My Visit To San Antonio Texas

On Dec. 4th through Dec. 10th, 2012 I had the opportunity to fly to Texas to take care of Colby and Addie. Troy and Kori were going on a cruise and didn't have anyone to take care of the kids so I took some time off of work and flew to San Antonio. I was so nervous about flying alone but it ended up being a great experience and I didn't have anything to worry about. I met a couple of people on the flight that were so kind. What a blast I had with my sweethearts and I was so grateful to Heavenly Father for giving me this opportunity and for giving me lots of energy to keep up with them. Before I left I had found some ideas of things that we could do to help pass the time during the day. I went to the craft stores and bought everything I needed and loaded up my suitcase to take it with me. Each day I had planned for one activity for them to do.

Here are a couple of activities we did. They loved making the pom pom trees and coloring the nativity scene.

I had to post this because this is what I got from Troy and Kori when they got home. I laughed so hard. They even brought one for Roger that was a muscle man in a speedo of the American Flag with a $ bill stuck it in. We got quite the kick out it.

While I was there with the kids we ventured off to Target and I bought them some legos and they loved playing with them. They loved to create a big mess but were always good to pick up after.

I had taken so many pictures of just the kids so I had Troy take one of me and Addie when they got home. Colby didn't want his picture taken with me darn it.

Another venture off was to Kohls. I was so thankful for a phone AP that Troy had told me about because it got me everywhere we wanted to go. But I bought the kids this little book called "Do You Know How Much I'll Miss You?" I was able to record my voice to the words of the book and that way it would be like me reading it to them. They read it over and over so much that the batteries wore out. lol

I got to take Adaline to her ballet and tap class and it was so much fun watching her. She was awesome! She's the one in the middle.

We would spend a lot of time outside each day playing. Addie's hair is getting so long.

Another thing I bought them while I was there were these nerf guns. They picked them out and it was such a great cheap investment. They spent hours and hours shooting them inside and outside. 

Another adventure we took was to the Winter fest there in San Antonio which wasn't too far from their place. I had heard about it so we decided to go. They rode a couple of rides and bounced in the bouncy thingy. For the Winter fest they ship snow in from some place for the kids to play in since Texas doesn't ever get snow. It was pretty disgusting with all the hay and kids playing in it that I was glad Colby and Addie didn't want to get in it.
Needless to say I had such a fun time taking care of my sweethearts. Roger was sad he wasn't able to go because he had a couple of important doctor appointments but hopefully next time he can come. 

Changes

I've had a lot on my mind lately and I wanted to take a minute to blog about some of them. My thoughts are continually on Roger as his body is beginning to have complications from his diabetes. He's dealt with it now for 46 years and up to this point has actually done really well. He's always been such a model patient according to all of his doctors. He still is..but he's now having a real hard time trying to control his blood sugars and we just found out he's having some major kidney issues.
6 weeks ago he went in for his routine kidney check up with Dr. Stephanz. He goes once a year and has his blood drawn to see what his BUN and Creatnine is. He got the results and the doctor wasn't happy at all. In fact he said there must be a fluke in the test. Lets repeat it in a month. So he did and the results were even worse than the month before.
Roger and I went to see Dr. Stephanz last week and he's quite concerned. He said that Roger's kidneys are functioning about 27%-35% and is in stage 4 of 5 kidney failure. He said if he had a crystal ball he would guess within the next 1.5 to 2 years he will have a kidney transplant or be on dialysis.
The thing is we always knew this day would eventually come but not at the age of 55. You're never prepared for that kind of news.
I'm trying to be positive since I know that kind of attitude helps you survive anything and keeps you out of the dumps. But I have to admit that I'm scared. I'm sad. I hate seeing him vomiting almost every day because of the nausea. I hate seeing him so tired. He will usually start out having a great day then the nausea starts in and he's done for the rest of the day. His blood sugars have been so out of control. Highs for days then lows forever.
I wish I could take it all away for him. But he's been given this challenge and I pray that God will allow us to learn something from it. I know it's brought us so close. Life hands us some real curves sometimes but it keeps us praying and having faith that we'll get through this. I'm so thankful for Roger and for his desire to keep his self healthy. I'm grateful for his love for life and for his family. I know many people are praying for him and putting his name in the temples. He's my rock and I pray I can be his.

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving Day is a day of thanks. I'd like to think of every day as giving thanks but I'm grateful we have a day set aside to ponder all of our blessings and to remember our pilgrims and others who have gone on before us. Thanksgiving was always a fun day for me growing up. Mom always made such a delicious meal. Her dressing was to die for! She'd add lots of different things in it. Apples, cranberries, walnuts etc. The tradition for dad was to eat his dinner and hurry back to the TV to watch some football games. Uncle Sterling always came and ate with us too. Occasionally, my brother Jim would join us. 

I'm so thankful for my blessings. My family is always at the top of my list. I can't imagine life without them. From Roger to my children, my grandchildren, my siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles etc. Life is grand. I have so many fun memories with all of them. I'm so grateful for my parents who gave so much to me. They worked hard in their life and sacrificed a lot. I'm grateful for the gospel and for all the good things it brings to us. I'm grateful for my testimony of the gospel, grateful for my job, home, friends. My list could go on forever.

Thanksgiving dinner was held at Lola and Ron's place this year. We had a total of 46 people in attendance and we had so much fun. The food was delicious and the company was awesome.

