Not Christmas yet!!!

First I want to make it clear that I love Christmas.  It is a great time of year with beautiful lights, music, stories, food, parties, the list goes on...........it is wonderful.  However, I like November and Thanksgiving time as well and I don't like to jump so quickly from one to another.  Up and down our neighborhood, in and out of homes and stores, Christmas is coming without even a backward glance.  It is November still, so one more look at what I am thankful for.

1.  Like Jessica, I am thankful for jobs...that my children have them and that Gary has a job that has supported us as a family for all of these years.  I am grateful that since 1987, he has worked for the same company through changes, reorganizations, and buyouts.  It might not last another year, who knows...but I am so grateful for that  (and I think he likes it most days!  That is a blessing, too.)

2.  Like Scott, I am glad that Jena is doing better even though she still is dealing with the healing process.  I am grateful for health care that gives us options and for priesthood power and blessings that smooth the way.

3.  I am grateful for a spouse who supports me in my passions and children who love me and say I am a good cook (even though we know that isn't true).  It was such a great holiday as they came and went through the weekend to enjoy game playing and conversation  (and left over food, of course),

4.  I am happy that BYU won even though it was not a good game, so I am also glad we didn't have tickets and "enjoyed" it with Gary's mom and take-out Chinese food (isn't there something just fun about take-out Chinese in those containers they show on TV all of the time!)

5.  I am grateful for extended family and friends who watch out for us and have been there through the years.   I am grateful for people who have touched my life in any way, even if for just a moment.

6.  I am grateful for the earth--the beauty, the seasons, flowers, all of it.

Most of all, I am grateful for my testimony of who I am as a daughter of a personal and loving Heavenly Father, that there is a plan for us on this earth and a purpose and meaning for our life experiences.  I am thankful for  a Savior, Jesus Christ, who was provided as part of that plan so that we can repent and change throughout our lives.  I am grateful for living prophets to guide us.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I am thankful that Our Heavenly Father speaks to us through all of the scriptures but that inspiration also comes as a still small voice to lead and guide me individually. 

Take one more look at Thanksgiving before the calendar changes.  Happy November.

Happy Post Thanksgiving Day!!!

We had a quiet Thanksgiving Day....until after 3:00 when the troops began to arrive.  Jessica and then Scott arrived, but at our 4:00 dinnertime, Tosha had still not arrived.  Turned out that she thought dinner was at 6:00 and was spending time with a variety of friends, eating a bit here and there.  She made it just as we were finishing up on our Thanksgiving dinner.

We thought Jena might have a hard time to be around everyone eating things that she couldn't eat, so we decided to have dinner just our family.  I think that it might have been the first time that we ever did that.  We have either been with family or invited guests to join us. 

We did the traditional "things you are grateful for" around the table.  Scott said that he was grateful that Jena was feeling better.  She immediately said, "No....I'm in pain."  She refused to allow Scott to use that for his comment.  I guess that having pain means that she is not "feeling better."  She is so good and rately complains, but it is times like that we realize how tough this has been for her.

After dinner, we had invited Gary's family to join us for games and pie.  It was very fun and I think that we will start it as a regular tradition, especially as we continue to get too big to gather for a meal at someone's house.  We played "Apples to Apples" and "Rage" plus a lot of Wii and pool.  Gary and I didn't get to bed until after 12:00 because we finally got our turn to play archery  (Wii game Resort) and we kept trying to get better.

Today Gary headed out with Jessica at 4:15 a.m. to make a purchase on Black Friday.  As part of Gary's companies new health policies, we decided to get an elliptical so that we can exercise at home.  It was going on sale for $300.00 off.  Then Jessica got an additional coupon at the door for $100.00 off, so they felt like it was well worth the trip (and the lack of sleep!)

So, I spend the day arranging the third bedroom downstairs so now in addition to a guest bedroom, we now have a Mom's office/exercise room...Very nice....I guess extra bedroom are what you get as your children leave home!

Tomorrow is the great game.............................Go, BYU!

