My First Tag

I just got my first tag, you're next.

Remember when blogs first hit the scene?

Everybody tagged everybody.

Husband questions.

Birth story questions.

Then it got old &

Facebook was better.

Tag is back.

I'm it.

And you're next.

[if you're not into it,

I'm not offended.]

Here are the rules of the challenge:

1 - You must post the rules.

2 - Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3 - Answer the eleven questions the tagger set for you in their post.

4 - Create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

5 - Tag eleven people and link them on your post.

6 - Let them know you've tagged them!

(you copy and paste this on your blog)

Melody's 11 fun facts:

[1] Johnny teases me every day about wearing sandals. I wear them rain

or shine. The only time I wear actual shoes is exercising or for something

like hiking. I even hit theme parks in sandals. I don't like the feeling of my

toe nails touching the front of my shoes when I do wear them, so I cut my

toe nails way too short and get scolded every time I have a pedicure.

[2] I put on makeup almost every single morning and I blow dry my hair

every day unless I'm sick.

[3] When I'm sick I will take a shower as frequently as I can for as long

as I can! (which is difficult in our trailer with our rinky dink tiny water tank)

A terrible waste of water. I know! Then I get in my bathrobe and go to sleep

with my hair still in a towel (hence the no blow drying while I'm sick). I wake

up looking like Medusa and do it all over again.

[4] I love ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. Just like my dad.

[5] I am allergic to bath oils, scented deodorant, scented fabric softener, and

makeup (luckily everything now is hypoallergenic). I break out in hives.

[6] I rarely ever drink soda. I never touch any dark colored soda. Gross!

When I was in high school I was addicted to Mtn. Dew. I realized I was

addicted to it and cut it out completely.

[7] I love to read. I'm like my mom when it comes to reading. I will stay up

half the night reading and suffer the next day from lack of sleep. Even if the

book is not that great I will keep on reading

[8] I was a terrible little liar when I was in elementary and middle school. It

was a phase.

[9] I am very particular about baby names. My naming rules are: No rhyming.

No starting or ending with the same letter as another one of my kid's names.

No clever alternate words with their initials. I require meaning, family connection,

and it has to work for both a child and an adult.

[10] I hate wearing a bra! Sometimes I will unstrap it while I drive then forget to

fix it when I arrive.

[11] I twiddle my thumbs. All. The. Time.

(you put 11 funny things about yourself)

Emily's 11 Questions:

[1] What was your favorite food when you were a kid?

Ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. Same as now. Oh, and brownies too!

[2] When you've got 30 mins. with nothing to do, what do you do?

Read, check FB or post on my blog.

[3] When was the last time you were nervous?

Right now. Johnny has a big meeting about work tomorrow. If he is sent

somewhere else so soon I will have the boys by myself until the end of

the school year. Three months of taking care of my 4 ruffians all alone

living in a travel trailer. The thought terrifies me.

[4]Which song do you wish was on the radio every time

you get in your car?

Taylor Swift Love Story

[5]What's the first thing you bought with your own money?

Big thing? My car. My parents provided two cars for me in high school.

An old VW Bug and a 69 Civic Hatchback we called Lambert. One was

always broke down so I switched off. When we sold the VW I used the

money to buy a little red car. I don't even remember the kind of car it was.

My boyfriend told me it was a good car and I trusted him. Big Mistake!

It overheated on the way home. Biggest Money Pit EVER!

Then I financed a Hyundai Accent and LOVED it!

[6]Do you have a friend you think is a BFF, but they probably

don't think you're their's?

I consider Ashley Huber and Janelle Schmitz my best friends. They're so

different but both amazing. When I'm with Ash I can't help but want to be

a better person. She is awesome and inspires everyone around her to live a

better life. She is a so sweet, considerate, and nice to everyone. When I'm

with Janelle I laugh and laugh and I know she will always give me an honest

opinion even if it hurts. She goes out of her way to help others and is a true

example of a righteous woman. She has known I was prego two out of four

times before my husband. I try to be a long term friend, not the kind of friend

that hops from one person to the next changing friends like underwear. I

consider too many wonderful women to be my great friends to be offended

if someone doesn't consider me their BFF. I would want them to have

many friends too. I would rather have many great friends than only one.

