Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Further Fun with Friends

Recently, Carissa and Nick dedicated their twins, McKenna and Jillian, at church.  I don’t take the most fabulous pictures, but it was a very special time!  So so happy for this wonderful family!October 2010 075

We also had dinner with the NEWLYWEDS and Mrs. Wann Smile  Nick or Isla were able to attend, but it was so fun to sit with Stori to hear about their move to Russia as well as hear about how Kristen and Matt have been since their wedding!

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We had an AMAZING weekend in College Station to for the A&M vs. texas tech game as well!  It’s always great when the team is winning, too.  We decided, late in the summer, to go with Anne and Scott to a game sometime in the season, and we chose the tech game.  What a great game that we chose!November 2010 003November 2010 005November 2010 007November 2010 008

Recently, some friends of ours were in town, and we got to spend some time with them while they were here!  Ben and Jamie Casmer now live in Arkansas, but we love hanging out with them.  Both of them have wonderful outgoing personalities and are a blast to be around.November 2010 023November 2010 024 Last but not least, Ash and Phil had their first wedding shower, and I just really love this pic of me and Ash!!!November 2010 045

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Fun Times with Friends and Family

Well, it’s no secret that, lately, I’ve not been good about posting.  As I look back at our pictures, I see just how bad I was doing!  Here’s a look at some fun we’ve had lately Smile

Matt and Kristen’s Wedding September 25, 2010

Henry wasn’t able to attend since his cousin got married that evening, and he was a groomsman.  However, I GOT TO ATTEND! SmileOctober 2010 024October 2010 040October 2010 042October 2010 041

Will enjoys pics where he looks like a ladies man Winking smile

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I even got to see some sweet friends and their DAUGHTERS!!!  Above is Sabrina and Ashlyn.October 2010 027

Nick and IslaOctober 2010 023

Stori and Isla

Michael and Adriana’s Wedding

As I mentioned, Henry was a groomsman in his cousin’s wedding, and both of these weddings were north of San Antonio.  After I left Kristen’s wedding, I drove over to Michael’s wedding, and it looks like I got there at just the right time!October 2010 048

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Monday, November 22, 2010

Ashlee and Phil’s Engagement Pictures!

Ash and Phil took engagement pics REALLY early in the morning this past Saturday, and they look so good!  No surprising however when Studio563 is behind the lens Smile  Have a look at the fabulous sneak peak!  Which one is your favorite?

Friday, November 19, 2010

Ember is a winning dog!

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After our last post about the K-9 Fun Run, we did attend, and Ember won 2nd place in her weight category!  I think she’s probably a little frustrated with her running partner costing her 1st place.  She love’s him enough though that she quickly forgave him Winking smile  We had so much fun, and I know Henry loved having the opportunity to see this aspect of my mother’s job.  We are looking forward to coming next year!  You should bring your pup, too, and join us!October 2010 080

Up early and excited about heading to the Fun Run!October 2010 084

I love that she’s mid lick in this picture.October 2010 085

Ember and her running partner.October 2010 086

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Crossing the finish line!

October 2010 093Whoop! 2nd place!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

K9 Fun Run!

IMG00213 Want to come run/walk with us and Ember this Saturday?!  It’s a lot of fun!  My mother’s Vet Tech program at Tomball College is hosting their 23rd annual K9 Fun Run on Saturday morning!  We are excited to take Ember :)  We likely won’t be dressing her up for the costume contest, but it is a lot of fun if you want to dress up your pooch!

Seriously, come out!  In the past, when I’ve attended, I’ve always had a great time :)

Who: Anyone and their pup!
What: 23rd Annual Scarlett Scamper K-9 Fun Run & Costume Contest
When: Saturday, October 23, 2010
          7:30 a.m.-packet pick-up and registration
           8:30 a.m.-costume contest
          9:00 a.m-one-mile race
Where: 30555 State Highway 249     Tomball, TX 77375-4096

Friday, October 8, 2010

Happy 10th Birthday Stella!

KBs Toy 1

I can’t even believe it’s been 10 years since I got Stella the day after my Junior year homecoming!  I know I have the picture of my face when I received it somewhere, but I can’t find it.

I seriously love this truck…sad I know, but I totally do.Me in my truck DSC00101She has definitely served her purpose AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO!  I’m determined that she is not going anywhere :)

Lots of other people have enjoyed her, too!Jordan and Cynthia  AND she has seen many states her time.  Most of that is thanks to Kelly ;)  Thus, it’s fitting that Stella’s name is from Kelly!

