Good News and Some Crazy Stuff!

Just a couple weeks after Rylee made her decision to be baptized, Jamie followed suit. It was such wonderful news. I could not have been happier about his choice. He had been learning from the Sister Missionaries and decided this wonderful gospel was what he was looking for. The date was set and we all went on with the various things we were doing to finish up our move into their home. We were out of the cabin by the end of July and were trying to get wall painted and furniture moved around the house to make room for the items we were bringing with us. One night Robert and I were sitting on the bed upstairs talking about this and that and I went in to use the bathroom. Upon returning to sit down and resume our discussion, I felt the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. It was paralyzing. I couldn't breathe, I could barely get out one syllable words, but not easily. I told Robert to call 911. I was sure I was going to die at any moment. 911 came and got me into an ambulance and took me to Gilbert Mercy Hospital. The ER there got me somewhat stabilized and there was talk of surgery. Then all of a sudden I was ICU, (no surgery) and told I had suffered an Aortic Disection (?) type b. Basically it means my aortic artery split, but did not rupture. Lucky for me. Apparently I had high blood pressure and did not know. I spent a week in ICU at Gilbert Mercy and they did nothing but medicate me.

I missed Jamie's special day, and so did my camera. I'm so sad I did not get to be there for his baptism, but things are what they are. I'm so very grateful he made the decision he did and he is doing a great job learning so many new things. I also missed his confirmation a week later as I was in a better hospital (Banner Baywood Heart Hospital) having surgery to actually help me heal over all of this and hope to move forward. I have two 4.5" stents in my aorta now and hope they will heal well and do their job. I missed his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood, and when he blessed the sacrament for the first time. I hate missing things like that.

He is doing well, I am doing better and I hope things keep improving for both of us. Taking each day at a time for now - that's all I can manage. I have had great helpers and support around me for which I am very grateful. My sweet husband is forever my mainstay and because he is gone so much others have stepped in to help me. My sister Tracy checks on me and even helps get me to Drs. as well as Tawna, Summer, Robert, Jade, R.B. who have all done such service on my behalf. I know Taya would be helping if only she were here, but she calls and I know the kids are remembering me in their prayers too. All the grandkids have included me in their simple prayers of faith. I love them all so much. They will probably never know how very much they are appreciated and loved for their help. I have such a great family. Everyone has been wonderful to put me in their prayers, call and check on me and even take the time to visit. Friends too. I love you all. So much.

Rylee's Baptism

Since Summer and Jamie have been in their current house, Summer got re-acquainted with some old friends from high school. They had lots in common. The whole ward area here is pretty out going and soon Rylee was taking the lessons from the Sister Missionaries assigned to this ward. She decided she wanted to be baptized, so the date was set. Granny is usually good for a white dress when the girls want one, so off I went shopping for just the right fabric. I found everything I needed for Rylee's pretty dress and set about making it. It took me longer than I thought (as most things do these days), so we ended up borrowing back the actual outfit to be baptized in from Faith. It was nice that it could be worn again, and Rylee looked really cute in it. We decided to put a few yoyos on her dress, so she made them and I sewed them on. It all turned out very nice. It was a wonderful baptism. Rylee asked Megan and Stacie to speak on baptism, Summer's friend Stephanie spoke about the Holy Ghost and Grumpy and Tawna sang a special song. The Sister Missionaries spoke and there was quite a roomful of people.

Grumpy did the baptism and there were lots of uncles, and grandpas to assist in her confirmation. Everyone went to Sweet Tomatoes for a lunch afterwards and that was quite the experience. The little kids love to go there because they can choose all their favorite stuff. Of course they all love the soft serve ice cream.

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful girl. I love you Rylee.

Taya Left Us

It's true. She and her cute family decided they needed to go where their husband and father was, so they did. Kevin had been commuting since January to open a new area for his company and by May they were all tired of the expense and divided household that comes with commuting. I know, we did it for 2 1/2 years. It's no picnic. FIrst there was the endless packing, buying boxes became an expensive venture and finding the best way to transport it all was no fun either. Moves across state lines are pretty horrific experiences. The day after school got out arrived and it was farewell to Kaitlin and Daron for their summer with their Mom and loading day for us. I'm going to skip all the gory details that still live on in my brain, let's just suffice it to say never again. I know Taya feels the same. It truly was the move from he##! To summarize the much delayed start time to the frantic, exhausted search for a cheap hotel at midnight to the blow out on the trailer I was pulling the next day, I am not anxious to ever relive that experience again.

On the upside, they have a wonderful home in central California where they can be together as a family and enjoy the beautiful weather we can only dream about in our hot summers. Taya, as usual had her home put together quickly and they are very happy in their new place. I miss her like crazy, but I know they did the right thing for their family. And that's really the bottom line, right?

Summer Movie Fun

Once again and the cousins were up for it again. Not as many cousins without Taya and her family here and we missed them. I only got to 1 movie this year, but my ticket was well used I hope by the various friends and visitors that needed a seat from time to time. I love these guys so much!

Catching Up

Well, that would be an understatement since I've been silent since May.

First I will post the pics from Faith and Madison's weekend at the cabin since I never got them on here. It was a really fun weekend and I loved spending time with them. Our last few weeks at the cabin were full of grandkids, a little downtiime, and then of course the packing began. Faith and Madison had lots of fun and we loved having them there.






As always there was food. French toast, scrambled eggs, Mac & Cheese, etc. All their favs. I think they both asked for hot chocolate twice a day. Funny girls.

I think everyone has now been through the yoyo learning process. Well--Not the boys.




I hope their Moms put their yoyos on a clip or pin so they could wear them. They did a great job on them.
At this point I would post the pics of the last grandkid weekend which was Ryker and Rylan. That would be difficult since Grumpy took them on a boy weekend with him while I was helping Taya move and he forgot to use the camera. Oh, I remember now, his camera wasn't working, or something, so alas, not one pic of their memorable weekend. I hope the boys remember their food and fun that weekend. I think there was some swimming in the lake? Some hiking and some bike riding. I know they spent lots of time outside with their Grumpy who loves the outdoors.

We spent the 4th of July with R.B. and Stacie and their kids who bunked in with us while dividing their time between us and Stacie's family reunion that was being held in Showlow. As is turns out, many of my cousins were there for that very same reunion and we figured out there was a common ancestor on the Ellsworth side of the world for my cousins and Stacie. Small world. You never know who you might be related to. It was a fun weekend in spite of the fact that the cabin fridge gave out and all we had for our food was my little 2 drawer under the counter fridge. It did fine though, so no worries.

At the risk of having a small novel result from this post, I will stop and put the other events under their own headings.

It's been a crazy summer.