The Last Days of July (Already?!!)

The LDS temple on the evening of the Fourth of July

 Braden, Tristan, Cammie, and Janik

Along the river

 Kattie and Ben on the Fourth of July

 Cameron and Janik and little Cammie, Brianna, Braden, and Kylie

were all there for the fireworks!

 Seth got to come up for the Fourth of July

thanks to Justin!

 Joshua and Ben

Ju

Alaina

Justin in the kitchen

 All of the above photos were taken on or around the Fourth

Wasn't the sky pretty over the temple?

I can't believe it's July 26th now!  Time has really flown this year, and we're having lots of fun!  First of all, Phillip called and talked to Mark about his hope to attend BYU-I when he gets out of the Army.  He'll be in Afghanistan till then, I think, which will be next May or June?  Megan or someone, or Phillip - when is it exactly?  Do you know yet?  Anyway, I think it's great that you'll get the GI Bill, Phillip!

Also, we'll still rent our house in Pocatello out, but we also have it up for sale for enough to pay it off.  If it sells, great; if not, that's fine too.  We'll just see what happens, but it would be kind of exciting to not have a house payment. : )

Haley came over Saturday evening with Hunter and we had a great visit.  Hunter is sooo silly!  I wish I could have videotaped him!  He and Haley got their birthday presents from us, such as they were, and we ate out together (they don't have a Sizzler in Las Vegas, so that the casino buffets will not have that competition, and Mark's been dying to go there).   And Tuesday (today, by eleven minutes) evening, they are having Joshua's birthday at the park.  Fun, fun!

Yesterday after church, Melinda was kind enough to send some of their watermelon home with us.  I was Dying for it, ever since I didn't get any at Sizzler.  (Btw, Haley had never eaten at a Sizzler, that she could recall, at least; she was totally surprised at how great their food is.  My favorite part is their baked potatoes.)

Also, Kattie came by here for an interview for Activities Director, and she was the only interviewee.  She was a shoo in!  The residents that remember her really miss her.  Presently, there is a bunch listed on the calendar, but hardly anything actually happens, and that's with two full-time people - Oh my goodness!
So it will be great to see the changes Kattie will bring.   It's no fun to anticipate activities and then not have them.

Also, Lori is here full-time now and Mark is so glad!  They're making more changes, of course.  They will have a computerized menu system, they put up hanging baskets in front, plus potted flowers, they had the carpets cleaned, they got some beautiful lamps for the main room up front, they got a new tv for up front (the older one hadn't been working right for a long time!), they got some decor for the dining room, they fixed the sound/music, and they are working on many other things.  I'll let you know as more things change.

And Kattie got engaged to a great guy, Ben Young, and she'll be living in Shelley, just south of IF.  Isn't that wonderful news?  We're so happy for them!

I have a new aide, at least for the present, since my other one finished her aide training and then went on vacation.  I have liked all that work for this agency in IF, and this one is no exception.

I think that's most of what's been happening.  Lots of everything, so it's basically kind of thrown together, but I figure this much of a post is better than nothing!
 
I enjoy your comments and posts, everyone!  Congratulations, Kattie and Ben!

xoxoxo

Our Little Meggie

Today is Megan's birthday, so I'm delighted to take this opportunity to write to her today...

Dear Megan...When you were born, we didn't  know if you were a girl or a boy ahead of time, but we were sure hoping for a girl to go with her two brothers!  I was up in Illinois with Ben and Justin, selling our house so that we could move to Texas, where your dad was working.  I would get so tired during the days, because I couldn't sleep at night.  Finally the doctor let me take Benedryl, every other night, so I could get "as much sleep" as he did, in his words.  That was a lifesaver!

I remember sitting in the dr.'s office for hours, waiting for my appts. and thinking, "I can't take this any longer!"  Yet I was still six weeks away from your due date.  You just felt really big!

Obviously, I did make it through those last six weeks, and

I remember my dad and mom  taking me to the hospital, and us dropping the boys off with someone at the church. I'd been having a garage sale that day, and I'd been having contractions all day, too.

