v. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. and in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mosiah</span> 24: 14 in the Book of Mormon: V. 14: And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. I am so blessed, I get to have another baby, I am already blessed with 3 other amazing ones! I have a husband who is strong, has this amazing sense of humor and who has always seen the bright side of things. The only burden in any part of this for me is that I have to watch the people I love most make sacrifices I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">don't</span> want them to have to make for ME. And the guilt that comes with that. But as promised, He makes our "burdens" feel light. So here I am feeling guilty, for not doing <strong>more</strong> and His spirit comes, to bring me <strong>more </strong>comfort and peace, to make this "burden" seem... light. If I do my part, He will help me to know, just how much I SHOULD "DO" so that I have an equal balance of keeping baby and me healthy, and "doing" enough so that I know I am "doing" my best! And in the process, making this "burden" light. Being a mother, and becoming a mother, truly will help me become a better person if I <strong>let</strong> it teach me what I am supposed to learn!! This, assuredly, being one of them. Sweet Tender Mercies. They just seem to keep pouring in!Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-21844398155735641382011-03-16T17:55:00.002-04:002011-03-16T19:47:20.633-04:00Its a girl!!! :)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VIwgdtCfuw/TYE2IS5LpnI/AAAAAAAABgo/oSM39J5IDqs/s1600/529--64--8025_20110311_3D--4D-_VERTEX_0009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584804529054656114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VIwgdtCfuw/TYE2IS5LpnI/AAAAAAAABgo/oSM39J5IDqs/s320/529--64--8025_20110311_3D--4D-_VERTEX_0009.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rR7K3SVKekc/TYE2IIwcuhI/AAAAAAAABgg/oHyaD8wfXD4/s1600/529--64--8025_20110311_3D--4D-_BREECH_0002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584804526333671954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rR7K3SVKekc/TYE2IIwcuhI/AAAAAAAABgg/oHyaD8wfXD4/s320/529--64--8025_20110311_3D--4D-_BREECH_0002.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p>We found out on Friday, March 11th; that we are having another little girl. So our last little one will be a girl! Names.... that will be somewhat of a struggle but we are so excited. Of course Grant said that he would have preferred to wrestle with a little brother in the future but that he could wrestle a little sister just as well and teach her all his tricks. </p><p>After we were able to "see" our little one we were thinking about how long we have known about her. When I was 20weeks pregnant with Grant and hooked up to IVs in the hospital we talked about him being the last baby but we immediately felt like there was one more. She is suppose to come to our little family and she is suppose to come now. Amazing! We can't wait to meet this special little girl.</p>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-87514449928034778612011-03-16T08:09:00.002-04:002011-03-16T09:05:06.664-04:00And the escaped convict got caught!So, I am supposed to be laying low for a couple of days because of the incident on Sunday....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">hahaha</span>. I had fully intended on doing just that! Promise! Monday: Totally <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">layed</span> low.... <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">layed</span> on the couch... on my right side of course because the left hurt too bad. Grant kept "trying" to sit on my head though, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">hahaha</span>, its like he knew that would be bad. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">hahaha</span>. I was a good girl, went and picked up the girls from school and then rested some more.<br /><br />On Tuesday, the day started out much of the same, only little buddy did not want me to just lay down, he was all done with that mommy. So we played with the things he loves, did some laundry, which felt like quite the hike to the basement and back and then <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">layed</span> down when I could sneakily do so. <br /><br />Grants balls are in a polka-dot basket in our family room, he loves to dump them out and then throw the basket. Which he did this time, only my head was in the way. Ouch, I tried not to cry so it was one of those laugh/cry combos, little buddy was still throwing his balls and having a blast.<br /><br />I was talking on the phone to my sister a little bit later and I felt my wound and then looked at my hand and there was new blood. dang it! It hurt, but it wasn't excruciating and I talked to Greg and he said that I probably <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">didnt</span> lose any of my prized staples but he said that he would need to look at it when he got home. I then proceeded to take a shower, which I was petrified to do!!! But it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would and I felt better when I got out.