Update

I had been meaning to give an update on dad for a couple of days but this morning the reason for waiting became more apparent.  At about 4:45 a.m. I woke to dad putting the covers back so he could get up.  I assumed he was going to the bathroom.  The next thing I hear is a huge bang and fall.  I started to get up and again the same thing happened.  I told him to stay down while I came over and I turned on the light to find him laying on the ground.  He couldn't tell me what happened and when I tried to get him up he said he hurt and couldn't help me.  I realized that I couldn't do it by myself and got the phone to call 911.  As I started to call he had a seizure (not as intense as his previous one) and began to jerk and shake and his eyes rolled back in his head.  The paramedics were here in about 10 minutes.  It took four of them to lift him and get him back in bed.  There is no visible sign of injury and he has been asleep since they left.  This is kind of what happened the first time.  He had no recollection of what had happened and then slept for several hours afterwards. 

I don't know what any of this means.  Once he wakes up I will have more information about rather he can stand and move around.  In the final stages of the disease they do forget how to walk and I don't know if this is the beginning or if it is a fluke.  I'm hoping for the fluke.  With the exception of what happened this morning he has been doing pretty good.  I do see some limited abilities but nothing severe.  He basically sits on the couch much of the time and still paces around the house like before.  He doesn't remember how to go to the bathroom from either direction now but if I pay close attention I can get him into the restroom before any accidents.  He eats pretty well most of the time and his anger level is almost gone.  He still is a loud talker (yeller!) but not because he is upset of anything like that.  I realized this morning while I was laying beside him watching him breathe that it is probably time to call for information on getting prepared for extra help before to much longer.  The paramedics asked if I wanted to have him go to the hospital but I declined.  I already know what they will say and eventually the only thing we can do is keep him safe and comfortable. 

Temple

I was able to attend the temple this morning with these two beauties.  While I did an endowment session they were able to go to the baptistry and do proxy baptisms for some of our deceased family members.  It was a beautiful sight to finish up and walk out to see both girls sitting together waiting for me to join them.

Quote

You are free to choose, 

but you are not free from the 

consequences of your choice.

CA Duncan's Weekend

What a great experience Caleb and Ava got to have with their parents this weekend.  They were able to go to the Oakland Temple open house.  Before they went there they went to a Botanical garden in Berkeley and had lunch at a Brazilian restaurant.  At the Oakland temple there was a long line but Ava came prepared with some talks about temples and her journal to record her feelings.  Uncle Andy said they showed a video about the purpose of temples before they went into the actual tour. After the tour they went to a look-out area on the temple grounds where they were able to see the San Francisco Bay.  He said everything was beautiful.  I loved hearing about their trip because that is where your Great Uncle Bill and Aunt Bev were married. 

Banana Slug!

Quilting Lesson #1!

I have been quilting for years and I really enjoy it but quilting by hand got to be more than I wanted to do because my fingers were basically useless for a week afterwards.  I wanted to learn how to quilt on the sewing machine and when we moved here I found two quilt tops I had put together before our mission.  I would try my hand at it.  I learned some things that I think are good life lessons and wanted to share them with you.

Learn from others who know how!  How hard could it be to sew a quilt together with a sewing machine?  Not that easy I found out.  Although the quilt looked passable I knew it should be better.  I did my second one and again I didn't improve and the quilt left much to be desired.  So I decided that maybe I should look on Pinterest and see if there were tips.  There were--lots of them!
If I would have started doing it with instructions and tips my quilting project would have been so much better from the beginning.

That is how life is.  There is so much available to make our journey in life less fraught with mistakes if we will acknowledge we don't know everything and second guessing ourselves through life doesn't always prove to be a great way to learn.  Each of you have parents who can share with you what they have learned that might help you course correct before you are climbing out of a hole you put yourself in.  If you haven't figured it out yet each of you have parents who are your biggest cheerleaders and parents who love you unconditionally.  Rely on them to help you through any challenge that you face.  Remember that Heavenly Father put a Prophet and apostles on the earth right now to help us make this journey.  He did it from the beginning and he continues to give us guidance through them because he wants us to choose the right and eventually return to live with Him.  He also provided a Savior so that when mistakes are made there is a way for redemption.  It is never to late to course correct!  Lastly, read the directions.  The Bible and the Book of Mormon gives us directions of what we need to do.  In them you see example after example of people who made good choices and those who did not.  Take time to read from the scriptures each day and talk to Heavenly Father and share with him how you feel, what you need, and what you will do so you can have a guided life.  The end results will be so worth it!

