Moving

First off, let me share a little chart with you that I put together:

	PLACES	LENGTH	WITH
	Todd Dr.	June ‘03-Aug ’03	dad, his girlfriend
	Friley Dorm	Aug ’03 - May ’04	Britni
	Todd Dr. (again)	May ’04 - Nov ’04	dad, his girlfriend
	Sterling University (now University West)	Nov ’04 - May ’06	Jenn, Staci, Abbey, Ashlyn, Katie
	Fountain View Apartments	May ’06 - July ’07	Christi, Sarah
	826 Dickinson	Aug ’07 - July '08	Natalie, Emily, Melissa
	Meg’s Bedroom	Aug ’08	Meg, and her roommates
	Walnut Place (The couch at my friends apt)	Aug ’08 - Sept ’08	Carley, Dani, Katie, Keri
	Sand Cherry Lane	Oct ’08 - May ’09	Joy, Scott, Joe, Sam, Naomi, Josh
	E. 7th St.	May ’09 - May ’10	Debra, Brian
	North Dakota (Creek Blvd.)	June ’10 - July ’10	Tracy, Samantha, Angie
	????	????	????
TOTAL	12	7 years	33

If you can't look at that chart and think to yourself, "HOLY COW" "DANG GIRL!!!" "ARE YOU SICK OF MOVING?!?" then you probably need to glance back up look at the dates and the totals I put at the bottom for those that just want to glance quick.

12 places in 7 years. 33 roommates. To say the least, I've learned a lot about me in that time. Whom I'm compatible with. The characteristics I like about myself, and those that I'd like to work on. The qualities I hope to find in a guy that I might marry someday if the Lord has that in my path.

This last week it finally became overwhelming. I hit the wall that I've learned many would have hit a long time ago. Somewhere a long the trail of life in 7 years I acquired much of what is needed to fill a small house. So each time, I GET to pack it all up, and haul it off to the next place. Some of the places I've lived (more towards the past 2 years) I knew it was short term, so prior to moving I had to pack with the mind of "Will I need this in the next ______?" and put it in the container that fit its new description.

One thing is for sure that I've learned to TRUST in God through this because He's clearly had His hand in all of it and I know it does me no good to worry. Zero. NADA. Well like a few other things, 'worldness' (my word for societal norms if you will) creeps in. This comes by way of being asked by every other person, "so where are you living now?" and any variation of it. Once enough people ask you about something, or at least me, it makes me think more on the subject. SO there I admit, I started to doubt, be frustrated with all this moving, wanting a 'settled' life whatever that looked like, have permanence, a desire to actually unpack EVERYTHING. So on Thursday before work I finally lost it. cried like a baby. after my roommate left for work. yep and PRIDEFUL, thank you.

I keep wondering should I just sell it all? Or at least some of it? But then I'll be irritated in ___ years when this is changed and I could use the couch that I bought, sold for a fraction of the price, and now have to buy new. I don't enjoy realizing "oh hey I need ______. Now is that at Moms? Dad's? Storage in Union? With me and I can't find it? or in my trunk???" Yes I get to run through 5 places before I chalk whatever it is on the list of Lost items from all the moving.

I wish this is what moving looked like:

Well I can promise you that I've learned A LOT about patience, and being in the world but not of it. (Disclaimer, it is not advised to move from your lush *I don't care where you live in America, it is lush* apartment less than 36 hours back from a 3rd world country) I don't know what is in store, in 2 weeks for me. I know it will be fine. Worst case scenario, I wisely have stored my tent, sleeping bag, and camping gear in my trunk, so it just might be camping season ;)

Fat and Sassy, Mean and Nasty

The statement you will hear my grandma make if you spend any time talking or listening to her. It truly sums up the past 3 weeks of my life.

February 24th my dad, his girlfriend Jamie, my sister, and I headed out to Sun City, Arizona to visit my grandparents who winter there. We arrived late Thursday night, exhausted after a 26 hour drive. Friday morning I was the first to awake from our crew to be greeted by my grandparents. I LOVE THEM. (I know every kid would say this about their grandparents, but seriously. They both played a strong roll in my life growing up with many great memories. Our family has always been incredibly close, still getting together on the major holidays and having 25+ people at their house) It was so great to see them considering they'd been gone since the beginning of December. The rest of Friday was spent just hanging out and resting from the journey.

Saturday morning my dad and his girlfriend left to go visit one of her relatives. They would come back early afternoon and the 6 of us would go site see.....or so we planned. God's plan was different.....

I can't explain how, other than the Holy Spirit inside of me, but I was on high alert of something 'unplanned' happening while we were there. I was blow drying my hair when I thought I heard something. I turned it off to hear my grandma saying "Gary.........Gary....." It sounded faint, but I thought that was because she was in the opposite side of the house. I went to check out what was going on to see that my grandma was no where near my sound asleep grandfather. I immediately turned back around the way I had come and took a turn into their bedroom. Where much to my surprise I found my grandma laying on the bed heaving for air. "Grandma I'm here, I love you" was out of my mouth before I could fully comprehend the moment. I got my grandpa up and convinced them both that we needed to go to the hospital. I phoned my dad to give him the heads up and we headed out. (Wish I had a picture of this event with my sister aiding in the effort straight from the shower in only a towel, but due to the circumstances.... no such documentation exists, you'll just have to trust me!)

