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    No one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another.                               I testify that he loves each of us--                                                                insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all.

Jeffrey R. Holland

Proud of You!

Aunt Amy earned her Young Womanhood Recognition medallion recently.  She has worked hard on it and since I had worked and earned mine when I retired I know how hard it is.  When she sent me the picture she wrote, "It only took me 40 years"
but that is not a problem.  No matter what your goals are you need to keep on working on them until you can mark it off of your "TO DO" list.  Way to go Aunt Amy--we are all proud of you!

Ellis is Back!

It seems that Ellis had a great time on his trip to Israel.  Here are a few of the pictures he took while there.  It is nice to have him home but I am so glad that he got to experience such an amazing trip!

The Apprentice!

After months of waiting for the concrete to dry Andy was finally able to start putting the wood flooring back down.  I loved seeing how Caleb was nearby to learn everything he could about laying floors!  I think Ava better get the job.

We Have Rats!

This morning grandpa pointed to the ground and said we have rats--they are everywhere!  Don't panic though because we actually don't have rats, just ants (and even better, there aren't nearly as many as we had last year!).  I don't even pretend to understand how the mind works with an Alzheimer patient.  He often reads the closed captions on the TV but some of the words he reads just aren't there.  He thinks everyone on television is one of my relatives.  That wouldn't be bad but most of what we watch is Perry Mason and of course the murderer is usually related to me!  Sometimes I honestly believe these little quirky things he says and does is like a sweet hug that makes me smile.  I will happily settle for that!

Be Careful!

I put on an Elvis Presley album this morning and in one of the songs he said,' I can't help falling in love with you."  I looked at grandpa who had tears in his eyes and I asked him, "Do you remember when you loved me?"  He responded, "Yes, but it was a long time ago!"  I love Grandpa--he keeps me on my toes.  Someday I will remember to be careful what I ask!

Quote

Never regret a day in your life:  Good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories.

Summer Fun!

100 Meter Back Stroke.  Abby dropped
three seconds off her best time!

I must admit I live vicariously through our family and their wonderful activities and this summer they didn't disappoint!

Bill and Cathy and kids have been busy which included a family reunion, a visit to see us! and a lot of swimming for Abby.  Abby is so good that she made it to the state finals which I'm sure she will give it a 100%!  In the middle of all the busy activities Brig, Bruce, and Katie went on a Trek activity and next week Katie and Abby will enjoy Girl's camp together.  Also during this summer they have traveled over much of the state of Utah attending the various temples.  Especially nice was they included Perry and Lincoln in several of those trips.

Andy and Angela and kids have a big trip coming up to visit Florida but they have definitely added to their pre-trip time with various events.  The big one has been Ellis' trip to Israel.  Each day I check Instagram to see what amazing experience he had for the day.  Before he left he kept busy working towards a blue belt in Jujitsu.  Perry is keeping busy taking classes at both summer sessions and working at the grounds department for BYU.  He has been busy fixing up his truck and since he has a truck of course he had to get himself a kayak which has kept him busy on his time off from work.  Apparently, Perry has thrown in a few pranks to entertain his co-workers.  Ava and Caleb have been really challenged as they took private swimming lessons from a young man in our ward.  Caleb has gained a lot of confidence and by the time he finished he was swimming the length of the pool and Ava was learning some diving tricks and how to turn around quickly in the pool to keep the flow of fast swimming going.

Ben and Becky and their family had a great trip to visit New York City.  They camped on the way to and from New York and had some great experiences.  Before they headed to New York they stopped and saw the sights of Philadelphia which also included Philly Cheese-steak Sandwiches.  Once back home Owen left for a summer internship in north-west New Mexico.  He will be heading this way in a few weeks and we can't wait to see him.  Jeremy started golf lessons and Peter is taking tennis lessons which I'm sure keeps their mom busy.  Miriam will be on the high school golf team again this year so she has done some golfing as well.

Christian and Amy and their kids were in Utah for a couple of weeks and went to the family reunion with Bill and Cathy and family.  After celebrating Graham's second birthday they kept on celebrating their summer with a Harry Potter party, a Hawaiian day, several swimming parties, a fondue party just to name a few.  Lincoln went back to Utah for an ACT prep program at BYU and while there got to spend more time with his cousins.  Ruth did a mini girls camp since their regular camp was closed due to high fire danger.  Janie impressed me with a beautiful sampler she made for me and Graham completed his summer fun by figuring out how to climb the refrigerator and open the doors all by himself.

Of course there is one thing that probably every grandchild did this summer--lots of READING!

Talking in his Sleep!

I have to share a chuckle I had last night about 2 a.m.  I got up to use the restroom and as I was just about to fall back asleep grandpa said "OUCH!" and went back to sleep.  I turned over and fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Israel Bound!

