Too Much Fun!

With all my sweet daughter, Cindy, has to do she chose to come down Monday night and bring all of the kids to sleep over and play at Grandma and Grandpa's! It was THE BEST! I had decided to clean out my playroom downstairs and get rid of the old toys that weren't being played with anymore (broken or outdated) and replace them with some new things! Many of our grand kids are loving LEGOS and are very talented at constructing amazing things with them! So while Legos were on sale, I stocked up! I had no idea how many hundreds of lego sets there are! I also purchased some new puzzles and games. So we had a party! Regan is always so happy that she can play the piano at Grandma's and she is so good to play games with the kids. Love that girl! Morgan LOVES legos and built the amazing log cabin included in the pictures below! Jordyn loves to dress up and play games, Kaleb loves LEGOS, too, and was in LEGO heaven! Porter played with the farm equipment and cars and Kami played Memory with Grandpa, and watched Tangled with me among other things.  The four younger kids still love to dress up and it is always fun to see what outfits they put together! We ate and played until late Tuesday afternoon! Just too much fun! Let's do it again!

Under the Knife #2! (Right Knee Replacement Surgery)

Yes, I am a "glutton for punishment" and had my right knee replaced 2 1/2 months after the left one. Thank goodness I only have two legs! The date was August 5, 2010. It was the day after our 39th wedding anniversary and since we had a pre-surgery appointment on the 4th anyway, we made a celebration of the day! We checked into the Crystal Inn on 64th S in Salt Lake (around there, anyway) and then headed to the Macaroni Grill for our anniversary dinner celebration. My nephew, Brandon Johnson, is the manager there and we had not seen him for way too many years. We were hoping to get to visit with him as we had missed him our previous stop there. This time he was working and recognized us immediately! He is such a doll and took great care of us. He obviously wanted our anniversary to be special and very memorable (and perhaps he was feeling a little sorry for me, too!). But he sent a darling little waitress over who graced us with a beautiful Italian aria and then handed me a long stem of white gladiolas. Brandon visited with us off and on all evening as he was available and then, lastly, picked up the tab for our dinner which we in no way expected!  We just love this young man and were so grateful to reconnect with him on our special day! He promised to bring his wife, Abby, to the hospital to visit and made good on that promise. We had not met Abby but were immediately drawn to her. We were so appreciative of the time it took them to come and visit!

Now I must backtrack to surgery day, Aug. 5th. This experience was a little different than in May. My anesthesiologist, Dr. Jennifer Layman, came into the pre-surgery waiting area and discussed my MS situation. She wanted to be sure she did not give me any more nerve block than absolutely necessary. I really appreciated her apparent knowledge of Multiple Sclerosis and her desire to do the very best job possible for me. I was still awake this time when wheeled into surgery and during the prep work. I was groggy but remember a very kind young man named Carlos who did everything he could to keep me calm including holding my hand. I wish I could find him to thank him because it really soothed me at the moment since I was "husbandless" at that point!  (I did send a thank-you card and included a note to him, so I'm hoping someone found him and shared it with him.) I also remember being in the recovery room this time, which I did not in May. So obviously, I came out of the anesthesia much better this time! The spinal block wore off within 24 hours or so...much quicker than the 40 hours last time. That was just a little nerve-wracking (no pun intended!). I really love St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake. If you have to go to the hospital, that is the place to go. It runs like a well-oiled machine! The staff are 98% great and caring people and very good at what they do. Dr. Marc Mariani and his assistant, Portia Jones, of Salt Lake Orthopedic Clinic, once again did a great job on the knee replacement. I appreciate their expertise and care. I am particularly grateful for Heavenly Father's watchful care over me; for answered prayers and priesthood blessings and a husband who is worthy to use his priesthood in God's name for my benefit.

