Check-Ups

Mammogram today.

A few months ago Dan and I made appointments for all our doctor check-ups

and I realized I hadn't been for my breast check since 2020! 

Weird how time gets away from you.

Next year I'm going to try to make my mammogram, dermatology check, blood work and ear cleaning all on the same day. Maybe even the dentist too. Just get all the health and wellness checks done at once.

Lots of rain and hail this afternoon as I was out running errands!

Anniversary By The Numbers

32 years, 4 incredible kids + 2 amazing additions, 

the most precious granddaughter and even a dog! 

We fell in love at 18, married at 21, 

lived in 7 different states, and moved 15 times—13 in our first 10 years of marriage. 

I’d choose you all over again. 

So happy to be living this beautiful adventure with you by my side. 

I had an 11:00 appointment to get my stitches out -- and man, did it hurt!

The skin still wasn't closed, so they glued it shut.

After lunch, Dan and I went to the Jordan River Temple to do sealings,

per our anniversary tradition.

We found several family names and really enjoyed the camaraderie within the sealing group.

Before getting dressed in my white clothes, I opened the locker stall door, 

and my bad finger lingered, is what I suppose happened, and the purse hook jammed right into my wound.

Man, it hurt and I wanted to cry a little, but I didn't.

But it did start bleeding, so after the temple, we went back to the doctor to have them take a look.

It had stopped bleeding and they cleaned it up and it looked like the glue had held.

Franck's for dinner which was delicious, except for the main course.

My meat tasted like meat, which I'm not super fond of--unless they're steaks Dan has cooked.

But like I said, the rest of the meal was delicious. It was my first time to Franck's,

and I wouldn't be opposed to going back. The ambiance is really beautiful.

I'll probably stick with appetizers.

Happy Anniversary, Dan! I love you!

A Buenos Aires Missionary

Dan and I drove down to Orem for Ethan's mission call opening...
and he'd going to Buenos Aires! 

He'll be in the east mission which is a different area than where Dan served, 

but we're so excited for him!

Good for the Soul

Girls day in Midway.

Came up Sunday night at 9:00 and left about 10:00 pm tonight.

Jenn calls it "family history" weekend and everyone works on scrapbooks or some sort of memory book.

Jenn is up to date with all her digital photo albums.

KT does the old fashioned way (but so colorful and fun to look at) with actual photographs,

Creative Memories albums, circular cutters and scrapbook paper.

Edie was working on her son's mission blog, uploading his letters and after the fact will print into a book.

I brought up my hard drive hoping to have access to all photos pre-2013, but no luck.

Instead I deleted years of duplicates, dark photos and videos that didn't need to be saved.

Lots of laughs alongside our productive work,

"mangy" deer that hung out in the yard all day long,

a long walk finding a new trail,

Jennie met us for dinner at our traditional venue, Back 40. 

She is so enthusiastic about her upcoming mission, it was infectious,

and a few Nate Bargatze videos and more story-swapping before I drove home.

Belly laughs with the ladies is good for the soul.

Photos of Blossoms Never Gets Old

Sunday morning walk with Dan.

Church with the kids and another long Sunday meal with fun conversation around the dinner table.

Baseball Season

 Date night at Holladay Park--

Remembering all those years we watched baseball games at this field, seven, to be exact.

Of course by the time Nick was playing here, Marty's games were at Tanner Park then Evergreen, 

Chris' were at Canyon Rim, then Tanner Park and Evergreen after that. 

And on it went. Baseball season was hectic, but so much fun.

We were going to ride the electric bikes over, but they were out of battery.

We rode the Vespa instead. 

Beautiful night to be out and about. I love having a community park with so much going on.

Speedy Recovery

Should we get a sauna and cold plunge? 

Nick and Dan have been trying to determine where to put one for a couple of years 

and we think we have the perfect spot on the porch behind the guest room.

Chris was driving in front of me today--

how much do I love pulling up next to this grin that radiates joy?

I think a squirrel found a good hidey hole this winter.

My finger doesn't hurt at all. When it starts to throb, I elevate it and ice it.

And my shoulder is 90%. So happy for quick healing.

