Over the River and Through the Woods...

The next part of the line should be, "to grandmother's house we go..."  but instead it's, "to our grand children's homes we go."  All week long we've worked to prepare for our trip to Wisconsin where fully one half of our grandchildren reside.  I'm terribly behind in the quilt-making department and so I've tried to get as much of that done...and succeeded in getting four tops done.  I just have three more to do plus all the quilting.  It is highly improbable that I'll manage all of that...but I can hope, right? 

This past week is notable also for four birthdays in our family.  Philip was born on the 15th and on my mother-in-law's birthday.   She, Mary (aka Marie) Wagner Bainbridge, is a lovely lady who I'm eternally indebted to as she gave birth to and raised my eternal companion and sweetheart, Rich.  In the last couple of decades of her life I believe she and I formed a great bond and I love her and miss her...and will be thrilled to see her again.  She has many wonderful qualities and and character traits which I admire and desire to emulate.  And, one of her great interests is one that I too share...politics!  Who'd have thunk?  We could talk for hours about the events of our days and the state of our country.  Mom would have been 94.

Philip turned 35!  I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that number!  However, I have years of wonderful memories of him from just the moment he was born to today and feel so blessed that we've been able to have him in our lives, especially when I look back at how ill  he was in those early years and how he struggled.  There are so many memories...and for just a moment I will indulge in walking down that lane to recount a couple.   

When we moved to Germany in 1984, Phil had just turned 5...in fact he turned five while we were in billeting.  We moved into an apartment in the little village of Siegelbach, a sleepy suburb of Kaiserslautern.   The town wasn't very big but it had a "Tierpark" or zoo and the kids loved to walk down to the gardens and the little stream.  One day either Wanda or Joey (don't remember which one right now) had an assignment to find some polliwogs and so Rich went with the kids down to the stream to search for them.   And, sure enough, they found some.  Philip was astounded by this find and he excitedly observed, "I've never seen so many polliwogs in my life!!!  They must be having church!  In fact, I bet they're having stake conference!!!"  We chuckled about that then and more than a few times over the years.

Another time, when he was just 4, my mother was cutting his hair out on the patio.  Some of his cousins were in the back yard playing in the sand pile and on the swing set when they started to have a disagreement.  As the argument escalated, one of them heatedly told the other that they weren't going to be friends anymore.  Philip was listening to all of it and observed to my mother, "what they don't know is you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family!"

And, this past week, Rich started going through some of the old videos we have of the kids...granted we don't have many, but what we do have are priceless!  In them he found the video that Philip and Joey made for an English assignment that Philip had been given to demonstrate various types of advertising.  That video is more than priceless to me.  He had put it off and finally, the night before it was due, he asked for help.  Joey, Rich, and I had a blast thinking up ideas and collaborating with him and the result was choice beyond anything we'd ever done like it.  If I knew how, I'd post it here.

The following day, the 16th, was my birthday.  My thoughts turned to my parents frequently throughout the day.  Why and how it is that I was blessed with such outstanding parents is a mystery to me, but I'm sure grateful for them!  I love them with all my heart and am ashamed that I was not always as appreciative, supportive, or worthy of them as I should have been.  I can only try to live to honor them today and pray that they will know how much they mean to me and grateful I am for their unconditional love and support, their patience, kindness, understanding, goodness, and their examples.  Their teachings and testimonies have brought my life such joy.

The same day, the 16th, Gideon shares his birthday with me.  He was a few days early and I really didn't think he'd be born on my birthday, but he was!  Surprise! Surprise!  He was such a cute baby!  And now he's 15!  How did that happen?   He's an awesome oboe player, has a fun sense of humor, is as smart as a whip, and is kind and generous.  Hopefully he'll get his Eagle this year and make straight A's.   The move to Monterey has been kind of difficult, I think, but he'll manage anything really.

Weekend

I spent Saturday, for the most part, piecing a quilt top for one of my grandsons.   I'm pretty excited to see it start to come together.  I'll try to figure out how to upload a pic of it in the next few days.  

On Saturday evening I ran some errands, practiced the organ, and put finishing touches on my primary music.  As I did that I was thinking of Cherstin...today she was released as primary president.  I know it will be bitter-sweet.  It always is.  However, I think it'll take some of the pressure off her as they try to prepare for their move to Alaska.