While I know pride isn’t the best thing to have, I can’t help but to share how proud I am that my truck looks so similar in condition to the day I received her…minus a tailgate.  I absolutely LOVE my truck!KBs Toy 2

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Happy Birthday Henry!

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Happy Birthday to best husband in the world!  Ember and I are so glad we get to celebrate your 28th birthday with you :)Late July 2010 020 Henry and me at Ann Taylor Loft 3

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Who is the culprit?

Yesterday, we received a package with no name and no shipping label.  I DID NOT order this.  Who’s the secret sender? ;)  REVEAL YOURSELF!  I want to have the chance to say Thank You! :)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

“Wow, that sucks.”

I’ve heard this phrase a few times since hearing my “diagnosis” and sharing with others.  But the truth is, unless you’ve experienced what I have over a period of 10 years, you wouldn’t really understand how this does not suck AT ALL.  Just because the word “disease” is involved in the name of what supposedly “is wrong with me” does not mean that I’m wasting away or missing out on something in life.  It’s quite the opposite now.

Now that a couple of doctors actually PAID ATTENTION to what I was telling them and diagnosed me correctly, despite what a few others have done in the past, I no longer have to live with one or more of the symptoms that I’ve faced on a daily basis.  By labeling me with CD, I can now move on to eating food that:

  1. makes me feel good
  2. aids in healing my body
  3. makes me a healthier individual
  4. tastes better than any food I’ve eaten in my entire life (yea, that’s right, you’re missing out!)

I know there’s the wonderment of what this means for my future seeing as how there’s a minimum of 10 years damage done to my digestive system, but this has hardly been a thought in my mind.  I think this has to do with the fact that I’ve been diagnosed “young” and that Dr. Flax and his nurse seemed to be so positive after hearing what I knew not only about CD but how it affects my body and my knowledge on how to prepare the right foods.

I truly am thrilled at the challenge thrown my way to create delicious food in a whole way; it was getting a little monotonous ;)  You’ll be able to see Krista Kooks for more details on the food coming out of my kitchen these days.

All that said, my concerns come when thinking about the times Henry or I do not have control over what my meal selections will be or how they are prepared.  Eating in Houston isn’t so bad thanks to an amazing Celiac group here in Houston as well as a decent amount of knowledge by chefs in this city.  Our concerns come for when we travel to other cities or countries as well as when we eat at other people’s homes.  That might sounds harsh, but, when it comes to your health, etiquette gets a little less important.  This past weekend, we traveled to San Antonio.  Because we stayed in a hotel (Homewood Suites), I was able to bring food I’d already prepared in order to make sure I stayed within the diet I’m supposed to.  Nevertheless, we know that we’ll be able to work it out in most situations, obviously.

Overall, I’m LOVING the food I’ve been eating since the start of my diet, I’m so happy to see my body regain it’s strength, I’m thankful I FINALLY know what’s wrong with me, and I’m so glad I know how to handle all of this.

Most of all, I’m thankful for a husband that reacted in a way like no one else.  He was there for me in a way that I never expected and in a way that I didn’t know was part of him.  I saw a whole new side to the man I married.  I can only imagine how other guys might have reacted, but he just showed me a whole new reason why he is the one God chose for me.  He was there at every appt with me, asked more questions than I could think of, and never cared ONCE how this affected him.  He still constantly cares to make sure that what I put in my mouth is the right thing.

Ok, I’m sure you are ready for the gushy stuff to be over ;)  Next time, I’ll share how grocery shopping is a whole new world!

Monday, September 27, 2010

A CORRECT diagnosis

We have a new development in our household that forever changes the rest of our lives, although it directly impacts my life.  While there is much to discuss on the new subject, this particular post will be on the facts and science alone.  Opinions, feelings, outcomes, future happenings, etc. will come in later posts.

In early August (I believe the 11th), I got cold/flu sick and went to see a doctor.  Henry ended up having to drive me because I was SO SICK.  Thus, he missed work that day.  While there, I …for some strange reason…decided to bring up my history of digestive issues, which obviously was a totally separate issue.  I’ve been dealing with numerous symptoms for 10 years now.  I explained to the doc what I’d been through in regards to previous docs, GI docs, testing, MISDIAGNOSISES, etc., and she decided she wanted to test me for something new.  I knew what that something new was, and I insisted (somewhat rudely) that she was wrong.  She tested me anyway.  I had to do a blood test, and thought nothing of it when I did not hear anything within 72 hours as the lab technician explained.