Picnic

We enjoyed a picnic lunch with the Whitney's today.  Believe it or not it was about 76 degrees and for here that is pretty unusual.  Had a nice time with our family on this Memorial Day!

My Entertainer

What Graham wants, Graham gets!  That's my philosophy about this sweet little guy.  Last night he asked for chocolate milk and I poured him a cup.  He then asked me to take his picture upside down.  I'm not sure why but the best I could do is take the picture and then edit it with him upside down!  He definitely entertains me whenever he is around.  He was over on Thursday and had asked for a cup of mini marshmallows.  I gave him some and a little later I asked him if he wanted more.  He looked into his cup and then looked at me and said, "No, they are still alive."  He cracks me up!

Company!

It was a wonderful to have Erik and Brooke Palmquist and their families over for dinner.  In the small world we live in Eric and Sonia live in the same stake as we do.  They had moved from North Edwards to Gilbert last April.  We met again in December when Erik came over to tell me that his mom has passed away.  It has been wonderful to reconnect.  Brooke and Emily came over from North Edwards and we had everyone over for dinner.  It was so much fun to reconnect and reminisce.  I loved seeing the children playing and enjoying each others company while the adults talked and laughed together about old and new times. 

Erik, Sonia, and their youngest son

Jane always loves it when someone is willing to
play a board game with her

 

Erik and Sonia's son and Duncan

Duncan and Erik's youngest son

Brooke and Amy and her youngest son

Best Sister

Jane invited a friend over and they decided to make a camping trip for Graham, Eden, and Duncan.  Jane and Meg did an awesome job.  I especially loved the marshmallows!  Imagination is wonderful!

Cacti Project!

Each summer Aunt Amy has a special summer project with your Whitney cousins.  This year her theme is "Stick to it!" and she decided to have the cactus be the reminder for them.  I got to help with some of the projects and this was the one I enjoyed a lot.  She drew the cactus and then I did the rest when her two little ones came down with the flu.  I thought they turned out really great.

Quote

Modesty isn't about hiding

your body, it's about

revealing your dignity.

Author Unknown

Impressive!

Today Lincoln completed his 125th merit badge.  There are 137 badges that can be earned.  Pretty impressive Grandson!

My Candy Man

You've heard about how much Grandpa likes ice cream and he still does.  But now he has added another sweet treat to his favorites list.  I am fascinated by this interesting development.  For months I have kept candy in the container by the couch and he didn't seem that interested in it.  But about two weeks ago he has become a regular candy man.  Jelly beans, Jordan almonds, and now peanut M&Ms disappear almost as fast as I put them in the jar.  Grandpa has never been a sweet eater until now and I think he is just making up for lost time!  Grandpa is just full of surprises!

Ellis's Mission Area

For those of you haven't heard Ellis (aka Elder Duncan)  is now serving in his first area of his mission.  He is assigned to serve in St. John's Newfoundland.  Besides freezing he loves the area!

St. John's, Newfoundland

His first iceberg!

The Fairy Queen

Abby performed in the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.  She played the part of Titania, the fairy queen.  My grandkids are impressing me like crazy!  Thanks for sharing the pictures Abby!  So proud of you.

I Hope You Know

Dear Grandchildren,

Today you have the opportunity to honor your mother and hopefully spend a great deal of time making it special for her.  In case you don't know how lucky you are I'd like to take a minute to tell you a few things.  I can do this because I have known them longer than you!  I will start with the mother I have known the longest, Aunt Amy.  I loved my boys but when I was pregnant with our fourth child I prayed that I would have a girl.  This was a very earnest prayer because I knew that the pregnancy would be our last.  When they told me that I had a girl I was happy beyond words.  That pink bundle of joy brought a softness into our home and blessed each of us.  The next mother I met was Aunt Cathy.  I saw her the first time when Uncle Bill was called to be a counselor in the Bishopric in the single adult ward.  I knew she was going to be ours even before she or Uncle Bill did.  Next to come into our family was Aunt Angela.  I still remember the first time I saw her because as she and Uncle Andy walked towards us I saw a beautiful woman who was the perfect match for our son.  Next came Aunt Becky.  Uncle Ben continually surprised me but when I saw them together and the confidence they exhibited with each other I knew that she was going to be ours.  Now these many years later I still feel the same way--I have been blessed to have four amazing women who I can call daughters and you get to call mom.

