Just in case you were wondering. . .

D just read this from a surgical text, "A normal parathyroid gland weighs 40 milligrams and looks like the tongue of a jaundiced hummingbird."

Thank you, authors.  Now D knows exactly what to look for next time he operates on a parathyroid gland.

My favorite scripture story, by Davis

Tonight I was reading the story of Alma and Amulek teaching the people in the city of Ammonihah.  I read about how these men were bound in prison for teaching the people about the gospel of Jesus Christ and calling them to repentance.  After being withheld food, water, clothing, and dignity, Alma and Amulek were able to break free from their cords and the walls of the prison fell down, destroying the people who had persecuted them.

My comment after the chapter was, "Davis, wasn't that a cool story?"

"Yeah.  But it isn't my favorite scripture story."

"Oh really?  What is your favorite scripture story?"

"David and Goliath,"  Davis replied.

"Why?"  I asked.

"Because. . . . . It has more violent killing.  And a battle."

A First, by D

D, "I had a first last night.  I treated a man with achrondroplasia."

D's attending, "Huh?"

D, "He is a midget."

"Oh."


And a bonus quote:

D's patient, "What is this?  1% lidocaine and 99% fire?  AHHHHHHHH!!!!  That stings!"

A tribute

I've eaten many plates of cookies from neighbors who brought them over to say, "Thanks, D, for helping us out."  He put in stitches for their kids.  He looked in their ears.  He sent them to the ER because he knew they just needed someone to tell them it was time.

I've laughed so hard my belly hurt after one of his jokes.

I've been blessed with a Honey Baked Ham bestowed to us by a neighbor who was overcome with thanks for an angel who shovelled his driveway after a major winter storm.

I have slept in many Saturday mornings and was awakened by the smell of breakfast and happy, twittering children's voices in the kitchen.  The only words I understood were, "Dad. . . . . .Dad. . . . .Dad. . . .Dad."

I've eaten out at several restaurants with a gift card from someone who my husband's life touched.

I've gone into the laundry room to start a load and found the washing machine had already been started.

I've read cards from patients who were blessed by D's time and expertise. 

I've had nurses stop me and tell me how much they loved and respected my husband.


It is easy to complain he is gone.  Gone all day.  Gone at night.  Sleeping whenever he sits down.  But, really, what right do I have to complain when I've been so blessed?  May I always look for the good in life. . . . it is so apparent if I only open my eyes.

Business First

I grabbed Reed out of his crib this morning with our dog, Izzy, following behind.  As soon as Reed's feet hit the floor, he started yelling, "Her bid-ness, her bid-ness, her bid-ness, (her business)" as he toddled over to the back door.  He opened the door, and said, "Hereyago, Izzy."  Izzy obediently walked out the door and turned around to look back at him.  Then he coaxed her, "Go poo, Izzy.  Go poo."  He shut the door, turned around,  looked at me and said, "Izzy. Her bid-ness."  I told him good job and didn't mention that I had already let her out first thing.

Next stop.  Teaching Reed how to do his bid-ness in the toilet.

A SHOCKING revelation

Don't let that sweet, innocent face fool you:  the Tooth Fairy isn't all she is cracked up to be.  I just caught her raiding Roger's money bin to pay for Davis and Eliza's teeth (they both lost one within a day of each other).

She gave me this sob story about how she didn't have time to go to the bank today and release funds. The Tooth Fairy thought Roger would not notice any money missing as he had stolen most of it from his mother's purse anyway! I told her this was no way to represent magical creatures, and she should have been more prepared. I gave her a swift spanking and made her promise to never let it happen again.

Can you believe that!!  The TOOTH FAIRY-- stealing money from one child to pay another!!  What has this world come to??

Wilderness Camp 2011

When I meet people and they ask me, "How many kids do you have?"  I answer, "Four.  I know. . . . .way too many."  Then I add another line, "But I just don't know which one I would give up!"  They laugh, and I laugh, and my explanation about why I don't have it all together is made.  Having said that, I know my four kids have made it very difficult for me to keep up on my blog.  I miss it.  I miss sitting down to reflect about the day.  Now as I sit down, it is hard not to look past my computer screen at the messy room around.  But, I just gotta do that right now.

Last week was amazing!!  I unplugged and headed out to the mountains past Marion, Utah to our Stake's property.  After working out crazy schedules for how the kids' would be taken care of (with a lot of sacrifice from my mom, sister, neice, and sister-in-law-- THANK YOU), I could enjoy a great week of good company from adults and teens alike.

We hiked, we sang, we prayed, we laughed, we skit-ed (or would that be skat?), and we bore testimonies together.  What a great bonding experience.  I am so privileged to be surrounded by such amazing and talented people.

Whenever I participate in activities like this, I can't help but stroll down memory lane and remember my experiences as a Young Woman at girls' camp.  As a 12-year-old girl with a backpack barely hanging on my little frame, I hiked up a hill and camped for a while.  I can honestly say I learned important life lessons on that journey: I can do hard things, people love me, and the Holy Ghost bears witness of truth. I learned so much about myself at camp. These lesssons have stuck with me, and I am honored to be a part of this experience for other Young Women.  It was a great week, and I was happy to serve some amazing spirits in teenage bodies.

Don't we look happy?

Tender mercies (?)

I was alarmed out of bed this morning by a phone call at 5:34.  Never fear.  It was not a telemarketer.  It was not a family emergency.  Unfortunately it was the call telling me I had slept in: our YW Presidency had planned a temple trip for 6:00 A.M. and I hadn't set the alarm clock properly. I stumbled out of bed and tried to get ready in a jiffy, but quickly realized I needed to send the ladies on or they would miss the session.  I told them I would do initiatories and meet them in the lobby.

But when God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window (At least that's what Mother Abess says.  And yes, I frequently glean wisdom from musicals produced in the 60's).

I called D to let him know that he didn't need to rush home-- I had missed my ride and my session (he was on call the night before and was off at 6:00).   When D got into the house, he said, "I am really sorry that you are so bummed, but your bad morning is my tender mercy."

"What?" I asked incredulously.

"I said a lot of prayers last night that I would be able to figure out Eliza's hair for her gym workout this morning.  I was really scared I wouldn't be able to do a pony tail to her liking.  Now that you won't be gone, you can do it before you leave."

With that, we woke Eliza up at 6:40 just so mom could do her hair.

Tender mercy?  You decide.

I'm trying to be like Jesus. . . .kindof

Ahhhh, first day of summer.  Lazy morning.  Lot's of time.  The inevitable video-game fight has already happened, and it is only 10 A.M.  I locked Davis and Roger outside and told them to work out their differences.  They could come back in when things were figured out.

A few minutes later, they knocked.  I opened the door and asked, "Did you figure it out?"

"Yes," Davis replied. "Roger said he would watch me play."

"Really?  Roger are you okay with that?"

"Yeah," he said.

"I guess you guys can come back in then."  As they shuffled down the stairs, I stopped Roger.  "Rog, thanks for being a peacemaker and letting Davis play first.  I can tell you are really becoming like Jesus."

He stopped and stared at me for a moment and then announced, "No, I'm not like Jesus.  I don't have a beard."

Then he walked downstairs thinking his mom was an idiot.

Same Jersey: LOVE THIS VIDEO!!