Koda and the Bean Bag

Koda decided to get comfy in the bean bag. He thinks he's a person. I'll post a video sometime of him "talking."

Hospital Run

Friday night we went to the hospital, but strangely, it wasn't for Vince... it was for me.

My heart has been doing some weird things lately. I noticed it was beating more irregularly and every so often it would "jump." It felt like it was trying to jump out of my chest and that did not feel good. My breathing also got weird.

The first night I noticed it I just tried to ignore it and went to sleep. I woke up and felt fine and everything seemed normal. But last night it started doing it again. I don't like going to the doctor so I was hoping I could just ignore it again. But then I started thinking, "The heart is kind of an important organ."

So I called an advice nurse at Kaiser. After talking to the doctor, the nurse asked me to come in. So around 9pm Vince drove me to Kaiser in Walnut Creek. I was seen right away since I was having chest pains (even though they were really minor pains). They did an EKG and everything turned out normal. So then I waited (in a gown) in a waiting room for about 3 hours. They wanted to take some blood work, but they were super busy. I tried to opt out on the blood work and just get it done this week with my doctor, but they insisted and soon after they took my blood. That test came back all fine and dandy also.

Then they told me they wanted to take an xray. I said no. They thought I might have pneumonia. Problem with that is #1- I have no symptoms of pneumonia, and #2, it's my HEART that hurts, not my lungs. When I finally saw the doctor, he agreed with me that I didn't need an xray (duh!). Kaiser can be so shady sometimes.

So they finished the night by saying it could be a thyroid thing. They're sending those tests to my regular doctor so I can meet up with him and talk about it. My mom informed me after this adventure that thyroid issues do run in my family on my dad's side. Not entirely sure what that means, but it probably would have been good to know before I went to see a doctor.

I really don't want anything serious to be wrong, but if all the tests come back that everything is fine, then why did my heart keep wigging out?

That was my "exciting" night/morning (finally got home and in bed at 3am).

Daniel, Vincent, and Gavin

Each week I get to watch Daniel, Vincent, and Gavin. They are adorable boys and are super good kids. With permission from their mom I am posting some pictures of them on both my blogs.

Daniel is a good big brother. In this picture he was trying to see my eye through the lens of the camera.

Vincent has a ton of personality and loves to talk. He made this funny face while eating his cereal in the morning.

Gavin is adorable. He may be a little guy, but he is a big sweetheart.

Yesterday we went to the park. It's always a nice walk for me while Daniel rides his motorcycle and Vincent rides his bike. Last week, Vincent lost momentum when trying to go up a hill. He stopped, then stated, "I ran out of gas." Too funny!

While we were at the park, the boys had a lot of fun on the swings. I love the sound of kids' laughter. Then, Vincent showed me how the lion at the zoo roars. So cute!

Grrrrr....

ROOOAAARRR!!!!!

After the park we had some lunch, put together some puzzles, did some art, and played with Playdoh. Nap time was soon after that. Oh to be a kid again.

Awesome day.

Do You Have What It Takes?

I was searching for some answers and more thoughts on perseverance. I ended up coming across a pretty cool site: http://www.ucgstp.org/vcm/vol08/iss02/perseverance.htm

I would highly recommend taking a few minutes to read the whole article on the website. I was going to try to just put some parts of it in here, but it really should be read all together. Here is one excerpt that is worth reading that goes along with my last post, but take the time to read the whole article; it's really good. It brings encouragement and perspective to so much in life.

Do you have what it takes?

While mustering human perseverance can pay off, most people are still not as successful as they could be, because they fail to utilize one additional critical key in becoming a successful overcomer -- God's help and backing. On our own, even with extraordinary effort like that exhibited by the British people, we do not have everything it takes to learn from and master the challenges of life (John 15:4-5).

People trying to exist without the living Jesus Christ in their lives are missing the most practical and valuable asset available. God's help and backing can produce major physical, mental, financial and spiritual dividends.

People trying to exist without the living Jesus Christ in their lives are missing the most practical and valuable asset available.

I am not referring to blind faith without any personal effort. We need to actively work to overcome obstacles and trials with persistent effort. God expects us to do our part. He wants each of us to use and develop the mind and ability He has given us, and that requires firsthand experience. We need to work like the solution depends on us while relying on God to direct our paths (Psalm 32:8). This provides the added security and powerful backing only our Creator can provide. Active living faith produces effort and work (James 2:18-20). Someone once asked, "If you could hear God whispering to you, 'I am with you,' would you give up and quit?"

Yet there will be times when there is nothing we can do to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle. Often when circumstances are beyond our control, it is more difficult to persevere. But when we humbly wait on God and submit our will to His, we grow in faith and character. God may choose to simply work out circumstances to solve the problem, or He may allow the problem to persist to perfect our faith and increase our reliance on Him (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Regardless, we must persevere to the end.

Encouragment

Perseverance: Our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy (James 1:2). Know that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5).

You know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking (James 1:3-5). So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16). Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).

"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray." Psalm 17:6

"I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

Haiku for Monica

Monica is swell

She thinks my blog is boring

Sunsets are pretty

Where Did My Voice Go?

The last couple of days my voice has decided to take a vacation. I'd really like it to come back now. I could sign but my sister is the only one that I hang out with who could understand me. My voice isn't all that lovely (especially when I sing), but if you happen to find it, will you please tell it I miss it? Thanks.

Matt, Tara and Brady

Saturday morning I got to take pictures of my favorite family to photograph!

My friends Matt, Tara and their 1 year old son, Brady are so photogenic.

We took pictures by the brick wall at my house and at a park in Downtown Pleasanton. Afterwards we went to breakfast at Vic's All Star Cafe. It was an awesome morning!