Happy Halloween!

I have been lamenting that I am not a very good grandma. I should have had a Halloween party for the grandkids and should have sent a package to the ones that live away, I didn't do anything. Christie told me I need to lower my expectations or quit work. I don't do either, I just feel guilty! We should have pizza and root beer at our home on Halloween if anyone wants to come by. We would love to see everyone in their costumes. One of the highlights of this week was going to see Isaac's football game on Friday night. It was their last game of the season and they won! It was freezing so we all huddled under the blankets. Kristy had the camera so we didn't get pictures of her or Tom--who was in shorts! It was fun though to be with them. Isaac is #93. For some reason this picture transferred sideways and I can't get it to turn. Except I got my awesome son John to fix it and he is my favoirte child. When we got there the kids all came running over to give us hugs. That was the best! We hadn't seen them since we had tended them the weekend. Laura cut dad's and my hair this Friday, so we thank her. I love to get that grey covered up! Dad is doing great. He had that one job and then got a second one. He did great both days. He uses his upper body to get the rest of him in the dump truck and tractor. He was late to physical therapy that one day so he drove his truck/tractor/trailer ensemble and parked it in the handicap spaces. I'm sure it made quite the impression This was the first time in a month that he has had work so we are really grateful and grateful he was able to do it. We got to go to see Jenna and Nicole's primary program today and that was fun. Those girls know all the songs and did so well on their parts. We were proud of them. Dad got to go to Isaac and Joshy's primary program also and said they did really well. I was sad I missed it. Jer and Liz bottled hot salsa this year. Jer warned me it is pretty hot. He said Logan loves it though. He asked Jer if he had the hot one or not for dinner one night. When Jer told him it was the hot salsa, he said "Put it on the table" or movie trivia equavilant "bring it on" (Can't remember, Kim, which one) Christie met me at the grocery store so we went shopping. Lately it is the only time we get to see each other or even talk. I am worried her kids won't know me any better than those who live far away. They are going to Darren's mom's home today. Brody called just to chat last week and that is so fun for me. He said they were out of school this week and were planning some fun things. I taught primary today and it was sooooooosos long! The kids were so restlesss. They were good for the first 15 minutes, then it was trying to keep under control. I decided I need tons of activities next time--and they all begged for snacks. I had to pick both Kim's and Christie's brain to get help. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way. Hope all have good week and please come to see us! Love you!

Busy and yet busier!

Life just keeps getting crazier but we do live in hope. This week turned out to be very busy, but a different busy, so it was good. I wanted to record some things before this burned out brain forgets them. I have been extra busy at work because Mirta has been gone for 2 weeks now of her 3 week vacation so I have had to do hers and my work--extra hours, which isn't good except financially. Add that to dad's needs and I have felt stretched. So, when Tom & Kristy asked if we could watch the 3 little girls while they went to Lake Powell for their rotation I was a little worried how things would work out. But, the one thought that just kept coming to me was the counsel by Pres Monson in our last conference--where he said focus on the most important--so I just thought I was taking that to heart and would enjoy our little girls. It was very fun--busy as I said but a different busy and what a great opportunity to be in a one on three situation to get to know them better. When I took them over to the babysitter on Thurs morning, Gracie just cried and clung to me. She had to pry her out of my arms. That made me so sad. But when I went to get them they were all so happy. Liz had relieved the babysitter around 1:00 and had done crafts--goblins, and pudding cups with "dirt & worms" and baked ghosts, etc so they had a fantastic time. We all went back to our house and ate dinner that Kristy had gotten before she left--thank you very much!-- then Liz & I cleaned up and they left and we set about getting a routine--like baths. These are my bathing beauties! Just before bed one of the girls asked me if I had to work tomorrow and when I said no she ran up and gave me a big hug! The next day when they asked if I had to go to work I said no again and both girls started yelling yeah, yeah! and dancing around. Then either Sid or Tay said, Grandma, mommies and grandma's aren't possed to work. It made me sad that I was a working grandma at that point. The girls went on our errand day on Friday. We took grandpa to the PT. Since he had to be there for a couple of hours we went to the store to get his aspirin and we "window shopped" The girls wanted everything and were expert and saying Please, please grandma, I really, really want this or that! They shouldn't be too hard to shop for at Christmas. When we got back we still had quite a wait. They had fun sitting on the pumpkins and running into check on grandpa. We got home, ate lunch and then took grandpa to the dentist. After that they played in the sand box while I did some yard stuff and they had a great time. Next day we went outside again and Zack and JD came over for a little bit while Darren did some things for dad and they had fun with them. The girls entertained themselves really well and loved to write notes. I could tell they are taught in a gospel centered home because Taylor saw a Book of Mormon and that became her book for the two days. She would sit on the fireplace and just "read" and turn pages for the longest time. Her picture turned out blurry but I got this one of the two of them. Then I came around the corner and one of the girls had her hands on top of the others head, then she said "your turn". They told me they were giving each other blessings. You may want to explain a few things to them Tom. It was so fun to be reminded again of the miracle of twins. It is quite remarkable. Here they are doing their dance. They are quite the little dancers. Gracie, I think should be their triplet sister. She wanted to do everything with them. They were pretty sweet with her most of the time. And, she has mastered the peas thing. She said wanna bath, peeeeeeeeeese grama, or nana, peeeeeeeese, or downstairs, peeeeeeeeeese. And, she wouldn't just say it once. She knew she had to fight for her attention so she did. She also loved saying why a lot, but when you explained something--whatever you would say, she would just say Oh! Other than the fact that I am too old to be getting up in the night--Sydney and Gracie knew their way to our bedroom at 5:00 every morning--it was a great experience and I am thankful Tom & Kristy trusted me with them. They said they had a great time. They took Luther with them cause he isn't doing well at all. He has been their family dog since before Isaac so it is pretty sad. I loved reading the blogs from everyone. I haven't been on in over a week, so it was good to get caught up. I wish we could get the others on. Reed and Allyson and fam came for dinner tonight so it was good to see them. Justyn is headed to St George on Friday and Las Vegas on Sat and home again in time for church Sunday. He is part of the marching band even though he is Jr High) and they are doing competitions this weekend. Reed and Allyson just went to ST George Thurs and Fri for a quick getaway. They saw Les Miserable at Tuachan and did some Christmas shopping. Dad is doing great. He made 2 mtgs at church. He has an job tomorrow--I don't know how he can even get into the truck or tractor or how he can put enough pressure on his knees to step on the brake, but he is going to do it anyway. He drove downtown on Sat for a quick errand to make sure he could drive my car. He was getting house-i-tis he said. I am "extremely" worried about this, but he is more stubborn than anyone I know! He says he has to keep this company's business and we really need the money. I can't argue that, but I don't think he is ready. Anyway, that's all I know. Sure love you all! Oh, I got a calling in Primary--I'm excited. It is the 6 year olds. If you have sharing time ideas, pls pass them my way.