Dan and I went to the movies to see "Escape from Germany" about the Mormon Missionaries being evacuated from Germany just as World War II was beginning. Nick loved it so much and was so excited for us to see it. We haven't been to the theater for a while. Kinda thinking we should do it more often.

We went to the Holladay theater, and as we pulled in, Dan said, 

"I love coming to this theater--it's so close and easy."

However, we misjudged the enthusiasm for the show and the tickets were sold out. 

No problem. We bought tickets online for Ft. Union which started an hour later.

When we arrived, discovered we'd bought tickets for 3300 South instead.

Made a quick trip that direction and still made it before the previews ended.

We were determined because Nick was so excited for us to see it.

So fun to think about it through his eyes, heading out on his own mission soon.

Nick's Endowment

My shoulder feels so much better today!

I slathered it in magic ointment--Wintercrest--before bed last night,

and today have much more movement in the problem areas with no pain everywhere else.

Hooray! I feel like a new person!

Nick received his endowment this afternoon at the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

Diane, Sheree & Jared and Camille all attended with us.

It was so nice to have family join us and support him!

It was a happy, fun day.

We ate dinner at Tsunami afterward with Diane 

(Sheree & Jared were off to Simone's lacrosse game),

with lots of good food, fun conversation, laughs and funny stories to share.

(Also a very cute waitress who was so excited to hear he'd just been through the temple

and was going on a mission. She's "just" arrived home seven months ago.

She was darling and we think Luke should ask her out.)

Also, we have to remember the kid who was so chatty out front of the temple

who did a backflip and almost hit an older gentleman headed inside. 

But we were grateful he took our photos!

Battered and Scarred

Sensitive Content Warning: Don't enlarge this picture unless you want to see something super gross! Or very interesting. Depending on who you are!

(The green ring is a finger tourniquet.)

Two bad things: 

1) By yesterday evening, my shoulder was realllllly stiff. When I had the big fall hiking yesterday, my right arm was behind me. I'd been holding on to twigs for stability as we descended over snow and ice so even thought my butt landed on the ground, my arm was extended behind and elevated. KT even said, "Oh no! Did you hurt your shoulder?" But I hadn't! It was just fine. But it wasn't.

Last night we were invited to a friend's home for dinner (super gourmet presentation--like Michelin worthy! It was so good! And they started by commenting they were eating Keto so the whole dinner was keto-friendly!) and somewhere between the 3rd and 4th courses, I was having to adjust my arm in weird ways to keep it from hurtimg.

When I woke up this morning, it was hanging a full two inches longer than the other arm. Not everything hurt all the time, just certain movements and I was unconsciously holding it close to my body--my brain was really protecting it. It hurt to take off clothes, put on clothes, and do basically anything. It was the same arm as my tennis elbow. Just as I had been feeling so good that that arm was finally painfree, now this. I had to fight off a sense of depressing hopelessness washing over me. 

On the bright side, I had an appointment that morning with an ortho about PRP for my tennis elbow. I asked him about my shoulder and he was happy to evaluate. We determined the pain was when I held it in front of me and tried to lift. Also extended in front and raising above shoulder height. He reassured me that most shoulder injuries heal without incident. Give it about two weeks. If it was still painful then, we'd get an MRI.

2) In the afternoon I was getting a cyst removed from my middle finger (same arm!). Last week I'd gone in to have it removed, assuming it was a ganglion cyst. But it was in a weird spot (finger underside instead of on top of joint) so he determined it wasn't ganglion and we'd have to remove it surgically.

As it turned out, once they cut in, it was ganglion. So surgery for nothing. But I'm just glad it's gone. And shouldn't return, so that's good. 

I was awake and very numb during the procedure and the doctor misinterpreted my morbid curiosity in watching him cut and wanting to see the cyst for medical interest and a strong constitution, and once he excised the cyst (gel filled), used the tweezers to show me the nerve and tendon (a lot like what we see preparing chicken!). I silently chanted to myself throughout the procedure, "This is totally normal. Doctors and nurses do this all day long. They cut and pry underneath the skin, move nerves out of the way and tap on tendons, and they're totally fine seeing it all. Doesn't need to be any different for me seeing it as well." Took me a full evening to shed the image and impression of him tapping on my tendon. Much like the time it took to recover emotionally after cleaning up Clara's blood.

