Dear Patrick..

This weekend I had to say goodbye to one of my very favorite people, Patrick. I cried.

(Chris says goodbye in 2 weeks, but I'll be out of town)
Patrick will soon be Elder Spiker, serving in Argentina. He goes into the MTC on May 12th.
On Sunday Patrick gave his farewell talk in church, which was excellent. It was hard to picture him as a missionary until that moment, and it just sunk it and felt so much more real watching him up on the stand.
Patrick has a special place in my heart. Being the youngest I've never known what it was like having younger siblings--Patrick & Luke have both been sort of my "adopted" younger brothers, and I love it. Patrick has this charm about him, that is so endearing and makes you want him around all of the time. I am sure this trait will helpful on his mission. Chris admires Pat and has a lot of confidence in him, he always tells me how smart & talented Patrick is--he is a proud big brother. We love having Patrick around.
He is a good boy.
(I am sad I left my camera in OC and didn't take any pics from this weekend. :( )

We are so proud of Patrick's decision to serve the Lord, and know he will be an incredible missionary.
See you in 2years Pat! We miss you already!

Body Bugg

Working out {okay, mostly cardio} has been on my mind a lot lately. I really miss it! I love how it clears my head, gives me energy, and makes me happier. I am cleared to work out starting May 15th, and I am desperate for that day to come! I know it won't be easy, since my feet still ache often and swell up constantly. I just keep hoping that over the next few weeks I will see huge improvements {in other words I hope that the pain goes away by May 15th}.

Surgery ain't a breeze, I know that now.

On another health related note: My two oldest brothers, Cim (34) & Josh (33) have both been using the BodyBugg. I have never heard of it before now, but I have to say it sounds like quite the little contraption! Cim has lost 42+lbs using it & Josh has lost 35+lbs in two months! I am inspired by my brothers pursuit to a healthier, more fit life. Good job boys!

You can grab yourself a BodyBugg, by clicking here.

Feels like Summertime

I love our little, old, apartment. I love that it's 2bdrms. I love that we don't share walls with anyone. I love that we are so close to the beach and that I can walk to the grocery store. And I love that we have a cute little patio.

This past week my parents came for a visit, which was lovely. The weather was awesome- 70-80's. We went walking a lot, went to Balboa, saw movies, ate yummy food, and laughed constantly. It was really nice to have family here. My brother & his family joined us for a beach day too! Chris hung out whenever he could, which wasn't much- he has been so very busy with work lately. But I am happy he could hang out even for those small bits. While they were here my Dad & I hung lights over the patio--they turned out so cute! Here are the before & after pics.

I still need to get some fun colorful pillows for the back of the chairs--but isn't it so cute? I love it. Now that it feels like summer here I know we will be eating out there all the time. You're invited if you ever want to join us :)

Here are some pics from the visit with the familia:

My dad & I went on my first bike ride since surgery. We wanted to see how hard it was for me {on a scale of 1-10 it would have been a 7, a 9 on the uphill parts}. It was a lot of fun. My dad is one of those people you have to understand to enjoy. He can be completely off & strange, but if you understand him it's fun! It's hilarious! You can fully enjoy hanging out with him if you take things a little less seriously. As a teenager--I didn't quite grasp this. I am so glad I've seen the light now--he is a great father, and I wouldn't change one quirky thing about him.

I also am just cracking up at these photos. They perfectly portray his personality.
Yes, my father is pretending to smoke a joint in one of them.
My mother will die when she sees that I posted it on my blog!
I am looking forward to more bike rides, walks, and sunshine!
Hooray for warm, sunny California!

Meet Julie

Doesn't she look nice? I think so. Let me tell you how I came to find this lovely lady.

Being in my particular predicament I have been unable to get a job, go to school, etc. --which has led to me to seek out pattern making lessons.
I love clothes {obviously}. I thought, 'Hey, I have the time--why not see if I can find someone to teach me to make patterns?'. Then I searched.
And searched.
And searched.
Apparently if you'd like to learn how to sew there are several people out there who'd like to help you. But to learn pattern construction? Not so many.

Then I found Julie.
Hello expertise. Hello experience. Hello nice, friendly face. :)

Ms. Julie has mad skills. She taught pattern making for years & has made patterns for many designers. She took a few years off when she became a mommy and is now getting back into teaching. She plans to open up a shop in the future where you can learn to sew, pattern make, etc.--but for now she is teaching private lessons from her studio.

Yes, please.

Lucky little me found Julie & jumped on the opportunity.

I drug my swollen feet & tired self to her studio and have enjoyed every lesson! I am learning so much! I have completed Pattern Making 1 & plan to take Pattern Making 2 soon. She does group or private classes. The thing I love most about her is that you can choose what she teaches--you tell her what you want to learn/what your goals are & she will set up a class schedule catering to that. If anyone wants to take Pattern Making 2 with me {learning to make a dress!}, I would love it! You don't have to take Pattern Making 1 to take Pattern Making 2.

