Baptisms

Steve and I recently had a few baptisms in our family. Brayden was baptized on July 26 and Jaedyn was baptized on August 2. Both baptisms were fabulous but they were very different.

Brayden is 10 and was baptized after taking the missionary discussions. Scott and Debi were inactive until recently and it was very exciting for us to be there, especially because Scott both baptized and confirmed Brayden. It was fun to have the baptism completely dedicated to Brayden. We went to Golden Corral for dinner afterwards and then to Steve's parents for cake and icecream for his mom's birthday. We really had a good time and it was fun to just spend some time with family. We really don't see Scott, Debi and the kids often enough.

Brayden received a gift from the primary that I really liked. He received a white towel with his name and baptism date embroidered on it with the following poem, they use blue thread for boys and pink for girls:

My Baptism Towel

This baptism towel is to help remind you of your baptism day all the years through.

When you come out of the water all clean and pure, Dry off with towel and you can be sure that you are as cleans as this towel is white, And the Holy Ghost will be with you both day and night.

For the Holy Ghost is your gift after the laying on of hands, And will be comfort and a guide if you obey God's commands.

When your towel becomes soiled, remember that we too may sometimes make mistakes and we've been taught what to do. Just as you can be washed away and never again be seen.

Your Heavenly Father loves you; remember always to pary, And He will be beside you forever and a day.

Jaedyn turned 8 last month and her baptism was shared with another kid in her ward. Jade's dad even came up from St. George to be there. Ryan baptized her and that was exciting as well because it was only earlier this year that he was ordained an elder and he and Melissa went to the temple. Unfortunately for me, I had to leave pretty much right after the baptism to work for 2 hours. Steve stayed there and hung out with his parents until I finished. Then I met Steve, his parents and Ryan and his gang for dinner. After dinner, Steve and I went to see "Mama Mia" with his parents. I enjoyed it, Steve not as much. But it is a fun girl's night movie and the music was definitely enjoyable.

Mikey posing at dinner. He's copying dad!

Overall, two very different, important events one weekend after another and both very enjoyable days.

Life

Okay, I really can't believe it has been as long as it has since I have posted anything. There have been several events that I have thought about posting and then did not.

I truly apologize. It's time to come clean.

Frankly, I have been emotionally elsewhere. Last month I went to the doctor for a physical (I hadn't had one in about 2 1/2 years). I got some less than desirable results. My pap smear came back abnormal, as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) to be exact.

"HSIL stands for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. High-grade means the cells are very different from normal cells. These cells are usually precancerous and are more likely to lead to cervical cancer. Your doctor will probably perform a colposcopy to determine how at risk you are for cancer." www.familydoctor.org

Since I went to my family physician he suggested I see a gynecologist for further testing. I didn't have one. I had fired my last one, LONG story, and had not yet found another. This was one of the reasons I hadn't had a physical for so long. Due to my myriad of issues, I decided to call my insurance to see if there was one they could recommend that might have experience with my particular issues. The doctor they referred me to happens to be a D.O., Doctor of Osteopathy. This is a plus in my book as D.O.s are trained to look at a whole body perspective and tend to accept natural options quicker than many other doctors.

Long story, short version, my appointment was last week on Monday. I had a colposcopy, which basically entails the doctor using a few different dyes to help any issues show up and using a microscope to see them. If there are any issues, a biopsy is done. Steve went with me and we left with no biopsy done and the doctor describing my cervix as "pink, pretty and perfect". A bit of an odd description, but I guess compared to what it could look like it must be accurate. We were somewhat relieved and encouraged but knew I was not out of the woods yet. He said the edge looked like there might be an issue he couldn't see so he took a scraping, basically a pap smear on steroids, to double-check.

Today I received my results. I am clear. No signs of any abnormal cells. I don't know how my original test showed such scary abnormalities but there isn't any now. Another medical disaster averted!

So, there is my reason for not posting for 3 weeks. Take it or leave it. I might just be up to catching up from the last month. I've got some good stuff...at least I think so.