The Twins Came Early

We got a text from Kevin early Saturday Morning saying that Julie was headed to the Hospital in an ambulance to be checked out.  Julie woke up wet thinking her water had broke and was shocked to discover that it was blood and not water.  She had placenta abruption.  When she got to the hospital the specialist that she has been seeing wanting her to be life flighted to the U of U hospital.  Julie's doctor that she loves, Dr. Hartman, was the doctor on call at McKay and checked Julie and discovered that she was dilated to an 8 and there was no way she could make it.  He said he would deliver the babies.  Because of all the blood he chose to deliver the twins by C-Section.  Because it was Dr. Hartman Julie was fine with that decision and totally trusted his call.  Having Dr. Hartman be the doctor on call was one of many tiny miracles that took place that day.  

Ever since we found out the Brynlie had fluid on her brain we have been praying for miracles.  Even though I know God has His plan for us, I still believe and feel that it is okay to pray for miracles and expect them to happen.  Just because the blind man was blind didn't mean he had to stay that way.  Lots of miracles have happened because of all the prayers of our families and friends.  God knows us and hears us and answers our prayers.  We have recognized so many miracles and I am positive there are so many more happening that we aren't even aware of.

Brynlie was life flighted to the Uof U to have tests done on her.  Darinda noticed the Helicopter on her way to Shelby's wedding.  (she didn't know it had her niece in it)  The doctors discovered that Brynlie also has Spinal Bifida Occulta.  However, her reflex's and other test results were all positive and good.  She responded like a healthy baby. (another miracle) 

I was dying that I wasn't home to be with Kevin and Julie.  I was blessed with peace though knowing that everyone was stable and doing good.  We would have flown back home if they wouldn't have been.

I was anxious to get pictures and updates.  It was an emotional day for Larry and I.  We feel so blessed to have these babies here.  Thursday, Julie had gone to the doctor and he suggested a steroid shot series to be given on Thursday and then another on Friday to help boost the progress of the babies lungs.  He told Julie he thought it was a good idea just in case the babies decided to come on Saturday.  Another miracle for these cuties.

After being tested and tested some more, Brynlie was transported back to McKay to be with her mommy and brother.  That happened on Tuesday. Another miracle! Oh and since Kevin's insurance didn't pay to have a transfer back, Primary Children's Hospital took care of it. Miracle!  (I'm happy I have always donated to primary's....who'd have thought it would come back to us?)

We were happy and when we got home Wednesday night be cleaned up and went to the hospital to meet our newest grands.  They are pretty tiny and absolutely perfect! Larry was fine with just holding Briggs but not me....I had to hold each of them. Oh my heart!  It's incredible how love just keeps filling a heart that seems so full already.  There is always room for more love!  I'm so in love with Brynlie and Briggs already!

Julie came home on Wednesday and her little nurse and assistant were ready to serve and take care of her. Kevin and Julie are so cute and they are wonderful parents.  I'm so excited that we all get to experience the joys of twins.  Our family is so blessed!

Our Get Away...More Needed than Realized

Friday morning Larry and I flew to Pennsylvania to see Shari and her family.  Shari was very thoughtful and had us stop at the Hershey Factory before heading home from the airport.  She figured that this little vacation was more for Larry since we did center it around his Detroit Tigers.  Shari knew I would be in my own little "Heaven" and she was right!  Chocolate everywhere....lots and lots of chocolate!  There were also lots and lots of people...the place was buzzing!  I did purchase some chocolate and a cute Hershey Kiss key chain.  I also got me another sweatshirt.  I'd rather wear the sweatshirt for years than all the chocolate.  This year the sweatshirt I got is purple...the prettiest purple.  I love sweatshirts!  I love chocolate! I love Shari and her family!  I love Larry and our family!

Cameron had several basketball games on Saturday and Sunday and I enjoyed watching him play.  Cameron is a great kid and so loving.  I didn't get a picture of Taylor this trip because she wasn't around much.  She's darling too.  We had to wake up early both days to drive an hour for Cameron's games.  It was enjoyable living in their world for a few days.

On Saturday Shari, Duane, Larry and I drove to Baltimore for a baseball game.  The Orioles were playing the Tigers.  It was a little cold but turned out okay since rain was a huge part of the day.  Larry wore his Tigers shirt, Shari and Duane their Orioles shirts and I wore my Hershey's shirt...all our favorite teams!  Duane got the first foal ball and their were several more hit our way throughout the game.  Larry met a player from the past, Boog Powell.  We had a great time even though the Tigers lost.  They scored first though so that was cool.

Testimony Meeting

One of my favorite meetings and activities that the Special Needs Group does together is the week we share our testimonies.  Tonight was that night.  These people have testimonies and like to share them.  Some get scared and might need someone to stand by them.  Krista asked me to stand by her. She text me to ask me and I told her I would.  She typed her testimony out and waited until the time was almost gone before standing up.  Krista has a hard time speaking but did a really good job.  Rachael, our little firecracker, felt the spirit and was crying.  Her good friend Sadie takes good care of her and got her a kleenex.  Then Sadie stood by Rachael while she reverently shared her testimony.  I didn't hear her very well and I didn't understand what Rachael was sharing but I felt the spirit.  Everyone was reverent while they listened.  It was so awesome.  After this group shares their testimony they sing one verse of their favorite song.  Their favorite songs are beautiful and some of my favorites as well.  We never have a pause at this meeting.  The participants are eager to share their sweet testimonies. The are pure and wonderful.  I waited until the end and then I shared my own testimony.  I shared the love I have for each of them and how I feel closer to Heaven since serving them.  I shared that they are "special"... so much so that their disabilities just might be protection to them from...you know who. It was a beautiful meeting.  I can't wait to start doing Sacrament Meetings with this group again.  We have been given permission and I am excited to share these spiritual giants with our wards and stakes again.

