Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Spring wouldn't be complete without a few trips to the TOSH for surgery, right? Right! Ugh.

For the last three years I've been experiencing major pain in my wrists, elbows and shoulders. The pain is especially bad at night and while I sleep. Numbness often accompanies it at night and restless sleep, as I try to find a good position to sleep in. Last January I went to have a nerve test done at the U of U Orthopedic center. Sure enough I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome on both wrists. The doctor I was seeing at the time was too quick to do surgery and didn't want to try anything preventative. I dropped this doctor and got some of those wrist braces and tried to help alleviate the pain. Well, the braces didn't help me as they made my hands fall asleep. I tried to sleep with them on with the same results.

At my job I am constantly on the computer so I changed the way my desk was set up. It seemed to help for a little bit. The pain, however, just kept coming and the aching in my arms was just enough. I'd had it. Through a professor friend of mine I found my current doctor at the TOSH center in Murray and scheduled an appointment in February to see him. He was wonderful and we scheduled both wrists for surgery in March.

I am happy to report that the right wrist, which I had surgery on March 12th, is doing very well. I am surprised at how fast it has healed but it is still really sore. I suspect it will take a few more weeks for a complete healing. Surgery #2 for the left wrist is scheduled for the 28th of March. I am nervous but glad to get it over. Can I tell you how amazing it is to now fall asleep and wake up when my alarm goes off instead of tossing and turning all night long? The surgery worked and I am so grateful!!!

Here are some photos from the event. Hopefully they are not too TMI for you. Just thought I would warn you before you looked.

R.K. Grow- Author in the Making

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a published author. I started writing stories down when I was in third grade. I still have some of those early ones at my dad's house in boxes. I've also been an avid reader since I was little too. My dad always used to get after me because I would even read in the dark and he'd have to turn the lights on for me. I'd read anywhere I was comfortable. My love of books and writing hasn't changed over the years.

One of my goals for this year was to take time out for myself. I made several goals to help me with my writing. Here are some of those goals: 

• Read three books a month. I have already passed this one off for January. I am on my fourth book already and the month is half over. It feels so nice to read again. Having kids can get in the way of taking time to read. 
• Attend two writing conferences this year. I have already signed up to go to my first mini-conference the end of this month here in Orem, UT. I am very excited to go. I've also already registered for one in May. 
• Finish Letters to Ellie. I am getting close.

I don't ever remember being able to make my New Year's goals this fast. In the past I never quite got around to making all of them. I feel like there is a change in the air and it's my turn now. At least I hope it's my turn. I know it's a long road but I am determined to see it through.

I am working on finishing my book called Letters to Ellie. Once I am done I need to have it critiqued with some beta readers and then sent off for a final edit once I make changes. Then after that I will start to query agents and publishers. I'd really like to get a publisher for this one and not self-publish but I guess I will see what happens. If you want to be one of those beta readers let me know. Here is a link to a blog post about Letters to Ellie.

Come and follow my journey as I try to become an author by following my writing blog http://rkgtheauthor.wordpress.com. I'll share interviews with authors I like, review books I enjoy and movies I love to watch. I'll share my thoughts and ideas as I write and go through this process. Right now there are about 6 posts on my adventures to Middle-earth. I appreciate your support! And if you have any ideas of posts you'd like to see on my writing blog just send me some suggestions at rebekahgrow(at)gmail(dot)com.

2013 Resolutions

I've been looking back at 2012 and finding places where I can definitely improve for 2013. I know we may have all written lists in the past and then a few months into the new year we totally forget about them and then never accomplish them. I want to break that this year.

I've decided to just pick 3 things that I want to work on this year. I don't need to overburden myself with too much to remember and I wanted to make them meaningful. I wanted to pick things that would change my life in some way.

I want to strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father. This can be done in a number of ways. By serving in my calling as 1st Counselor in Young Women's, scripture study, family and personal prayer, obeying the commandments, attending the temple, sharing my testimony, etc.

I want to be healthy in body and mind. For my body I want to eat even healthier than we do now. I'd like to only eat out once-a-month, cut out the bad sugars, get the kids more involved in the cooking, etc. I also want to exercise an hour every day to help my body feel good and to give me more energy in the day. And of course hiking and biking are all included in the exercise portion. For the health of my mind I plan on staying away from crappy T.V. programs that have no substance, crappy books and movies that have too much violence and sex. Anything that will make my mind unhealthy.