Without my parents' help,I couldn't have done the sale, and we still had to close early,
so I could have you!.

Dr. Mary Herald was the dr. on call that evening (isn't that funny, since you later married a Haroldsen?).
She was so patient and quiet.  She stayed at the hospital all night, and  Mom was there with me, too.  You were born at 4:20 a.m., I believe.  You didn't cry: you just looked around with your big, pretty eyes.  I couldn't believe you were a girl!  I kept mistakenly calling you a "he" the first few days, because I'd just mentally prepared to have a boy.

People gave us so many outfits for you!  It felt like they were celebrating with us. The first time we took you to church, I dressed you all in pink, with pink satin shoes and a satin bow in your hair.  You had so much dark hair, and you looked just like a doll-baby.  Everyone oohed and ahhed over you.  

I took you to see Grandma Wakefield Gray in the nursing home (this was right before she died), and I'm so glad she got to see you!  All the residents loved seeing the new baby.

When you were twelve days old, the boys (Ben, almost 4, and Justin, just-turned 2) and I flew with you to Texas, where we we were to make our new home.  

What a trip that was!  Someone from the airline was to meet us at each stopover and assist with getting us and all our carry-ons transferred to the next plane; however, no one showed up at either location!

What a nightmare, then, when we had to make it from
one end of St. Louis airport to the other in just 20 minutes!
It was so crowded, and just when the rush was busiest, Justin pulled his hand out of mine and took off
for who-knew-where!

I had to leave little Ben with our bags and take off after Justin!  I managed to snag him, but that wasn't the only stunt he'd pulled.  When we'd been getting ready for takeoff, at the start of our trip, I was nursing you, to protect your ears from popping (I was covered up, but strapped in and immobile).  The boys were strapped in across the aisle from me, in their assigned seat.
Just as we start to roll, who pops up out of his seatbelt
and stands completely up, but Justin!

The attendant was very upset about it, but I thought, "What's she expect me to do about it?"  The seats were assigned, and I was doing my best.  Finally, he sat down.  Sheesh!

Little Rock, Arkansas was our second stopover point.  It turned out that our short layover was to be extended, due to a power outage at the airport.  That meant no air conditioning (in August), and only dim emergency lighting.  I fed the boys some snacks and let them play with little toys to keep them occupied.   Then I heard Ben pipe up, asking to use the potty.  I hesitantly left you with a strange woman (not something I'd do in this day and age!), and grabbed Justin and we found our way to a restroom.  We just weren't prepared for it to be pitch black in there!  We couldn't see a thing, andfelt our way into a stall.  Ben was afraid, but finally went and we made it out of there.
We breathed a sigh of relief when we returned and found you safe and sound!

Finally, after several hours of waiting, we boarded for the last leg of our flight to Texas; even then we had an hour more of driving to finally see our house.  It was so late when we got there, we rented a hotel room for our first night.  When we got to the house the next day, I was really pleased with it.  We put up a bassinet in our bedroom and,
at long last, laid you down to sleep.

You were still a doll-baby,
and you enjoyed your daily baths and being dressed up every day
in patent leather shoes, lacy socks, and with a bow in your hair.
And a dress, of course!
You just had one time of day you didn't like:
The Dreaded Evenings!
During that time, you would scream bloody murder.
Then you were fine. : /

 

 

Since then, you've been a joy in our lives.

Watching you play and grow, till you're a wife and mother yourself,

has been a sheer pleasure!

We love you

and wish you a

Happy Birthday, Megan!!

xoxoxo

Dear Little Haley...

Today (technically last night - it's the middle of the night, lol) is Haley's birthday!  She's our youngest daughter, now married and a mother to Hunter, who just turned two (happy birthday to Hunter and cousin Joshua!).   I want to start writing about each of you children on your birthdays, as your sisters have done on their blogs, so here goes...

