Birthday.

Today I am turning 18. So in honor of my 18th year of life I would like to put 18 random facts about myself up because it seems that this is a popular thing to do.

- God is top priority in my life and my drive is given a lot by the force of my faith. I love God with all of my heart and I can't see it any other way. My faith has gotten a lot stronger over the past few years and I have gotten so I can't stand missing church.

- In most of my childhood photos I am dressed up as something either dressing to look like a certain era, or just dressed up and being a ham. I have lots of photos from when I am younger and in all of them I am doing something abnormal. I kind of wonder if I have any that I just smile normal in.

- I absolutely hate starting a new doctor. I hate going there and I hate having them not know anything about me. It stresses me out because I always feel like I am forgetting something.

- Turing 18 is the first age I have felt stressed about turning. I don't want to be 18 for a number of reasons but one being that I won't be a real kid anymore and the bank already sent me a letter saying I was eligible for a new type of bank account.

- I used to be obsessed with keeping my room clean now, I lack motivation to clean my room...

- Painting is my biggest relaxation technique and it calms me down. I haven't found anything else I enjoy doing more- however writing is a close second.

- I absolutely hate crumbs in my bed and will do anything to avoid them even if it means demanding foot washing or changing my sheets at midnight. I need things to be in order.

- Traveling is an awesome thing to do, as long as you're not going to doctors appointments. I hate doctors appointment traveling however I have been out of the country twice to Taiwan and Ireland and I loved it. I hope to go back to Europe again some day. It was beautiful. Taiwan however, not so much but who knows what the future holds.

- I like order and schedule. I would rather have mapped out days and such than a bunch of chaos. I like to know what I am doing in a week advance if it's possible, although many plans don't stick or they fall through last minute.

- Watching the snow fall is one of my favorite activities and I would do it all day if I could, color and watch the snow fall. It's a silent act that's really mesmerizing, thus why I am worried about driving in winter weather.

- When I was younger I used to tell everyone I was going to be a baby doctor. I loved babies and I still do. I find small children to be an amazing thing since we all start as a single cell. The complexity of our minds and everything baffles me. Now at least 14 years later, I am still considering the medical field and I love people.

- Now I see the brain as one of the most interesting things in the body. I can't see it as anything other than something I wonder if we will ever fully understand.

- One of my biggest motivators is my grandmother she was a wonderful woman and I can't imagine what life would be like if I had never met her. She always made me think I could do anything I put my mind to and put a lot of faith in me. She even used to let me cook and peel potatoes and do anything I could to help in the kitchen even if it meant taking a little longer to teach me and watching me cut my finger and learn things the hard way. She never was too busy. I hope if anything I can take the compassion and her love for God, and people and her pace back to my own life.

- I live for the moments I can step out of my comfort zone and overcome something or make myself a better person from an experience. Even just speaking up when I am nervous. However, I think there is a limit that should be put to these moments or else it becomes even more stressful.

- I really am amazed by God and the way he works in people. I think that is awesome and I always am interested to see what his plan is next. I don't agree with his plan 100% of the time and if I was God sometimes I think I would never want anyone to die... However I feel that some of my biggest spiritual growth was when I was hanging on by a thread. Plain and simple God to me is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am in love with him.

- My favorite years of my life were the years spent in elementary school. I loved the wonder I had then and I try to tune back in with that wonder from time to time. I love simple things and I can sit for hours enjoying little things rather than big complex things.

- I am really reliant on my computer and all of the data it stores. I am concerned about how much I use my computer and I kind of hope that I can start to work away from that by the time I turn 19. Hopefully this will be something I fixed over the course of a year. I don't want to adjust to my reliance of the computer though.

- I dislike people who find it their job to be negative. I am all about cheering people up, however I also believe that you have a time that you can be negative but I don't like it if you think it's okay to stay that way for a long time. It really bothers me and I will do anything in my power to let you know I still care about you. I really do love people and I will do my best to give you my undivided attention. If you don't feel like I am giving it to you, you can call me- if I am distracted then, then you know something is wrong with me. I don't usually pick my phone up unless I am ready to talk.

Bonus- One year as a birthday gift.. My twin cousins were born on my birthday. Although at the time I wasn't sure if I was completely thrilled about sharing the date, I absolutely love sharing my birthday with them now. These two little girls are splendid and I love their zest for life and their sweet personalities. Below is a photo of them and their older sister and I the day of my testimony.

Today is my 18th year of life. I am thankful for this year and I am so thankful for the 17th year where I learned a lot about myself. I feel like every year I grow older I am a little more in tune with myself. I am so glad that I have been able to get into my skin and wear out my body a little more this year and I am thankful for everyone in my life. As a birthday present to me- lurkers de-lurk. If you are a reader who has come for awhile and you don't comment, comment. I would love to hear from you! Dad, this means you. :) So to all of the February 4th birthday's Happy Birthday!

Now just for fun because I thought it would be here is my year in review in words- Things that only happen once and happened while I was 17.