Today, actually yesterday at this moment, I got to church early to try and run through sacrament music, which went disasterously for the closing hymn, I might add.  Primary went well.  And I made arrangements for the next two weeks since we'll be out of town, if Rich's drs concur over the next three days...which I have no reason to believe they won't.

We also went to Jacob Gorman's open house.  He leaves Wednesday for Mexico City where he will enter the MTC there before heading to Ecuador.  

January 10

January 10 is my Grandmother Roskelley's birthday.  I wrote about her a couple of years ago and I'm really excited that my cousin, Kathy, had the autobiography that I remember reading as a kid.  The one I have is good, and there are some funny things in it that aren't in the one Kathy had...but I love that one because there are details that really make her come alive.  Personally, she had a tremendous influence in and on my life.  There are things I learned from her that I use everyday...ideas, lessons, philosophies that have shaped how I look at the world and her life was a life of service, sacrifice, love, and kindness.  How grateful I am that she is my grandmother.

Today I worked on quilts...nothing new, huh?  And practiced the organ...nothing new there either.  Tomorrow I will be doing the same and adding some primary prep in there too.

Ruth and Janie

Today was Ruth's birthday.  Over and over, throughout the day, I thought about calling her but when I'd look at the clock and calculate the time difference I knew she'd either be getting ready for school, at school, coming home from school, or I was in a meeting or unable to call...and here it is...9:00 her time and I'm pretty sure she's probably gone to bed...decided to call...and she has, and is fast asleep....Adam, Moroni, and Sam are still up...but not Ruth.  :(  I guess I'll call tomorrow...just know that really doesn't cut it.

I had a luncheon today with "The Old Ladies Playgroup" as Cherstin so affectionately called my group of ladies here in my ward.  It's fun to see everyone in a more relaxed way than just durning church.  We went to a New Mexican restaurant and the food I had was really very good.  I've learned that I like Baja Mexican and much of what they have around here is not that.  I would love a good chimichanga from California...but didn't even try one today because I've been disappointed too many times.  But the food was good and so was the company.

I also spent a couple hours practicing the organ...not much new on that front.

And I finished the quilt top for William...four years late...but what the hey!   While I was finishing it Alexis called.  It was sure good to talk to her.   My cousin, Janie Roskelley, passed away a couple of days ago and Lexie and I had a chance to share and catch up on that news and other things.  I'm saddened about Janie's passing...only because I didn't take as much advantage as I should have to stay in contact.  But I'm thrilled for her too...she is seeing her father who has been gone for 60 years and she was just a toddler when he was killed in Korea.  And I'm sure she's happy to see him and her mom.  My last visit with her in her home was with my Mom and Dad and Lexie.  She loved angels, bears, and all things patriotic.  In fact, on that trip she gave me a patriotic angel and it has a treasured place on my mantel.  It is ironic that she and I had both requested a biography of our grandmother from our cousin, Kathy, and the following day Janie passed.  It is also ironic to me that I'm remembering her and Ruth in this post, and her mom's name is Ruth too.   RIP dear Janie!

Can you believe it?  Hannah and Philip have been married for ten years!  I remember meeting   for the first time...I had figured that she must be someone Philip had more than a casual interest in but he was very, very, very closed-mouthed about her.  Cherstin and Desi were pretty clued in, probably because they attended the singles ward with them and ended up going to some of    same activities and often rode to and from them together, etc.  But when Philip asked to bring her to dinner...I knew something was up! Lol. I don't know how she felt...but I was kind of anxious...I didn't want my son's heart broken because I knew it was pretty tender and it had taken him a while to make a move, and I didn't want to see this young girl's heart broken either.  I should never have worried.  She is about perfect, in every way.  And I feel especially lucky to have her as my daughter.  I would love to thanks her parents for raising such a wonderful daughter...she has surely blessed our lives...every one of us.  I'm grateful she is such a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, aunt, and sister....  I'm so grateful she is ours!  Love ya, Hannah!

Wanda took Bekah to the dr today as she has had a headache and other discomfort since the accident.  Gratefully, she is ok.  The problems are all attributed to the accident and are termed "post concussion" and will pass in time.  