They stitched me up and bandaged my finger thoroughly and while I had time with the PA, asked him about my shoulder and he agreed that I should give it two weeks (since I wasn't having active pain) and most likely it would heal on its own. 

So battered and scarred (like the old violin) I made my home, plopped myself on the couch and spent the evening reading, shivering at the tendon tap and dreading when the numbing would wear off.

Angels Watching Over Me

Bells Canyon Falls Hike

From this:

To this:

To this:

To get to this:

When we hit snow for the steepest part of the hike, it was treacherous.

But the challenge created a lot of commiseration with everyone we passed

who were also slipping and sliding all over the trail.

Except for the few who wore spikes and thought the rest of us were stupid.

I fell a couple of times and was super grateful for how I landed--

the first time my hand hit soft dirt right in between to rocks.

The second time I slipped on a rock and actually caught air,

flew over the rock on my way down so that my back/knees/shoulders/head

completely missed landing on the boulder and instead sat me down in soft dirt,

totally unhurt.

KT said my dad must have been watching over me for that one.

A little later she started talking about grasshoppers and that reminded me of Clara,

who had a little grasshopper outside her porch one summer that she truly believed was her friend.

Whoever it was, I am grateful.

CGM, for short

 I'm wearing a Continuous Glucose Monitor to track my glucose levels for the next few months.
I've been curious about them for a long time, ever since my cousin was wearing one at our reunion a couple years ago and she said the information was so interesting and she was learning ways to lower spikes and what foods were triggers, so I was excited when my doctor prescribed it.

Nick had one he never used from a couple of years ago, so Dan is wearing that one

and we're both going to track for the next two weeks.

The scariest part was attaching it, but I had Dan do it and it didn't hurt at all.

It's super easy to get a reading -- you just hold your phone close to the monitor,

and it will give you an instant reading. The app tracks throughout the day but with a range graph chart, not a specific number. 

I've been reading a ton of online articles trying to understand recommended levels
before and after eating, during exercise, highs and lows, morning vs. evening levels, etc.

Since I'm eating Keto, I should stay in my target range so it will be easier to notice spikes and how to attribute them. At some point, I'll use the data again when I start adding fruits and whole grains back into my diet to find my sensitivities.

The worst part is an alarm you can't turn off when your numbers fall to low.

The alarm would be helpful if you were actually diabetic.

And also if it didn't have a flaw where if you lay on the arm of the device and put too much pressure on it at night, it can't get an accurate reading, and the levels show up low. We've been woken at 4:30 am for two nights now when my alarm goes off! 

I think I've figured out I just need to close the app. Phew!

Also, Chris and I worked on his taxes today. I was mainly moral support because I told him how easy they are to do and I'd just guide him to the right websites. But I was wrong.

Especially because he had three W-2's and had to enter the W-2 info by hand to file electroniocally, 

which was super tedious and the "take a picture and upload" wasn't working because his phone number isn't in his name--it's in Dan's. Ugh!

Also, they were more challenging than I expected because the IRS site is needlessly confusing and requires a pin number and information from last year's statements to file!

Chris  remembered we used a third-party last year,

and fortunately, I discovered I'd saved the information in my phone under his contact info.

(Mom's are the best!)

We went through the whole process again, got his federal filed, opted not to pay the $40 to file the state, 

because, I said, I'm sure Utah's direct site is much easier. 

No. No, it wasn't. It kept telling him he owed $200 which I was certain wasn't true.

He left to workout. I kept digging.

Finally Dan came home and was my moral support as we tried the whole State process again

and Dan detected the "standard deduction" line we were missing and knew where to look for it on the federal form (If I were designing the site, I would put a note "look on your federal form, line 40.")

Finally we got it filed and Chris actually gets $200 back.

And that, in summary, is what is wrong with the IRS.

Nick's Ordination

Nick was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood today.

