He Guides Me

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Challenge day 5

Your day.

My day happens to be a LOT more relaxed on Saturday, than it is during the week, I embrace it so much, I will “relax” my challenge for today too! I stay in bed until 8 am, come down make breakfast for the kids. I usually clean, but this week we had guests in our home, so I cleaned earlier in the week, which means, I am off the hook for cleaning too! Going to play with the kids and enjoy some computer time!!
So, the theme for today is: RELAX :)
Picture is from when we visited Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in September, relaxing in the infinity pool, how I wish I was there again!!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Challenge Day 4

An experience that made you who you are today.

If you have been a reader of my blog for a while, you may know that I gave a kidney to my husband on December 3rd, 2009. It was only a little over a year ago, and I would like to think that who I am today is more cumulative of many years, but if I had to choose one experience over the course of my life, it's my donation. Going through seeing my husband on dialysis, near the brink of death, and then having what he needed in my body and being able to give it to him, and see him come back to life, I just can't think of anything that could top that.

Dialysis days...

These boxes were delivered monthly. 3000+ pounds of fluid that was to be used for Al's dialysis treatments

Peritoneal dialysis port. The tube would be coiled and tape when not in use. See Al's machine behind him.

Post OP

The exit sight for my kidney. December 3rd 2009

Resting comfortably, during recovery :)

I will now use this as my platform for kidney donation.
There are countless people on waiting lists for organs.
At the very least, consider being an organ donor after you leave this Earth.
Life can and does live on, through the kindness of organ donors!!
Organ donation can and DOES occur in living donors as well, and that is all around the best option for the recipients!!!
I am here to say, that having a kidney taken out of my body did nothing to the way I feel.
I am the SAME Karrie as I was before donation.
Nothing changed. Literally!
(NOT EVEN MY WEIGHT, I WAS THOROUGHLY BUMMED TO LEARN KIDNEY'S ONLY WEIGH A FEW OUNCES!! WHO KNEW?!)
There are countless resources out there for those interested in being a donor, or atleast learning more about it.
Please consider it. It might be something you are meant to do!

I was never going to get a tattoo. But I have these scars, and I could either hide them, or embrace them. So I designed this tattoo to work around my scars and allow them to share my message :)

Thursday, March 3, 2011

It's official

My construction loving boy had a GREAT birthday! Here are the pics to prove it :)

He looks so big in this picture :*(

Challenge Day 3

Your favorite show.

This is a light question and there are no pictures, but to keep with the challenge, I am trying to fulfill everyday, so here it is, my favorite show:
I don't get to watch a lot of TV. I do find myself recording a lot of shows and then scavaging for time to sit in my room to watch them! The shows I currently have on my playlist are:
The Bachelor - My first season watching...I think I might be hooked!
19 Kids and Counting- I truly admire the Duggars and the values they have built their family with!
Teen Mom 2- I have in my heart to be an advocate for Pro Life; Teen Mom sort of goes with aspects of that.
One Born Every Minute- NEW SHOW! So cool! It's about women in labor and seeing that I want to be a Labor and Delivery nurse, it holds my attention quite well :) :) :)
What the Sell?- It's a show that is recorded in a store very close to my house, a new season will be starting on TLC in the next two months, and I even made a cameo on the show, so of course I will be watching!!!!

That's all I can think of for now :)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

You Capture!-Technology

"Technology"

Worked out well that we visited Chicago's very own Science and Industry museum this week! Not only is it really cool, but I was able to find "technology" all around me!

"Rover" the simulation of "on Mars"

Stand still and these digital butterflies will land on your shadow.
It was Acilia's favorite exhibit :)

Dress made of LED lights.
I asked my electrician husband
what he would have thought
if I wore this as my wedding dress...
He smiled :)

Walk of shame

Miles and I go on frequent trips into "Einstein Bagels" and we have gotten to know the people behind the counter. We love going in there! Last week small talk with one of the employees had us sharing that it was Miles birthday soon and with that came the employee offering him a birthday treat next time he came in. Today was that time, and I was surprised the employee remembered. He offered Miles his choice of a HUGE cookie for his birthday treat :) How sweet...LITERALLY SWEET! Miles of course being 3 now and having no patience for waiting till after lunch was joyous when he found out I was going to let him eat it right then and there, at 9AM! This is the same mom that regularly tells my kids "no cookies, candy, ice cream, ect. in the morning" and they still ask almost daily! :)

Well, Miles thoroughly enjoyed his HUGE cookie "wif sprinkles ontop" and I was thoroughly shamed as we took our stroll back to the car. I could just feel the judging eyes coming from onlookers! Or maybe that was my paranoia; I mean what mom allows her kids HUGE cookies in the morning?? I guess *I* do :) (Or did, probably won't again, unless it's a reaaaaaaaalllllllllly special occasion like a birthday *wink*)