Party Time

I woke up when I heard a horn honk outside and I realized I didn't wake up in time to get breakfast and a lunch for Nick and talk with him about the upcoming day and give him a hug before he walked out the door to school. My phone had died instead of charging so it couldn't sound my alarm.

I'm glad he's capable of helping himself in the morning: waking up on his own, getting himself breakfast and being ready for school on time. But I hate not seeing him off. I think it probably matters more to me than to him. But I do think it makes a difference.

After texting him my apologies, I went back to bed until 10:00 a.m. and woke up feeling so refreshed! I immediately got up and went out on a walk. It looked like spring outside and felt like it too. I listened to the Don't Miss This podcast (which have I mentioned a hundred times yet how much I'm enjoying it?) with my phone tucked into my sports bra so it was near to my ears and I could hear (because my headphones don't work). But I had to keep backing up every time a car passed because it drowned out the sound of my phone. And I was inspired in two ways: 1) spiritual enlightenment 2) you can afford a new pair of headphones so buy some already. Amazon can have them at your door by tomorrow.

I also picked up more trash on my street and a lady thanked me. So there's that.

Nick and a bunch of friends came over after school. I was tempted to say no, but I felt guilty over missing him in the morning. So they all came over from early afternoon until late at night. At one point Nick and I stole away to pick up his glasses. He drove and I nearly gave us both a heart attack when he missed the turn and then the next and I had to help him navigate a left turn through a busy intersection. He stayed super calm but I was not quite as. We survived and I drove home. He said he'd like dad to teach him from now on. Whew! If only.

The boys walked to Ramen and then called for me to pick them up, this time with a couple of girls in addition. When we got back they started a big game of hide and seek. Basically it was a party all night!

I was happy to hole up in my room with more Call the Midwife.

What will tomorrow bring?

Sick Day

Man, I was sick today. The world was spinning. I tried drinking coconut water for hydration and a fruit smoothie for vitamins and minerals. A bit later I tried eating a couple of eggs and toast for protein. Nothing stopped the dizziness.

After getting Nick off to school and catching up on Young Women's stuff and a few housekeeping things while I ate (scheduling Kershaw for dog physical therapy. What?!), I didn't feel any better and I had to crawl back in bed. In my office daybed because the house cleaners were here today. But it was very cozy. And I felt even cozier because I was wearing my new pajamas.

I woke up a few times, but was still dizzy, dizzy. Fortunately by 3:00 I woke up and was feeling better. I had to pick up Nick from school because he stayed after to take a test.

Nick commented on me still being in pajamas: "I see you stayed comfortable today!"
Ha! Cutie. He's seriously such a sweet kid.

At 4:30 I needed to get out. I changed from my pjs to my workout clothes and took a walk with Kershaw. I'm so glad I did! It was warmish and the late afternoon light on Mt Olympus and nearby hills was beautiful!

I remembered about Call the Midwife tonight, which I haven't watched in years.

Cried myself through two episodes. 

I can't think of another show that tugs at your heartstrings so fiercely.

Nick is PERMITted!

I was sort of dreading needing to go out and drive Nick to the DMV today, but I rested all morning -- yesterday's activity, which wasn't much but mostly wakefulness, made me extra tired today.

(Sidenote -- I'm reading the best books! 

Today was "A Hobbit, A Wardrobe and A Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918" 

Super interesting and inspiring, especially for fans of their work and Christians (of which I am both.))

When it was time to get ready, it felt good to get up and shower and dress

(real clothes -- not sweats! And a bra!)

I panicked (as I did with both Marty and Chris) when while waiting our turn, Nicholas was playing games on his phone instead of cramming by reading the Driver's Ed manual.)

But guess what, he passed!!

Standing confidently in the "I passed" line waiting to get his permit.

He wouldn't let me take the "Mom" photo in front of the Driver's License sign, holding up his permit, but I caught this of him walking away -- and even a hint of a smile. 

We went to pick up our glasses afterward (only mine were in, unfortunately)

and then got fish and chips next door to celebrate.

(Celebrate his learner's permit. Not my glasses being in stock.)

The youth had a fireside with Jon and Michelle Schmidt this evening, that I was thinking I'd go to, since I was dressed and everything, 

but by the time we got home from dinner, 

I couldn't think of doing anything else but lying my head down.

It's weird how easily little things tire me out.

Like full-on exhaustion.

Nick said it was an awesome fireside. Jon played several songs, 

including the one he plays lying on his back on the bench with his hands over his head.

So cool. 

