Hey there, Beautiful Souls! I'm thrilled to share a snippet of my journey—three weeks left in the fall semester, then a glorious break before diving into my final semester come January 2024. Graduating with a Bachelor's in family science is such a win, and I can't wait to dive into being a Family Life Educator, spreading positivity like confetti.
Amidst all the chaos, I'm teaming up with specialists to tame this wild, bleeding nose. See, I've been dealing with internal and external nasal valve stenosis bilaterally—yep, my nose seems to have its own ideas! There's talk of Batton grafts, alar rim grafts, and maybe a touch of Batton twirling just to keep things interesting.
Let's not forget my nose's architectural quirk—a deviated septum that could use some straightening out. Enter septoplasty and turbinate reduction, a little tune-up for the nasal pathways. Oh, and my weak nasal valves need a bit of reinforcement. Honestly, my nose is like a house of cards in a gentle breeze—risking a collapse just from casual breathing!
Sure, there are risks involved—septal perforation, hematoma, and maybe even a surprise party for revision surgery. But hey, life's an adventure, right? In the spirit of full disclosure, these health hurdles come with their own set of risks and discussions, but it's all part of the journey toward healing and well-being.
I'll soon be visiting some incredible GI specialists and an Electrophysiologist cardiologist early next year. Why? Well, it's all about teamwork in tackling my list of confusing and complicated issues such as gastroparesis, and navigating a few twists in the rhythm of my heart.
So, while I navigate this maze of health adventures, let's keep the holiday spirit alive! Let's cherish every moment, laugh at the unexpected twists, and revel in the beauty of imperfection. Here's to a season of warmth, laughter, and a sprinkle of good health tossed in for good measure
Then there's my hearing, currently playing hide-and-seek. It's a mix of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss of 80 percent, mainly in my right ear. Will work on that after the new year. But let's listen to a couple of songs that I bravely was able to sing again despite everything. Music really feeds my soul.
Now, who's up for "O'Holy Night" and "Mary Did You Know"? Sing along if you've got the gusto! Here are my renditions.
https://share.singsnap.com/play/12878119
"O'holy night"
https://share.singsnap.com/play/12878124
"Mary did you know"
Southern Utah is where it's at, soaking up sunbeams with Tarl, making memories, and hosting friends and family. And let's talk about forgiving—holding grudges is so last season, right? Healing takes time, but it's a dance, not a destination.
The holidays? Oh, they're about everything—a patchwork of amends, stories, giggles, and baking mishaps. If you're up for cozy holidays, Tarl's got you covered with books and sketchy goodness. Makes for perfect gifts and stocking stuffers.
Coloring Books and Sketch Books
Books to Read
Now, holidays are about more than just laughter and melodies; they're about cherishing moments, spreading warmth, and rekindling bonds. It's a time to curl up with a book, unleash your creativity with colors, or simply share stories by the fireplace.
Remember, the holidays aren't just about presents and perfectly baked pies; they're about making moments into memories, about twinkling eyes and warm embraces. They're about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, whether it's singing off-key carols or discovering a new favorite cookie recipe that's equal parts delicious and disastrous.
So, let's deck the halls with laughter and kindness, sprinkle a dash of creativity into every day, and embrace the wonderful messiness of life. Because in the end, it's the imperfect, whimsical moments that make the best stories. Cheers to a holiday season full of merry madness and heartwarming adventures! 🎁✨
Motivation? It's this fire within that refuses to be dimmed, despite the challenges that knock on my door. Self-care and self-love? They're my daily rituals, gentle reminders that amidst the chaos, taking a moment for myself isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity.
And let's not forget humor—it's my trusty sidekick, helping me laugh in the face of adversity. Work becomes more than a job; it's a passion fueled by the desire to make a difference and to spread warmth and kindness in every interaction.
Feelings, ah, the complex tapestry of emotions that color our lives. Embracing them all, the highs and lows is what makes this journey so uniquely beautiful.
