Week of May 19, 2013

Sunday

It was nice to be back to church and our own ward, The meetings were all very good. Chris gave an excellent lesson on the Plan of Salvation. At least once a year we had a FHE lesson on this. It is so fundamental to all we do. Ellen got called as a Sunday School teacher in her YSA ward at home this summer. She is way excited.

Last week it was Mike eating ice cream. This week, Ellen chugging orange juice. Such is the life of the young ones. Although, with taking care of the parents this week, they get their responsibilities also.

 We did some home.visiting teaching in the evening since we will be out of it for a while.

Monday

Just getting ready for upcoming surgery.  The garden is still pretty wet, so we didn't get the work done we hoped for. Dad got some Dyer's Wode out from across the street. Who was it that took Uncle Russell water when he was digging it out by the railroad tracks?

We went to Josh's choir concert that night. They sang the same Les Mis medley that Spencer, John, and Steven sang. I can't imagine how many schools sang that this year, 

The East sky in the evening.

Tuesday

 We had a Dr.s appointment in Brigham with Dr. Bittner about my hand, so we went to the temple before. It was so good to be there. at the appointment we decided to my wrist needed a plate, so i have surgery on Wednesday.

Tonight was Noelle and Cierra's orchestra concert. Ellen went with us. she couldn't believe Cierra was old enough to be wearing her Madrigal dress. We still can't believe how big the orchestra is. They sounded great.

Cierra going to her place.

U. Ralph's Danny. Next year he will be a senior. (The one in the middle)

U. Ralph's Mandy in the middle. She graduates this year. She was BR Sterling Scholar in music. 

Noelle with her violin.

Cierra & Noelle

Cierra, Mandy, and Danny, who wanted to get home.

Sarah, Noelle's friend, and Noelle

Marion had sent us his 'Super' book, so we were all reading it. I loved it with all the wonderful messages that came with it.

Wednesday

I sent an email with all the details of the day, so I won't bore you again. Dad's surgery wasn't until almost 2, Ellen took me to my Dr.s appointment yin Ogden, and we were back just 30 min. after dad came out of surgery. All went well with it and Joe was here with him. I'm so glad it is over and he's doing really good today. I spent the night with him. No pictures.

Thursday

He's been doing so great all day. Therapy went well, the food was great, and he had Chris, Mike, Joe & family all come visit. Thanks, Tesha for bringing me delicious chicken enchiladas. I decided to not stay the night because he was doing so great & was just tired. Went home with Ellen about 8:30.

Friday

Chris brought me to the hospital at 8 & I found out dad had a bad night from 3:30 on. I felt bad I wasn't here. The whole day has been filled with pain, nausea , so hardly any food, and sleep. He hasn't eaten much except some broth & crackers so he could take pain medicine. He is looking a little better as I write this at 4:00. I'm staying the night tonight. Hopefully Saturday will be better.

Saturday

 Remember when we had turns mowing Grandma's lawn? We may be headed for that. At least this year.

I got this picture just as Marion finished up the whole lawn. It sure looks beautiful.

Cousin time with Chris's family.

We got home with Dad about 2. It was so much help to have Marion & the boys to help. I would call out, "I need a left hand."  Someone would be there before I knew it.  We got Dad settled in and taken care of. We got a few more jobs done while Chris' family was here, and after they went home we made pizza. Everyone helped and we were done very quickly.

Mike eating so he can go relieve Ellen who had been working all day. 

Steven's perfect BIG pizza.

Isaac helped me bring some water to Grandpa so he could wash his face. I can't believe how much better he is today than yesterday.

Marion took Ellen & the 3 older boys to see "Ironman." I watched a movie with Jared and Isaac.

Dad just threw up. It's not over yet, so keep him in your prayers.

1828 Webster's Dictionary

Continually- “Without pause or cessation; unceasingly; in repeated succession;” (Alma 26:22 “pray continually without ceasing”)

Never underestimate the power of prayer. I love you all and thank you all for your prayers.