Julie, Shana, Brea and me with Presley and Hadley. I love the Liston girls

Jake, Shana and Julie enjoying the food and talking

Brea and Brendon were at the table with Rog and me.

Oh Daxton. He's such a ham. 

The place settings were gorgeous. They had done so much work to make everything so special for us.

Eric and Alecia and two of their kids

Gentry enjoying her Thanksgiving food. I wonder what she's thankful for?

Heading to San Antonio on Dec. 4th, 2012

In 2 days I'll be heading to San Antonio, Texas to take care of Colby and Addie. Kori and Troy left today for a cruise that Troy had won last summer. The kids are staying with a friend there that lives in their ward. She has grandkids too and they knew they could trust her to take care of the kids for a couple of days until I could get there on Tues.
I've put lots of time and money in preparation for this little trip. (1 week) I'm taking the traditional Christmas cookie party to Colby and Addie since they won't be here to join us.
So I've bought all the stuff I need for that. I've also bought all the stuff to make a Christmas craft each day I'm there. We're going to make gumdrop trees. Reindeers, reindeer candy canes, etc. I've bought them each a pair of Christmas socks to wear, ornaments to make for their tree. We're going to have so much fun.

The thing that makes this even better is the kids are so excited for me to get there. Kori made a chain out of construction paper that they tear one off for each day before I get there so they can see how close it is. They took a picture of Colby with the biggest, dimple smile and he's holding a Christmas Tree cookie cutter. It makes my heart so happy to see how excited they are.
I'm flying out Dec. 4th at 9:20am and I stop in Denver, Co. then off to San Antonio. The lady in their ward taking care of the kids right now will pick me up at the airport and take me back to Troys place. I hope I make my flights ok and I'll be able to find my way around the city.
I'll post some pictures when I get back from my fun trip.

Roger My Honey Love

This past month Roger had his kidney doctor appointment and before he goes he has to have his labs drawn to see his kidney function levels etc.
Up until now his doctor has been very pleased with how he's done and has told Roger how blessed he's been to have his kidneys still functioning as good as they have been. His results this last time weren't quite as good. In fact they've made a drastic change in the past year. For what reason, we have no idea. He is going to have his tests run again this week to see if there is any change. I'm not sure what he'll do about it. He might just have him be seen in 6 months rather than a year. Maybe there's medication they can put him on to slow the damage down. I'm not quite sure. He did tell him he's in stage 3 of 5 stages of kidney failure.
That's such a scary thought. I know how worried Roger is and how much he has dreaded this day because he knew it would eventually come. He was hoping it wouldn't be at the age of 55.
Our family had a fast for him last week and I pray through our fasting, prayers and faith that he'll be able to go longer without having dialysis or a kidney transplant.
I try so hard to try to be positive. I want him to also. No sense in worrying and stewing about it right now if we are still years away. But I know he is so worried.

He's my rock! I'm not sure how he has gotten through all of his health trials so far but he has. I pray that God will continue to bless him and allow him to do the things he dreams of doing. I love you honey and I"m always here for you. We're in this together. Just like in our marriage vows..."In sickness and in health."

San Antonio Here We Come

It's with great saddness that we're moving Troy and Kori and kids to San Antonio, Texas. They broke the news to us in September and Roger and I just looked at each other and started to cry. We were in a restaurant too. But they reassured us that they had fasted and prayed about their decision and felt like it was what they needed to do. Before they left we cherished every second we had with them and especially the kids. We've been so blessed to have all our kids close by so this was going to be quite the adjustment. My prayers are with them day and night as they follow their dream. Troy will be selling Alarms year round and I pray that God will bless them in this adventure.

Addie's loving the new pool

Just a few sights that we visited once we finally arrived there. It took us 26 hours of driving but we finally made it. Here we're at the Alamo. It's such a sacred place to visit. You couldn't wear hats, your phones had to be turned off. And only whispers. . 

We ate at so many good places. This one is Rudy's. Their sign said "The Worst BBQ In The World" But we had heard othewise. 

I think Colby was most excited about the beautiful pool area to swim in. The water was quite cold but it didn't stop him.

We ate at this really delicious fish restaurant. It was so awesome and so expensive . lol 

Here's the San Antonio Temple that Troy and Kori live by. What a beautiful sight.

Rog and I drove down to the River Walk. It was lots of fun until we were ready go home and couldn't find our car. It took us 1.5 hours to find it. That was NOT a good experience. lol

We went down to the River Walk and took a ride in a horse and buggy that took us around the town.

While we were there it was Halloween so we got to share in the fun of decorating pumpkins and trick or treating

This is their new place. It's really nice and the area is so beautiful. 

River Walk

Such a cute family. I'm so glad we got to share this fun time with them.

One of the beautiful buildings and churches downtown

Adalines 3rd Birthday

This beautiful little stinker turned 3 yrs old on Sept. 9th. She has such an easy birthday to remember since she was born on 09-09-09. Adaline or Ads or Addie, is such an adorable 3 yr old. She's learned to talk at such an early age. She potty trained easy and she's growing up to be such a beautiful young lady. Grandma loves to snuggle her and read her stories. Addie loves her dollies, her stuffed animals and her silkies and she also loves to fish. Which makes her grandma happy. Addie loves playing with her brother Colby. In fact they're pretty much inseparable. I sure love you sweetheart!