So here's to keeping that inner light shining bright. Remember, your story, your journey, is your own unique inspiration. Let it be a beacon for others, a reminder that amidst the struggles, there's an unbreakable spirit that thrives.
Sending so much love and support to each and every one of you. May you find happiness, love, and joy in your lives each and every day. Please don't forget to laugh and smile a lot. It's truly beautiful. No matter how corny the jokes may be. Humor is such a healing part of my life and I hope you can find a place for it in your life.
Keep Shining~ Be Inspired~
~Jackie Inspires ~
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Hello Beautiful Souls ~
Hope you and your family are doing well. You're amazing ~
I just wanted to share some real-life thoughts and inspiration. Buckle up, because this isn’t your average gratitude story—it's a rollercoaster of love, family, and learning to laugh at life's quirks.
So, I gotta tell you about my amazing hubby, Tarl. We're not just ride-or-die partners; we're best buds. Picture this: two goofballs lovingly pushing each other's buttons while jamming to music, scribbling on canvases, building random stuff from scratch, and strolling through sunrises and sunsets. Oh, and our home? It's like a sanctuary of love with a sprinkle of Jesus vibes.
Let's talk family. I'm from a massive squad of 13, while Tarl's the OG among 9 siblings. Yep, chaotic but oh-so-beautiful. We're all about those family gatherings, sharing tales that make you laugh till you snort, and watching our nieces and nephews grow—seriously, they're popping out their own families now! It's a beautiful mess of love and nostalgia.
In sickness and in health, our families have been our rock stars, teaching us that life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but it's definitely worth dancing in the rain for. We’ve learned to talk it out, shrug off grudges, forgive faster than a microwave cooks popcorn, and cherish the wild, messy, and utterly perfect moments.
Life's this wild mix of planning for the future and embracing the now. We’ve learned to love our flaws, hustle through tough times, and find strength in our vulnerabilities. 'Cause, you know, even superheroes have their off days.
This isn’t just a once-a-year gratitude fest—it’s a daily dose of thankfulness, even when life’s pulling a prank on us. Our memories with family and friends? They're like treasure chests filled with gold—irreplaceable.
Life's unpredictability is a reminder that change and transformation don't always require colossal trials. They can stem from the purity of a kind heart, from reaching out to family and reconnecting with those we've loved from years past, from forgiving, and from extending a helping hand to those in need.
It's the faith, hope, and love in all circumstances that have bestowed upon us the greatest happiness and peace since Tarl and I met and fell in love three years ago. Our memories with our siblings, parents, family, and friends are the treasures we hold dear. The longing for everyday togetherness is palpable, yet we've come to understand that no matter where each of us resides, our family bond remains unbroken, forever nurturing, and infinitely important. Emotions come, and it's important to talk to those you love about anything. Wisdom, resilience, holding no grudges, forgiveness, cherishing what is important, and living life just for the day is key. Plan for the future, but relish the moment for the day.
Work on talents, continue education, grow in struggles, and defeat the anger from horrible trials and challenges. Love yourself, practice self-care, find strength, understand weaknesses, and know you're not alone; there are many around the world. Strength amid the horrible times, letting yourself be vulnerable, owning your feelings, acknowledging the hurt, taking time, and knowing that God and our Savior created all of us because they don't make junk.
You are of value and importance, no matter how big or small your desires, dreams, prayers, or wishes. Your feelings matter, and your hopes and dreams matter. Life can get lonely, and unfair, and present various challenges physically, emotionally, spiritually, or financially. It may seem unbearable but don't give up. Seek help with resources around you; don't be ashamed to ask for help. Look to God or those you believe in; reach out to family, friends, communities, and neighbors—countless resources are available worldwide.
Choose good over evil. Have faith rather than fear. God is with us all, guiding us through the maze of life. I anticipate eternity with my true love and wonderfully creative husband, Tarl. I yearn for the day when all of us will be together for eternity. But until then, let's weave a tapestry of memories, embracing every moment, breathing in the beauty of life, accepting both judgment and reality and finding solace in creating our happiness and safe space.
