It finally turned hot in O'Fallon. We have had the AC on for days but we never seem to get the temperature just right. With Vivian's hot and cold flashes, there is no way to make everyone happy. The chemo seems to have readjusted her thermostat.
We had such a great time this past week. The whole family got together for the Memorial Day weekend. Ryan and Andrea flew in from Utah and we went to a Cardinal's baseball game. I was able to get really good seats and the Cards won so what could be better? Nathan and Brooke drove in from Oklahoma City and announced that Brooke is expecting in December...that's what could be better. Ben and Shalon drove their car and we drove ours and we all piled in and went to Nauvoo. We went to several of the historical sites and then to the Sunset on the River performance. There was a Hawaiian family there that performed and then the missionaries. It was a great evening. On Sunday we went to church in Nauvoo and then to Carthage. There was a great spirit there and we had a lot of time to talk and be with one another.
Monday I helped the High Priest's put on our Memorial Day breakfast for both wards. We had a ton of food and even more rain. That just meant we had more time to visit with everyone. It was sad to see everyone go home on Tuesday morning.
Mom is doing well though she got some test results this week that concern us. We are not sure what it all means just yet. We are hoping it is nothing but we will let you all know as soon as we find something out one way or the other. For now, we are looking forward to being grandparents. Mom feels great and is starting to exercise more and more. You had all best start working out so you will be ready for race day next April. It would be sad to get beaten by a two time cancer baby on her 49th birthday.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Work, Work, Work
I'm planting, I planted, I'm a Gardner
Vivian and I finally planted the rest of our garden on Saturday. Just the usual stuff. I love watermelon so I planted seeds in about 7 different places to see which soil works best. Come visit around August and you can help us decide. My strawberries are looking great and if we have a week of warm weather, I should be able to pick the first batch.
Yesterday was Mothers Day. I am grateful that all the boys called to talk to their mom. Brandon and I got up and made her breakfast. She doesn't like to eat in bed so we made it and invited her downstairs. For dinner she said she wanted something low cal and healthy. I made salmon and halibut that I got from Alaska and then I made a glaze to go over the fish. We also had new potatoes and peas in a cream sauce, corn on the cob, carrots with butter and brown sugar, beets, and ...oh ya....shrimp. It was awesome. For desert I made an angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream.
Did I mention I miss my mom. You guys don't remember her too well and I haven't done a very good job of telling you about her. Maybe I will do a little more of that in these blogs. You all know she loved to cook and made us try all kinds of weird stuff; cows tongue, kidneys, liver, tripe, goat head cheese, etc. But most of the time we ate great. She was an artist and decorated cakes. Fancy cakes with kool-aid fountains in them, mirrors, and crystal glasses. I dropped the top to one at my aunt Myrtle's wedding. Mom spent the whole wedding in the kitchen making emergency repairs. She had just finished telling someone to let me carry the top because I had such steady hands. She was very spiritual and had dreams and visions that nearly always came true. She milked cows when she was young and even when I was wrestling in high school her hands were stronger than mine. She could grip your had and you couldn't get loose until she let go. She was like mom in that she could talk to anyone and they would soon be friends.
I will add more later for now, I hope that you are sweet to your lovely wives. We miss you and look forward to seeing you all soon.
Vivian and I finally planted the rest of our garden on Saturday. Just the usual stuff. I love watermelon so I planted seeds in about 7 different places to see which soil works best. Come visit around August and you can help us decide. My strawberries are looking great and if we have a week of warm weather, I should be able to pick the first batch.
Yesterday was Mothers Day. I am grateful that all the boys called to talk to their mom. Brandon and I got up and made her breakfast. She doesn't like to eat in bed so we made it and invited her downstairs. For dinner she said she wanted something low cal and healthy. I made salmon and halibut that I got from Alaska and then I made a glaze to go over the fish. We also had new potatoes and peas in a cream sauce, corn on the cob, carrots with butter and brown sugar, beets, and ...oh ya....shrimp. It was awesome. For desert I made an angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream.
Did I mention I miss my mom. You guys don't remember her too well and I haven't done a very good job of telling you about her. Maybe I will do a little more of that in these blogs. You all know she loved to cook and made us try all kinds of weird stuff; cows tongue, kidneys, liver, tripe, goat head cheese, etc. But most of the time we ate great. She was an artist and decorated cakes. Fancy cakes with kool-aid fountains in them, mirrors, and crystal glasses. I dropped the top to one at my aunt Myrtle's wedding. Mom spent the whole wedding in the kitchen making emergency repairs. She had just finished telling someone to let me carry the top because I had such steady hands. She was very spiritual and had dreams and visions that nearly always came true. She milked cows when she was young and even when I was wrestling in high school her hands were stronger than mine. She could grip your had and you couldn't get loose until she let go. She was like mom in that she could talk to anyone and they would soon be friends.
I will add more later for now, I hope that you are sweet to your lovely wives. We miss you and look forward to seeing you all soon.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
When Pigs Fly
I date, I dated, I am a dater.
When people would ask, "when is Ryan going to graduate?" We would answer, "when hell freezes over." On our way to Provo to Ryan's graduation, it started snowing and the prophecy was fulfilled. Lately people have been asking, "when is Brandon going to go on his first date?" Our answer has generally been, "when pigs fly." Well, if you have been watching the news lately you saw the headlines about, "Swine Flew (flu)".
Brandon took Dana Greenwood to the Prom on Sat night and he had a great time. They went over to the Strouds and took pictures and then He and Dana and Joseph Young and his date left for the dance. They went to the Shepherd's house afterwards for an hour or so for games and then went to the bowling alley for an after prom party. He is now sleeping it off. Brandon also celebrated his 18th birthday this week. Mom made the boys a "Mans Meal" and they went to see the new Wolverine movie.
Mom is doing great. She went to the Dr. last week and he drew all over her in preparation for her first radiation treatment. They made some casts and drew lines on her with permanent ink to align the machines. It will be nice when this is all done.
I flew to Burlington Vt. this week and man is it beautiful up there. The weather was crisp and clear and we flew over lake Champlaign. I hope to go up there again and take Vivian this fall when the leaves are changing. That would really be beautiful. In the mean time, I will be watching for flying pigs.
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