I knew the situation was serious. But no part of me ever thought 'I should call 911.' We arrived in the ER of Banner Health Hospital, where they took one look at her and we were nearly whisked off to a room, arriving there along side 6 nurses who began to poke needles in all kinds of places and ask me lots of questions. 'Wait, hold on. I'm on vacation. This isn't supposed to be happening. I have no idea what you just said. Can you repeat that. I'm gonna have to make a phone call for that answer' is all floating through my thoughts.

My Aunt Kathy used to be an RN, and out of our entire family she is the most capable of listing off all of grandmas medical history without referring to paperwork. I called her. I didn't want to, simply because I knew she'd be worried about the urgent need, but I knew she was my best option. Then I called dad and said I was sorry but I thought they should head back, and pick up my sister at home alone.

The day unfolded in a whirlwind of emotions, tests for her to undergo, and lots of just sitting by her side stroking her hair, and holding her hand. By evening we had discovered she'd thrown 2 blood clots to the lungs, had a urinary track infection that they suspected went septic (into her blood), and her heart was in arterial fibulation. That sounds like a lot for someone like me to overcome, let alone my tired and now very weak grandma.

We let dad's sisters know and although they were sad to not be there to see her and be with her, none of them made plans to head down. Sunday evening, into Monday morning, things to an immediate turn for the worse and with the grave outlook at that time, all my aunts booked flights and flew in.

We spent the remainder of that week in AZ; 9 people in a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, and 2 cars for commuting....its a good thing we're close :) ; and by Friday it was decided to air ambulance her back to Ames, IA Mary Greeley Medical Center. So her and 5 of us got on flights, while the other 4 hung back, closed down the house and drove the 2 cars back. PRAISE GOD we all arrived without any glitches to the system.

I sit here in the hospital room watching her rest as we come upon her 4 week mark of hospitalization. I had to check the calendar as I typed that to double check the accuracy of the statement! These weeks and days have been filled with many highs and lows as one can only imagine.

I've learned much in these weeks, and I know that I'm not fully aware of all that I'm being taught!

1. I do desire to get married. Somedays that desire is more prevalent than others. Watching my grandpa care for my grandma, check all of her monitors, watch over her, caress her hand, kiss her, and check all of her monitors again to make sure he didn't disturb anything, BLOWS me away. They've been married going on 57, and while I'm fully aware that marriage isn't always a walk in the park, they have fought through it all, and there love for each other is evident! Talk about bringing truth to the 'in sickness and in health' vows.

There love has encouraged me to think not only about a marriage relationship, but showing love and my care for those around me always without fear over guarding of my heart.

2. My grandma is definitely where I get my stubbornness! She is full of it :) Having some is definitely not a bad thing, I'm confident its a lot of what has pulled her through this whole fight. Every time you ask her how she's doing "fat and sassy, mean and nasty" comes out.

3. Family and friends are vital. God gave us a need for community. It broke my heart when we were at Banner Health when the nurses would cry simply at the fact that there were the 5 of us there for my grandma, and when we told them my aunts were flying in they broke down again. A few of them told us that often people are left there to fight their battles alone. I watched as nearly everyone of her nurses broke to rules of visitors in my grandma's room at a time. I watched as the nurses came back on shift from their day off, and although my grandma wasn't their patient again, they made it down to see her and us 'to check in'. I know for a fact that I saw each one of them cry, and I'm pretty sure I hugged each of them too. People matter.

I don't even know the extent of all the people that know about the happenings in the Maxwell family lately . But I do know that prayers are being lifted up, and answered!

my favorite picture from the trip, that without the hospitalization.... would not have been captured. Thank you God for allowing me to see Your Love through this.

She's awake. Says its time to watch the news :)

Creating in the Kitchen

About a year ago I found out that I have Celiac Disease. What is that you ask? Well it's an auto-immune disease where you're body rejects the gluten protein or leavening agent in wheat. There is no cure for it other than to avoid food with wheat in it. I've been creating and trying recipes here and there for new options... and here are two good ones so far:

#1 I love breakfast food. So it was a huge bummer when I realized I could no longer have pancakes, or my favorite belgian waffles! I was expressing this disappointment to my mom so we made potato pancakes. They turned out awesome!

Recipe:

4 Large Potatoes

1 Yellow Onion

1 Egg beaten

1 tsp Salt

2-3 Tbsp Baking Soda

1-2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

Pepper to taste

Vegetable oil for skillet

Finely grate potatoes and onion into a large bowl. Drain off any excess liquid. Mix in egg, salt, pepper, and Cinnamon. Add enough Baking Soda to make mixture thick, about 2 to 3 Tablespoons. Heat 1/4 inch oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Drop 2 or 3 1/4 cup mounds into hot oil, and flatten to make 1/2 in. thick pancakes. Fry, turning once, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel lined plates to drain. If not serving immediately keep warm in a 200 degrees F oven until serving time. Repeat until mixture is used.

