Life's Little Twists and Turns

Life never provides a dull moment. Just when you think things are on an even keel, you are thrown for all life's little twists and turns. I am currently writing this from Utah. I came out on short notice to help with Reed's dad who suffered a moderate stroke last week. I am also here to help Tommy's (Reed's brother) family as they have a young family and this is where Jay is staying. I have the day duty, Tommy, bless his heart has night duty. While Jay was in the hospital they found that he had pretty severe sleep apnea. Monday night he went in for the test and he most definitely has that problem. However, he could not handle the big pressure mask. Jay suffers from Alzhimers and is blind, so all this presents different problems. We have managed to get him to wear oxygen most of the time at night, but not always. Meanwhile, Jay's wife is trying to take care of her mother, who is in her 90's and is not doing so good. Unfortunately, Jay's wife ended up in the hospital with chest pains. She is feeling much better now and we are waiting to hear if she was sent home. We are also waiting to hear if her mother is all right.
So, I am in Utah trying to help however I can. I have been soundly beat by a 5 year old at Wii Mario Bros. I have helped the 8 year old make some crafts and practice her reading. I helped the 13 year old with her Spanish homework and stayed up with the 15 year old whole she finished her biology project. I've been to the track to watch the 2 older kids throw javeline and discus. I have tried to hold down the fort while mom and dad shuttle kids to practices, lessons and schools. Don't you just love that time when you have 4 kids in 4 different schools? I've tried to be the peacemaker and to help others see the other side of the picture and played fireman in hot debates, trying to put out fires and keep things calm.
Jay is doing pretty good. He has listened to lots of Lous L'Amore books and had LOTS of phone calls. It has been pretty to see a little bit of winter since it seems to have skipped us in Oregon. But, alas, while I am gone it has turned cold with snow/hail/sleet and rain!! I will be home soon, ready to walk again (I hope!) and spend some time with my hubby before I return to Utah again for Sara's baptism!
Life keeps me hopping!!

El Nino Spring

Now that I am finally getting around to posting this, of course it has turned rainy and cold!! While most of the country is still in the throes of winter, we have been having incredible spring like weather. My daffodils are up and blooming. I have some tulips that have begun to come up and I have already mowed the grass for the first time since last fall!

The other day, Jessica called and said that she only had to be at her internship for a few hours and that she was in need of some outdoor, sunshine time. She wanted to go to the coast and wanted me to go with her! I changed my plans and we bundled up and took the mustang with the top down and headed to the coast. After a late lunch we took about a 5 mile walk on the beach. We watched a guy who had a big sail that was strapped to him and he had a skateboard type board and was sailing on the beach. It was so fun to watch him. Another guy had 3 kites up in the air at once. The weather was incredible and we just talked and talked. Thank you Jessica for inviting your mom to spend the afternoon with you!!

The next day, Jayme and Virginia called and asked us to join them up at the sheep barns with Katarina. Our timing was perfect and we witnessed the birth of a baby lamb. Reed and I hung around to watch as within just a few minutes the little lamb struggled to it's feet much to the delight of all the people and young families that were there.

I have been on a huge self improvement kick! This time I feel like I am actually making some progress! I started first with deciding to be regular with walking and exercise. I am aiming for walking in a 1/2 marathon in September. I go walking 5 days a week with a couple of friends. Our short walks are between 3 and 4 miles. We did a long one that was about 7 this week. I have come a long way since a knee replacement 2 years ago and ankle/foot being rebuilt last year! I am also getting up and reading every morning. I have just finished reading the entire conference issue of the Ensign from last November. It has been so uplifting to me. I have really been on a cleaning and organizing kick. Poor Reed. He doesn't always like these kicks, but so far I have done pretty good. I am loving the flowers that are starting to pop up. I love all the wonders of this world. I love life right now! Here is hoping it continues. Maybe it is El Nino, which we will pay for later with not enough water. Maybe it is just that for the first time in 4 years I am not having a surgery!!! Whatever, I will enjoy it while it lasts!

Missing In Action!?!

I have been missing in action for the last little while. Let me give you a run down of what I have been doing!

