HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

What a fun day; food and football all day, with a few sappy movies slipped in.  I continued taking down Christmas.  Dad just can’t do it yet.  I have hauled all but 2 tubs downstairs and even the tree.  We had to wait for Clark to take it off  the top shelf, now we have to wait for someone to put it back.  It is very difficult for us to ask for help.  That's one of the hard things about ageing.

January 2^nd was a sad but good day in that our beloved Prophet, Thomas S Monson was reunited with his lovely wife.  He was 90 years old and such a loving prophet and man.  He filled many holes in many people’s lives.  He was truly a man of God.  We will miss him.

On the 3^rd I saw Dr. Huber.  We have been worried about a strange mole on my back that had bled and was turning pink.  We were so relieved to find it was not malignant.  We went to the movies and saw Star Wars.  Yes, I saw the beginning and the end. (But she slept through the middle!)

Thursday we saw The Greatest Showman.  I didn’t miss a frame.  It was extremely entertaining.  Hugh Jackman was outstanding.  Wow.
June 7^th was Rowan’s first birthday party.  She was so happy and thrilled with everything.  Each time she opened something she got so excited and wanted to explore what it was.  She understood so much of what she was doing and enjoyed every gift.

                                          

                     Her car was the favorite.  It has a horn, radio, lights, the works.

She checked out every gift.

                                           

We gave her a shopping cart.

                 Her cake was a unicorn and she was very delicate in eating it.

Put it on full screen and you will see how she likes the cake.
January 7^th I had my first cataract surgery on the right eye.  Just like Dad’s, great surgery and now have 20/20 in that eye.

The next day we went to Molly’s game.  They didn’t win but she played very well.

Wednesday, Dad insisted on going to serve in the temple.  I went also.  While serving I was called out to go get Dad.  He had collapsed.  The temple supervisor said that he should listen to his wife.  I loved that.  They said he couldn’t come back until February. ("I was suspended ") The kids teased him because Scott asked if he had to go to the principal’s office.  He just isn’t ready to serve yet.  Mike Bailey was there which made me happy because they are old friends.

January 11^th I went to Humanitarian and tied 4 quilts and Dad had an appointment for an ultrasound.  Bad news.  He has blood clots.  We were very worried about flying to SC but the cardiologist and Dr. Jackson said OK and gave him a prescription for meds and even doubled it so we’re going.  I cried all the way to get the meds it makes me so nervous.

George is doing so well with his knee replacement.  He is off all pain meds and doesn’t even use a cane when we walk.  It was a special day because it was  President Monson’s funeral and it was on TV so we could hear every message.  What a lift for our faith and testimonies.  They even talked about him going to visit Dianne’s Grandfather Goats when he was so ill.  They even showed a clip about the visit. He visited so many older people and tried to make them more comfortable and cheer them along.  What a great man.

Saturday was Whitney and Wendee’s baby showers.  They are due together and it was so much fun.  Deb, their mother, held it at the restaurant, Molly’s.  Everyone stayed forever and just chatted, laughed and enjoyed the event.  They are both having girls.

Sunday was a hard day because we got a new bishopric.  Sometimes change is hard but always good.  They had been serving for 51/2 years and did such an outstanding job.  I was the RS President while they served and they were so supporting of everything I did.  I grew to love Bishop Hoopes so much.  He has unending loves for all the members of the ward.  The new bishop is Iain Hunter, who was one of the counselors and his counselors are Brother Bleak and Brother Howard.  It is a strong bishopric.