Doing My Part

I went out for a walk this morning and felt great! Meaning I welcomed the crisp feeling of being outdoors and the freedom to walk and move and stretch. It was good for my spirit to be outside.
That being said, my nether parts still feel quite tender, so I was careful not to go too far or too long. 30 minutes strolling was perfect.

Also it was garbage day and the garbage man hadn't come yet. So I picked up five phonebooks which have been lying on the ground by five different mailboxes. They were destroyed by the first rain that fell on them, and now there have been countless rain and snowstorms as they've sat there for several months. Probably since last October. So I picked each of them up and threw them away. My conscious simply would not let me walk by and look the other way. You're welcome neighborhood.

I started a "lost glove" photo tribute early last fall when Dan and I saw three abandoned gloves in varying sizes and colors. I've sort of lost interest because lost gloves are WAY more common that I'd originally imagined. Today I took a photo of this one but I didn't pick it up and throw it away. Because the owner might come back, right?

Oh, Christopher

I know I've told this story before, but I never get tired of it.

In 2003, our last Thanksgiving in California before we moved to Utah a few weeks later, 

we were celebrating with just our little family. 

Courtney was 8, Marty 6, and Christopher was only 2 years old. 

When it was time to eat, I wanted the meal to feel more special than just a regular family dinner 

so I asked everybody to go get dressed up.

Chris came down in a pirate's costume:

So when I see this photo he sent today from his mission, 

the beauty of Him and his funny, confident, sweet, loving personality 

strikes me especially deep. I can't put my arms around him and give him a hug,

but I can tell my Heavenly Father thank you, thank you, thank you

for sending me this precious soul who radiates love and light. And always makes me laugh.

Legacy of Love

Dan's sweet cousin, Carrie, passed away this week after a six-year battle with breast cancer. 

We were heart broken to get the news last weekend that her fight was coming to an end.

And shocked to find out a day later that she had already passed away. 

Tuesday we also got news that Diane's mom passed away. 

She'd been on hospice for a few weeks and Diane had been caring for her each day.

Dan went to Carrie's funeral with his family.

I went to Diane's mom's. 

I hope I can leave a legacy of love with my kids and future grandkids like she did.

I was blown away at how much her brother look exactly like Sam! I can see Max and Luke too. 

Recovering

I showered this morning and am in my new comfy sweats and sweatshirt from LuluLemon. Part 1 of a care package I bought myself pre-surgery. Part 2 came today -- new pajamas from Marigot and four new books.

I slept better last night, but still woke up at 5:00. I decided to get started on my "project while recovering at home" which is also my "social" goal for the year -- scanning all our old photos so they are digitized and I can make digital scrapbooks. Part 1 of that project was going through the first batch we scanned years ago -- twice -- and dating each one and deleting the copies. Took me two hours this morning, but I got through it. Unfortunately, the attic is so cold, I became chilled and couldn't warm up. I got back in bed at 8:00 with socks and a sweatshirt, but was still cold after an hour. So I started up the steam shower and that fixed everything.

Tonight we watched Anne of Green Gables with Marty and Lizzie. 

My favorite movie of all time.

Post Surgery

Surgery went well on Wednesday. We had to be at the hospital at 6:15 a.m. so it was an early start for Dan. I didn't mind so much since I knew I was going right back to sleep. We were in the waiting room for 30 minutes, but when we were called back, everything got busy. Change to gown, blood draw, IV, meet with doctor, with anesthesiologist's assistant and then the anesthesiologist. I think it was 7:45 when they took me back and being rolled down the hall is the last thing I remember.

At 9:45 they called Dan to let him know surgery was over.

I first became conscious back in my room. A nurse was there and I asked if I could go back to sleep or if I needed to wake up. She said I could sleep. The next time I woke up I asked what time it was. 11:50. She said I needed to start waking up.

The doctor came in and said I was a bleeder and very sensitive to narcotics. Now I'm curious for more details. The good news is I didn't bleed so much that I had to stay overnight in the hospital. And I know the anesthesia puts me out. I remember after my trachea dilation being in a post-op room and the nurse saying, "You need to breathe, Angela." Maybe I'm a deeper sleeper than they expected. I've got to remember to ask at my follow-up.

I slept the whole way home. Dan helped me up the stairs and I crawled into bed and slept the rest of the day. Although he came and got me up every two hours so I could walk down the hall. Also, I had a catheter which was a little tricky and a nuisance, but in the grand scheme of things, not that big of a deal.  I was a little nauseous all day and dizzy. But mostly really tired and fortunately able to sleep soundly. Even lifting my head off the pillow felt exhausting.

