New Kitchen and FFD

Here's what our kitchen looked like before
And how it looks now
Please ignore the table, chairs, stools and fridge that stick out like a sore thumb. I can't buy all new stuff only for looks when they are perfectly functional. That's what I tell myself to feel better anyhow.
And I still need to put photos in that frame and I have an idea for decor on top of the cabinets, but you get the idea at least.
***
On another note: Here are some photos from yesterdays' Family Fun Day


Steve looking mighty cool on that ice. (Celeste did not want to be pictured. Charity and I just hung out on dry ground.)

She did it

She's two months old today and weighs 10 lbs 10 oz. (4 lbs. 11 oz. gain since birth!) She's also smiling these days. She's such a good baby. I'm nuts about her.

New Living Room

This is what I was busy with this week...and last week too. (I decided to forgo the boring "before" pictures.) Newly decorated entry. ^ Archway with cool oversized clock shown below.
Finally got something put in that spot over the stairs. That was a life threatening task. Ladders and stairs are not a good mix.

Re-textured and colored the entry and two main living room walls. Pain in the buttocks!

10 working days mind you to slap that stuff on. Pictures aren't even making it look worth it. But in person I'm thinking it was worth it. It kind of reminds me of childbirth. You are dying while it's happening, but when it's all over, you're happy with the result.

I still want to put up some valances over the three living room windows on the other wall (not shown in these photos), but I've already gone over budge this month...

Run down

I'm hoping this is my last post with terrible cell phone pictures. We finally ordered a new camera and are anxiously awaiting its' arrival.

So here's a quick overview of the last couple weeks in our family.
Celeste started taking ballet. She took when she was 5 but got pretty burned out on it. She's finally got the desire to be a ballerina again and that of course is cool to me. I took her to her first class and watched. I got to talking to the owner while Celeste was there and by the time the class was over I was officially the assistant teacher to her class. I didn't plan on teaching ballet again, but am pretty happy about having the chance to be Celeste's teacher. We went to class together this past week and it was really fun being in there again and with my little girl. I could barely squeeze into my ballet clothes. Actually, I couldn't fit into the tights, but Celeste could. She's wearing them in this photo. I had to put on sweatpants instead. So help me, if it's the last thing I do, I'm gonna shed 20 lbs! Look what a cute ballerina she is. Last weekend we had the most fun going to St. George to see Emily run her first marathon! She did awesome and it got me wanting to run a bit more. It was so cute watching my Dad run along side her for a bit. That's him with his arms up like he's the one crossing the finish line. We were so proud of Emily!

Yesterday we all ran a 5K together. This was my first time running a 5k this year and it showed in my time. But at least I ran it all, if you can call it running.

I finished first in the family, (33 minutes), but only because Steve was pushing Charity in the stroller. Otherwise he would have whooped me. Steve, Charity and Celeste finished next.

Then Jonah finished,

Can you even see him there?^^
Eden finished next, and on her scooter :)

And after a long, long wait, Becca finally got her short little legs across that finish line feeling mighty proud of herself. The pride on her face was so adorable! This was Becca and Eden's first races.

Today we were able to hang out with a lot of the Bishop family. Tyler got ordained a Deacon today! It's always nice when Steve's parents come to town.

This week I'm gonna try and finish decorating my living room. I've worked on the painting for 3 days and probably need another couple. I guess It's a bit more than painting. It's really plastering a texture on that is colored. So far, so good. It's just time consuming.

That's all for now.

An Odd Anniversary

*If you are of a different faith, let me explain before you read this story. A "blessing" is when a Priesthood holder places his hands on your head and pronounces certain blessings upon you. Quite similar to Christ in his day. In our church, all worthy men are able to hold this Priesthood. My husband has it among many of my male friends and family.  I have complete faith in the power of the Priesthood.*

It was Conference Sunday last year that I had a life changing experience. I have told very few people about this and hesitate to write about it even a year later. But I believe it's time.
Many people may not get it, believe it or care. I write this for the rest of the people who may take something from my experience or just take interest in the intimate happenings of my life.


I'll have to start from the beginning though.
Growing up I was moody. When High School hit, I imagine I seemed to have exaggerated moodiness. When College came around it got much worse. When I was 18 and living in Philadelphia (very far from home,) I went totally nuts. I was fully psychotic. I've related to many people the funny and scary things that occurred during that experience so I wont repeat it here. I was sent to a psychiatrist by a friend who was caring enough to tell me I needed help. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. That was 13 years ago.


For 11 years I'd been off and on various medications and trying to live as normally as I could. But it was super hard! My emotions could change on a dime and would be so intense and out of control. I had lots of ups and downs, but having Steve as my husband helped settle me more than you could imagine. The depression episodes were ugly. Countless times I wanted to die. I would have an incredible sense of self loathing that would overcome me to the point where I wished I could end it. And it's no secret that I almost accomplished that once. In that case, Steve literally saved my life. I hit rock bottom more times than I can remember.


Ok. So fast forward to a year ago.
I was really depressed. Again.
I was lying on the couch speechless and motionless with sorrow. Steve said he wanted to give me a blessing. Many times I'd been given blessings, but they usually only afforded me much needed peace and comfort temporarily. I had long since given up even the thought of being cured of Bipolar. He placed his hands on my head and gave me an incredible blessing. He told me that I would no longer be afflicted with Bipolar Disorder. I went from lying there limp, both physically and emotionally, to perking right up with shock. When he was done, I looked at him in disbelief and asked him, "Did you really say that I will no longer have bipolar?!" And he said he did, and knew it was true. It soon became evident to me as well that it was true.


You may be wondering how the last year has been for me. I am happy to report that this has been the best year of my life. You got it. The best. Not because the best things happened to me. Although plenty of good things have happened. It's just that I have been able to really feel what it is like to feel normal. Before I always felt like a mess on the inside and tried to appear normal on the outside. I still get emotional, but it's not the same. Before, something very trivial could happen that could propel me to such feelings of despair, that I'd want to die. Or worse, nothing would happen and I would just feel that way. I still can be sad like everyone does at times, but the way I handle it is still in the realm of reason and rationality. This is the first time that I have had a baby and didn't have to get myself going on a nice dose of antidepressants to prevent me from going suicidal with post-partum depression. I didn't have any of that this time around! I've been off all medications for a couple years now and feel better and stronger as time passes. Some may say it was just all in mind. But I know it isn't.

I feel so grateful to God that I was able to have such a blessing and for my husband who gave it to me. It truly was a miracle.