Sister moved out and then moved to her own apartment- First steady boyfriend- First surf competition- First time I swam from our cottage to elephant rock, not only facing my fears of seaweed and dark water but also swimming a great amount still being sick and never doing it before- First kiss- First annual Lyme Walk was started by Sarah and I- First time I ever had a problem with chloraprep- First surgery- First time going to camp since I got sick- First small group setting this summer, loved it so much I have a deep passion for making it to my small group at church because I love the setting and the people we have in it.- First time sharing my testimony to others and finding out how much others could care about me. It was an awesome experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world.- First youth pastor I really connected with moved away- Got accepted to my first college- Tackled my fear of public speaking and never looked back.- Found that with God, anything is possible and have learned to pray about everything, still working on the worry about nothing part.- Met one of my cousins who is 30 something for the first time and learned a lot about fishing. I think it's in our blood- Submitted my art and writing to the first contests ever and earned honorable mention on my art, still haven't heard anything about my writing.- Went to my first and maybe only prom I will ever go to- Met my first band in person.- Found my true passion for people and started a lot of things like a Lyme Christmas program and now we're starting a local 501(c)3 program that will be non-profit and can raise money for local activities.

That is my year of firsts and only moments. I am sure there are many more. Celebrate with me, I would love to share cake with you and your family. Go ahead make a cake in honor of the day I turn 18 and share some sugary delight with me! Festivities begin this weekend with a little party this weekend, nothing big just something. (note- if you share cake make sure you let me know so I can see a picture!)

Home!

I am home at last.

Although very sore... The surgeon felt it would be best to get me home quickly because I have to go back next Wednesday to get my other surgery although less invasive I will be getting a port placed.

For those of you who asked why not do both at the same time- We of were not sure of the condition of my gallbladder and due to the fact I ended up staying the night at the hospital and the time of the surgery was much longer than it was planned to be and waking me up from the anesthesia was very difficult and caused some light seizure activity. So therefore we're taking it one surgery at a time due to the fact he didn't think with my body being so weak I should be taking so much on. Which made sense to my family at this time.

I am slowly walking and making steps to recovery but this is going to be a long journey! What a last few days... I plan on only visiting the hospital from here on out.

Sarah thank you so much for spot-lighting me! :) I am really blessed with such wonderful friends.

Spot-light-

So after the past few days, I have so many people I am thankful for and blessed to have had such a wonderful amount of people come into my life. I cannot just choose one person to be the spot-light today. (Plus I have 2 days to make up for!)

We'll start with Kathy- I met her in the hospital elevator on the way up to same day surgery and I remember this clearly. She said "3 for us" and I said are you going to Same Day Surgery too? She was very calm and said yes. I was so very jittery and scared and flipping through the two booklets we had just picked up at the doctors office about getting your gallbladder removed. She said she wasn't scared seemed so at peace! I was very impressed with her. She acted as if it was no big deal and I admired her strength because to me, at any age... You're allowed to be scared of surgery! She was a really unique woman to meet and I am so thankful I got to!

The Same Day Surgery nurses and the various Pediatric nurses that were on shift when I was admitted were absolutely amazing and another blessing. It is so great to have a nursing team that is not afraid to hold your hand, rub your back... Ease you create less stress on you or pray at your bedside with you. It's amazing to see the talented ladies and how much knowledge they retain. What an awesome group of people. I am so very thankful that they were all there for me. They all root me on and continue to make me feel okay even though my pain was horrible and I wasn't very kind.

My surgeon and the OR team get the most credit! What an amazing group of people they were so calm and kind! I was amazed and put me at peace of mind right up to going into the surgery. I actually felt safe upon going under and was smiling and joking with the nurses until I was put out. And for all of you who didn't get to one while counting back- I would just like you to know.... I so got to one! :) And I even got to go to Ireland on a mini vacation while they took out my gallbladder in Elmira. :)

My friends also deserve an immense amount of credit because- those who have been there through all of this have been amazing. There are some who are just getting used to it and others who have been there for a long time. Like Sarah, since third grade to Josiah who is still learning about everything. They all are amazing and a wonderful support group to me. I am very blessed and thankful for them. Under friends, although I try not to double up I do believe I have the two stooges as pastors at my church. Pastor Chris and Pastor Tony are so amazing and I am so very grateful to have them in my life. They came to the hospital just in the nick of time to pray with me before I went off to surgery and then Pastor Chris came back to visit me today. They are wonderful people and are really living out God's will. I am so thankful for them especially because just having them there rooting me on... Calms my nerves.

My FAMILY is the most important and saved for the last. My aunts are very amazing... And so are my parents and my sister. They continue to show their love to me even at the most difficult of times and I am grateful for all of the people I have had brought into my life! What a wonderful group to have cheering you on.

Here's to a healthier and less painful night!

Love,

Victoria

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
- Deuteronomy 31:8

Hi everyone! This is Sarah here, updating for Victoria. She wants me to let you all know that the surgery went well, but she will be remaining in the hospital tonight because the surgery took 1.5 hours longer than it was supposed to. She is in a lot of pain right now and is very weak. We are all remaining hopeful though that she will be able to come home tomorrow...

Also, a very good piece of news: Lis might be able to come home tomorrow also. This is super news. For those of you who don't know, Lis has been extremely helpful with the Lyme Walk and she is such a nice lady! Victoria profiled her below if you would like to read more about her.

And now, to follow in Victoria's tradition, I am going to spotlight someone of my own-her!

VICTORIA WILCOX:
Victoria is such a nice person; it is so typical of her to include a spotlight person for every blog because she is always caring about others. Even though this is her blog, she wants to highlight others who she feels deserve the recognition. Even now, when she was in so much pain it was hard for her to breathe, she wanted to call me so I could update her blog to give information to all of you. When you were worrying about her, she was worrying about you worrying! It is so unfair that Victoria has to suffer like she does, but she does it with a smile and a determination that WILL someday change the world. There is no one else like her. Please take the time to post a comment to this message and let Victoria know that you were thinking about her while she was in the hospital!