I had my first social outing and went to a Super Bowl Party on Sunday. (I forgot my camera.) It’s the first time I left my house (that wasn’t a doctors visit) since I hurt my back over Thanksgiving.

Ironically, I was reunited with the same group of people we vacationed with in the Ozarks. As usual it was like I hadn’t missed a beat. We laughed got caught up, ate, and made plans while our kids played and the guys watched the big game.

I’m so grateful for these Ladies. I feel completely myself when I’m we’re together. We’re real, fun, and laid back. I seem to be counting my blessings all the time these days and I’m certainly grateful for their friendship. They’re fabulous and I couldn’t be happier to be amongst them once again.

I got a call from my Grandma today. I adore her.

I’ve lived with my Grandparents twice in my life. The first time was when I was 11 and my family moved to Texas. All 7 of us lived with them in their 3 bedroom duplex. It was a challenge but I remember feeling so grateful for their sacrifice and service for my family.

The second time was when Jason and I decided we wanted to have a second child and therefore needed to move home and be closer to family. Jason quit his job and we moved back to Texas. My Grandparents opened their arms and their home to us so willingly. They adored 1 year old Davis almost as much as we did. Every morning when Davis woke up, the first thing he wanted was Grandpa. Their bond was unbreakable and it was such a blessing to see. I loved living with my Grandparents during those 6 months and developed a bond that I still feel today. I’ll never forget the sacrifice and love they gave me and my family and I’ll be forever grateful. They made it so much fun and seem effortless. We had the best time.

The day they moved to Idaho was a sad one for Jason, Davis, and me. We missed them so much and over the years I’ve tried my best to stay in touch. With each phone call I feel the need to be the person my Grandparents lived with and remember. I try to make her laugh and tell her cute stories of the boys. My Grandma has the best laugh and I can’t get enough of it.

However, today the phone call was very different. Once again I needed her and she was there with open arms. She called to ask if she could organize a family fast for my surgery on Thursday. We cried together and I felt her love so much it was like she was right here in the room with me. I put my pride aside, and let her do what she does best – serve.

I realized the magnitude of my situation and the immense love that surrounds me in one phone call. She’s a person I look up to and aspire to be. With her kind of faith, I know I’ll be in good hands.

Huge thanks to Ashley for designing my card. I love it!

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

“The day before Christmas my broke back requried of me,
A second cortisone epidural.”

This time they angled it to get the nerve and help with the stabbing pain running down my left leg. Fingers crossed this will help my recovery and get me back on my feet. {{literally}}

At the hospital they had some fun decorations. One of the departments had a wreath decorating contest. They were all pretty funny.

My camera phone sucks, but here are the ones that I thought were the best. I love seeing people get into the Christmas spirit!

It warms my heart when old BFF’s put aside a petty argument that got way out of control and decide to be friends again. I lost a friend many years ago for a reason that to this day is still unknown to me. Gratefully, I’ve learned a lot from that relationship and tend to handle conflicts a bit differently.

No haters but, I’m totally pulling for Heidi and Lauren. I’m a believer in second chances.

In other friends news, I would love to hang out with Jessi, The Hills After Show host. How clever and fun is she! I’ve been watching tons of TV lately and right now she’s hands down my favorite personality. She’s fabulous!

So, I’m dying to know. If you could hang out with any TV personality, who would it be?

I’m reposting what I wrote on Tip Junkie – in case you missed my big announcement.

**Attention! Broke Back Needs Sister To Move Into Her Town. Please Help!**

I realize this is a shot in the dark, but I learned a while ago never to underestimate the power and influence of a blogger. {{wink}}

As you know, I ruptured a disc in my back and have been in severe pain ever since. I’ve been dubbed “the broke back”.

I got a cortisone epidural injection and it seems to finally be working and I’m on my way to a painful recovery. Surgery averted, for now. I still have sever pain in my left leg and ankle. I see the surgeon again on Tuesday and I’ll know more then.

We’re always up to something {{giddy}}

My favorite {{only}} sister, Lisa, came up to help Jason and me last weekend and gave me some amazing news. Her husband is getting a new job and they’ll be moving into my city! {{scream with delight}}

College Station, Texas

Now, they have to sell their house. Which obviously, is going to be tough given the economy. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to help my sister, who has been there for me every time I needed her and is my best friend!

Yep, even a shameless plug on why you should buy her fabulous house. {{begging}}

Please buy her house so:

* I can have my best friend & sister close by. She’s amazing at landscaping, painting, and any project that requires a saw and tools. {{wink}}

* 2 sisters who fought growing up and are currently best friends can live in the same city and have those bonding moments they missed out on growing up.

* I (who have 3 boys) can help raise Lisa’s daughters. Naturally, we’re expecting my tom-boy sister to have all girls.

* My boys can be close to their favorite Aunt.

* I can get free personal training since I’m going to need intense physical therapy to strengthen my back to prevent this from happening again.

College Station in Castlegate

Lisa has impeccable taste and she did some hard-core negotiation with the builder and customized the house with tons of upgrades:

* A wonderful big front porch
* Tile throughout the house
* High ceilings
* Extra storage room in the garage
* The biggest marble shower you’ve ever seen in the master bathroom
* Pantry and a bonus “Chantry” (closet-pantry)
* Crown molding
* Upgraded doors
* Upgraded fixtures
* Open and bright floor plan
* Huge backyard
* Upgraded grass
* Fully landscaped front yard complete with running fountain {{it’s fabulous}}
* Nearly new, built in 2007

What makes this house extra special is the huge bonus room upstairs with closets and it’s own bathroom.

