Contentment

In the dictionary, a similar description for contentment is:"not wanting more or anything else"
I felt contentment tonight.  Once a month, we have our own family dinner and invite Grammy and Grampy to join our family.  We decide on something fun to cook, everyone comes over to help and the laughter never stops.  Aaron and Savannah suggested a taco salad/enchilada dinner and picked up a few goodies from Food City - one of Aaron's favorite places to go!  With all the trimmings, we had a wonderful dinner, and then enjoyed some fun time together.  A robust round of Mormon Bridge (where we found out that Grampy has a love/hate relationship with the game) and then some play time with the grandkids while the girls laughed themselves silly with quotes from movies.

I looked around and realized how blessed I am to have my family so close.  We laugh, we tease, we help each other, and most of all....we love each other.
It was a wonderful Sunday evening!!

Happy Birthday Aly!

This beautiful daughter turned the big 2-0 and wasn't too excited about that fact.  To think that we don't have any more teenagers in our family is another milestone!  We celebrated in style and tried to make this day special for Aly.  We started the celebration on Sunday evening where the family gathers at Grammy and Grampy's home for a wonderful personalized dinner and presents and games.  This is a tradition that our family has always enjoyed and look forward to each year.

Jacque was at work and Tyler/Jenny couldn't come....

but Aly still had lots of love coming her way!

Favorite dinner included pulled pork, white rolls, peas, and all the trimmings....

and of course 2 candy-bar pies!

The next morning was her birthday and we had a few surprises waiting for Aly.  Jacque had arranged for some of family and friends to write notes of love - 20 in all - and they were hidden or delivered through-out the day.  We met at Crackers for Brunch, and another letter was delivered!

Complimentary birthday cake - yes, it was still breakfast time, and yes....it was gone!

(little blurry - waitress did her best!)

Since it was also a holiday, the rest of the day was spent casually.  In the afternoon, Jacque and Aly went to a movie and then the family met for dinner at our home.  That is always so much fun!  Again, the dinner is the choice of the birthday girl and Aly wanted Chicken puffs, salad, garlic mashed potatoes and a cake from Savannah.

Jacque - so happy to be cooking and TASTING what she is cooking!

One thing about Aly is opening presents.  She LOVES to open wrapped presents...not bags.  Every year, I stack her presents and wrap them up.  This year, since she is turning 20, I thought it would be fun to have 20 presents to open.  Every little thing was wrapped individually, but it turned out great!

'Twenty,' she said, looking up at his mother and father. 'That's two less than last year.'

(Name that tweaked quote)

With all the presents, Jade was in heaven.  "So many boxes".  Jade helped Aly open each and every one and made sure we all saw how pretty each item was.

She squealed!  Simple things in life!

She has the rifle - just needed a case - that's our girl!

Savannah made a yummy cake with the best raspberry frosting.  In Mexico, there is a tradition that the birthday person takes a bite from the cake.  Since we are a "spanish-speaking house", the tradition began:

As we were cleaning, a good friend of Aly's dropped this by:

20 notes of love - 20 presents - 20 years of laughs and amazement as we have watched Aly grow into the beautiful young woman that she is today.  She can make anyone laugh, she holds her family close, and she continues to be an example of faith and strength to her family.  Aly might not have wanted to leave her teenage years behind, but I think the next 20 years will be even better.
I can't wait to be a part of them!
We love you Aly!!!



Wires are OFF!!

We celebrated today!  After Jacque worked a 12-hour shift, she headed straight to her surgeon's office to have those wires snipped.  It has been 5 weeks of smoothies and a few nights of frustration as Jacque tried to communicate with family, friends, and patients.  Not to mention the "few" pounds she shed.  But, this part of the process is over and Jacque was very happy...considering she hadn't slept yet! 

Jacque with Dr. Michael Elliott

Afterwards, we headed to Crackers for Aly's birthday brunch.  (That post to follow).  Jacque was craving "real" food.  Her stomach hadn't had real food for 5 weeks.  I thought she was going to eat a serving of everything at Crackers.  I had no idea her stomach could hold all the food she enjoyed.  It was a good way to start this special day!  Her mouth would only open about a finger span....but she managed to eat most of her breakfast!

A little too much food, perhaps!  And no sleep...Jacque needs a long, long nap!!

Aly is 20!!

Be My Valentine

On Valentine's Day, I not only delivered valentine's to all those I love, but also had the pleasure of watching Jade and Lilly for a little while.  Since I knew before-hand, I planned some fun activities for Jade and me.  We had so much fun!  What a cute little valentine she made.

First, we painted a monkey/magnet to give to her daddy.  Did you know that painting involves tongue wagging?  Every time Jade would dip and paint, her cute little tongue would start to wave.  She was so happy when it was all done.

