December 2010 ALREADY !!

Since my last blog on June 13th much has happened. That very evening of the 13th my mother passed from this earth life to the next. I hope her journey thus far is a pleasant one and that she knows we are all doing ok. She had a very quick and quiet passing and was able to be in her own home when the time was there.

We had her memorial services in July when many of her family members were able to come from various parts of the country and one of her cousins, a retired Baptist pastor, even conducted the service. It was very nice.

My sister, Sharon, came to live with Owen and me for a couple of months while she decided what she needed to do about her job, and where she would live. We enjoyed having her in our home and I was actually kinda sad she decided to move into her own apartment. It is right next door to me, so she is still "here" which is great. I love having a sister so close. She is alot of fun.

We enjoyed our trip to California to Elise's graduation and had alot of fun with Sherry's family. We actually got to attend Zacariah's graduation from Jr. High as well. Hard to believe he is a high schooler already and that Austin will be missionary age in just two years. They are remarkable young men who make their grandparents very proud.

Elise is going off to Rexburg the end of this month to begin her persuit of a higher education at BYU Idaho. She is excited and so are we.

Joe and his family were here for the Thanksgiving holiday. I truly admire what good parents he and his wife are to their two VERY busy little boys. They told us we will be having another new grandbaby come the end of June or the first of July. That will give them 3 under the age of 3. Whew!! We are hoping for a mild mannered, quiet little girl this time. Jen needs a break..

We are trying to get ready for Christmas. I have begun baking and trying to get that all ready for my visit teaching route and as neighborhood gifting. Still need to get my packages in the mail for a timely delivery, but that is a work in progress.
We had a real treat tonight when all the youth and their leaders came caroling at our doors. There were about twenty people on our front porch. It sounded beautiful and I felt loved.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Hope you are all well and can truly enjoy this wonderful season remembering the true gift which was given to us all.

I have been really bad about doing this blog thing for quite a while now.
Much has been going on in my life, and seems that all I get around to is checking my Face Book page and attending to my other daily lists.

We are leaving on Monday to go to our oldest granddaughter's high school graduation. That is really a surprise to me..not that she is already so grown up, but that my life has flown by so quickly. Where did time go? Seems that it was only a few weeks ago we had this beautiful little girl come into our lives. I was just amazed that I could possibly love someone else's little girl as much as I had loved my own baby. I soon realized Heavenly Father truly does give us a little of the capacity to love as He does. We now have nine wonderful grand babies, and the love just keeps growing.

This year, so far, has been a stressful one with my mother's health so rapidly declining. She is now at home living with my younger sister and with the help of Hospice. She is really nearing her time to leave this life and go on to the next. On Monday this week, she was able to get herself to the bathroom and to chose her clothes and get dressed on her own, by Wednesday that had stopped and as of today is totally unable to get herself up and out of bed or her chair without help. Sleeps most of the time and very restless. Quite a lot of discomfort so is on small doses of Morphine to keep her comfortable, so sleeps most of the time. I never dreamed she would become so feeble. I guess I always thought she was some kind of a super being, because she had been such a hard worker and always busy. I guess we all have to realize we are just mortals and have to leave this life someday. I just hope I can make my transition easily.

I am ready for the trip to Sherry's and her family this coming week. Owen and I are actually going to try to vacation a little and spend a couple of nights on the Oregon Coast on our way down. I know my mother is in good hands with my sister, and our son Joseph will come over this week to help out with the care as well. He is really awesome with his sweet attitude and willingness to help with her care. He is laid off right now, so it is a little bit easier for him to be here. His wife is such a sweetheart to share him with us. It has to be a great sacrifice for her to have him gone. He does bring their oldest son with him to help her out so she isn't loaded down with two little (busy) boys under the age of three.

I will post more when we get home, hopefully I'll have some nice photos to share.

Another Day in Paradise

Well, I can offically say I have Grandma's Disease! I just had a call from two of my sweet little granddaughters to say thanks for the birthday cards and gifts. That was especially nice of them since I had totally spaced sending the gifts out on time. Janelle's birthday was in December, the week before Christmas and Malia's was this month. I mailed both gifts out last week at the same time.
We had taken Janelle's with us when we went down there for Christmas, but...You guessed it, I found it after we got home still in the suitcase. So...plan B was to mail it on Malia's with apologies, that didn't happen either until last week. Both girls were late receiving their birthday wishes because I am a Grandma with a bad memory. I am really glad they love me anyway and were just happy I finally got my act together.
We are ready for Spring, tired of the gray skies and cold weather, ready for some sun again. We are both doing pretty well for the shape we are in. Owen has a few health things going on, but is facing them head on and making some really good progress. He is losing weight and looking great and with his new eating habits is feeling better every day. This is a real challenge for him when he has to be away from home for work. He is just learning to look at the menu in a different way and ask for specific things. Good job Owen.
I am loving the new Relief Society Lesson manual this year. I think having the whole church review the basic principals of the gospel is a really great thing to help strengthen testiomonies. Any way, I love preparing lessons from the new manual.
This month is my four year anniversary. Four years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and was terrified. I had the biopsy and went through the radiation therapy and am in remission now four years out. WooHoo. Get those mamagrams, they really do save lives. I am so thankful for science and technology and talented, gifted doctors who care for the rest of us. What a wonderful time to live.
We have had our niece staying with us for a few weeks now. She is just getting back on her feet and working again after a serious injury. Hopes to have her own place within the next month. Good to have the space to let her stay. Good company when Owen is gone. She has also helped care for my mother until my sister gets moved over this weekend. My mom had a serious fall and injury back in November which has moved us to now require almost continual care for her. That is why my sister is moving over, so she can live with her and be there for her more readily than I can be. This should help all of us as far as the worry level goes.
Life is good right now and I am so glad to live in this wonderful country and be a member of the only true church. I am blessed.