Father's Day

We had a very quiet Father's Day.  COVID has changed our world just a bit and with Neal's recent surgeries and the virus running rampant we just couldn't take any chances of having everyone over.  So the kids all dropped by individually. 

As I have been reading the Book of Mormon I came across this.  At a vulnerable moment in young Nephi's life, his prophetic future was determined when he said "I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father."  Also, at the turning point of the prophet Enos's life, he said it was "the words which I had often heard my father speak" which prompted on of the great revelations recorded in the Book of Mormon. 

Neal has been and is a great father to his children.  Had they all listened to his council and advice and trusted his testimony, some of their lives would have been easier and not quite so complicated. 

Don't know who wrote this but it is cute and perfect for Father's Day.

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
toiling an striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way
Glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come home and to hear his voice.
Only a dad, but he gives his all,
Smoothing the way for his children small,
Doing with courage so stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
These are the lines that for him I pen,
Only a dad - but the best of men.

A New Puppy

Ordinarily I wouldn't blog about someone getting a new puppy, but because Mallory lives with us and this new addition to her family is very much a part of our conversations I had to add the exciting news to my blog.  She has already seen the puppies just after they were born and will go out the first of July to have her pick from the litter.  Forgive me Mallory, but I can't remember what kind of puppy it is.  I think a Golden Retriever?  I'm not sure. 

Ever since she decided to move back to Georgia to homestead with Emmi, it seemed like the perfect time to add a puppy.  She has wanted one for a long time but Neal and I weren't keen on her having a dog here so she patiently waited until the time was right.  She will pick her puppy the first of August and will have moved back to Stansbury for the month and then she, Abby and Lynda Ann will drive her and puppy back to Georgia. 

We have been receiving all kinds of packages in the mail full of fun stuff for the dog.  I went downstairs to see all she has purchased and just had to take a picture.  You can see from the haul on the bed that the puppy will have a happy home. 

She also researched and bought the perfect puppy kennel which doesn't show up in the picture.  She even has a container for the dog food.  Believe me, she hasn't forgotten anything.  Happy times ahead!

Small Gathering

Because we are dealing with the COVID-19 issue and haven't been to church since the first of March, a sister in our neighborhood decided that she wanted to get a group of ward family members together for a backyard dinner and visiting.  Neal was just a week out from his second surgery so I suggested that we have it in our backyard so he could participate.  It was fun to sit in a circle and do the distancing game.  We started at 6:30 and it didn't end until 9:30.  People just need to socialize, catch up and feel the love and energy that exists in a ward family.  We have all missed that greatly.

We are getting together again on July 11th in our back yard for a barbeque.  Everyone will bring their choice of meat and we will barbeque, eat and visit.  Good times!!

Annette's Birthday

Today is June 25th and Annette would have been 81 years old today.  She would have hated that, I think.  I just can't imagine that she would have loved being old.  I love her and I miss her.  I'm so thankful for memories that can keep a person alive and happy in your mind.  I like to think of her when she was completely well and happy.  Maren reminds me a lot of Annette.  The energy level always went up when Annette walked into a room - the same as Maren.  Annette loved adventure - as does Maren.  Annette loved challenges - as does Maren.  And Annette was not afraid of change or to sometimes fly by the seat of her pants - as does Maren.  Annette's husband, Allen, called me yesterday to remind me that it was her birthday today - as if I would forget that.  So, happy birthday Annette.  You are remembered and loved!

I have Annette's china displayed in the cupboard along with the statue of two sisters that always reminds me of her.  What a wonderful and fun sister she was and what great times we shared growing up. 

P.S.

I forgot to post a couple things that I wanted.  First of all Mallory and I water Neal's plants every single night except Sundays.  Last night while we were out watering we got our feet all wet and took a picture of our footprints.  We had to laugh at how different they are.

Also, Emmi or Abby posted this saying and I've decided that it is my favorite saying this week!

MY ENTIRE LIFE CAN BE DESCRIBED IN ONE SENTENCE. . . . .

"WELL, THAT DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED."

We can all relate to that, for sure!!!

IF

Sunday Thoughts

Elder Gary L. Stevenson gave a talk entitled:  "Remember, the Lord will help his children."

"One thing is certain, each of you will have adversity and affliction in your lives because it is part of our mortal experience.  But remember, the Lord will help you!  We have a loving Heavenly Father, and we are His children.  I have faith in and a testimony of Jesus Christ and of His role as our Savior and Redeemer.  I offer my special witness of Jesus Christ, of His infinite Atonement.  I bear witness of His birth, of His life, of His ministry, of His death and of His resurrection.  All of which comprise the sacred and infinite Atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

What a beautiful testimony for all of us to find hope in.

