Starting out 2011

This post is about starting out the year of 2011. It's January and we've already started the surgery saga. Roger was told in December that he had herniated discs and severe stenosis of his spinal canal. Of course we were both disappointed that it would involve surgery but we knew that he needed to do something because of the severity of his pain. Dr. Lyn Gauffin performed the surgery on Jan. 18th. I think both of us were not prepared for how hard this surgery would be. Especially the recovery and all that intells.
Roger is such a trooper. He has been through so much in his life regarding his health but he continues to trudge on. He loves his family so much that he knows he has to do his best to keep going. Otherwise it's so easy to give up and not care anymore.
Right now, 1 week post op he can only sit for 20 min., walk for 20 and lay in bed. He can't sit in his wonderful recliner that helped him so much through his cardiac surgery, he can't bend over to pick anything up, he has to wear a corsett for 6 weeks etc.
As his wife it's been my privledge to help him through his health challenges. He keeps apoligizing for putting me through these things but I keep reminding him that that's what married couples do. They love and support one another through sickness and in health. I know he feels humiliated by me having to help him with some bathroom challenges but I remind him that I don't care. I love him and would do anything to make him more comfortable.
While he was in the hospital he was having such a hard time getting comfortable. He was in tremendous pain and because of that the nurses were giving him more and more pain meds. Morphine, percocet, soma, and ambian to sleep. Jared and I showed up one morning and Roger couldn't lift his head from his pillow. He was snoring so hard, hallucinating and not able to speak without saying only two words then falling heavily asleep again. This lasted for 1.5 days. He knew that something wasn't right because several times he tried to say "what's wrong with me?" It's so hard to see someone you love going through these things. They just aren't themselves.
I said many, many prayers. I called the temple to put his name on the prayer roll. I always figure the more prayers the better. Jake gave him a beautiful blessing the night before surgery and Jared and Troy assisted. In the blessing he was told to have patience through this trial. Patience is a hard one for Roger because he has so many things he thinks he should be out doing so he wants to be better right away. He blessed him to do all the things that the doctor has ordered so that he can heal properly. That's a hard one too for him because he's such an outdoors person. But I have faith that he'll be blessed with better health, less pain and will be back to doing the things he loves to do.
I'm so thankful for family and friends. For everyones prayers in his behalf. He's a wonderful man and has so much to live for. I pray God will bless him with all the things to make him happy and comfortable.

Gifts From My Grandchildren

I remember when my children were small and I would hang their little art work on my fridge. I knew it made them proud to see that I appreciated their hard work and artistry. Well, now I"m enjoying the art work that my grandchildren make. My fridge is always covered with different projects they do. I had a sleepover last night with the 4 oldest and this morning they gave me these adorable notes. They made me cry as they each gave me their gifts. Makinley had hers put in a gift bag for me as a present. Dax had his folded up and Brayden handed me his with a big hug. I will forever cherish their love and appreciation for the things I love to do for them. They're my lovebirds.

Another One Sent From Heaven

This little miracle baby Hadley Lyn was born on Dec. 22, 2010. I was priviledged to be able to witness her birth and what a beautiful experience. Shana had such a hard pregnancy this time but those hard times are quickly forgotten when that little infant is placed in your arms. We're so excited to welcome her into our home and she's the 9th grandbaby for Rog and I. Each one is just as exciting as the first. It doesn't get anymore precious than this. A mom's love for her child is immeasurable

Hadley just seconds old.

Shana with her brand new baby girl. What a special moment.