Dan ordained him an Elder with our Bishop, Dave B. in the circle and our High Councilman, Brent A.

The high councilman asked me to bear my testimony,

so I asked that before I did, each of the men share how the Priesthood blessed their lives.

Dan said holding the priesthood was a commitment to serve others and through 

serving, you'll find your own life is blessed.

Bishop B. talked about the first time he gave a blessing on his mission to a sick man in Cambodia.

He promised he'd be healed, all the while wanting to stop himself from making such a promise.

But in fact, the man was healed and able to serve a mission.

The Priesthood is the power given to men to do the Lord's work on the earth.

Brother A. said he was bolstered by the faith of others.

One man wanted a blessing, but he couldn't speak the language. The man said, to give it in English. 

It didn't matter what language was spoken, the man still felt the blessing.

Finally, I shared with Nick that I've always been grateful that Dan held the Priesthood

and could use it to bless our family.

I testified that the prayers of a mom are heard by God and every bit as effective.

I've also often been in situations where I didn't know what to pray for and 

in the momen was given the words to say. 

But, there is something unique about Priesthood blessings.

I can't exactly define the difference, but my spirit recognizes it.

(Perhaps its that in prayer I could ask for blessings/healing/comfort/guidance.

I can talk to God through prayer and expect answers in my heart or mind.

But in Priesthood blessings you might actually "command" -- is that the right word? -- 

the body to heal with the authority you're acting on God's behalf. Of course, that doesn't happen very often. But you could, if prompted by the Holy Ghost.

I wouldn't do that in a regular prayer.)

It's a blessing to be used on behalf of others, and the most special to bless your own children.

When Dan ordained Nick, he blessed him and counseled him in the following things: 

that he will be a blessing to his mission president with his maturity,

to be humble in leadership opportunities on his mission and to look for ways to love,

blessed him with the gift to learn the language quickly,

blessed him with protection in racing between now and his mission,

and that he would start sharing the Gospel now with the people he spends time with.

***

Afterward, while Dan got a chicken roasting, Nick helped me

put the patio cushions on the outdoor furniture!

Soooo happy for warmer weather!

 

Mission Shopping with Nick

Last week my bike wouldn't change gears which made the ride really crummy.

I was very confused and frustrated, but Dan reminded me I needed to charge my new electronic shifter bike. K. Ugh. I had no clue where I'd put the charger. Surely I'd saved it, right?

Fortunately it was in the second place I looked and today, shifting worked perfectly.

I even made it up 3000 South without stopping. A good milestone for Spring.

Dan and I rode together--another telltale sign that the weather is changing.

This afternoon, we took Nick suit shopping at our new favorite store

that apparently people come from far distances to shop for prom suits etc.

And all this time we've been slumming it at Men's Warehouse.

Suffice to say, the boys were much more confident in Ken's ability to get the right fit than 

their experience at Mr. Mac. (Plus he told them they were too youthful for stodgy black suits--

something I've been trying to tell them for years.

We also got a blazer for Dan with the plan to come back soon for another.

Then Maria's for lunch, Deseret Book/Distribution center for temple clothes for Nick's upcoming endowment and finally a stop at the mall to get a few Lululemon pants for comfort tracting.

(At least physical clothes comfort!)

As a great end to our great day, the weather was so nice we ate outside!

Evidence

This pretty lady (wait, aren't the showy birds males?) was in my walking path today. 

And while I took pictures, I could hear another calling in the distance.

I've never had concrete evidence there are two peacocks living here.

We went to dinner with the Watts tonight, and the show, Deep Sky, 

at the planetarium. Deep Sky is about the making of and deep space journey of the James Webb Telescope.

The images were so breathtakingly beautiful.

It's hard to imagine there are trillions of galaxies. 

I think we only knew about ours when I was a kid and only speculated there were others.

The magnitude of space is mind-blowing.

Ahhhh... so it's still a planet, but an extra small one?

Definitely not a star. I get that now.

With a Little Help

This morning started out with everything good for the soul--

vigorous exercise, nutritious breakfast and no rushing before I had an early afternoon doctor appt.

Chris has had a very busy week with school and work and prepping for 

Sigma Chi formal this weekend in Crested Butte. 

