Thursday, November 21, 2013
Tribute to My Wife...
Exactly one year ago today, Michelle went through her 2nd spinal fusion. She might kill me for putting this video on here, but in honor of her 1 year mark, I think she deserves the nostalgic laugh. I don't know who reads this blog, but whoever does, enjoy Michelle on pain meds' tribute to Justin Beiber/Bieber/Beaver.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Festival of Trees and a Hospital that Gives...
This month marks the upcoming year of when I had my second spinal fusion. I received my first spinal fusion when I was 13, about twelve years ago. Having a straight, fused spine, has been difficult! But, I'm proud to say I have gotten through this trial. When we first found out I had scoliosis, I was just this young girl who had no idea what kind of ride I would be in for. I didn't know the extent of how serious a crooked spine could be.
I remember my parents researching and finding a specialist. I remember going to appointments after appointments. At first, the scoliosis was just something minor that we would keep on eye on. But, after each appointment, my spine starting curving even more until I had a S-shaped spine. Literally, it was in the shape of a S. I had 2 curves. The doctor then "prescribed" me to wear a back brace, which at first was exciting.
All of this was happening when I was in the 6th grade. I remember I made all the boys believe that I had abs of steel. I think that is the only claim to fame I had back in my elementary/middle school days. Other than that, the back brace probably ruined my chances for popularity. But, none of that matters in the grand scheme of this story.
I had my surgery at Primary Children's Hospital and said some hilarious things while I was drugged up. I was in the hospital for a week. I also missed school for a month. I don't remember a lot about the nurses and the doctors because I was young and didn't understand much. Though, this last surgery I had was a real eye opener.
I came home from an LDS Mission a few months early because my back was bothering me. I learned that my lower curve, which wasn't fused, was worse. It looked like a question mark. Not only was it curved more, it had twisted. I was scheduled to get surgery at Primary Children's Hospital. I was 24 years old. My stay at PCH was great.
Because I was older, I was more observant at everything going on. I could not have had better nurses or doctors. This is why I'm participating in Festival of Trees. I want to give back to the hospital that gave to me. My tree is called the Neon Twist and I need some help putting it together. Pictured below is what I want my tree to look like. I already have a tree donated. But if you would like to donate ornaments, bedazzling things to help make my tree look spectacular, or some spare change, please contact me! My email is meeshmonson@gmail.com.
Help me give back to a hospital that gives.
I remember my parents researching and finding a specialist. I remember going to appointments after appointments. At first, the scoliosis was just something minor that we would keep on eye on. But, after each appointment, my spine starting curving even more until I had a S-shaped spine. Literally, it was in the shape of a S. I had 2 curves. The doctor then "prescribed" me to wear a back brace, which at first was exciting.
All of this was happening when I was in the 6th grade. I remember I made all the boys believe that I had abs of steel. I think that is the only claim to fame I had back in my elementary/middle school days. Other than that, the back brace probably ruined my chances for popularity. But, none of that matters in the grand scheme of this story.
I had my surgery at Primary Children's Hospital and said some hilarious things while I was drugged up. I was in the hospital for a week. I also missed school for a month. I don't remember a lot about the nurses and the doctors because I was young and didn't understand much. Though, this last surgery I had was a real eye opener.
I came home from an LDS Mission a few months early because my back was bothering me. I learned that my lower curve, which wasn't fused, was worse. It looked like a question mark. Not only was it curved more, it had twisted. I was scheduled to get surgery at Primary Children's Hospital. I was 24 years old. My stay at PCH was great.
Because I was older, I was more observant at everything going on. I could not have had better nurses or doctors. This is why I'm participating in Festival of Trees. I want to give back to the hospital that gave to me. My tree is called the Neon Twist and I need some help putting it together. Pictured below is what I want my tree to look like. I already have a tree donated. But if you would like to donate ornaments, bedazzling things to help make my tree look spectacular, or some spare change, please contact me! My email is meeshmonson@gmail.com.
Help me give back to a hospital that gives.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
SpOoKtAcUlAr MaRrIaGe...
We have had a busy month. We are proud to say we have about a month and a half of food storage. Every time we went to the store, we would buy the cans of food that were on sell. So far, we have a variety of beans, corn, soups, diced tomatoes, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and a case of water. We don't have a lot of room, so the little bit of food storage we have will suffice for now. It's been great to have a little stash because we are able to relieve our worry of having enough food in case we have a natural disaster or some sort of dilemma happen.
We have been very busy with school and it's very difficult to find time for everything while we are busy studying. We have had the most amazing dates and cherish the time where we don't study. We love spending quality time together! We were able to go to a Strike concert. They are a local band that had the opportunity to open up for the Stadium of Fire awhile back. They sound great live and we really enjoy their music. Check them out here. We had our ward Halloween party and we fulfilled the husbands dream by dressing up as 80's rockers. We carved pumpkins for Family Home Evening. We also took a few family pictures with the Nielsen side.
We hope you all have a sPoOkTaCuLaR hAlLoWeEn!!!!
We have been very busy with school and it's very difficult to find time for everything while we are busy studying. We have had the most amazing dates and cherish the time where we don't study. We love spending quality time together! We were able to go to a Strike concert. They are a local band that had the opportunity to open up for the Stadium of Fire awhile back. They sound great live and we really enjoy their music. Check them out here. We had our ward Halloween party and we fulfilled the husbands dream by dressing up as 80's rockers. We carved pumpkins for Family Home Evening. We also took a few family pictures with the Nielsen side.
