It's Great to be a Grandma

It is great to be a Grandma. 
TODAY:  I called my sister who said with excitement in her voice, "Guess who is here!"  Of course, the answer is: Grandchildren!!!!!!!!!
TODAY: 5 year old Micah called on the phone, from Utah, "Hi. Grandma, I want to invite you to my Kindergarten graduation."  Of COURSE!  I will zoom Thither and Yon for you my darling.  But, can I really?  I want to!!!!!!!!! UTAH!!!!!!!!!
TODAY: Shannon is asking if we can babysit the weekend of their anniversary!!!!!!!!YES!!! I will.  Oh, dear can I?  Well, I hope so.
TODAY: Rebecca needs help planning Italia's baptism.  "Could you come earlier than you are planning to help me get organized?"  YES!!!!!!! Oh.  Wait.  Can I?
TODAY:  I will take a NAP.
Meanwhile let me introduce you to my adorable Grandson, Cooper, aka Indiana Jones.  He is 4.  Don't mess with him.

April in Utah

Another Catch Up post for me.  Seems I am always behind on my posts.  Since I am probably the one who enjoys my blog the most...why apologize?  I am perfectly happy to read my 'old stories'.

The first weekend of April Craig and I drove to Utah.  Sunday we were at Joel's house watching General Conference with his family.

Craig and Micah played Conference Bingo

 Makayla and I made paper flower streamers for her bedroom

 Jeff joined us for the day

We celebrated Joel's birthday.  We all benefited from the delicious meals Lori made him for breakfast and dinner.  His birthday cake was bread pudding made with homemade bread.  Yumm.

Driving through Brigham on our way to visit Craig's Mother

 We spotted a temple in construction

 Sweet Mom.  Even though a fair amount of her memory has been erased by a stroke ( she thinks she is 105 years old) she still has her pleasant ways.

On the way to the zoo one day we drove right past Kelli's work!  So, we stopped to surprise her.

This was the ONE beautiful non rainy day of our trip. Weren't we fortunate?

 Micah dares to drink water

 Makayla and I spent a long time looking at the butterfly exhibit.  They are gorgeous.  Heavenly Father had fun creating these beauties.  There were red, white and blue ones.  Every color combination imaginable.  This one was neon.

Grandpa took the kids to the dollar store.

If you are a princess looking for a dress for the ball you would shop at Bliss.  This store sent Makayla and I into dithers. 

 We made Snow cones from SNOW!

It feels sad to pack up the house Craig's Mom has lived in for 60 years.  We spent much of our time during this trip deciding what to do with her belongings.  Some of them came home with us.  Craig is a super duper packer. 

 On the way to and from Utah we stayed with Sherrie and Reg in their 'mansion'. They hate to have it called that but a fact is a fact.  It was wonderful to see them and Jim and Nancy.  We ate together, caught up on all our families, talked about the pitiful state of our government, ate together, and laughed.  It was ...did I say we ate together?...such fun.
  We have been friends with Reg and Sherrie for 30 years! 

I wish I had a photo of Nancy.  When we were together I couldn't find my camera!!!

Button Busting

Craig and I had a 'Button Busting' experience yesterday.  Our daughter, Kelli, received the prestigious "Excellence in Clinical Dietieics' award from the California Dietetics Association.  !!!!!

Since we had our girl for the entire day we strolled about the Huntington Library which was nearby.

 A great day indeed!

Lura Dear

The month of April is zooming by.  Shortly after my last post Craig and I went to Utah for 10 days.  Our trip was well timed for we were able to visit Lura in the hospital 3 times.

This is a photo of her  in ICU.  During our trip she was moved to PCU.  Now she is in a Rehab Center.  Lura has been the recipient of many miracles.  We are grateful that she has survived this horrific accident.  She has enjoyed the vast amount of cards and gifts she has received.  This is a picture of a small amount of them.

Can you believe that a woman with a crushed rib cage can stand upright and walk?  Torture!

I don't recall the name of this sweet nurse.  She stayed and visited for awhile.  While Lura dozed off the nurse told me that Lura is a delightful patient.  She described a recent patient who was less injured than Lura but terribly crabby.  Because Lura is such a lovely lady the nurse found herself wanting to serve her in ways that were beyond her duties because they were appreciated.  That morning she had washed Lura's hair.  She confided in me that she would never have offered the other patient such a service.  Notice the smile on Lura's face. Which of these 2 ladies is an Angel?

Our last visit with Lura found her in PCU rather than ICU.  Here she is enjoying opening yet one more gift from Jan.

Sitting at her feet are our men.  John is miserable.  Can't tell by looking but, his entire body is in pain.  Isn't it amazing that smiles can be found on the faces of the suffering? 

If it were not for the Atonement there would be no smiles.  We smile because of Him.

Because of Him there is Goodness, Kindness, Hope, Healing, Forgiveness, and Love.  Because of Him we can Rejoice Evermore.

Catch Up

Thank you for the prayers in behalf of the loved one's mentioned in the last post.

Dean is receiving further medical procedures that should increase the ability of his heart to pump.

Lura's serious issues vary from day to day.  We are filled with hope for her continued recovery.  She is rather famous at the hospital for not only surviving 14 broken ribs and a sternum but receiving the most mail.!

Here are a few items I am behind on:

St. Patrick's Day Dinner

Corbin is a baseball player 

 

The Young Adults took celebrating Relief Society's birthday, Literally!

My new guns!  

One contains white vinegar the other hydrogen peroxide. 

Together they are 10x more powerful.  

What do they do, you ask?  

KILL GERMS on food or surfaces.  Inexpensive AND safe.

Where did all those napkins go I was storing in the glove box?

They were sucked into the air conditioning.  

Ahh.  So, that is why it blew pitifully lately.

Dear Shirley.  Happy Birthday. 

She is my wise and loving counselor in Relief Society.  

We had a lovely luncheon at my home for her.

 Jan's father has been having serious heart issues.  He has received medical attention including hospital procedures, Rx and tender loving care from his wife.  Although blood flow to the heart has been restored he is not thriving.  It is disconcerting to know that he is suffering.  On top of his health problems he is afraid to die.  Isn't that an awful combination?  Dean does not believe in God.  He   thinks that death is obliteration.  Pain and Suffering and Fear.  I feel so sorry for him. If I believed what he believes I would be terrified too.

Jan and I would like to ask you to pray for him and for his wife Johnny. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the car John and Lura were in.  Isn't it just awful?

 Sweet Lura is asking for our prayers too.  She has more broken ribs than any doctor at the Regional hospital have ever seen on a person that was still alive.  Her situation is very sensitive.  Early tomorrow morning the daily chest X-ray will disclose if there is too much fluid which will necessitate an extremely painful procedure in which a tube will be inserted to her lungs to drain them.  Lura plans on hiding so they can't find her.  I don't blame her.