<br /><br />It was time to go and get the girls from school and while I was in the car lane I very carefully brushed my hair, that did hurt! My original plan was for all of us to go to the basement when we got home and play and clean up the craziness in our play room, Grant loves it down there! But, when the girls got in the car they were so excited that it was "Fun Day Tuesday"! They get out an hour earlier on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">tuesdays</span> and they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> have any scheduled activities on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">tuesdays</span> until later so its perfect to go to the library, the park when its warm, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">McDs</span> when its cold and mommy just sits while everyone runs like crazy. I thought, sure, why not!!?? All I will do is sit and the girls will chase Grant around and it will be perfect. I can "lay low" at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">McDonalds</span> playground!! Right?<br /><br />As I was laying on the ground and coming to......I woke up to my sweet little buddy giving me a hundred kisses all over my face. Seriously he would not stop. He must have been worried. I heard the girls saying, "She is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>, she is just per-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">eg</span>-an-ant!!" Then I heard a sweet lady say, "Sweetheart, the ambulance is on its way!" Oh no!! And the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">McDonalds</span> manager say,"Here is some orange juice and cookies, they always make me feel better when my blood sugar is low." Wow!!!!! So nice! But so, so embarrassing! But in my best slurred-after-passing-out-speech I explained to them that I have low blood pressure and that this happens everyday.......only just ...... not at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">mcdonalds</span>!<br /><br />When the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">EMTs</span> got there, they checked my blood pressure, which was through the roof because I was so stressed. They asked me a ton of questions and gave me a pillow to lay on, which was nice because can you imagine what your face is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">smushing</span> against on the floor at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">McDs</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">playland</span>? They were really really nice and he kept telling me that I needed to lay on my left side but I kept trying to say that I had 8 staples in my head from a fainting episode on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">sunday</span>. That went over well. I declined a ride on their stretcher and their ambulance but they were not leaving until someone could drive me home. Dang it!! I was caught, I had to call Greg.<br /><br />Greg arrived like a night in shining armor! You know when you are little and you get sick at school and your mom comes to pick you up and you finally feel like you can cry. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thats</span> just what I did. :( The kids were so excited to see him too. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Halle</span> kept on running up to me and saying, Can I run out to the road and wait for Daddy. Um no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Halle</span>. Seriously, it felt like I was an escaped convict who was trying to make a run for it and got caught!!!!<br /><br />So.... apparently I am on official house arrest. Greg called and explained to the needed people that I would not be at all the things I was supposed to do this week. Activity Days tonight, Pinewood Derby tomorrow night... etc. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> blame him, he cant leave work whenever I have an episode outside of the house!<br /><br />So, here I am, in very familiar but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">unwelcomed</span> territory. It makes me sad. I am trying to not get too <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">claustrophobic</span> and am reminding myself that this doesn't have to be for the next few months if I can just behave and lay down when I need to!!! Yes,lay down even when I am at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">McDonalds</span> (even though I really <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> see myself going back there) when the floor is gross and I decide that I will just make a run for it instead... dang it, that trick never works!!!!!Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-89705781920333775302011-03-15T21:56:00.004-04:002011-03-16T09:37:11.182-04:00A very, very expensive haircut!Sunday, March 13th, hahahahahahahaha.