08/29/22 Good Morning!

 Today is August 28...Aj's birthday!  31 years old today! Woot! Happy Birthday AJ!  Our explorer spent the weekend on Mt. Nebo with Jacob and Curtis mountain biking and camping. So my guess is he's a pretty happy 31 year old. 

This week seemed to fly by!  We've stayed busy with pickleball and eating out with the relatives. We had meals together S, M, W this week. 

Thursday night Dad taught a class at BBQ pitstop on how to make pigshots. I think he really enjoyed it!  There was probably 30 people in attendance.  All guys except me and the wife of one of the guys that works there. I've been to other classes that had quite a few wives...but not this one! 

Friday night dad's game was delayed because Ridgeline came down from Logan and their bus broke down. Yikes!  So he didn't start until 8 p.m. and didn't get home until midnight. 

Linda and her grandbabies (6 kids) came over and played in the pool. We had a fun evening with swimming and rice krispie treats. 

Saturday we played 8 a.m. pickleball (dad wasn't too excited to get up early! haha after such a late Friday night) but it was fun. Nancy and Milt met us and the four of us played for an hour and a half. The heat is back so it was super sunny and hot. Then we went to the farmer's market in St. George and got a waffle w/ice cream and a grilled cheese sandwich -- weird combo, right?! especially for breakfast! While there we ran into Darren Cole and his wife and the four of us hung out and talked for a bit. 

Dad wanted to see Troy from BBQ Pitstop - he was at the Dixie Center doing a home show so we went there and hung out and walked around. Didn't get home until 1 p.m. Dad was super tired from long night and lots of running around so he went and took a nap and I went in the sun and enjoyed a book. 

Milt and his wife came over and we had burndt ends and veggies, potatoes, rolls, orange jello salad and cake. We took turns showing our pictures of our recent cruises...they did a river cruise around Europe, we to Mexico. We got to know them a little better and just had a nice evening. 

On my way to Ward Council meeting now. 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning. I walk over 2.7 miles to church and the meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. I go for Sis Wilcox each week who is president but her hubby also goes and they don't want their kids alone every Sunday morning. 

Our lesson today is on trials (yours probably is too). I thought about it a little - because Mia is supposed to teach and contacted me and said she didn't want to late yesterday. I told her we could work on it together -- it would be fun. Later she texted and said she would just take care of it. 

But it got me thinking about this last year. It's been a tough year with Dad's health and spending so much time in the hospital. We both have jobs that are demanding. It's hard to send your baby girl to another country. Just some trials, ya know?!  

And I think that the gospel and centering your life on Christ makes trials easier. It gives them an eternal perspective. Helps to keep you focused on what's important and realize that you have a support system. 

There were some times during our stays with dad that were pretty scary and hard but I was always at peace and felt the comfort of the savior and knew that it was going to be ok. There were a couple of times where dad came close to death (low low blood pressure, just really sick, etc) but I wasn't worried. I felt comfort and that things were going to be ok. 

Sometimes we get away from the gospel and think we can do things all on our own...and we probably can, for a time. But it is easier if we have the spirit with us and let it guide us and help us in good times and in bad. 

I can definitely feel when I am drifting away and not putting in the time and when that happens I know that I need to refocus and find that eternal perspective and then things feel right again. 

I love you and am so proud of you. What you are doing is super cool and amazing and great but also scary and hard and a lot of work. 

Keep up the good works, Hermana! We love you! 

Now I gotta get moving fast or I'm gonna be late for Council Meeting!!! 

08/22/22 Ola Hermana

Muh! Nothing like
baby kisses!

 Seems like it's been a long week but I can't remember why! haha

Let's see if I can remember...

Sunday we had our usual Sunday dinner. We had invited Randy and Kay but they backed out...Randy had a kidney stone. (Those are REALLY painful). Luckily he was able to pass it on his own and didn't go to the hospital. So that's good!

Monday E&D got pizza and went to Dad's house. Somehow she sent a text that never made it to me (like...seriously...she had proof she sent it and I had proof I didn't receive it...what the heck?!)

So I ended up working a little late and they call and are like...are you coming? And I'm like..coming where? I just got off work.  So yeah, we got to eat leftovers! Kinda join the meal in progress. It's all good!

Monkey Ellie!

Dad felt good enough we were able to play pickleball so we got to go with the  Caseys.  It was fun!

Wednesday we went to Rumbi with Gpa and Ben and Laura. Laura wants to start going out weekly.  They were doing luncheons during the day when Wendy lived in town. Now that she is gone they wanted to include me but I don't usually do lunch. So they compromised and are doing dinner. They are fun to hang out with so this should be a fun activity every week. 

