YUMMY!!!!!!!

FRIED TWINKIE= HEAVEN

It's February! meaning "Fun Food February" at the Dairy Keen! Of course I always love the DK but I especially look forward to fried Twinkies... mmm.. it's like a little piece of heaven! I almost cried when it was gone. seriously.

I recommend not ordering it with your food. You want it fresh. Casey loves his with the strawberry's but I think it makes it soggy and much too healthy. Mmm yummy!

Good People

As you all probably know, we were in a car accident. We were coming down Provo Canyon Sunday night with my cousin Llexa in the back, Casey driving, and me asleep in the passenger seat. Since I was asleep through most of the accident what I have to report is mostly what I've been told. But here's what happened;

At the hill right before bridal veil falls Casey looked in his rear view mirror and saw head lights flying towards us, he couldn't believe how fast they were going and started telling me and Llexa about it "wow, that car-", but that's as far as he got because as the car was trying to pass us they hit the back end on the drivers side sending both us and them into a spin (apparently this was quite loud). We spun from the right lane through the left land and into the wire median where we took out 2 posts and our front end (they claim this was also loud...). Somewhere in that time Casey hit his head and shoulder. We bounced off the wire and continued to spin. Casey very sadly said "oh crap" (that's right folks, he actually said "crap"! The swearing came later...) And that "oh crap" is what woke me up. I opened my eyes to ask what he had left in heber but was stopped from speaking by the fact that we were facing the wrong way with a red hatchback (the car that hit us) sideways in front of us. We then spun until our back end hit the cement barrier on the side of the road and stopped. The Hatchback kept driving and never hit anything besides us. They were never found. we stopped on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.

The fact that we were all okay is a miracle. I'm so grateful that everyone is alright. But here's what I really want to say; THANK YOU!

As soon as the shock wore off, I looked in our rear view mirror and saw that like 6 cars had pulled over at the bottom of the hill. There were people booking it up the hill to come make sure we were okay. Of all the cars that stopped only one car unloaded and to those 4 guys we are so grateful. All they did was check on us, And suggest that we pull forward so that we were off the road and wouldn't be hit by oncoming cars. But they really cared. I am so glad that the world has that kind of people in it. I always see someone stranded and think "I should stop. But what help would I be?" Now I know; I just felt good that someone cared. All of the other cars drove off as soon as they saw us get out of the car. These 4 guys were determined to get to us just in case we couldn't get out of the car. We didn't get their names and they didn't see anything but us spinning out of control but we are so so grateful to them. Thank you strangers. I thank God for people like you.

Fam Damily

It's time for the cliche Thanksgiving post. And this year I have been thinking a lot about how grateful am for my AMAZING family. Yes, this is going to be a cheesey post. And the pictures are old, so I apologize for that.

First, the Magnusson side

I am proud to call these people family. My family is Loud! and in physical size we are BIG! People always ask "do you come from a big family?" This question makes me chuckle. No, there are not a million children, my parents had 4 kids. however, at 5'10" I am most definitely the runt. BUT, we also include each inlaw as a sibling (including Natalie although she's not pictured! Sorry Nat!) and for each one person there is the noise of at least 3 normal people. Maybe not for Casey and Nat but we'll teach them. Casey's entire extended family does not make as much noise as just my immediate family. When Casey met my whole extended family he was frightened by the chaos. When I was younger, I was not close with my family. I'm not sure why. Now, I can't think of anyone who I'd rather hang out with. They are so funny! And they would do absolutely anything for me and Casey. We love them so much, quarks and all.

Now the Moons!

I Cannot believe how grateful I am for these people. I keep hearing about all of these dramas between people and there inlaws. Well, sorry, mine rock!!! They are definitely not hard to get along with! They love me and Casey just the way we are. I got the best inlaws in the world. They know I'm crazy and they still love me (I think....) it took me a long time to feel like I could be myself around them because I am so different from them; I'm loud, vegetarian, and love to get personal. They are very respectful of space, quiet, well mannered, and definite carnivores (except Robin! Thank you Robin!). But guess what? They still love me and want to spend time with me! They would do anything for Casey and I, and we would do anything for any of them.