Here is my first completed top {side/back view}, it's a slouchy fitting tee, perfect for leggings and skinny jeans. It's not perfect because learning to use an overlock machine (aka serger) was no picnic. And don't judge the color, I just used left over fabric I had laying around.

If you are in SoCal & are interested in some sewing/pattern making type lessons you can find her here: Sewing Parlor.

Group Recipe Project: Black Bean & Tomato Quinoa

Hola chicas! (if there is a chico out there hello to you too!) It's time for a new adventure!

But first...
Recap of last week's lovely recipe, the Apple Dumplings:

I made a few adjustments, I bought premade dough (gasp!) because I've been a sewing diva lately & needed to save time. I bought the "even flakier" dough from Whole Foods & it did not disappoint! I made them mini because, well, it's me. I also used walnuts instead of almonds. Chris had 5!! The dab of homemade whipped cream was the PERFECT touch!
We loved them.

{2 out of 2 Happy Spikers}


I discovered this lovely recipe that I've chosen for our next group recipe!

BLACK BEAN & TOMATO QUINOA
Do you know why Quinoa is so fabulous for you? It's yummy and super duper healthy. See here for some lovely Quinoa facts.

Let's give ourselves 2 weeks for this one, hopefully you be able to try it!
Good luck! I hope it's yummy!

Also, I just tried this recipe tonight that I L.O.V.E.D.
Compliments of my girl Barefoot Contessa.

Capellini with Tomatoes and Basil Oh, and sad day for Mari. The buyer who bid on my lovely pillows backed out! So, back on the market are these pretty little pillows. BRAND NEW. 18x18- set of 3. I paid $70 for them, but I'll sell them for the best offer. Email your offers to: missmariliz@yahoo.com

Birfday!

Christopher turned 28!
He is adorably sexy with the gray hairs popping up on his head and his cute lawyer outfits. (skinny ties & Ted Baker slacks, say what?!)

I think he is so very handsome.

This boy celebrated his big day at the..... office! (insert sad "aww" here) He was so swamped he couldn't even take a lunch break :( He has already billed 195hrs this month (and has two days left). For those of you who aren't familiar with how lawyers bill their hours, it's not actually how many hours he is in the office, it's only the time he spent on the projects/assignments/cases--so he was in the office for MUCH more than 195hrs... :(
After he got off work we went to dinner in LA & saw a late movie--low key & relaxed, just how he wanted it to be. My big plans of having a swanky dinner in Beverly Hills had to be canceled because he got off work too late. It's hard to spoil someone when they can't ever plan anything. He is such a hard worker, I just hope he enjoyed his day.

His family came down on Saturday, along with our good friends Trevor & Shelby to celebrate with us! Lindsay's boo, Curtis, had a birthday this week too! So we also celebrated his. Here are some pics from that night. Our waiter fed Chris his dessert, it was awkward & therefore hilarious. We always love having family over, and miss living close to them!

Chris has had quite a BIG year! He graduated Law School, passed the California Bar Exam, started a new job, moved to a new city, lost 30 lbs, and has been an amazing husband throughout it all. He is excelling quickly at his firm, learning a lot and becoming quite the working professional :) He is still his quirky self, still the best breakfast cook in the house, and takes the world's longest showers. He is doing his best to juggle everything he has going on, and I think he is doing a great job! He may be an old man now, but I still think he is exciting & fun as ever!
And despite his lack of water conservation, I am proud to call him mine!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!
I love you!
*still a boy at heart, even if you are OLD now!

My Brave Sister

My older sister Lauren is a mother to 3 beautiful & bright kids.

She is a supportive wife. She is an athlete. She is a spiritual woman.
She is a fun & understanding sibling. She is unique.
She is amazing.
I love her so.

Recently this 29yr old has been going through some really rough times. I think about her a lot, and my heart breaks for her. I know she is strong. I know she will overcome & tackle yet another mountain. But she is still my sister, so I still worry about her.

Lauren was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (aka RA). An auto-immune disease that is quite similar to Fibromyalgia. (sorry if Im spelling these wrong). She just posted on her blog about it (for those of you who read her blog I'm sure she would love to hear from you! Leave her a comment!)--but I am including part of her post below (it's really long) because I think she can explain her story better. I just wanted to share it with the people I love- I like to know what my family/friends are going through--and this is what my sister is going through...

Dec 18th- the day after my 29th birthday I was at the gym when my wrist started hurting really bad. I am some what of an over achiever at the gym- so I just assumed I had pushed myself too hard during some of my lifts or whatever. So I rested my wrist, for a week. And it just got worse, like a LOT worse. Well, now its the morning of Christmas Eve, and my sweet husband calls me, to tell me, he has made a few calls & got me in to an orthopedic surgeon that DAY! He didn't want to wait one more minute- I was bit embarrassed but agreed to go. To be honest I was a little bugged that Patrick was so worried about me. You see, I always joke that Patrick treats me like I am made of glass. He is always SO concerned about me when I am sick or hurting. It can even come off as extreme at times, like when I am pregnant!! But I guess truthfully I am grateful he takes such good care of me, because heaven knows, I wouldn't do it for myself! I always think its NEVER a big deal (even when it is) if it has to do with myself. Probably because I don't want to be a wimp.