Desi and Mordecai have been I'll but are improving.

Cherstin was released as primary president tonight.  She is feeling relieved and saddened at the same time.   It is a blessing though...they only have a few months to prepare for Alaska.

January 7, 2014...Happy Birthday, Glory!

January 7, 2014...where has the time gone???  Seems like I ask that question A LOT!  But truly, it doesn't seem like it was all that long ago when we were living in El Centro and we received the call that Glory had been born.  Our life was rather chaotic then and so Desi flew there to try to provide some support.  Toni and her mom were able to go over and be there for her blessing...I'm glad that was the case.  By the time that Joey and Carlie came back to the states and we had the opportunity to meet her, she was already nearly 3 years old and we had moved from El Cento to Kentucky, and from Kentucky to Denver.  In fact, I mark time by the places and events of our lives...and they came home and were able to be at Phil and Hannah's wedding the next day.  Anyway, I digress, as usual, the lasting memory I have of her last year was of her sitting next to me at church.  She was such a little lady and helped Scarlett all through the meeting.  When it came time for classes, she wasn't the least bit shy about joining the rest of the YW!   Their move to Monterey has been a big one and I certainly hope this coming year is special and full of opportunities for her.  She is a lovely pianist, loves to read, is quite competitive, and very outgoing.  Happy birthday, Glory!

I had a training appointment this morning and also walked the track for 1 1/2 miles.  I was going to try and get to my water class this evening but for various and sundry reasons, I didn't make it.  Maybe tomorrow...in fact...definitely tomorrow!

I also got some much needed organ practice in and even had taco soup made and in the crock pot before I left...too bad I didn't turn it on! Lol!  Oh well, what can I say?

Rich went to pulmonary rehab this afternoon.  I think he's doing ok but recovery is slow.  That's to be expected.  Just going to take time, I suppose.  And I'm sure the cold isn't helping.  When I got in the car this morning it was just 3 degrees at 9 a.m....of course...it wasn't -17 like the kids in Wisconsin were experiencing!

Br.r.r..r..r...It's Cold Outside!

II was able to get some serious organ practice in today.  Hallelujah!  I'm just not that proficient to feel comfortable in this calling.  Really, I'm a novice!  Thankfully the church has great resources and has opened up courses from BYU, and even has provided a 12 week course available via downloading.  All of the material is wonderful...but no substitution for real practice.  So many people assume that because the keyboard is the same, there should be no difficulty transferring pianist skills to the organ.  While I'm no concert pianist, I certainly feel capable to play any hymn on the piano and have accompanied choirs for years, as well as special musical numbers.  But you would never know that if you listened to me on the organ!  Lol. But, with solid practice behind me, I'm much more confident and consistent.  There is just so much to learn!  And, truth be told, I'm enjoying the challenge, but not the stress!  

In two weeks we have ward conference and I would like those hymns to be polished.  But, I would like that to be the case for next week too.  I guess I'll just have to keep working on it.  I would assume that as I master each hymn, it should get easier, and I would hope that, as with the piano, it doesn't take as much work to prepare from week to week.  At least I hope that is the case.

I also got the pellet work all done for Hyrum the Elder's quilt.  Tomorrow I will try to figure out how to put the cuddly fabric on it...and I'm wondering about applying batting too...I'm going to sleep on it. :)

Rich is still struggling somewhat with this darn respiratory recovery.  He's just not got the stamina he had prior.  It doesn't help that the temperatures have been extremely cold.  Yesterday it hit 60 and today our high was 12...that's nearly a 50 degree swing!  However, as cold as it has been here, it is nothing like what Wanda and Robert, and Hannah and Phil have been experiencing...they've been in a deep freeze.  It's 6 degrees here right now but -16 in Blue Mounds?  Needless to say, their schools have been cancelled for today and tomorrow...but then, so have ours! Lol

Fast Sunday

As I considered the title for this post I was remembering when the kids were all home.  I don't remember which of the children asked me whether it was a "slow Sunday or a fast Sunday".  Ever since that time, I seldom think of fast Sunday without thinking of that time...funny how it becomes a stream of consciousness but I don't remember who asked the question....