If you haven't noticed The Magnusson family and the Moon family are very different. But they are both OUR FAMILY There's none of this your family and my family. I am honored that Casey feels like my mom and dad and siblings are his mom and dad and siblings. I'm so grateful that through Casey I have nine more siblings and another fantastic woman to call mom.

I love you family! and I'm grateful that I'm stuck with you forever!

Question/Rant of the day

Opinion time.
There were 2 young men breaking into a home in Utah. One through the back door using a screw driver, the other through a window. The owner of the home came down and saw the man at the back door and fired his weapon at the would-be robber. Both men ran off. The young man he fired at died at the edge of the yard from the gunshot. He was 19. The home-owner could face some serious charges because of his actions. You are only allowed to attack with equal force. so he could have used a screw driver on the boy.

First I want to say that this young man was 19 years old and I totally believe people can change. His chance to turn his life around is now over and that is an awful tragedy.
BUT
what would I do differently? The owner had his wife and children in the home with him. Do you call the police, hide, and pray with all that you have that these men only want to rob you and don't want to harm your family? Could I live with killing some one? No. Could I live with having my child killed because I failed to act? No. So What now? In my home I would flip on lights, but in order to do that I'd have to walk where the burglar could see me. How do I know if he has a gun or just a screw driver? How do I know his intent? And now what if this man goes to jail and leaves his family anyway?
Where's the line? What would you do?

MOOSE!

This has been a long time coming. We got Moose the springer spaniel on July 24 and we are absolutely wrapped around his cute little paw. He is now almost 5 months old. I haven't posted because I lost our camera chord but I'll post some pictures that are just from my phone. He's very wiggly and hard to photograph.

This was right after he jumped in the shower with Casey and tracked mud all over the bathroom. what a stink.

Do you see the fish on his head?! this was when he was just a little tyke...

Moose's full registered paper name is Hersheys Moose Tracks. He and skills are best friends. He wants to be anywhere she is and he's been beat up by her since the second they met. He is the Opposite of Skills. She's uptight, sleek, clean, afraid of everything, likes to sleep in, doesn't like to cuddle, was easy to potty train, never barked but whined a lot, doesn't wag her tail when she's happy but gets a glazed look in her eyes or jumps on you. He's relaxed, cuddly, always muddy, a morning bird, barks a lot but never whines, fearless, and his tail/butt never stop wagging. Skills pees when she's excited. Moose pees when we yell at him. Skills is a daddy's girl and follows Casey everywhere. Moose is a mama's boy and is wherever I'm at. The only thing they have in common is there love for treats and there love for teasing each other. And they're both ridiculously cute.

Yes. Our dogs really do sleep like this.

I had food. that's the only way they sit still.

PCOS

Thank you! Thank you to everyone who has been so helpful this last two months as I've been struggling. I have so many people who care about me and I'm in awe each time some one comments on my blog or sends me a text or asks in anyway how I'm doing. I know this whole Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) thing is common and I know everything will work out. But I'm still scared and worried. And therefore, very very grateful to the people who care.

A brief update. I went to my follow up appointment Monday. She explained my blood test results. Basically what's going on is that my FSH and my LH (those are the things that cause you to produce your hormones) are switched. So instead of having more FSH I have more LH. Meaning that I'm creating too much testosterone and not enough of the rest. Also my triglycerides are high because PCOS causes insulin resistance. The Insulin resistance is causing me to gain weight and making it hard to lose weight. The only way to manage PCOS is to keep your weight down. It's a vicious cycle. To manage the syndrome I have to lose the weight that the syndrome is putting on. Or else I'll have hormone problems forever. The doctor told me I'll have to be on this diet for the rest of my life. Yeah right. As soon as I have my children I'm eating pizza and pasta! I say that now, but I'm sure as soon as that beard comes in and I have Diabetes I'll be singing a different tune. Anyway, the doctor also told me to eat beans and nuts, which are high carb but good carbs, because they're a good protein source. I'm also supposed to try protein shakes (ick.).

