Over the Years

I was sitting here thinking of the different looks I have had over the years. Some of them I think, I liked how I looked that day and then others I think; "oh my goodness what was I thinking that day!"

Here are some of theses looks, OK it's a challenge, now show us your looks.....

Neck Surgery

I found out today that my neck surgery is schedule for the 30th of October. I have to arrive at Thunderbird Hospital at 6:00am... I have alot of pre-op things that have to be done first, that is why the surgery is a month away. This will be my lovely neck attire for the next 5 to 6 weeks after surgery, YAHOO!

I am really not scared as of right now, just want it to hurry and be done so that I will hopefully be out of pain and can recoup and then have my back taken care of also.

Happy 27th Birthday

Happy Birthday Christopher!!! As I called and wished him a happy birthday he told me how last night he had talked to Skyler before bedtime and asked him how old he thought Daddy was? Skyler without a beat said, "Dad your 36!"

Kids say the craziest things don't they....

Grandparents and Grandkids

Grandparents are the funniest people in the world! I didn't grow up with grandparents they passed before I was born. So when I married into William's family I had instant grandparents. I remember going to their houses and loved talking to them and learning alot from them. They are gone now, but the memories are wonderful...

I hope that I can be that kind of grandparent to my grandchildren. I think all 8 1/2 of them are the best in the world!!!

Did you catch that???

8 1/2...................................We just found out today that our oldest son and his wife (Chris and Leslie) are expecting a baby April 2009!

Flashback Friday:

I got this idea from my friend Julie,Thanks Julie!

Each Friday I will be posting a flashback from the past...who knows what will be on here!

So for my first one I have chosen to put my best friend in the whole on here with me, Sorry Bev!

This was taken in 1991, I was 27, not sure of the month. Kathie (pink shirt) and I went to Texas to be there when Bev graduated from nursing school, we surprised her. Also a friend of ours Robert went- (we wouldn't let him in the picture) So it was just 3 friends hanging out together in a small Texas town, having a blast!

TAG!

My friend Julie put this on her blog, so I've decided to play along.

10 Years Ago:
1. I was living in Safford, Arizona working for Firebrand Ceramics.

2. Bill was working for Kempton Chevrolet.

3. Most of my time that was free was spending time with my family.

4. I was only 34.

Today's "to do" list:
1. Go shopping with Brittany
2. Wash Clothes
3. Water yard.
4. Clean off my Comp. desk.
5. start spring cleaning ( I know it's not spring)

6. Figure out what to make for dinner.

Snacks:
1. Rice Cakes
2. Cheese
3. cold water
4. Fishy crackers

If I were a millionaire:
1. Buy new furniture

2. Plastic surgery. (boobs)
3. Pay off my mortgage.
4. Buy new cars

5. Fly all my friend Bev out here to spend a week with me
6. Buy a lot more stuff from Stampin' Up!
The list could go on and on and on..........

Places I've lived:
1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Glascow,Scottland

3. Mesa, Arizona
4. Clarksville, Tennessee
5. Fulton, Mississippi

6. Prescott, Arizona

7. Thatcher, Arizona
8. Safford, Arizona

9. Avondale, Arizona

10. Tolleson, Arizona

Jobs I've had:
1. McDonalds
2. Subway
3. Firebrand Ceramics

4. Bashas`

That was fun, now it's your turn. Tag, you're it!

Funny Pix

The other day I just happen to put these on Rosealie. They are Madison's and we laughed for along time. She could see them but when she would raise her hand to grab them, of coarse her head would go back and she couldn't reach them. The reaction on her face was priceless!