Wow, Haley, where do I begin?  You were a "surprise" baby, in every sense of the word.  After eight years and two miscarriages, I didn't think I'd be having any more babies, till you came along.  When you were born (After the Dr. induced my labor and finally did a C-section.  He said I had a "cast iron" uterus, after a day of strong contractions and no progress made - I think I had gone through the night, also.  Grandpa Buis gave me a blessing because I was having terribly restless legs, and that helped me.. : ), 

  I just remember getting the epidural and then them holding you out for me to see.  I remember being amazed by your little, perfectly miniature hand.  Your dad and I were very excited!

You were a favorite with the nurses, even though you really resented it when they took some blood from your heel!  You were so cute that even your Uncle Jessie commented - only he said you were pretty because you were born in Missouri!

We had everything ready for you at home, thanks to a baby shower that your Aunt Sandy and Linda Kaylor threw for you, before you were born.  It was sooo much better during the last half of my pregnancy with you!  The first half had been hard, and I had a new doctor who didn't know me and seemed very set in his ways, even though he was a relatively new doctor.  Fortunately, after he'd been humbled a few times, his attitude changed.  

Right after you came home, your dad had to go back to Illinois, where he was working at the time, so it was just you and me and the four older kids, who were so delighted to have a new baby in the house.  The girls, especially, wanted to rock you and hold you.  I used to sing the lullaby "Baby Mine," from Dumbo, to you.  You really wanted to be rocked all the time!

When you'd been home a day or so, you took such a long nap that I grew concerned about you.  I went in to check on you, and I picked you up.  As I did, you were choking on some phlegm in your throat.  Finally, you coughed it up and started breathing!  I was so glad that I'd been prompted to check on you at that instant.  I had the kids get in the car, with Ben in the backseat, holding you upright and checking on your breathing.  I drove so fast, around all those big curves to the hospital in Mexico!  I kept asking Ben if you were still breathing.

As we pulled up to Audrain Medical Center, where you'd been born, your pediatrician stepped out of the emergency room door, right next to our car.  That was such a miracle!  Dr. Murrywid examined you and said that you were jaundiced and had some kind of infection that you may have gotten when you were born.  He didn't know.  He sent you up to the neonatal ICU.  It was so scary!

The kids waited in a little waiting room while I called your dad.  Their faces were so pale, and they were very quiet.  They didn't want to lose their baby!  When I went in to see you, you were under the special lights, with an IV taped to your partially-shaved head.  You looked kind of gray, and very sick!  You were laying on your tummy, like a little frog, and my tears rained down on your back, as I talked to you and prayed for you.  I turned to Dr. Murrywid and asked him if he thought you would live.  He held his hand up towards Heaven and said, "Only God knows."  

You'd been placed on an eleven-day course of IV antibiotics, and they tested your spinal fluid, which, thank goodness, came back negative. 

When your dad arrived, we called the church to see if anyone could help give you a blessing.  The missionaries just happened to be there, they said, and they came right over.  Another tender mercy that we were granted.

Sandy and Jessie came into the hospital, same ward, because she was getting ready to have Sophia.  I remember being alone in their dim and quiet room and praying to Heavenly Father that He would watch over you.  Then I distinctly heard a calm voice saying, "My child, I have been."  That was so comforting, and I knew it was true.

Then I read King Benjamin's speech in The Book of Mormon that Sandy and Jessie had lying on her bedside table.  In it, he taught about how we are actually maintained, breath to breath.  I knew that we were all being cared for by Heavenly Father, moment to moment, and  that gave me a sense of peace and perspective that I'd never had before.  I'll never forget those lessons.

I started going home with the kids and then coming back to the hospital to feed you.  As you improved, we were so grateful!  I just remember taking it a day at a time.  Sandy had Sophia, and I was there in the nursery as they brought her in and put the little pink knit cap on her.  You were born so close together!

 

Ever since then, we've loved you and all your adorable antics, Haley.


Now you're a wife and a mother, all grown up, yet still learning.
We're so grateful to have you in our lives.
Happy Birthday, Haley!
xoxoxo

How's Tricks?

