A Bountiful Garden

While recovering from my surgery, I am allowed to walk around. The first thing I do in the morning is I go in our backyard and pick some vegetables and fruit for the day. I love and enjoy gardening. Watching plants grow and blossoms and have some yummy harvest is the best thing in life. Growing our own garden has been wonderful. I was able to make homemade pesto, cooking our own Thai Basil Beef, Japanese eggplants dipped in eggs and fried for breakfast, popping some yummy cherry tomatoes in my mouth, sweet blackberries for snacking, serving red and yellow tomatoes for dinner and they are all from our little garden.

JALAPENOS, BANANA PEPPERS, YELLOW AND RED TOMATOES, JAPANESE EGGPLANTS AND BLACKBERRIES

Recovering from Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery

On July 5, I (AM) had to get my body ready for my gallbladder surgery. The first thing I had to do is to drink 2 bottles(10 oz. each) of Magnesium Citrate. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. It was cherry flavor and it taste awful and taste like cough medicine. The Magnesium Citrate made me used the bathroom more than I would like to. Liquid diet also started that day. No solid food, just liquids. So I bought different drinks. After midnight, I am not allowed to drink or eat anymore. I had a priesthood blessing from SD and a friend from our ward. On July 6, we went to the Medical Center to check in and get myself prep for surgery. The nurse had a hard time finding a good vein to put my IV because I was dehydrated, but she finally found one. I am not a big fan of needles or pains, so I always asked the nurse what they are doing to me. I think my kids got that needles or pain phobias from me. I was suppose to have my surgery at 1 p.m. but they were running late with another surgery. The last memory I had was when the nurse was wheeling me out of the room to take me to the OR. When I woke up I was having a hard time gasping for air and the nurse had to calm me down. I finally was able to breath normal, but every time I opened my eyes I got dizzy and the room is spinning, so the best way to control it is to just close my eyes. The nurse asked me if I would like something to drink and I said yes. She gave me Sprite and started drinking it, but a few minutes later, I started vomiting the liquid. I stayed overnight at the hospital for observation. It was painful getting up to use the bathroom and getting back in bed, but I managed to do it by myself. SD went home to be with the kids.
July 7th in the morning I was doing fine and can go home. When we got home, I decided to lay down in my own bed, but that was a mistake because I was in pain trying to lay down. SD and I decided it would be better if I just sat down on the couch with pillows behind me and I was able to sleep. I slept at night in a sitting up position. I was prescribed some pain killers and I am also able to take Advil to help for the pain. Thank y'all for all your concern and prayers. Now it is all up to me to get better soon.

Celebrating our Anniversary

Its hard to believe, but AM and SD got married 17 years ago.


To celebrate, we took took a mini-vacation from the kids and stayed at a bed and breakfast on Lookout Mountain.


For dinner we took in a Murder Mystery, no pictures were allowed.










Then the next day we hung out at the Art Museum.

Happy Anniversary!!!

To my wonderful husband of 17 years. I can't believe we been married that long. Time sure flies by fast. We been through a lot and we have 3 adorable kids, a beautiful house and each other. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, SD!!!

WOW!!! I was so skinny then....years sure put some pounds on me(AM)

Farewell Party

These ladies are my wonderful friends. I have known them for a long time. I LOVE & ADORE THEM VERY MUCH!!

We had so many good friends leaving and pursuing other jobs. This party is for a family that we have known for 10 years. They are moving to Atlanta, Georgia for 2 years. We had yummy food, played frisbee, and chat with friends. We will sure miss them.

Playing Tennis

As a family we enjoy playing tennis. SD and I (AM) would play a tennis match and the kids would just play for the fun of it. EM also got her very own tennis racquet made for her age. Right now the best time to play tennis is at night. It's not as hot.

Weekend at Memphis

We were able to visit our very good friends near Memphis. As we were getting near their little town, our friend called our cell phone to warned us of a bad storm. We were driving in a very clear day and when we were approaching their town the sky was very dark and it started raining and it kept on raining very hard with lots of thunder and lightning. But we made it safely to their little town and the storm had passed. They took us to eat at a nearby southern restaurant to have dinner. Some houses and businesses did not have any electricity. The next day we went to the Memphis Zoo. They also took us to a wonderful rib place called RENDEZVOUS World Famous BBQ at downtown Memphis. After eating our delicious ribs, we went swimming at their in-laws swimming pool. Thank You Very Much to our Memphis friends. It was a fun weekend and we got the chance to see their newborn baby boy.

EM, AF and SF were busy reading the Zoo Map to decide which direction to go

A Beautiful landmark where the Panda Bears resides

Posing for a photo

Got to Stay in the shade...it's TOO HOT!!

EM and SF wearing the same style of shirts.....got to love Target

EM and AF posing like the Chinese White Jade Budai