<br /><br />Steph's Version of the story:<br />Church starts at 10:00am<br />7am: Grant awakens, he is mucho hungry and needs his oatmeal 15 minutes ago... seriously where is the food? and oops, I slept in, nice, my phone alarm was on vibrate!!. Because intead of being 7, its 8, yup, we are "springing forward!" Baiby is still in pajamas with oatmeal still smashed on said pajamas.<br />8:30 wake up girls and get them downstairs to eat and then start on their hair and get church bags ready.<br />9:00 hop in the shower and start on my own hair...thank fully, hair is behaving, gotta love good hair days.... beginning to feel a little.... sickish. Which is completly normal by the way!<br />9:30 lay down for a sec, dont want to pass out like I do every sunday morning!!! check on Greg who is sick with a yucky fever and cough and sore throat in bed.. poor guy, i get to take care of him for a change!<br />9:45 yikes, 15 min till church starts..... baby, still has smashed oatmeal pajamas on and now has the addition of a poopy diaper, dang it. Still feeling a little sick...ish. I am good though, gotta get some pictures for sharing time for primary today, just real quick of course.I will just stand in the kitchen next to my dishwasher and the fridge and lots of kitchen cabinets and other hard objects because that is always a good idea when I am feeling... sick...ish. Maybe I should lay down.... hmm..<br />9:50 Yuck, I think... I will ....go and lay...................................................................................<br /><br />dang it!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Tay and Halle's version:<br />8:45am: Our hair is so pretty! Mommy curled it! so cute! Lets go do hand stands in the family room and jump on the couches! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you think mommy will notice if we turn on the t.v.?<br />9:30am: So i think i will bring my bouncing, singing bunny to church, and some stickers, and crayons, all the crayons we own in fact, and some pop tarts, and..... hmm.... its not fitting in my church bag.<br />9:50: "We were jumping on the couch and then we heard the loudest bang ever!!! We knew it was mommy because she is so big and loud when she faints!"<br />9:51: We run upstairs to go and get daddy and get mommy a trash can because she is throwing up. gross. She is bleeding and cracked her head open!!!!<br />9:56 Mommy is crying like a little girl, like this, "wah,wah, wah", then Daddy says that stinky Grant and us can watch veggie tales!!! yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /><br />Fun times huh!<br />Sorry for the very long background story! I totally fainted (which is normal) and threw up (normal again) but hit my head on something very hard (which is a given when you are standing right next to hard things but thankfully has never happened like this before), and actually cut my head open. I feel really bad for Greg who had to come down and find me with a little pool of blood and still passed out. Not fun. After assessing the damage he decided that we better head to the emergency room to be safe.<br />When I woke up this time i could tell that I had been out for a little longer than normal because Greg was already there... and there was a bloody pillow under my head and the throw up had been cleaned up already. Gory details. gross, so sorry!<br />We decided that we better head to church first and see if we could drop off the kids to primary, along with my sharing time lesson. (hahaha) On the way there, Tay said, "Mommy, I did not know that grown ups cried when they got hurt."<br /><br />Did you know, that if you walk into the ER in your "sunday best" with a big pregnant belly and blood on your, "sunday best" and a bloody rag on your head... that you do not have to wait your turn and that you will get in to see the dr. super fast!!! :) good things to know!<br /><br />After some needles in the head to numb the pain, they "sprayed" some of the blood out and then gave me a nice little trim around the cut, the hair there is about a 1/4 long... or so Greg tells me. I probably just recieved the most expensive hair cut I have ever had... I probably wont be going back to that hairstylist again!! (hopefully not anyway). Then the Dr. gave me 8 staples in my head, he said the cut was pretty deep and was about 2" long. wow.<br /><br />I cannot end this post without first thanking my Heavenly Father for some tender mercies in all seriousness!!!<br /><br />*It is amazing to me that this is my 4th pregnancy and that this is the first time I have ever had a major head trauma after ..... I dont know, hundreds of times that I have passed out!<br />*This happened on a sunday morning, when the girls were around and I wasn't alone with just Grant!<br />*Greg was home when this happened! He was supposed to be at his early morning church meetings, instead he was here!<br />*I felt so much peace and love from my Heavenly Father before we left for the hospital and knew that baby and I were going to be fine.