For the next two weeks Ellis will get to have an experience of a lifetime!  He has worked hard to earn the money so he could participate in the Youth Summit Jerusalem.  Can't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories that he will have to tell.  I am so impressed with how brave our grandkids have been to go off by themselves with people they have never met before so they can have experiences like these.

תהין

If the internet is right this tells Ellis to HAVE FUN!

Update!

It's been a while since I updated what is happening with Grandpa.  I have addressed some of the funny things that happen but Andy said something last night that gave me the word I have been trying to find to describe what I have been seeing.  Health wise he seems to be doing well.  When we refilled his medication that is for his anxiety they gave me the medication he had been taking until our last refill.  It definitely is better, at least for Grandpa.  At the last doctor's appointment he handled it well and the doctor said we didn't need to come back for three months which is also good.  Now to the word.  Grandpa has become very docile.  His outbursts seem to be behind us.  We go out maybe once a day and on Sunday we don't leave at all and he has no problem with that.  He doesn't like going shopping now and whenever I do need to go and get something I continually reassure him that he is fine and we are almost done.  Today at the bank he never made a sound which is definitely a change because there is always a line ahead of us.  Eating continues to be a challenge and if I didn't make something for him to eat I don't think he would even question when we were going to eat.  For the last two years bedtime has been very regimented and at 7 p.m. he wanted to get his pajamas on and go to bed.  Now 7:00 comes and goes and he never says a word about going to bed.  To be honest, by 8 p.m. I am the one who says, "Why don't we get your pajamas on so you can go to bed?"  He now sleeps until the sun comes up in the morning and when it does he leaves the bedroom and sits on the couch until I wake up.  Occasionally he comes back to bed and sleeps for another hour.  The other morning when he went to get back into bed  I heard a big thud.  He had fallen out of bed but fortunately didn't hurt himself.   At least a couple of times a week he can't swallow his pills and I have to coax him to keep drinking water until they are either dissolved or down his throat.  This morning I took the key lock off of the front door and replaced it with the old lock.  I have no fear that he would leave the house now so the regular dead-bolt lock is easier to get in and out of. 

What does all this mean?  For me it is that sense of sadness that is always in the back of my mind.  I am grateful that he isn't anxiety ridden but it is often hard to see him struggle with his words.  We will continue to do the best we can and I am often reminded that the end continues to get closer. 

The Herd!

I love Chick-fil-a!  Especially today when they give away free chicken to anyone who comes dressed as a cow.  I read the wonderful book about the founder and I am so impressed with their desire to give back in so many ways!   I bet they are celebrating Katie's birthday!

Happy Birthday Katie!

       18

                Years

                        Old

           July 10, 2000

 *Amazing
*Competent
*Compassionate
*Loving
*Beautiful

Walk in Library

When I read this quote on Pinterest I thought it really described how many of our granddaughters probably would feel!

                         Some girls dream of a big walk in                                                                  closet in their bedroom.                                                          I'd prefer a walk in library in mine!

My Wolf Crying Boy!

If you ever heard the fable of the "The Boy Who Cried Wolf!" you will understand my concern.  I earlier told you about Grandpa getting a haircut last week.  Shaving is another OUCH experience for him and this morning I encountered another situation that has me beginning to worry about rather or not I am hurting him or he is just my "drama king" who can't be taken too serious.  For years he has had really terrible toenail fungus.  We have been to a foot doctor and I have recently used an over the counter anti-fungal medication to try and get it in check.  Unfortunately, over the years several of his toenails have gotten misshapen and so I decided this morning it was time to try and do a little toe clipper surgery to at least relieve his discomfort.  Oh my goodness!  Before the clipper even touched his toe he was yelling that I was hurting him.  I kept saying that he was okay and I was only cutting the toe nail--not his skin.  Little did that help.  Sometimes the reality of my care giving experience is that you have to become a little callous in dealing with uncomfortable situations.  For grandpa it is--showers, haircuts, shaving, dressing, undressing, going to the restroom, going to the store, toe nail clipping...to mention just a few.  Don't worry this wolf (ME) won't eat him up and the sheep will be okay--but I wish I could convince him to find a new fable!

Birthday Pictures

Jane-11 years old

Duncan-9 years old

Graham-2 years old

New Table!

Aunt Angela took me for a pedicure and then dinner while Uncle Andy stayed with Grandpa.  While we were out we browsed through the Ashley Furniture store and I found a table that I had seen the year before.  Even better it was on clearance so now we have a new dining room set.  I especially like it because it is bar height so it is easy for me and for grandpa to sit on and even easier to get up when we are done with dinner.