Monkey DJ

My boss Jeremy was out of town this week M-W. When he finally came back Thursday I didn't see him all day!  (Mayor had me busy doing a luncheon and meetings with him). Thursday night Jeremy texted and asked if I was mad at him.   Then on Friday, he brought pink box donuts. It's like he was trying to make up for whatever he did wrong...only he didn't do anything wrong! 

Had a nice lazy weekend-- did yard work and such but didn't need to go anywhere. We played pickleball and went to the grocery store. Julene came and hung out for two hours Saturday. I hardly see her anymore. It was nice to have some fun in the sun with my friend. Girl time!

Yesterday at ward council I had to give the spiritual thought. I did it on "I am a child of God." We use something out of the handbook and tie it in with other stuff. I found a talk by Prophet Nelson that says -- we need to establish patterns and habits that will shape our life (for good).

Two little monkeys!

If we make heroic choices = exemplary life. 

If we make disastrous choices = derailed life. 

Don't spend time on things that don't matter. Education is VERY important. 

Truths: 1 - we are going to die. 2 - we are going to be resurrected. 3 - judgment day is ahead. 

This life is the time to decide your forever life. Make covenants and keep them. 

Don't be naive about this life...know the truth about how you are, know that truth about what your heavenly father offers you, and know the truth related to your conversion. 

YOU are a child of God...Who are you? Discover it!  Ask HIM to help you find out!

Take a few minutes and write some I AM statements...

for example (for me)...
I AM a mother. 

I AM a disciple. 

I AM a wife. 

I AM an executive. 

I AM a teacher. 

I AM a child of God. 

If there are things you want to be...make it happen!  Know that I AM a child of God and I AM important and I matter!  

You are busy developing yourself now--I AM proud of YOU!  What your doing is hard but you are doing it!  I love you. Thank you for being such a great kid and great example!  

Happy Pday!  Love you lots! mom

Beautiful rainbow in the backyard

08/15/22 Happy Monday!

Andy interviewing the Senator

 Sorry for the late write...last week was a whirlwind!

Monday Dad headed back to work full force. He had his normal day and then media day in the afternoon. We went to dinner with B&L, GPA and us...E&D were up in SLC. It was a nice ending to a good day. 

Tuesday dad interviewed Spencer Cox, the Governor of Utah in the evening on a statewide broadcast for an hour. I was his call screener and patched the questions in to him. He of course did a great job and didn't even seem nervous but THAT'S A BIG DEAL!  

Friday was the first football game of the year so a full morning and then 5- 10 p.m. for the game. 

But he did really well. He rested in between and has been doing his 1 hour of therapy on his legs every day (he has a $10K machine that squeezes his legs and helps his lymphedema). 

KDXU studio - interviewing Senator Cox

We've also been working on healing his feet and they are almost all better. He will take his last antibiotics today and see his Dr. this afternoon who I believe will tell him he's good now. He even swam on Saturday for the first time in quite a while. 

My week was similarly crazy. Monday my boss had me busy doing projects and such. We had someone coming in from Oregon and I had to arrange his week -- travel - airline, rental car, hotel, meals, itinerary etc. Monday evening about 5:30 boss texted me and asked me to have lunch ready for 10 at 11:15 on Tuesday morning. I was already doing breakfast for 10 at 9 a.m. Tuesday (a different 10 people) so...yeah...Tuesday was busy!  

Beautiful Sunrise

My week continued being super packed and busy which made the work week go really quick. I love that!

Wednesday we used the leftovers from lunch and had a ladies luncheon potluck (they were having one anyway but I had a TON to contribute.) There was still leftovers so GPA came to dinner Wednesday night and had rice and beans etc.  And there were STILL leftovers...so I sent them down to Fink's house. No more of that!!! haha. 

I was supposed to go to a pool party Wednesday night starting at 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. -- stake YW/YM party -- thank goodness for lightning!  Cancelled!  I don't know what they were thinking having a party the night before school starts...and so late.  But didn't work out anyway. And I was glad. 

Friday evening Linda and 6 of her grandkids came to swim. We had a lot of fun. That was the very first time she's been in our pool. Crazy!  

Saturday was super quiet. Did some housework and we went grocery shopping but otherwise just let dad rest. Played some games. 

Facetime DJ

Sunday same. Went to church and made fancy dinner but not a lot else. 

From sacrament meeting...Landon Humprhies spoke -- he's a nice kid. He is in ROTC and he said his Sgt. says do you want to get to the end of life and "wish you had...XXXX" OR get to the end of life and say, "WoW!!! I can't believe I did XXXX!"

So I think the lesson is to be brave and try hard things and just seize life! 

