NEW IS GOOD

We love when the snow falls on the balls.  Looks like Santa hats.

2020 started with new energy and hope for a wonderful year.  We are so blessed with all the blessings we receive daily for our family.  We love life and the opportunity to do better in this New Year.  We are excited to go forward and onward.

Dad started the year by going to Morris Swenson’s brother’s funeral.  It was so good for him to visit with Morris and retell the good ole times in Blanding and football.  Morris has been a great example to Dad in his life.  We love that man.

We started putting Christmas décor away which is a very hard and long task.  It snowed all day which we loved so Dad could build a fire which we enjoyed while we watched TV and Hallmark.

Thursday we finished putting things away and at 4:30 we went to Lehi for an appointment with Dr. Huber, the dermatologist.  He treated more skin spots and sent for biopsies.

The next few days were just doing the daily tasks and enjoying football.  Brother Piggott from across the street came and helped Dad take down the outside lights.  He is such a good neighbor.

Dad and Brian Piggott

Sunday was, as usual, a great Fast and Testimony meeting and SS lesson.  Erik didn't even know but that morning, Asher announced that he was going to be a Deacon that day.  They got it all put together but we were at church so we couldn't go.  As soon as it was over Asher rushed out to do fast offering collections.  What a great thing.  That evening, Erik and Scott came over to give Dad a blessing before he goes in for shoulder replacement surgery on the 7^th. 

We are so blessed to have them so close and worthy.  The Spirit was evident.  Clark was in Pine Valley giving Dianne’s father a blessing. Erik and Scott carried 5 bags of salt for the water softener to the basement and salt for the icy steps.  Erik put the Christmas tree on the top shelf in the storage room, moved the Remington statue to its place, while Scott replaced a light bulb in the kitchen and moved other things we can’t do.  What would we do without our boys so close?  I had a list for them.

Monday we decided to go to the temple before Dad would not be able to.  We did sealings for 5 couples and 1 child.  That’s all we could do because the temple closes early on Mondays.  We were thrilled to know we could do a session though.  It was a wonderful morning.  We did some errands and then did our Come Follow Me.  We love the movies that go along with the scriptures.  We love that Brother Macy is Lehi in them.

January 7^th I took Dad to the hospital at 10:00 AM.  The surgery was in the new building as is amazing.  At noon they started the procedure and at 3 he was in his room.  The chart on the wall in the waiting room let me know where he was and when I could go to the 9^th floor and his room.  The doctor said the shoulder was in terrible shape, but surgery was very successful and he was doing fine.  I stayed until 10:30 and then went home.  What a lonely place that is without your dad.  I watched every Final Jeopardy I had saved and went to bed at 1:30, got up every hour until I finally went to sleep at 6:30 in the morning.   

 I got up at 8 on the 8^th and straightened the house and Dad called at noon for me to pick him up.  He was groggy but doing well.  We went to Costco to pick up his drugs and then home.  The home nurse came at 3 and the therapist at 4.  I took the bread I had been making out of the oven just as Clark, Dianne and Jonny came to bring dinner.  Clark immediately cut one loaf of hot bread and we devoured it with homemade honey, Amish Jam and drank homemade cider.  Clark and Jonny took some things to the basement for us and we just visited and remembered old times in Blanding etc.  Dianne had left enough different meals for several days.  She is an amazing cook and puts things together for delicious eating.  Dad slept in the TV room in the recliner because it was more comfortable on his shoulder.
The next few days were pretty much just taking care of Dad.  He now sleeps in the basement because the recliner there is so much more comfy.  He sleeps very well and takes no pain pills.  He is really doing well but very limited in his movements.  His right arm is in a brace close to his body and cannot be lifted up.  He does have some therapy but no lifting of that arm for 6 weeks.  The Hunters and the Cherrys have brought very tasty dinners.

On Saturday I went to the Provo City Center Temple to got to the sealing of a family in our ward.  She is a returned missionary from Mexico and he was a very staunch Roman Catholic.  This ward and the missionaries just welcomed him and taught him and is now a member. (baptized while we were on our mission) He is wonderful.  The gospel is so true.  It was so special because after they were sealed, they brought in their 3 year old son, clinging to his Mickey Mouse clothed in white with even a white tie.  The Spirit was so strong and everything was so perfect.  That evening they had a small reception at the church.  This ward is amazing. 

It is too hard for dad to get fully dressed so he didn't go to church.  It was Josie Price's homecoming meeting.  She gave such a good report and didn't even look at a note.  She is so beautiful in every way.
That evening Erik and family came to visit and brought one of my favorite treats, raspberry bars.  It was so good to have them here.  Camden was a mess.  He had a sliding accident in the ice and the right side of his face is raw.  It hurts to look at him but he, as usual, was all smiles.  What a great young man.
George is getting home therapy every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which is a great help.  He also sees the home health nurse.  We are so impressed with how efficient they are.  Monday evening we watched the NCAA Football Championship game.  We didn't care who won and were cheering for Clemson, but they won last year so we didn't mind LSU winning.  It was a good game.
Tuesday, I went to the temple and had some baptisms done and then did some initiatory.  It was good to be back in the temple but felt badly that Dad couldn't go.
Wednesday, Dr. Huber scraped a pre-cancer thing off of my cheek. He takes good care of us.  I think it was this evening that I went to Lily's basketball game.  I love to watch her play and sit with the family.

Who is that guy in front?