By the time I was finished with everything last night I didn't get into bed until nearly 1:30.  I tried to sleep but found it restless and difficult.  My knees were killing me and couldn't find a comfortable spot. Finally I just got up and worked on Primary Music.  I've been trying to get some wiggle worms made (with Pom poms and wiggly eyes and accordion folded bodies with the songs printed on them) and I put the heads together this morning.  I also got my "cheat" poster made for the back of the room for "He Sent His Son".  And, I got my prompts made for the kids and other props collected.  

I did get to church a few minutes past eight...and I had a few minutes to run through the songs.  "Dearest Children" was ok.  So was Count Your Many Blessings".  However, finding a legato touch for "In Memory of the Crucified"  needed much, much, much more practice.  Shortcut mode would have to be used and even then I'm afraid it wasn't great.  Of all the hymns to struggle with...it shouldn't be the sacrament hymn!  Oh well...I'm pretty certain The Lord is taking everything into account...at least I hope so.  Gratefully our congregation is so supportive.

Primary went well but I didn't have time to even introduce "He Sent His Son".  Even though I knew that our time had changed - duh?!?! - for some reason it didn't translate into Primary and I didn't realize until I only had 15 minutes left that I still had Sr. Music to do...oops!  For the past year we've started church at 11:30 - on the HALF HOUR!  Today it was at 9:00...and there were lots of changes...oh well.

I scrapped the new song for senior with such limited time and decided to share the second verse of "I Wonder When He Comes Again".   After we'd sung it once I dissected the verse and asked the kids how they would feel and what we could do to be ready.  I testified to them that this song wasn't about something that "might" happen, but that indeed, the Savior WILL return and urged us all to do the things this verse talked about to be prepared.  The spirit was so strong....  This is such an amazing calling and so much less work than seminary!  Lol!

When we got home, we had some lunch, watched a stargate episode and then came upstairs for a nap.  I'm exhausted and thought I would really sleep...NOT!!!  Perhaps tonight I will finally relax enough to get to sleep soundly.  Last night reminded me of the Sunday nights when I was teaching seminary...too keyed to sleep...but each night got easier...until the next Sunday night!  It also reminded me of Felicia - Sunday nights were awful for her too...stress, stress, stress...and love that melatonin!  

We watched a movie, Molly, with Elizabeth Shue.  A terrific movie of a woman with an autism-like disorder and her relationship with her brother.  It was funny, touching, and inspiring to remind everyone that regardless of the mental capacity or challenge, there is a valiant spirit in there...somewhere.  It reminded me of my Dad...I hope he knows how much I admire his indomitable spirit in facing his dementia, and how much I love and miss him and Mom...their passing is getting harder as the months and years pass.  

Saturday is a Special Day...

I spent the morning doing a few more rows on Hyrum the Elder's quilt but had to stop as I ran out of the poly pellets.  So...back to Jo-Ann's.  Lol. 

We first stopped at Michael's as I had read you could purchase pellets there...no luck.  However, I had a 50% off coupon so bought an artist pad for Primary.  Next we headed to Costco.  A few groceries and seeming hours of navigating a seriously jammed store.  I have never seen costco like that...have no idea what was going on.

Next we headed to Sam's because Costco didn't have the laminator sheets I needed for Primary.  Then on back to Jo-Ann's for the pellets.  

We got home and put groceries away and then headed to the church so I could practice the organ.  That was a disaster!  I didn't get this week's songs until Thursday and I really needed more time to practice.  Oh well, I hope The Lord is with me tomorrow because it could be really, really, bad.  It'll probably have to be shortcut mode on most of the songs.  Perhaps things will be easier in the morning (after all, I am a morning person lol) and because we start the new schedule perhaps I can get there an hour or so earlier to practice some.

When we got home I put together organ stuff, fixed some supper, and made final plans for Primary music.  I didn't clean the house or shine our shoes but it definitely was a day to "get ready for Sunday!"

Cherstin texted me admidst this post to remind and encourage me to post :)  I sure love that girl!

Three Days In A Row! Wow!