We hope you all have a sPoOkTaCuLaR hAlLoWeEn!!!!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Date Day...
We did the best thing this last Saturday. We ventured out on a date day. We went on multiple dates throughout the day and it was lovely! Our day consisted of getting haircuts (the wife chopped off 6 inches), going up the canyon to take pictures, decorating for Halloween together, making sugar cookies, eating a dinner at the most delicious El Salvadorian restaurant in Provo, and then ending our night by watching a scary movie. With the holiday season upon us, it's so easy to come up with fun date ideas! Currently, there are some amazing online deals for corn mazes, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and more! Go out and have a date day! We promise you won't regret it!
Thank you to our friend Jenny who took these amazing pictures of us!
Thank you to our friend Jenny who took these amazing pictures of us!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Getting Physical...
We have a hard time going to the gym since we have been married. Maybe it's because we feel like we are getting our work out in another aspect of life, which we won't go into. Lets face the facts, every married couple does really well right before they are married. We loose all this weight to fit in our wedding dresses and tuxedos. But then after the magical honeymoon, we get back to reality, we start school, we go back to work, we realize we need to focus even more on our marriage, and that's where the pounds start creeping on.
We are both 4 pounds heavier than we were when we got married. Oh, this isn't a lot you say? Well, we have only been married for about 3 months. Think of in another 3 months, we could be another 4 pounds heavier than that...and the cycle keeps going on. The adjustment to marriage is a little tricky, time-management gets a little bit harder and keeping things spicy in the relationship takes work! (We're sure that the longer couples are married, the more work it takes.)
The point is, we feel like the air bubble on a piece of pizza that has just got out of the oven, and we wish loosing the pounds would be just as easy as getting poked with a fork to release all the air. But, sadly, it's not. It takes work...hence the term "work out..." which means more time-management...which means less time to cuddle on the couch with the significant other after a long day of work or school, less time to get our homework finished, less time to cook healthy dinners, less time to do our hair, less time to do the dishes, less time to cherish sleep, less time to go to the store...the list goes on and on and on and on and on.
In the typical newlywed minds, we find that adding something into the marriage, means less time for other things that are important in the marriage. With the gym, it's that one more thing we could really use but we don't want to sacrifice other aspects of our marriage. This is why we gain those few pounds. This last week we slacked, we were sick, but we have found the cure for this thinking. MAKE WORKING OUT A DATE! Gym time can only add to your relationship! Think positively! When we go to the gym, we will be on treadmills at the same time, we will do the weights at the same time, we will look at each others sweaty faces and think, "My spouse is so dang sexy!"
Change your thinking! Make gym dates a regular activity! Working out will lessen the stress of the new adjustment, it will make the two of you look even more desirable to one another, and it is healthy! Adding things into a marriage take work, but when looking at them in the right perspective, they only make your marriage better. We have suffered from this thinking, but we promise we will drop those 4 pounds, and we hope to drop even more!
We are both 4 pounds heavier than we were when we got married. Oh, this isn't a lot you say? Well, we have only been married for about 3 months. Think of in another 3 months, we could be another 4 pounds heavier than that...and the cycle keeps going on. The adjustment to marriage is a little tricky, time-management gets a little bit harder and keeping things spicy in the relationship takes work! (We're sure that the longer couples are married, the more work it takes.)
The point is, we feel like the air bubble on a piece of pizza that has just got out of the oven, and we wish loosing the pounds would be just as easy as getting poked with a fork to release all the air. But, sadly, it's not. It takes work...hence the term "work out..." which means more time-management...which means less time to cuddle on the couch with the significant other after a long day of work or school, less time to get our homework finished, less time to cook healthy dinners, less time to do our hair, less time to do the dishes, less time to cherish sleep, less time to go to the store...the list goes on and on and on and on and on.
In the typical newlywed minds, we find that adding something into the marriage, means less time for other things that are important in the marriage. With the gym, it's that one more thing we could really use but we don't want to sacrifice other aspects of our marriage. This is why we gain those few pounds. This last week we slacked, we were sick, but we have found the cure for this thinking. MAKE WORKING OUT A DATE! Gym time can only add to your relationship! Think positively! When we go to the gym, we will be on treadmills at the same time, we will do the weights at the same time, we will look at each others sweaty faces and think, "My spouse is so dang sexy!"
Change your thinking! Make gym dates a regular activity! Working out will lessen the stress of the new adjustment, it will make the two of you look even more desirable to one another, and it is healthy! Adding things into a marriage take work, but when looking at them in the right perspective, they only make your marriage better. We have suffered from this thinking, but we promise we will drop those 4 pounds, and we hope to drop even more!
Monday, October 7, 2013
FHE Adventures...
We went on a drive up the canyon. We loved looking at all the trees changing color! It's hard to go to school, be married, and work...but, we have found that it helps to take a little time every Monday night and just focus on the two of us. It helps us to remember what is really important and that is each other.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Food Storage...
We need advice on food storage...so feel free to leave comments below. In other words, we would appreciate any advice on this matter.
What is the best way for newlyweds to start out getting food storage? Do we need a year supply or should we just focus on a 3 month supply? What kind of things do we get first? How often should we get food storage? Where are the best places to get food for storage?
What is the best way for newlyweds to start out getting food storage? Do we need a year supply or should we just focus on a 3 month supply? What kind of things do we get first? How often should we get food storage? Where are the best places to get food for storage?