Happy Birthday Angela!

Quote

                    Happiness will never come to those                                      who fail to appreciate                              what they already have.

Update

It has been a while since I did an update on Dad.  On Friday afternoon we went to our new primary care doctor for the incidental things that need to be taken care of outside of dad's Alzheimer needs.  It went as expected.  The person who recommended him said he was very knowledgeable about the disease and she was right.  Everyone who worked with dad was very patient and calm which made it easier to deal with his anxiety.  He explained to me what I had already been told by our neurologist and urologist.  Dad's care would be for comfort and pain control but nothing more would be done to prolong life when the time comes that he is no longer able to function.   No blood work was done because of that but I, on the other hand, will be given all the different tests as a starting point to monitor my health.  His comment to me was that I need to take care of myself so I can take care of dad the way I want to.  I appreciate that.  Even better they have a lab on site so all of the work can be done right there.  They have also set us up with a nurse who I can contact any time any questions come up and she will make the recommendations as to care for comfort that we can give him.  He weighed 133 lbs and I'm not willing to share my weight with anyone!  I told the doctor that I think that he eats about 1/4 cup of food at each meal and sometimes less depending on what I put before him.  I talked to him about the M & Ms and his response was "let him eat all the candy he wants!" Needless to say he didn't offer me the same option!

This month we had wonderful visitors from California, Sierra Vista, Virginia, North Dakota and of course, Gilbert.  It was such a treat for me and although I know it is a little overwhelming for dad today he came in and said to me, "all those people that come are such nice people!"  I feel the same way.  What would I do without the wonderful family who touch bases throughout the week? Who have given up their time to come and visit us.  Amy thanks me all the time for moving here so she gets to see all of you more often!  I have so appreciated the company and the confusion when everyone is playing and talking and laughing and some times screaming.  It has lifted my spirits!  I can't thank Amy enough for helping with the local trips and dinners, and activities to hopefully make some good memories while company is here.

On a closing note I'd like to share a sweet experience we had at the barber shop.  Thank heavens dad's hair grows very slow.  I think the poor barber gave the fastest hair cut of his career and the whole time dad was trying to get up, pushing the barber's hand away and loudly proclaiming that he hated the whole business!  Everyone around seem to take it in stride and when we got outside the owner followed us out of the barbershop.  He originally gave me his daughter's name for care information and she came and met with me about a month ago.  He gave me his card with his phone number on it and said when I was ready for another haircut I was to call him and he would come to our house and see if that is any easier for him.  I'm not sure that dad will do any better at home but I'm sure his customers won't mind!  I love kind people!!!

Project

I have been putting together a new centerpiece for the table and another display for our island in the kitchen.  I loved how they turned out and wanted to share them with you.  Thank you Ruth for doing my chalkboard signs!

Temple to Temple Run!

Katie, Uncle Bill, Abby and Will participated in a 5 K run as part of the Pioneer Day celebration.  Each of them were to put the name of an ancestor they were running for.  Will chose his Great-great grandfather William James Hickey.  I love that!  Abby chose her Grandpa Allred!

Utah Duncans

Uncle Bill, Katie and Abby were able to go to Salt Lake and see the floats in the pioneer parade for the celebration of the pioneers coming to the Salt Lake Valley.  This is a picture of their favorite float which was done with an origami theme.

Lincoln

Yesterday Lincoln received his patriarchal blessing as many of you have.  I read this quote today by President Monson and I thought I would share it as a reminder of the purpose of this specific blessing that is given to each individual.

Your patriarchal blessing will see you through your darkest night, it will guide you through life's dangers...Your patriarch blessing is to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way.

Camp Lo Mia!