Wintery Sunday

Although our Sunday started off sunny and clear, we now have a blanket of snow all over the ground.  For once, they predicted the weather correctly.  This afternoon before the snow fell we had a 5 minute hail storm.  They were very tiny pellets and I went out and caught some in a cup to show Jena.  Jena thought I was funny, dancing in the hail.  It was nothing like the Texas hailstorms we have seen.  I remember once in Plano when we had hail that looked like ice coming from our ice machine.  It only last a minute or two but that was an amazing storm.

Jena is hanging in there.  She is getting tired of the whole thing, but she tries not to complain.  Her mouth is getting sore where the posts and wires rub her cheeks.  She is also getting tired of the limited food choices.  She asked for ramen noodles tonight so we broke them into tiny pieces before we cooked them and she ate two bowlfuls.  I think she might be eating noodles alot for the next month.

Our neighbors and friends have been so nice to us and brought us dinner for the past three days.  It is so sweet of them.  Gary and I still find ourselves tired.  That hospital stuff is not very restful.

One thing that I accomplished yesterday was buying and putting together two small bookcases for our "guest room".  I also cleared off and moved another bookcase into our new "work room".  I have already started the process of rearranging books so now I can find them when I want them and no books are piled behind others.  I am happy to report that now I have empty spaces on my bookshelves which is great news.....more books!!!!  Just in time for Christmas..............hint to my family.

We had a special Stake Conference today, although I stayed home with Jena.  For one reason, it was actually our third Stake Conference of the year.  And second, Elder Boyd K. Packer and his son came and spoke along with members of our Stake Presidency.  Apparently, they had done some regional leadership training on Saturday and had picked our Stake to attend on Sunday.  It was held at our Stake Center and videoed to the other buildings.  Gary was asked to help with our building tech support.  In fact they used my computer for part of the meeting.  Gary said that it was a great meeting talking about the priesthood power and our homes.....he was busy with computer problems during most of the meeting..for awhile they listened to the sound from a cell phone at the mic in the Stake center to another cell phone in our building also at the mic.  At least for the last 45 minutes of the meeting, everything went smoothly so Elder Packer's talk was uninterrupted.

Jessica is very busy with work, finishing up required items and screenings for the first 90 days of Head Start year.  Scott is busy with school, finishing up with the semester that ends in two weeks.  Ben is busy, finishing up a cold.  He did run a small fever for a half of a day, but it didn't return so we think he didn't have the flu.  Tosha is busy, looking for a second job but also being bored from time to time.  Jena isn't so busy, but she is recovering and that is a big job.  Gary is busy with work, although he was able to work from the hospital so he didn't get too far behind.  I feel somewhat less busy, because I am off of work for another week  (I know I usually only work 2 days a week, but it does cut into my time and my plans.)   

And in the words of a famous rabbit......"And, that's all, folks."     Have a great week.

A picture look at Jena's hospital stay

As part of Jena's journal, we took pictures during her stay.  This is a few of them:

Here is Gary and Jena, playing "Pass the Pigs" while waiting for her surgery on Friday the 13th.

Here is Jena in the intensive care unit at Primary's.  Because of her sleep apnea she had to stay there for two nights so they could provide breathing support while she slept.  On her bed in the red frame is a picture of her Beehive class.

 On Sunday after she moved to the regular surgical floor, she got a visit from a therapy dog.  She liked that.

Scott visited and got his picture taken  with Spiderman in the 3rd floor lobby.

Checking my heart at the "Forever Young" playroom.

Cute picture of Jena and Gary

walking in the hall with her IV

stand.

Coming home to a Big Surprise,,,,,her beautiful Beehives and wonderful leaders came and decorated her bedroom.  I was trying to get the camera out fast enough to get some pictures, but she made the corner in our hallway and saw the crepe paper and headed fast to check things out.  Here is some of their work.

Entering her newly decorated room.......

The handprints you see are from the Beehives..each one has a message from one of them.  Sparkle is from their camp cheer.  Jena loved to "have sparkle" at camp.

They made her a blue snow flake blanket during their service project on the last time Jena was at Young Womens.  She did not know this one was for her.

Here is a darling picture of Jena which was on the poster board size card that all the YW signed for her.  This of course is pre-surgery.  At the moment, she still is quite swollen and sore (and she isn't interested in me taking pictures of her at the moment) but we know that we will see this beautiful smile again  (actually she still has a cute smile....it just a bit swollen!)