You're loved. Thanks for your support and ongoing love. May you continue to embrace what life has and conquer it all. Stay safe. Keep smiling and laughing.
Keep shining. Stay inspired. ~ Jackie inspires ~
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Hello Beautiful Souls ~
Life is sure busy! Between Tarl and his busy work, projects, and unpacking the last bit in our home, and Tarl and I both having nasty colds for over a week now, We needed to get out in the sunshine and see the beautiful state of Utah we're blessed to live in.
We've been in our beautiful townhome for a month now and love it. Above is a picture I took of Pine Mountain here in Washington/St. George Utah where we live. Isn't it beautiful?
I've been busy with school and health appointments. Also putting in a lot of job applications as I graduate in Spring 2024 with my Family Science degree. So, why wait? when I can enjoy the numerous interviews, applications, and denials hahaha. It's all part of the process. I may be 40 but I got quite a bit of years left and want a career.
I love that Tarl and I can make sure we make time for ourselves together. Whether it's a drive, a walk, exploring, creating, or reading next to each other. Life can get busy but being with those you love is so important. MAKE TIME~ Even if you don't have a special someone, I understand, we've all been there but make time with someone or those you love dear.
We've learned a lot through my horrible sickness *you can read previous blog posts to understand that part. It was very hard on both of us and very scary. I literally thought it was the end of me. With a lot of prayers, determination, support, love, the move, amazing specialists, and constant work, I am better and stable. My insulin pump is doing good. My gastroparesis is stable. My emotional and spiritual health is amazing.
Having my best friend and my love by my side and me by his side made life even more beautiful, just like looking outside and seeing the beautiful desert, mountains, dirt, plants and so much more. God makes beautiful things. Yes, we have challenges but despite how ''ugly'' it can be, at the end of the challenge or trial, it's actually quite an amazing and beautiful destination.
I'm not saying we're totally 100 percent better but we are 100 percent sure how blessed we are to have each other. No matter how many bumps in the road or trials we have faced, we really do stop and appreciate the beautiful trials and challenges we have overcome.
There's no going back. There's no different direction you can choose once you choose a path, but there is so much beautiful scenery along the way and that is with each other too. The growth, determination, learning, growing, faith-building, and just in awe of how incredibly blessed we are. So what does this tell you? Don't give up. Don't just stay in a funk and not live. Don't let your challenges and trials stop you from living.
No amount of sickness and disasters and the way you feel should stop you from living. It's a time for you personally to see how you can live and learn during those times and have faith in every step you take. No matter how big or small that step is, YOU ARE DOING IT. YOU CHOOSE. Each of us has our free agency. We choose whether to live or just ride out the storms missing beautiful moments.
I am choosing one day at a time. No matter how I feel. No matter how busy life can be. Enjoying my life with Tarl. Enjoying the outside. Enjoying the sun on my face. Enjoying the appointments, my ups and downs. I am enjoying really researching, pondering, praying, and consulting for the right career for me. Doesn't matter it's later in my life, because I am doing it. Doesn't matter if you are doing something later, it's you're doing it.
Just take one day at a time. I know you hear it a lot or compare yourself with others. That's fine. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life. I'm just putting this out there that each day is a new opportunity whether each of us is blessed to see it or not. No matter how hard it is or easy it may be.
See the sunshine and the beautiful scenery for the day. Worry about tomorrow later. One step. One choice. Know how much you are worth it and not forgotten. God created you. He knows before you know what will happen. You are given this chance and life now and we may not understand why but that's okay. We're given so much joy, blessings, knowledge, skills, opportunities, passions, talents, and each other to expand our days.
I am just blessed. I am blessed I can choose to stop and just soak in the beautiful moments with Tarl. No matter how hard things get or how busy, I choose. That's what life is about. You choose. Your free agency. I choose Life :) I choose the good, bad, and ugly and see the beautiful blessings.
Keep shining ~ Be Inspired ~
~Jackie Inspires~
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