ADDING ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER!!

On Thanksgiving Day 2011 MY BABY GIRL, Debra, (she's 23) announced her engagement to Matthew Phillip Chertudi. They will be married on June 30, 2012.  We are thrilled with her choice of a patient and kind person. Did I mention he is also handsome?

Boston Bootcamp - Prologue

I left Twin Falls on June 23 and drove to Boise where I saw Sarah, Rachel, and Debra at lunch. I stayed overnight in Ontario and then drove to Seattle. On Friday, Sam introduced me around the law office where he and Jen work. We also went to lunch at a nice little place where they had wonderful sandwiches. Saturday morning my sleep machine died. Maretta got right on the problem as she knows her way around the medical community and eventually, even though it was Saturday, and because of help from many willing people, I got set up with a loaner machine. I was so relieved, because I would not have slept on my trip and neither would anyone else. We celebrated Sam's 32nd birthday on the 26th. I don't think he wanted to get a year older, but the alternate choice is not so good. Sunday we took a nice walk around a park in Olympia. It was beautiful. Monday I flew to Boston from SEATAC.

A Family Explosion!!!

Sophia Afton wishing a Happy Valentine's to Grandma

 born Augusst 16, 2011 to Becky and Matt

Jacob Willaim with his beautiful mother , Rachel  -
 born September 28, 2011 to Rachel and  Win

Jackson Arthur with his ever-smilin' face 

born December 1, 2011 to Sam and Jen

Easter, 2011

Samantha, my seven year old granddaughter, gave a talk in Primary (kid's church) on Eaastr Sunday. She told about Christ's crucifixon and His resurrection. She prepared her talk by watching a video about Jesus, then tellling her dad what she had learned. Her dad typed her words. I was amazed by what she knew.

Miracle

I returned for a follow-up appointment for my eye on Jan. 17, 2011. After tests and an exam, the doctor said, "You are one in a million! Your eye has greatly improved. The fluid behind the retina has dried up, and other blood vessels have compensated for the blocked vessel, and the retina is repairing itself." The improvement had been so gradual that I hadn't even noticed! My eye does not have 100% sight yet, but the doctor thinks the rest of my vision will gradually return over the next year. What a miracle! I began to wonder why I had been given this miracle. Why me? I pondered if I had done something to deserve this blessing. The answer was no. We do not EARN miracles. Then, I wondered if I needed my eye to accomplish something that I couldn't do without it. The answer was no. Then the thought came into my mind that I was given this miracle so that I would know I was loved -- by my Heavenly Father and all the people that offered prayers, best wishes, and kind thoughts in my behalf. This thought was accompanied by the sweetest feeling. The return of my eyesight was, pure and simple, a gift of love. Thank you all, not just for your prayers and kindnesses, but also for your loving hearts. Love is the miracle which begats all other miracles. "Where love is, there God is also."

Test First - Lesson Later

Life is the only school where the test comes first and then we learn the lesson. A friend shared this thought with me, and I have been pondering on it in light of the events of the past three months.

The test: I awoke the morning of November 11, 2010 with very little vision in my right eye. The opthomologist determined I suffered a stroke of the eye. A blood vessel to the center of the retina had plugged. There was nothing that could be done to reverse the damage. Just take pressure drops and aspirin. I asked if there was any chance my eye could get better, and the doctor said he knew of it to happen in very rare instances. In other words, it might, but don't plan on it. So began a new phase of my life as I adjusted to being a 'one-eyed' person. I asked people to pray for me, my name was added to the temple praye list, medical advice came from family and friends. My initial reaction was surprise, then shock, then sadness As all the intense feelings ebbed and flowed,I began to appreciate my left eye. Each morning upon awakening, I'd take a peek out of my left eye first. Gratitude and joy filled my soul because I still had vision in one eye. It was actually exciting. I could see! I was not totally blind! I was decidedly more grateful for one eye than I ever had been for two eyes. Lesson learned: Don't take things for granted. 'See' blessings each day. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Express gratitude often.

Boys Just Ain't What They Used To Be

I went to 6th grade in 1960 in the small farming community of Vale, Oregon. The boys my age talked about horses, trucks, cows, tractors, guns, hunting, fishing, sports, irrigating, motorcycles, etc.

It is now 2011, and I teach 6th grade. Following is an enlightening conversation I heard between two sixth grade boys last week:

Bryce to Jacob (who had his legs crossed) Hey, don't cross your legs.
Jacob: Why not?
Bryce: You'll get spider veins.
Jacob: (looking quite terrified) What are those?!?!
Bryce: OMG, don't you watch Dr. Oz?

I never thought I would live to see the day that 6th grade boys would be warning each other about getting spider veins.