And last but not least I want to take time out for myself. Being a mom and a working mom, I feel like I never take time for me. In order to change this I am working on my dream of becoming a published author. I'll be going to lectures and conferences to help me work on my craft and become the best me I can be. I am going to read 3 books a month to feed my ideas. I am going to play the piano for fun a few nights a week. Anything I can do to help take time for me to be sane. That includes dates with my husband and time for two of us too. And I really want to make our yard look beautiful this summer. I love gardening. It's therapeutic.

So, what will you be focused on in 2013?

Merry Christmas!

I know it's been a while since I posted. Things have been very crazy around our house. Jaymee had her school holiday party on Friday and it was fun to see her class sing songs. They even learned Jingle Bells in sign language. Once we get the videos online I will go ahead and post them.

Right after Thanksgiving I was "lucky" enough to get bronchitis. I am over it now except for a lingering cough. It almost makes it seem as if I am not better at all. And now the girls both have ear infections just in time for Christmas. I am just grateful for medicine.

In the way of callings...I was released as a RS teacher and was called to be the 1st Counselor in YW. At the time I was feeling so overwhelmed and wondered how I could/can get it all done. But I know that with HF's help I can get through anything. I am excited to learn from our girls and to also work on my YW in Excellence. I was inactive during Young Women's so I never worked on it. I am excited to cross that off of my list.

Jason has been busy with his business and work has kept me busier than ever. I am so grateful for this holiday break. I don't have to go back until the 2nd and I am excited to spend this time with Jason and the girls.

Here are some photos of the girls from church today. They just kill me.

I hope each and everyone of you have a very Merry Christmas with your family and loved ones. I wish all of my sisters and my mom lived closer but I hope they know we miss them. Never forget the real reason for the season: CHRIST.

God bless you all and see you in the new year.

I feel blessed

It makes me sad that we "market" or set aside a certain time of year to be grateful. I think we should be grateful all year long. I have several friends who keep gratitude journals or blogs to help them see the good in every day. Okay. That was my soapbox moment. Do with it what you will.

I do feel truly blessed right now in my life. I have so much to be thankful for. Here is a list that I came up with.

I am thankful for my husband who is my best friend. Without him I don't think I could get through this life and it's crazy twists and turns. We have been through a lot together and I love him to infinity and beyond! I am so glad we were sealed in the temple and that we are an eternal family.

I am honored to be the mother of two beautiful and special daughters. Sometimes I do not feel worthy and get discouraged because I am quick to temper and not always patient enough when they do carry on. But I love them so much. I don't even think they know. It's deep and never wavering. It's constant and supportive. And I cannot imagine my life without them. They make me a better person. I have always wanted to be a mother and it's hard work but it's the best hard work I've ever done aside from my mission.

I am thankful for the knowledge and testimony that I have that Jesus is the Christ! God loves each and everyone of his children. We are never alone with him on our side. There is nothing we cannot do.

I am proud to be a Mormon! A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity in 1994-1996 that I had to serve our Russian brothers and sisters. No words can describe the love I have for them and for the growth of the gospel over there.

I am thankful for good, wonderful friends. They are great examples to me of mothers, friends, strength, faith, determination, etc. You make me a better person. I am grateful to have always been surrounded by good people.

I am grateful for my parents. Life wasn't easy for our family but we still have each other. I don't want to ever let a day go by that you don't know that I love you. That you taught me so many wonderful and precious things. I am made from both of you! I like to think that I got the best of both of you. And a great step-mom to boot! Thank you for always caring about me even when I was a brat. :)

I am thankful for my sisters. I love them so much. I miss them so much because they live in other parts of the world and we do not get to see each other often enough. I admire them for their talents and what they have done with their life. And we all miss Jaymee. She is never far from our thoughts and I cannot wait to see her one day again in heaven.

I am grateful to my in-laws. They have helped us out a lot with our girls and me having to work. I love them for the many kindnesses I am shown and for their care.

I am grateful for my grandparents both the ones living and those who have passed on. I feel their strength in me and knowing that I come from strong stocks of faith.

I am thankful for a job to help support my family. I am grateful for our home and money to buy food for our table and clothes on our back. 

As you venture out this Thanksgiving to spend time with your families and loved ones remember that it's not just about this one day a year. It's about always remembering to be grateful.

God bless you all and your families.