April Fools Day Is My Favorite Day

I LOVE April Fools Day! I think it has to be one of my favorite silly holidays! I think a day full of laughs and fun jokes is something everyone could use. I know I'm 20 and I probably shouldn't still be pulling pranks but I can't help it! My poor husband, he will hate this day;)

I was lucky to have a family that got into days like today. Whether it was red jello in the cups, instead of punch or fake black eyes, scorpion bites, fake spiders, or of course the head showing up. April Fools Day has always been a fun day at my house.

Today I realized how sweet my family is because I guess I pulled a April Fools joke a little too close to home today and they all reacted in the most thoughtful ways...while I was dying, laughing so hard! I sent a text out to my sisters that said,

"I thought I would let everyone know what has been going on today. 

Last night I had a horrible pain in my side and it got much worse this 

afternoon so dad just drove me up to the doctors and turns out the 

bottom screw broke loose. They are taking me in for surgery in the 

next half hour to an hour. You can see it in the picture. 

Everything should go smoothly though. Love you."

*This picture was attached*

(I guess I have a little too much time on my hands to be photoshopping floating screws hahaha)

No sooner after I sent the text my sweet sister called my dad asking if we were really at the hospital hahaha My niece texted me and said, "That was not funny, I was worried about you. Stop pulling jokes!" They even prayed for me at dinner! haha I'm horrible. I figure if anyone can pull a joke like that, it's me. I deserve to have a little fun after going through that surgery! 

So I would say this April Fools Day has been one of the very best yet! 

The Blessing Book

My last post was a little on the negative side of things. But then again life was a whole different story a month ago and some days just weren't all sunshine and rainbows. However, today I was thinking how wonderful life really is and how all negative thoughts can be changed if only we decide to see the positive side of it. Ever since my surgery I've kept a "Blessing Book." Each night before bed I write down all the tender mercies or answers to prayers I've seen or received during that day. This has helped me stay positive during the tough moments or days were I'm not feeling my best. But it's also helped me see the love my Savior has for me and the love my family has shown me. It may seem silly but today I received such a perfect tender mercy. I decided to go for a walk on this beautiful sunny day and as I was about halfway up the street (I was thankful no one was with me) because I couldn't stop crying. I was thinking back two months ago to when I couldn't even walk. Standing took all the strength I had and even then I had to have two nurses lift me out of the bed. Soon after, just being able to take the walker down the hallway was one big accomplishment in itself and I was very deserving of a long nap. Last month I could hardly make it past five houses up the street while my dad held onto my arm. Each day these little accomplishments of being able to get one house further or putting the walker down in storage became things to celebrate. Something that was so natural and easy, such as walking was taken away from me. It shook up my world for awhile there. But today when I walked around the block I felt a little bit like I had just ran a marathon. The sun seemed to be shining a little brighter too. So today in my blessing book it's going to say, "I'm thankful I can walk." (one day when my kids read this...they will think their mom had lost it.) But truthfully I am amazed at where I was and where I am. Each day is a gift that I hope to never take for granted again. 

PS- I Love February! 

The Secret Is Finally Out...And I've Never Been So Happy!

I was in seventh grade when the school nurse told me to bend over so she could run her long finger down my spine. Little did I know that day would eventually change my whole life. I was told the news that I needed to see a chiropractor as soon as possible. Later that week my parents took me to the local chiropractor up the street. We took xray after xray and were told I had Scoliosis. I wasn't that worried since a lot of the woman in my family also have this and they look as perfect as can be. My chiropractor didn't feel the same way however. I started seeing the chiropractor two to three times a week. He would hook me up to wet electric sponges, pop my back, neck, (basically everything), and strap me into a suit that was hooked to the wall and make me run on the treadmill. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed any of it. With an initial spinal curve of 43 degrees we hadn't seen any progress over the next year of constant chiropractor visits. We decided I should be fitted for a back brace. For the next two years I wore a plastic brace that fit snug against my hips and waist. I would get strapped into this brace everyday for at least 18 hours. (which meant I refused to wear this to school) NO ONE could find out about this secret of mine. I was so embarrased that my hips weren't even, or that my shoulders didn't line up or yup, my butt was a little bigger than the next persons. I couldn't let anyone know. 

