Life of Sare

Since being diagnosed with Chiari, a food log has been introduced into my life. This is both a blessing and a curse. I hate seeing all the crap I eat in a day! It is so gross. But I do love that I am better able to control my migraines lately just based off of what I eat.  There are a few things we have noticed that trigger migraines for me.  1. My bite size breakfast. I hate breakfast foods, there are few things I will eat in the morning. Christian is an amazing husband and knows that if he pre cuts an avocado, a banana, and a chicken apple sausage and lines them up nice and straight I will eat it all up. The problem is, all 3 of those are migraine triggers. So I can no longer have all 3 for a meal I can only have one.  2. Hotdogs. This is one I am not even sad about. Last time we had hotdogs I had more than I needed and then stated that I don't even like hotdogs, I just eat them because they are there. But now that we have been able to link those to my migraines I definitely know

As promised, here is a quick update on my brain. Sorry- No pictures   I sill have Chiari Malformation Type 1.   A few weeks ago I met with a neurosurgeon to decide our next move. We talked about my symptoms and my tonsil, and the surgeon decided that the surgery's risk outweighs the rewards. So, we are still in the same spot. Pain, pain, and more pain.   I have been working on a headache journal, and at first, I documented every day. This lasted about 3 weeks, then I forgot about it. I then only documented the last 24 hours leading up to a headache where I rated the pain at a 7 or higher. When I document this I make sure to mention what I ate, how much water I am drinking (I try to drink   3 liters a day!), and what physical activity (if any) I have done.   Last Tuesday, my sister and I made a day out of my doctor's appointment in Salt Lake to see my neurologist. Nothing has changed, and my neurologist seems to be as frustrated as I am with the lack of urgency from other

I used to hate Mondays. Then I looked forward to Mondays. Monday was my day. I got to help her up. Make her breakfast. And spend all day with her. Monday was the day I learned most from my Grandma, because I was with her from 8 am to 9 pm. Monday's were spend drinking a Diet Dew or 2, eating at least 2 cookies, and always watching Days of Our Lives. There would be a sewing project, a heated conversation due to our clashing generations, then a kiss good night. "Love you G! See you tomorrow."  Now, Monday's are the hardest. I wake up, clean the house, do a project or 2, then go to bed.  There are a lot of things I never thought to learn because G just knew how. For instance, making potato soup. I don't think anyone will ever be able to fill that void. Or fixing holes in jeans. I mean I can, but G just did such a better job so I would just let her do it. And, rarely growing up did you see an iron out unless for a sewing project.  Today, Christian needed his clothes i

I am so in love with this little girl, I mean how could you not be? Look how adorable she is? I may be a little bias, but my niece is the cutest in the world. Not only is she the cutest, she is also quite possibly the most spoiled little girls in the world.  And has been even before she was born.  I've been meaning to post pictures of the shower I hosted for my little sister way back at the beginning of March, but hey, life happens.  The nursery is decorated in little birds, and my sister had asked me to make a couple things she had found on Pinterest for her, so I figured I would just tag team and couple the theme of the shower with the theme of the nursery. That way everything could be reused and nothing went into the garbage.  I made 4 different invites, but de decided in this one to send out. How cute and classy is it? Love.  Baby Girl has a huge family! So we knew we needed to host the shower at the church. Our family events usually take place in the

Hi,  It's me Bray!! A lot of you have been asking my humans when they are going to have a baby human, and I mean, why wouldn't you? Look how good they look with human kids (sorry human cousins I cut out)! And face it, this family has a lot of good looking human babies hanging around lately. I don't blame all of you for being baby hungry!  But becoming a parent is a big decision, and mom has been really up and down lately with her headaches. She and Dad decided they really need to think through having a child and when it is the right time to bring a human into the world. Mom has a doctor appointment on Monday with her neurosurgeon, and Dad has been researching lots of things to do for Mom so that her headaches can go away without taking all those harsh medicines. Mom can't take most her meds she is on when she is pregnant. They have been talking a lot, and they ask me all the time if I want a sibling. I do, and I want a brother!  That being said, I thought I would take t

Before we start, let's chat- I am sorry my life has been so sad lately.  I promise I am not depressed. I actually love the month of April, just a lot has happened in this month.  With recent changes in my life, I get more time to sit in my butt doing nothing, therefore, I have gotten more time to reflect on my life which is a good thing. This is a post about hope, but may bring back some rough memories and feelings. Just a warning. Okay, now to our regularly scheduled post.... I just love this quote. I saw it last night on Facebook and I couldn't help but think back to how much sorrow I felt 2 years ago and what stage of grief I was in. Today, Manti would have turned 2 years old in earthly years. 2 years ago.  I can still remember when I found out that I was going to be an aunt. I had been bugging my BROTHER-in-law (I hate that word but it would be weird for some if I said brother through this story) and Little Sis to have a baby, because I wasn't baby hungry for myself but

