Loving the Life I Live!

I went to visit my future in-laws and went to my sister's bridal shower! We went to the Logan temple to take pictures and check out the grounds. Its a beautiful temple! I got to admire the beautiful work of the saints! I loved it! My mom and I got to go up to Brooke's shower on Saturday. We spent time with her fiance's family and we got to meet a bunch of people on his family's side. I got to spend some time with my wonderful best friend Jessica! It was fun and I got to meet her fabulous bf Bobby. It was so much fun to just relax and be silly and talk and share experiences and stories! I loved my time with Jess even though it was short. Then My mom and I went to my Mission President's Home coming. It was my president of my Texas mission. It was so much fun to see everyone and to give them hugs and just rejoice in seeing each other. We then went to Syracuse, where Preston's family lives. Preston's mom Paula was singing in sacrament and so we went to hear her sing and then we got to spend time with them. We got a special phone call on Sunday night from Preston. It completely made my life! He was able to call home to talk to his family about the recent changes in his mission, and I just happened to be there! It was awesome, we put the phone on speaker and then we got to all talk sitting at the table together! Then I got my time to talk to him alone. Then I piled on his parents bed and the three of us talked to him. I just had the best recomfirmation of spirit about marrying him, it was amazing! We went to Bear lake where they own a home and we played! It was so much fun, we went to the beach and then we ate and laughed and played and made fun memories!

I had a great time and I cant wait to move up there in MARCH!!! oh YEAH!

This love is difficult, but it's real.

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes, and the flashback starts,
I'm standing there,
On the balcony in summer air.

I see the lights, see the party, the ballgowns.
See you make your way through the crowd,
And say, "Hello",
Little did I know,

That you were Romeo,
You were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
And I was crying on the staircase,
Begging you, "Please don't go".

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting, all that's left to do is run.
You be the prince, and I'll be the princess,
It's a love story, baby, just say, 'yes'."

So I sneak out to the garden to see you,
We keep quiet, 'cause we're dead if he knew,
So close your eyes,
Escape this town for a little while.

'Cause you were Romeo,
I was a scarlet letter,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
But you were everything to me,
Begging you, "Please don't go".

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting, all that's left to do is run.
You be the prince, and I'll be the princess,
It's a love story, baby, just say, 'yes'."

"Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult, but it's real.
Don't be afraid, we'll make it of this mess,
It's a love story, baby, just say, 'yes'."

Well, I got tired of waiting,
Wondering if you were ever coming around.
My faith in you was fading,
When I met you on the outskirts of town.

And I said,
"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you, but you never come.
Is this in my head,
I don't know what to think,"

You knelt to the ground,
And pulled out a ring and said,
"Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone.
I love you, and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress,
It's a love story, baby just say yes."

We were both young when I first saw you...

I can't help but love that song! I finally got an email this week, its been a little spread out because of all the changes that have been happening to Elder Tucker's mission, but im learning patience! I was told a good quote today it says "Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring... patience
is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!" -Dieter F. Uchtdorf Preston reminded me today that the Lord said " I never said it would be easy, but I said it would be worth it." Its amazing because I had told someone that quote yesterday, we are definatly on the same page

I will not doubt, I will not fear;
God’s love and strength are always near.
His promised gift helps me to find
An inner strength and peace of mind.
I give the Father willingly
My trust, my prayers, humility.
His Spirit guides; his love assures
That fear departs when faith endures.

I have been doing some fun stuff lately, today My mom and I went down to the Anderson's house and we had a Twilight marathon before the movie tomorrow. We watched both Twilight an New Moon. I made this really good Crunchy Ranch Chicken for dinner.I cant wait to go White Water Rafting on Saturday, Its going to be my 1sttime going. There is alot of random stuff going on this week but its nice. Ihave been going to the gym and lifting and swimming but my knees have been struggling with that.

Things have been going smooth this week and I am so excited to finally go up to Utah and visit my bf's parents, I love them so much. I also get to see Jess and Its been a few months and we give the best "best friend hugs" ever! My sister should be having a great bridal shower too! Its going to be thrilling to see everyone at President Thurston's Home Coming. Its going to be like a mission reunion! I love the TEXAS missionaries!

Hectic Summer Days

Well this summer is just jammed pack! My younger sister Brooke is getting married August 21st down in the San Diego Temple. I never knew how hard it really was to plan a wedding. My parents have been working really hard at getting it all put together for my sister, so far its just stressful; but its working out fine. I am going through my physical therapy as best as I can and Im really recovering well. I am going 3 times a week and they said I have really good range of motion. I started lifting weights and that has been a little tough but im trying my best to work hard and get better. I have a gnarly lesson to teach on Sunday and so Im preparing for that, I just hope I dont choke up there haha! I have had fun recently chatting with a bunch of old mission buddies, Its been alot of fun getting to know each other on a more personal friendship level then on a missionary basis. It was always hard as a sister to gain a friendship with an elder so its nice now to just chill and have funny conversations. One of my old district leaders is coming down to Cali this week and we are going to the beach, so that will be fun.
I am now updating Preston's blog every week, its been alot of fun to do. I enjoy keeping busy and that is one thing that has helped time pass. He is working so hard and I am so very proud of him. I never knew that falling in love would be so easy yet so hard at the same time. Its all about sacrifice and devotion and its totally worth every second. I have recently witnessed my best friend Jessica fall in love for the first time and its been nice to share those connections with her, we both can relate to the feelings of love and it has grown a strength between us. I think she and Bobby will get married before Preston and I but thats going to be fun! I cant wait. I never realized how fast I really grew up until I look back on the things I have done in my life and how grateful I am for choosing the right things to lead me to where I am today. If anyone is interested in checking out and supporting Preston read his blog: www.elderpreston.blogspot.com
I cant wait for July to start, I have alot in store for me, we have our white water rafting trip and then I get to go up for Brooke's second Bridal Shower and stay with Preston's family for a few days and getting to know my future family that I absolutely love to death. I love Paula and Pw and my mom and I are going to have a blast hanging out with Paula and Hope at the lake house, I am just really excited for a good summer. I have still been competing with Preston to see who can finish the book of mormon twice through, highlighting the refrences to Christ the first time through and then the second time highlighting the gospel principles...guess who is losing...ME haha I am still in Alma the first time through and he is already gone through the whole thing once and Im sure he is passed me in Alma his second time through. Its ok though I enjoy taking my time and highlighting it. I am really learning alot about things I never noticed before. I love the scriptures!