Anyway, that doctors appointment was the first of many. We did x-rays and my medical history, and the doctor noticed symptoms consistent with something called Rheumatoid Arthritis. That prompted MRI's, blood tests, and more Xrays. I came back positive for Rheumatoid Factor- a major indicator that I did indeed have RA. I was referred to a Rheumatologist. Then started even more tests. Blood tests, xrays, sonograms, MRI's, and detailed physical examinations of my joints. Finally in March I was diagnosed with RA. And I have begun the process of finding treatments that might work for me.

Now, I have just told the medical side of the story- unfortunately there is more. And I feel like I am finally just going to tell it all in one place! After my Christmas eve appointment to which I heard that I might have RA. I didn't believe the doctor. AT ALL. Arthritis?? me? I am a healthy 29 year old! It just didn't fit in my brain. And i had never heard of rheumatoid arthritis- so I dismissed it, knowing nothing else about it. But weird things started happening really soon after.

The pain in my wrist started "spreading" to my other wrist. And it increased, for no reason at all. I started hurting in my hands, and in my fingers. in like EVERY bone in my wrist, hand, and all of my fingers on both sides. And the pain would throb up into my forearms too. It was miserable! I started not being able to use my hands at all. To get myself dressed, to hold my baby, to pull the blankets up and over me at night, not even to hold a simple paper back book! It was so painful! We went back to the doc, and he did more tests, and gave me medicine. So we waited for results, and tried the medicine-and it didn't work AT ALL. It was very discouraging. And the pain increased! and spread some more. Now my elbows hurt, and my shoulders, and my lower back and my hips! It was so weird!!! I started not being able to move in the mornings. I was so stiff, and mostly so so SORE. Fairly soon the pain was in my feet and ankles. Again it felt like it was in EVERY BONE in my foot, and toes, and ankles. Both sides. It felt almost like my wrists, hands and fingers- now it was just in my feet, toes, and ankles as well!! I stopped being able to walk smoothly, and put weight on my feet at all. And then my spine started.... and it started to hurt between EVERY joint all the way from the base of my skull down through my lower spine. I couldn't move.

Up until then I had kept a fairly good "we are going to figure this out" attitude, but about then I cracked. I am ashamed to say it- but I did. I just started crying so hard. It had been about 6 weeks since that day at the gym! ONLY 6 WEEKS!!! I had gone from running, lifting, and just plain living my life to not being able to move, use my hands, walk, or even get myself dressed alone in only 6 weeks. I was in CONSTANT pain....The pain was so intense. And I was exhausted. I mean, I have been tired before but this was like serious FATIGUE!

I lost my appetite and I had tried different medicines, none had worked, one even caused an allergic reaction as if I NEEDED any more stress at that point. :( I wasn't sleeping well because of the pain. And I wasn't getting out of bed much all day because of the pain. It was taking over everything. I was feeling so hollow- like all of my fire and spunk had gone right out the window, not that I wanted to give up, more like that I had no more fight left in me to stay strong. :( We still didn't have any answers. From what I knew of RA, it didn't typically come on this fast, and in everything I had read, it didn't seem to be SO wide spread. I was wrong. Apparently in some cases it can be both of those things. These cases sometimes prove to be more severe/aggressive RA than others. I am hoping I am one of the exceptions...

The numbness and tingling in my legs, feet, and in my wrists and hands started in late Feb. and is still a problem. I have lots of times when I am not only dealing with pain, but loss of feeling too. It kind of feels like you have smacked your funny bone as hard as you can, and now have some one step on it while it hurts with all of their weight! It adds a whole different sensation to the pain. I am still having problems with the pain. It is still in my entire body- most intense in my wrists, hands and fingers- also in my ankles, feet, and toes- and in my spine. The numbness is increasing too. I have been told I can do no physical activity, except in a pool. I am to stay off my feet as much as I can at home. Its kind of slow going but I am holding out hope that it will get better soon.

I am doing my best to stay positive. Some days I do OK. Others I need to work at it a little better. Truth be told- I am starting to forget what it feels like to not hurt all the time. How sad is that?

So sad right? :( She has been trying to be a mama to those 3 kids and do the best she can to be there for Patrick during all of this. I don't know how she does it. I know a few people struggling with similar things, and after reading this long list of symptoms and how exhausting it can be I feel so helpless! I want to fix people! I want to help them in some way! But I guess all (we) I can do is be there and help emotionally-keep them smiling.

I love you L0. Hang in there sis.