It's Twins

On Thursday October 13th I had twins. Twin Gall stones that is. I also had my gall bladder removed. I am not really sure what to name them but stones this size desire some kind of name. Tyler has been learning about the gall bladder and said that a large stone is considered to be the size of a pea!! I am not sure what these would be considered then. Thank heavens for modern medicine that only required 5 small incisions to remove the gall bladder and the stones. I should begin feeling a ton better with these babies on the outside. I have some swelling and some soreness but overall I am feeling pretty good.
I was having problems loading this but my sweet family made cards for me so I would get well. It did make me feel better. Thanks guys for your sweet words.



Jennifer brought her kids and Lane and Geraldine to be with me during the surgery and then take care of me for a few days afterward. I really appreciated all they did while they were here. Just having the kids around to watch and the adults to talk to really helped me. Kelsey came Friday night to assist also. She painted my toes and pampered me very well!! Thanks so much everyone. I truly felt well taken care of!
Carson is clowning around while wearing a hat that Grandpa found for him. He is such a show off!! Love you kiddo. Grandma couldn't play with him or take him for our usual scooter rides so he went to school with Aunt Carleen. She gave him a 5th grade math test and he got a 100 on it! WOW! Then he helped her pass out papers and told the kids to call him "Mr. Carson" and they did. He was the teaching assistant for two days. Weird that a child would want to miss school and then go to school but he really seemed to enjoy it. Then Aunt Carleen took him rock hunting and of course to the rock shop and the dollar store. He was spoiled rotten.
This little sweetheart is attached to Mom big time. We got to hold her for about 15 seconds before she would realize that mom didn't have her and she would start to cry "moma". She says it very clearly. She is so cute. We could put her on the floor and play with her forever as long as we didn't pick her up. Her smile melts us all and we give her anything she wants, including her mom.

Thanks so much for the cards, well wishes and good care. I will be back on my feet in no time and hopefully no more problems. I love and miss you all so very much. :)

Official Release

Today Gary and I met with our Stake President to discuss our release from our mission to Concho. Gary has had the feeling that it was time to return to our home ward. The Stake President asked Gary about why we were wanting to come home and Gary expressed his feelings of the past few months. He then turned to me and asked a question that left me in stupor for a moment. He asked "How do you feel about this and don't tell me that you will support the priesthood. Tell me how YOU honestly feel. You have the right to disagree with this." I was amazed. I told him that for a year when I ran into home ward members they would ask me how we liked going to Concho. For the last few months when I saw them they would tell me that we needed to come home, that they missed and needed us at home. Those expressions surprised me and left me in awe. I felt that it was a message and a confirmation to me of the feeling that Gary was having. Sitting in my home ward today, I felt both sad and happy but grateful for the opportunity we had of getting to know the members of the Concho Branch. And so after some further discussion we were given an honorable release. I have no idea why we have been led home but I have learned that if we leave it in the Lord's hands it will be a truly interesting journey. And as my sister reminded me tonight "Just make a plan and see how God laughs". He guides us and will lead us down the path that will do the most good. So for this one all I can say is STAY TUNED!!

Tears

This photo makes me want to cry my eyes out. If that were my child and I could do nothing to help I don't think I could stand it. Holding a child and watching them starve to death is beyond anything I could imagine. Can we ever say we have it tough again? I don't think so.

Thoughts

This is kind of funny but it makes one think. I did thank God yesterday for my husband, my wonderful children and their spouses, my 7 adorable grandchildren, my job, the moisture that we have had and the prophet of our church. I would be without my home, my car, my bed and any clothing other than PJ's. If I ended up with nothing other than my family, I would still feel like I had plenty to be grateful for!!

New Look!

This summer has been a busy one for NCHC clinic. It has been getting a new look. It started with new flooring, then the chairs were recovered with a leather look fabric. The goal was to soften the look and make it look less "clinical" and more welcoming to patients. The walls were too white and needed to be toned down for a more welcoming look.

Once the flooring and chairs were done we had to wait for a few months before the painting could begin. We could hardly wait!

Finally the first walls began to take on a new and updated look. This is an accent wall located on the main wall in the waiting area. It was amazing how it changed the look and the feel of the clinic.

Once this wall was finished I could hardly wait for the clock to go up. It was ordered from a woman in St. Johns who makes them. She did an amazing job.