Busy!

It has been a busy two weeks! Hopefully the worst is over and things will settle down. Dad has made great progress. He stayed a week at the AF hospital where he made lots of new friends. He actually shuffled fast enough to catch a nurse, then he left her "behind". She was his physical therapist and was a sweetheart. Her name is Suzi, but she reminded me so much of our niece Shami. John, Laura, Christie and children made a visit to the hospital on Sunday and took dad some real food. Between the masks and gloves, they made sure they kept them and everything else sterile. Christie and Lucy came by on Thursday after Lucy's visit to the eye dr. She looks so cute in her glasses and she can see now! Trav and Allison and family got in on Thursday night. They got to be our first house guests. It was so good to visit with them again. They made a visit to grandpa, so the nurses decided they needed a treat. So, on Saturday night we brought grandpa home. Trav went with me to get him so he missed a little of the Priesthood session of conference. The nurse was supposed to wheel him out, but dad decided he wanted to race us and even tried popping a wheely. Sunday was a little hectic around here. I loved having everyone here but we weren't very organized. The house truely got "broke in". I loved seeing the cousins playing together. Jer and Justyn gave me a heart attack when they were playing catch with the football on the deck and on the yard. I swear that a window was going to break! I am pretty distraught about my "mistake"--the sand box. I really wanted a soft area for the kids to play in and have a swing set in, etc but I just don't know about all that sand coming in the house. Tell me what to do! I think the kids loved it. Our little girls were so cute when they kept singing songs for grandpa. He loved it. We also loved having Gary & Millie stop by. It was good to visit with them for a few minutes. (I forgot to take their picture!) Dad is improving each day. He pushes himself (well as long as he has pain pills) because he wants to be done with it and be well. It has been challenging. He hasn't slept well at night. After the first couple of night when we were up so much I told him he reminded me of his mother. Some nights we were up and down 6 to 8 times with her. He has gotten better and actually slept most of the night last night. It has been busy trying to get his breakfast and lunch ready, his water filled, jug emptied, ice machines filled, meds, pillows, books, etc, etc ready before I head out the door at 7:30. Then it repeats itself when I get home at 6:30. Then you add in shower and getting those TED hose on--I did it in less than 5 minutes today--YAHoo. Anyway, Tom has been a huge help! He stops by on his way to work and puts the CPM machines on the bed for dad and gets him anything I have forgotten or anything else he needs. He took him to the Dr in Park City on Tuesday so he could get the stitches out and he will stop by at lunch and after work to help him also. So thank you so much! Jer and John are also helping out with his many to do's on his list. With all the time he has he keeps remembering projects he wants done so he makes lots of requests. Thank you all for helping us. My sister Pam came by to see what I could do with my empty house and walls.(I also forgot to take her picture!) I kept showing her stuff I have collected and I just felt myself getting more and more overwhelmed about this project. It made me feel a tinsy bit better when she said she thought it was pretty overwhelming as well. She's even the expert! I appreciated her coming with her busy schedule--she had like 5 weddings this week and who knows how many funerals will turn up, so it was a sacrifice I know. I wish I had a magic wand that could zap and decorate. Either that or someone that had lots of time and loved to decorate! Dad went to church today and made it through Sacrament mtg. We had to take a pillow for his feet but he will insist I take 2 next week. He says he needs one to sit on. He has graduated to crutches for most of the time. Happy birthday to our little James this week. He is such a cutie--especially since he has finally warmed up to his grandma. And, a very Happy birthday to Tom today! He has been a great son and has taught me so much about love and life. I have loved having the blogs and have been able to get on some of our nieces and nephews and keep in touch with their lives. It is a great communication tool! Today Hope this week finds you all healthy and happy. Much love!