Duncan Family Reunion

 So glad some of our family was able to attend the Gerlene and Louis Duncan family reunion in June.  It was nice to know that cousins were able to spend time with each other.  We sure have some tall grandsons!

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As I grew older I thought the best part of my life was over...

then I was handed my first grandchild and realized the

 best part of my life had just begun!

Too Cute!

Sometimes you just have to share cute pictures!

Smile Graham!

Oldest and Youngest Grandsons

Our little model!

It was Hawaiian Day at the Whitney's House

Burke and his new buddy!

Who keeps saying we're having fun?

Lincoln Did It!

Lincoln has worked on earning the Super Nova award for over a year.  It is a special award that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Although the scouting program will end for our family it has been wonderful seeing all of the amazing things our grandsons have done during their time in Scouts.  Good job Lincoln!  It was especially nice to hear of the support that Lincoln's mentor continually gave to him during the process. 

4th of July

I have to admit that our opportunities to see fireworks while sitting on the banks of the St. Charles river in Boston, on the beach at Waikiki while on vacation in Hawaii, and at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, and of course in Lehi, Utah during our family reunion many years ago, makes it kind of hard to appreciate our local fireworks.  In spite of that I have loved receiving pictures of some of the activities that our family enjoyed on this monumental celebration of the birth of our country.

While Perry worked at the Stadium of Fire celebration in Provo
he met up with friends from Apple Valley.  Perry and Wolfgang
both recently returned from their missions in France and Kentucky

How can you have the 4th of July without an all-American Apple Pie?

Gathered on the curb to enjoy the fireworks in Gilbert with friends and neighbors.

Part of the ward float in the Lehi Parade

The theme:  The Good Old Days!

Creative July 4th Dessert at work

Waiting for the fireworks to begin at 
Thanksgiving Point

Family Hike in the Mountains by Mount Baden Powell

Cute Birthday Theme

I love the party idea that Amy and the girls
came up with for Graham's 2nd birthday.
Sharks and Fish!

Some Swimming and Some Sweating!

 The girls and Will enjoyed our community swimming pool while they were here.  Bill joined in and provided us some entertainment with his synchronized swimming (sorry--no picture of that!)  While they were enjoying the cool waters Ellis went down the hill to a Jujitsu tournament.  He definitely held his own at this tournament and earned a Silver medal for his effort.

The Hair Cut

I am grateful that hair grows pretty slow!  It took me two days of trying but I managed to get Grandpa into the Barber Shop yesterday and you would be so proud of me because I didn't say--"Shave it all off!"  When you have someone who has Alzheimer's you have to be very creative in everything that needs to happen.  The first day I made the mistake of telling Grandpa that we were going to the Barber Shop so he could get his hair cut.  Bad idea!  All the way there he kept telling me that he wasn't going to get his hair cut and that he wouldn't go in.  When we got there the shop had several people waiting so I just turned around and we went back home.  I tried again that afternoon and he was even more determined that no one was going to cut his hair.  When we got there--it was closed so I turned around and headed home.  In spite of that he kept saying all the way home, "I don't want to get my hair cut!"  Day two I was much more creative.  First a trip to the donut shop for an apple fritter and then a little drive.  He asks,  "Where are we going?" I respond,  "Just taking a little ride and you should just look around at all the interesting things on our way!" I took the long back roads through Apple Valley until we got almost to the Barber Shop and then I tell him.  "We are going to the Barber Shop and although you don't want to go--you are going!"  "And, I added, you are going to behave yourself!"  Why didn't I think of that the first time!?

I have to admit that the owner of the shop smiled several times at some of the comments Grandpa made during the torturous time in the barber chair.  The last time I took him in which was a couple of months ago we got a new barber who looked like she may have been sixteen years old.  I determined that we wouldn't use her again because she was way to slow!  Fortunately, I am a big chicken and didn't want to hurt her feelings so we ended up back in her chair.  She remembered Grandpa and really kicked it up a notch and we were in and out pretty quickly.  Honestly, you would think that every hair on his head had nerves.  He said, "Ouch" with each shave and cut she took.  She tried to get him to tilt his head down so she could shave his neck and that definitely brought resistance!  I finally had to hold his head down until she had it all shaved and clean.  I was so grateful to get him out of the shop and back into the car.  I told him his hair looked so nice and his response came as no surprise--"I don't want to get my hair cut again!"

The End!

I have been in a slump for a while and yesterday in the middle of a project I was working on I thought, "I feel good today!"  So I am here to say--The End.  I have much to be thankful for and it is too easy to minimize everything good in life when you forget to remember!  I am now in the process of digging myself out of the hole I apparently crawled into.  I will do that a little each day until I am standing by the side of that deep hole and can remind myself that it is always better to be on top.  The effort of climbing out is in itself a wonderful feeling!