Moving, Mount St. Helens & Friends

When we moved back from Hawaii we were so excited to be back to the mainland. Shane organized and purchased an amazing graduation present going on a trip to Disneyworld. He had his sister Jessica and Grandmama watching all three of the kids and we met Leah and Taylor in Florida but that's a whole other story. We thought we were solid in saving up 4 months of bills and staying with relatives until he got a job and we had a place to live. The money was gone after 3 months and Shane didn't get a job for 6 months. It was a struggle, but we made it through. In November of 2008, Shane landed a job working for Vestas travelling around troubleshooting and repairing wind turbines. He was gone for 6 weeks and home for 8 days. The money was good and the benefits were amazing! So, after a long long time of being apart, Shane got a more stationary position with his same company. It was a huge pay cut, but we wanted to be together so badly. He started working in their Portland office in February 2010. We waited to move because the baby was due and we wanted to keep Elijah in the same school for an entire year in stead of having him moved again. So, Shane was travelling four days in Vancouver, WA then 3 days in Olympia until June. It was sad to move away from family and close friends, but I am so grateful to be together. The children are much happier and so are Shane and I.
One day we decided to go to Mount St. Helen's. It was a long drive, but it was fun to visit the visitors center and see the volcano. The boys loved it! We ate lunch out in the car and a squirrel ran up and was swiping our cherry seeds. It was cute.

One major benefit of moving to Vancouver, WA was moving near the Stimmel's. They were one of our best friends over in Hawaii and Taylor got into a chiropractic school down here. It was a mere coincidence, but we were so excited to be near such good friends. Unless our kids are sick, we see each other weekly. We do miss all of our Olympia friends and especially our Hawaii crew now that we are all spread out across the United States!

Jenn's 30th Birthday

This is Jenn. She is one of my sisters and the sister that I have known the longest. For all who know my family, you understand what I mean. She has gorgeous eyes and a beautiful singing voice. She has always been there for me. She had just moved to Chicago when her 30th Birthday had come. She didn't know anyone there and was basically trapped. I just felt so bad that she wasn't going to have a big bash for her 30th birthday. I was being all sappy to Shane and telling him how much I wished I could spend it with her, then he gone and done it again. He bought me a plane ticket (with built up airline miles but still). For those of you that know Shane, you also know that he is amazing to me. He has given the go ahead many times. Anything I've wanted to do, he has helped make it happen. This trip was amazing! Jenn picked Levi and I up and we got Red Robin and went back to her house. We stayed up, ate food, cooked together, and had lots of fun time to talk. While we were in Chicago, Jenn and I went and saw Eclipse. So, we couldn't control the laughter because there was dust on the film that made it look like Bella and Edward has pimples or moles on their faces. Bella was a victim of the Cindy Crawford mole! It was too funny, so we let the manager know and he refunded our money! Unbelievable! We were so excited. We went into town and had fun at the Aquarium, took a water taxi, and enjoyed a really really long walk. Okay, you don't understand, it was a really really long walk, but I loved it anyways. Jenn kept apologizing, but I just laughed. We really enjoyed our time. My favorite part was when 'Dick' (Jenn's GPS) got us turned around and lost driving through the never ending 'Projects'. It's funny now, but it was a little.... okay okay a lot bit scary when we had to get gas in the middle of the projects. HA! It was totally worth it to visit Jenn for her birthday, and indulge in a fantastic dessert platter together.

This guy just had to be put it here! Okay, so he was a sun burnt man that just LOVED his job. And by Loved I mean.... HATED! lol I'm sorry bud, but you made the scrapbook too!

The pain

The pain started so mellow. It wasn't so bad. It was so uncomfortable, but there was no time to worry about it. A new baby boy was so precious in my arms. It hurt to lay down. Pain. Pain in my hips. I can deal with it. Things need to get done. I hold a sweet baby. More pain. I feed the calm soothing baby while trying to fight minor complaints slipping from my lips. Standing up, sitting down, laying down, walking... no position can escape it. I took pills to stop the pain, to numb the pain, to eliminate the pain. No escape. It hurts even worse now. I can't stand on my own. I feel so helpless and frustrated. Call someone. A doctor. Please find a doctor. I can't stop the tears welling up in my eyes. I need to get help. Please stop the pain. It's like someone staked down my legs at the hips with thick daggers. From the surface, through the flesh and muscle of my hips coming through the back of my legs. Please... please stop the pain. My throat begins to feel tight and I can't stop the wimpering, then crying, then wailing, and now screaming! PLEASE! I CAN'T STAND THIS PAIN! I feel like I'm losing. My body hurts. I have no control. I need a doctor! It hurts so bad! We get there and through the moving from chair, to chair, to car, to bed. The pain is worse. The daggers are twisting and turning. It feels like my bones are splintering. KILL THE PAIN PLEASE!!!! Oh.... It might be over soon. The heavier drugs are working. YES! Resting for just a moment. What is that?!? No! NO! No, no, no. Please. I don't want to feel that pain again. NO! The pain is starting again. The drugs wearing off. NO! No, please. I can't lose. Let me beat the PAIN! NOOO! It hurts. Tears are flying from my eyes like birds diving, skimming the contours of my cheeks. The screams rip apart my lips. I can't stop it. I hurt. I'm losing! I have no control! Helpless. I hate that feeling of being helpless. Needing to be carried to and from the bathroom. Sponge baths in bed. It's humiliating. It's embarassing. I felt so defeated. Unable to turn at the waist or sit up on my own. I am so grateful that my husband was my support, my nurse, and my protector throughout the entire ordeal. I was able to depend on so many people. Thank you Mom, Dad, Patty, Jess, Kristel, Jessica, and Chris for everything. Thank you those who visited me. Thank you those who supported me. Thank you Shane. I love you.