The next few days we got ready for our trip for Jalen’s baptism.  We are so excited.  At the last minute we decided to leave a day earlier and stay in a motel in SLC.  Our flight was at 7 AM so we thought it would save me so I wouldn’t have to drop dad off with the big suitcase, then park the car and take a tram.  We left the car at the Marriott.  It worked beautifully.
Jan 18th, our flight was long but I had a wheelchair for Dad at every flight.  It really helped because in Atlanta the next flight was only 45 minutes and the train going 2 stops and then to the end of the terminal.  We made it just fine.  It was also wonderful not to have to go through the long security line.  It was like Disney's fast pass.  We also had the bulk head which gave Dad more leg room.
The kids were waiting at baggage claim and it was just heaven to have them wrapped in our arms.  Kristin got the suitcase and David was waiting outside in the van.  All was so great.  Kristin had a yummy dinner waiting for us at their home.  We just savored the time with the family.
January 19th, Jalen's 8th birthday.  What a wonderful gift he is to our family.  He is a very sensitive boy with a tender heart.  His prayers are so filled with emotion and depth.  We love that little guy and are so glad we could come for his baptism.  He was so excited for his baptism.  Kristin had to work but David took us to the kid's school to have lunch with them.  We were walking down the hall when we saw Baylie walking toward us.  She did not feel well.  She was headed to the nurse's office.  This facility was amazing.  It was like a little clinic with private rooms and all.  The nurse is full time and so good with Baylie.  We left Baylie in the nurse's office and went to find Jalen for lunch.  In the short time we were with Jalen, Baylie's temperature had gone up so we took them both home.  David stopped at the Dr's. office and the doctor said it was this terrible flu.  She gave her some meds and sent us on our way.  Four students had left school with the flu from her classroom.  Baylie went right to sleep when we got her home and slept until the baptism.

 ready to go

not ready to go

Dad and Jalen

 family

Mom Dad and Jalen

 all family

 the men

 with friend, Ivory

in the church lobby

Baylie was so sick that she wore a mask but stayed in the car with me until it was time for Jalen and then Dad motioned for us to go inside and we stayed just long enough for her to see Jalen and then slipped back out to the car.  (She had already vomited, poor little thing)  

 ready

When we got back home we  ordered dinner to go at Blaze Pizza and watched a cute horse movie on TV.
Jalen celebrated his birthday the next day.  It is also Dianne's birthday.  We are so glad Dianne and Clark live in the valley now and we can see them more often.  She loves her job at the birthing center and helping mothers feel comfort and encouragement at such a sacred time.  She is a very loving mother and loves to serve others.

Jalen wanted to wear his Bat Man costume instead of his Ninja one but his dad talked him into it by getting it out and seeing how great it was. 

He was having a Ninja party at a studio that teaches moves and safety guides by a professional.  The place was outside of Columbia and a member in their ward owns it.  The drive there was beautiful as we went by a large lake.  The head guy (don’t know those fancy names) taught them how to stop bullies when they try to hurt them.  It was done by not fighting but knowing what to do.  Everyone should learn these skills.

 Cutting the cake with a Samurai sword

They are certainly tired by the time it was over.  Baylie spent the time in the van resting.  She was a real trooper though.  We ordered Smash Burgers for dinner as she still didn't feel well.

Sunday the 21st Kristin and I stayed home with Baylie because she was still ill and it
 was good to just be together.  
It was my birthday and Tiff and Kristin went in on a very beautiful sleep wear for our mission.  I love it.  Dad gave me dinner and Sound of Music live at the Eccles Theater in SLC.  He said it was to make up for not getting me anything for Christmas.  I will love the play.  The kids all contacted me and it was a good day.  I am trying to remember who did what but I have the flu now so I can't remember.
At 5:00 we left for the airport and home.  The kids really had a hard time and so did we.  It is always hard to leave.  It was a long flight and we were so tired but made it home by midnight.  The Marriott shuttle met us and took us to our car.  That was so slick.  The problem was that it had snowed and the ice under the snow was so thick that it was hard to open the doors. We turned everything on to heat the car; we didn't have a scraper due to no snow before we left.  We finally got the wipers free so we could at least travel.  We got home at 1 and to bed at 1:30.  We had to get up early for my left eye cataract.
The best part of the day was that it was William Clark's 2nd birthday.  He has grown up so fast and is such a fun boy.  He keeps all the family on their toes at ball games.  He loves to be involved in everything.  He thinks he is the main one, and he is.  He will be a big brother in March.
                                         
My surgery went very well but that afternoon I got a present from Haylie and Jalen---the flu.  Boy did it take me by surprise.  I finally went to see Dr. Taylor but I had waited too long and he could do nothing for me but put me to bed.  I have had it for 3 days.  On the 24th I think we did go to hear and see Molly and Kolton's concert.  It was amazing and so fun.  The music was perfect.  I was miserable but the concert was worth is.  I just love these concerts. 

