Sunday Activities

Bill sent me these pictures of some activities at                                                                                      their house today.  It is so nice to be able to see                                                                                  that good things are happening!

Katie's Young Women's Lesson on Apostasy!

Brigham and Bruce making Churros!

Grandsons!

Perry flew to LAX on Monday night.  He will be home for a week and then return to BYU to attend  summer school.  Owen was doing a Jazz performance that evening so Angela and Perry drove down to Concordia University and were able to enjoy his concert.  Apparently, Owen actually performed a jazz number he wrote himself.  I asked Perry what he thought and he said that Owen is REALLY good!  I am grateful that our children try to make sure that their children stay in touch with their cousins.  For Perry and Owen it had been several years because Perry was in Kentucky serving his mission.  I'm not even a little embarrassed to brag about what amazing young men these two are!

Half-Staff

On Saturday it was so nice to see the flags being flown at half-staff in honor of Barbara Bush.  I remembered that in 1990 she was asked to be the commencement speaker for Wellesley College.  Some of the students of the college  were "outraged" by the selection of Mrs. Bush as the graduation speaker.  They said she did not represent the type of career woman the college seeks to educate.  At the time I was so disgusted by the ignorance of those students.  How ironic!  I suspect that we will probably never hear about one of those protesters accomplishing even an ounce of what Barbara Bush accomplished in her lifetime, and I would suspect that none will be honored with a flag flown at half-staff in recognition of the service they gave their country. Let's hope that if they have matured at all they are a little red faced at their arrogance and ignorance! 

Barbara Bush became one of my favorite people from that day on!  If each of us could accomplish even a bit of what she did in her life time as she raised her children and loved her husband we will have nothing to be ashamed of. 

Quote

Dear Sisters, Many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others.  Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

Dieter Ucthdorf

Happy Birthday Peter!

 9

        Years

                            Old


           April 17, 2009

*Smart

*Focused

*Kind

*Creative

*Friendly

Graham's New Do!

Graham was watching Lincoln comb his hair and decided he wanted his hair combed as well.  Lincoln gave him a little flare! 

Happy Birthday Rachel!

                                        21                             Years                                      Old    

April 16, 1997

*  Brave

*  Friendly

*  Dedicated

*  Interesting

*  Beautiful

Pain

I hate to admit this but Grandpa's pain in his back has become my pain in the neck!  I am not sure if he is really in pain or just trying to get out of brushing his teeth, taking his pills, and getting dressed.  What I have noticed is that before I get up he gets out of bed a number of times without any problem.  Then when I get up and get everything ready to start our morning routine he sits on the chair and keeps telling me that his back hurts and he can't get up. In order to keep from hurting him more I have changed our morning routine.  I have him get up and sit in the chair by the bathroom while I get ready.  I then make the bed and I get him to the kitchen where I make his breakfast.  While there I  have him take his pills, eat breakfast and then move to the couch.  Once Perry Mason ends I tell him that I need to run some errands but he can't come unless he is able to get dressed.  That is usually all the motivation he needs and he follows me back to the bedroom for his typical growling session. 

In all honesty I know the pain is real and I wish there was an easy fix for it.  I have medication for his back that was given to me the first time his back went out and I have given it to him twice.  Another time I just gave him some aspirin.  Both seemed to work about the same.  The good news is that this morning I was able to get him in the shower for a good clean and he handled it very well.  I kept asking him if his back was okay and he kept saying no, but in spite of that, I got him scrubbed down and into clean clothes.  This week I read an article about pain in Alzheimer patients.  It mentioned that often they are hurting but don't realize what is happening or even where they hurt.  I appreciate the fact that he does seem to know and so far what I am doing is helping him a little.  I guess that pain in my neck is really an ache in my heart because I can't do more. 

Happy Birthday Duncan!

     9
         Years 
                  Old

        
     April 15, 2009

* Creative

*Imaginative

*Curious

*Serious

*Friendly

Quote

Joy has little to do with the circumstances of our lives

 & 

everything to do with the focus of our lives.

President Russell M. Nelson

Project

Here is a before and after shot!

I just completed a labor intensive project of cleaning the grout in the kitchen.  The project involved Clorox toilet bowl gel, a toothbrush, a chair, and lots and lots of time.  From start to finish it took me two days but once it is done I am so glad I took the time.  Before age afflicted my ability to crawl around on my knees I would have finished it up in half of an afternoon.  Now I have found that using a chair from the playroom I just scoot around the kitchen squirting, scrubbing, wiping, and repeating until the grout is clean.  I love the finished product and fortunately it will be at least six months before I need to tackle it again!