* If you are a Mom-preneur or are creative; this would make the perfect craft room.
* If you have your own business, this is the perfect work at home study.
* It can also be used as a studio apartment while housing a friend or family member.
* Since my sister is a personal trainer, she is currently using it as a home gym.
* You can use it as a playroom, media room, or game room.
* The possibilities of this room are endless!

We are jumping for joy to live close to each other once again!

So spread the word to all your friends and family who are looking for a home in Texas. Blog posts, e-mails, and phone calls are much appreciated! {{more begging}}

You can take a virtual tour of Lisa’s home and see tons of pictures. If you’re interested or know someone who is, you can e-mail Lisa directly or contact her Realtor.

Please Please Please help!! I can barely stand up straight and I need my sister’s help desperately.

My favorite quote in my kitchen broke the 2nd day I ruptured a disc in my back. I was in agony for 14 days. Can you say “ironic”? {{Geeze}}

Just a quick update on my back. I met with the surgeon on Tuesday he confirmed that I have a ruptured disc. He wanted me to try a Cortisone Epidural Injection before I rush into surgery. So I did.

I couldn’t eat anything after midnight Tuesday night (except pain meds) and went in to have the epidural Wednesday afternoon. It’s supposed to take 24 hours to take effect, but I’m still not feeling any better. I’ll call the surgeon in the morning to schedule the surgery. I can’t live with this pain any longer.

Thanks to Lisa, I just finished watching the first season of Jericho. It’s a lot like 24. However, watching 24 hours of the end of the world while in the most terrible pain of my life; has done little to keep my spirits up. {{wink}} But the action and “what if” sequences in my head has certainly done it’s job distracting me from time to time.

Naturally, I’ve got to check out Season 2 and can’t wait to see what happens.

In the meantime, I’m finishing the 3rd season of the O.C. with my hot pad, drugs, and Diet Coke…

Kelly posted her True-Life Confessions and it made me want to confess one of my own. I haven’t read blogs in months. {{gasp!}}

I know, I know. I can hear your disapproving gasps from here. I’m a terrible blogger. My life has not been my own since summer began. My sister warned me not to admit this, since it might cause an uproar and you’ll all strike my blog and delete me from your Google Reader. But I adore you and wanted you to know why my comments have been absent for so long.

Honestly, I still haven’t been able to enjoy the perks of school being in session until today. I took the entire day to relax and catch up on some of my favorite bloggers. I’ve missed you terribly. Since I didn’t do anything today but blog, I thought I’d feature just a few of the posts I read and enjoyed. (In case you missed them too, of course.)

I loved Mique’s Advent Calendar post. I just might have to make a few of these for gifts. {{giddy}}

Dancing Queen’s Mommy Tag. What a perfect thing to document on your blog to giggle about or read in your Blurb book later.

I was so moved and could totally relate to Ashley’s feelings in her Deep Thoughts post.

Julie’s thyroid cancer post. Her post makes me want to take better care of my body. I know the caffeine and sugar I pump into it daily isn’t doing my body good.

I really like Heather’s post on “Underneath It All” where she posts pictures of herself without makeup, hair product, etc. She challenged her readers to do the same.

Denae’s Remembering post made me cry. She’s so open with her struggles and the lessons she learns from them. It’s inspiring.

Martha had her baby, 12 days overdue, and right after being called as Young Women’s president in her newly spit ward (church). Huge hugs to her during her time of transition.

Celia Fae’s post on highlights cracked me up! It also brought out an insecurity of mine. I’m very literal and honest. I hate that about myself. One of my goals for 2008 was to become a better liar but I’ve been too overrun with problems and therefore too tired to focus on it. Geeze! Where are my priorities. {{evil laugh}}

I really like Laurel’s post Thinking Out Loud. It also struck a cord with me as I am not a competitive person – at all. I don’t play social games in real life and never have. It goes back to Celia’s post and the fact I’m too honest. I’d rather loose than hurt someone else’s feelings or make them feel inferior.

I love it when Laurel says, “What I’m figuring out is that there are some people that aren’t liberated by another’s light. In fact, they’re bugged by it. I don’t know. Maybe it gets in their eyes…”

I’ve been feeling this a lot lately and just want to say that we can’t help who we are or our purposes in this life. We all have one and we all pursue it in different ways. What I love about blogging is that we support each other instead of bringing each other down. I wish the people in our real lives would just be happy for each others accomplishments instead of feeling insecure by them.

Look what Christie’s man made her, a wall-sized bulletin board. Fabulous!

I could go on and on. It was such a fun day filled with giggles, tears, encouragement, and inspiration. What more could you ask for in a day?

Yesterday, right before the baby shower I was hosting, Jason tells me that there’s a mandatory evacuation in my In-laws county and they’re on their way to stay with me over the weekend.

So this morning I have to run to the post office and send out Dylan’s Invitations, the 230 bookmarks for Pink Christmas, then run to the grocery store and stock up on food.

When I get home, I’ll have to wash sheets, matrice covers, vacuum, and clean up from the baby shower.

Did I mention, I’m exhausted?