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.

Catching Up

Pretty sure my last post was just yesterday but it says it was months ago. These days I can't seem to do anything but work, eat and sleep. My body just doesn't want to cooperate with anything more. My job is pretty demanding, challenging, rewarding and sometimes frustrating all at the same time. I have a pretty amazing staff though and love going to work every day. During this tough economy I am just so grateful to have a good job. The last few days I have been helping my DVA work on a DV case. It never ceases to amaze me what people can do to each other. I come home at night and express my love and appreciation to my husband for all that he has done for me and for never laying a hand to hurt me in any way. He is always willing to help take care of others. He truly has a heart of gold.

I have been reading a book called "The 5 People You Meet in Heaven". It is a story of a man who lived an pretty ordinary life and then he dies goes to Heaven and meets 5 people there who explain why things happened in his life, why some people came into his life and what they had to teach him. It gave the "other side" of the story. There is so much more that we don't get to see or know about. He was shown a time when he was a child and ran out into the street after a baseball. A car had to swerve to miss hitting him. He retrieved the ball and went back to playing and went home happy that he had not lost his baseball. He never knew that the man driving the car had a bad heart and the fright of having to swerve to miss the boy caused him to have a heart attack. He crashed the car, was taken to the hospital and died. He even attended the funeral with his parents totally oblivious to who the man was or that he had played a part in his death. He was just annoyed that his parents had taken him there in the first place. Sort of a crazy book but it sure has given me a new perspective. I highly recommend it. Very short reading.

We had our first Thanksgiving without any kids at home. We decided we didn't need to cook so we went to Hon Dah to their buffet. They had an amazing spread of food including a chocolate fountain with fruit. The room was decorated for Christmas and really got me in the Christmas mood. After we ate we went to the movie "Unstoppable". It kept us on the edge of our seats which kept us from falling asleep. The next stop was Walmart. It was very quiet as people were waiting for Black Friday. You can have it. I attended Black Friday via the internet. That is the only way to go. No hassle, fights or even getting dressed. I shopped in my PJ's and loved it. It was a good day.

I am so excited for Christmas. It is such a magical time of the year and for some reason this year it feels very magical. All of the kids will be home this year. My intent is to have an amazing Christmas with lots of fun, love and laughter. Can't wait to see everyone and be together as a family. I miss you all so much.

Grateful for Conference

I just finished watching conference and it seems that the things we need to hear always penetrate the heart. I got the sense that there was a warning to us when so many spoke about how we need to listen to our "live" prophets voice and that He speaks scripture to us when he talks. President Monson's talk on gratitude touched me. We do have so much to be grateful for and yet we so often see the lack in our lives instead of all the tender mercies that are extended to us. I have learned to see those tender mercies so quietly displayed in my life.
I loved the quotes he gave:
"To live with gratitude in our hearts is to touch heaven".
"It is a wise man who grieveth not for what he doth not have, but in who rejoiceth in what he doth have".
I began this year with a resolution to show more gratitude for the good things in my life. Conference was a wonderful reminder of that resolution. I was also struck by the admonition to slow down our lives and remember what is important to us. It is so hard to do sometimes. I feel like all I do is work, eat and sleep. I need to take a hard look at where I am and where I want to be. I can't wait to get the Ensign to review the wonderful talks.
This is the first I can remember that I had the air conditioner on during conference instead of the heater!!

New Computer...finally!

The last few months my computer has been acting up. It was a mini Dell and had run out of disk space. Jennifer was able to find me a very good deal on one (Thanks SO much Jen) so I am now back in action. I have lost a whole summer of postings so I'll just catch up and then begin adding pictures again later. I had been traveling quite a bit with my new job, going to trainings. I have had the opportunity to see more parts of the USA, which I really enjoyed. I was asked to apply for a new position and on June 7th I became the new clinic manager for North Country Health Care. I have worked in the health field for awhile and have lived with an EMT most of my married life so I have been exposed to the field in many ways. I also love working with people so it has been something I have really enjoyed. I have spent 50-60 hours a week learning the job so I haven't spent much time in my yard and didn't get time to plant a garden this summer, my poor yard looks like it has been abandoned. But it will always be there waiting for the work to get done. It has rained so much that we haven't had time to mow the grass, then we left for a week-end and it really did look like we had moved out. It took Gary 4 mows to get it back to normal.
It has been a very busy summer and I can't believe that it is almost over. We went to Utah for a family reunion in May. It is always fun to see family members again and I always love spending time with the kids. In July the kids came home for the 24th celebration. I have always loved the 24th celebration. To me it is as fun and exciting as Christmas. Emilee came and stayed for a week with us. We kept Carson after Jen and Tyler left. He had fun playing with his cousins. Trevyn had just begun walking before they came and he really mastered it by the time they left. Emilee and I took the kids school shopping in Show Low. Kyndie had a good time looking at clothes but the boys could have cared less. For some reason I always loved that adventure with my kids so it was fun to go with my grand kids.
We went back to Utah on the 7th of August for Westyn's baptism. It was a very special experience watching him become a member of the church. Watching Dallas and Westyn going into the water to perform that ordinance was a thrilling experience. I knew that this day would come fast. The next thing we know we will be going for his mission farewell. They are all growing up to fast.
Gary and I were also called to be missionaries in the Concho Branch. I loved teaching for 12 years in the Concho School. The people there are very special. We are having a good time going there and enjoying their sweet spirit. I was called to be the Librarian and Gary as the Executive Assistant to the President. As I was driving there this morning, the hills were so green from all of the rain we have had this summer. I felt like I was in a different place, it is so gorgeous. As the summer draws to an end and we look forward to fall and it's awesome colors I am grateful for all the things we have had the opportunity to do. In September I get to go and spend a whole week with the grand kids. I can't wait. If life were perfect, I would get the opportunity to spend time with each of my children and grandchildren every day but I guess that is what eternity is for.