Today has been busy and productive on most fronts.  Debi cancelled my training appointment, she wasn't feeling very well, so that enabled me to accompany Rich to his therapy appointment in Knoxville.  I didn't actually go to it - instead I ran to Jo-Ann's again for a couple of things I'd forgotten yesterday.  After therapy we headed to Clinton so that Rich could get his INR checked, however we stopped for lunch at Long John Silvers first.  The med-tech who did the test told him to tell me that he was perfect!  Lol. 2.5...can't get much better than that.  The pneumonia, antibiotics, and steroids have taken their toll for the last month or so, it has been running in the 6 range...worried he might bleed to death! Lol

Rich dropped me off at home to work on my quilts and he ran over to his brother's...some problem with his Social Security or something.

When Rich got home we headed over to the church so that I could practice the organ for church.  I'm going to need some practice tomorrow too!

Rich had invited "his boys" over to watch a few movies and have some pizza.   So we hurried home after picking up a couple of them and then I ran and picked up the pizzas.  While they were downstairs I hibernated in my sewing room and worked on Hyrum the Elder's quilt.  Right now I'm not convinced that this is going to be the right weight...I'll just have to see, I guess.  So, I have four rows done....eight more to go.

Hannah called tonight to share William's blessing on the food.  It went something like, "I thank thee for rocks so we can play hopscotch.  And I thank thee for ketchup to make the gross food yummy!"  Lol. What a hoot!  I just love that little guy!  Hannah also shared the status on the house...waiting for an appraisal now.

And, Cherstin and Dan are painting their home to get ready to sell it.  The pics she sent really make it look much brighter.  It's a lot of work but they'll be glad they did it, I'm sure.  The color they had before was lovely, but I think they're ready for a change too.

Two Days In A Row!

Must be some kind of record!  I am actually remembering to post!  Now, I just need to start taking pictures and learn how to upload, download, or whatever it is I need to do.  I can do it on my computer - except now Rich has disconnected it and done something funky and I'm going to need to learn how to do it all over again.  But, the real issue is that I seldom use my computer now...mostly just go to my iPad and I have no idea how to add anything from or to it.  In fact I get a message now saying I don't have any storage and I have no idea what it's telling me....

Today we left the house pretty early for Morristown where Rich had an acupuncture appointment.  I spent most of the trip over and back, and while he was in for his appointment, working on cross stitch.  

When we left Morristown we stopped in eastern Knoxville at the VA service center for a few minutes...Rich needed a letter of some kind.  We then made our way to Ft. Sanders West for his pulmonary rehab appointment.  While Rich was there I drove over to Jo-Ann's to pick up some things for Primary and for the quilts I'm trying to get done.  I was pretty thrilled to find the poly pellets for the quilt I'm planning for Hyrum the Elder.  Wanda had mentioned that she thought he would do well with a weighted quilt.  I investigated and found that they're about $100+ for just a baby/crib size quilt.  I found several websites with good instructions and I think I can make one for him pretty easily.  I know his favorite quilt is the old Harry Potter quilt made by Wanda for Robert years ago...and I found some blue fabric that reminded me of its "feel" and also a soft huggable fabric for the back.  I also found some fabrics that will help, I hope, with the quilts I have planned.

I got back to pick up Rich and we flew home so that we could get to the post office to get birthday cards sent...we barely made it.

I had wanted to go to the church to practice the organ but Rich was pretty tired from rehab.  I'll go tomorrow.  Instead I reheated some clam chowder from New Years and watched a couple of episodes of star gate sg-1.  

On the family front...I learned, enroute to Morristown, that Rebekah had had a car accident this morning.  Wisconsin and the entire north Midwest section of the country has been slammed by a major snow storm.  Bekah was going to seminary (that should have been cancelled!!!) and hit a very icy patch of road and the car slid, careening down an embankment, rolling several times, and landed upside down!  Thank goodness she was wearing a seatbelt!   There had been a guy following her way too closely for those conditions and at first it had unnerved her a bit...but then she decided to pay him no heed.  again, blessing, blessings, as she could have yielded to the temptation to accelerate a bit to get him off her rear...that would have been disasterous!  The guy saw the accident and didn't even come to her aid!  However, there was a guy behind him that did, and he also had a shovel which allowed him to clear enough snow to get her door open.  Luckily she is shaken but ok.  The car is another matter - totaled.  That is such a sad thing...she had saved and saved and saved to buy this little car and now it is no more.  But, cars can be replaced, Bekah cannot.  I'm profoundly grateful that she was spared serious injury!

