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.

To Realize

To realize
the value of a sister/brother
Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of 10 years
Ask a newly Divorced couple

To realize
The value of 4 years
Ask a graduate

To realize
The value of 1 year
Ask a student who failed a final exam

To realize
The value of 9 months
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn

To realize
The value of 1 month
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby

To realize
The value of 1 week
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper

To realize
The value of 1 minute
Ask a person who missed a train, bus or plane.

To realize
the value of 1 second
Ask a person who survived an accident

To realize
The value of a family member or a friend
Lose one

The origin of this letter is unknown but it sure makes you stop and think.
Remember to hold on tight to the ones you love!!

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM AND GRANDMOTHER

As I sit here today, contemplating another Mothers Day I always have such mixed emotions. I hate to put a damper on this beautiful holiday but sometimes I just can't help it. Some years are easier than others for some reason but this year I'm actually having a hard time. When I look back over the 22 years I had my mom I realize what a great influence she was on my life. She was so full of spunk, always on the go and yet was the care taker of my father as he was dying. She loved to shop and always bought the best, she loved to dance, she loved serving others, she was on a bowling league, golfed with the ladies at Riverside country club. She loved her yard and had so much pride in it. It's where Roger and I were married. It was so beautiful. My mom was an artist, poet too. She wrote a lot of poetry especially after my father died. She missed him so much.
This picture was taken of me and my mom at a Treasures of Truth party in our ward in 1974. Many, many years ago I came upon several articles on mothers day and I have saved them for many years. As you can tell they're very yellow. If you click on the article it will enlarge. I hope you enjoy them as I have.

This beautiful lady is my grandmother. My moms mom. Oh the memories I have of her as we watched Lawrence Welk, played bingo, cards, playing eye spy and button button. We went shopping for yarn so she could crochet rugs for each of the girls when they graduated. I remember so well having to leave her after we had spent the weekend with her. Her little wave from the window always made me cry as we left. I love her so much. She died at the age of 82. I miss you grandma!

My dad has passed away the year before I graduated. So he wasn't there for my graduation. But this beautiful lady was.

Rog loved my mom. And she loved him. I know at first she wasn't happy I was spending all my time with him at such a young age but she grew to love him each day. One funny story was when I was 16. He had a dozen red roses delivered to me for Valentines. I wasn't home but she answered the door and then opened the big box of roses only to see a card that had my name on it. She thought my dad had sent them to her.

I'm sure I've posted this picture before but it's one that is so special to me. Shana and her cousin Becka were only 6 months old in this picture. It was taken just a few days before my mom passed away. As I get closer and closer to the age of my moms death which was 57 I know why she was begging God to please let her live. My mom had everything to live for. But God had a different plan for her.

I love you mom. I haven't had you to call or to ask advice. I haven't had your shoulder to cry on. This year I will be taking another card up to your gravesite telling you how much I miss you. Some might think it's weird but it does my heart good.

Happy Mothers day to my mom and my grandma. To my dear daughter and daughtersinlaw. I love you with all my heart. May you all cherish your times you have with your moms. Take pictures. That's one thing I regret and that's not having more pictures. I treasure them now. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU ALL!!

Open Heart Surgery Journey

Rogers battle wound from quintuplet bypass surgery.This was the day he was waiting for. The removal of all his chest tubes. They were causing him most of his pain after surgery. Jared works downstairs in the OR so he was able to help his dad and me each day. I had to call him one morning after Roger had a small seizure while eating breakfast and Jared was there within seconds to help his dad and comfort me. He then took the rest of his shift off because he knew we needed him.Deb and Steve spent from 7am to 5pm with me waiting for Roger to get out of surgery. It was such a comfort to see their faces that morning because I didn't know they were going to be there to support me. Wow!! Then they came back that night after Roger was in the ICU. I don't think Roger knew how many people loved him. We had our family and friends there to help us through this trial. I'm so thankful for them. I don't know what I would have done.This picture was at 5am on March 10th. He was having all body hair shaved. Poor guy! This picture of Roger and I holding hands depicts my committment to helping him through this scary time for him. I love you honey.

I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve my husband. To help him when he was weak, to feed him, to help him walk, shower, rub a cool washcloth on his face, to hold his hand when he was frightened. He has been such an awesome patient. Before surgery he didn't let on how afraid he was. He was trying to be so brave. In the holding room before surgery, Jared was there holding his hand and he and his dad were just making small talk. Trying not to think of the surgery. I know Jared knew from working in the operating room , how serious a surgery like this is. He was hating to see his dad have to go through it. That was a special moment for Roger and Jared. This experience has allowed me to appreciate Roger more, to realize how much I loved him more than I thought I did,it has brought us so much closer and know that we rely on each other much more than we thought. I'm so thankful for all the priesthood blessings that were given by my sons and soninlaw. What comfort they were to their dad when he was afraid, in pain and just plain down. Thank you to all our family and friends for helping us get through this trial.  All the prayers in his behalf etc. I don't know what we would have done.