On a happier note...what a nice night with Lucas

Lucas was asleep when we got to the hospital...he was so peaceful. After a while, the nurses needed to do vitals and change his re-feeds....he was smiling at the nurses while they were working on him...he was so cute. Finally, we got to hold him and spend time with him...we got TONS of smiles and cues!! He was in such a good mood and very animated with his toys...the elmo tv that plays music...he loved it!! Kristi also got to bottle feed him, which he wasn't much interested in, but he ate. It was so nice to have this day end on such a happy note!! Luv ya Lucas!!

Update with Grandma Schroeder

We got some news today that we weren't quite ready for....the Golden Living Center that Grandma Schroeder lives in has decided to raise her bill about $300!!! Yep, can you believe it!! She doesn't even make enough to pay this, her Rx's and another bill. We are going to have to move her in sooner than we were planning...by the end of December. She is really getting forgetfull too....we will need to find a home health company that will stay with her in the mornings while I go to work. If any of you have ideas, I am more than willing to listen. She is getting really grouchy too...we just have to approach this as something that the Lord wants us to do...I have been praying about when this should happen, I got my answer I guess....we just have to make sure things work out. "Find Joy in the Journey!!"

Trials with Grandma Schroeder

I have been struggling with some feelings about Grandma Schroeder, Gary's mom, lately. She is getting deep into the complicated world of Alzheimers, and it is coming fast. For those with experience with this complicated and devistating disorder, it is not a fun reality to look forward too. She has always been a cantankerous little lady anyway, to have this come into her live, and ours, is not something I look forward too. Gary being the only child, causes me, as the only daughter in law, to feel obligated to make sure things go well for her and for my own family. Lots of decisions and choices when it comes to this. Right now she is still living at the Golden Living Center, an assisted living home, which is working out ok. Last week I had to leave work on two different days to take her to the doctor. We have a home health nurse visit her 3 times a day to do her sugars and give her insulin. Last tuesday the nurse was concerned that Ilene might be getting a cellulitis in her left ankle...with a doctors visit and ultrasound of that ankle, the doctor just thinks it is "old warn out veins". I went over and cleaned and reorganized her room and drawers. While I was out doing some shopping for her, she took a shower (with help). I came back and found her combing her hair with her toothbrush...never fear, I had just bought her 2 new toothbrushes!! I found some unmentionable things in her drawers (unmentionable because you wouldn't want to know), crazy things like she can't have extra garbage bags in her room because she ties them around her waist or neck, she doesn't remember to wear certain pieces of clothing..you can imagine..doesn't eat well anymore, just very confused all the time. My worry is, we aren't in a position to bring her home, no room in the Inn so to speak...I can't afford to give up my job as well. We are looking into home health nurses to watch her while I work,(I work from 8am to 1pm daily), hospice care at home, anything that will be with her while I am away. She would be dangerous to leave by herself. I just have such sick feelings about all of this...she hasn't always been very nice to our kids, like I said very cantankerous all their lives, but we are willing to be of whatever service we can for her. I am feeling so much pressure with all of this. I really didn't want to blog about it, but it feels good to let it out somewhat. My other alternative is to have these horrible headaches..and I am tired of those. Sorry for this downer of a blog...I'll do better


This is a picture at the duck pond with my mom...we went walking around the pond while the ladies sat and enjoyed the beauty....only, my mom had a very interesting experience with Ilene while we were away...(some things are funny, you know, you just gotta laugh) Ilene decided to stand up and take off her blouse...for whatever reason...my mom freaked out and told her she needed to put her cloths back on etc...I wish I were a bug on the wall at that time...when she was telling me the story I was just cracking up and mom was so intense and frustrated...it really was funny....anyway, life goes on!!

New Recipes for this week

Check these out.....Yummy Mock Chicken Cordon bleu recipe and since it is cold, here is the Weight Watcher approved Split Pea Soup that is super easy and yummy!! Enjoy

Well, what we heard of Conference, it was really good....

I can't wait for the Sunday sessions of Conference....I can just sit and listen, no distractions. We watched a couple talks this morning, then we listened to others on the radio. We had a lot of things to do today, I really hate that, but we taped the sessions so that we wouldn't miss anything....also, I love reading the talks in the ensign later. Can you believe the announcement of the newest temples...I loved the reaction of the congregation when the Rome Italy temple was announced....isn't it great, I really love to hear the new temples announced every conference. The church is really growing and so is temple work. What a blessing it is to be able to "Temple Hop"...We have several temples at a few minutes drive north or south. Take advantage of every opportunity to attend....

What a wet weekend!!! I really love the rain though...feels like fall for sure. I actually had to turn on the heater in the car at one point...I actually wanted to decorate, with Max, the yard and house with Halloween stuff...maybe tomorrow..we'll see.

OH, yes, we started Weight Watchers today!!! Hurray!!! Will keep everyone posted on our progress....wish us luck!!

Kati's in LOVE......with baby Lucas!!

Grandma Bahr, Kati Jo and I went up to primary's to visit with Lucas....we stayed for about 3 hours. He was adorable as usual. He got a little fussy while Grandma was holding him, he had some gas....but when Kati Jo held him, they bonded for sure. She rocked him, rubbed his face and arms and he fell asleep...it was really cute. Kati told us tonight that this is the first time she has ever seen Lucas...being in school, she didn't make the family party. She was there the first time they were going to bless him...the second time she wasn't around. The cutest thing ever was when we layed him down on his bed...he has a toy hanging above his head that he cued, talked and smiled at...it was adorable. He is such a beautiful baby. Their doctor, I think the one that did the surgery, came in and talked with us a little..he showed us a diagram he drew on the white board about his innards...and what the plan is for Lucas. He seemed pretty nice....he wants to start to feed Lucas by mouth...the funniest thing happened while Kati was holding him....the nurse came in to do his vitals, she looked at Kati Jo and said, "So, do you want to bottle feed him now?" Kati just looked at her in surprise....the look was priceless...the nurse looked at her in surprise because of her reaction....then I said, actually, this is his cousin not his mom....the nurse was surprised and laughed...what a fun night!

Good chance to Serve little Lucas....

I know you all have BUSY lives, we all do, but if you need and want some great blessings from service....I know where you can get them!!! This little Fullmer Family of Lucas is in need....not sure what is happening fully, but they live in Orem Utah, they have 3 other little boys who need dad and mom and they just got some hard to hear news...apparently Lucas will be in the hospital until his stoma is reconnected...DECEMBER...you can just imagine the heartach they are going through...they are struggling to be in two places at once....they need people to stay with little Lucas at night while they go home to the other boys....If any of you find it in your hearts and time in your lives, I know they would appreciate the service...you will be BLESSED just to know this family and Lukie...he is one of God's choistest spirits and just to spend one minute with him is a blessing....check out their blog...it is connected to mine Fullmer boyz ...they have a great supportive ward....just live so far away ..... out here, we are closer and might be able to help more.....you are all great people in my eyes....things are tight for everyone we know...you will fall in love with this little guy!!

Just heard from Mike, the dad, that any amount of time you can spare would help...just let us know what you can do. They like to go home in the evenings to spend some time with the other 3 boys and it is just hard to leave little Lucas alone without anyone there.