My Summer Of Adventure!: July 2012

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

I am a lucky girl!

I am one lucky girl! Seems weird to say that after the last 2 weeks, but I truly feel it. I definitely got a reality check after the surgery, and it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I have really good days and days when I feel like I got hit by a truck, However, I have the greatest support system in the world.

I don't even think that I can put into words how thankful I am for everyone around me. Mike proved to be the man I have always known he was...and more! My kids are just so loving and helpful that I want to squeeze them all the time. My parents were Mike and my rock during all of this, and we could never have done it without them. There is nothing like having your mom and dad there when you aren't feeling well. My sister and friends made meals for us, which I am sure my family is enjoying much more than my cooking :). Meg was here for a week and as Mike says, she was the second wife. She just knows me so well that I never had to be a tough guy, it helped that she is in nursing school and loves that stuff! And all of my other friends....well....they have just made me feel so loved, which is just what I needed.

I know it is still a long road to a full recovery, but I know that it will get easier. It is not the road I "planned" for my life, but it is what God has decided to give me....and I know it will still be a full and great life! I just need to take the time to heal mentally and physically. But, so far...so good!

Thank you again for all the emails, calls, texts and FB messages. I appreciate the love and support and they have brightened my days!

XOXOXOXO

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Hey everyone, its Taylor. I just got news from my dad at the hospital that everything went as planned and Crissi is doing great. She is in the recovery room now. Thanks for all your kind thoughts!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Next "Adventure"

So here I go….

Many of you already know that several years ago I was diagnosed with Severe Endometriosis (Stage 4). I went through a surgery almost exactly 3 years ago in hopes that it would help with the pain and our efforts to get pregnant. Unfortunately, it didn’t help in fact it has progressively gotten worse and we have not been able to get pregnant. A few months ago, I was told that I would have to undergo a full abdominal hysterectomy (including both ovaries). I was devastated to say the least. Over the past few months, I hear my mom’s little voice in the back of my head telling me that God has a plan and everything happens for a reason….Some days it has been easier to listen to than others.

But it is beyond the truth! I met the love of my life at a time when I never thought I would never love again. And he happened to have these 2 gorgeous and amazing little girls that needed me in their life just as much as I needed them. They welcomed me into their lives and we became a family. I don’t think that it would be possible to love those girls any more if I had given birth to them. They are my girls! Everything happens for a reason, and they are my reason for everything! This is just a little bump in the road and I intend to experience everything I can, as positive as I can. Which is why the New Zealand exchange could not have been better timed. My summer has been filled with laughter and wonderful memories, instead of focusing on this one little aspect of it.

Tomorrow morning, I will be going in for surgery and will be in the hospital for a few days. I will be taking a medical leave from work for the first 3 weeks of school to heal. If you know me at all, you know that not being there for the first few weeks is going to kill me, but I need to give my body time to heal. And I have nothing to worry about because my students will be in good hands with my friend Pat (they will probably be in better hands actually!). So while I am going through this, I will be holding on to the fact that everything happens for a reason.

I am so blessed with amazing family and friends. My parents will be coming out for 9 days to help, then Meg comes out, and then Shannon. Not to mention all of my friends who live here that have offered help in so many ways. And of course, I have my hubby and girls with me every step of the way. So if I don’t get back to you, know that I am appreciative but may be a little out of it . Taylor will update the blog tomorrow when I am out of surgery, so that Mike doesn’t have to worry about making a bunch of calls. Thank you again to all of my loving friends and family...you guys are the best!!!!

With that I leave you with a picture of what makes me smile every day…even on the bad ones!

Wrapping it all up...

Before I wrap up my trip to New Zealand, I thought I would share what we did during the last week while I was there....

On Friday 6/29 we left for our week of traveling. It was one of the best weeks I have ever had! Annie and Kathy were on break from school and we had a week of laughter, fun and exploration. I know I posted a few pics of the week when I was at the internet cafe, but I wanted to share the rest of the week.

We did a lot of walking....I mean A LOT...it was great! It felt so good to be eating so well with fresh food and be out in the cold air and walking around exploring an amazing country. The weather cooperated with us...for the most part. There was only 1 rainy day, which was great because we just shopped...duh, what else do you do on a rainy day?!?! The rest of the time it was COLD, but perfect. We had sunshine and that was all that mattered.

Ready for lift off

The view in the canyon

Getting out of the zorb

White water rafting

Zip lining was great. I never thought I would do anything adventerous like that in my life. I decided this was my summer of new experiences and I wasn't going to say no to trying new things. It was worth it. Annie and I were strapped in and went 1/2 a mile across a canyon at 100 miles an hour. So FUN! The ride back was great too, because we were pushed slowly back and got to see the beautiful views of the river and canyon. The other great adventures were white water rafting and "zorbing". The zorb is basically a giant ball that you are strapped into and pushed down a hill. It was less than a minute, and very bumpy, but very worth it. I was definitely sick after that one! White water rafting was not as cold as you would expect. I think just because we were working so hard at rowing and staying in the boat that you forget how cold it is.

While in Rotorua, we went to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. I probably laughed more that day than any other. Annie was a little picture crazy, so you would kill me if I attempted to put them all up. So I will just put up a few...of my favorites. You will notice that most of them are ridiculous...just the way I like it :)

There is a geyser behind me...my mind is not exploding...

Annie and I decided it looked like Jurassic Park and there needed to be some dinosaurs.

Who knows?!?!

Uhm...who knows!

It was supposed to look like Janice uncovered a lost dinosaur...but it looks like she discovered me peeing behind a bush...oops!

Had to have a feet picture.

This picture doesn't even do it justice...it was NEON green. Beautiful!

We also went to a Powhiri at a Maori village. We were able to see ceremonial rituals, performances, and a hang feast. The culture was so beautiful and it reminded me so much of living in Hawaii. There were many similarities with their dancing and Hula as well as their Hangi and Luaus. The performances were amazing and the food was delicious.

Since I have been home, so many people have asked me what my favorite part of the trip was. It would be impossible for me to pinpoint one thing. I think that staying with Annie and Kerry was the best part of it. I feel like I was fully immersed into the culture and not just a tourist. I loved the people, again it reminded me of Hawaii. They were all so warm and friendly. I loved the food. Let me say that one again...I loved the food. I am a picky eater, and I loved everything (except mussels). It didn't hurt that Annie was great at whipping things up, I better get out those cookbooks before she gets here. New Zealand is just a beautiful country, both land and people. I am excited for the day that I can take Mike and the girls back there with me.

I could write for hours about the trip, but I know people would hate it :) It was one of the greatest experiences of my life and will never forget it. I can't wait till December when Annie and Kathy come to visit us in Arizona.

Cheers!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

I'm still here.....

We have been on the road traveling up to the north end of the island since last Friday, and have not had any internet connection. We just stopped at cafe to use the Internet and have a cup of coffee. This has been such a fantastic week...I don't have enough time to do a long blog, but I will upload some pictures to show what we have been up to. We went zip lining yesterday at 100 miles an hour over a canyon...I can't believe I actually did it...we will be white water rafting tomorrow and I may throw up...we will see!