Highs and Lows of April

What a happy day to begin this blog. Tiffani is now 51 years old and still kicking. She is on top of this chemo and ready for the next step. She rang the bell. Her attitude is incredible. She has had many steps go wrong, but survives with a smile. The Lord has blessed her all the way.

Dave, Tiff, & Cameron

On the 2nd, Dad went to pick-up Kristin and her kids so they could go to the Manti Temple open house. Kristin wanted to show the kids where they were sealed. 

Tiffani actually planned a surprise and showed up with the twins so they could go with us. What a fun shocker! The kids were so excited to see each other! I love this family. Tiffani came to help Cameron pack up his apartment in preparation for his mission.

Erik, Shanelle, Kolton and Asher joined us and the girls and their kids for the open house Wednesday. Clark had told us about a great food truck that made yummy smoked turkey sandwiches. We had to try them. It was worth it.

Manti

When we got to the temple, there was a line all the way around it with a long, long wait, but this was so special. Everyone but Grandad, Kristin, and I got in the back of the line while we went to the disabled section so I could have a wheelchair. We waited for a few hours, but it was wonderful. 

 Almost there. Waited for two hours.

It was a bit windy, but it didn’t bother us. I knew I couldn't go up the very high spiral staircase because of my stroke, but when I reached that part, I was just so sad. I decided that if my wonderful grandson, Kolton would hold on to me, I could do it. HOORAY! I MADE IT TO THE VERY TOP. THANKS TO HIM. It was a desire I wanted so badly. Thank goodness for my returned missionary, Kolton. (Jalen pushed me around inside the temple.) 

By the time we finished, it was dark and so beautiful. It was 8:00 p.m. Tiffani and her girls headed for Vegas and the rest of us headed home. Tiff got home in the early hours, very tired, but they unloaded the truck before they quit. What stalwart women!

This temple was the first temple I had ever entered. I was a freshman at BYU and our ward did baptisms there. It is a very special temple for me. When we lived in Blanding, it was the closest temple for us. We would get up early and make the 6-hour drive, do a session, and then stay overnight in a home that people owned for that purpose - to share with people who wanted to go to the temple. They were so kind. We would do another session and then go home. I was pregnant and they asked if we would be the witness couple. I guess I passed out at the altar. When I awoke, there were these people dressed in white around me. I thought I had died. How embarrassing! We couldn’t go very often, but it was wonderful.

Thursday the 4th, Dad and Jalen worked very hard in the garden. Jalen raked the entire plot so that it was more even, and then Dad showed him how to use the tiller. Jalen tilled the entire garden by himself. It was very hard work, but he never quit. What a great kid. Baylie read on a blanket and slept. 

Baylie also worked very hard.

The family came when Cameron opened his call for his mission to serve in Las Vegas.

We love this picture of Baylie. 

The next day, Dad took Kristin and kids to the SLC airport around 11:00 a.m. They had quite an adventure. They missed so many planes, but David finally got to pick them up in Charleston after they had been traveling for 24 hours. They were excited because they didn’t miss General Conference. They were flying all over the states to get there (SLC-DEN-IAD-CHS).

General Conference was amazing. I have notes on every speaker, but just know it was so special. I can’t even begin to tell you about each one. My favorite was when Elder Holland began the conference with such power and love. He is such a good speaker and speaks from the heart.

Our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, was the final speaker. He did not attend any other time due to the fact that he is in his 100th year of life and still recovering from a fall. He is still going strong. He announced 15 new temples. That will make 352 temples in various phases all over the world. We love this great man of God. How blessed we are to have a Prophet of God to guide and teach us the path that leads us to our Father in Heaven for all eternity and especially with our families.

Tuesday the 9th we went to the Orem Temple to do a session, which we love to do. We then left for Salt Lake City and The Huntsman Cancer Center to see Dr Tristani. She is amazing. I have a few cancer spots on my face and she is a miracle worker. The traffic was so slow. We finally made it right on time. It is a beautiful facility. Dad drove to the first turn in and someone took our car to park it. We then went in and talked to a lady who informed us that we would be on floor 3. It is like walking into a very fancy resort.  There were windows along every floor that faced the snowy mountains. It is just very plush.Dr. Tristani is a miracle worker. I was in her room for 5 ½ hours. She is so careful and serious. I couldn’t have a better doctor. 

