Whelp, I have made it through the whole month...almost..without another gallbladder attack thank goodness. I have had pain occasionally and nausea but no attacks. I did have a scheduled surgery for today but I cancelled it two weeks ago. For selfish reasons you could say! I have 3 races this summer (One complete: http://www.t3triathlon.com/race/timp-trail-marathon-a-half) and a trip to Hawaii coming up in July. I have heard that its not too much down time after surgery but getting back into the workout routine can be slow moving. So hopefully I made the right decision by not getting it now!
I have an appointment this Friday with a natural path doctor. He goal is to put me on herbs and supplements in order to heal the gallbladder from the inside. I have been told the gallbladder cannot be healed but hey its worth a try, at least to get me through the summer!
It already feels like summer in Utah. Despite a few rainy overcast days we have started to consistently be on a 65-75 degree streak. I will take it! So with summer here the outdoor work increases. Eric has been working hard on getting our lawn into tip top shape. With our sprinkler system working, the grass has been growing like a race horse! Were so thankful for our lawn mower our siblings got us for our wedding present last year!

Love this picture of Eric posing with our present at home depot.

Eric has also been spraying for weeds regularly and two weeks ago we began laying down sod in the back yard. Its coming along! Next year I would like to put in some garden boxes in the back yard and get our beds filled in the front yard. Here are some of my inspiration pictures I love...
The Front yard-

And the garden boxes in the backyard situated something like this...

Lots and lots of ideas. Exciting for next year! Eric is going to kill me! LOL j/k

Fooood

Food, something we all love. Especially me! Since I was a kid I could eat a ton of food and not have to pay for it. Well until my late twenties....the look on surprise on my face when I feel the cheeseburger hanging off my sides that I ate the night before. It sucks getting older and your metabolism starting to slow down :( I realize I am only 27 but its truly significant the differences you notice year by year. Now I am not totally unhealthy. After I finished skin school in 2006 I began making major modifications in the way I ate. Learning that what you eat impacts heavily on how your skin looks made me think twice about consuming fatty foods all day long. I also came to realize that eating healthy made you feel more energetic and happy!
Now I'm not saying I'm blessed with a skinny skinny waistline! I have always had a little curves but I never felt I looked overweight just maybe "soft" in areas. I have always loved to try to be fit and be active. Growing up the only girl sibling and a very active mom and dad I grew to love being outdoors and playing sports. Being fit is more of a lifestyle than a chore for me. But I do have my weakness's and well just plainly said I LOVE FOOD! hahaha So I was mortified to find out that I m currently suffering from a weakened gallbladder.

Several months ago I started feeling nauseated from time to time but didn't know why. Now nausea is not very unusual for me because I get car sick all the time but this was different. Slowly I began to learn that it was after I ate heavy meals I would get a little sick. I would try drinking apple cider vinegar occasionally and adding it to my water but it was only a temporary fix. Recently this year Eric and I went out to Virginia and North Carolina to visit family. I ate like crazy of course! Trying all new kinds of foods and many fried food goodness. The whole vacation I was very nauseated thinking well I guess it must be acid reflux or all the fatty food. Well come to find out that eating the fatty food wasn't the entire problem, it was my gallbladder! Ugghhh sadness. I know its ridiculous how much a girl can love food. I guess im a food addict lol
But my gallbladder doesn't produce enough bile to break down foods especially heavy or fatty ones.
After a very painful and yucky attack a couple weeks ago I went to my family doctor and tried to figure out whats wrong. After many tests and waiting, a hida scan (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hida-scan/MY00320) revealed the problem. Since then its kinda been like walking on egg shells making sure I don't get another attack again, no fun!
However the good thing is I feel even more motivated to eat healthier and maintain my portions. Eric and I have been trying to live leaner since the beginning of this year. At the first of our marriage I went crazy making yummy heavy meals and trying new recipes. I couldn't help it! I was excited to be a wife and be married to the love of my life! Finally Eric was like okay I love ya but maybe we can cut back on the heavy meals for a while and try to eat a lot lighter? haha
We have really researched healthier nutrition ideas and I have made all sorts of healthier versions of heavier meals and it has been a lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoy being healthy and eating healthy I just like to have my occasional "cheat" meal as Eric and I call it.
Here are some of the books and documentaries we highly recommend on clean and healthy living that have inspired us!