That night he brought me crackers and cheese and we got caught up on This Is Us. I was ready to sleep again that night, but then woke up at 3:30 and was awake the rest of the night. I finally got up (Dan heard me and walked with me upstairs to my office) and put my feet in the massager so I could relax.

I think one reason I was so restless (besides sleeping for an entire 24 hours), was counting down the hours until I could get the catheter out. Dan had been the emptier the previous day and was a champ for not being disgusted and just being matter-of-fact about it. But after he helped empty it that last time, I was able to finish the job privately. I removed the catheter slowly. It was a little scary, but not so bad after all. Then I had to remove the vag-pak which also was a little scary. But in reality it's just a long strip of gauze that you slowly, gently pull and pull and pull. My doc had warned me it was like a magician pulling scarves out of a hat because it will keep going and going. She was right. I told my sisters it was about 3 feet long. And I wanted to measure it. And I still do. I'm going to see if I can...

9 FEET LONG!!!

The cleaning ladies were here in the morning, and I just crawled back in bed without the sheets on or anything and pulled the covers over me and listened to my podcast and chatted with Nancy. I feel like Clara, "I'm weak and shaky."  I came downstairs and had my green drink and read my scriptures. Then when they were gone I crawled back in bed until 2:00.

I haven't been in any pain and haven't needed any pain killers. But by the afternoon, I was feeling sore. A bit like having a baby. But instead of a head coming out of you, it was probably a doctor's fist going into you. I took some Tylenol to be more comfortable.

I talked to Courtney for a while in the afternoon. She's having fun looking at her hand with a sparkly ring on it. Also, while I was talking to her, the milk of magnesia did its thing and I had to hang up on her. It was literally a Bridesmaids (the movie) moment. #iykyk
But no complaints --  I'm always happy to regain normality after surgery!

I was up the rest of the day, but watched TV in the evening while Nick and Dan were gone. I'm hoping that by staying awake, I'll sleep better tonight. We watched a couple episodes of The Crown and went to bed.

Oh But we did have a phone chat with Rhonda and Bob, Michael's parents. They're so fun! We mostly just gushed about how much we love each other's kids and how excited we are to be part of our families and their families and all our families can be part of each other. And that we support Courtney and Michael in however they want their wedding day to play out. They're just enjoying being engaged for now. But hopefully will start figuring out a venue and date in the next week or two.

Courtney and Michael are Engaged!!

All texts, Instagrams, conversations and phone calls today revolved around 

these two and their engagement!

So much fun! 

01/20/2020

First, we did this...

...with these kids

Then we FaceTimed with them...

Because of this!

They're engaged!! 

Yay!!! Soooo excited to have Michael as a member of the family!

Courtney and Michael are perfect for each other. We're all so happy!

Staying In

After breakfast we said goodbye to Lizzie and Marty this morning who needed to get back to Provo.

The rest of us got ready and went to church here in town. Park City has a "visitor's ward" to accommodate all the visitors that show up each Sunday. (Kihei, Hawaii should totally do this too.) Sacrament meeting is a testimony meeting and no additional meetings.  We arrived early, so the boys were asked to pass the sacrament. A couple of them were worried about not being in white shirts. The high councilman presiding said, "It doesn't matter what you're wearing. If you know you're worthy, we'd love you to pass the sacrament."

Don't let the empty pews fool you, the chapel filled up completely by the time the meeting started.

We had a nice Come Follow Me and each of the boys were good sports in participating and finding the meanings of each of the symbols in Lehi/Nephi's Dreams.

The rest of the day we just relaxed in the condo. The boys played Sorry, went sledding after the slopes closed, and played pool. And of course x-box. Dan and I wrote to Christopher, then talked to Marty, then talked to Courtney. Connecting with family even though they are away. I caught up on all my magazines I saved for this trip and Dan finalized travel for our next trip to Hawaii. Then we played three games of Rummikub.

I love relaxing Sundays. But I'm ready to get outside tomorrow!

Great Ski Day

The teenagers left the condo as soon as the lifts opened. 

Dan, me, Marty and Lizzie enjoyed taking our time.

Once out on the mountain, the sun was shining and we took it easy so we could all stick together.

I learned that its much better for me to warm up my legs on the greens than hit it hard right off the bat with the expert skiers!

The sun was shining and it was a fantastic ski day!

We came back to the condo for a panini and soup lunch (per our tradition).

We always pack the panini maker because no Deer Valley trip is complete without it.

In fact I have an extra, because last year I committed my panini maker to youth conference and we can't have our DV trip without it. So I bought another.