I felt bad because Dad had not taken a book to read. When the surgery was over, we went out to our car which had been moved to the 3rd floor. Amazing. We go back in a week to have the stitches removed.

Wednesday Dad made sticks to mark the rows in our garden. Way too many rows. I will never win that discussion. 

The flowers just plant themselves.

Friday we met with Jason to get our taxes done. We are so happy to have him do this. Landon, Jason’s assistant, bought our child’s saddle. He has the cutest little girl. She’s 4 and loves to ride.

Dad was in a hardback book about the history of Dixie College.  He was the Captain of the football team.  It's a very impressive book.

The next day Dad put up a flag for Cameron’s mission. He is so nervous. The next day when Cameron came for dinner, he fell asleep, so we just turned the lights out and went to bed. He left shortly afterwards. He’s so fun to have.  

Tuesday I got my stitches out and my nose accepted the graft, so I gave her one of my tatted snowflakes. I did this because she does such tiny knots in her stitches and tatting is all about knots making a beautiful design. We will see her again in five weeks. 

Friday the 18th we went to see the movie Escape From Germany  It was a true story of how the Mormon Missionaries got out of Germany days before WW2 and didn’t lose one missionary. It was thrilling every minute and a true story. It was filled with a special spirit.

The next day I worked getting all the weeds out of our brick wall in front. Then I went inside and took everything out of the China cabinet and cleaned everything. Unbelievable!.

The 20th we were surprised because the bees had left the hive and made a swarm in our green apple tree. We were nervous, so we called Clark and he came with all his equipment and brought more boxes. He shook the tree and the bees fell into a tubby. He stayed until the bees went back to the hive. He hoped they brought the new Queen. He went home to get more hives and the bees were so thick that it darkened the sky. When he returned, the bees had moved to the red apple tree and formed another swarm. Bees are amazing and know exactly what they are doing. They are so smart. Clark got that swarm and dumped the bees into the new hive and made it so they couldn’t leave. He just hoped the bees had the new queen. It was again amazing.

On April 22 we went to a funeral for Sister Atkinson. She was a member in our ward for a long time and I was her Relief Society president. She and her daughter had to move because her apartment was on the 3rd floor. They moved to a place that was better for them. Not many people were there, but four of her past bishops were, Dad included. It was a nice service.

The next day we went to a funeral for Sister Carol Hoglunds' daughter. This was a hard one. She was only 51 years old and married to a very nice man. She loved the beach, so they moved to Florida and enjoyed this time together. She had wanted children ever since they were married, but with no luck. A year and a half ago she finally delivered the joy of her life with a little baby girl. Sixteen months later, she died. This was so hard for everyone. The funeral was at our church building and was wonderful. Carol and all her brothers talked and did such a healing job. It was beautiful, but so filled with sorrow. 

April 24th, Wednesday, Dad helped Cameron move out of his apartment. He is so nervous about going on his service mission. He will be great. We bought plants for our garden the next day.

The 27th Kristin helped me work on my computer. She is always helping someone and has so many talents. The 27th was also her birthday. She is a great cook and keeps a beautiful home. She homeschools Jalen. She loves to travel and see new things, She loves her chickens and they follow her around the back yard. She has a great supply of love for everyone.

The 27th and 28th were our Stake Conference and it was amazing. Elder Johnson of the 70 was the speaker for both sessions and it was filled with the strongest spirit. A very small child (Primary) gave the opening prayer and set such a special spirit.

Monday we worked on the garden and inside our home doing spring cleaning.

Tuesday we served in the temple and after that worked again on the yard. Dad mowed the lawns and realized why we have Erik’s family do it.

This has been an up and down month with rain falling so many days. This is very unusual for this area, but we love it. We desperately need rain. We love life and our wonderful family and being able to do so many things by ourselves. Life is beautiful.

Picture of our missionary, Camden, in Poland.  He is working very hard and loves the people.  The language is coming along.  It is a beautiful country but is also very difficult.  

March Happiness

We started this blog late because we wanted to finish February’s activities. We flew to Salt Lake on the fifth and Cameron met us at the SLC Airport. It was quite the ride home, but we made it alive. Dad must have been sitting with someone who was ill because he got sick the next day and it took several days for him to recover. He didn’t even go to the temple.