One week later, THE DOCTOR called; not her nurse, not the lab…THE DOCTOR.  She told me that the panel she had run on me was positive. “Krista, you have Celiac disease.”  Stunned…I thought of nothing better to say than, “You just turned my cooking blog upside down.” 

She referred me to a GI doctor, Dr. Ira Flax.  On August 31st, Henry and I met at Dr. Flax’s office and spent 2 1/2 hours with him, his nurse Helen, and a small amount of time in the lab for yet another blood test.  I was being tested this time for liver damage and anemia.  Both turned up negative.

Furthermore, Dr. Flax wanted to biopsy my small intestine as well as get some photographs of them.  I was scheduled for an endoscopy for September 8th.  Henry and I both had to take off of work.  I was put under, they photographed my intestines and biopsied them as well.  The results of this biopsy were no different; I still have CD.

In order to better understand what Celiac Disease is, I would highly encourage reading one of the three links below.

-CeliacCentral.org

-Celiac.org

-http://www.celiac.com/

What all of this means for me now is that I will be eating gluten free for the rest of my life as there is no pharmaceutical treatment for this diagnosis; the only treatment is to eat gluten-free.  I’ve been on this diet since my biopsy was over (I was required to continue eating gluten until testing was over).

While this is not a beautiful disease to hear about when you read about the symptoms, here are the symptoms that I specifically was suffering from (that we know of, and that I’m willing to share):

-Fatigue

-Irritability

-Bloating

-Gas/Abdominal Cramping

Possible symptoms that could have been a result of this are as follows.  We won’t know for sure until after being on the diet for some time.

-Headaches

-Vitamin deficiencies

-Weight gain (I HOPE THIS IS A SYMPTOM ;) )

Anyone can read for themselves, so I’ll just go ahead and put one thing to rest right NOW.  Infertility is not a symptom we know was a problem for me or not as we did not try this path.  For all we know, it could have been (and therefore built-in birth control) or could not have been (and we are just that talented).  So no suspicions are to be made regarding that symptom ;)

Other facts and figures I think are necessary to have a look at:

  • One in 133 Americans have celiac disease.
  • Three million Americans across all races, ages and genders suffer from celiac.
  • 95% of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.
  • 10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed. This is EXACTLY how long I lived with symptoms before being CORRECTLY diagnosed.
  • 17% of celiac patients have an immediate family member who also has celiac.
  • Celiac disease can lead to a number of other disorders including infertility (see my note above), reduced bone density, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other autoimmune diseases.
  • $5,000-$12,000 is the average cost of misdiagnosis per person/per year of celiac, not including lost work time.
  • There are NO pharmaceutical cures for celiac disease.
  • A 100% gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment for celiac today.
  • A positive attitude, 100% of the time, helps celiacs create a gluten-free lifestyle for themselves and their affected family members.
  • 500,000 new celiac diagnoses are expected to occur in the next 5 years thanks to efforts to raise public awareness of celiac disease.
  • The gluten-free marketplace is expected to reach $1.7 billion by 2010 thanks to new vendors manufacturing better tasting and more affordable products.

That is all for facts and science.  As I said, there will be more posts to come on other feelings/developments/how it’s going/ etc.  However, for now, this is more than enough info.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Say Grace

Think I should teach Ember?!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Happy Birthday Ashlee!

 Pre-Ceremony-0309 Happy Birthday to the best cousin (aka sister ;) ) a girl could ask for!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Turks and Caicos 2010

T&C 2010 2 018 So, I know there’s probably a lot of you that are wondering why I haven’t posted on our fab vacation yet!  Haha, I wonder that, too.  However, I can say that life has been craaaazy busy.  I’m sure I’ll catch you up on that. 

However, Turks and Caicos was WONDERFUL!  We both agree, however, that a 4 day stay is not enough.  You need at least 5…MINIMUM!  The most glorious part is, of course, the water.T&C 2010 2 006By far, my favorite part of the trip was laying on the beach reading a book (yes Mom, reading a book) or being in the water.  It was magnificent…even for a freshwater fan like myself.  I could never get tired of looking at Grace Bay.T&C 2010 063  Here’s a little look at our fabulous vacation, and here’s to wishing another exotic Caribbean Island getaway comes sooner rather than later.

Oh, and here’s a look at some true Aggies ;)T&C 2010 2 012 T&C 2010 2 013T&C 2010 2 015 T&C 2010 2 016T&C 2010 2 017