(Did you know that Sigma Chi formal is always at a destination location?)

His group planned to drive a few hours extra to spend a night and day at the ranch in Pagosa.

He swapped cars with Nick so he could have the SUV to drive six people,

but Dan told him he'd need to take it to get new brakes before a road trip,

so he took it in on Wednesday morning. 

All good up to now, until it wasn't done Wednesday evening, as promised.

He came home and told me how frustrated he was at the dealership,

how it compounded on top of a stressful week but how he'd reminded himself

it wasn't the dealership guy's fault, so he remained calm in spite of the bad news that he'd have to go back on Thursday, after his Calculus quiz, which would slow down getting on the road.

Chris is always fun to talk to because he's good at analyzing and expressing 

his emotions and thought process. And I like to do the same thing.

So Thursday morning he's trying to find the key to the rocket box which is nowhere to be found.

And trying get to class on time. He'd called and the car would be done at 11:00.

(All last night I'd been thinking of how I could be helpful, 

but I had an appointment I needed to leave to, so couldn't think of what I could do to help.)

But then Chris asked if "there was any way I could pick up the car? I could take an Uber there, he'd take my car to class, and we could do a car swap after his quiz was done?"

Well, I had my doctor appointment, I explained, but there probably would be time if I left right now to pick up the car and drive straight downtown.

He perked up. That was near-ish his house and I could take the car to him after my appointment.

It was a really good plan, and I was impressed that Chris has thought it through. Maybe it would work.

So I abadoned my shower, through on clothes and hopped in an Uber 

while he rushed off, taking my car to dash to class.

I got several texts from him: "Thanks so much! Are you sure this is okay?"

To which I responded, "Yes, all great. Just focus on doing well on your quiz."

Unfortunately, the car was not done when I arrived at the dealership.

Probably would be in 30 minutes. But I needed to leave in 5 to get to my doctor appt.

I left a message for the doctor to see if we could switch to virtual.

Ten minutes later I still hadn't heard back.

Meanwhile Chris was texting, "I'm so sorry! I'll come back and get you!"

"No. I'm your mom. I want to help you when I can.

I'll figure it out. You worry about your quiz!"

When I told the dealership guy I needed to leave and we'd come back in the afternoon and he was every so apologetic and offered to get me an Uber (but I'd already called one),

I remembered what Chris had said yesterday.

It wasn't this guy's fault. He's just passing on info.

And who knows what else was transpiring to get the work done.

Everyone was doing their best and I would invoke Chris' generosity 

and let all my frustrated feelings slip away.

Chris sent one last text asking if I wanted him to pick me up after his quiz.

Which would be perfect!

And for the second time that day I was grateful that when I didn't see a solution of how to be more helpful,

Chris asked for what he needed with a plan and that really lightened my mother-load of having to think of all the solutions in wanting to be helpful.

(And doesn't that make you think that when we go to God in prayer, how it's nice to have an idea of what we'd like to see happen. Even though we also know, "thy will be done.")

Once in the Uber on the way downtown I was a little stressed about getting there on time.

And the new office staff had been real buggers last time I was there and I started projecting about how they might be sticklers again and rude and I really wasn't sure I was up for being kind in the face of adversity.

So, when I arrived, as I ran up the stairs, I said a quick prayer to see the 

receptionist ladies (really just girls) as God sees them.

I smiled and they smiled back and they apologized that the doctor was running five minutes late and I laughed and said I was grateful because I was too. 

They were sweet and I was too and all my anxiety melted away.

Which is good, because the doctor told me my glucose/insulin stats are going up, in spite of eating mostly clean since January. Eating and nutrition is closely tied to my anxiety about perfectionism,

so it was very overwhelming information to digest (ha!). And whew, this day!

Chris picked me up and we drove to the dealership together sharing all about the events of the day and how proud we were of ourselves for handling our frustrations in a positive way.

Plus he thought he did really great on the quiz!

The car was done, I went home to find the car topper key 

(because only a mom knows all the other places to search on top of where everyone else 

already thought to look). 