Scrapbooks

Last night I wrote the letter I put in each grandchild's scrapbook when they turn 12 years old.  Scrapbooking for me has been a labor of love to 21 of the people I love more than anything else.  Sometimes when I am feeling discouraged I have taken one of the books off the shelf and looked at each page marveling at how wonderful that grandchild is.  When I finish I feel buoyed up because I have seen their blessings and mine.  I counted last night and I have nine more grandchildren's book to work on and next year four of those will turn 12.  I hope that when the time comes when I am gone and each grandchild is given their book they will feel the love and respect I had for each of them.  I read a quote on Pinterest this morning that said, "Scrapbooks remind us that life has been good."  Indeed it does!

Meg

I recently found this picture of Meg and it made me smile.  This picture was taken several years ago when she did Trek with her stake.  She walked, and walked, and walked!  I remember when she came back I asked her how it was and she told me that it was amazing!  Now Meg is finishing up her Freshman year at Brigham Young University.  What an amazing and inspiring young woman Meg has become.  There will be many adventures ahead for her and I have NO doubt that she will meet every challenge ahead with determination and success.  Proud of you sweet granddaughter.  Continue your journey--I know it will be a great one.

Happy Birthday Jane!

                               

                        11                              Years                    Old

              April 11, 2007

          
         * Curious
             *Kind
       *Adventurous
            *Quiet
           *Loving

Another Adventure

This is Owen rock climbing in Joshua Tree on Saturday.  If something is available he is the one to take advantage of it and so he joined some friends and tried something new.  Owen is almost finished with his Sophomore year at Concordia University-Irvine in Orange County and he has had some great experiences.  Last year he spent two weeks in Germany performing at numerous beautiful churches with his school's choir and orchestra.  He has been up to Washington state to celebrate the birth of Martin Luther through music performances and if all goes well he hopes to have an opportunity to play his trombone next summer as a member of a band on one of the cruise ships. You would have to search far to find a more positive person that Owen.  He lights up a room when he enters with his big smile and engaging personality.  We wish him the best as he works this summer as an intern at a Lutheran Church in Northwest New Mexico.  You got this Owen!

Update

Ava was visiting and she took this picture of me shaving dad.  I am noticing several things that make me think that he is starting to lose more of his ability to function.  For the last two weeks he doesn't want to walk which was something he always looked forward to.  I still take him to the spot but he either refuses to get out of the car or gets out and walks a few steps and then turns around and gets back in the car.  Our daily drives are much shorter and he is ready to get back home which is great for our gas budget.  He still loves his ice cream at McD's but a couple of time he doesn't finish it.  His anxiety has returned a little and when we went to Walmart to pick up our pre-ordered groceries he got out of the car and took off.  I found him inside the store pushing a cart he had taken from another lady.  Again, I am grateful for kind people!  Things like putting his belt on is much more difficult for him and I often have to help him tie his shoes now.  Most days he can't remember my name and calls me Andy, which is fine.  His eating is still "iffy" and at times he eats really well but most of the time he eats about half of whatever I prepare for him.  I have tried to make anything that he use to enjoy but that doesn't seem to help.  I now cut up his meat and finger foods don't work at all.  I recently gave him half a sandwich and a cup of fruit.  I looked over and he was trying to use the spoon to eat the sandwich.  He is having more trouble sleeping which we had experienced earlier but even if he wakes up he doesn't get out of bed until I do.  I am afraid that he requires more help in the bathroom and last week we had major drama which required a shower, new clothes, and extra laundry.  I replaced the deadbolt lock on the front door with one that requires a key just in case he wants to leave the house.  Yesterday he bent down to pick up a sock and put his back out and this morning he again was in terrible pain.  It took about an hour before he could help me get him on his feet but he is still in his pajamas.  Every day is an adventure around here but we are doing fine.  Uncle Bill and Aunt Bev are coming over this week and I am looking forward to having them visit for a couple of days.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Small World

Christian's work had a picnic recently.  While there Amy noticed a young man who was wearing a North Dakota State University sweatshirt.  Of course she had to go and talk with him.  She asked if he attended there and if he took any math classes from her brother Ben.  He did!  He told Amy that her brother was a great teacher and everyone wanted to take his class.  He asked her if she knew he was the head of the math department there.  She did!  Love to hear that my children are leaving a positive impression on others. 

Another Champion!

Another Jiu-Jitsu champion in the family.  Perry came in 2nd place at BYU.  It will be fun to hear about how he and Ellis are doing next year when they spend the semester together taking the class.  Nice job Perry!

Quote

We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families.

President Russell M. Nelson