A Good Day

Mom broke open a fortune cookie the other day. Her fortune read: When you have hope, you have everything

Today has been a great day. Dad woke up around 8:30 this morning in a wonderful mood. He said he felt like he had energy and he was enthusiastic and happy. Mom was telling him about some projects she wanted to do in the yard. She mentioned that maybe Earl could help her. Dad said, "I can help you." Mom smiled and said, "OK"; and then he followed it up with, "I'll be face down in the mud, but I can help you!"

After saying good morning to me, he asked what was on my agenda for the day. When I told him my only plans were to hang out with him he was so happy.

After a while he said he missed Karen. I called her and she was here in less than ten minutes. He was so happy to see her too.

Dad had all three of his daughters and his lovely wife all to himself for a little while this morning and he was loving it.

He was awake ALL DAY TODAY! He ate an entire strawberry shake, he had some pizza, fruit, and lots of Pepsi (of course). His sweet nurse Lisa came today and was very happy with how he is doing. She asked him about his pain on a rating of mild, moderate or severe and he said it was mild! Amazing!

When the boys got home from school they were happy to see Grandpa awake and offering hugs.

Mike and Paul came over after work. Dad was still awake! He listened as we talked about "things, life and whatnot" and chimed in from time to time.

As the sun was setting he swung his legs over the side of his bed and aimed to get up. We asked where he was going and he said, "to see the sunset!" So Mike helped him into his wheelchair and we went for a walk around the neighborhood. When we got back, Mike cradled Dad in his arms and put him back in his bed.

Earl arrived from St. George about an hour ago and Dad was STILL awake! He was so happy to see his namesake and stayed awake as we sat around his bed sharing stories.

Today was a good day. I understand that we will still have bad days but I love good days like this. It's the moments we share in days like today that we will treasure forever. And it's these moments that fill me with hope.

"Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

Dad slept all day today. All day. He woke up momentarily for some medications and a few bites of food and he briefly opened one eye to look at me this afternoon but other than that, he slept and slept.

We talk to him while he's sleeping. We lay next to him, we give him hugs and kisses. Mom is always there by his side watching over him, making sure his oxygen is in correctly or wiping sweat off his brow.

But about an hour ago he woke up. It's these tender moments with him that we love so much. He jokes, he smiles, he laughs. He holds our hands, kisses and cuddles. It's moments like these that we will wait for all day.

Tonight his sweet Hailey (their first grandchild) was here by his side. He snuggled with her, kissed her and even tried to run his fingers through her hair. His fingers got stuck and we all laughed. So he offered to let Hailey run her fingers through his. Which she did. And we all laughed again.

We read scriptures together and then when it was time for family prayer we asked Dad who he would like to say it and he said he would.

Mom, Hailey, April and I were able to partake in the sweet spirit that was here as Dad said a humble prayer to our Heavenly Father tonight. Asking special blessings to be with those who are sick and those who need His comfort and offering sincere gratitude for the opportunity we have to be together with our family and those we love.

1 Nephi 1:20 - But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith...

Angels Among Us

We have been blessed with so many angels who have reached out to us. Some of you have been behind the scenes quietly serving our family, others have been here at Dad's side offering help and love. You have sent messages, called and visited. You may be far away offering prayers to heaven on our behalf. You may be near by holding our hands and generous with your love and service. Countless doctors, nurses, caregivers, ward members, family members, old friends, new friends and strangers. We want you to know how grateful we are to each and every one of you. But to each of you we offer our sincere gratitude, appreciation and love. You have been our angels.


(Click play to hear the song as you watch the slideshow)

***Please note that it would be impossible to include pictures of everyone. There have been numerous angels who are not pictured in the slideshow above. I hope each of you know who you are and know how loved and appreciated you are***

God May Not Always Come When You Call...

But He will ALWAYS be on time.


I went to the hospital with Mom and Dad yesterday. Dad's platelets were low. Low is 115. Dad's were at 14. I witnessed what this looks like first hand.

He was admitted to his room around noon. By 2:00, his nose was bleeding; by 6:00, his shirt and sheets were covered in blood. The nurse started his transfusion at 9:00 PM.

Around 10:30, his nose was bleeding, his mouth was full of blood, the blood had dripped down and pooled in his neck and all over his sheets and I tried to clean him up. I used paper towel after paper towel but finally called the nurse for some help.

The nurse, her aid, my mom and I all worked to get the blood out of Dad's mustache and beard, out of his nose and his mouth.

Shortly thereafter, Dad was in a lot of pain because he was trying to go to the bathroom. His stomach was poking out on one side and it felt hard. My heart was breaking. I asked the nurse when they would be doing his soap suds enema and she said they wanted to wait until he had his platelets.

I gave my dad a big hug and kiss and left the hospital around 11:30. I never like leaving his side, especially when he is so weak and and hurting.

At around 1:45 AM my phone started ringing, I looked to see that it was my mom and panic settled over me. BUT it was Mom calling to tell me that our prayers had been answered. She was overjoyed because he had finally pooped! (She was especially grateful that this happened at the hospital so she didn't have to be the one cleaning up! Double blessings!)

She called me again around 2:00 AM just because she was so happy. She cried and said, "we tried everything, everything they could come up with and it wasn't until we asked everyone to 'pray for poop' that it finally happened. It's such a miracle! Please thank everyone for me!"

I just got off the phone with her again. They will be leaving the hospital in about half an hour. She said Dad looks much better and feels better but that he is very tired. She said that took a lot out of him (literally!). He is pooped out! (Sorry Dad)

Thank you all again for your prayers. They were answered! This is nothing short of a miracle and we all recognize that.

Alma 33:11 - And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou has been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy.

Pray for Poop! And Other Updates.