Our Christmas baby. Shana has a picture just like this because she was born on Dec. 21st. Special, special. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present. Sent straight from Heaven. I LOVE YOU HADLEY LYN

Me at 51

Wow! I'm reminded daily of how much my life has changed since I turned 50 and had a hysterectomy. For some reason my body just doesn't want to do what it used to. (haha) I guess it's a menopause thing. When I was in my 40's I swore I would never allow myself to get run down and tired and not be interested in the things I loved to do. But it's happened.
When I wake each morning I'm stiff and can't bend and my feet hurt, I tell myself I'm not going to allow age, or neuropathy or anything to get in my way of enjoying life. And for the most part I do pretty good. I just need to kick myself in the butt and change how things are right now.
I've always been one who loved to exercise. I had many people tell me that that can't believe I love it but I do. I love the way it makes me feel when I'm done. I'm proud of myself for dragging my body to the gym and working up a sweat for an hour or so. But since I had my foot surgery and shoulder surgery I've put on a lot of weight and can't seem to get out of this funk. So I'm hoping I can change my attitude and get back to the way I was. The person I liked and the person that felt good mentally and physically.
I'm going to be 52 in June. Ouch!! I thought my mom was so old when she was my age and now look at me. I"m there..lol I've always told myself I would be just like my mom. She was so active and full of life. I remember her always wanting to be thinner. She'd get on the ground and sit on her butt and go back and forth moving forward and backward trying to get rid of her cellulite. We used to laugh at her but I guess she was desperate like I am..lol
I pray that I can make the changes in my life that will make me happier with myself and to live a long healthy life.

A New Year 2011

As of this reading it is now January 14th, 2011. I had given up on my blog back in May of 201o I guess because I was just tired of doing it. But a few weeks ago I saw what Shana had done with her blog which was making it into books. They were beautiful and so I came home and made my own book of my blogs. I was so impressed and the cost was well worth it.
I'm so glad to put 2010 behind us and start a new one. We had many hard times that we want to forget. Just a reminder though, Roger had his quadruple bypass surgery in March. What a horrendous experience to watch him go through and for me as his wife. I'll never forget it and I'm sure he won't either. I've decided he's one of my heroes. I had a toe fusion surgery the end of May and was in a boot for 6 or 7 weeks walking only on my heel. That really put a damper on my summer. And now I find out the surgery was not successful and I'm going to have to repeat it. My big toe on my right foot is riding up too high and so it sits on my next toe and they're getting callous and sores. I'm so upset about it but life goes on. I think I'll repeat the surgery (by a different doctor in SLC) in the fall since I don't want to ruin another summer. In July right after I had gotten my boot off my foot I fell down our stairs all the way into the entry. I didn't think I had injured anything but my pride but I began to have horrific shoulder pain. It continued until the end of August and I finally went to a doctor and they ordered an MRI. Well, I had a full surface rotator cuff tear and needed surgery. I had that done in Sept. and was in a brace/sling for 6 weeks and did physical therapy for 2 months. It was such a joy and I'm glad I'm past that now. Through all of these things Roger and I have helped each other immensely. I couldn't have done it without him. So thanks to my adorable husband for all his help.
I've got 9 absolutely adorable grandchildren. I adore them so much. Brayden is
9 1/2, Daxton is 7 in a few days, Makinley is 6, Gentry 4, Colby almost 3, Easton is 1, Presley 1, Adaline is 1 and Hadley almost 1 month old now. I can't imagine my life without them. They give me so much to live for. I always think of my mom when it comes to grand kids because she was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 53 yrs. old and wanted so much to see her grandchildren grow up. She begged God to let her stay here but he had other plans.
If that ever happens to me I"m making sure that my grandchildren know how much I love them and trying to make wonderful memories for them.
Last night I had a sleepover with the oldest 4. We watched a movie, ate popcorn, played hide and seek and had so much fun. I love to hear them screaming and laughing. This morning they said "Grandma, don't peek. We're going to make a present for you." A little while later they each came out with a construction paper that had cute little sayings on them. They had used my stamps with ink to make cute pictures. They said "Grandma, thanks for everything. I love you." Another said "I love you" love Bboy.(Brayden) I cried as I read each one and hung them on my fridge to admire. Such simple things can put a smile on your face and make you feel so good.

I often think of my grandchildren and the life they're living in. I pray for them so much that they'll hold onto the iron rod, that they'll choose the right, make good friends and be good examples to others. I want them to respect their parents and to listen to their advice. I just want God to protect them from all the evils of the world.

I'll end this now..and I look forward to making this blog a big part of my life now that I can make it into a book.