I didn't get out of bed until the 29th but still don't feel like I have any energy.
The 28th was Aunt Mikki's birthday.  I'm sure I forget some of our siblings but I blame senility.  I do love MIkki and what a caring person she is.  She serves this entire family and is so aware of what we need.  She's a special lady.  She is now 78, I think.Dad has been working hard on his knee rehab and doing so well.  He is not in pain and exercises every day.
The month is now over and I am so grateful for the people who have brought us meals and prayed for us. We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful ward and have such good friends.  The restored gospel of our Savior is the only path to follow and we are so blessed to be part of our wonderful family.  We love the plan of salvation and that families can be forever.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2017

Started the month off by watching Molly play basketball in a PG tournament.  they played very well.  She is improving every game and we love watching her.  She even plays in the JV and varsity games.  We just love being with the family.  They won the second game 60-17. 

                    

 Bayles power

Tiff and Cameron came late that night for the wedding of Dave's niece.  

Got up and went to Molly's tournament game at 9.  Tiff came for the first half and then left for the sealing at the Provo City Temple. 

photo bomb  Kolton, Lily, Molly, Cameron

When the game was over ((We lost by 1) we took Cameron to the temple to see grandparents and the bride and groom.  He loves them. 

He loved doing the Hakka with the groom and boys.

They came home, ate,changed clothes, and headed home.  It was a very fast trip,

Sunday was a special stake conference with Elder Davies of the Presiding Bishopric presiding. He gave a talk on the Savior and keeping a strong testimony.  Sister Livingstone, our temple matron, told of a couple who lost their baby and found answers and comfort by coming to Utah and just going to the Celestial room.  Our temple President spoke on the importance of reading the Book of Mormon every day.  We love them and I was able to teach one of their sons at Canyon Crest.  It was a wonderful meeting even though we had just had our regular stake conference two weeks before.  We loved the great Spirit that was there and were blessed for attending. 

We  have been trying to decorate for Christmas but it is harder than in prior years.  Scott had to get the tree down from the shelf for us.  We had Rowan and Nixon which is always fun. 

Dec. 5th we made gifts for our neighbors.  Tiffani gave us the idea of "LET HIM IN" with a real key on the card.  We love her ideas.  We finally got the tree up.

Dec. 7th we decorated and then went to Molly's game.  She's a 9th grader but plays on the sophomore team.  They won and then she played in the JV game.  They won 60-20.  We love being together with family.

 Molly, Cameron, Kolton

 photo bomb by Lily

Kristin made our Christmas card on her computer.  She does such a good job.

  We finally finished decorating.

Dec. 11th we went to Riley and Parker's Christmas choir concert.  It was amazing. 

                               

  They are so much fun.

There were probably more than 800 students in the choirs.  How wonderful to have that many students be in the spotlight singing such beautiful music.          

  They may never get to do something like that again in their lives.  The whole time put us in such a good feeling for Christmas.  The choirs got on and off the stage in record time.  After the concert we had dinner at Erik's and had a yummy Brazilian main dish.  We took a salad.  It was just fun to be with family.  All 3 families were there. 

middle, oldest, shortest, youngest

The best part was that all 3 boys were there to give Dad a blessing before his surgery.

before the blessing 

After serving in the temple the next day, we went to Molly's game.  I have no idea if the games are in the right order but I did take some pictures, which is a shocker.

The 13^th we went to see the movie, “Murder on the Orient Express.”  Which we enjoyed and were so confused on the who did it? part.   After the movie I took Dad for his Nov. 11^th birthday dinner;  a little late but so good.  Of course we went to Out Back, even had the dessert, Thunder Down Under.