5 Days Again~Lorin

Written by LeAnn Merkley

The days since Wednesday have been pretty much the same with Lorin, only having relief when he is flat of his back. The pain in his back has expanded to his hip, leg and knee so that any pressure from sitting or standing causes intense pain. He says this really "ticks him off" because it's not cool having to visit people laying flat of your back, but he's trying to make the best of it. At least having visitors breaks up the monotony of just laying there.
Saturday morning Lorin was having a better than normal day so when his big brother Jared showed up to see if he wanted to go shopping to buy a gift for his nephew's (Van) 1st birthday, he took his pain pills and decided to try. He said he did pretty good and was glad to be able to do this for his nephew and happy to get out of the house and spend a little time with his brother.
This morning he made the trek to church again. He didn't hold up as well as last week but he did manage to make it through and was really glad he did. He knows that through his efforts he will be blessed.
Lorin has started losing his hair now so we may be shaving it real soon but he's ok with that. I just tell him it's a good thing that he is so cute and has a nice shaped head, besides "bald" is kinda the in thing you know!
He starts his second 5 day round tomorrow and we're not gonna lie to ya, he is a little scared since he doesn't remember the first round but we told him we would just take 1 day at a time and make the best of it.
Once again thanks to all of you for your outpouring of love. There are so many kind things said and done on a daily basis and our hearts are full of gratitude to each and every one of you. I can't imagine what this world would be like without wonderful family, friends and neighbors! We love you all.

My Best Friend

1980
2008

Forever Friend

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend; Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop; Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.This is Forever Friendship.When you're down, and the world seems dark and empty, Your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full.Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times, and the confused times.Your forever friend holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay. And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete, because you need not worry.You have a forever friend for life, and forever has no end.

Families Are Forever

This was taken the same day as Madison's baptism 9-6-08. This is only part of the family, not everyone was able to make it. So I thought I need to get one of who were here.

(Brittany, holding Chloe, oldest son Chris, third son Zane, his wife Diana, Madison, Me, holding Rosealie, Bill holding Zoe, Zane's daughter. There is 9 of them missing....Brittany's husband David, is in Army Basic Training. Leslie, Skyler and Ava couldn't make it, Ava was sick. Jamie is in Iraq and Mary,Ethan,Teppo and Audriq are in Alaska.)

A LONG DAY

So it is 11:27 pm......Today was my appointment to get the shot in my neck. I first was trying to decided if I was going to be sedated for this shot or not...I am Sooooo glad I was sedated, I could hear what was going on and couldn't really react to what they were saying because I was to hold still and to not swallow or talk. As I am laying there (with my eyes closed, trying to relax) listening to Dr. Puttlitz talking to the other 14 people in the operating room, I hear him say," Now we have to make sure the X-Ray machine show everything so we can have this needle (which was VERY large and long) go between her 2 main arteries", by the way this shot was done in the side of my neck. As my eyes flew wide open with panic, I realized it was already done. His next words weren't very encouraging either. "Now we have to push the needle through her muscle in her neck to reach the disk". My panic became much worse but again I couldn't move,talk or swallow. As I laid there praying to my Heavenly Father asking him to watch over me as I became stressed, the most calm feeling came over me and I knew I would be able to make through the rest of the procedure.

I was able to come home with the help of my mother-in-law and went straight to bed. Brittany says they must have gave me some good drugs, because for the next 6 hours, she could have gotten the house and all the money I have out of me and I wouldn't have remembered. I have been groggy ever since I got up, but now I can't go to sleep because of the pain that is starting to come back in my neck and arm. I was really hoping that this would work so that surgery would be out of the question, I feel it is something that is going to have to happen. If so I will loose a lot of motion in my neck and loose strength in my arm, I think I can deal with that happening because of the pain I have been in for such a long time will be gone if surgery is needed.

(The picture isn't much to look at, but there is a hole under the bandage)

Table and Chairs

I fell in love with these as soon as I saw them and knew I wanted them. I have put them on my front little porch that is in front of Madison window. I am so excited that the house is coming together bit by bit. Thanks Cheria!

It's Been A Year!

We can't believe it has been a year since we bought our home. Time has sure flown by...We have had many fun times in this year rock laying party,birthdays,Christmas,thanksgiving (our favorite),parties,BBQ's,kids visiting,baptisms,craft parties, and just because get together! What fun it has been and what we planned for the next year. Bill and his Father are building a shed this weekend for the back yard. We also plan on putting a new border in the back yard and adding flowers and plants and a fountain. I think by the end of next year we will be finished with it all, then the fun starts with painting inside! We have enjoyed our home so much and glad we could have family and friends over...

How They Grow

The girls are already 7 1/2 months old. Rosealie can set herself up to were she is sitting up all by herself, and trys to pull herself to standing by your leg. Chloe is trying to crawl and loves to chew on her binky, doesn't use it for what it is for, just loves to chew! Brittany took these pictures today and they turned out so cute!

