Not Exactly On Heidi's Christmas Wish List

I always knew my daughter and her husband were strong, but I never had any idea how strong they are.
For the past several months, Heidi has been dealing with some serious health issues that have brought her a great deal of pain.

In a previous post I mentioned that I had gone up to Salt Lake to be with her and Daniel as they visited with her surgeon, and he discussed the surgeries he felt would be the best for her.  I sat there in shock as he went over the procedures.  Daniel asked all the right questions.  My heart broke for my sweet daughter as she sat there in tears.  I'm very impressed with her surgeon, and I am so grateful that they have confidence in him.

She had the first of three surgeries today.  I am so glad we are here in Utah to be a support to her and her husband.  They are amazing to me.  The surgery went well.  She has already sat up and will be up walking around later today.

She will be in the hospital for 3 - 5 days and will be back again in a few months for the 2nd surgery and then a couple of months later for the final surgery.

I so appreciate her sweet husband who is great with her.  He is one of the sweetest young men I have ever met.   Knowing he is here to take care of her will enable to me to get in our car and go back home. I know she is in GREAT hands.

They have been trying very hard to keep a stiff upper lip.  I also appreciate their sense of humor and have laughed at some of their comments.  I don't think I could laugh at a time like this, but I'm glad they can.  (I guess laughter truly is the best medicine)

Last night we had fun "skyping" with Heidi's "little" nephew, Chris, and his wife, Heather.  That was good medicine for Heidi, too.

Had to take a picture of her last night before I left.  She been spending the afternoon and early evening getting prepped for her surgery.  (Believe me, I wouldn't be smiling ; )

So grateful for the Priesthood.  I know the blessing that Heidi has received will be a help to her.

I'm grateful that Allan is here and so appreciate the support of good friends who have been a listening ear and a shoulder for me.  I especially appreciate Natalie whose daughter has gone through similar surgery and understands all that is involved.  Allan and I visited with her and her husband this afternoon.  Thanks, Natalie.

Sidenote:  I will do a post about Christmas later.  We had a wonderful day.

The food was good, the company was great and we loved our chat with our Elder.  He looked great and sounded WONDERFUL.

So Many Great Days

We are having a great visit here in Utah.  The best part is always BEING WITH FAMILY.

Our drive down was like a drive down in the Fall and not the winter.  The roads were dry--very unlike our trip down three years ago, when several times I had to shut my eyes and PRAY!!!! (Don't worry I wasn't doing the driving at the time ; )

On Friday we drove through Idaho.  And of course, we pulled off the highway here.  Went to a little gas station and bought an "I love Idaho" keychain and put it in our Elder's Christmas box ; )  Sure glad we didn't pass a car with a couple of missionaries--one of them incredibly handsome.

On Saturday we tried to get as much shopping done as we could so we would have our box ready to send on Monday.

Sunday was wonderful.  We went to Heidi and Daniel's Ward and it happened to be the Sunday Heidi was teaching.  It was great to be in her class.  She did a marvelous job with her lesson--such a wonderful teacher, with so much enthusiasm and a great testimony.

Monday we did more running around and that night we went to see Sherlock Holmes.  Fun movie.

On Tuesday Allan, Brent, and I got up around 4:30 and left around 5:30 and headed for Manti.  I had been to the grounds but never to the temple.  It was wonderful.

After the session we headed to St. Geroge.  So fun to see the M's--who are there on a mission at the Visitor's Center.

   Had a great lunch and then went to the temple.

We then visited with a couple who are the parents of a girl I visit teach.  They are serving a mission there.  It was so fun to meet them.  They are loving their mission.

We left St. George and headed off to visit a couple who were in our Ward in California many years ago.  He was my boss for a couple of years.  She is one of the best scriptorians I know.  We hadn't seen them for years and it was so fun to visit with them.  It is so fun to reconnect with friends.

We got home around 10:00.  I was sure glad Allan was doing the driving.  A long day.

On Wednesday we had a lot going on.  Allan and I had a meeting up in Salt Lake, but as it turned out, our plans changed and I ended up going with Heidi and Daniel to a doctor appointment they had.  

After the appointment I met up with Allan and then we visited with our friends who are serving a mission at the Family History Center.  We love these two so much.

Yesterday got a chance to see Neal and his gang.  We attended the baptism of one of Allan's favorite cousin's granddaughter.  She and her family actually live in Beijing, but were baptized here where her other grandparents live.  (So cool that their Branch President happened to be traveling and was there to conduct the baptism.  I LOVE the dedication of wonderful Priesthood leaders). 

It was so fun to hold my sweet little granddaughter who I haven't seen since Mother's Day when we were in Calgary together.   And ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS was getting a hug from my cute little grandson, G-Man.

Heidi wanted to give me something special, so we went to get pedicures yesterday.  I love that girl so much and we had a great time together.  

Today is lunch at Market Street Grill with my sisters-in-law and then the temple with the kids.  Mission Impossible tonight ; )

BTW, I can hardly contain my excitement--two more days until we get to Skype with our missionary.  Hooray for modern technology.