The next day, knowing Dad was going to be in the hospital the next day we saw Wonder; took plenty of Kleenex which we so needed.  What an incredible movie.  We think every school student should see it.  It was very well done.  It is great for adults and a powerful way to show feelings.

December the 15^th was surgery day.  We got to the hospital at 7:30 AM.  A nurse had to come into the waiting room to give me Dad’s wedding ring that he had forgotten to leave home.  I was so surprised that he came out of recovery so well.  He never does that.  He was chipper and was glad to get in his room.  Everyone was so helpful and kind.  He had really good care.  He had a total left knee replacement.  He had the right knee done more than 15 years ago and it is doing so well.

While he was there my sister called to say her little fetus grandson had surgery for spinal biffida while in the womb.  He weighed 18 oz. and 5 in. long.  He is due in April.  Miracles are amazing.  He is doing as well as can be expected.

What a small world.  

The nurse who came in Dad's room was Cliff and Carma Bush’s granddaughter. 

She was so excited that we knew her family.  She was a very attentive nurse and we enjoyed her care.  Cliff is Dad’s fishin’ buddy.

Dec.16^th was a sad day in that Dick Hill had died.  He was a good man and a good friend.  I went to the viewing and when I got back to the hospital Dad asked where his wedding ring was.  I reached in my coat pocket and it wasn’t there.  I had zipped it up so I wouldn’t lose it but then forgot all about it and put other things in my pocket.  I searched everywhere but did not find it.  It had been gone now for 2 days.  It had great meaning to me because I had won a car at a church bazaar when I was 12 and had saved the money in the bank for my husband’s wedding ring.  ((Back in the 50’s we had bake sales and bazaars to help with the ward building fund. The car I won was a 1937 Studebaker, stick shift, and had 100,000 miles on it. (It belonged to our bishop who was a mechanic and so was in mint condition) Ten years later I had a jeweler in Dayton, Ohio make it for me.  I was so upset as you can imagine.  It was late at night and I had to leave so I asked at the information desk if it had been turned in.  They said that everything turned in was given to the police at their desk.  I went to the desk and the officer looked on his computer where everything was recorded and no luck.  I walked slowly down the long hall to get my car and the officer came to me and asked if I could identify the ring.  It was the right one. I just started bawling and hugged the officer.  He was a bit uncomfortable but I didn’t care.  I went right back up to the
4^th floor and gave it to Dad.  What a great tender mercy of our Father.  How grateful I am to the honest person who turned it in.  It has 3 diamonds in it and is so special to me.  I love the blessings we are constantly given even those we don’t recognize.  The Lord is so mindful of each one of us.  We pray that we can live worthily to have our family for all eternity.  We love each member so very deeply.

Dec.17^th Sunday, I went to church and then to the hospital.  The meeting was the ward choir and a wonderful speaker.  The choir had many numbers that the ward joined in.  Yes, I cried it was so touching.  I didn’t even sing, I was so touched by the Spirit.  I spent 12 hours every day in Dad’s room at the hospital. The physical therapist came and another miracle, she was Denice Mosley’s daughter. 

Denice was a great student at San Juan High when Dad was a teacher and principal there.  Our kids absolutely loved her and she became a family favorite.  What a joy to find her daughter. Denice was a great athlete and honor math student.

Monday we finally checked out.  Dr. Jackson released Dad at 7 AM but things didn’t get done until 4.  It was so good to get him home.
Our next door neighbor, Vicky Anaya brought us a cute ladder with elves all over it and a blanket Dad has taken over.

 The Clint Washburns came to visit before they left for the big Island, Hawaii.  Taylor wasn't able to come.

          

The girls gave Dad money for several Swigs.  So happy.

Saturday, we  had a brunch that was so much fun and we were so pleased with everyone being there.  We had 3 dozen cinnamon rolls with chocolate milk, orange juice, Mango juice, and cider.  We also had plates of grapes, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, blackberries, fresh pineapple and strawberries. 

 There were 22 people so this little house was full but so happy.

Sorry if some are left out but I tried. 

Notice the doll Will is hanging on to.