<br />*I was feeling a lot of swelling and pressure on the left side of my head and then I recieved a blessing (a special prayer) from Greg before we left for the hospital... that pressure feeling went away. When we were at the hospital the Dr. said that if I was having any swelling problems that it would mean that I had internal bleeding but that since I didn't that I was ok! Definitly not just a coincidence!!!!!!<br /><br /><br />I am supposed to lay low for a couple of days and rest... so I will do my best at that. My hemaglobin was 10.9 and I guess its suppose to be more around 12 so i need to find a way to increase my iron. I will do my best at that too.<br /><br />Long winded again. haha. Oh, and the dark hair, totally came in handy because i couldn't wash my hair for a couple of days and you couldn't even see the dried blood all over. hahaha. another blessing. :)<br />PS. Halle also said that, "this is the best most funnest sunday ever!! We got to watch movies all day!!!"Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-33953005174116750602011-03-15T21:31:00.003-04:002011-03-15T21:56:54.686-04:00February Picture Updates<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R-TQSK4eSw/TYAVTX9xJnI/AAAAAAAABgA/IbqyNAoeX10/s1600/fe%2B065.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584486960534201970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R-TQSK4eSw/TYAVTX9xJnI/AAAAAAAABgA/IbqyNAoeX10/s320/fe%2B065.JPG" /></a>Feb 21st: Halle and I having some "mommy-time" up on her bunk bed... and yes... we laughed really hard at mommy climbing up onto the bunk bed. hahahahaha.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15NA6ULo9tc/TYAVTP7s1RI/AAAAAAAABf4/LU8TItYbUjk/s1600/fe%2B060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584486958378046738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15NA6ULo9tc/TYAVTP7s1RI/AAAAAAAABf4/LU8TItYbUjk/s320/fe%2B060.JPG" /></a>Feb 17/18th: This picture was taken at the Louisville, KY Temple. We were supposed to go here on his birthday weekend but he was so sick with strep throat so his Mom so graciously offered to watch the kids the following weekend, which was the 17th/18th instead and we were able to drop the kids off for the night and we got a hotel and then went to the temple on sat morning. I made it through the whole session which is a first for me in a pregnancy!! :) It was sooo good to have some time together! Thanks so much Debbie and Bill for watching the crazies!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id_NacfBoqQ/TYAVSZZq_uI/AAAAAAAABfw/mPXSEOh4SIY/s1600/fe%2B055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584486943739805410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id_NacfBoqQ/TYAVSZZq_uI/AAAAAAAABfw/mPXSEOh4SIY/s320/fe%2B055.JPG" /></a>Feb 18th:I was able to go on a field trip with Tay's class to the musuem and got some cute pics of her with her friends! This is Tay with her "BFFL", Kim. They have a secret handshake and everything! :)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRatgzVRgE0/TYAVSM9gflI/AAAAAAAABfo/zdZ1EvzkAwE/s1600/fe%2B047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584486940400451154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRatgzVRgE0/TYAVSM9gflI/AAAAAAAABfo/zdZ1EvzkAwE/s320/fe%2B047.JPG" /></a> Oh, spring, please come soon, these "teaser" days we have been having are sooo very welcomed! Everyone is in a better mood when we get outside to play. AKA, not as much fighting.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXfQ3g2F1M8/TYAVRyVlZxI/AAAAAAAABfg/xPMxiP092eU/s1600/fe%2B052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584486933253678866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXfQ3g2F1M8/TYAVRyVlZxI/AAAAAAAABfg/xPMxiP092eU/s320/fe%2B052.JPG" /></a>The following pics wer taken outside on a somewhat warmish feb day, just some fun that was much needed. And yes, this is the "what use to be black hair but then chilled out to a brown after a few washes" hair. hahahahaha.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vodHeBU2Yj8/TYAUU598laI/AAAAAAAABfY/0pkyBYJbsk4/s1600/fe%2B050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584485887329998242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vodHeBU2Yj8/TYAUU598laI/AAAAAAAABfY/0pkyBYJbsk4/s320/fe%2B050.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmN3wnhuXgA/TYAUUgJllmI/AAAAAAAABfQ/lOQ495sjV5g/s1600/fe%2B045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584485880399500898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmN3wnhuXgA/TYAUUgJllmI/AAAAAAAABfQ/lOQ495sjV5g/s320/fe%2B045.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsOSLeFg4-U/TYAUUNlqzcI/AAAAAAAABfA/bOeSqmXn7hs/s1600/fe%2B041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584485875417009602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsOSLeFg4-U/TYAUUNlqzcI/AAAAAAAABfA/bOeSqmXn7hs/s320/fe%2B041.JPG" /></a>I do know that the following picture is rediculous and silly and that I do not in fact look like Zoolander but look at that babies hair! I couldn't resist posting it. hahahaha.