Blessing---no more suffering

Well, yesterday morning I got home from the YMCA and was met by Tom in our entry way. He was emotional and told me that my three sisters had called and that my dad was at the hospital and not going to make it. I was in shock! I know we have all been trying to prepare ourselves for this because he has been so sick and has almost died a couple of times. But, I guess you can't be completely prepared for the moment it actually happens.
So, I called my sister and she said that she had just arrived at the hospital and would call me back. She called about 20 minutes later and my dad had passed away. (Thursday, April 17, 9:12 am) All of my siblings were able to get to the hospital before he actually passed away.
I guess my mom had taken my dad to the hospital the night before because the pain he had been having for the last week had gotten so extreme. Last night he was in pain all over his body. When he got to the hospital his heart rate was high and his white blood count was high and rose the whole night. They gave him an oxygen mask to help with his breathing and morphine for his pain. However, he was very uncomfortable all night. About 7 am his breathing was labored and his heart rate elevated higher and his blood pressure dropped. He took his last breath at 9:12 am. We are not sure exactly what it was that was causing his pain, but think it might have been another bowel breakage. We are very sad, and at times get very broken up----but we are also feeling that this is a blessing that our dad could pass on. He has had to go through so much in the past year, and especially in the last 3 1/2 months. Now he won't have to suffer any more.
Within a couple hours I was able to be on a plane to Utah to be with my family. Tom helped me get a flight and pack and has been holding down the fort. He is so amazing!!! He has been such a great help and comfort to me. I am sure this is because he knows how it feels! He lost his dad about 7 years ago. Tom has had to purchase a girl birthday present, take Matt the doctor because he is sick, contact the school to get work for the kids next week and to let them know they will not be in school, do laundry, pack the kids, and fly here tomorrow with all three kids, etc.,etc.---all while trying to work!! :) Pretty awesome that he is capable and willing to do all of this -- and I am comfortable and know that he is compitent! I bet all you women are jealous that I have such an awesome, amazing husband!! :) lol. I truly love you Tom!!! You are the best husband ever!!
Well, things are a little crazy trying to get everything arranged and such, but we are all having a fun time visiting and reminising. We are so grateful for the testimonies we have and know that we will see him again. We know he is so happy and in such a better place than suffering here on earth. We have all thought how much fun he is having with his family and friends that have passed on before him. And, how amazing it has been for him to finally meet all the many ancestors that he has searched out and done the work for. Geneology was his thing!
My dad's viewing will be Sunday, 6-8, Larkin Mortuary in Sandy. His funeral will be Monday at 12:30, at the Sandy Utah East Stake Center, 9636 So. 1700 East, Sandy.
What a great and amazing Dad I was so fortunate to be blessed with!

SMILING!

Here are a couple of things that have made me smile lately...

1. Dad home from hospital,(though still not well), and hearing that he is sitting at his computer--which is one of his favorite things to do!

2. Seeing my kids happy and excited to tell me something.

3. Date night with Tom!

4. Answers to prayers--feeling and seeing the Lord's hand in my life.

5. Seeing a miracle through watching little Gracie Gledhill improve daily.

6. Shelby so happy about her new haircut---which she has been begging for for weeks!

7. Sam so hyped up about KU!

8. Matt's grass seed guy and when he gets a "gotcha" from school.

(still trying to figure out this whole layout thing!) :)

Always a reason to smile!

Life has been a little rough, and out of the ordinary for me the past little while and this weekend I was reminded that there is ALWAYS a reason to smile! I love that saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". I'm not always good at this, but I have a wonderful husband--best friend who always helps me with this. I am so grateful for him and so thankful that I have been able to be married to him for the last 12 years! He works hard at work and home and is a great husband and father! Happy Anniversary Tom! "I love you the mostest and the bestest!"

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! GO KU!!!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT KU WON!!! IT IS AWESOME!! I THOUGHT THEY WOULD LOSE. AFTER THE GAME WE WENT OUTSIDE AND CHEERED WITH ALL THE OTHER KANSAS FANS. THANKS MOM AND DAD FOR LETTING ME STAY UP WITH YOU TO WATCH THE GAME!!!!! (posted by Sam) :)

Sam just couldn't sleep with the excitement that he might miss. It was sure fun for Tom and I to listen to him while watching the game. Pretty exciting game--what a shot to send it to overtime! Love to see the overtime!!! WOW!!! Way to go KU!

Roller Coaster day indeed!