A Fun Saturday

Mallory and I decided that we needed a "get away" for a few hours and chose to go up to the Park City Outlets.  It was certainly a new way of shopping.  In most of the stores we had to stand in line outside the store and get invited in as people left.  We were lucky at the place we chose to eat.  We were seated immediately but I noticed that as more people came they had to wait outside until there was a table available.  Distancing, masks, standing in lines.  that is our new normal.  We were able to buy some tops, shoes and even got in to Bath and Body.  One has to be patient these days if you want to shop in any of the mall stores.

When we got back and as we drove in the driveway we remembered that we had forgotten to pick up Mallory's car at the mouth of Parley's.  Goodness.  So we got Neal and back in the car and drove up to get her car.  After we dropped her off we went to the grocery store, while Mallory headed to do some personal shopping.  When Neal and I got home, I realized I had forgotten to buy the bags of ice for his ice machines.  I asked Mallory if she would come with me and back to the store we went.  From there, Mallory reminded me that we were going to get some watering cans so we detoured to Home Depot and picked up two more cans.

We watered the flowers and recognized how much faster it was to water all the flower pots.

It was a busy, busy day, but a good one for me to get away from being a nurse for a few hours.  thanks to Mallory, we had an incredibly fun day.  I loved being with her!

More Surgery Pictures

It has been a long 4 weeks of surgeries and recovery.  We are in the midst of recovery.  Every day we are icing knees, changing dressings, exercising, dispensing antibiotics and other pills, etc. etc. etc.  Sometimes I get a bit worn out but most of the time I keep a smile on my face and plug along.  I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and not too far off.  We have an appointment tomorrow with the doctor and hopefully it will be all good news.  Neal is doing incredibly well and he has been very blessed.  We did have a little scare on Thursday and went to the hospital to have his ankle checked.  It was a very angry red and oozing.  He was immediately put on antibiotics.  The doctor drew a line around the red area and told me to watch it and if the red goes beyond the line to send him a picture.  This seems to be the new norm.  Sending pictures to your doctor.  I had to smile.  It is much better but still not healed.  We have an appointment tomorrow at 3 p.m. to have the ankle checked.
Here are some gruesome pictures if you choose to look at them.

Sunday thoughts

Mallory and Neal and I had our Sunday Meeting this morning and talked about the gospel and how much it means in our lives.  We also talked about how grateful we are for all the blessings we have and that we need to look for all the good around us.  Even with the earthquakes and the COVID-19 going on we still are incredibly blessed.

Mallory has had some hard decisions to make during that past month or two and recognizes the guidance of our Heavenly Father in her life.  She was planning on going to England this fall but has since figured out that England isn't where she is supposed to be and will be headed to Georgia this fall to live with Emmi and go to school there.  She is also getting a new puppy to take along with her, something she has wanted to do for some time.

She read this as we closed our lesson and I thought it was a perfect Sunday Thought during this time in our lives when so many things have changed.  Not going to church on Sundays, Temples closed and slowly reopening, missionaries brought home from foreign countries, general conference viral again in October.  It seems almost as though the world has come to a stand still but this paragraph recorded by Joseph Smith in 1842 is perfect:

"The standard of truth has been erected.  No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."  Joseph Smith, 1842

And to that I say Amen! " Hold to the rod, the iron rod.  Tis strong and bright and true.  The iron rod is the word of God.  Twill safely guide us through!"

Surgery 2

Neal had his 2nd knee surgery on Tuesday morning, June 2.  He did well and I was able to bring home the next afternoon.  I'm still amazed at how quickly people are in and out of the hospitals these days.  Years ago you would have been in the hospital for at least a week for a new knee surgery.  Now, it is almost like out patient.  I do think he gets better care and better sleep when he is home.

This time he hasn't pressed quite so hard and isn't trying to run a marathon the day after surgery.  He worked his first knee so hard that he almost damaged it.  There was a lot of swelling and a lot of bruising.  This second one has gone much better and much smoother because he has listened to Dr. Jackson who impressed on Neal to "take it easy this time and not over do the exercises.

I've been home with him for a week and will be going back to work tomorrow.  Neal should be independent enough at this point to get around without me right there.

Getting ready for surgery #2

 After the surgery.  You can see that his right knee is very bruised and swollen from him working it too hard.  The newly operated one looks better!

 Getting ready to come home.

 Two nice straight legs and both looking thin and well taken care of!  Who is his nurse?

So grateful that the surgeries are over and that Neal is doing so well so quickly.