[7] What's the nicest thing somebody did for you last week?

Asked Jaxon over to play with their son. Twice. Ooooo that boy may be

the death of me. He is stubborn as an ox and as sweet as honey with those

blue eyes and melt your heart dimples!

[8] Is there a story your family always tells about you,

and it bugs you?

Not really. Well I did semi hook up with my step cousin one Christmas

in middle school. We would run off to hide and kiss every chance we

got. Hormones. Embarrassing!! Especially when he came to visit a few

months ago. Thanks Diana for spilling to the fam!

[9] When someone whines about their life, how do you stay happy?

Tell them it could always be worse...they could live in a 32' travel trailer.

Then I wait to see the look on their face when they realize that I actually

live in a travel trailer with 5 boys! Then I laugh. "If all our troubles were

hung on the line, you'd take yours and I'd take mine!" (Don't know who

originally said that but I love it)

[10] What makes you the happiest, really?

Johnny. Without a doubt. I LOVE THAT MAN! He is seriously the

best husband and father anyone could ask for. He is genuine. He is

caring and patient. He works hard. He is a great example to me. He

even does the dishes and bathes the kids! He is my everything. Every

time I look at one of our boys I see Johnny in them and I love them

all the more. It also doesn't hurt that his butt looks amazing when he is

wearing his tool belt.

[11] What do you wish you did better, you just can't seem to?

Wow, this post is already too long. I'll just put my #1.

I need to be more patient with my kids!

(you answer these, then make up 11 for your people)

My questions for you:

1- What disgusting or bad habit do you have?

2- Nickname?

3- Best discipline technique with your kids?

4- If you had a whole day to spend by yourself, what would you do?

5- Favorite smell?

6- First kiss story?

7- If you could change one thing (about you, the world, your family)

what would it be?

8- Favorite book & why?

9- Embarrassing moment?

10- What is your daily routine?

11- What in life gives you the most fulfillment?

People I tag: Anyone who loos at my blog and wants to take the time to do this silly self assessment.

Progress

Down 27 pounds two weeks post op! Down at least one full pant size. Feeling great now that my head cold it on its way out. My stitches were removed, but then one incision opened and rather than having a gaping hole in my side I had it stitched closed again, bummer! Now I am back on more antibiotics just to be safe. I hate stitches! I don't think others notice my weight loss yet, but I can feel it all over. Sorry, not confident enough to start posting pictures yet!

I'm still not hungry, but the smell of really amazing food kills me. It makes my mouth water! Of course that is because my current liquid diet is boring. Protein shakes are not exciting. Johnny made asparagus the other night, which I love, and I stood over it for a minute debating trying to eat it. I started to think about how I used to eat. I would eat fast and always clean my plate. I wouldn't really enjoy food. I would eat as I was running. Running to make separate food for Jaxon and the other boys. Running to get out the door. Running errands. Always running. Never thinking about what I would eat. Its funny that I haven't been craving sweets. I have wanted chicken! Now that I can't have it I am thinking about it. Ironic.

I have been thinking a lot about my addiction to food, because really that is what it is. The problem with food being an addiction is that it is not alcohol, or drugs, or cigarettes, or something that can be cut out completely from your life. You have to eat. I think this is an issue that many women, especially Mormon women face. We control every other area so it is easy not to control food intake. We don't smoke or drink (at all). What we do do is cook! Mormon women love to cook and bake! Every (ok almost every) social event we have has food involved in some way. Not just holidays! There is rarely a meeting without refreshments. And because Mormon women love to cook and bake the eating of what we make comes along quite naturally! I realized I have not kept the Word of Wisdom in this aspect. God made us all different and loves us all the same, no matter the size, but I know that this is one of the great weaknesses of my life. I know I can do better! And I will.