Weeding is Fun to Do?

Weeding is only fun to do if you have help.  Carla is such a great friend and has been helping me week my yard.  It really is kind of fun being out there together pulling out those weeds while we talk.  The reward is satisfying.  We got the North side of the house done and along the front fence.  We have lots of grass out in front that is really hard to pull out.  I have become really good friends with the weed killer.  I walk around the yard often with it spraying the unwanted weeds and grass.  I also like preen.  I shake it around after we pull the weeds.  Who knew these things?  Ok....I'm sure most people know these things but for some reason Larry and I didn't learn them.  There's help out there to maintain a nice yard....we finally found it.  We still have way too many weeds but we are making improvements.  You know you have a true friend when she will come and spend an hour or so helping you pull weeds.  I love Carla!

Kam's Tumbling

I got to take Kamryn to tumbling today.  I forgot where it was at and went way past the correct street.  I forget that Kamryn has tumbling on Wednesdays and so I have only gone to watch her a few times.  She is pretty good.  She's a strong girl.  I asked her if she was planning on being a cheerleader when she gets older and she said she was.  She is also planning on playing football. ☺  I love this sweet girl and enjoyed the time we had together.  We went to Trichelle's after for a little visit.  I dropped Kam off at her other grandma's house so she could help her family do yard work.  That's what Lynette wanted for her Mother's Day Service project.

Temple....a Great way to Start a Day

I love getting up and going to the Temple.  Today all the flowers were pulled out and filling a trailer.  They were still pretty but I guess it was time to plant new ones.  There were a lot of workers out around the Temple grounds today taking care of it.  It's kind of fun seeing them in the mornings.  Today while we were doing Sealings I heard a few different names.  How about Toothacre or Fish for last names?  They made me smile. ☺

We had a little lady from Germany join us this morning.  Her name is Hilda.  Hilda comes to the Temple every single day.  She is the only living member from her family and her deceased husbands and is trying to get all their work done.  We only did names that Hilda brought in today.  I asked her who does all the endowments since that takes so much longer and she told me that she does all the women and the men's she turns in to the Temple where they usually grow mold on them.  (her words)  What a blessing Hilda is to her family.  It was nice meeting her and feeling of her wonderful spirit.  

When Hilda first went to the Altar, the Sealer was being sweet and said:  "if you start to feel light headed" right then another sealer cut him off and said: "just fall over." hahaha....we had a little fun in the Temple today.  But, I still felt the spirit of some of those having their work done for them.  I love the feeling!

Kindness Matters

We love this family!  Larry and I have had the privilege of being the Home and Visiting Teachers to Cary and Shelley over the years.  The Mark family is a wonderful family.  They are a close family and so very kind and loving.  Today was Cary's mom's 85th birthday and it was also her funeral.  Betty (Cary's mom) had just moved in with Cary and Shelley in April.  She wasn't happy at the nursing home and so they invited her to live with them.  Betty passed away Friday.  Instead of celebrating her birthday here she celebrated in Heaven with so many of her loved ones.  When Betty passed we were called.  The Mark's know they can call us and that we will be there for them.  We are so glad that they call us to help.  They asked Larry to conduct the funeral service that was being held at the mortuary.  He was honored to do that for them.  Our wonderful ward provided them with a yummy meal after.  Cary didn't want to accept that gift since they don't attend church.  Larry told him that didn't matter.  They are in our ward and our ward takes care of each other.  I went to the funeral to support them as well.  It was fun learning more about Betty and the good job she did raising her little family.  Cary mentioned in his talk that their family was complete again....his parents were together after being apart for many years.  (Cary's dad dies when he was young)  It was a nice service.  I want to say that Dakota made my day when he came up and gave over to me and put his arm around me and gave me a hug.  We love the Marks and they love us back!

I had just got home and changed when Larry called and told me that while we were at the funeral Braxton scared everyone at work.  Something isn't right with Braxton. He gets light headed and weak and looses his energy....he has panic attacks.  Justin and Scott gave him a blessing and then they both left work and took Braxton to Justin's house since Natalie would be home most of the day.  (that might not have been so bad but no one called Kelsi to let her know this was happening...I think they didn't want to worry her but she should have been told)  We make mistakes as we go through life and we learn from them. (darn it) After talking with Larry I had thoughts of losing Braxton...you know that what if...kind of thoughts.  I hope that doesn't happen.  I thought about how hard it would be to lose a son but how much worse it would be for Kelsi and Sadie.  As much as Braxton is mine and always will be, we turned him over to Kelsi and he is hers now.  It was a weird thought and I pray we don't experience it.  I thought about what a good kid Braxton has always been.  Oh he's been mischievous and drove me nuts but as far as anything that matter eternally he has been good.  No word of wisdom or moral problems.  Braxton is pure and sensitive and strong when it come to spiritual gifts.  My heart hurt a little today.

I am so thankful for the kindness offered to Braxton.  I am so glad that Scott and Justin could give Braxton a blessing.  I am so thankful that Natalie was okay with having him dropped off so he wouldn't be alone.  I am so thankful for Kelsi that has to go through this trial with Braxton.  I am so thankful for her patience and love towards Braxton.  I'm sure it must be frustrating for them both not understanding or knowing why this happens.  My heart breaks a little when I see my son tearing up because he doesn't like being this way.  He doesn't like others worrying about him and would rather be on the other side of things.  It's his test and I guess those close to him are here to help him through it.  In a way his test teaches us as well.  There are many lessons we can all learn as we experience our tests in this life.  I wonder if we could choose our tests if we would choose the ones we get?  I know we wouldn't choose anything harder but I wonder if we would really choose anything easier...especially if we knew the lessons being learned.