Projects

With LS, it is easy to just sit around, mope and lose motivation or wallow in pain. However, I have been trying to update the house and have some fun with decorating. So here are some pics of what we have been doing lately :) Enjoy!! ~S

Our new screen door. We special ordered it so it would match the creme trim :) I love all the light it lets in.

This pantry previously had those yucky white wire shelves. Matt made beautiful wood shelves that allow more space for food and items.

We also painted the door a dark charcoal (it was maroon before) and I made a beautiful moss wreath-totally fitting for Oregon. I also ordered a door knocker from Pottery Barn (something I have wanted for a very long time).

This is my bottle top art. It is a work in progress as you can see. I think it will look super cool once the middle is all filled in. The kids like to look at their soda bottle tops and reminisce about trips and so forth. Very Fun!!

Our next projects: Paint the garage and organize my master closet (this one will take some major motivation on my part). :)

Soap Update

Remember This?!

So my overall opinion is, if you are looking for a bar soap, this is the one. Even though it is costly, it is well worth the money and lasts a really long time (assuming other family members don't use it). I have started using it on my two girls as they often complain that other soaps burn them :)








I have found (actually my husband did) an EVEN BETTER ONE!!!!

Dr. Bronners (the same brand as the bar soap) Peppermint liquid soap (they have other scents too). Okay ladies, this stuff is strange and amazing at the same time. I found mine at Whole Foods. It suds up really good and only takes a small amount.

When you use it, it gives you a numbing effect, which I highly appreciate because when I am showering, my husband can often times here me saying, "Ouch, ouch ouch" or even saying profanities under my breath depending on my pain level (from stinging soap or just water on my fissures). This allows me to wash, enjoy a few minutes of cool, fresh, feeling numbness.

The only thing is (the strange part due to the peppermint) is that it gives your woman parts the same feeling as when you eat a really strong breath mint and your mouth feels icy cold...ya, imagine that, down there :) Not a bad feeling, just very strange. Plus, it makes you smell all pepperminty!

Anyway, I highly recommend it, especially if you have fissures like me :) ~S

Happy?

A Really Great Quote:

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. -Ralph Waldo Emerson


Happy?!

This evening when I was driving home from work, I heard some interesting statistics on the radio. According to research, those who focus on whether they are happy and self reflect, are more likely to show over7 different symptoms of depression than people who focus on the happiness of others. Interesting.

I always try to live in the moment and make other people happy. I love having the ability to surprise a friend with a meal, gift, flowers or kind deed-it makes me happy to make them happy. I agree that focusing on other people's happiness is the key to my happiness. Tomorrow morning bright and early I am going to the Ronald McDonald House to volunteer (despite being up until 2 am working the night before) to make a difference in other people's life. Totally worth the lack of sleep. I encourage you to try to do one selfless act a day-it is life changing!

In Other News:

I have had to face the fact that oral sex is not what it is cracked up to be anymore (for me that is). I have noticed a huge change in my sensitivity down there and I am confident it is due to the LS. I'm sure with constant tearing and scarring, ones ability to "feel" has got to be decreased. Oh well, I cannot focus too much on what is happening, but rather what I am still able to do and feel. It is what it is.

I finally told my husband this tonight and his face said it all. It is hard to talk to your spouse about sexual things and what you may and may not like anymore-especially if they like it. But, I have to be honest and face reality-why fake it?!

I think a common thing for LS sufferers is to please their partner, even if it means lying. I cannot change who I am and lie, especially not to my spouse. After all, there are so many other ways to enjoy sex. And besides, I don't hate it, just not what it used to be.~S

Jennifer

Having friends is such an important part of a woman's life, especially when you are dealing with an illness. I have many good friends in my life, but I wanted to honor one in particular. Jennifer.

Why I Adore this Woman:

~I can call her anytime of day and she will be there for me.

~She has adorable kids that I could seriously adopt-I.Love.Them

~She just had a new baby and I cannot get enough of him

~I can text her when I have a chocolate emergency, and she is at my door, yes, bearing chocolate (she understand this need. LOL)

~My daughter and her daughter are the best of friends and cannot go one day without seeing each other.

~She is beautiful inside and out

~I can talk to her about ANYTHING

~She is always complimenting me :)

~She is a very talented woman

~She is one of the best mothers I know

~She has a wonderful marriage

~She will help me out if I am ever in a bind

~She is a wonderful cook and makes the most yummiest rolls

~She has an awesome sense of style

~Her kids have sweet spirits which says a lot about her as a parent

~She takes my little Maddie to church whenever she wants to go

~She treats my kids like they are her own

~She is like the sister I never had

~She has a calming effect when you are around her that I highly appreciate (I am known to be a little high strung)

~She is a great listener


Thanks for being such a wonderful friend Jennifer. I am so glad to know you :) I hope I am as good as a friend as you are to me. ~S

Ashlin & Growing Up

There is a phase that kids go through-at least my kids, where they hit the age of four and I am faced with a huge challenge...giving them their independence. So far, the girls have been the worst.

So what does this challenge look like?!

-Wanting to put on what they want, when they want and how they want. Basically, clothes that don't match, are too hot for the weather, dirty, jammies during the day, two different kinds of shoes and hair combed by them. For me, this means taking a deep breath and just saying who cares?!

We went out with my husband's boss the other day and Ashlin was sporting two different kinds of shoes and her hair was a mess. But, she would not let me comb or fix her hair and would not change her shoes. I have come to the terms that this is just Ashlin. If I fight with her, she refuses to do anything...so until she starts school, I will let her win this battle, as I have done with my other kids.

-Not coming in for morning cuddles anymore. She has decided that it is much cooler to hang out with her older brother and sister in the morning.

-Just staring at me when I tell her to do something. Yes, she is testing her boundaries. This has been fun. NOT!

Long gone is my cute, loving little toddler, replaced with a independent, testy little fireball. Oh well. Some of her quirky traits are what I love the most about her.

I have heard from other parents that age four is much worse than the terrible two's and I am going to have to agree.

~S