I put the Pinterest logo because it is a huge recipe finder for me. You can get an on-pouring of helpful tips and advice on cooking. Bad food or good. So I have been inspired with many recipes from there and some of the healthy ones have been super good. 

Eric and I also started several months ago having a healthy shake in the morning too. They usually consist of water, flaxseed oil, aloe vera juice, acai berry juice, flax seeds, kale, spinach, berries, and some protein powder. Recently we began adding ginger and chlorophyll. The shakes are actually really yummy and have amazing benefits. Were addicted!

I am debating whether I just want to get my gallbladder taken out or try to live with it. The past couple weeks have sort have been testing grounds on what I should do. I have already met with a surgeon and she told me I am in a little bit of a grey area. I don't have to take it out now but I do run the risk of having another painful attack. Also there is the thought of getting pregnant. Gallbladder problems seem to amp up when your pregnant. The surgeon told me she thinks it has something to do with the hormones. So its a lot to think about and I am still deciding. We aren't thinking of getting pregnant for a bit but the thought of having another gallbladder attack isn't fun having hanging over your head either. But Until then more healthy eating with the occasional "small" portion of yummo fatty food. We will see how it goes...

Organization!

Ahhh organization...love that word! Nothing makes me more happier than knowing everything is in its proper place and not scattered about like a mad house! Well...I shouldn't say nothing makes me happier but organization  sure is up there on my list!
Anywhoo there are many eye sores around our home that I have just had to look the other way until I am able to fix the solution. Which most of the time includes buying baskets or other organizational products. I keep telling myself..one thing at a time..you will get to it.
Well I am pleased to say a few things have been organized around the house and it makes me so happy!
Most exciting element being the living room media console I painted a few months ago.With the help of my Mom!
Here it is below..

Originally came like this...

Sanding it down..my moms a pro :)

Then painted to this..(4-5 coats later!)

It was positioned right under the T.V. in the living room. Ughh hated the clutter! But now...

Baskets! I love it!

So little by little our home is becoming more and more clutter free. With the help of Eric's mother a couple weeks ago she helped sort one of our bedrooms that is basically just a modge podge of stuff including our sister Katie and husband Kenny's things. When they moved out last year they had to leave a few things behind because they only had two tiny cars to haul it all to Texas. So totally understandable! We have been storing the items and Eric's mother came and sorted through some of the things and took several items back with her to Texas. So slowly the room is downsizing but no rush. Its not like we have any furniture or anything to go in there! Haha so no worries. Baby steps I say.

In addition to the baskets this weekend I got a simple drawer organizer that was much needed for our bathroom. I saw the idea on Pinterest here..

I Like the idea of not having a toothbrush holder on the bathroom counter top. Makes it more clutter free. And I always forget to move the toothbrushes out of the way when I am spraying cleaner and so forth, yuck! There is probably so much Windex and hairspray on our toothbrushes...ewe 

And..to Eric's dismay I got rid of the beautiful Texas flag toothbrush holder...

He actually seemed okay with parting with it haha. I am thankful he isnt too picky about our home decor. Hes awesome. Speaking of awesome. Eric worked long and hard with our friendly neighbor at getting our sprinkler system working!! Soo nice knowing we don't have to move around our little portable sprinkler inch by inch around the lawn. Yey!!! Now I may start planting things in the flower beds which will be nice. I would have planted them before but I am way to lazy and scatter brained to remember to water plants lol.

I told Eric I wanted to take a picture of him after his hard work in front of the sprinklers spraying for the blog but we ended up forgetting. But if we had his expression would have most likely been like this..

Haha hes just so hardcore tehee. I am so proud of him. If it weren't for him none of these big projects would ever get done!

Well that concludes the Lopez updates so far. Next weekend...UFC Fights! :)

Trip to VA & NC!

Eric and I had the excitement of visiting family in Virginia and North Carolina this past month. It was soo much fun meeting Eric's side of the family that I haven't met before as well as seeing this little guy for the first time below..

Baby Joseph-Cutest Baby Ever!