A Perfectly Peaceful Day

Darrell and Marta Moerch invited the TOHC group to spend the day at the Cat Walk located in Glenwood, New Mexico. I had heard of it before but I had never been there. It is a little piece of heaven.
It is an old gold and silver mine, now turned into a park. The cat walks have been added so that you can walk and view the remains of the mine. We think that we have come so far but looking at how the men built and orchastraed that mine made me wonder. They stood on boulders and somehow poured cement blocks on them. They had to have repelled down the sides of the mountain to drill holes for the metal hooks. It is mind boggling to me the work that they did.

The spring runoff had waterfalls running at full steam. The power of water is amazing, how it changes the rocks and cuts its way through whatever it needs to get through.

It was so green and beautiful. The sound of the running water and the warm breeze made it a perfect, relaxing, healing day. This was the end of the trail. You can get off the trail and begin hiking up the mountain but it was pretty rough terrain. Two miles was good enough for the adults so we turned and headed back.

As we were walking up the path a park ranger stopped to talk to us. He told us that there is a legend that says if you can throw a rock and hit it into the hole in this tree, you will have good luck for a year. It seemed easy enough but he said he has only been able to do it once. Of course we all had to try it. Two of the kids made it! The first being one of the girls, so of course the boys couldn't let a girl win so they threw rocks until they made it. When we got back down to the entrance of the park we carried out picnic lunch to a table and enjoyed just relaxing and eating. We put our tired feet into the water, it was freezing cold, but it felt so good. What a wonderful day. We all had a great time. I would love to go again before it gets too hot.

Special Moment

I am not quite sure how to write this entry except to say that I want to record a very special and emotional moment in my life. Tuesday May 11, 2010, my TOHC kids met to do a critique of the Mock Disaster. My president turned the time over to David Gunnels for a surprise presentation. David walked to the back of the room and picked up this boquet of flowers and a paper and stood in front of me. He said that each flower represented one member of the coalition and that he would like to read something he had dedicated to me. He read the "Starfish, Making a Difference" story. It is about a young man on the beach. To a local writer who has come to the beach, it looks like the man is dancing in the early evening sunset. When the writer approaches the young man he finds that he is throwing something into the ocean. The writer inquires as to what the young man is doing. The young man exlains that the tide brings in starfish and when the tide goes back out, it leaves the starfish behind to die. He further explains that he comes to the beach each night to throw starfish back into the ocean. The writer tells the young man that there are thousands of starfish that come in with the tide and that he cannot possibly make a difference. The young man bends down and picks up a starfish and throws it back into the ocean and says ,"It made a difference for that one". After he read the story, he talked about how being a member of TOHC had changed his life and thanked me for making a difference in his and making a difference in the community. David has come such a long way, has grown so much and is an amazing young man. I am so honored by what he did. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life!

Mock Disaster Drill

For the last 3 months the TOHC coalition (Teens Opposed to Harmful Choices) has been planning a mock disaster drill for the St. Johns High School students. On May 5, 2010 all was in place and ready. Sixteen agencies had been invited to the drill and all of them came through. It was amazing. I am so proud of the work this group did. The drill went off without a hitch.
The students were moulaged prior to the drill to simulate injuries occuring in the crash.

The city crew loaded the vehicles to be used in the mock crash. They were also there afterwards to clean up for us. You guys rock! The collaboration between all agencies was truely amazing and went together like a work of art.
At the High School two cars were placed in head on crash position. Now we await the crash victims.

A third car was placed across the street, having come from the bus barn slamming into the other cars, losing control.

The car rolled over and came to rest on it's top, killing the driver and only slighly wounding the passenger.

St. Johns Fire and EMS work using the jaws of life to prepare this car for the 6 victims of this crash scene.

One victim would be life flighted to the hospital by Guardin Air, one adult pedestrian would be life flighted by Native Air. Five students would be taken by ground ambulance with life threatening injuries. One of them would be paralized for life.

After the drill students were invited to an assembly where the disaster was brought together. Students heard the 911 call that went out. Lights were lowered and a funeral procession began with the Arizona Rangers carrying a casket down the center isle and onto the rising stage. A short life history was read about the deceased student Jordyn Plumb, after which a funeral procession left the stage, each placing a flower on the casket. Taps echoed as the the procession exited the stage. The spirit of Jordyn Plumb appeared on stage telling students that she thought she knew it all and had life figured out. A decision to use drugs led to her untimely, tragic death. A video which the team filmed, depicted a drug buy at "the tree", the use of the purchased drugs and the reckless driving which led to the accident. To end the video, statistics of drug abuse and it's relationship to vehicle crashes was displayed. Following the video three agencies presented information to the students. The Arizona Rangers, Apache County ACCENT and Native Air.

To end the presentation I went to the stage and asked the TOHC students to join me. As they came on stage, their peers arose and gave them a standing ovation, letting them know that they had heard the message. It was a very emotional closing to an amazing event.

I can't close this post without saying THANK YOU to all who particapted with us and made this event the success that it was. Special thanks to my husband who is always behind the scene doing what needs to be done to ensure success. Thanks honey, you are amazing!!