On the way back out, we met this wild turkey wandering the paths!

These turkeys were pretty fun to be with this weekend.

I think they enjoyed being together too! 

After dinner in town, we watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine with Marty and Lizzie while Nick and friends played the x-box. (They all bring monitors and x-boxes and somehow make them fit in their tiny bunk room. It's quite the set-up.)

It's fun to watch the action on the slopes after the sun goes down. 

The grooming machines are hard at work long into the night.

Deer Valley Weekend

Deer Valley Weekend! 

Finally its Nick's turn to bring a bunch of friends for a weekend of 

skiing, hot tubbing, food and x-boxing. 

After unpacking at the condo, we drove over to The Montage for appetizers and bowling.

Marty and Lizzie arrived just in time for dinner at the condo.

After the teenagers went hot tubbing and we watched a movie

(we talked Marty into Miss Congeniality)

then played Rummikub until after midnight.

Hitting the slopes tomorrow!

I love staying up here because you can sleep in and still get a full day of skiing. 

Lookin' Good

Yesterday, Nick and I went to order his new glasses. 

While we were waiting we tried lots on, of course. 

These caught my eye and looked even cuter on, so I ordered them! 

New glasses -- super exciting! 

I hope they arrive by my surgery when I'll be wearing glasses all day everyday!

Also that outfit I'm wearing above looked super cute with my pink New Balance shoes.

Fasting

Today Nick and I fasted for Sophie today 

(along with the ward youth and leaders and probably lots of others) 

She is having brain surgery tomorrow to have a second tumor removed. 

Her first surgery was when she was 11. 

Now she just turned 15 and they discovered another tumor has grown.

I was sure proud of Nick and the rest of the kids for fasting so long. 

Makes a difference when you have someone you care about to think of all day.

My mom and I went for a walk in our winter wonderland neighborhood. 

It was slippery again so she wore the Yak Traks. It helped a ton!

In the evening, the Young Women came over to break our fast together and also to celebrate our achievement of taking over 500 names to the temple last year!

I love capturing the piles of shoes at the door!

Conveniences

While I went to Clara's, my mom and Marge went to look at new cars for Marge. They were very excited to find one she likes. They just have to be patient while the one with the bells and whistles is delivered. Exciting!

Some Clara-isms of the day are: "Oh honey, getting old is for the birds. Well, actually, I don't want the birds to have to deal with this!" And, "I'm as weak as a kitten today." She couldn't remember one thing she wanted to talk to me about. She called me later when she remembered, "I need you to go buy me some new garments that I can be buried in." Me: "Sure! What type of fabric? Oh, I guess it won't matter."

I had my pre-op appointment as well. I'm going to do it all... the rectocele repair, endometrial ablation and incontinence surgery. I so hope it's successful.

While I was waiting for my mom and Marge to get back for dinner, I started reading the manual to my new car to figure out some of the features. (And to figure out if I can install a back window wiper. Today we had a brief, but significant snow storm. I sat in my car and looked for the controls for the back wiper -- the window was thick with snow. I realized I don't have one, so got out and brushed it off. Fine. But then while I was in the store for five minutes, I came back out, I was cold and wet and not excited to stand in the snowstorm and brush it all off again. So I didn't. But I also couldn't see a thing out the back. I am missing a back window wiper and also realizing I am spoiled!)

The car manual is about as riveting as Becoming.

I'm still so tired from Youth Conference.

Seussical

I am loving this podcast. Also the seamless connection from my phone to my car for listening to podcasts! I think I'll download Audible so I can listen to books in my car more often. (It might be a good way to get through Becoming by Michelle Obama. After only reading a few pages, I always fall asleep. I've read a ton and I'm still in the middle of her childhood. There's nothing wrong. It's sweet. There's just nothing exciting either.)

My mom and I went for a walk in the freshly fallen dusting of snow. It was slippery, but just as we thought we'd need to turn back, we arrived at the river path with better traction. We've been very focused on closing our rings on the Activity tracker on our Apple watches. 

In the evening we went to Seussical at Hale with Dan, Me, Mom and Marge. (Nick begged to go to lacrosse weight training instead. It was probably a good move for him.) But the rest of us thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot was thin, but the show was entertaining. The Cat in the Hat character was A-Maz-Ing and stole the show! The set was fantastic too. I'm floored with what they pull off at our "little regional theater." 

The adults had dinner at an Italian restaurant. Nick had to fend for himself. When we got home we found that he'd made rice and sauteed sausages and mushrooms. His rice didn't quite turn out (he kept it on boil, so there wasn't enough liquid), but I am always so impressed that he doesn't shy away from cooking for himself. (Not just resorting to mac 'n cheese or toast!)