No pictures ready yet, but I thought I'd keep you updated:
Friday night we went to see the last Harry Potter movie!  It was good, especially because it completes the series and there is a sense of peace about having the whole bunch of movies completed and available to watch.  They did it!  The best part, for me, is seeing the actual child actors grow up right along with the characters.  That's really touching to think about.  It was almost like The Truman Show.

Yesterday Mark worked at some things for the facility's policies and procedures.  He also did our laundry. : )  Then we went to Wal Mart for some hex wrenches and some spicy noodle cups (yum!).
Today we ate lunch (chicken and a baked potato (yum again!) and so on, with coconut cream pie.  Then we attended church, which we have been since we got here, in our old ward.  That's really fun, and the talks about the Savior were great!
Afterwards, we ate supper here (chicken salad, beet slices, garlic breadstick, and cantaloupe), and now Mark is hooking our computer to the tv, to watch streaming movies off the internet.  That will be cool, since we don't have a dvd player.  There are such good family shows to watch, and I miss being able to select them ourselves.  Someday I want to figure out how to get a dvr or its equivalent.

The food is sooo good here.  Too good!  I have to eat just a portion of it most of the time.  Mark has been doing many things, and Lori starts Monday.  Yahoo!!

TTYL, and remember, we love you!
xoxoxo

Our New "Post"

Well, it's been almost a month since I posted, and I'm happy to be back!  We didn't have Internet until Justin came over and helped Mark solve the problems with it in this building.  Thank you, Justin!
We are living here at Mark's new work in Idaho Falls, living on-site in the assisted living facility that he manages.  It's familiar territory, since Mark was around when it opened its doors, years ago.  We all remember how it was back then:  this was the cream of the crop, with a loving spirit and all the comforts of a fine home.  Since it was sold, however, it has experienced some poor management or owners, or something!  The building is still great, the residents and many of the staff are friendly and kind, and the food is fantastic.
What needs to be fixed or improved?  The training of staff, the documentation, the decor, a bunch of things like the sound system, the landscaping and upkeep of grounds,, the seating, reducing unneeded expenses, the activities department, the main nurse (a good, temporary one will, sadly, be done soon), sticking to menus, policies and procedures, and compliance with the state requirements.  Mark has already, after one and a half weeks, made real headway on the state requirements, which have to be completed by August 1st, plus he's addressed numerous issues and made some upgrades here and there.
The lightbulbs that were out have been replaced, he's written policies and directives, had lots of meetings, rearranged some furniture, planted flower (supervised), trained staff and corrected weaknesses and mistakes, and worked with the state and their consultants, besides a million other things.  Mark has met the residents and interacts with them well, and he's just generally good with their families and staff, etc.  It's so rewarding to see him helping this situation.
We love this facility, and we love living here.  We have a great little two-room suite with a large, open living room/half-kitchen (where we have our bed (new bed!) and tv are.  The second room is for computers, crafts, and shelves and storage.  I'll have to post pictures asap, but it's all very pleasant and charming.  We get the morning light through our windows, which are large and low enough to see out easily.  They look out on an undeveloped meadow (not likely to be developed until our economy recovers.
I can go out and participate in activities here, and eat my meals here or ride to Wal Mart (someone gave me a nice electric chair), or stay in, or do something at church or with Melinda.  It's great.  I hope and pray that the owners don't sell it or something like that, because it really feels right to me.  I love helping the residents and seeing things get better for them.  They are genuinely sweet people, from another era.  I love history, so it's great.

I'll write more later, but wanted to update you.  I'm writing our friends we made in Vegas, and I hope they'll come see us some time.  We love them, and we love you - and don't you forget it!
xoxoxo
PS  Phillip's vehicle was hit by an IED again.  All safe, thank Heaven!  They build their vehicles so that the passengers are protected and the vehicle takes the damage, but that's not a guarantee with the right hit.  Please continue to pray for their safety and a swift end to the war, which is so terrible in its consequences.  Pray for our leaders to have wisdom and courage, and for our enemy, that they might stop their hatred and killing and terrorism..
Thank you for all you do.   I know the power of a group of people sincerely praying for a miracle.