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHDpHtwM3NM/TYAUTiGOBoI/AAAAAAAABe4/WSlrBtYd4G0/s1600/fe%2B038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584485863742375554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHDpHtwM3NM/TYAUTiGOBoI/AAAAAAAABe4/WSlrBtYd4G0/s320/fe%2B038.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-51104273850025861932011-03-15T21:22:00.002-04:002011-03-15T21:31:22.437-04:00Valentines Day<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3idSjnzMdgs/TYARVlsSqSI/AAAAAAAABew/-QHBsNMcVPQ/s1600/fe%2B035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584482600532224290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3idSjnzMdgs/TYARVlsSqSI/AAAAAAAABew/-QHBsNMcVPQ/s320/fe%2B035.JPG" /></a> We had so much fun celebrating this fun day. I felt great so Grant and I dropped off some treats for the girls at school and then when everyone got home we had "heart shaped" turkey burgers and played a few games, (V-Day Bingo and a conversation heart candy game) really simple but so fun.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6NN1hk869Y/TYARK3BNafI/AAAAAAAABeo/LXE2_G9HfxU/s1600/fe%2B032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584482416204802546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6NN1hk869Y/TYARK3BNafI/AAAAAAAABeo/LXE2_G9HfxU/s320/fe%2B032.JPG" /></a> Eww, does not look appatizing at all, but they all loved it. :)<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HE_2m_cwy8g/TYARKr_vDxI/AAAAAAAABeg/6rQzchPaFJM/s1600/fe%2B033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584482413245828882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HE_2m_cwy8g/TYARKr_vDxI/AAAAAAAABeg/6rQzchPaFJM/s320/fe%2B033.JPG" /></a> My Valentines. So very awesome.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPvNjhNG18c/TYARKb1DmrI/AAAAAAAABeY/8Nnp_-y9ViE/s1600/fe%2B030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584482408906070706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPvNjhNG18c/TYARKb1DmrI/AAAAAAAABeY/8Nnp_-y9ViE/s320/fe%2B030.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAMZU1HkWtE/TYARJzGzRwI/AAAAAAAABeQ/7G9iaVEPCmE/s1600/fe%2B028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584482397974644482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAMZU1HkWtE/TYARJzGzRwI/AAAAAAAABeQ/7G9iaVEPCmE/s320/fe%2B028.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n402wHbGGvA/TYARJpwtH3I/AAAAAAAABeI/XAGSXALOpF4/s1600/fe%2B027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584482395466047346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n402wHbGGvA/TYARJpwtH3I/AAAAAAAABeI/XAGSXALOpF4/s320/fe%2B027.JPG" /></a> Seriously!? So cute! And we get another Ingram!!!!! 4 kids, so insanly crazy and busy but I am sure..... it will be so awesome!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-47374717140916624192011-03-15T21:10:00.002-04:002011-03-15T21:21:58.769-04:00Grant is getting so big and so silly<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRNL9iHG094/TYAPVHfxC0I/AAAAAAAABeA/3uKwIA7ZJYo/s1600/fe%2B069.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584480393403370306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRNL9iHG094/TYAPVHfxC0I/AAAAAAAABeA/3uKwIA7ZJYo/s320/fe%2B069.JPG" /></a> This little guy is so fun and so busy! He LOVES to play with his blocks and balls!!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLAULf_Ffpw/TYAPUtXZiRI/AAAAAAAABd4/_-yYk6eIT-Q/s1600/fe%2B066.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584480386388953362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLAULf_Ffpw/TYAPUtXZiRI/AAAAAAAABd4/_-yYk6eIT-Q/s320/fe%2B066.JPG" /></a><br />I do have to say that I am quite impressed with the little towers that he puts together. :)<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--PEs_LL_U0M/TYAPUotbBlI/AAAAAAAABdw/7bVAVgAKoQc/s1600/fe%2B075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584480385139148370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--PEs_LL_U0M/TYAPUotbBlI/AAAAAAAABdw/7bVAVgAKoQc/s320/fe%2B075.JPG" /></a> Ok, this is the perfect example of the little faces that he has been making when i pull out the camera. hahahaha. So hilarious! I wonder if he thinks that is what we look like when we "smile" for the camera. :)<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbfYoFxL7RY/TYAOp7MYUaI/AAAAAAAABdo/o43Rt8I26kU/s1600/fe%2B071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584479651366457762" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbfYoFxL7RY/TYAOp7MYUaI/AAAAAAAABdo/o43Rt8I26kU/s320/fe%2B071.JPG" /></a>He was "hiding" on the stairs but staring right at me through the railing. :)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4rxpiRIioj4/TYAOpsVb1DI/AAAAAAAABdg/WChdY7qpr7g/s1600/fe%2B022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584479647377904690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4rxpiRIioj4/TYAOpsVb1DI/AAAAAAAABdg/WChdY7qpr7g/s320/fe%2B022.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuq1u7SwEbA/TYAOpWGaFiI/AAAAAAAABdY/j6o0TFOJY1E/s1600/fe%2B006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584479641409295906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuq1u7SwEbA/TYAOpWGaFiI/AAAAAAAABdY/j6o0TFOJY1E/s320/fe%2B006.