No Time Traveling Today

Sorry I missed posting for a couple of weeks. The Master and I went to Los Angeles for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Swimming and Diving championships. It was a lovely week of record high temperatures for the LA area and I ate it up! Mornings working out in the hotel gym (I was so proud of Me!) and mid-mornings of lounging by the pool reading were my agenda. I'd wait for the coaches to bring the athletes back from the morning's prelims and then my cute husband and I would go for a lunch date every day! We drove around a bit and looked at local neighborhoods, houses are a favorite pass-time of mine, and we shopped at the local mall. At the end of the week our men won the conferences championships once again and all of the coaches went into the pool to celebrate! That last night, Dee started coughing. It was a rough night. We had to be up and out at 8:00 am to drive to the Long Beach Airport. On the drive there I noticed that my throat was a bit sore. By the time our flight landed in Salt Lake I just wanted to crawl into bed. Dee and I coughed, didn't sleep, and were miserable for the next week. He got it worse than I, as he tends to have things like bronchitis turn into pneumonia. The second week in, he was still coughing so hard he pulled muscles in his rib cage. I was blessed to recover and be able to take care of him but I was still so weary. Late in the second week Dee's parents arrived at our home with a moving van pulling a large trailer and all of their earthly possessions. They have moved from their home of 24 years, Puyallup, WA, and returned to Utah Valley where they once lived. It's been an ordeal for them as my Mom-in-law says, "people in their 80's should never move!" They are now nicely settled into an apartment and will look for a home in the coming months. I wish we had felt better and could have done more for them, but the kids helped and so did new neighbors. We have already enjoyed fun outings and Sunday dinners with Granni and Papa, who we haven't lived near since the year 2000.

We have been through a pretty rough last weekend. My dear brother-in-law Steve has been layed-off from yet another job. I have lost count over the years. I don't even think he and my sister know anymore. He is so skilled at what he does, and is at the point where employers would rather hire someone younger who wouldn't require as much salary. It's an economy driven job, and he got caught in a cycle of being hired, layed-off, over and over. Now he can only find contract work. It pays very well but there are no benefits. Sometimes those contracts last for months, sometimes not. He has even lived away from home for months at a time just to be able to work. The stress and worry are about to kill both of them. I don't know what to say to them anymore except that I love them and I know God does too. Through all of these unstable years they've never gone hungry or lost their home. He has always been there for them. Some health insurance and retirement would be nice though.

My 92 year old mother lives in their home. This last Saturday she suffered another mini-stroke and spent the night in the hospital. Mortality and reality have a way of smacking me in the face lately. I worry for her health and I don't want to think about life without her. She's home and happy but it sure takes a lot out of her. We have varying troubles in our own little family, among my children, ranging from need for employment or direction in life, to unfulfilled dreams and expectations. I have prayed and poured my heart out to the Lord in the last few days. They have been prayers for miracles and mercy and peace. I couldn't sleep last night. I cried a lot. I  dozed for awhile and awoke way too early with a killer headache, but I fully intended to sit down and type out another Time Travel Tuesday for my family. Then I saw what I'd be typing next in my Grandma's story and I don't need that sorrow right now. I'll save it for a Tuesday coming up.

Until then, please know that I KNOW that God lives. He knows each one of us intimately. It seems like prayers aren't heard or answered quite often lately. I cannot pretend to know why certain of us have certain trials, and why they last for years. All I know is that He is there to comfort and lift us up. The Savior bore it all for us and can calm our hearts with his perfect empathy. Don't ever give up the good fight! "The Son of Man hath descended below the all. Art thou greater than he?...There fore fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."  Doctrine & Covenants 122:8-9

I'm holding tight to that promise

Why Worry?

Sorry I haven't been around lately! I've been checking in on all of you though, rest assured. I had a few weeks after I returned from California where I just didn't feel well. Something was off in my old body. The gray cloudy days, rain, and gloom added to my weariness, but the last five days or so have been so bright and sunny! I am feeling much better and the sun does something to me. It fills me with energy and a drive to get things done. That's what I have been doing. Cleaning out closets and cupboards and getting things done. I tackled my fabric stash the other day. After a whole spring and summer of sewing it was in a terrible mess! I have a lot more fabric than I thought I did, and I had forgotten how many pre-cut aprons I actually have waiting to become something beautiful!