• 
  
• 
  

You can make potato pancakes both shredded and from mashed potatoes. I've done both, and feel that the shredded style hold up the best.

#2 I love Mexican food! This winter I've been experimenting with a lot of soups. I think of a dish that I like and then think of a way to make that in soup form. That's how I created this Enchilada Soup:

I used:

1 yellow onion chopped

2 Cloves garlic

2 cans Black beans (drained and rinsed)

2 Cans diced tomatoes w/ green chilies

1 large can Enchilada Sauce (double check label for gluten additives)

2 cups cooked and shredded turkey (could use chicken)

2 cups frozen corn

2 cups chicken broth (check for gluten free)

1 cup Velveeta Cheese

Shredded Cheese for garnish

Crunched tortilla chips for garnish

In a big stock pot I sauteed the onion in a little bit of Olive Oil. Add the garlic and allow onion to get tender. Add all ingredients except for last 3. Cook on medium heat covered until bubbly. Put Velveeta in a microwave safe dish with a little bit of milk and heat in 30 sec. increments until melted. Add to soup. Dish up and serve with cheese and Chips on top!

Enjoy!

Boredum

Most people watch tv, read a book, etc. when they get bored. What does a artistic person do (when she's also bored of the above mentioned things....)

Make it Happen

A few days ago a doctor told us at Burgie's MGMC that there are 5 foods you should eat every day. They are:

- Spinach
- Eggs
- Winter squash (acorn, butternut, etc.)
- Apples
- Blueberries

There you have it. Be healthy now.

Thanksgiving

I grew up in this small town, Union, IA. I try to tell people what life was like there, but quite frankly when you grow up in Ames or any other bigger town similar......it's hard to imagine a town of 600. And that's INCLUDING all the people in the country.

Case in point. I went home for thanksgiving with My Mom, Stepdad, Sister, and Stepdad's extended family. My sister and I went into town early to see our cousins and hang out before lunch. We turn down the road to my Uncle's house and from 3 blocks away we can see this house that looks like something strange is going on. 2 blocks away you begin to make out that it appears they have some yard blow up Christmas decorations. 1 block away and you realize that SOME doesn't even begin to describe the issue. To put it plainly.....the Griswald's moved to Union and the next National Lampoon's Vacation will be featuring my home town ;) (so if there were really were one being made it should be of these people......)

I immediately roll down the window. Stop and tell my sister to take pictures. I had to take 3 to get ALL the displays included. Who knew elephants had something to do with Christmas.

A little bit further north and you get the view that encompasses the largest quantity...

And the final shot......forget the sleigh this year folks. Santa's headin' your way on a Harley or ATV. Watch out ;) That's right.....a grand total of 39!!!!! I would hate to know their electric bill

One of the most humorous parts of this sight is that our Grandma used to live here. So we have many memories including this house, but never were we so creative!

I left my hometown shortly after lunch was prepared with tupperware containers of everything and headed back to Ames to be at work by noon. One of our regulars came in just after I had got to work. He couldn't believe we were open and was very concerned that I had to eat Thanksgiving dinner alone, in the car. So he promised to return before I got off work. He showed up around 6:30 with a grocery sack full of goodies. Said "we packaged it in containers we don't need back so don't worry about saving them. Happy Thanksgiving" This is what my feast included:

I am so blessed to have people in my life that are so thoughtful!

Wisdom #1 Fantasizing vs. Accepting

I read this awesome book Wisdom Hunter that my boss suggested. Awesome is an understatement. More on the book later. However there was a concept in that book that I'm going to be applying from now and that was writing down the big things I learn along the way.

I was talking with my mom about life a week or so ago and expressing some of my frustrations. She's done a good job of asking questions to get me to develop my own opinion versus accepting hers. Towards the end of the conversation she said, "you know Jess, maybe you've been fantasizing what it should have been, but instead you need to accept what it was." At first my reaction was the typical mental note of 'yeah, yeah, yeah...' But of course she said it to me right before I left her house with an hour drive ahead of me.

What did I think about at least 70% of the way back.... her statement of course!!! And of course I stumbled upon the reality that I was doing that. Not to mention that we live in a world that does that.

I guess it falls into the category of 'keeping up with the Jones' ' But in reality I think it comes down to pride. Pride that if my life were just like so and so it'd be better in this way or that way. I was really doing that with my past and my family upbringing. The truth is that God did it the way He did ON PURPOSE.

So whatever it is you think you need to have or be to be better or do better at whatever.... Look at the tool kit you already have. Chances are the tool is down at the bottom underneath everything. Or quite possibly the tool you thought you needed, wasn't at all necessary for the job.