And speaking of great care, my husband has been amazing! I could not have asked for someone kinder or more patient. He did laundry, dishes, some cooking, and completely took over the yard and garden which I so much appreciated... this in addition to working full-time at his job and carrying on with his church duties. How did he accomplish it all? I certainly know that divine help is available when we need it and it was very evident in our lives this summer. Greg would constantly tell me to sit down and rest and enjoy this recuperating time and many mornings he would tell me to stay in bed and sleep a little longer. I didn't always obey, however, because I really was supposed to be up and using the knee and exercising it 3 times per day.  I did notice that I was much more tired this time and was lacking the energy I had after the first surgery. I'm sure that is due to having major surgery twice in 2 1/2 months. I didn't realize how much that takes out of a person! I am so grateful they are both done and this is all in the past. I will be at least a year before the knees are completely healed and I have been somewhat of a worry-wart over them.  But I do not take one bit of pain medication for them any more, even OTC's, so I know they are gradually healing. Greg is my strength and the one who buoys me up when I get discouraged with lack of energy and more discomfort than I would like to have. He keeps me in reality! I love my best friend! Thank you, honey, for all your love and care this summer! I couldn't have done it without you! I also appreciate my dear friends, Kathy Murray and Mary Cook, who did some cleaning for me and also brought delicious meals! One afternoon they came and brought Judy Armstrong and we had a movie afternoon in the den complete with popcorn, drink, and vegetables and dip. It was so much fun to be with them! I am so blessed with good friends. Several of my Relief Society sisters also brought delicious meals for about a week-and-a-half every other night. It was just perfect and relieved much stress off Greg for those first couple of weeks until I could do some cooking.

Most enjoyable were family visits!  Julie and Stanton and kids came on August 15th (a Sunday afternoon) to visit and to celebrate Brigham's and Cannon's birthdays. I wasn't well enough to drive all the way to Logan and back so suggested that perhaps we could celebrate here. It worked out so perfect. My dear neighbor, Kathy Morgan, fixed pork barbecue with buns, potato salad, and chips. We did cucumbers and onions and tomatoes and then bought a darling cake in honor of the boys' August birthdays. The kids played in the yard all afternoon after dinner and gift opening. Greg and I were in our glory watching them climb the tree, play soccer, and every other outdoor game they could think of! Two such adorable little birthday boys! And we can't forget our precious little Chloe and Lily either! I was still pretty sore and miserable so didn't take any pictures. I knew Julie was taking them. I'll have to see if I can "borrow" them from her blog post! Anyway, thanks again, to the Allen family for the wonderful afternoon! Loved every minute of it! Thanks so much for making the effort! So glad Cannon loves his Lightening McQueen car and Brigham, his cowboy boots.

(I just tried to steal pics from Julie's blog and can't because they are Picasa collages! Darn! It's my fault for not getting my camera out! Sorry, Julie!)

Our Teichert clan also made a couple of visits. Sheri had send several bags of Hannah's clothing for the girls which they were thrilled beyond words about! We had an immediate fashion show with their Dad and Grandpa right in the middle of it! Afterwards, he weather was so beautiful that we could sit out on the patio and enjoy watching the kids play in the back yard. They really seem to love playing there for reasons I have not entirely ascertained! I know Morgan LOVES to climb our tree and Kaleb loves me to put a sprayer on the hose and he will entertain himself for hours! I'll post some cute pictures of them. The babies are constant entertainment! Regan, bless her heart, spent a  long time organizing and cleaning the playroom downstairs.  I can always count on that girl! Morgan worked for quite a while cleaning both upstairs bathrooms for me. She is so sweet...honestly, of all things to want to do at Grandma's! The last visit was after Regan's cross-country meet and we came home and had a little dinner here together and visited for awhile. Both visits were so appreciated and broke up the monotony of many long days! Thanks again for stopping and making us a part of your busy lives!

I could tell Dee had been waiting a very long time to do this!

Jordy cleaning up the yard! Talk about ambitious!

Playing a game with her girls!

Such adorable little faces!

"Paint, paint, Gamma! Pink!"

Several pics now of trying on clothes sent from Hannah for the girls! 

Thanks, Hannah!

Overwhelmed!

Love this outfit!

See what I mean about Kaleb?

Painting the patio steps!

Morgan in the tree!

Divide and Conquer!

Regan, Morgan and me at the Colonial Theater in Idaho Falls
there to see the IFArts Council production of "Annie".

