When Pigs Fly...and they did!!!

I really don't even know if anyone reads this blog anymore...I don't get many comments except from my two most dedicated readers, my sis-in-law Laura and my friend from college Dawn. Thanks girls!

Well this weekend was such any awesome time that it is blogworthy for sure! Jake and I and some friends drove to Cincinnati and ran in the Flying Pig Marathon!!! Jake was the only brave soul to take on the full marathon and he was amazing finishing in just over 5 hrs. The rest of us stuck with the still daunting 1/2 marathon. I ran a personal best by far, finishing in 2 hrs and 14 min. It was my third go at half marathons and quite possibly my last. Jake took on the full 26.2 in my honor for having such a great year and I ran the half bc I just love to run...no...wait...it was just bc I could.

It was an awesome weekend but hopping in the car for a 5 hr drive directly after a looong run isn't something I'd recommend. Here are some pics!

rented a minivan for the trip!

erin, liz and i with the pig

race morning!

still dark at the race start

ready to go

we did it!

Jake crossing the finish line

refueling afterwards!

ONE YEAR TODAY!!!

That's right! Exactly one year ago my life changed just a smidge. But you sure wouldn't know it now. I act the same, I talk the same and I like to think I look the same!
Just wanted to again say thank you for all the things done for me over the past year bringing me back to where I am. Here are a few of them, but certainly not all of them!
-Nikki and Laura for starting this blog
-My parents, family and friends for visiting me in the hospital
-Everyone for sending treats, flowers, cards and posting notes on here
-My mom for moving in and taking care of me and Jake
-My girlfriends for visiting me and bringing cake
-My dad and brother for making the trip several times
-Larry and Joyce for making the even longer trip
-Everyone who put in a good word to the Lord above for me
-Nathan and Liz for bringing me food NOT from the hospital
-And finally, Jake for putting up with all my crap. The guy didn't know what he signed up for but with the grace of God he's been a rock.
Is the music starting to play yet? I feel like I'm thanking people when you win an Oscar...and to the producer of this wonderful film... :)
Oh, and a couple things I'd like to say I'm sorry for...my breath in the ICU, to mom and Jake for having to help with the voids and BMs, to my dad for telling him when I was out of it that he couldn't go home when he had to, to my mom again for repeatedly complaining about my hair-do, and to anyone I complained to about physical therapy being too hard!
Cheers to many more healthy years ahead.

It's All Good

Had a follow up appointment with my neurologist and he reaffirmed that things look great up there! The vessel has reopened remarkably and there is no eclusion...basically the clot has dissolved/condensed wonderfully and blood is flowing without blockage! I'm weaning off the blood thinners and will be free of them in a matter of weeks! Bring on the full contact sports and sky diving :)
The seizue meds are something I'll be on as long as I choose to be. Since I won't be able to drive at all for 5-6 months while I wean off those and for a few months after, I'm going to have to find the most convenient time frame....as if there is one. Probably looking at next Jan. or so.
This Friday will be the 1 year anniversary for my stroke and I can't believe it's been that long! What a crazy and blessed year! How lucky I am!
Other than that, we've been traveling fools with my trips to Boise then Miami, we went to St. Louis for the weekend to see some friends, Jake heads to DC for the rest of the week for work....and many more fun and work trips planned for the summer! We don't seem to know how to sit still.

The MRI Spaceship

I could do without another MRI or MR-Veinogram for let's say the next...FOREVER. Apparently I was a little more out of it then I thought I was for the others I had. I do NOT remember having my head put in a cage, another contraption/torture device placed on my chest and locked into the head cage and then being shoved into the MRI spaceship where you have to wear headphones or earplugs bc of the deafening sounds! I'm not claustraphobic, but it just seems like when you aren't supposed to move you just want to move that much more! But I survived with my trusty hubby by my side (what a trooper, he even parted with his blackberry to be with me).
They don't tell you much about what they see so we'll have to wait for the doc apt. next Tues. for results. They did have to take extra pics but weren't really clear on the reason why...view wasn't clear for a good shot of the "problem area." Excuse me, but I thought the "problem area" was supposed to be minimized or in check at this point?!?! Note to medical staff: if you can't say anything of substance or answer questions, please don't say anything.
So until next week I'll be questioning the "problem area" and watching a new bruise develop from the IV. Awesome.

My Sis and a Trip to Boise

Well it's always something! Since I'm about to reach my one year mark, I guess my sister decided to keep things interesting and hog all the attention with some minor pregnancy issues. She and baby boy are doing well now, but mom flew out to help with 18 month old Jacksen when she went to the hospital about 3 weeks ago. She's had some bleeding and contractions that put her on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy and got her a week in the hospital. So after being home for a week or so, more of the same issues and back in the hospital the day after I flew in for a visit. Needless to say, I only spent one night at their house and the rest of the time I've been here in the hospital with her. Good sister bonding time! She's at 34 weeks today and things are going really well, everything seems under control and per the ultrasound this morning the baby is 4lbs 13oz so he's in good shape! Mom is still here and I have a feeling will be until after the baby comes! Poor lady hasn't spent much time at her own house in the last year bw me and Nikki's hospital stays! And dad is left as a bachelor at home to fend for himself. God bless 'em both!
I'm headed back to Peoria today to see how the dog and cat are getting along under Jake's supervision. Not ready to leave Nik but that's the way it goes. Here are a few pics from my visit.

Nik's 29th bday is the hospital

Jacksen and best bud Gunther

me and Jack playing in the yard

All good news!