Jena got up and got dressed to get on with her day, while I stay in my pjs and ended up taking a nap  (For the record, I did get things done--unpacking, laundry, answered some e-mails---but mostly, I just began to recover......apparently Jena is further ahead than me).

Thanks again for all of your e-mails, comments, phone calls, food, and prayers.  We appreciated it so much!

Home Sweet Home

For those of you who stay up later than this or get up earlier than I will tomorrow (which will be most people in the Mountain time zone and most of the Pacific....we are sleeping in!!!) I wanted to say that we are home safe and sound. Jena has three medications and an ice pack, we have a pantry and refrigerator of soft or liquid food, and everyone is glad for us to be home...most of all Jena, Gary, and I. I can't wait to sleep on a real bed.

We have more to share but we will do it in the morning when we aren't so tired.

Hopefully...............................

.......we will be leaving today and begin the next phase of recovery at home. However, before we go, one doctor wants to see her eat more calories in pureed form, another doctor wants to pass us of on screw turning (somewhere between 8-10...getting close as you can tell since it is now 9:56), and we want clarification on the plan for a new mask and general sleep apnea treatment. So you can see it might be a long day. Jena is sleeping again. For the first time, since moving into this room, she has not wanted to get out of bed (except for the required items) and she has been sleeping most of the morning. I think she is getting tired of the hospital too. More later.............maybe actually from Syracuse!

Good Morning Tuesday!

Jena slept the night with no oxygen or pressured air and her oxygen levels stayed fine most of the night. Hard to believe but the doctor resident who came this morning said it is possible that they made enough of a change in the back of her nose/mouth that she is able to breathe better even being swollen. We were told not to expect any changes for a couple of mouths or even more. That could be good news. Another piece of good news was we had a fiesty nurse who convinced the resident doctor to change her pain medication. She was not doing well with the Lortab--the liquid form tastes terrible and requires so much liquid that most of it did not get in and swallowed. She never does well with Tylenol of any type which is a part of Lortab. Now she is on oxycedone and is responding much better. We enjoyed visits from her cousins, Nikki and Kystal, and their parents, Uncle Gary and Aunt Vonette. We had to go out to the waiting room because kids under the age of 14 are not allowed back in patient rooms due to H1N1 restrictions. She is getting a bit bored with this place, but we are moving toward going home. They took her off IV fluids this morning to see if she can manage to keep hyderated during the day. She enjoyed an orange cream slurrpee for breakfast...some of it anyway. We are still waiting for the "turning" of the appliance. It didn't happen yesterday, but it should start today. Several people mentioned that they couldn't leave comments. I think that I have fixed that problem, so you can try again. Jena says hugs and kisses to all her family and friends...................More later!

Sunny Monday

Gary says we should call it "Cheeky Monday"...Jena is swollen as a chipmonk today. She is hanging out with ice on her face. Scott came up to visit and we are expecting more visitors this evening. Today is the first day that her appliance is supposed to be adjusted, but no one has come to do it yet. We will adjust it every day for 14 days. I assume someone will come soon. Jena's Beehive leaders made a DVD for her and sent it up for us to watch. We have seen it twice and probably will view it a few more times. Jena loves it and we were so grateful for her leaders and the Beehives. We would attach it but it is too big for this site. If you come to visit, we can share it with you.

Sunday cont..............

We are now settled into Jena's "home away from home" for the next few days or so. We still haven't seen a doctor, but she was able to transfer to the surgical unit on the third fllor of Primary's. It is actually just down the hall and around the cornor from the room where Tosha was for her hip surgery. We have a nice roof view and you can see the bright sunshine and the mountians from our window. Our room is 3080 and the room phone number is 801-662-3080. We can now use our cell phones so if needed we can be reached most of the time on our cell phones---if we are sleeping or wide away but in a different part of the hospital. Naptime for me while Jessica and Gary entertain Jena by playing Sponge Bob play station game.

Sunday morning.......