Chris picked up his group. Then stopped back home for the car topper,

because, of course, I'd found the key.

And then waved goodbye as they hit the road for adventure.

Solitude Bluebird Day

I said "yes" when Carol invited me skiing and am so happy I did!

Not a cloud in the blue sky, I didn't even need a coat or long johns and the snow was still

fantastic with only a couple of slushy places.

She picked me up at 8:45 and we skied until 11:45.

I love Solitude because the runs we take are blues and with the slopes wide open,

I can go fast, without any anxiety that blacks give me and Honeycomb Canyon

is long and so fun, it feels like you're on a roller coaster!

I think this is the thrill Dan and the kids get because they're so good at skiing--

all joy with none of the stress.

Seen on our first run -- Kung Fu Panda!

Chris and I picked up his new suit for formal (and work and all the times he needs to dress up and hasn't had a new suit since his mission).

He looks so handsome!

Neighbor Friends

 I had a wonderful lunch with a few neighborhood friends--
Holli, Amelia & Jammey. (Dayna was sick.)

We live across the street from each other but rarely see one another.

We met at noon, by 1:15 were finished eating,

but the next time I looked at my watch it was already 2:30!

Time few by!

Isn't it nice when you reach out to see if anyone wants to get together

and everyone immediately agrees and thanks you for getting the ball rolling? 

So grateful for neighbors becoming friends, differing perspectives and mutual respect, trust

 and the camaraderie that proximity brings. 

(Which isn't always the case, but we have it here and for that I am additionally grateful.)

***

After a hugely productive day yesterday and a terrible night's sleep,

I spent the evening binging Life & Beth and Modern Family.

(Dan's in New York on business.)

Tooth 31 & Eclipse

My crown (tooth 31) cracked and a piece broke off Friday morning.

By Saturday evening another half loosened and eventually I had to take it out.

Who knew I'd get the "thrill" of pulling a tooth all over again.

Fortunately, the dentist got me in first thing this morning,

and they make crowns in-office. 

After two hours of relaxing with my eyes closed 

listening to a good book (Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett),

I had a new tooth that feels even better than the old one. 

The eclipse coverage wasn't as dramatic as it has been in past years,

but was still fun. I bought a bunch of glasses and gave a pair to our dog walker whoo arrived in the middle. At her next dog drop off, a group of older ladies were having lunch and didn't have any glasses so she was able to share the ones I'd given her. Sharing is the best part of eclipse viewing.

This afternoon, Chris and I went suit shopping. 

He looked so sharp--wish I had a picture.

April Conference

Favorite thoughts from talks at Conference today:

Ronald Rasband: Words matter. Be careful what you say. Think first.

When in doubt one of three expressions: Thank you. I'm sorry. I love you.

Of course that reminded me of wisdom from Armand Gamache that I like just a little bit more:

I was wrong. I'm sorry. I don't know. I need help.

Dale Renlund: Maintain spiritual momentum

Paul Pieper: Don't ask "why" but, "what does God what you to learn?"

Trust in the Lord--he is focused on our growth and progress.

Patrick Kearon: Absolutely every word of his talk:

"Our Father's beautiful plan, even his "fabulous" plan, 

is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out."

"If you are prone to worry that you will never measure up,

or that the loving reach of Christ's infinite Atonement mercifully covers everyone else,

but not you, then you are misunderstanding.

'Infinite' means infinite. 'Infinite' covers you, and those you love."

And of course, that the opening prayer was given by Vi Sikahima.

Happiness &. Wonder

Happy Birthday, Michael!

We love your wit, your charm, and your stellar crossword ability.

Gorgeous morning conference walk.

Loved this quote by GK Chesterton shared by President Holland:

"...gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

I kept my eye on the track times all day -- go 766 and 225!

This evening Bekah, Liv and I got pedicures then dinner at Itto's

and treats at Nielsen's. 

Meanwhile the guys had a great day on the track.

Nick's team took second and got to be on the podium!

Dan felt great about they way he drove as well and they took sixth.

Finished the night with a few episodes of Modern Family. 

Remember when Courtney and Marty were Liv's age (11) 

and we watched Modern Family every week?