Although we've been covered in snow and ice all winter, we've managed to fit in some adventures. Recently, we went hiking at Starved Rock to check out the frozen waterfalls that people climb. It was awesome! See the pictures below...

Also, some FANTASTIC news I found out on Friday is...drum roll please...I got a fulltime job at the United Way!!!!! I've been working there since September as an Ambassador and they extended my contract through Feb. on a part time basis...now they've offered me a permanent spot as a Campaign Associate! It starts March 2nd. YAY!!!

Lastly, a little medical update. Since my one year anniversay of the stroke is just around the corner, I've scheduled my MRI and MR Venogram (where they run dye through your veins) for the beginning of March. Pending good results, I'll be weaned off the blood thinner...finally. Then there's the issue of the seizure meds. It's my choice if/when to wean off those, but I will...and when I do that means NO driving for 5-6 months. Wonderful. We'll cross that bridge when it comes...

The new year is off to a great start for us and we hope it is for you too!

Happy Birthday Jake!

Today is Jake's birthday and I just have to show everyone what a true character I've married! Below is Jake in his "birthday suit" he wore to work today. God love him! We celebrated by going to a great dive bar known for serving up his favorite meal...cheese burgers! We were not disappointed.

Gotta run but just wanted to share!

Happy Holidays!

2008 proved to be a challenging and blessed year for us...but the goal is boring for 2009! I'm in the process of trying to figure out how/if I can change the blog to be just a family blog, will keep you posted on that issue.
Since the anniversary trip to WI, we've had some good times with friends and our families. We continued the tradition of NPT's PCP (that would be Nathan P. Thomas' Pumpkin Carving Party) with airbrushed shirts and everything. We also got to spend unexpected extra time with Jake's family over Thanksgiving with the passing of Grandpa Pete. We will miss him dearly and were thankful to be able to be there and spend time with everyone. Cooper was a hit with Grandma Ruth and the nieces and nephews...especially Miss Mylie, who after an uneasy start was his best bud. Christmas was spent with my side of the fam. The boys had a blast tearing up the presents and we all even got a special visit out at Gma and pa Younger's from the jolly man himself! The only thing missing was my sis and her fam who couldn't make it. Our first holiday season in the new house was great with only 20-30 tries for a good pic for the Christmas card!
We wish you all a wonderful New Year and will keep you updated on our latest happenings.



















Gma Ruth


















Mylie and Coop















Ma in her new kitchen!














Dontcha love him!

He's gettin' so big!

Man we could be related!

Merry Christmas!

1 Year Down!

So we made it through the first fun filled year of marriage....who lost money on that bet? :) We took a much needed trip away from everything to beautiful Door County, WI. The fall colors hadn't quite all changed yet and the weather was nice and crisp! Here are several pics of the trip!

had to stop and see Lambeau Field!

this is the world's largest Culver's.

the infamous bruise

So I mentioned before that I'd bruised the back of my leg on the metal slide playing the role of cool Aunt "Laan" with my nephew Bryce...when I said bruised, I meant BRUISED! A couple people have asked me about it so thought I'd post a couple shots of it in all it's Cumadin infused glory. The first on was taken the day after and the second one was about 10 days after. Pretty cool battle wound as I think I achieved my goal of continuing to be cool Aunt "Laan." I love that little boy...who's growing up waaaay too fast and is going to soon be way too cool to hang with me.

and no, it's not my butt... it's the back of my leg

seroiously the size of a softball!

Tony, Bryce and Laan at the Aquaplex

29:17 baby!!!

This morning was my first race since the stroke and it was awesome! Liz has been training way more diligently then I have so I was pretty nervous. It went great tho! Posted my best time (29:17) and actually won my age category gettting a little plaque for being so awesome...Liz of course won her category too so we are both very proud of our accomplishment. Don't ask how many people were in the race :)

It's Homecoming weekend at Bradley so Jake is busy busy busy! Went to the vball game last night and are tailgating tonight at the soccer game...should be fun!

Before the race wondering what I'd been dragged into!

Wishing we were done!

We're done! Can't breathe!

First place for both of us!

Back in the real world...

I've been working at United Way for 3 weeks now and loving it! The people are great and the job doesn't hardly feel like work since I get to be out and about meeting new people and getting area companies involved in the campaign this year.

Cooper is gaining weight by the minute and requires constant attention (see carpet pic below). He's training well and has been going on runs with me. I'm running the 5K race this Sat. for Bradley homecoming weekend.

My blood level was a little off this last week (3.5 and needs to be bw 2-3) so the doc has lowered my blood thinner dosage and it's back to weekly checks so we can keep it regulated. boo. I still bruise like a peach. Tony and Laura and the boys came for a visit this weekend and I got a baseball sized bruise on the slide when Bryce and I played tag at the playground. Note to self--I am too old for slides. Jake and I were so glad to see them and were sad that the time flew by so fast!

We're headed out of town for two weddings in Oct. and hope to get something planned for our 1 year anniversary Oct. 27. 1 year!!!!! and you all thought we wouldn't make it ;)

Meet Cooper!

I went to pick up Cooper from the animal shelter today! He's pretty laid back today having just been neutered last night...which has made it easier to introduce him to Macey. They have touched noses just long enough to realize they aren't friends. I'm sure he'll tear up or pee on something of value before the weekend is over being 3 months old, but we're happy to have him! Isn't he cute!

Look at that face!

I made that bed for him!

Macey is not so sure about her new bro.