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VBheqhO-p8/TYAOpIxIUKI/AAAAAAAABdQ/SwkPgUHJENI/s1600/fe%2B020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584479637830389922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VBheqhO-p8/TYAOpIxIUKI/AAAAAAAABdQ/SwkPgUHJENI/s320/fe%2B020.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFvKZBOElBo/TYAOo7UXO0I/AAAAAAAABdI/XIFSc0rok_0/s1600/fe%2B019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584479634220071746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFvKZBOElBo/TYAOo7UXO0I/AAAAAAAABdI/XIFSc0rok_0/s320/fe%2B019.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-17207875020502529062011-03-15T20:22:00.004-04:002011-03-15T21:10:26.710-04:00Happy Birthday My Love! Feb 11thGreg came down with strep throat on his actual birthday which was quite sad because we had some fun surprise plans but we just postponed them for the next weekend and had a "fun" weekend at home instead. The following pictures are out of order but here is what we did to celebrate. :)<br />Fri, Feb 11th- picked up some antibiotics for Dr. Ingram that he reluctlantly decided he might need. haha. Then we watched Dispicable Me (love that movie!!) and had pizza and he opened some presents.<br />Sun, Feb 13th- we made him his favorite dinner which is homemade lazagna and we made a yummy cake for him. This cake has lots of names and the girls were asking us what it was called and we started out saying that it was called,"Better than Kissing Cake" and that didn't stick too well with them and so we kept on trying new names for it. Here is how the conversation went,<br />Tay: So, why is it called better than kisses cake?<br />Greg: Well, because some people think that this cake is better than getting kisses from someone you love.... (Greg and I sat snickering to ourselves of course).<br />Tay: hmm, lets think of another name.<br />Greg: How about NICMO cake. hahahaha. heeeheehee. (We thought that was funny.)<br />Tay: What is Nicmo?<br />Greg: ???? um. Non Commital cake. (more laughs from greg and I)<br />Tay: yeah! i like that! I am going to tell my teacher we had non-commitititiall cake. (no more laughing from greg and i!)<br />Me: How about another name<br />Halle: How about the "Kiss Me Cake"<br />We all decided that that was the very best name and the term non commital has been dropped from anyones vocabulary. hahaha. ??<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584470864348422146" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N78J3nHw6-s/TYAGqdABoAI/AAAAAAAABdA/vnEK7g5WOR0/s320/fe%2B018.JPG" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zooxpFvYoN4/TYAGqEyXwPI/AAAAAAAABc4/eM2mBwE_mB0/s1600/fe%2B007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584470857848701170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zooxpFvYoN4/TYAGqEyXwPI/AAAAAAAABc4/eM2mBwE_mB0/s320/fe%2B007.JPG" /></a> They sure do love their Daddy!! Even when he is sick he lets them climb all over him. :) The face that Grant is making is his new "mommy has the camera our and she said to smile" face. It is hilarious! We love it!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgpqT-HuRxQ/TYAGpq-DOnI/AAAAAAAABcw/KCOOGncOmPw/s1600/fe%2B009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584470850918365810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgpqT-HuRxQ/TYAGpq-DOnI/AAAAAAAABcw/KCOOGncOmPw/s320/fe%2B009.JPG" /></a> That would be the gangster sign for 33. In case you were wondering!!!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbvGxpsaQBw/TYADZs2fq9I/AAAAAAAABco/Lf1s7VfmlvM/s1600/fe%2B015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584467278010756050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbvGxpsaQBw/TYADZs2fq9I/AAAAAAAABco/Lf1s7VfmlvM/s320/fe%2B015.JPG" /></a> This would be the "kiss me cake" as discussed above.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD9rjKKuFKs/TYADZRiN57I/AAAAAAAABcg/aizcnBuKSE8/s1600/fe%2B016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584467270677948338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD9rjKKuFKs/TYADZRiN57I/AAAAAAAABcg/aizcnBuKSE8/s320/fe%2B016.JPG" /></a>Some major wishes going on before the candles are blown out. haha.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcmFWf-LVQc/TYADZDuY6iI/AAAAAAAABcY/QZaplUa_XjI/s1600/fe%2B002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584467266970905122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcmFWf-LVQc/TYADZDuY6iI/AAAAAAAABcY/QZaplUa_XjI/s320/fe%2B002.JPG" /></a> Everyone into Dispicable Me, including the little guy. He loves pizza movie night. :) as we all do!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xoM9NrwwSs/TYADYdlXE5I/AAAAAAAABcQ/ixmILOs9jko/s1600/fe%2B008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584467256732488594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xoM9NrwwSs/TYADYdlXE5I/AAAAAAAABcQ/ixmILOs9jko/s320/fe%2B008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcyLpJl7vag/TYADYLYnBJI/AAAAAAAABcI/15z7r3R_h2g/s1600/fe%2B004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584467251847169170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcyLpJl7vag/TYADYLYnBJI/AAAAAAAABcI/15z7r3R_h2g/s320/fe%2B004.JPG" /></a>What it must feel/look like to be 33!!!!