Grampie's Surgery was a Success!

My dad's surgery to remove his prostate cancer went very well yesterday. I had plans to visit him, but he was in a lot of pain, and I told my sister Mary Kate that we would come up today or once Dad became comfortable. I do not do well in these situations. If MK wasn't here, I could. I'm such a drama queen and sissy-girl when it comes time to do something like this. But, I'm working on it! I have had Sophia who is 9 and Nate, who is 7, here all week so that I can watch them and that lets MK focus more on MOM and Dad's needs. She'll leave by Friday and then I will become the primary care giver to Dad and to mom. I am just so thankful that the cancer had not begun to spread! We will have our dad/Grampie for a very long time! YEAH! Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers on our behalf. WE love you! Dad is a survivor!

Santa wuz Here!

We had a great Christmas this year. This was the first Christmas that both Forrest and Sadie knew almost eveything they were getting. It was also the first year I didn't wrap a single gift! Forrest wraped all of Sadie's and vice versa. They didn't spill the beans about each other's presents either. I told them if they did, I'd take back their presents!

Forrest received a home gym that takes up a ton of space in his room. We bought it on Black Friday, so he's been antsy for it for a full month! Sadie was antsy for her Sperry's too. She also received an MP3 player and other goodies. This year it wasn't about the quantity, but the quality and you know quality costs $$$!

I cooked egg crackle for breakfast and a traditional ham dinner in the evening (that's excellent for me, who hates to cook!) We watched movies all night long. I love spending the Holidays hanging at the house with my family. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Merry Christmas too!

Merry Christmas to Me

I had my first mamagram a couple of weeks ago and was caught off gaurd when they called me back to do more testing. You would think I would have been nervous since my mom survived breast cancer back in 2003, but I wasn't! I didn't stress a bit. I went yesterday to do the further testing and the ultrasound found the mass to be a cyst. Merry Christmas to me! That was the best gift the Lord could have given me.
I didn't know the cyst was there until the tests found it. I am so thankful for all the advancement in technology and medicine we have available for our use. And I'm really thankful for BC/BS insurance as I didn't have to pay a penny for my visits!

On a Spiritual High

I have to share my love for our youth at church and the amazing time we had last night:

If you do not already know, I'm the Young Women's president and George is the Young Men's president at church. (We were both called to these positions within the last 5 months ) Every other month, on the third Wednesday of the month, we alternate a combined activity with all of the youth. This month was the YW's turn to host the activity and we chose to go Christmas caroling and have hot chocalate. I know some of the boys weren't too happy about going caroling, but George and I were so proud of the boys who did come to "endure" the caroling. Little did they know that it was too rainy and too wet to carol, so we went with plan B. We did sing a couple of Christmas carols to set the mood for the 5 minute Nativity video. After the video, we all made gingerbread houses made with graham crackers and then had some delicious hot chocalate with a "triple the serving" of marshmellows! The youth had a fantastic time! We as leaders had a fantastic time! I feel that we all bonded together in the Spirit of Christmas and increased our friendship and love for one another. We came home on a spiritual "high". We love our youth so much and are very thankful that we have the opportunity to serve them, teach them, love them and to be an example to them.

November Preparedness Goal Accomplished!

 

In the month of November, I set some preparedness goals for our family on the side of my blog. My biggest goal for the month was to dry pack all the bulk items I have bought and have been taking up space in the kitchen and livingroom. We borrowed the dry-pack canner from the church and tackled the task at hand. During the month, we dry-packed over 120 cans. It's so easy to use the dry-pack canner that Sadie did it all by herself. It was a great experience for our family.

My Husband, the Handyman!

 

 

 

 

We have been wanting to put up beadboard for a while in the kitchen and the Thanksgiving Holidays gave us the perfect "excuse" to get it done. (You know the routine, family will be here, let's fix the house up ....) we were very suprised at how inexpensive the supplies were. It was only $150 for the wood/trim/glue and stain. The expensive part was having to buy the handyman a tablesaw! Once the saw was in action, the peices went up quickly. Forrest, Sadie and I stained the wood as George finished putting on the trim. I am blown away at the knowledge my husband knows around the house and everything else. No telling what labor would have cost us. We are so proud of our work!

Everyday is Thanksgiving

Everyday is Thanksgiving to me. I have the most wonderful family in the world. Each time we get together, our loves grows even more. I have such an abundance and out-pouring of love for my forever family and for my friends. I am so thankful for the Attonement of Jesus Christ that makes it possible for us to love at this magnitude. What a blessing it is to have been born of "goodly parents", who taught me correct principles, siblings who love and care for me, a husband who adores me and our children and is a great provider, and good friends who love me for who I am. What more could I ask for? For this purpose, Thanksgiving is everyday for me. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, my family and friends!