Our sweet daughter, Cindy, called me Friday and said she was able to get three tickets for the IF Arts Council production of "Annie" and wondered if Dad and I would come up for FHE and do a little dividing and conquering! I got to take my little Regs and Morgs to the production and Greg stayed home with Cindy, DJ, Kaleb, Jordy, and the twins for some special play and movie time with them. Are you kidding? We would LOVE to!!!!!!! The girls and I had such a great time together and we all stayed awake for all three hours of the show! It was so well done with an especially cute and talented Annie, a great Daddy Warbucks and Miss Hannigan, and a very talented Grace Farrel! It was my first time in the Colonial Theater...I didn't even know where it was. But it is a beautiful theater with great sound and no bad seats. The girls were enthralled and as soon as it was over, Regan said "I'm so jealous! I wanted to be in this!" Cindy found out too late about the auditions, but will watch for another upcoming production and give Regan the opportunity to try out for a part. It would be so fun for her! She had one friend that was one of the orphans so that really got her little "green juices" flowing! Thanks, Cindy, for giving me that opportunity...I loved every minute with the girls. They are my little sweethearts!

In the meantime...Greg had a great time with the rest of the family. Little Kaleb absolutely adores him and loved having lots of time with him. Kaleb sang his favorite song to Grandpa: "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission". Grandpa told him that he served a mission and was excited for Kaleb to be a missionary, too! Kaleb said "Yes, a missionary....or a cowboy!" So funny! Grandpa assured him he could be both! He just kept coming back up the stairs to give Grandpa hugs and tell him that he loves him. Talk about melt a Grandpa's heart! Jordy sat on his lap while they watched "Forever Strong" and prior to bedtime for the babies, he got lots of kisses from Kami and fun play time with Porter. After the kids were in bed, he enjoyed visiting with Cindy and DJ until we the girls and I arrived home.

Thanks again for the wonderful evening!

Stake Conference & Todd's 11th Birthday

Two of our handsome and wonderful sons-in-law, DJ & Brad

Little Jack-Jack ready for Conference

Katey Bug heading to the kitchen!

Todd with his completed Erector set project!
Our budding engineer who wants to attend MIT

Our beautiful Cindy with little Porter

Jordy finished her dinner! Gotta love that smile!

Regan and Todd sat with their folks and Elder and Sister Clark

Fun-loving Morgan with Jack!

Kaleb and Grampie!

The babies loved Todd's BD balloons! (Oh, and suckers!)

Todd blowing out his candles before cake and ice cream

Todd opening all his cards and enjoying every one!

He was absolutely thrilled with his State Quarter coin collection we gave him as part of his birthday.

Todd opening his IHome
(poor DJ crashed in mid-stream!)

Regan looking at her State Quarters Collection with Gramps!
LOVE THE HAT!

Kami lovin' on Uncle Brad!

Give each other loves! Ohhhhhhh!

Mom with Lori and Cindy

Our boys busy constructing with Legos.

Stake Conference is always as special for me as General Conference. It seems that we receive wonderful teaching from our Prophet, Apostles and Seventy at General Conference and then at our Stake Conferences following we receive very specific instructions regarding those principles. I am so thankful for the wonderful doctrine taught in this conference and for the privilege of having Elder and Sister Kim B. Clark stay with us in our home (our visiting authority and his wife). Sister Clark and I had several hours together here at the house Saturday afternoon while our husbands were in meetings. We yacked about our kids, their spouses, our grandkids and our husbands and felt we were kindred spirits. We are at the same point in our lives, about the same age, close to the same number of grandchildren about the same age as ours, empty-nesters, and last but not least, we both have bad knees! It was so fun to hear a little about their lives living and raising a family in Boston before moving out here to take the position of President of BYUI. They have certainly had their family challenges just like all the rest of us but their faith in Jesus Christ has seen them through just as it has for all of us who will allow Him into our lives .

Anyway, Lori and Brad and our little Todd, Kate, and Jack arrived late that afternoon earlier than expected which was a great surprise! Again, more time to visit and play with the kids before our Saturday night session. Todd tended the kids so Lori and Brad could attend the 7:00 pm meeting with us. Elder Clark made it an interactive meeting, using a white board and a mike and having portable mikes passed to members of the congregation for their responses to his questions. He taught from the Family Proclamation on what it means to preside, provide, protect and nurture and what things get in the way of our doing that well. All I can say is WOW! It was not the same old, same old! We laughed and cried together and were taught from on high! We all came home afterward and visited for about another hour before heading to bed. Our little Wilson kids are so fun to have around and thoroughly charmed the Clarks! Todd was building a crane or something with his erector set, Jack was sending cars speeding down Grandma's race track set, and Kate was just being the cute little girl she is. She even did a few moves from her Hansel and Gretal ballet. They were happy to have a bowl of popcorn and watch a movie while we were gone.