 Here's my stash as it looks now. Wish me luck keeping it that way. And, yes, that is my camera strap hanging in the way.

 Here is my latest creation.

I've also been worrying over my little flock of chicks. Every one of them! The Master has hurt his back, yet again. He fell while performing a skit with the other coaches for the opening party of BYU's Swimming and Dive teams. He landed hard on his left hip. The doctor thinks a muscle or ligament is torn. So much for his acting career. He is in a lot of pain and can barley bend over. How he puts his shoes on is a mystery! Hopefully we can figure out how to best help him. He has X-rays today. Quality of life not so great right now...!


Dr. Sarah is busy applying for jobs around the country. She has found a lot of joy serving as a Seminary teacher for her Stake, along with her roommate Seija, she teaches every other day. (They teach together on Wednesdays.) She has gotten very ill over that last week. She thinks bronchitis again.. Worry over jobs, worry over health...!

Miss Britt is in limbo over new jobs. She's waiting anxiously to hear from one in particular. She has had several call-back interviews and would love to move on in her life. Can't say more! Today she finds herself at the Utah County Courthouse in Provo. She made it through the first cut on a list of potential jurors. Today they are being individually interviewed. This is no ordinary jury duty. These jurors are being chosen for a very high profile murder case. If you live in the region it is on the daily news. It has been talked about on every cable news station and featured on shows like 20/20. That's all my girl needs right now!They've narrowed the field to 120 prospective jurors. What are the odds? Looks like one in ten. Life in turmoil and murder...!

Rach has applied for admittance to Utah State in Logan. She has decided art school is so pricey and she would really like to get her Bachelor's degree done and behind her while giving herself more time to save money to get to art school. Money...!

Richard is still working on some classes on Electronic High School. It is a process. The job search continues. I know he'll find just the right one for his unique needs and personality. Worrry about the future...!

I just hang around the house every day trying to keep all in order and get sewing done. I am getting my ETSY shop back up and running. It's not ready yet, but soon. Stress and pins in my fingers multiple time every day...! (But my fingers are tough, right?!)

There is much in our lives that is good and we are grateful. I know everything usually turns out alright and that things will be OK. Waiting is hard though. In the meantime, here is a little prayer I always think of this time of year. If only ghoulies and ghosties were all we had to bother us!

Moving On

This is a strange season for me. My youngest child, my only son is finishing his public school days. This journey began for me in August of 1985 when our oldest, Sarah skipped off to her first day of kindergarten. If I did my math correctly that is 23 years of having children in public school. That's a long time folks! It's a lot of lunch boxes, brown bags, spiral notebooks, new pencils, backpacks, etc...! I feel the passage time in my body. I no longer spring out of bed, ready to do an assembly line of ponytails and ribbons, getting myself and three little girls ready for a day at school. Richard wakes up at least an hour before me. He makes his own lunches and patiently waits for his old mother to hobble down the stairs, bleary-eyed and groggy.
I love him! He is so much like his father in the way he treats me. He is kind and patient. He compliments me and always asks how I am feeling.

I looked all through my external hard drive for these photos and couldn't find them. I got out the old scrap books and took pictures of pictures, which is why they are blurry!

 

Here is Richard with his Mom (me!) the day he first met his teacher for Kindergarten
He was so proud of his Star Wars backpack and loved the huge Darth Maul band Aide on his scraped-up knee!

This is Richard after he came homeon his first day of Kindergarten in August of 2000.

If I could go back 13 years and whisper in my own ear I would tell myself to be the same kind of mother I had always been but to be brave. The ride was going to be rough and painful. While Richard has brought great joy to our lives, he has faced challenges that have given all of us sorrow too. I don't really want to focus on that but just recognize that it is a reality. He has struggled mightily, more than anyone but his Dad and I will ever know. We work with him daily, trying not to cross the line of taking over and doing it all for him. We pray for him daily, that the discouragements of the past will be replaced by a desire to achieve and continue on in his learning. He has two classes to finish through Electronic High School before he will receive his diploma. He is still working to complete some assignments at Lone Peak in order to receive credit. There will be no cap and gown, but there will be a great sigh of relief and a sense of accomplishment on all of our parts.

