Manzanar

I think all teenagers should visit historical sites whenever they are able.  It is a good reminder of the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly of our history in the United States.  I took Katie to visit the Manzanar Museum in the Owen Valley by Independence, California.  There are never any great answers to why certain things happen and I felt so sad for those families who were relocated.  I also felt so impressed by the quality of each of them to take a bad situation and make it work because of their wonderful efforts.

One of the many displays

Flags from the other internment camps

Mural with the names of those who were there.

The original cemetery for those who had died while interred.

Manzanar Memorial

The Cedar City Temple

Katie's Here!

I had always wanted to have the grandkids come and spend time with us but it never worked out.  While on our mission Rachel came to see us (dream come true!) and now Katie is here.  We love having her in our home and hope to do many fun things while she is here.  Our trip from Lehi was nice because we were able to stop in Cove Fort and take a quick walk around.

Katie's New Friend

Provo Temple

When Bill graduated from Law School at BYU the program was held in the Provo Tabernacle.  Now that same building has been  renovated and is now the City Center Temple.  We took a trip over to see it while we visited in Utah last week.  It is truly a beautiful building and adds so much to the main street in downtown Provo.

City Center Temple

Beautiful!

Another Challenge

On Wednesday the phone rang and I answered.  It was the doctor.  He called because Scott's test results came him.  He started out letting me know that most of the results were good but unfortunately one of the tests shows that Scott has prostate cancer.  He wants me to take him to the urologist so on Monday we go back to the regular local doctor who will set up an appointment with the urologist.  What does all this mean? I have no idea but it certainly isn't something I can say--"oh no you don't!"   I haven't told Scott any of this yet and I don't even know if he will understand what this means.  Life is just so interesting around here!

A New Normal

I talked earlier about Scott's need for a shower at different times and last night I realized that there are many changes that are coming about which has me sometimes smiling and sometimes crying.  Before this new experience began I could set a clock by Scott when it came to habits.  At 9 p.m. each night he would start walking down the hall for bed and within minutes he I could hear him snoring away.  At 6 a.m. each morning he would be on his knees in prayer before taking his shower.  Dinner needed to be ready before 6 o'clock or he was in a meltdown!  Since we have been home and now dealing with the realities of Alzheimer's things have changed.  He sleeps so poorly now that I have really tried to keep him up at least until 10 p.m. thinking that that will help him sleep through the night, which doesn't work, but it was worth a try.  We had a busy Friday and at 8:30 he went in and got his pajamas on and headed to bed at 9 although I did try to keep him up a little longer.  From the time he went to bed until I followed at 11:00 he got up three times to ask me if he should go to bed.  When I got into bed at 11 he was asleep but as hard as I tried to be quiet he woke up and got up to use the bathroom.  Three more times from 11 to 11:30 he got up and went to the bathroom. Finally at 11:30 I heard the shower turn on.  That is our new normal!  Once he came back to bed I was able to fall asleep and slept until 4:30 when he got out of bed to use the restroom.  He came back and I asked if he was alright and he said he couldn't find the bathroom so I got out of bed and took him.  He came back to bed and then within five minutes he got up four more times each time telling me he couldn't find the restroom. Trying to be kind and patient I told him that he needed to stay in bed.  That became the next challenge because he tossed and turned so much that I no longer had covers so I got up and got a small blanket so I could sleep.  That worked for about 15 minutes and then he took the top sheet and handed it to me and was so wrapped up in the bedspread that he couldn't get comfortable.  I gave up and at 5 a.m. I had him get out of bed and sit on a chair while I remade the bed.  There is a happy ending!  We both fell asleep and slept until almost 7:00.  HOORAY!!!

Meet Penny!

Bill and Bev added a dog to their household.  He looks like a wonderful addition to their family!