Lily 

love her

Friday, I took George to his doctor to see how things were doing.  He is doing so well and will have the therapist for another week and then do more therapy at the clinic.  It was a successful surgery.

Jalen turned 10 on the 19th.  He is such a special boy.  He is Kristin and David's gift from the Lord and they love him so much.  He is a fun boy to be around.  He loves his family and especially the dog, Tashi.  He also loves action figures.  We are so glad he is our forever.
Dad made it to both meetings today; first time since his surgery.  He did very well.

The next day was Dianne's birthday.  What a wonderful woman who loves the Lord and her family.  She has a heart that is so full of service to others and finds ways to serve so many people.  She loves serving her family, especially with the tasty meals she serves.  She feeds us often and everything she makes so so good.

The next day Mom turned 76.  She wanted 76 trombones but didn't get them, thank goodness.  She is very healthy and is so happy that she breaths on her own.  Her greatest joy is her family and without the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, she would be lost.  How blessed we are to know where we came from, where we are going when we leave this earth, and why we are here.  We just need to keep serving, living our covenants, repenting and keeping the Lord's commandments.

My brother Del and his wife, Brigitta, sent us this towel warmer for our birthdays.  We had no idea where to put it since our bathrooms are so small.  It fit in the smallest one and now we can't imagine showering without the warm towels.  We feel so spoiled.  It came stacked in 3 boxes.

The next day was our great grandson William's birthday.  He turned 4.  What a smart and active little guy he is.  He is such a treat and keeps everyone on their toes. 

yummy dessert

We love him so much.  We are grateful to Ashley, Tyler, and the Lord for this special gift.  
That afternoon Scott, Nixon and Rowan came so Scott could set up our Disney program on our TV.  They also brought a bouquet of flowers for my birthday. 

 We just don't get how to do those kind of things.  It was fun to have them here.  While they were visiting, Brother and Sister Johnson came with a cake and a song and sang for my birthday.  They are so sweet and because she is from Scotland, the kids loved her accent and so do we.
After they left, we found that Rowan had put Olaf's arm around a little snow man figure.  She does the cutest things in rearranging my decorations.

The 23rd, Ava was in a dance competition and danced incredibly well.  She is amazing. 

Because Dad can't go to everything, I have to drive and am loving it.  I was not sure I could handle the large amount of traffic, especially at night, but I am a trooper.
Saturday we did the usual but darkness found us looking out our window at the many police cars that were on both sides of our street.  There is a house that we are very nervous about in our wonderful neighborhood.  We counted 11 police cars but some neighbors said they were clear down the street and even around the corner.  We saw only one man carried out in hand cuffs so we are not real sure about what happened.

  We hope they continue to watch this house so we can feel safer.  Many people just walking in and out has been going on for 3 years and we think drugs are involved.  We hope the police can put a stop to this.  The man who owned the house died while we were on our mission.

Sunday, the 25th, I wore my Chinese clothes to church because of Chinese New Year.  I love these clothes I think because of Clark serving in Taiwan on his mission.  I also decorated the dining room table with a runner Clark and Di gave us when they went to China. 

Chinese dragon

They invited us to dinner and we had such a fun time.  Dianne told us about the past week when she worked overtime ant the birth center where she is a Doula?, and some nights didn't even get to come home because of the births.  She loves this job but was so tired she didn't think she could hold out.  She bore testimony of how the Savior guided her each day and night and how she felt His calming Spirit when she was sometimes so down and tired.  She is an amazing woman who lives with the Spirit in her heart always.  On Sunday, their ward had Stake Conference but she so wanted to have the sacrament so she went to another ward.  Our son, Erik is on the High Council in that stake and just happened to be there which was a blessing for Dianne.  How we love family.  The Lord answered every prayer Dianne offered.  We are so grateful she shared these days with us.  She was in tears the entire time.  We can always learn from others and this was a very special time.
Monday, Brother Tanner brought Dad an ice machine so he doesn't have to keep getting new ice packs.  It is electrical and he can have it for over an hour and not get wet or warm.  It really helps the swelling in his shoulder.
The 28th was George's sister, Mikki's birthday and we love her so much.  She is a great lady and loves her family.
The rest of the week we had doctor appointments and George had therapy.  It is all good.  I was able to dig carrots out of our garden and share with others along with many pounds of potatoes that were in the garage.  We love our garden and the help we get.
This week, Tiffani and her family have spent the weekend in San Francisco to see the Harry Potter Play, Scott has been making bread for his family, Kristin's family went to see Wicked, Clark gave Dianne support and you just heard her story, Erik's family is always so busy and we are exhausted by all the things they have been doing.  We couldn't have a better family and so love that they do things for each other and have so much love in their hearts.  We go to bed so tired and have not done a thing but learn of all their doings.
We again are so blessed to have the family we love so much.  They are incredible people who love the Lord and are teaching our grandchildren the restored gospel of Jesus Christ so that we can all be together for eternity.  There is no other blessing on earth as important as this.  That is why we are here.  We love that we can all read the same thing in the Book of Mormon individually and as families and watch those wonderful videos of this true book.  Dad and I love this time together and hope our families are doing the same.  I know the boys will love Nephi and the building of the ship and the storm at sea.  We love that Brother Macy plays the part of Lehi.  He is so good in this roll.  We are so blessed to have this true book to read daily and learn and study its truths.  It is true.  We know this and love it.  We know that God lives and loves us and that Jesus Christ is His son and our brother.  We know this and are blessed because of this knowledge.