Ruth and Jane just finished their girls camp in Payson, Arizona.  Special for me because they went to the same girl's camp that I went to when I was a girl!  The one difference was every year I went I got so homesick but they both had a great time and a special treat because Aunt Amy went with them as the Stake Camp Photographer!  I have to compliment Uncle Christian who stayed behind, took time off from work, and took care of the little ones!  I even offered to come and help out but he assured me that he was doing okay and it was true.  Aunt Amy said everything was great when they got home.  A most embarrassing moment story happened when he took the kids to the library and Graham who is in "big boy" pants again (and doing very well--most of the time) left behind some pooh-pooh in the library!  While he was cleaning up Graham the librarian custodian put up the hazardous waste sign and cleaned up what Graham left behind.  In another week I will be sharing some pictures from Ava's girls camp experience!

California Duncans

Perry met up with his family at Sonora Bridge camping grounds just north of Mono Lake.  Perry was coming home for a week vacation with his family before he heads back to work and school.  Uncle Andy said it was a great place with Jeffrey Pines all around and close to a river.  The next morning they went to Mono Lake.  He said at the lake you could see the tufa spires that it is known for.  They went to the other side of the lake and were able to go kayaking.  While there they saw ospreys that were tending nests, Perry saw a snake, they saw flocks of phalaropes flying around them and brine flies on the shore.  They visited the visitors center and had a picnic lunch.  They came back to Clovis through Yosemite and were able to see Bridal Veil falls and El Capitan.  As you can see they had a nice Saturday to begin Perry's vacation with them.

Sonora Bridge

Caleb carrying his load

Utah Duncans!

Will and Abby had a great time at the Aquarium today.             

Penguins

Happy Birthday Andy!

Virginia & Arizona!

Faith

Ava texted me to tell me she had completed the Faith requirement for her Personal Progress.  As part of that she made this sculpture of pioneers crossing the plains coming to Utah.  Great job Ava.  I hope you continue to work on sculpting.  You are doing such a good job of developing your talents.

Quilts

I wanted to share the latest quilts I have made.  I found an organization to donate them to!  Bill had sent me a link for humanitarian services available through the church.  In the process I saw on the Church website Just Serve.  You type in your area code and they give you a list or programs that are requesting help.  I was able to find a program called Hushabye Nursery.  This program is an intermediate residential medically observed recovery center in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.  It was founded due to the emerging crisis of substance abused infants.  This was close to my heart after having Brooke Palmquist here with three of her sisters' children who were addicted to drugs when they were born and now Brooke has adopted them.  The co-founder also said they need twin sized quilts for the caregivers who stay with the babies at night so I am going to try to make some of those in the coming months.  Tomorrow I will drop off 12 baby quilts.  I am so excited!

Cousins

We have had two wonderful weeks of family.  Last week Caleb and Ava came for a visit and had a great time with their Whitney cousins.  This week it was interesting to meet two of Great Uncle Bill and Aunt Bev's grandkids Amy and Calvin David who were spending a few weeks with them.  They were two super nice kids and the Whitney kids did a great job of making them feel welcome.

Happy Birthday to You!

19 looks good on you sweet Katie!

Happy Birthday G-daughter!

Katie

is

19 Years Old

today!

Eat Chicken!

The Whitney's enjoyed lunch at Chick-fil-A today. 
Everyone dressed in a cow costume were able to
enjoy a free entree and so the Whitney's
dressed up and enjoyed their chicken nuggets!

Quote

"If you feel a little overwhelmed, take that as a good sign.  It indicates that you can sense the magnitude of the trust God has placed in you."

President Henry B. Eyring

Happy Birthday Bill!

Never Gets Old!

Whenever any of you grandkids visit you always touch my heart when you pull out your scrapbook or one of the other cousins books to see what I've added or to be reminded of what memories you have made.  I truly get emotional when that happens.  I am so glad you enjoy my "labor of love" as much as I do.

Saturday Activities with Cousins!

 Had a great time with the California Duncans and the Whitneys.  Lunch at Someburro Mexican Restaurant, a visit to the Heard Museum, and an afternoon at a great water park.  It was so nice having family come for a visit!