Thursday

I go into the hospital to have shots for my neck because deteriorating disk and bone spears, this Thursday (18th) . My Mother-in-law (love her) is coming down to drive me there and home. I will be out of it for a couple of days. After this shot I will go back to my Dr. Landsman to see how it helped if any. If it stay the same or gets worse I will then have to have surgery on my neck. Due to me loosing feeling,strength,and pain in my right arm and neck area, it is most likely I will have surgery, Dr. Landsman just wanted to see if any relief was available. I am having a positive outlook on this, but at the same time I am scared.

Extended New Callings

Today Bill and I were given an extended calling. We are already Ward Librarians but now we are Building Librarians. We will be in charge of all the Librarians in our Ward Building and getting the Library in order. We are excited about this and can't wait to get started.

Up-Date on Lorin (9-14-08)

Written by my Sister-in-law LeAnn, Lorin's Mom

Our first 24 hours home from the hospital has proven to be the best medicine he could have!

We got home around 2:30 yesterday and the rest of the day was still pretty tough, but after a good nights sleep in his own bed, without being woke up all night he seemed to be doing much better. This morning Lorin decided he needed to go to church even if just for a little while. He hadn't been for 3 weeks and said he really needed the lift. So dad helped him get shaved, showered and dressed while his small frame shook from weakness and even though his clothes were hanging on him he said he was ready to go. We brought a pillow for him to support his back and off we went. I think most of the ward was surprised to see him but very happy also as he walked slowly, (but by himself) into church. He thought he might only make it through the taking of the sacrament before needing to go, but he said he was doing fine and wanted to try and make it through all of the meeting. It was the Children's Primary program, they did a wonderful job and their words and songs touched us all. Although it was getting hard for him he insisted on making it through to the end before going home.

That is the kind of miracles that happen with all of the prayers that have been given in his behalf. Lorin only took his extra pain pills twice today and said he had a very good day. He walked quite a bit today inside and out. He is gaining more strength and said he really enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, friends and family that visited him and his own bed!

An Arizona Storm

This last Tuesday we had a hail and wind storm. The winds got up to 90 mph which took out a lot of tree in our area. Hopefully we don't get any run offs from Ike, they say it has turned it's path from Arizona.

Remembering 9-11

Where were you on this day? Can't remember...at least remember those who gave their lives and the men and women who are giving their lives for us still today....

Turned out to be a Wonderful Day!

Friday night,(5th) Madison went to sleep with a 101* temperature, hot/cold flashes,hard cough and her tummy hurting. It was a very long night and we both didn't sleep well due to her being in my bed with me, tossing and turning ALL night long. The next morning she was up and still not feeling well. Breakfast was a glass of orange juice...We all got ready and headed out for the stake center, with temperature to normal.
Madison looked so beautiful in her white outfit that Grandma Jennie made for her to be baptised in. She quit coughing and was feeling a lot better for the baptism, afterwords she was back to feeling bad. We all came back to the house for lunch with family and friends and she was off to lay down again with 100* temperature this time.

Sunday she was still sick, I looked in her mouth to find 2 very large tonsils, luckily we have a doctor in our ward and she wrote a prescription for us, til I can get Madison in to the doctor.
After all that I asked Madison how her day was, " It was OK Mom, It turned out to be a Wonderful Day!"

Up-date on Lorin

Written today,by my sister in law LeAnn, Lorin's Mom.

What a day it has been. We got the results back from the pathologist and it is still inconclusive of what kind of cancer it is. Right now they are calling it undifferentiated Sarcoma. The pain is getting worse and they don't want to give him more meds so they are going to start him on 2 kinds of chemo tonight (as a trial) and see if it will shrink and lessen the pain. This will be a 5 day process. There are no guarantees but they are willing to try as they continue to send out and study his biopsy. Because of the severe pain they have moved him to the PICU room 18-43. For those who would like, we are fasting for him tomorrow in hopes that he will get some relief. We are also having a large fast for him this Sunday. We've always known that Lorin is a very special child. Through all this we are finding that out even more. Nothing about this situation has been normal and he has endured a lot. Who knows maybe they will have to name a new cancer after him. All we know is that the Lord is in charge so we are going to put our total trust and faith in Him (and the doctors that deal with this kind of thing daily) and go forward. Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers in his behalf. We couldn't make it without you. We love you!