While learning of Bekah's accident, we also learned that Joseph had had an accident on New Year's Eve too.  I don't know all the details but did get that he was safe, minor damage to the car, and we are profoundly grateful that he too was spared serious injury!

Felicia called with news that Noah had gained weight for his weight check!  Hallelujah! :). He weighed a whopping 10 lbs 15 oz.  He's growing.  I think the Prevacid is helping...just wish his pediatrician was more supportive.

Hannah called with the frustrating news that Winston has NOT gained weight.  He will be having another weight check in three weeks to see how he's doing.  Hannah believes that the problem may stem from them thinking he was past needing the Zantac as much as he has seemed more content and less fussy.  However, his pediatrician told Hannah that sometimes the reflux acts more to upset a baby's stomach at this age more than the pain in the early weeks of life.  Hence, he may not have the desire to eat because his tummy is not handling things well.  Hopefully that is exactly what the problem is and can be easily remedied.

And, Cherstin had called this morning as Lorenzo had a terrible night and he's already had two courses of antibiotics to clear an ear infection.  She ended up taking him in to their pediatrician for an ear check...but it was clear....  I know how stupid you can feel when that happens, but truly, I'm glad she took him in.  Later this afternoon Cherstin also had a root canal.  I hope she's feeling better!

And, tonight we, in eastern Tennessee, have had our first snow storm.  There is maybe a 1/2" but perhaps there will be more overnight.  But even this much is enough to shut things down here. Lol

2014

This year has seemed to fly by.  It seems like it was just yesterday that we rang in 2013...where did the time go???    So much has happened and we have so much for which to be grateful.   One of my resolutions is to write in my "journal" (aka blog) every day.  I believe I've set this resolution before but perhaps I'll do better this time.  Or not...but at least I'm going to take a stab at it.

Thought I'd take a moment and do a month by month recap of 2013 first, though.

January 2013

January was a pretty good month.  Rich was still trying to recuperate from the health problems that he'd had when we were in Denver in November, but really, he was starting to feel better and in more control.  He scheduled his surgery for the interstim for his bladder.  And, I scheduled my first knee surgery for May.  Both Rich and I saw Debi (the trainer we work with at the gym) several times a week and I also saw Kathleen for yoga.

February 2013

Just January repeated....

March 2013

Rich had the interstim surgery at Vanderbilt.  It is a type of pacemaker for the bladder and done in two surgeries, a week a part.  The pressures in Rich's bladder rise very high due to his breathing difficulties. The interstim sends electrical current to the sacral nerve and allows the nerves and muscles to relax enough to void thoroughly.  It is a medical device that is implanted in the buttock cheek, high enough that you don't sit on it though, almost in the hip.  It had electrical leads that travel to the sacral nerve and another out the hip to a control box.  If everything goes according to plan and it helps the patient, it is permanently implanted the next week and a very high tech control box is hooked up.  It was fabulous for Rich...until the day prior to the second surgery.  He didn't feel well that entire day and was sick enough that I drove us to Vanderbilt...that tells you all you need to know!  Lol. By the time we got there his temp was beginning to rise and his hip and buttock were bright red.  They called in the surgeon who believed that it was infected and they would need to pull it all out and clean out the infection.  They did just that, and took cultures and placed him on antibiotics by iv in the hospital over night.  The next day they released him to come home with antibiotics, etc. but he wasn't feeling any better the next day so I called Dr. DiMeo for an appointment.  He had us come in but warned us that more than likely Rich was going to land in the hospital...which is exactly what happened for the next week.  The infection had tested positive for MRSA and they gave him everything they had, it seemed, in their arsenal.  I packed his wounds for the next several months, ending the day prior to my own surgery on the 15th of May.

Towards the end of March Wanda called to voice concern about her Hyrum.  She believed she was witnessing a regression in his development.  She was obviously concerned so started the ball rolling to determine what she was witnessing.