A few weeks ago, in meeting with one of Richard's counselors Dee was told, "just do it for him. He is so intelligent, he knows his stuff and he will be fine".  Dee offered to help Richard complete some pointless, tedious assignments that he had been putting off. Richard would have no part of that. "That would be lying Dad. I need to do it myself." Did I mention that I LOVE him?

So, while hundreds of young people are marching into the Marriot Center on Thursday in full ceremony, my son and I are going out for ice cream. We will come home and get back to work on the EHS classes. He will finish. He will go on and be a wonderful, good man.

Last Sunday Richard received his Seminary Recognition certificate for completing four years of LDS Seminary. I cried through the whole evening. Where has the time gone? I am so proud of my son and his love of the Gospel of Christ and his love of the Church. This certificate is very important to me. I wanted to take a picture of him as he shook the Stake President's hand. It was the nearest thing I'd get to a graduation photo but can you do that in the chapel? I resisted. This is what we got instead...

I love you Buddy!

Yaaaaawnnnn....

At my age, when you lose a few hours of sleep it kills. I mean it literally takes me out! After so many late nights/early mornings at the hospital with little Lucas I am dragging. I have not been a morning person for about ten years and this has taken its toll. I keep waiting to "catch up" on my sleep but I find myself a very dozy driver at 7:30 every morning when I drive Richard to school. Not good! I come home and snuggle up on the couch with Miss Roxie and doze for awhile longer and then showering usually does the trick. I am not even the one who had the C-section! But she is infinitely younger than me and it's not fair! I admit, I need to get to bed earlier some nights. I am crocheting in the evenings to restock my Farmer's Market inventory and it is hard to stop! I am skipping today's market because I need to sew about ten more aprons too. I have had some good success but not a lot of time to build the supply back up. To top it off, my kitchen is overflowing with tomatoes of all kinds, onions, and Anaheim chilies. And where is their creator? Eating cheesecake in Las Vegas! That's right. The Master, The Cutest coach at BYU is at the World Swim Clinic in Sin City with palm trees, good food, and the M&M's Store (without me)!

But that's OK. I get to hold this little guy!

Lucas was admitted to the N.I.C.U. at 3:00 in the morning on Monday. He was doing so well at birth 30 hours earlier, breathing on his own, strong and alert. All of that energy he was born with was quickly spent however. He began to turn blue when his Mommy tried to feed him. He did not have the strength to eat and breathe at the same time. He is doing well 4 days later! The oxygen was removed on Tuesday although he continues to be fed through a tube in his nose. He is gaining weight and will soon have the strength to eat all on his own. I have been amazed at his Mommy and Daddy's strength. They are wonderful parents already!

Please remember Lucas and his parents in your prayers. It may still be a week or so before he can come home.

Hope you all are doing well!

Please pray for our family this weekend. Our sweet Samwise was found to have liver cancer this afternoon. It is inoperable and we must have him put down. SO HARD. We are all alternately weeping and laughing. We are all together but our dear Sarah. We love you Sarah and will give Sam a hug and kiss for you. I am particularly worried about Rachel. Truly, prayers are very needed.

Love to you all!

Butterflies!

Today Dee and I have an appointment in this building in Salt Lake City.

 

We have butterflies in our tummies! I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

Please pray for my husband to have a calm heart and to be able to express himself clearly.

Prayers Requested

Awhile back I shared with you all the story of my son Richard & his battle with O.C.D. Through an Email I shared more private information of his struggles and asked for prayers on his behalf. So many of you responded and it wasn't long before we began to see marked improvements. Nearly one year ago Nienie (Stephanie Nielson) of Mesa, AZ and her husband were in a terrible plane crash. They were both burned badly, Stephanie receiving the worst of it. Her sister Cjane (Courtney) kept us all updated through her blog (see buttons below). Her first post was titled Prayers Requested...Stephanie had such a huge blog following already that literally thousands of people from around the world soon heard her story and prayers were sent up to heaven for her and her sweet family. Today she is experiencing a miraculous recovery. She says she owes it all to the prayers and faith of so many.

Today I read the blog of a sweet young lady I follow regularly. Niki has a friend named Cory who is experiencing Guillian Barre Syndrome. It came on so suddenly and this young father is in a battle for his life. Niki requested prayers for him and asked us all to pass it on, so that is what I am doing. His sister has started a blog and you can read about his progress here.