Family, Erin and Dallin Merrill, hosted us at their cute apartment in Alexandria for a whole week with the exception of 2 days in NC. It was a long flight out there but we were soo happy to finally get there and settled in. The weather was remarkably a lot warmer than anticipated. But you can definitely feel the difference in air with the heavy humidity.  Here is some pics of the first night..

Me and Joseph..I look tired lol but soo happy to see this little guy

Me, Joseph, and Eric lookin all comfy in his sweats

Eric and Joseph

In the pics of Eric and Joseph, Eric is bouncing Joseph on a yoga/pilates workout ball. Joseph loves to be bounced! It keeps him happy and content :)
The next day Erin and Dallin showed us a lot of sights in downtown DC. We went to several museums and enjoyed the sunshine we were blessed with.

Museum of Natural History

Museum of Natural History 

Museum of Natural History 

Museum of Air and Space 

Joseph smiling in the Museum of Air and Space 

Museum of Air and Space 

 Eric holding Joseph in front an exhibit that showed some of the requirements of flight attendants back in the day...ridiculous!/ Museum of Air and Space 

 Walking to the State Capital Building

State Capital Building

That night Eric and I joined Dallin for dinner while Erin and baby Joseph got some rest. We went to this yummy french cafe mmmm. It was in downtown Alexandria. 

 

http://www.lamadeleine.com/

The next day Dallin had to work and Erin needed to rest at home due to an accident she had on our museum adventure injuring her foot (thanks goodness shes okay!). So Eric and I set on a quest to see the memorials and other sites downtown. We took the metro which was my fist underground subway experience! It was exciting but made me feel a bit queasy lol Im so fragile sometimes. 

Me waiting for the Metro. The train starts above ground then when it gets closer to downtown it begins going underground.

Eric is such a stud :)

 Riding the train

Trying not to be sick LOL

Our first stop was the Arlington National Cemetery. A-mazing place. So much history. You just feel so proud to see the resting place of soo many people who fought for our countries freedoms.

Here above is our first stop at J.F.K.'s resting place

 You can see behind Eric the Washington Monument in the background

J.F.K.'s grave where a flame is always lit in his honor 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Always guarded day and night.

 Behind the Tomb a gorgeous amphitheater

 Washington Monument

 My favorite stop the Lincoln Memorial

 I loved the feeling of history inside the Lincoln Memorial

 The Ceiling in the Lincoln Memorial was beautiful

 War of Vietnam Memorial Wall

Then we took a day trip with Erin to the home of  George Washington . Another one of my favorite stops

 Erin had Joseph snuggled up in her swaddle carrier (not sure what it was called) so cute. They are in the outdoor cooking area of Washington's home.

 Erin, Eric and Joseph standing in front of some of the amazing view George Washington had from his home.

 George Washington's tomb and other families resting place

We enjoyed an "old fashioned" meal together on the George Washington's museums site

Joseph was quite pleased at the moment until he got hungry himself and had a little bit of a meltdown. But mommy got it under control!

 Wednesday we drove down to N.C. to visit some of Eric's family. They are soo great :). They arranged for us to eat at Parker's. A famous restaurant in the area known for its fried goods. 

 It was quite a "blast from the past" sort of feel. Eric and I had to take a picture outside.

 The next day Eric, Erin, Joseph and I came down the the Speight family home which has been in the family for many years. Across the street a ways is a beautiful fishing pond. Eric just had to feed the ducks! 

I tried to get them to get closer 

 Cousin Jenny and little Joseph!

 Grandma Mildred just loves her little grandson!

 Thursday night Eric's family made a gorgeous meal that took most of the day to prepare! Sweet potatoes, pastry, and cornbread covered the table. I felt spoiled to say the least!

 Our last day I had to take a picture outside the gorgeous Speight home. Very colonial historic looking.

Some family saying goodbye. They made me feel so warm and welcome. 

Our trip back on Friday everyone was a bit tired. We decided to take it fairly easy that night. Then Saturday we woke up and said our goodbyes :(. Dallin and Erin were such wonderful hosts!

Eric and I stopped at the Holocaust Museum on the way to the airport and had about an hour to visit there. Its more of a 3-4 hour trip but we were able to walk around and learn a lot about our history. Then it was off to the airport for our journey back!

Needless to say we were both happy and tired when we got home at 1:00 in the morning! We spent the next day sleeping and recovering from our great adventure back east :)