Also, remember you can only entertain one thought at a time. So be grateful and dwell on the good things and try not to waste too much space in your mind on the frustrating things. It's a constant battle in life but it's definitely more fun to be happy than frustrated! 

Facetime Ellie

I remember when you kids were driving me crazy and I wanted to get upset I'd look over at dad and smile and quietly say, don't you wish we would have had more kids!!  

So whenever you are doing a rule you aren't too thrilled with, look over at your companion and smile and say, don't you wish we had more rules?!    And laugh and move on. It gets better! haha. Have fun with your frustrations. 

I'm proud of you! Keep up the good works! Look forward to talking to you later!

08/10/22 Missionary Blessings

 The Casey’s came over tonight to visit dad and see how he’s doing. They asked about you and were excited to hear that you're doing well.

They wanted to pay for a month of your mission and left 500$. So sweet!!

Will you please send a thank you note or email?

Sandycasey02@gmail.com

Kelly and Sandy Casey 

1938 E 1200 N circle

St George it 84770

Hope you’re having a great week!!

08/06/22 Crazy week!

FaceTime Babies!!!
Get well Pops!

 It's been a crazy week and since I have a couple minutes of quiet I figured I better write now. I used to like to write on Sunday morning but since I have an early meeting every week that is not a good option anymore!

Icky pool cover needed help!

Let's see. Where to begin. We got home from our trip at 3 a.m. last week and stayed home and watched church TV since we were pretty tired. I had to do some non-Sunday things because of being gone so long...the pool cover had lots of icky water on top, the pool needed cleaned, we had lots of laundry. So I put on church and got busy working. 

Holly came down and spent the afternoon with me. We made cookies and hung out together. It was fun. 

Diane generously agreed to make dinner so she brought a nice Sunday dinner over and we all ate together. It was nice. We geared up to get back to work. 

Monday was a pretty normal day and we planned to play pickleball and have pizza like our usual Monday night. E&D and Gpa came over and we had pizza. Because we had been gone we had nothing in the house. I tried to do online order but took too long and all the spots were gone. So I abandoned order and shopped in store before picking up pizza. Everything seemed pretty fine and we finished up dinner. Then dad started saying he felt really off and bad. He noticeably declined rather quickly. So much so that before everyone left I asked them to give him a blessing. 

He went to bed early and headed off to work normal. Within an hour into his shift he was texting me that he felt off and that Bart said he was walking funnier than usual. I asked if I should set up a dr appt and he said, no he was ok. Another hour later he called very upset and said he needed help and he couldn't finish his shift and he didn't know what to do. 

Really sick...really really. 

On the mend

Luckily Andy Thompson was around and took over the radio program. I immediately got in the car and raced over to him and took him to the hospital. You guessed it, Sepsis Strikes Again!

For a solid two hours his temperature rose from 100 to 103. He was shaking uncontrollably (they wouldn't let him have blankets because of the fever). He was cramping and in pain and just plain miserable. Of course they had to do the ultrasound IV multiple times (he hates being a pin cushion). 

By about 11 or 12 they decided he needed admitted and had given him morphine and antibiotics and he started to settle in -- stop shaking and cramping because he was getting the needed medicine. For about 6 hours -- 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. they had him pretty well knocked out. 

Very sick pops

I went home and got overnight bag, went to work and got computer and just settled in. I will say since this is the third go round, they seem to be getting quicker at treating him...or maybe I'm getting quicker at catching it. But the first time was 7 days, 2nd time was 3 days and this time was 2 1/2 days hospital stay. 

About ready to head home

I also feel like we have a very good idea of what is causing it and hopefully can never ever do this again. 

He burned his feet last week and we believe the infection came in through his feet again. Basically we need to inspect his feet daily, never go barefoot -- treat him like he has diabetic feet, even though he doesn't have diabetes. 

We were released Thursday afternoon and after a trip to Costco for medicine have just settled in trying to make him feel better. It's like he had a really bad awful flu and his body is just weak and tired and needs to get better. It's very discouraging for him and exhausting. 

I worked 4 hours on Friday while he slept in. Gpa brought us lunch and besides that we had a pretty quiet Friday. The best thing for Dad right now is no stress and rest. 

He plans to go to work on Monday and I think he can -- but he needs to pamper himself and restore his health. 

We have no plans for today - I've been doing yard work and plan to do some house work. Tomorrow I have early meetings and need to get my head back in the YW game. I've checked out for most of July with vacations and illness. 

Hope your week is good. I'm glad I have GOOD news to report!  I didn't want to tell you earlier in the week so you wouldn't be worried all week. 

Keep up the good works! Can't wait to hear about the adventures of our lil Missionary!

Love you! mom