So after last week's update I think some people think I may be dying. I am not dying, although some days I feel like I am. Today is no exception.  To say I have gone through a it in the last week would be an understatement, and my brain knows what's up.  Thursday night I said goodbye to my G-Dawg and headed to Salt Lake. I typically sleep until 11 am , but on Friday, I woke up at 5 am and wasn't able to fall back to sleep. My mom called around 5:30 to tell me that Grandma had passed, and after that sleep was out of the question.  My MRI was at 8, and was different than the one I had here in Pocatello. I had to change out of my street clothes, into a hospital gown and scrub bottoms. Also, in Salt Lake, I got to listen to Carole King Radio on Pandora through the whole HOUR of scans.  My neurologist called on Monday to let me know that there was some flow to my brain but she called it borderline. She wanted to refer me to a neurosurgeon just so that we all felt at ease with

"I think it's time to order an MRI. I've tried everything I can think of and it isn't helping. I'm afraid it might be a tumor."  I've had headaches all my life. I remember when I was 8, I had my first migraine. I was so grouchy and just wanted it dark and quiet, and for my mom to to cook anything because the smells made it worse. They blamed it on allergies and diagnosed me with "chronic sinus infections". Age 8 was when I first became familiar with medication. My anxiety and depression started in 2010, but the anxiety didn't become crippling until the migraines did as well, just a year later- my senior year of college. If I wasn't having panic attacks in my classes of 300 then I was in my bedroom hiding from the sun because I was sure my brain might explode. Let's just say, senior year wasn't my best.  Since 2011, Christian had been begging me to ask for brain scans but I continued to have faith in my doctors. From my pediatri

Anyone who knows the family I grew up in knows the month of March and first few days of April are a holiday for us. March Madness! I mean my parents got married right before it began just so they could celebrate their anniversary every year watching the first round without getting crap for it. You may also know that I was raised to be a Duke fan. We love Duke, and if you don't, we still love you and will show you why to love them. I swear, our team spirit (aka true fandome meaning we can also talk crap about them and it is okay because we are real fans) converts people!  That being said, I am so used to Duke choking just before or around the Sweet 16, so why would I have taken the night of the final four off to watch them play? Stupid me. However, I was lucky enough to talk the boys into watching the game with me tonight , and like I said- turned haters in to lovers and true Duke fans!  These boys have probably never watched a full game of basketball in

G-Dawg has always taught there is no cheaper entertainment than a dozen boiled eggs and some Easter Egg Dye, and this year my mama made that even more truthful in the introduction of beautiful non-namebrand dyes. We made our dye this year with things just around the house. As stated in  THIS  BroFraz post about this weeks family time, Easter Eggs are a big deal, and everyone loved our new non-Paws dye. Here's how we made it: You will need: Shallow cups to dye in | Food coloring | Vinegar | Water | 18 DOZEN EGGS  (in our family at least) Put about 20 drops of food coloring into a cup, then add 1 Tbsp of vinegar and 1/2 c. water.  Drop your eggs in and enjoy. There are a few websites that have suggested color wheels and combinations. We just used a store brand box of classic colors and a McCormick Neon box and made all these colors below. It just takes patience and time to get the dark bold colors, and a quick dip for a light pastel color. 

My mama is the oldest of 6 sisters, so every holiday there is always something going on and we have made some very fun traditions! Around Easter time there is one tradition I just LOVE!! Dinner and coloring Easter Eggs. The night we dye eggs we also have a strange meal. I've always thought it to be weird, but this year with a couple new friends joining in on the fun I was reminded how weird it is: Mashed Potatoes and Chicken Noodle Soup. Yeah the combo is weird and even weirder is that my family puts the soup over the potatoes. I have never liked the soup but everyone else LOVES it! Christian even requests this meal other days of the meal. I guess my mom's grandma used to do it for them so it just continued as a tradition when my mom and her sisters had kids.   On top of our weird meal we color eggs. And when I say eggs, we usually have at least 16 DOZEN to do-- what can I say? Our family is huge!! We have to take shifts.  Typically we use Paws brand dye but this year my mama a

As I said in  yesterday's  post, I am all about becoming a new me in 2015, and I don't really know what that looks like. But I have to know where I am to know where I am going and see improvement, right? So today I am Taking Stock! Currently...... Making : I am currently making  this  bag, but I have also been making I Spy blankets which I love! Cooking : We have been super into quinoa. I have only made it as a rice replacements so far, but I have big plans! Drinking : WATER! I love it! Honestly! I do go through phases but I have been craving water lately. Possibly because of so many medication changes as of late, but whose complaining? Reading: Looking For Alaska by John Green. Wanting: a donut! haha Christian and I have been working on cutting carbs. I have cut cake and donuts and sweets like that where he has cut actual bread. I CRAVE DONUTS! He gets them at work. Looking: We are currently looking at HSN. The Origami Folding 4-tier Multipurpose Shelves. Christian wants one.