Sunday morning we had breakfast prior to the 8:00am youth session. Lori and I then cleaned up and set the tables for dinner so we would be ready to eat in a timely manner after the 10:00am general session. I prepared the food the day before so we were just able to enjoy the day and not fuss over dinner. My mom arrived and we headed to the church at 9:00am to get good seats. There were over 90 more people in attendance this conference which was so gratifying. Again, it was a great session. Jessica Loveland, a beautiful young woman from our ward and our this year's Homecoming queen spoke and did a beautiful job. Greg spoke and the spirit bore witness. He spoke on the use of our leisure time, that some of our activities are taken to an extreme and take priority over the things of an eternal nature; that as Pres. Monson said: "We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we're doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the "thick of thin things." In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes." We put recreation, television, internet use and entertainment, etc. ahead of those spiritual commandments that truly have eternal consequences. Also that some of what we watch and participate in we do at the peril of our salvation and that of our families not realizing that we have left the "high ground" and are being "poisoned by degrees". I am totally paraphrasing here but you get the idea. I spoke to one sister this morning who told me they went home after conference and had a family counsel and discussed together what things they were doing in their home that were offensive to the spirit and what they could do to alleviate them. She said the kids were actively involved and on board and it was exciting!

Elder Clark called on Lori to speak on the spot. She was unruffled and bore a powerful testimony which increased the spirit at our meeting even further. She is a sweetheart. How we love her and Brad and their kids and treasure our relationship with them.

Elder Clark spoke on three patterns of Zion:

1. Be good! Live your life so the Holy Ghost can be with you at all times! Do not do, say, or listen to anything that will drive the spirit away!
2. Serve the Lord by serving each other.
3. When adversity comes, look into the mirror of Christ and not the mirror of fear! Through the mirror of Christ you can see yourself on a journey, in the mirror of fear you see the adversary speaking discouragement to you. Turn to Christ ALWAYS because He knows exactly what we need.

I am not doing any of this justice, but I want to record it so I can refer back to it often. Just a wonderful conference...such a good spirit there with our members. Our hearts are full!

Brad and Lori and kids, and Sister Clark and I headed home while Elder Clark and Greg met with the bishops and high council for a "wrap up" session. Cindy and DJ and the kids arrived soon after for dinner and time to visit with the Clarks before they headed home. We missed Julie and Stanton and kids so much but Julie as their new ward choir director was directing their choir's number in Sacrament meeting. The time schedule just didn't mesh and we completely understood. There will be other times. It is always these times when we get together as family that we also miss Matt and Sara and the kids even more than usual! But December is coming quickly and we are so excited for their arrival!

When Elder Clark saw DJ he made the connection that he was an employee at the college and was so pleased to know he was our son-in-law. He is doing a great work for BYUI and its students and we are proud of him. I was so happy that the girls, their husbands, and my Mom had some time to visit with the Clarks before, during, and after dinner.

Now, another very fun thing as can be seen from the pictures is that we were able to celebrate Todd's 11th birthday here this weekend. I think it was pretty special for him...a special occasion for a special young man! Happy Birthday, Todd! We love you and know that Heavenly Father has great things ahead for you as you keep his commandments! Hope you enjoy all your fun books, legos, etc. as well as your state quarter collection!

Before Elder and Sister Clark left, Brad, DJ and he gave Greg a priesthood blessing. We are so grateful for the power of the priesthood and appreciate that special moment with so many of our grandchildren there to feel the Spirit that is present on occasions such as this.

(PS. A humorous little addition to this post. Can I say that I am grateful every two years to have conference visitors stay with us because it insures I will DEEP CLEAN my guest bathroom and bedroom at least that often! Oh, no, what happens after Greg is released?)

Mixed Emotions!

Regan...great attitude, great help! Being the oldest helps!

Morgan...took a little convincing but got after it!

Jordy...once convined she had BETTER get after it...did it with a smile!

Kaleb...well, this just says it all!

Last week Cindy brought the kids down to pick apples from Murray's backyard tree. It was a COLD, COLD morning and they arrived by 8:15 am. These pictures are a peek at their different levels of excitement for the whole project! Don't you just love kids and everything about them?!!