Saturday the 9th Dad worked outside and Clark and Lily came to prune the fruit trees. I dug carrots and Scott came and tilled the garden. It was a great day and everyone worked very hard, especially Lily. She took all the limbs that had been cut and put them in a crusher which scared me. It was a great day to be with some of our family. We love that part of our family is so close. We also shared the time with three dogs, none of which were ours.

Dad repaired things while the dogs worked hard.

We continue to go to the temple and love it. On Wednesday we decided to see Dr. Huber because his assistant made me nervous. The assistant said everything was just fine, but Dr. Huber took biopsies and saw that a few were cancerous. I will go next month to the Huntsman Medical Center and Dr. Tristani will do her fine work.

Thursday Dad had a cat scan to check out a foreign spot in his pancreas. They will do a follow-up in three months to make sure it is OK. The doctor and the scan looked good, but they want to be sure.

March 16th Max and Dad took Mater (Max’s truck) to get good soil for our garden. They made two trips and dumped it on the garden. Dad will spread it another day.  You saw the work dad did a few pictures earlier when Lily and Clark pruned and put the shavings on the garden Dad cleared.

Mater and plates

Sunday the 17th was St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, we dressed for the occasion.

Dad and Dave ordered BYU tickets for this coming year. We are so excited. We have fewer tickets, but we are excited to be close together. Later we watched Jalen in a tennis match. We love that we can watch right in our own home. He is going to be awesome. He won.

Tuesday, March 19th, Baylie Batchelor turned 16. Her mother way outdid it on the party. It was amazing and looked like it was a spectacular event. She’s a special girl, talented, and we love her. 

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That same day Simon Johns had a birthday. He is 6. He is Ashley and Tylor's son.  He is in the middle.

HORRAY FOR TIFFANI. SHE RANG THE BELL BECAUSE SHE HAD HER LAST CHEMO!!!!!!!!

On the 20th Dad took my car to Clint to be serviced and to update the registration. Dad also spread the soil across the garden. He thinks he’s ready to plant now.

Saturday we went to the Seamons’ to plan our train ride from Durango to Silverton, Colorado. We don't go until September, but we wanted to make sure we don’t miss it. We are so ready.

Sunday the 24th was Cameron’s 21st birthday. We are anxiously waiting for his mission call. We love that he comes to our home every Sunday. We think it’s for the food.

The next day started with rain, then hail, and then snow. Crazy!!

The 27th we worked in the garden and dug up the last of the carrots. They are so good and fresh because we cover them all winter. And Dad did a super job cleaning the Traeger.

Thursday the Seamons met us to go to Garold Gregory,’s funeral. It was a sad occasion, but because we know the Plan of Salvation, it is also beautiful. He is survived by his wonderful wife, Nila, and eight children. The children all talked for no more than five minutes each, and Nila spoke last. It was filled with the Spirit and such a comforting funeral. They served with us on our Palmyra Temple Mission. Many of the couples were there to give support, comfort, and love. It was beautiful. After the funeral, a few went to lunch at the Black Bear Diner. It was so good to be with those wonderful people. We love them so much.

Dad loved his assignment in the Orem Temple because it was from 6AM until 10 and filled with such joy. When he got home he worked very hard in the garden and then moved the lawns.

Saturday we delivered two books to our children. Dad had read “The Heart of the Matter: What 100 Years of Living Have Taught Me” by our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, and wanted all the kids to have a copy. And I wanted the children to have a little picture book called, “I Hear the Savior’s Voice” with beautiful artwork.. They are choice books for our choice children.

What a special way to celebrate Easter on Sunday. We had a beautiful service and then went to Clark and Dianne’s for an amazing dinner (of course) with a beautifully set table and food, food, food. Cameron came also. They invited some fun friends and we all just stuffed ourselves and had a great time. We left when the games started. They are crazy.

What a girl!

The seamstress, Diann

We modeled beautiful coats that Dianne is making to earn some extra money. She is amazing.

Elder Camden is a hard working elder in a wonderful place (Poland). He loves our and your prayers.

This was a wonderful month filled with many memories of our blessings. Our lives are filled with families, our Savior, and  our Father in Heaven. Life just doesn't get better than that.