</div><div> </div><div>***My Greg. I love you!! You are truly amazing and I am so honored to be called your wife and friend! Happy Birthday!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-75537325626338506312011-03-04T01:46:00.005-05:002011-03-04T08:44:39.777-05:00She's here!!!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcSS8KbK7aE/TXCXK5yvUBI/AAAAAAAABcA/ZiwV2959u4g/s1600/P1010004%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580126151880167442" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcSS8KbK7aE/TXCXK5yvUBI/AAAAAAAABcA/ZiwV2959u4g/s320/P1010004%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I just spoke to her. It's 1:30am here in my land.... Its 11:30pm in Utah where her plane has just landed after 30 hrs of flying.<br /><br />Megan Dustin has been serving a mission for our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for more on our beliefs go to <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">www.mormon.org</a> ) in the Philippines for 1.5 yrs... serving the people there and sharing some of that amazing light that she has inside of her and sharing her knowledge of how that light comes from Jesus Christ! Amazing!!!<br /><br />I wasn't able to sleep (nothing new there.. haha) and had been texting Bridget in hopes that I might get a little play by play of her walking off the plane. And then, my phone silently rang while I was folding laundry in my family room and I heard her voice for the first time since September of 2009. :) She has a little accent, her voice kind of trails up at the end of her words. Cute! Proof of speaking another language for a long, long time. She sounded so good and happy, of course! I of course couldn't speak, just some tears and choking going on there but I am sure she thought I was just really sleepy.<br /><br />Perhaps I can sleep now! Although I am almost finished with this basket of laundry..... so I will finish that up and then try to sleep. :)<br /><br />But really? Can it get any more comforting than knowing that someone you love so much is back in this beautiful America? I have missed her so much. She is gorgeous! Happy! So kind, A true desciple of Jesus Christ and now....she is home. :)<br /><br />Thanks for the call Megs!<br />(If you want to read about Megan's mission experiences, my mom has diligently updated it with her emails and also my brother, Josh's mission emails from Argentina..... They are sooooo inspiring and awesome! The blog is <a href="http://www.dustinmissionaries.blogspot.com/">http://www.dustinmissionaries.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />(Now..... to wait for Joshua to get home from his mission!)</div>Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-52764677059341399752011-03-03T13:04:00.005-05:002011-03-04T01:46:46.321-05:00Confessions of an antisocialiteHi, my name is Stephanie and I am an antisocial chic.<br /><br />Now, why is it that an antisocial person would have the audacity to openly share such information on a blog?<br /><br />That is a good question.<br /><br />I have a few theories on my personal craziness:<br /><br />1. admitting something sometimes helps you move beyond an issue.... not always though.<br />2. admitting something sometimes helps solidify and justify a certain way you behave... good or bad.<br />3. hmm. thats all I've got right now.<br /><br />I have the small inclination that I just might need to change my antisocial ways. Not completley mind you, because that just might be catastrophic to my soul. But the inspiration is there none the less.<br /><br />The inspiration is Grant. Yes it has taken my 3rd child, and 4th pregnancy-induced-permission-to -be-antisocialness.........to make me see that although I may be just fine moving through life, all protected and emotionally safe and very comfortable in my own little reality.... I may need to be... (gulp) social-ish to help him... them survive.<br /><br />He is literally screaming to leave the house and play. In the morning when everyone is rushing around to get ready for school/work... he is madly running around trying to find his little shoes and coat so that he can be ready too. Breaks my heart!<br /><br />Today, I did something crazy.......... I went to the gym. Why? Because I knew that he could play and that other little kids would be in there for him to have some interaction with... and because I knew that for an antisocial person I could "easily" go..... and walk on a treadmill (???) and possible lay down on a public couch (???) and take a shower (?) and give little buddy some time to play.<br /><br />It was a success. I did all 3 of the things listed above plus a trip to the bathroom of course. He had so much fun! hahaha. When we drove into the garage he wasn't screaming the way he has been lately. Interesting. Its almost like............ the need for interacting with other human beings is a basic level need to survive. hhhhmmmmmm. shocking.