Happy Birthday to Nick!

I drove kids home from Youth Conference, 

but Nick hitched a ride with our bishop to meet Dan skiing.

I can't believe he (and the bishop) had the energy to ski! I was exhausted!

We went out to Bonsai for his birthday dinner.

It never gets old.

Today we had our usual waffle breakfast and Nick opened presents. 

He was a good sport about it being just Dan and me to celebrate him!

Then I helped him prepare because he had to teach his class lesson today.

One thing I love about Nick is he's very teachable. 

He was annoyed when he realized he was teaching (he'd forgotten).

But he didn't waste time and took me up on my offer to help him think through ideas.

He's great at formulating questions and putting ideas together.

He also got set apart as the new Teacher's Quorum President today.

His teacher said he's so impressed with Nick and how he's kind to everyone. 

He's cool and kids want to be like him, and he's also inclusive and a good friend.

He's also dependable and takes his responsibilities seriously.

After church, Marty and Lizzie came down from Provo to be here for dinner and his birthday!

Grandma also came because she's in town to babysit for Sheree next week.

We had crab, artichokes, Caesars' salad and rolls. 

Ended with Nick's favorite Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese frosting (and chocolate chips)!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Youth Conference

I had a great weekend at winter Youth Conference with the youth in our ward and the leaders. Fun, great food and too much dessert. Many spiritual talks, thoughts, lessons and testimonies. I admit last summer as we put it on the calendar, I originally voted to not do it -- especially because we have FSY this summer with instruction to not have a separate summer youth conference. It's a lot of work and planning and a weekend away from home. But our Bishop and Young Women's President wanted to do it. When they made the decision to move forward, the thought came to me, "I would pay several hundred dollars for Nick to have a weekend with other youth having spiritual experiences and being mentored by adults I admire. So why am I not wanting to take advantage of this opportunity being offered?" It changed my outlook entirely.

We left Thursday after school (no school on Friday for end of term). 

I loaded the girls in my class in my car and drove to the cabin but unfortunately didn't have good directions and ended up at the wrong place -- about 30 minutes away in a different canyon from where we were supposed to be! Fortunately the girls were good sports with positive attitudes. I also didn't have service when we hit the wrong dead end which made me nervous. But 10 minutes back down that canyon, I got good instructions and we made it to the cabin (more like beautiful mansion in the wilderness) and didn't miss a thing.

We catered Cafe Rio for dinner which was a huge hit. Then had an outdoor activity from an amazing outdoorsman in our ward. He tied the kids together in groups then gave each of them a receiver. He had hid three beacons in a big snowy field and the kids had to try to find their "friend" lost in an avalanche. It was a great learning experience and fun for the kids. After they found the beacons, he hid them again and they got another chance. Everyone loved it.

Back at the cabin, he taught a lot about back country safety and then tied it to the gospel. The bishop spoke after him. It was a fun activity and great life lessons. The kids then stayed up all night and the leaders were up until 1:30 a.m. talking! 

Saturday morning after a huge breakfast, we went tubing at Soldier Hollow. 

Then back to the cabin for soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Our service activity was putting together lunch packs for children at a local elementary school and making scarves for them as well. 

"Go and Do" song practice

Then free time. My highlight was seeing the cool senior boys playing Risk with the new not-as-confident 13-year-old Teachers. It was the epitome of kindness and brotherly love. I also loved that my girls were 100% dedicated to the one 13-year-old girl who was able to come. They included her in everything they did and genuinely loved her. I'm so impressed with the kids in our ward!

Friday night we had the incredible privilege of having Brad Wilcox come and speak.

He brought replicas of the gold plates, the Urim and Thummim and seer stones. 

We all loved gaining a better understanding of what these actually were and how Joseph Smith used them and how incredible it was that he was able to translate the Book of Mormon. 

Everyone was riveted.

We ended the evening with a testimony meeting that was so spiritual. 

It was a highlight of everyone there. 

Well, of course, the evening didn't actually end. The kids stayed up all night again and the leaders stayed up talking until 2:00 again. But that's to be expected.

The next morning we had breakfast, cleaned up and got home by 11:00.

I've come home even more in love with our youth and super grateful that I got to spend the weekend with them. So grateful for all the leaders who make an impact on my own son and the impressive men and women he gets to learn from. And especially the Gospel and the positive impact it has on our children and the blessing of the knowledge that God has a plan for us, he loves us and will help us in our lives, and we will live with him again.