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Two years had passed and no change had been made. Luckily my curve hadn't gotten worse, but it hadn't gotten better either. Since I was starting high school now I decided it was time to tuck that brace under my bed and say goodbye to the chiropractor for good. I went all through high school without any of my friends finding out about "my secret." There was the occasional back ache but nothing I couldn't handle. I was finally finding that self confidence I had lost for a bit and I was happier than ever. I tried everyday to shift my hips over and lift up one of my shoulders so I could look normal. Life was good and I was happy!

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It was time for college and I don't think I've ever had as much fun in my whole life as I did last year. Well second semester had hit and so did a lot of back pain. I hadn't had back pain like this ever and I started to get worried. I really didn't know much about Scoliosis but I wasn't so dumb that I didn't realize it could cause serious problems down the road. After months of talking to my parents I made the decision that I needed to change schools. This came as a surprise to a lot of people and a lot of people heard a lot of made up reasons why I was changing schools. I still couldn't get up the courage to tell anyone about this part of my life. I knew exactly why I was changing schools and why it seemed like the worst decision at the time, I don't think I have ever been happier. 

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About six months ago I found out that my scoliosis had increased from an initial curvature of 43 degrees to 58 degrees. I was having constant back pain and it was obvious it was only going to get worse. My spine was affecting my lungs, my ribs, and could cause serious heart damage. It was obvious that a Spinal Fusion was the only answer. 

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On December 16, 2013 I recieved the greatest blessing in the whole world. I have perfectly lined up hips, and my shoulders are finally even. My back is STRAIGHT. That seems silly but this was the biggest life changing experience for me. This ten hour surgery was the scariest thing I have ever done in my entire life. I can't bend, I can't twist, and I can't lift anything over ten pounds. I lay in bed most the day while my sweet family picks up the remote I dropped on the floor, or feeds me dinner, puts on my socks, takes off my socks when I get too hot, holds my hand as I walk, wakes up every two hours to get me my pills, and never once complains. My heart has never felt so much love from everyone. I have been blessed beyond belief. The countless cards, flowers, candy, gifts, and visits have meant more than anyone could ever know. Sometimes I don't understand how I got so blessed. My life has been perfect and I am so completely happy. I wish I could run around and show everyone how good of a job my doctors did! But I have to remember no one really wants to see a giant scar down my back. So instead I'll just say how thankful I am for such talented doctors there are in the world. I have never been so happy in my whole entire life. My Heavenly Father has been my constant comfortor and has been there with me every step of the way. Not once have I ever felt alone during this crazy process. I have been so blessed and I could never explain to someone how thankful I am. I've been given a new life. A healthy life. But most of all, such a happy life. 

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This surgery changed my life in more ways than just physical. I will never take the littlest of things for granted again. I have been humbled in so many ways and I thank my Heavenly Father for this experience every single day. I am so happy and can't wait to continue life with my "new back!" 

So I guess the secret is finally out and I couldn't be anymore excited!

Before and after I had 2 rods and 21 screws placed in my spine. Isn't this incredible!!!

I was so excited!

Life is still good:)

This is the only "gross" picture I promise! 

Just hangin in there:) 

My incredible Doctors

My Favorite Visitor!

Learning how to walk!

We're Headin Home:)

I have the sweetest family in the world!

Who knew walking up the stairs could be such a workout.

My beautiful sister has been the best "baby sitter"

I'm finally as tall as my sisters!

I am so happy and Life is wonderful:)

What a Perfect Holiday

I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Arizona this Thanksgiving break to spend the holiday with my sweet sister and her cute family. It couldn't have been a better week. We didn't waste a single second together. It has been too long since I've seen that cute house my sister has worked so hard to decorate. She has raised her family perfectly. I have to admit, I think I meant to be the youngest of four sisters because I have been so blessed with being able to see them all raise their families. I hope to be half the mother they all are one day. This year for thanksgiving I had more than my fair share of things to be thankful for. To name a few, my sweet family, my job, being able to go to school, being able to receive my upcoming surgery, and this perfect gospel. My life's better than anything I could ever ask for. It was a perfect Thanksgiving even though we missed all the family back home!

Can't you guess why being an aunt is the greatest thing on this planet.

Our friend, the head even decided to come along this trip... He wasn't welcomed very well.

Love this sweet sister of mine.