Life at Home

Well its been about 2 and a half months since I have been home from Texas. I have recoverd well from surgery and I am starting my physical therapy. I just got called as the Gospel Doctrine Teacher in my singles ward and im chuggin along just fine. I am trying to keep busy and after the wedding get a job. Its been nice being with the family and enjoying my first summer in over a year. I forgot how nice it is to vedge and lay out by a pool. I am waiting for my amazing boyfriend to come home from his mission so we can get married. I am trying to preoccupy myself until then. Life has been good to me and I try to strive to be better daily! Thanks to my Heavenly father for the many blessings I have received!

POST-OP REPORT.....

Whitney had her Post-Op appointment last week and after her examination the doctor said that Whitney's knees are as good as new! She is to begin physical therapy for several weeks and should be fully recovered in a month or two.

Whit says that her knees feel good; no grinding, no pain, and the swelling is almost completely gone. Some soreness and swelling may temporarily return as she begins her PT, but that's to be expected. She is walking fully with no crutches, no limping, and no pain. She does however still experience some sore and tiredness by the end of the day.

DAY 2 POST SURGERY

Two days after surgery and Whit's surgical sites look really good. Today she was able to remove her bandages and shower. Now she only has to cover the sutures with small band-aids. She says that she already can feel a difference in her knees from before the surgery; there's no pain under her knee-caps and it's not grinding anymore; "feels smooth," she says. She is moving around very well walking with crutches. She's also exercising a little each day per the doctors orders.

SURGERY IS COMPLETE!!!!

I took this photo of Whit's knees as we sat in the Surgicenter waiting for Whit to be taken back for surgery. It's the last external scar free picture taken...See how they are swollen in the lower portion of both knees. This is pre-surgery swelling due to the cartilage fragments grinding in her knees causing internal swelling and scarring.

Well, today was the big day for Whitney to go under the knife. Whit had a pre-OP appointment yesterday (Mon 5/17) at Dr. Glousman's office in the Santa Monica area and was scheduled for surgery early the next morning, which is today at 8:00am, at the Spaulding Surgicenter in Beverly Hills. The two appointments were so geographically close together that we decided to stay the night in Santa Monica in the Temple apartments instead of having to get up extremely early to drive from Palmdale down to Beverly Hills in the crazy 405 traffic. This saved us so much time and stress doing it this way which was of great help to Whitney with her already heightened nerves.

The surgery took an hour and forty five minutes, and then another 45 minutes for her to fully wake up enough to go home. The doctor said that he found both scar tissue build up and fragments of cartilage floating around that was causing her pain. He removed the scar tissue and cartilage fragments and then checked the patella alignment to be sure that it was good, it was, so no realignment was needed of the patella/s. He said that over all her knees looked to be in really good shape. He said that her recovery should be quick and smooth as she is to begin today with simple exercises and walking to increase the blood flow and healing process.

Whit was in good spirits as we began our drive home, but then the pain began to set in and her mood changed to...a wee bit cranky. She's now resting comfortably with pain meds in her and her laptop on her lap.

Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers during this painful trial that she has endured these past nine months. We are truly grateful to you all!This post-surgery picture was taken by Whitney as she elevates her legs at home. The bandages can come of Thursday morning and she can then bathe and replace small bandages over the two small incision's on each knee. We expect her to be fully recovered in three months time and external scars minimal.

GREEN LIGHT FOR SURGERY

Alright...So yesterday was Whitney's doctor appointment with Dr. Glousman, Orthopedic Surgeon of the Kerlan-Jobe Center. He said that since her last appointment he's been able to examine her MRI and can see that there is some cartilage problems due to her patella's (kneecaps) being tilted, and so in the surgery he will re-position her patella's and clean out any bone and cartilage fragments floating around causing grinding when she walks, and repair anything else that he finds in there that needs fixing.

Now that Arthritis has been ruled out he has given the green light on scheduling the surgery. Pre-Op is scheduled for Mon, May 17th, and surgery is scheduled for Tue, May 18th at a surgicenter in Beverly Hills. Dr. Glousman said that even with the surgery there is no guarantee that Whitney will be totally pain free and that there is a small chance that knee pain will plaque her for the rest of her life. We are hoping and praying for the best. He also said that it will take...after healing and physical therapy in all...about three months for a complete recovery.

Then Whitney can get a job and begin her third year of college in the Fall.