Week of May 12, 2013

Sunday - Happy Mother's Day & 

Happy Birthday Dusty

It was so nice to talk to most everyone & it was very good to come home from the hospital.

I had so many beautiful get well cards and spent a nice day with Paul & family.

Levi & Paul with matching ties

Paul's church is at 8 a.m. We got home from the hospital about 9, so we were there when they came home. Chloe, Nikki, me, Sammi, with Elise & Audrey with all get well cards. 

I was prepared to make the snap purses with everyone. They are at all different stages. Chloe & Elise's are the only ones we finished. I am planning on making these with all my granddaughters that can help with the sewing sometime this summer. 

Playing the family game.

Sammi made a beautiful card with stand-up figures for Mother's Day.

Close-up of Chloe:)

She sure loves her little brother!

Monday

Monday morning playing games. I am reminded again how much is learned by playing games.

Cute little Levi

We have been trying to see everyone locally play one game in whatever sport they are doing. We still have Jeffrey & Robert to go. Hopefully we will make it. I didn't think we would see the far away ones, but guess who we got to watch while sitting in 100 degree temperatures? - Yes, the Arizona cousins!

Nikki getting ready to swim. 

Nikki still swimming.

Climbing up.

Elise's turn.

Elise in the middle.

Audrey's group just swam and swam and swam.  

Audrey in the middle. 

Each of the 3 girl's are in different groups lasting an hour each.  Here is Lacey's summer!

It's a good thing the library is close by. Read and swim. It doesn't get much better than that.

Tuesday

 We made the trip home. It weny slow traveling with 2 handicap people, Virginia Potter, & me.

Stopping for lunch at A & W.

Wednesday

Firt thing in the morning we discovered spring had come while we were away!

Lilacs just outside the front door

Chris's family had mowed the lawn.

We got tomatoes and peppers planted.

South of the house. It is amazing how much everthing can change in such a short amount of time.

Since we missed Josh's piano recital, we got a personal one.

Thursday

This was Dr. day. The morning for me and the afternoon for Dad's pre-op.

Mike gave me his Mother's Day gift. He took my old battered recipe book with all the added recipe in and transferred the handwritten ones into a nice, new one. I'm excited. I should update the one I print.

Dad in the chair pulling chains to test leg strength. 

That night we went to the 9:30 showing of Star Trek after Ellen got off work. We all loved it. I really liked the last one, so I was afraid I would be disappointed, but not at all - we all loved it.    

Friday

More of a doctor/tests day. We met Dr. Bittner and can see why Colleen likes him so much. We're very impressed with him, and he is almost like family since he is Emily's uncle. We will decide for sure after the x-ray next Tuesday if I need surgery.

Saturday

Mike came home for play practice and work in  the garden, but it rained too much. How many of you other sons have memories doing this - legally: 

Joe's family came over in the afternoon & it was good to see them. Time is precious before they go.

Teaching Zach to say 'hat' with an immediate reward

My Mother's Day present. They took pictures at the temple on their 4 year anniversary. Tesha is in her wedding dress & bouquet. It is so cute with the boys in it. It should be a tradition!

Peek-a-boo Zach

The before picture. Next week watch for the 'cool' after picture with a bionic knee.

1828 Webster's Dictionary Word for the Week:

Desire-“Longing or reaching towards; a prayer or request to obtain;” 

Webster continues to explain the difference between wish and desire; it is for something that can be obtained, whereas wish may or may not be obtainable.

 Alma 22:11 “I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these things, and I will believe thy words."

May we all ponder & think upon the desires of our heart, 

follow the promptings of our conscience & the spirit, 

and be humble enough to hear and strong enough to obey,

 is my desire and what I am trying to do. 

I love you all. Keep your 'old' parents in your prayers this week - Grandpa's knee & Grandma's wrist.