I hope you understand that every decision that your mothers have made from the day each of you were born has been to be your champion and cheerleader.  You each have a mother who strives to be educated, capable, and dedicated.  You have mothers who serve in their homes and who serves the Savior by raising a generation of excellence.  Thankfully, I have such smart grandchildren who are living up to that expectation.  What a blessing these four women have been to me.  I have so often been in awe of all they do and what they accomplish.  How grateful I am that I have been able to have their wonderful examples of service and love especially now that I have the opportunity to serve and care for Grandpa.  Lance Concord wrote, "I can imagine no heroism greater than motherhood."  I can't either.  Tell you mom today and every day how blessed you are because she is your mom!
Love, Grandma

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Birthday Becky!

Beauty & the Beast

Aunt Amy came over and stayed with Grandpa so I could go to Jane's play at her school.  I had no idea that she was one of the main characters.  She did such a good job and the play was really well done, especially for 5/6th graders.  Thank you Amy for letting me have some time to enjoy this special play.  I have to admit I wanted to stand up and yell--That's my granddaughter!

 

Award!

This beauty had been selected to participate in a special program at Arizona State University  because of her leadership qualities.  Tonight she received an award for it.

Look What He Did With Me!

On Sunday I had the BYU channel on in the morning and I listened to a talk given at a BYU Devotional by Elder Don R. Clarke.  In the talk he said he was working on a personal history and had a chapter about his wife entitled--look what she did with me. He was speaking of his wife but I started to think about what my life was because I married your grandpa.  I still smile as I write my thoughts because I know that falling in love with Grandpa changed my life.  And the changes have been wonderful.  I remember when he asked me to dance at a YSA activity (not what it was called back in our day!).  For just a few minutes we chatted and I smiled because he was so serious when I jokingly asked him if he was related to the people who made the cake mix Duncan-Hines or the Duncan Yo-yo.  He proceeded to tell me a little of the history of how the Duncan's came to be.  Grandpa was always a fish out of water around people but he really stretched himself to be a part of the group and interact with everyone.  I think he decided to marry me because he felt comfortable to ramble on and I honestly was so in awe of how smart he was that I didn't mind.  Sometimes people say that girls marry someone like their father.  In my case that was far from the truth.  I loved my dad and grew to understand him and appreciate the struggles that made him do some of the things he did but I knew I didn't want to be married to someone like him.  Your grandpa was a polar opposite.  He was patient.  He was a gospel scholar.  He struggled to make decisions and honored me by listening to my advice and acting on the ideas I shared with him.  He made me a better parent because of the way he loved your mom and dads.  Often my dad's temper was evidenced in my reaction to misbehavior but grandpa was the epitome of patience and kindness.  He would sit for hours to read, or help with homework, or encourage and share his beliefs and his belief in his children.  I had never had that experience and I learned from him what a loving parent should do.

I feel sad sometimes that the younger grandchildren won't get to know Grandpa the way some of the older ones did.  In spite of that your grandpa has left a legacy of hard work, serving honorably in any assignment that he is given.  He wasn't always treated fairly in some of his jobs but he never stopped showing respect to those he worked with.  He was willing to take a chance and went back to school in his 50's to become a teacher.  He never quit learning.  Alzheimer's disease may have taken grandpa's memories away but I am so grateful I still have all of them.  And those memories are the greatest blessing that I have.  What did grandpa do with me--he made me better than I was!

O Canada!

Ellis arrived at the mission home today.  Excited to hear all about the area he will be serving in.  This is his new mission president and his wife, President Richard and Sister Gayle Low.  They are going to love having Ellis!

Free Cuddles

I have a special treat for anyone who comes to visit us.  Duncan would love to snuggle any time you need a little extra love!

Cinco de Mayo

I had so much fun getting everything ready for the Cinco de Mayo celebration with the Whitneys.  A bonus was that Uncle Bill and Aunt Bev joined us!  The pinata at the end was a big hit--literally!