One Good Day

Saturday was a good day! It was nothing too out of the ordinary, just a really good day! It was the kind of day that makes all the other frustrating days worth it!

I started out by putting on a pair of jeans I could not even have dreamed of getting into a week ago. I'm already down over one whole pant size! Yeah. Then we left the kids with a sitter to go do our taxes. I used to do them myself but they are much more complicated now. We are getting an awesome return! Thank you my sweet little tax credits named Daniel, Jaxon, Wesley, and Garrett! Booya!

Next we crashed a birthday party in Pasadena! My sister's daughter goes to day care and they were having a party for one of the little boys who goes with her. We were invited to come along and we were glad we did! There was a petting zoo, face and body painting, Pony rides, a candy table with bags to fill, a jump house, BBQ, etc. It was great free fun.

From that party we took off to mini golf with my family for my belated birthday celebration. Garrett slept in the carrier while we golfed. We had to keep reminding Johnny not to bend over while golfing. Luckily Garrett was strapped in!

Can you tell that my boys had a good time?

Jaxon accidentally clubed my mom on the forehead on the 5th hole. He has a wicked backswing! Luckily he had the only club with a rubber end. He still hit her hard enough to leave the outline of the club. She was a little dizzy for a few minutes but as soon as we suggested she skip the hole and take the par she was magically well enough to play the hole for herself. Did I mention there was a prize for the winner?

When I was little my Boompa (with his thick mustache) would pay us a nickle to nibble our ears. As we got older we would charge him more. Now my dad does it to my boys and they die laughing! After mini golf my dad was tickling the boys, but when it was June's turn she was not too excited!

It was a quiet ride home which I thought was due to the boys sleeping in the back of the car. Wesley and Garrett slept but the other two were eating bags of candy from the candy bar at the first party we attended. They had tummy aches and went to bed early without a fight. Glory be!

Johnny and I watched a movie and went to bed with big smiles on our faces. It was a great day and I'm sure there are many more to come!

Surgery - I survived!

We're home now. I'm sore, but not in pain. The surgery was short but recovery is hard. Luckily I have not thrown-up since the first night. Johnny gave me a blessing and I have not dry heaved since. The other people I met who had the same surgery were still dry heaving three days later! I truly believe in the power of prayer and I know mine were answered!

Here is Johnny waiting as I walked into surgery. He is trying to defend himself eating an entire package of Chips Ahoy cookies while I was having weight loss surgery! Of course this was after the bag of Doritos. If you know Johnny he is saying "it was FREE" from the staff room!

I started feeling a lot better once they removed the drain from my tummy. The x-ray of my tiny stomach is crazy! I can only drink about 1/4 cup at a time and that takes me about 20-30 minutes! I am already down 10 pounds! Really I have no desire for anything. I am just trying to stay hydrated. I am home resting and walking to help my recovery. Johnny is off work to care for me and the boys. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my man!

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts on my behalf. I appreciate the love and support.

Rice Cheese

The rice cheese Jaxon is eating comes from a company called Galaxy Foods. We buy it at Sprouts.

http://www.galaxyfoods.com/

It comes shredded, sliced, blocks, etc. He loves it! We love it! They even have a cream cheese he can eat and coupons online for any EE people interested.

Yea for rice!

I used to love Jell-o!

Jell-o and I were friends once. I love the way it smells when you first put the hot water in the mix. Too bad it is not as exciting when it is all you get to eat. Jell-o, water, broth, Crystal Lite, protein powder mix...blah! I love food, which is obviously why I need to lose weight! But, this liquid diet is not exciting at all! When sugar free Popsicles are the highlight of your day you know your diet is BORING!