The day after Thanksgiving, Reed and I headed up to Jackie and Zach's to help them move AGAIN!! This is the 3rd time since they arrived here 3 years ago. And this all happened 3 days before the arrival of:

KYLER JAY! Kyler weighed in at 8lb. 4oz. This is HUGE for Jackie. Her other 2 boys were only 6lb. He has a head of hair and is putting on the chub! He has been lovingly nicknamed "Bubba Jay", being born on Grandpa Jay's 85th birthday!!

Then Reed and I traveled back east for the wedding of his neice!

I returned to Jackie's and when school was out for Keegan we packed up for my house!

Somehow we managed to get ready for Christmas. We made a Gingerbread House with Aunt Jessica!

We decorated the tree and wrapped presents. We had a traditional Christmas Eve party with loved friends whose children have grown and had children of their own and we now total over 25. We were missing 2 married couples and 2 missionaries, but we have grown and this was the biggest get together yet! Santa arrived and Reed and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Christmas through the eyes of our grandchildren!!

There were Wii tournaments!

Feeding the dog!

And spending time with the new baby!!

Missing? Maybe from the blogging world! In Action? Most definitely, but having lots of fun! Now it is off to more adventures and whole new year to do them in!!

At the Oregon Coast

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Much Needed Update

I haven't blogged in quite some time. There are many reasons. Mostly just excuses and a lot of guilt. You know, when you don't get something done and then time passes and then you feel really guilty because it has been so long that you just keep putting it off. That is a lot of it. But the other day, I realized it was more. I haven't wanted to blog because I know what I must blog about to finally get through this. But it is hard.

I lost my dear sister Suzie. We have known it was coming for a while. But the effects of diabetes and battling this disease that has afflicted her for so long became more than what her will to live could overcome. A while ago, I remember her asking me if she had a right to ask for a miracle again. She has had plenty of those. I didn't have an answer for her. Do any of us have a right to plead for miracles, especially when we have already had many? She knew there were others who were probably in greater need. Over the last year, as her quality of life went down hill, I admit that I got to the point where I felt ready for her release. She wasn't totally my sister anymore. Then I felt like maybe there was more for us to learn as we watched her go through infections, amputation, strokes, blood clots, dialysis, and congestive heart failure. I was with her and other family members as she passed from this life to the next. There is such peace in the Plan of Salvation. If you don't know what that means, please find someone who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and ask them to explain it. Because of this Plan of Happiness, we were able to laugh and cry together as a family. I have had distinct impressions that she is busy talking and counseling with others who struggle and helping them to understand this great plan themselves. She is busy. She is free from pain. The limitations of her physical body are now gone. We miss her. I miss her. I still cry for her. That is why I could not blog for so long. As I watched different family members say goodbye, I put myself in their place. My heart aches for her children, her husband, her sisters, her father. But I know my mom was there and helps her. They are together. I will see them again. We will all be together again. Family get togethers will be difficult for a while. But I remember being told when my mother passed, you just keep going. It took a long time before I accepted that, but I now know it is truth. You just keep going and growing.

I know this is rambling, but is more for me than for anyone else. I don't know how to close, so I will just say: I love you Suzie.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Fall time is harvest time. Reed loves growing big pumpkins. This year he had to harvest them with the tractor. We couldn't lift and carry them up to the house. They are currently still sitting in my driveway. The boys were willing to pose with the smaller ones!!

It is only about 6 more weeks until Jackie "harvests" her little pumpkin! And, no, she did not put a pumpkin under her shirt. She is really bigger this time!

For Keegan and Kayden

While I am away, I am keeping up with Keegan and Kayden and Katarina, but I miss seeing them all. The neighbor across the street passed away earlier this year and his house sold. It is sad to see the passing of an old family friend. They are currently tearing down the old house so the new owners can build a new one. Soon there will be a HUGE house across the stree from us. That is the way it is in America. Tear it down and build something bigger. I personally like the small, quaint beach houses. Anyway, it is exciting to watch them tear down the house. I have been talking to Kayden and telling him about the big track hoe that is here. So I am posting some pictures for the boys to see. Katarina is probably too small to really appreciate it. Next year honey!!