Anyway, that's the update! Oh and I've lost 28 pounds!!!!! but I've plateaued and haven't lost any for about a week now, That could be because I've been struggling with the diet. We went camping and Casey is champ of the dutch oven! mmm... cake and cobbler.... I'll keep trying. I'll get back on track. I'm determined to be healthy. If not for me, for Casey.

Over share

Alright, I still suck at finding a way to post pictures... SOON! I promise. But for this post I'm going to over share. I've been a bit "down in the dumps" lately. There are a couple of reasons for this and I just feel the need to express one of them.

WARNING!!!!!!!!! if you are sensitive to talk about female issues DO NOT READ.

In December I stopped having my period. It came out of no where. I've always been really regular. At this point I stopped taking birth control because I was afraid of damaging a fetus if I did happen to be prego. I had a gyno appointment to renew my Birth control in January so I just waited for that to talk to a doctor. The doctor walked in, and started telling me that I was obese and if I didn't lose the weight I would never have children. She was shocked, shocked, to find that I hadn't gained weight in a long time and yet I'd been regular all my life. This was a huge hit to my self esteem. I was very grateful to Casey that day. She wanted to write me prescriptions. she didn't tell me what they were for or look for a cause because she "knew" it was obesity. After my tears and nap were over I got up, looked in the mirror, turned to Casey and said, "I look just fine!" and after that I was okay but very hesitant to go back to the doctor.

Me after that Doctors appointment.

I had a period in March and then nothing. I finally went to a trusted doctor, Dr. Dianne Farley-Jones, at the end of July. She was great! She talked about my eating habits, took TONS of blood in order to find out what was wrong, and she put me on progesterone. Her guess was that the problem was Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, but she wanted to run some tests and suggested that if that was the problem I go on a strict low carb diet. We then set up a follow up appointment for the end of September.

I got my blood test results about a week later. They were a bit depressing. Of the tests they ran over half were "borderline" or "abnormal". I'm low on Vitamin D, I'm high on Testosterone (yikes, I'm turning into a man!), blah blah blah, no fun. "STRICT low carb diet. carbs coming from fruits and vegetables" was the note on the results.

Basically, she's pretty positive it's Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). If you don't know what that is it's easily google-able. But the run-down is that it causes infertility and Insulin resistance meaning it could lead to Diabetes, cancer, a mustache, etc.. Fixing my insulin levels, and as much as I HATE to admit it, losing some weight will help my fertility. (side note: Yes, I know I have some weight I should lose. However, I do not believe I am Obese. you can talk to me about this because I can get pretty passionate.)

No. Casey and I are not actively trying for pregnancy. It's just scary to think I might be broken and never give Casey his little girl (even if I am hoping for all boys...). Things are getting better; the progesterone caused me to have a period, and I'm hopeful for another one next month. I never thought I'd be "hopeful" for a period. ugh.

The diet blows Goats!!! did you know beans are super high carb? I sure didn't. And for me, beans are my protein source since I don't really eat meat. Low carb and no meat is HARD. I've been eating TONS of salad, TONS of eggs, and my new best friend is Crystal Light. Ugh, I'm even a diet soda drinker. I feel like I've crossed over to the dark side. and by the way, low calorie does NOT mean low carb. No sugar does NOT mean low carb. I am now a label checker. again I say, UGH. No pasta, no potatoes, no beans, no cookies, what's left to live for?!! On a normal 2,000 calorie diet they suggest 250 grams of Carbohydrates. I'm trying to keep mine below 50 most days. sometimes I splurge and do 100. Anyway, it was really hard for the first week... I'm getting better at it though; my average day looks like this. Breakfast: string cheese, grapes, multi-vitamin, orange juice. Lunch: Big salad with lots of greens. Dinner: scrambled eggs with cheese (every 3 days I allow myself to have a piece of whole grain whole wheat toast. Only 15 g of carbs!) Desert: a crystal Light popsicle. I have already lost 15 pounds! So that's something.I bet Darth drinks Diet Sodas.

It has been hard. And it some times gets me down. But I have high hopes and blog, thanks for allowing me to vent. If anyone has any awesome low carb vegetarian meal ideas I'd love to hear them! Sorry for the over share.