Then, we strung some candy-heart necklaces together.  Once it was on, I told her she couldn't eat all the candy until her mom got home.  She only snitched a few, but was very good about wearing all that candy.  We made a 2nd necklace for her best friend Sidney.  During this time, sweet little Lilly was all about looking around and being quite content.

We ended our time together by blowing bubbles.  Grammy found a new little contraption that blew lots of bubbles all by itself.  It was a instant hit!  What a great way to spend the day!

If you Need to smile.....

I have been collecting video of Jade as of lately.  She is so full of life and sometimes...she just cracks us up.  Last Friday, we had Jade and Lilly over for a little while.  Jade is in the process of being potty trained and when she is "successful" she gets a "choc-o-lut".  Well, when it's 8:00 p.m. and Jade is having many little "successful" trip to the restroom....she becomes a wee bit wound up.  This is what happens:

To explain:  Aly and Jade are playing with a bouncy ball in the front room. 

Whenever Aly would throw it, Jade would "pounce".  When the piano was played softly...it was time to go to sleep.  When it was louder....it was time to "wake-up!"

Just had to share these funny moments with you.  Life as a Grammy is wonderful!!  I have many happy thoughts and memories that keep me young and enjoying each day.  I count my blessings every day!

Jacque's Surgery....take 2

January 16th marked the day that Jacque had surgery to correct her jaw alignment.  She was pretty upbeat about the surgery and was excited (can you be excited about this??) to get this next step out of the way.  After 5 months of braces, her jaw was to be broken, and her mouth wired shut for 5 weeks.  Following this will be 4-5 more months of braces.

See her jaw?

We headed to Desert Banner early in the morning and after a few hours of waiting and prep, we were talking to the surgeon and anesthesiologist.  I think that is when the surgery "hit" Jacque.  While the surgeon was talking to Brad, the anesthesiologist started explaining all the medical procedures that would take place in the operating room to Jacque.  Words such as "Arterial lines, central lines through an IJ, intubation through the nose, nipride, propofol, pressures of 70/30, and 16 gauge IVs" (in Jacque's words) went right over my little bit of knowledge - but by watching the expression of Jacque's face change from positive-upbeat to
"Hey...wait a minute...WHAT??" -
I knew things were going to be a little rough.

According to the surgeon, the surgery went well and Jacque did great.  I don't think I was prepared to see her coming out of the recovery room....but in reality...what mom is??

The first night in the hospital was rough.  I stayed with her and jumped almost every time she moved.  What is it about a Mom and instincts...whether you are concerned over a new-born or a grown young lady...your heart aches for them and you do anything to help them be comfortable.  The next day, the bandages came off.  We were able to keep Jacque hydrated by squirting water and juice with a syringe down the inside of her mouth.  Savannah brought some yummy strained apple juice that Jacque enjoyed and she started the long journey to recovery.  Aly came down and gave me a break so that I could go home, sleep for a few hours and head back for the evening.  She ended up staying for most of the day!

24 hours later

The surgeon decided that she needed another night in the hospital, and I didn't want Jacque alone if her second night was another "rough" one, so this time I slept on a cot (it was a real comfy one!!)  Since the next day was my first day back to school, I left from the hospital for CGCC and Brad came down to help Jacque as she was discharged from the hospital.  She came back to our home so that we could take care of her.  Aaron had taken the day off to help and pampered her better than I would have!  He has a knack of knowing how to tenderly care for those who need special care and Jacque was in the best of hands.

Coming home!

Trying to get nutrition down Jacque was quite a challenge. Since her mouth was still very tender, she couldn't even use a straw. With yummy juices from Savannah, thinned down Jamba juice, and Ensure - Jacque slowly began to get her strength back. 

Looks like the doctors/nurses took a few "tries" at her arterial line

Jacque - 6 days later

Today marks three weeks since surgery and she is counting down the next 14 days until she has her wires cut.  With her mouth wired shut, communicating is quite difficult and painful.  Liquid Advil is her new best friend!  She started back to work only 2 weeks after her surgery.
Looking back, we know that Dr. Michael Elliott was the best doctor for Jacque.  He is kind and always has time for all her questions.  It was a tender mercy to have him as part of her surgical team.  Jacque was also blessed with attentive nurses that first night at the hospital.  She gave them quite a scare, but they took great care of her. 
Then there is our family.  With prayers in Jacque's behalf, we have felt that our Heavenly Father is watching over her.  It hasn't been easy and even today, her mouth and jaw are sore and she is very tired of liquid food.  (You can read her thoughts about it HERE)
We had friends and family praying for her, wonderful meals brought in, and thoughtful notes and visits from those we love. Our shoulders have been strengthened and Jacque's recovery is right on track.  We are grateful for so many blessings!!
With a little down time....we managed to finish Jacque's "surgery" puzzle!