<br /><br />While I was there a really sweet mom invited me to a playgroup where Grant could play and I could.... socialize with other moms. I broke out into a cold sweat panic and lied through my teethy smile that,"That sounds really fun, we would both love that! If I am feeling ok I will try and make it." I am a strange, strange chic. I am ok with that but really...?? In my brain I think I am better off on a treadmill in my little "condition" then sitting on a chair surrounded by other moms.... strange. Dont get me wrong! I admire other mothers to no end, I watch and try to learn from all of their wonderfulness.... but to "socialize"...... its like my brain tries to click backwards to find a way out, my body freezes, and my spirit says that I should move forward. strange. haha.<br /><br />Hmmm, what should I do with this new-found, "dang-it, I always knew I was weird and was ok with it but I probably need to change to help my children be a little healthier than I am....." ? Follow me? hahahahahahaha.<br /><br />Perhaps...(gulp) its time for me to stretch out my chalk-lined boundaries I have set for myself a few inches. 3 inches to be exact.<br /><br />Maybe I should go to the playgroup tomorrow at 9:30am. (gulp)<br /><br />Perhaps I shall just stretch out my chalk line an inch.... just one.<br /><br />Awareness..... it truly is the great motivator.... there is kind of no going back. Especially when improving one's self is for your chidren's sake.<br /><br />dang it!!!Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779531642061978748.post-60733885651993854672011-02-17T13:16:00.008-05:002011-02-17T15:24:04.008-05:00I'm in an incredibly good mood today!!!!!a few reasons why:<br /><br />*I dyed my hair yesterday, hate it......... its black. No there is not a picture... and there wont be one....so dont ask.<br />*I tried to have a good attitude about it because I knew that the people who loved me most would still think I am beautiful.<br />*Tay said,"Mommy its hideous."<br />*Halle said,"You look different Mommy, its kind of purple."<br />*Greg hates it and I quote, "needs more time to get use to it". :(<br />*****Grant hasn't skipped a beat and has still given me a hundred kisses this morning with his oatmeal/chocolate chip pancakes face. I have gladly taken them. :)<br /><br />*I am in a rut, can't/wont get out of it.<br />* I miss the MOUNTAINS!!!!, the fresh smell of rain there, the sense of peace i get when I look at them and feel small compared to Gods power, spending time in them, feeling like they are the only sense of "home" I have after 17 years of moving to different places.<br />*I hate missing out on wonderful things happening in my family because we live so far away. My Bridget getting married, Megan getting home, Josh getting home, Matt and Janet's new baby, Danny's baptism, Mackenzie's b-day.....etc. etc. etc. etc.<br /><br /><br />*I'm having trouble focusing right now on what it is that I am supposed to do as a stay at home mommy.<br />*my dryer is broken, my purpose for being a stay at home mommy has died, staying up on laundry was my purpose I think.... hmm, didn't do that before it died.<br />* My baby and I were just eating jelly bellies for lunch (you can judge, I already am!) and i just fed him a "banana" flavored one and actually felt good about it for a second... then I cried.<br />*Said baby is still walking up and giving me kisses saying "thank you" for the "banana" and is dancing and wearing a bucket on his head!<br /><br />*Motherhood requires sacrifice! Some sacrifices I dont want to make!!!!<br />*My running- seriously deprived of some good endorphines right now.<br />*My energy- really no matter what I say, fainting is not fun and then coming to, and cleaning up my own throw up on the carpet, is not "rewarding". (eeeww, sorry)<br />*My time- bachelors degree?, wanna finish, gonna finish, when am I going to do that?<br /><br /><br />Steph!! What else do you want to be doing though???????????<br /><br />The answers are quite obvious:<br />Getting kisses from the cute and dirty baby, helping Tay with her Math, reading with my Halle, getting another little one who will probably love me just as unconditionally as they all do when Mommy monster comes out.<br /><br />And being loved by a man who although may not like my hair, still overlooks the fact that the house is a mess, dinner is an emergency situation most of the time, my budgeting and organizing skills seriously need an overhaul and I hold him accountable for my emotions when....really!!? Was he supposed to know that he needed to like me with black hair yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!?????<br /><br />Greg Ingram, I love you!!! Thank you for being the man you are!<br /><br />I'm in a good mood. Because who wouldn't be? I am truly blessed.....black hair and all.Steph Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990506427848656200noreply@blogger.com10