The business side of the clinic was finished first so the decorating began there. A pay phone was removed from this area. The shelf made a nice area for decorating.

Jennifer cut the "Moments" wording out for me. It really makes the wall stand out and draws in the deep red from the accent wall. Patients began commenting that the clinic felt like home.

With the waiting area completed it was time to hang the clock and the curtains. It was an amazing makeover. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of the room before the chairs were recovered and the flooring put down. There are a few areas left that need a final touch but the clinic has made an amazing transformation. Patients walk in now and spin in circles saying they can't believe the difference. One woman said that she didn't feel like she was at a medical facility but felt more like she was setting in someone's living room. Goal met!

Where has summer gone?

What a crazy summer this has been. We started with a ton of wind. We were late planting a garden because it was cold and the wind would not stop. We usually have a lot of wind but nothing like we saw this year. Then we had the Wallow Fire which seemed like it would never end. Gary spent two weeks helping to fight that fire. It was July before we really began to enjoy the summer. We worked on our garden but had a weird year of bugs. The squash bugs got the squash and red bugs got our tomato plants. The only thing that grew was broccoli. I have missed all the canning that I usually get to do. By this time of year my kitchen usually filled with the smell of salsa, applesauce, jams, spaghetti sauce and more. I miss my shelves filling with the beautiful colors of the food. Just empty jars sit on my shelf, not looking pretty.
These flowers are the only thing in the yard that grew this summer (besides the weeds). It added beauty to our otherwise drab yard. I love fall and the beautiful colors that come with it but I am sad to see warm summer days and nights fading away. But come it will and soon we will see the snow begin to fall.

Thoughts on Aging

I used to think that aging couldn't be that bad. One of our airport bums used to tell me that there was nothing good about growing old to which I would reply "You get to retire and do the things you want to do, you answer to no one and you get to sleep in everyday" He would repeat "There is nothing good about growing old". As I grow older it seems that he was right. The worse part of aging is that the mind doesn't age like the body. My mind thinks I can weed the garden, mow the lawn, clean the whole house, do laundry and have a nice meal on the table. When I do it my body soon rebels and then I am down for the next day. So I guess my mind has to turn to the accomplishments of my 52 years. I don't have anything fancy that I can talk about but I can say that there are some things I am pretty proud of.

1. I married a wonderful man. We have spent 31 wonderful years together. We have been through some pretty hard things and have done it together. Our greatest strength is that we love doing things together.
2. I have 4 wonderful daughters. They are all beautiful, healthy and doing well. What more could I ask for.
3. I have 3 sons pretty amazing son-in-laws. They are good to my daughters and that is all I can ask. I love them tons.
4. I have 6 of the most amazing grandchildren. I love spending time with each of them. My only wish is that I could be with them each and every day. I learn so much from them.
5. I have a job that I love. It is challenging and insists that I keep growing and learning. It has taught me a lot about myself and a ton about leadership.
6. I have worked with the youth for a good part of my life and I am proud of the work I have done. I have a good relationship with them. It is a memory I will forever cherish.
I may not have a fancy house, cars or vacations but I have what is important, a great family! President Hinkley said that when we are old and sitting on our front porches it won't matter the house we lived in or the cars we drove, it will only matter how our families are doing and if they are on the road back to our Heavenly Father. He was so right.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

I have worked with youth since I was a youth myself. I started being a nursery leader when I was in the 7th grade. I have worked with them ever since. I was feeling a little out of my element after having given up my TOHC group. The BB/BS program came to a Youth Council meeting and made a presentation and I decided it was a worthy program. It took several months to get through the process of finger prints and back ground checks but I passed and now I am a big sister to this cute little gal. We are enjoying getting to know each other and doing activities together. I highly recommend becoming a part of the program.

Wallow Fire

The Wallow Fire started on Memorial week-end. It grew to be the 2nd largest fire in the state of Arizona and then beat that and became the 1st largest fire in the history of Arizona. We could stand out the back door and watch the smoke building. Breathing was very difficult. Gary was called to the fire on June 2nd and spent 14 days fighting the fire.

I am so proud of our St. Johns fire fighters that left their homes and families to protect the homes for other families. Gary spent time mixing slurry for the helicopters, watering roads to keep the dust down to actually fighting the fire.