Jena says she is doing good. She slept great except she had to go to the bathroom all night long due to the IV fluids. She is off the IV for the time because she drank some apple juice. We haven't seen any doctors yet. However, the nurse said she might really get to move today because she was able to maintain her oxegen levels with a basic mask with no pressure. Gary is here now so she is done with blogging for the moment. She laughed this morning at something I said, so that means she is doing better. They just gave in and sais that she can move to a regular room as soon as they get all the paper work done. Yeah!!!!

Saturday--It's snowing....

but not inside where we are at. Jena is doing fine and we are having a quiet day (unfortantely we can't get the BYU game on the TV, so I am watching the up-dates on the ESPN site. We aren't doing well--BYU that is.) Jena is sleepy today but has managed to sit up twice for about 30 minutes each. That helps a lot with breathing better and keeping things moving in the right direction. There is talk that we might be able to move from the intensive care to a regular room later today. That would be nice. The rooms are very nice where we are at (in fact this section just opened about 1 1/2 weeks ago.) However, it is noisier here than a private room would be. Her doctor did indicate that he is thinking that she will probably stay here until Friday. He wants to make sure that her air way is stable, especially while she sleeps. On Monday, they start turning the appliance that will expand the jaw area and open up the back of the throat. He thinks it will take more time than he originally planned to get things where he wants it. So, I guess we will plan on Friday and be happy if we go home before then.

Last one for tonight

We are sitting in Jena's room in the intensive care unit of Primary. Jena is awake...and then asleep...and then awake again...and Disney Channel is on. Things are going fine and she is regaining a bit of color after being very pale when we first saw her. We showed her the cute picture of her Beehive class when we returned from dinner (She often refers to them as her Beehives) and it brought a smile to her face. She loved it and happy to have it with her in the hospital. Gary will be heading home later tonight and I will be sleeping in the room with Jena tonight. Have a great night.

Surgery is done....

and all is well. The doctor just left after reporting that things went as expected. They were able to remove the air tube before she left surgery so she will be more comfortable as she recovers today. He also gave us the model of her jaws and nose. It is made out of some type of plastic. They used it to plan her surgery and design the appliance that is in her mouth. Jena will be excited...she likes to see her "bones" and other medical stuff. Thanks for your thoughts, notes, and prayers. Now the hard work for Jena begins....does anyone have a smoothie recipe with potato chips in it.

First Up-date

Gary and I are sitting in the surgery waiting room at Primary's. We just got our first up-date and things are going great. The nurse reported that Jena was very brave and handled everything well as she came to the operating room and was put to sleep. She fell asleep well and they have been working actually on the jaw for about 10 minutes. We arrived here at 9:00 a.m. this morning and have been hanging out as they did the variety of things that need to be done before surgery. She handled it all well. During our free time, we played games (big surprise!) and Jena colored and played X-box. I was happy when I heard that she would have Dr. First to put her to sleep. He was the same doctor she had when her tonsils were removed last year and he was great. That is it for now. Dr. Siddiqi indicated that it might take up to 4 hours for the entire procedure. We will get up-dates along the way.

Create--

This and That...and is change possible?

It is amazing how much you can get done when there is a deadline set up. Yesterday, I cleaned closets, organized the family and living rooms, gathered the remaining Halloween decorations, scrubbed the porch (berries from a nearby bush make a mess every year--not good planning on my part), hung some curtains at the townhouse, hung two hook racks, and the list continued. With Jena's surgery on Friday, I wanted to get things done on my "to do" list. Of course, some of those things have been sitting on that list for a long time. Any way, it is a great feeling to have some much done...of course, the list still remains with more to do. Planning for a hospital stay is like going on a vacation. It takes longer to get ready than the time that we are actually away. I have been thinking a lot about change. How do we really change from where we are at to a new place? Interesting enough, it does seem that it is time for me to change something (or things). 1-I have been feeling a desire to change some things; 2-Gary's company has a new health program and insurance. As part of that, we are to be involved in programs of our choosing to improve our general health and emotional well-being. It includes readings and goal setting in a variety of areas; 3-General Conference...doesn't that always make you want to change and do better?; 4-As part of our outdoor training last week, our boss has asked us to set goals, professionally and personally; and 5-Our Bishop has asked me to take the Wood Badge Training (Boy Scout) which involves goal setting and achieving. With all of that, I think I need to make a move and figure out what I need to do and how I can really accomplish change? It is easy to make a list of things that I should do to improve my life, but it is in daily living that things get difficult. Exercise is a prime example. I actually love to walk, but in the past few years it has been very difficult to fit it in, esepcially when the early morning time doesn't work with my migraine "profile". Pres. James E. Faust stated: "Each new day that dawns can be a new day for us to begin to change. We can change our environment. We can change our lives by substituting new habits for old. We can mold our character and future by purer thoughts and nobler actions. As someone once put it, “The possibility of change is always there, with its hidden promise of peace, happiness, and a better way of life.” I have often appreciated that life is divided up in 24 hours periods and that a dawm starts each one because it does give a feeling that we can start again to do something different. Now, if I can just figure out how to do it!!!! Ideas...............anyone? (Note to family members: And no, I don't need ideas on what to improve on--I have a list already too long to mention.)