We will be leaving in a few minutes to IMHC so Dad can have a blood transfusion. He always feels much better after those. To those of you who faithfully donate blood to your local blood banks, THANK YOU! You truly do save lives!

Yesterday Dad woke up in the late afternoon and asked for his cane. We told him it was in the garage. He said he needed it because he wanted to go for a walk. Mom said she could take him for a walk in the wheelchair and he said, "that's a start!"

So we were able to take him outside to feel a cool breeze and see the sunshine.

As of right now it has been nearly a month since he has had a bowel movement. My sweet, conservative Daddy would be quite embarrassed if he knew I was advertising this to the world, but it's the most important thing right now. They've tried everything from enemas to shots and medications and laxatives. So far nothing is working. The nurse on Saturday didn't hear any bowel sounds in his stomach and assumed his colon was shutting down. But last night the nurse said she heard very active bowel sounds in all four chambers of his stomach! So now he just needs to go! So please help us help him and PRAY FOR
POOP!

****And please don't tell him I said that. He really would be horrified. This is a man who refuses to use public restrooms and considers any words to do with bodily functions as profanity.

Hold your breath a little longer

Georgie is still small enough that he has babies breath. Every time I'm with him, I hold him close and smell him breathe. I don't want to miss that last time when he still smells like a baby.
I've been thinking about last breaths. The problem is, with all the breaths we take, how can we know which one will be last.
I keep holding my breath. I'm hoping that by holding mine, I can buy dad a few more.
I am also treasuring some breaths we have shared.
Like the time we all gasped, watching dad's axe juggling gone bad.
Inhaling yellow cake, and then savoring the fudge frosting.
I remember exhaling "Whoaaaa", while watching dad hit a softball that went sailing on forever, and chasing it across the alfalfa field with every kid in the neighborhood.



I could never catch my breath hiking with dad across little mountain and up to the Grimm's house.
Dad could have had a second job as a storm siren.
A short breath, pursed lips and two pinkies to the tongue, and every kid in Tooele county knew it was 5:15, and time to come home.
Dad's yawns literally shake the house.
Dad, you may not have known but what you did with your precious breath taught me a lot of what I needed to know. You sigh whenever you hear swearing. You never swear. In traffic you called everyone your buddy.
If you disapproved of something, you elongate the last syllable of our name. If you wanted us to come to you, you held the first syllable a little longer.
When we watched "The Gods must be crazy" Mom had to rub your chest make you breathe because you laughed so hard.
You laughed as if laughter was a song. In fact you could harmonize laughter. For instance, in a Charger. You would hit the gas, the car would hum deep, you would laugh low, Earl would giggle high, and the rest of us would belly laugh the parts in between.


My love of all things baby came from you. I can think of a hundred infants whom you held close, and rocked with your big barrel chest. It rises like ocean waves as you breathe.
You'll forgive me if I might miss the last breath, but I have many others that fill the place.
I wasn't there physically when you knelt across the alter from your sweetheart and gently whispered, "yes". With that you enabled our family to be an eternal unit. Many breaths since have affirmed you commitment, reinforced your love, and likely guaranteed that sealing could remain.
Hold your breath a little longer and buy me a few extra. I'll listen for your whistle and I'll be home soon.



I may not be a smart man, but I do know what INI IBIG KITA means

When mom and I worked at the sewing factory, I would turn around and mouth the words "I love you", she came up to my machine once and said "I love you too, Robert"
I replied, "I didn't say I love you, I said 'Olive juice'".
Mom retold the story at my mission farewell. In her version, my reply was" I didn't say I love you, I said 'Grape juice'".
Mom is known for her many talents and her boundless energy. Most people know is gifted with languages and is a dynamic public speaker.
At times she may get a little lost in translation,but she is fluent in expressing love and kindness.
One of her greatest gifts is that it doesn't matter what people say to her, the message she receives is that they love her. Even if that is not what people intend. She gives them the benefit of the doubt. No matter what they are saying, what language, what tone, she believes they are coming from a place of love. She doesn't think that because she is naive or dumb. . . She thinks it because that is how she thinks of others.
You know the primary song that says, "Jesus said love everyone treat them kindly too. When your heart is filled with love, others will love you."? Love is what fills her heart. There is no guile, nothing petty. if she knows you, she brags about you, if she brags about you, she loves you.

She is a great mediator too. If we fought, if we were frustrated, if we could not look each other in the eyes, she took the middle and made sure the final message in a fight was that she loved us, and we could love each other. She has an ability to help others hear lovingly, the way she does. There were times I would hear my dad elongate syllables in my moms name. I wondered if she was ever frustrated with that, but she didn't hear what I did. She heard "I love you" and responded in kind.
She doesn't get angry. There was an incident with wooden spoons, and Earl's butt, and the spoon breaking, but 1. Earl deserved it-2. Earl likes to get hit - and 3. They were both laughing.
With all the love she dishes out, does she have enough love left to be in love? Can she love one person above all? She can and she does! She is head over heels for dad. She loves the guy. There is no doubt about it. It would be hard not to understand when she says it and shows it constantly.
There is something she should know too.
Mom, read my lips,"katas ng ubas".

Precious Pictures

Here is just a tiny sampling of our impromptu photo shoot yesterday. A great, big, HUGE thank you to our sweet Sara for capturing these moments so perfectly. If you are in the Utah area and need a fabulous photographer, I would highly recommend her. She's amazing; as you can see.

www.saraboulterphotography.com

Dad and his boys (minus Earl and Bob)
Daddy's Daughters

Dad and 3 of his 10 siblings

Handsome Dad

Sara, we just can't thank you enough for these priceless treasures. We love you so much. We will always treasure this gift. THANK YOU!