We love our children, grands and great so much.  Our children are such wonderful adults and are doing such good things,especially as parents.  Of course Hailey, our favorite missionary, was missing but she is right in the right place at the right time.  We did miss her, but so proud of the service and truth she is bringing to others.  We think we have 32 in our family now and our Savior has made it so we can be together forever.  We love that.  (I have no idea how to fix the margins)

Christmas Eve I went to church.  What a wonderful day to celebrate in Sacrament Meeting with friends we love so much, celebrating the birth of our Savior.  It was so powerful and heart- warming. The meeting was so filled with the Spirit of that most wonderful birth.  Yes, I teared up a lot.  I had a really hard time when the Primary children sang, “When Joseph went to Bethlehem”.  They sang other songs too.  We had the best speakers and the choir sang.  Sister Flinders sang a beautiful song with her daughter, Natalie, on the flute.  It stirred the soul.  Clint gave a talk in that he just got home from his mission.  Bishop Hoopes read the entire story of the birth from Luke.  Wow!  It was so reverent and peaceful.  I was teary again.  He invited President Gagan to bear his testimony.  What a way to begin the celebration of our Redeemer’s birth.  It could not have been better.

I fixed our Christmas dinner so I wouldn’t have to do anything on Christmas.  It was ham and potatoes with all the trimming. (no yams with marshmallows)

After dinner we walked clear around the circle with only a cane. Dad is really working hard to do well.

Christmas morning was so peaceful.  It had snowed through the night which we love.

I enjoyed shoveling our walks and driveway in such beauty.

Dad insisted on going to the homes to see the families.  He made it in and out of the car and up and down stairs without even a walker.  He just used one of his canes.  At each home someone helped him by just being there, really no help.  We love the excitement in the homes and the thrill of the day.  Everyone was so grateful for the time together.  We had breakfast at Scott’s and I took pictures when the mothers got out their cameras.  I don't remember to get mine if they don't do this.

Scott's

Dad photo bombing  

We went right up the road to Clark's home.  They were having a great day.  Will calls Clark, Gronky.

Clark's

Dad was very tired by the time we got to Erik’s and I forgot to take a picture.  They were all so happy.  They went to our land on the mountain and cut down their basement tree.  We never saw it so Erik sent us a picture.  It was too dark to see the family so I made it brighter but it lost its gentility.  Sorry

We had just been with Tiff and will be with Kristin next month so we felt very blessed.  We love all the hugs we received.

We got home and Dad rested and slept for the rest of the day  Later that night we realized we hadn’t opened any presents.  There was not much but we loved what people had done for us.  It was a great Christmas.

Wednesday Erik’s family came and gave us a beautiful picture of their family.  We love it.  It is perfect of everyone of them.  They also brought up 5 of our tubbys to put thing away in.  That is such a big help.  We love those boys.

 December 28th, Rowan Noelle turned 1 year old.  The time has flown by and yet it seems we have had her forever.  She is always smiling and reminds us so much of Tiffani when she was that age.  She goes with the flow and loves everything, even her dad's beard.  She is such a joy to her family and loves all the attention she gets.  She is trying to walk and has taken a few steps.
Sad news for us Dennis Stoutsenberger has moved to Elk Ridge.  He is the best neighbor ever.  He has kept our home and furnishings running for 26 years.  The entire neighborhood will definitely miss this good man.  He and his parents have bought a home there so he and Valarie can take care of them.

The next day was Shanelle's birthday. 

She looks so young and is so beautiful but the best thing about her is her love for our son and those wonderful boys.  She is a great wife and mother.  We are so glad Erik found her.  They do a great job of making sure the Spirit is in their home.
New Year's Eve was so inspiring in that it was the Sabbath and  the Spirit was so evident in our meeting.  We are so blessed to have a prophet on earth in our day, and know the things we must do to return to our loving Father and His Son.  Tanner Rife gave his farewell talk and did such a good job.  They had to open the cultural hall to fit everyone in.
We are so blessed to have the family we have and love each one of them so very much.  We pry constantly for each one of them and pray we will be together forever.