Sidenote:  Isn't this the coolest cake!!!!  Those are kit kats around the cake and M&M's (plain and peanut) on the top.  Sara says it is the easiest cake to make and you can change the colors to fit the occasion.  Can't wait to try and make one.  (She made it for someone and took it to them, so we didn't get to eat it ; (

Missionary Christmas Dinner

I believe this was our 6th dinner with the missionaries.  It was by far our smallest.  It's funny, the numbers may have been down, but there was still so much to do.

I decided to start a little earlier and get things set up.  That seemed to help.  We put the elders and sisters in the family room and kitchen and the "older folks" in the dining room.  I know the Elders and Sisters loved being together.

They seemed to enjoy all the food.  I think we forgot that our numbers were not like usual and made enough to feed them and a friend or two ; )  At least there was enough left over that they all made up a plate and took it home for the next day--notice the packaged rolls--with only one oven, I just can't do homemade rolls.

As always it was so fun to hear them all sing Christmas carols.

We laughed and laughed when we realized the "prizes" in the crackers Allan got at Costco were--let's just say, some of them would not be used by the missionaries ; )  But like I told Allan, it's not about the prizes IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HATS.

After the crackers it was time for the gift exchange.  We had a few Canada scarves--that each of them wanted.  Elder Y really made me smile, he got one.

But then, after someone "stole" it from him, imagine his surprise when he opened his next bag and HE GOT ANOTHER.  But unfortunately, he couldn't hang onto that one very long either.

This was what he got--which I'm sure will come in handy when he goes home in a few days to California.

As always I made too many desserts.  My personal wildcard for my on-line challenge has been to have a positive calorie burn.  With this temptation, I had to devise a way to not eat too much.  This was the only thing I could think of ; )  I made the Chocolate Peppermint Roll--Thanks to my friend, Kierste, for the recipe.  It was so yummy, and I can't wait to eat it  make it again.

We took pictures of the group, and this year I decided to have them switch after the first picture.  That way, those at the top could be moved and their parents wouldn't have such a hard time spotting them in the picture.

It was a wonderful evening.  This was our last Christmas with President and Sister P, as they will be going home in July.  It has been such a pleasure to get to know them and to feel of the love they have for their missionaries and for this work.

SIDENOTE:  Last Saturday I did manage to get a picture of the lunar eclipse.

Counting the days until we get to SKYPE with our missionary.  Excited is putting it mildly ; )  By the way, I took the Christmas poster to Church last Sunday to get some pics of people in our Ward.  I had to laugh when I went to take a picture of Kathy and Doug, and Bro. F. jumped in behind the picture.

Grandchildren--Pride and Joy #4, Jason

In 1988, Jason joined the family.  His mom and dad were just young kids when he was born.  He reminded me so much of his daddy.

I think Daphne has forgiven me for this picture, but I'm not sure I would have.  She had just been released from the hospital after having a C-section and we had this family picture taken.

Heidi was happy to be an Auntie again.

I love this picture of J and his mom and dad.

Such an adorable little boy.

It was fun to watch our little family grow.

He was a ring bearer at one of his mom and dad's friend's wedding.

One of my favorite pictures of the two of us--he has the most beautiful blue eyes.

And here he is all grown up

At his baptism--with his sister, Kiah, and his cousin, Chris.

When we lived in Toronto and they lived in Missouri, the kids and I would drive down to see them.  

And whenever we left, he was not very happy.

Allan had a fun little song on his computer--the chicken dance and J and Kiah loved to dance to the music ; )

With his family at high school graduation:

Some of my favorite stories about this guy:

• He was such a cute little boy and, in fact, won third place in a baby contest and was crowned The Duke of Berkeley.  (This is him his first Christmas)

• When his little sister, Kiah, was just a baby, and Stephen and Daphne set up the baby swing, Jason loved it.  Daphne told him to go into his room and get his baby to put into the swing.  Well, he went in and didn't get his baby but went in and got his little sister and carried her into the front room to put her into the swing.   Here he is with his brand new little sister, K.

• One time when he was at a convenience store with some guys from school, his mom came in and began talking to him.  After she walked away, one of the guys asked him if that was his girlfriend???

• He has always been incredibly athletic.  It was so fun to watch him play soccer, basketball, foot-ball, baseball,  snowboarding or anything.

He is a wonderful big brother.   He has 3 younger sisters and 2 younger brothers.  Family means a great deal to him.  

As with each of the grandchildren, there have been lots of great times together--these guys are too funny.

The boy likes to eat ; )

He loves his family--here they are at Heidi and Daniel's wedding last year.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my handsome boys.

At one of our family reunions in Park City, he, Neal, and his dad  went on this "skeleton" type thing--Evan and Josh also road, but I'll write about Josh's "fun" experience later:

We have always had a good time together.   I love when he texts me messages because he always is so sweet.  He is in college and studying hard.  He also works at a restaurant.  I sure love this young man and am so very happy that he is part of our family.


SIDENOTE:  Things are very busy as we prepare for our dinner with the missionaries this Saturday.  Numbers are down, but it's still going to be GREAT!!!!