Ok, so my day yesterday wasn't too fun! Besides cleaning the house, all day I could only think of my poor dad and my good friend, Michelle and her family dealing with baby Gracie. My dad has had multiple things wrong, making it so that he has been in the hospital since some time in January. Last Sunday we thought he was going to be able to go home finally. However, again, he had a bad day with high white blood count. They did a scan, and found that he needed his gall bladder out. That was done yesterday. He isn't a good candidate for surgery---so I was really worried. But, he made it! The surgeon said that he could understand why my dad couldn't eat too much. When he went in, he found that it was very infected and had gone gain-green some, and had attached itself to his small intestines. So, hopefully with it out, he can again gain enough strength to get home. He has been very, very sick! He has a pacemaker, artificial heart valve, Parkinson's, gout, ulcers in his bowel and stomach, prostate problem, ruptured bowel, and I'm sure I'm missing something. It seems that his system has just been zapped! It has been hard to see him loose so much weight, (he only weighs about 125 now!), and to be just laying in his bed. He has always been super active and athletic. Through the last couple of months, it seems that he may not make it--then all of a sudden there is hope--then he comes up sick with something else, over and over. My mom has been so good to be by his side the whole time---not getting sleep herself. She gets there early in the morning so that she can feed him-or make sure he eats something; and then waits until he falls asleep at night (which is late most nights because his Parkinson's acts up with his cramping legs). It is really wearing her out. The family has been able to spare some time away, but she has a hard time letting go. But, we have hope now that he can eat better now and gain some more strength. I luckily was able to go see him in January and March. But, it is terribly hard to live so far away, and not be able to help--and when I don't know if I will see him again.





Now, on to baby Gracie. I just seem to sit at the computer and tears roll down my face. To read Michele's blog, (the Gledhill Family) I just can't imagine having to go through what they are going through. I have been very touched and can feel the strong faith and spirit through reading about their journey. It seems that their last two weeks have been a roller coaster also. However, baby Gracie has touched so many lives already. It has been amazing to read and hear bits and pieces of all those who have helped this family. There have been so many acts of service rendered to them--whether notes, food, gifts, encouragement, etc. So many people have reached out to help it is amazing. Also, it has made me think of a lot of things I take for granted and that I need to work harder to change. One of the things is to be grateful for our bodies and to take care of them so that we can take care of our families and others. So, I have been trying this week to be better about what we are eating as a family and work on getting more exercise! Also, how important it is to enjoy the time we have together as a family! Another thing I have thought about is that we need to really be able to look past ourselves and see how we can help lighten the load of others. My mom and dad have been great examples to me of this. I am so glad that they have instilled in our family the love of service!!! I will be forever grateful to them for this gift they have given me. It makes me feel good and makes me happy!

So, my hope today is that these two wonderful people can feel my love for them. And, whatever the Lord's will is---I can accept, (though it may be hard), because I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us. He knows us and knows what is best for us. And, we can have that if we try to do what is right and seek our Heavenly Father's help. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. That is why he gave us his son, Jesus Christ. How blessed we are!

Sweet baby Gracie

One more important post for today. Our friends, Tom and Michele Gledhill had their fourth child a week ago today. They knew before hand that little Gracie had a heart problem. However, I'm not sure anything could have prepared them for what they are going through right now. I can't imagine being in their shoes. What a tough time this is for them and their family. I can't get them out of my mind. Poor little Gracie had surgery on Monday, and things haven't gone real well. She has a 50/50 chance to make it. So many are praying for her and the family. It is amazing to see the love that everyone has offered. Being away, I only hear bits and pieces of the many things that have been done for them---so many acts of kindess in words, prayers, meals, cleaning, gifts, etc. This is why we are here---to be the Lord's hands to help and serve others. Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us and knows what we need. You can't help but feel the love for sweet Gracie. Check out their blog-Gledhill Family-and you will see what I am talking about. A friend Kim, on a coment on Gledhill's blog, had suggested for people to share what "Gracie's gift" of life has meant to them. Pretty amazing what an impact one special little one has, and how many lives she has touched! She needs all the prayers she can get! Hope to see a "good news" update tomorrow!

Kindergarten Round Up!

Today was a very exciting day for Matt. It was kindergarten round up day at the school. He got to do some crafts and meet with some of the kindergarten teachers while I filled out the necessary paperwork. He is so excited to be at the same school with Sam and Shelby. I loved his face in this picture. He is the cutest little kid! He's our "ham"! We always joke that he will make us a ton someday with his acting. He still lets me kiss and hug him whenever I want--even when he is busy at the computer or playing video games. I'm glad he is only going half day so that I can spend one more year with him. Can't believe we will have all the kids at the same school next year. Wow!