Floating the River!

This afternoon, Mike and Alli invited us to float down the river in the drift boat. It was a beautiful day and really warm for a late October afternoon! So we had a great a relaxing time, just floatin down the river. Enjoying the views of beautiful fall foliage, a little bird watching, and watching some people fly fishing. And just enjoying the sunshine and warmth!

I had never floated this part of the Rogue River before, it was beautiful!

Mike did all the work, and we just sat and relaxed!

I love fall colors!

Christy's Birthday Weekend!

What a great and special weekend it was! It began on Friday, as Tobin had the day completely off, and I only had to work half day! We spent the afternoon relaxing, mostly, and Tobin worked on a new sound system we got for our apartment. He even bought an ice cream cake from Cold Stone's to celebrate my birthday. So I just figured we would have a nice quiet evening and be able to split the cake! =) Well, was I sure surprised when at about 5pm there was a knock on the door. I figured it might just be some friends from church coming over, but when I opened the door Maryanne was standing there! I was pretty shocked because Salem and Medford really aren't "close" to each other at all. And I had just talked with her earlier, and she did a great job "playing dumb" and asking what we were up to this weekend.

That evening, Maryanne and I played two games of Skippo, and I won (I had too, I was the birthday girl!). We enjoyed Cold Stone Cake (Butterfinger, yum!! Still am enjoying it!). And opened gifts and cards (Tobin made sure I waited to open the ones that had come in the mail a couple days early).

Saturday, we went down to Ashland and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors, shops, and people watching in Ashland. And a yummy lunch at a place called Munchies!

Saturday evening, Tobin gave Maryanne and I massages and some osteopathic manipulation treatment, then Maryanne gave me a manicure and pedicure (I'm spoiled I know...), and she cut Tobin's hair. Then we enjoyed watching Indiana Jones (well, Tobin and I at least enjoyed the entire thing, as is classic for Maryanne, she say about the first 20 minutes). ;) Oh! And another great part, Maryanne had treated us to Carameled Apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. And although Chocolate is in the main name of the store, Tobin loves the carameled apples too! The flavors were Peanut Butter Caramel, Apple Pie Caramel, and Plain Caramel. YUM!!!

Sunday, we had a yummy waffle breakfast, we to church, and then had lunch at Schlotzsky's. Then Maryanne had to leave for home, since it's a 4 hour drive!

Yeah for sisters, husbands, surprises, and birthdays!

Mid Week Break!

Tobin and I both had today off, so we decided to get outdoors, since it's such nice weather. We went to the same place we hiked on Sunday, but this time we took our mountain bikes. It was a bit steep at the top and I had to break down and start walking up. Tobin did as well, but it was only because his tonsils are all swollen and it was tough for him to breath (but doing activity while sick is good to get the lymph flowing!). Anyways, we both enjoyed a little activity.

Tobin let me ride down on the ride, while he followed me in the car! I think I just barely got up to 30mph for a short bit.

Here's a fun videa of me coming down. =)

OUTSIDE AND SUNSHINE!

It's been awhile since I've spent more than 5 minutes outside. Even walking to the mailbox has been out, since I've been out of energy. But Tobin encouraged me that we should go on a hike in this beautiful fall day! Yeah, it was wonderful to get my lungs full of oxygen again. We both enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air. Definitely, love those nice fall days!

We hiked up Roxy Anne Bute, which is probably the highest peak here in the Rogue Valley. I think we are both thankful, now more than ever, for God blessing us with the ability to do hikes and walks, etc!

Below: In the grove of Madrone Trees

Tobin being crazy as always! Don't fall!

Hang on!

Almost there!

What a handsome man!

Just hanging out...

Yeah, I'm a bit more timid...oh well.

Life is a rollercoaster sometimes, but God makes the track design.

This past month, well maybe even month and a half, has been and still has been a reminder that God is my strength and in control of my life. I have been reminded that God's plans can be vastly different from my own, and His plans are what is best for me!

It all started as I began having stomach symptoms that I have had before. Without going into to much detail, I was having cramping, diarrhea, and blood in my stool. Well, it got a bit better with some medicine, and so I thought...life will proceed as normal. At this time I was training hard and running long miles in preparation for the Portland Marathon. Well, the week before the race, my symptoms got exponentially worse. I travelled up to Portland, and lets just say on my drive up to Portland and back to Medford, I appreciated how my rest areas are along I-5...I probably visited the majority of them. =) I proceeded with, My plan, to run the race on Sunday. But as I was hardly even able to get out of bed on Saturday, then did not sleep all night on Saturday night, the Lord made it clear that attempting to run 26.2 miles was not in His Plans! It was hard to not do something I had planned and trained for, for 5 months. But again, God reminded me that He has bigger plans (of which I'm still learning).

I came home, and was so miserable, I couldn't even go to work. I immediately called the gastroenterology office (I had seen an FNP there once), and told her I really needed another colonoscopy (though this too was not in my plans) to figure out what was going on! Well, the Lord is amazing, and His plans were for me to get it two days after I called! Praise the Lord. Thankfully, the physician Tobin was working with, allowed him to be off the entire day of my colonoscopy. So I had Tobin's support and help. And let me say that I am so thankful to the Lord for the husband He has given me. Tobin's been such a trooper to "nurse me back to health" these past few weeks.

So the colonoscopy...well, as the first one I had...the prep (the day before) is the worst part!! I still don't know how frail old ladies get the prep done without falling and breaking a hip, while running to the bathroom! I'll probably be that old lady someday. ;) I was a bit nervous for the study, but actually the sleep and being pain free for a few hours after the test was great!

The results from the study came back, and as I listened in my drugged up mind on Propofol (an anesthetic) and Fentanyl, I heard the Dr say, "Your entire colon is inflamed and we are fairly certain its Ulcerative Colitis." Well, I proceeded to ask the Dr. three times (because I was still drugged) if he thought that was a fast and "agressive" progression. I didn't even remember his answer, till Tobin told me later that, "No, ulcerative colitis could progress that fast and aggressively."

So now the aftermath, I'm still not "normal," which everyone else knows, that I'm not normal...I think I'm just now catching on. =) But after begining some medication, I have been able to get to work, and at least feel "ok." Unfortunately, the cramping and diarrhea seems to regularly come more at night. So sleep is ailing both Tobin and I right now. Each night seems a bit better than the one before, so we are hopeful! I think God is preparing us for the future when we have a little baby and will again have to get up every 1-2 hours. Hopefully then, though, I won't have to work full time or have such severe bowel issues! But it has also reminded me that, no I really am not ready for children right now. =)

Through all of this, the Lord has really showed me the verse,
"Be STILL and KNOW that I am God." Ps 46:10

Even through the pain, He is God, and it's often the "be still" part that is hardest for me. I'm such a go-go person. Ask my husband, I always have to be doing something. But these past weeks, God has showed me that I need to learn to "Be Still!"

Thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Sorry no exciting photos...I don't really think you want to "see" what I've been going through. ;)