Five days of liquid diet before surgery and two weeks after. I was told after surgery I won't be interested in eating anyway so it won't matter as much. Its kind of ironic that I spend so much time worrying about what Jaxon eats that I never paid enough attention to what I was eating. My 23 page post-op guide has made sure that I will now pay attention to what I eat.

The side effect? I am constantly in the bathroom. I even had to stop the dentist today at my appointment so I could run to the bathroom! How embarrassing!

I'm still not nervous. I get more and more excited every day! Yeah for Friday! Is it sad that one of the things I am looking forward to is quiet time? Only a mother could understand how I miss silence! During the first few recovery days I'm going to read all day without feeling guilty and watch movies that are not G rated! Johnny and I will actually have some significant time alone together and will talk without a constant "mommy, mommy, mommy" chant in the background. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kids for a few days. You have no idea how much it means to us.

Surgery

People are hearing rumors. I guess it is time to confirm. Yes, I am having a weight loss surgery on Feb 10th. It is not a Gastric Bypass or the ever so popular Lap Band. I am having a Gastric Sleeve procedure done laparoscopically. The Gastric Sleeve is much less invasive than the bypass and has less complications. The weight loss over time is practically the same. This is something that I almost did 9 years ago before we started trying to have children. I waited because I wanted to get pregnant right away. When we had fertility issues and couldn't get pregnant for so long I kicked myself for not going through with it. I blamed myself and my life long battle with weight and was told I would never be able to get pregnant on my own. But, miracles do happen and along came Daniel...followed rapidly by Jaxon, Wesley, and Garrett. Surprise.

So why am I having surgery?

I passed the 200 lb. mark in 5th grade. After Jaxon was born I lost over 70 pounds making it back down to 220. Two more babies later and I am back where I started. I do not feel weight loss surgery is the easy way out or an instant fix. I know I have to change my life style and this is just one of the tools I am choosing to use. Yes, it is drastic but people who know me should not be surprised that I would do something drastic. I turn 30 on Feb 7th. We can just label this my "mid-life crisis."

People who have never carried an excessive amount of extra weight around do not know how many aspects of your life are affected by being obese. Nothing I wear fits correctly. My knees hurt. I can't comfortably cross my legs when I wear dresses anymore. I want a pair of knee high black leather boots but my calves are too big for them to fit correctly. I turn sideways to walk through the bathroom door in our trailer (granted it is a half size door, but still). I am embarrassed to meet guys Johnny works with...guys talk. I don't want my children to ever be made fun of because of the way their mom looks dropping them off at elementary school. I don't want to have to use a seat belt extender when we fly to Florida in May for our family reunion. I want to shop at normal stores. I want to be alive to see my children and grandchildren get married. I want to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ after Johnny retires and I need to be healthy enough to go. I have 4 very active boys..how can I keep up with them if I am not healthy? Heck, I even want to be able to ride the roller coasters at Magic Mountain without worrying if the safety harness will fit! When you are obese so many little things matter when they shouldn't. I am tired of living this way.

Is my insurance going to cover it?

No. We are paying cash. I do not have diabetes, sleep apnea, or any other contributing conditions that my insurance requires to pay for the procedure. I don't want to continue down this path until I do have them so I am taking this step now. Yes, we have a secondary insurance policy in place to cover complications. In the long run it will cost me less to pay cash now than to pay medical bills for health problems later.

Johnny is 100% supportive, as always! He made sure to tell me that I don't have to do this and that he loves me the way I am. Gosh I love that man! I was not really telling anyone, but he told me I should. Johnny is a spiritual giant. He told me that I shouldn't go into surgery without people I love and that love me praying for my safety. I have never had surgery before. My only anesthesia has been for wisdom teeth. I am a little scared but mostly excited. Your prayers on my behalf are very much appreciated.

Wish me luck and watch me melt! I want to lose 150 pounds (or more). That is an entire normal sized person! I know I can do it!