It was a very sunny and warm Thanksgiving break!

Grateful for you...

Hello November! 2014 is right around the corner and I couldn't be any more excited! This year has been incredible. I can't believe how much i've grown and learned over this year. Every happy moment or bump in the road has been something I have needed in my life. That's why I love November. November to me is that extra reminder to count your blessings. I know I have too many to count but i'm trying the best I can to write them all down. This month I've tried something knew. Every morning before I do anything else I thank my Heavenly Father for all the blessings I saw in the previous day and then for the new day. I haven't ever really given thankful prayers very often. And yes I could always use a few more blessings but doing this over the past week has taught me so much. I have learned to appreciate such small things. My eyes have been opened to how wonderful this world really is. There is so much good out there to be seen, we just need to realize it. So during this Thanksgiving month here are just a few of the unmeasurable blessings I've been given:)

-My Very Biggest Blessings-

-My Beautiful Sisters-

 -These Perfect Kiddos-

-Being with them Forever-

My Incredible Roommates (haha just kidding) 

Blessed to have them as parents.

 -The Chance to Travel-

-The Best of Friends-

-The Opportunity to go to a Wonderful School-

-This blessing becomes a greater gift every day. There is no one I know that is as thankful for everything than this guy. He only sees the good and I hope a little of that has rubbed off on me over the years;) He makes me so happy and I love him so much. I'm proud of who he's becoming and hope I can measure up one day. I know for a fact I don't need Thanksgiving as a reminder to count my blessing for him everyday.

Life is so good and obviously I have so much to be thankful for.

Things Always Work Out

One day you hear someone mention something and you instantly brush it off. Well months later it gets brought up again and you try to shove it aside... again. This keeps happening and happening until one day reality smacks you in the face and you find out news that really could make or break you. 

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There's a quote I love that says, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." I never realized how true that saying was until I had to put it to work in my own life. Sometimes really scary things or hard things happen to us that can bring us down so low but it's INCREDIBLE what can happen when we put a little more faith in the Lord, a bigger smile on our face, and a positive outlook in our minds. Sometimes a positive outlook isn't the easiest thing to come by, especially for me but i'm trying a little harder each day. Life is a wonderful blessing and i'm thankful everyday for the events happening in my life right now. I am learning so much about myself but most of all I have become so much closer to my Savior. When you have a lot on your mind he seems to always be there to help you figure it all out. I am SO blessed! 

Fall Has Been too Good to Me

October has always been my favorite month. No, not just because its my birthday month but because of the leaves, the smell of pumpkins lit on the porch, pumpkin patch pictures and of course Halloween. This month has been one of the best I've had in a long time. 

I can't believe this year is practically to an end!

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This year I tried my very hardest to come up with something new I've never done that a "20" year old could do....yup there's nothing! After weeks of idea after idea being tossed away I thought of it... a party with NO children!! That is a very rare thing at the John household. But I'm not complaining because I love those kiddos. Well this was the result of one very fun night with the adults.  

Can I just mention how much I love my family. They put up with anything I want to do and yup I wanted to play Clue. I have never had so much fun in my whole life and 

I think they would say the same. Don't they all look PERFECT!! 

We found Mr. Boddy!! haha don't you wish you were in my family?

I was spoiled rotten this year and 20 couldn't be any more perfect! 

Everyone wanted me to make a big wish but the thing they didn't know is 

I've been wishing for the same thing for awhile... "the default wish."

What a happy happy birthday!!

Oh and this guy... He treated me like a Queen! Not to mention how amazing he is doing out there. I couldn't be anymore proud. He said it best, "It's been tough but look how much we've grown. We wouldn't trade this experience for the world." He's right on! I sure do love him.

Pumpkin Patch's make for the cutest pictures! I know I say this all the time but I have to brag, I love being an aunt. They bring so much joy into my life! 

This is the cute result of my pumpkin:) 

Just a lil Florida Lovin' 

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And I can't forget to mention how much I love this lady! Having her at home with me has been a huge blessing in itself. I'd be lying if I said I didn't see her everyday. 

We do pretty much everything together and I love every second of it. 

So Happy Halloween everyone! It's been a perfect month and looking forward to next month I know I have so much to be thankful for. I don't know what I did to get so lucky!

 Fall has been too good to me.