Gary and Smoke came home very tired and weary. He could hardly wait to jump in the shower and just relax on the couch watching TV. It was so good to have him home. To date the fire has burned more than a half a million acres and it is still burning.

Taylin's Blessing

Who would have thought this sweet little girl could be any more beautiful but when she was placed in her blessing dress made by her Aunt Daniella she took our breath away. Topped perfectly with a bow made by her Aunt Emilee.

How could she not feel like a little angel.

Beautiful Family!

Tyler did a wonderful job giving Taylin her blessing. I know he was nervous but you would never have known it. He sounded like a pro.

After the blessing we went to the park for a BBQ.

My gorgeous girls!

Tyler and Dallas talking and cooking.

Who couldn't love this cute little watermelon face. He loved eating watermelon and playing with the kids. Love this kiddo.

What a perfect and special this day was.

Hike at Red Rock

The boys wanted Grandma to take them on a hike, so we went to the Red Rocks. Westyn and Treyson took off like lightening and up the side of the rocks they went and then they threw the whip down to help Carson up, the whip was then offered to pull Grandma up. It wasn't going to happen. The hill was very slippery and I just couldn't get my footing to get to the top. Westyn looked for ways to help Grandma get up the hills. He was so cute.
Westyn made it to the top in no time, peeking through the rocks to find out where Carson and Grandma had gone. Treyson was at the top touching the flag. That was his goal.
Carson and I explored around the bottom edges. It is such a beautiful area. The boys were so much fun to be with. Treyson said it was the best hike he had ever had with his Grandma. Carson said if there was a vote and he could vote he would vote me the best Grandma in the world. They are just too cute.
Utah was so beautiful. They had a good winter and lots of water brought lots of green.

Earthquake

Watching the devastating effects of the earthquake in Japan has sure made me grateful for living in good ole St. Johns. Not that we can't or won't have an earthquake, but there is not much chance we have to worry about a tsunami. As I watched the houses and the cars being swept away by the water, I was so in awe of just how fast your whole life's work can be taken away. I had to wonder why we put so much stock in things instead of relationships, family, our faith. The things that will still be there no matter how big the waves may be.
The torture of not knowing where your loved ones are is more than my mind can comprehend. The picture of the man still holding to his roof, having been blown 10 miles out to sea, not knowing where his wife was. He may never know. That makes loss of house, car and belongings pretty low on the list of concerns.
I have deep respect for these people as they look for survivors. There has not been one story of looting or people breaking into houses and stealing whatever they can find. They were raised to respect their neighbors property and even in the face of this major disaster they are not swayed from their belief.
My prayers go out to these people and all those that may never know where their loved ones have gone.

Why the days are getting shorter.

Last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan has actually moved the island closer to the United States and shifted the planet's axis.

The quake caused a rift 15 miles below the sea floor that stretched 186 miles long and 93 miles wide, according to the AP. The areas closest to the epicenter of the quake jumped a full 13 feet closer to the United States, geophysicist Ross Stein at the United States Geological Survey told The New York Times.

The world's fifth-largest, 8.9 magnitude quake was caused when the Pacific tectonic plate dove under the North American plate, which shifted Eastern Japan towards North America by about 13 feet (see NASA's before and after photos at right). The quake also shifted the earth's axis by 6.5 inches, shortened the day by 1.6 microseconds, and sank Japan downward by about two feet. As Japan's eastern coastline sunk, the tsunami's waves rolled in.

Why did the quake shorten the day? The earth's mass shifted towards the center, spurring the planet to spin a bit faster. Last year's massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile also shortened the day, but by an even smaller fraction of a second. The 2004 Sumatra quake knocked a whopping 6.8 micro-seconds off the day.

After the country's 1995 earthquake, Japan placed high-tech sensors around the country to observe even the slightest movements, which is why scientists are able to calculate the quake's impact down to the inch. "This is overwhelmingly the best-recorded great earthquake ever," Lucy Jones, chief scientist for the Multi-Hazards project at the U.S. Geological Survey, told The Los Angeles Times.

The tsunami's waves necessitated life-saving evacuations as far away as Chile. Fisherman off the coast of Mexico reported a banner fishing day Friday, and speculated that the tsunami knocked sealife in their direction.