Two Great Days

My sister says that you should post something every 3-4 days so that your "blog watchers" will find things when they check. I am not there yet, but I do think of many things that I would like to write almost every day. I think that perhaps I have some of the Journal "genes" from my foremothers and fathers (the thinking part) but not all of them because I haven't managed to become an actual journal writer yet. Life is filled with so many great things and lessons--easy and hard- surround us every way we turn. I do know change is possible and someday (probably when we can down load directly from our brain.) I will be a journal writer. My two great days: Halloween: Not really my favorite holiday, because I think it is kind of dumb to walk around in the dark and "beg" for candy. Part of it also is because I never liked to dress up mysef or to be scared which pretty much sums up Halloween. However, this Halloween was a great day. Gary's family has a long standing (over 50 years) tradition of having chili and scones on Halloween night so that all of the family can drop in and share their Halloween costumes with grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.....It has divided and sub-divided over the years, but still is a nice tradition. This year four of our five children came (Jessica was at Lagoon with out of town guests). We didn't think that Scott and Tosha were coming because they had work, but they both got off earier and headed over before pursing other activities. I was so happy about that. Jena of course was there. This was her year to not go trick or treating because she is afterall in junior high. We were pleased when Ben headed over (it was at Gary's sister's home in our neighborhood.)to eat some chili. The highlight of the evening came a bit later. While eating, we shared with the family that Ben had won first place in a costume contest at a party. He had gone as Abe Lincoln (He looked great---picture may come later when I learn how to do that.) A little while later, we noticed that Ben was gone which wasn't surprising since groups can be stressful for him. A few minutes later, the doorbell rings and in comes Ben dressed as Abe Linclon, beard and all. It was so great. It is a simple thing, but a huge thing for Ben. And Gary and I have come to learn to cherish the good moments and the happy days for Ben when they come. My second great day was yesterday as we headed up in the mountains for a staff meeting retreat. We first watched a Mormonad on "Create" from Elder Utchdorf (which I would insert here if I knew how). Then we hiked up a muddy trail near Snowbasin Ski resort to a place called Green Pond. (I won't lie..there were a couple of moments that I thought "Don't they know I am over fifty and really can I make it up this hill!" My new boss is 37 and very physically active and every one else is in their late 20's.). We took camp chairs and then had time to read and ponder some quotes, stories, and scriptures that our boss had prepared for us. And we talked. It was a perfect fall day with a slight breeze and beautiful blue sky. The pond had a large beaver dam and the water was perfectly still. It was wonderful and so worth the hike (One lesson learned---the hike really was not bad and so worth it when we reached the top. Jena could easily do it if there was no mud. However, it was me who worried if I could make it. We did not know how long or steep the trail was going to be. Our boss just kept encouraging us to keep going, that it wasn't that far, and that it was so awesome once we got there. Life is just like that.--also insert the word "trial" for "trail" as I accidently did while typing. Once again, isn't life like that. There is always One on the trail calling out that it isn't that much further, we can make, and it is so worth it once we get there.) Coming down the mountain and off to lunch and then on to regular life, I carried a peace and calm that comes from mountain tops and also the Lord's mountain tops (and for me, also ocean waves) that can't be found in other ways. Great days.