April 2013

Rich was still recovering from his ordeal and I was still packing those wounds.  Sadly I was not able to travel to Wisconsin for the birth of Joshua on the 20th (also our anniversary) or Oklahoma for the birth of Lorenzo on the 10th (Chad's birthday too, and just a day shy of Cherstin's) due to Rich's health.  Gratefully Wanda had Phil and Hannah close by to provide support, and Cherstin had friends in their area too.   April was a pretty worrisome month also as Hyrum (Wanda's) started testing to determine or establish a diagnosis.  It was learned that he has some seizures on the right hemisphere of his brain when he is sleeping.  They have given a provisional diagnosis of autism although it may be something else...but the treatment is the same.  And, Felicia and Tom both received their MSW from Brigham Young University and started the arduous task of job hunting.  I so wished that we could have gone out for their graduation too...but we were still grounded.

May 2013

Still spent nearly half the month trying to get Rich back on track.  My knee surgery took place on the 15th.  I can honestly say I'm so glad I had it done...but it is not a procedure for the faint of heart.  It is brutal...there are no other words to describe it!  The first 3 weeks are the hardest...but scar tissue is an issue for nearly 2 years following the surgery and so is painful.  Rehab, rehab, rehab....  The tables were turned and Rich was taking care of me.  We have watched A LOT of tv this year!  Lol

June 2013

Joey and Carlie and the kids came to visit enroute to their new assignment in Monterey, Ca.  It was sad to see them go.  June also brought the birth of little (big?) Winston.  I'm grateful that Hannah's mom was able to come out from Idaho to be with her for the first week or so.  And, Dan spent a week in the hospital too, and then entire summer rehabbing his leg, probably from a bug bite...he cultured positive for MRSA too!   Other than that I spent the month rehabbing, although we did have the roof replaced :)

July/August 2013

More rehab!  And, Noah arrived a few days early!  I did well enough to travel out to Utah by myself - Rich still hadn't been given medical clearance to travel.  I was able to spend a few days with Cherstin, Dan, and the children, and a few days with Desi, Mike, and their children on my trip to Utah.  I really enjoyed my time traveling to Utah, seeing our little families, having the chance to be with Felicia, Tom, and to meet Noah, seeing my brothers and their families, being able to visit my mom and dad, my grandparents, and having the opportunity to see where Felicia and Tom were moving to...Tom had accepted a position at a company in Rock Springs, WY.  It was also nice to attend their ward...it's always nice to know about that :). On my way home I went the northern route and so I had another chance to see Desi, Mike and the kids and then headed to Wisconsin and spent a few days with Wanda, Robert, and their children and Philip, Hannah and their children.  Because I didn't have the opportunity to be at the births of Lorenzo, Joshua, Winston, or Noah it was sure a happy moment to meet these little guys for the first time.  We now have 30 grandchildren - 12 are precious and beautiful granddaughters and18 are magnificent and gentle grandsons!  How blessed we are!!!  I know Rich will be thrilled to meet them too.

September 2013

One the 3rd I had my other knee replaced.  I had made a silly assumption, that because I knew what to expect, this time would be easier....WRONG!!!  Lol. It was just as difficult, painful, brutal...but I'm so glad it is done!  I also had a laser eye surgery the following week.  It was a breeze!  I need to have 

October 2013

Rehabbing, rehabbing, rehabbing...both me and Rich!  And Rich started a 32 week course of pulmonary rehab too.  

November 2013 

Rehabbing still.  And, because we were still grounded medically we stuck around for Thanksgiving.  We invited Bob to go with us to Calhouns for dinner and came home and watched a movie...nothing spectacular but definitely enjoyable.  I also came down with a nasty respiratory infection.  I was worried that Rich would contract it, but he didn't.  The primary kids were very entertained as we practiced for the primary program as I had absolutely no voice whatsoever.

December 2013

Rich had another appointment with his cardiologist and pulmonologist and was given clearance to travel as long as he didn't fly!  Hallelujah!!!  He is still struggling some but by and large I think he's made significant progress. He also developed a terrible case of pneumonia and after three courses of antibiotics and steroids he is having to start all over again with exercise.  I think that is a bit depressing for him but as he continues to mend, I think his spirits will lift.   We spent Christmas at home, with Bob, and truly enjoyed the calls from the kids.  We did the same for New Years too.  All in all, I think we have been richly blessed this year.