Update

I really meant to post an update after my "Life" post in April but as life goes on it didn't happen. But I really am doing pretty good (all things considered). I continue to gain new perspectives on life everyday, as I'm sure I'm supposed to. 

I've pretty much been 'home' since the beginning of May spending time with my mom during her last few weeks of life. I will forever cherish this time I had with her. She was an amazing women and I've always looked up to her in so many ways. I couldn't have asked for a better mother and am grateful most of all for all that she taught me. She didn't teach me through words but more through her example. I'm grateful for her patience in raising me and for never giving up on me. I'm where I am now and more able to cope with this tragedy because of her. This road will not be easy and she will be greatly missed but I KNOW that if I live worthy I will see her again! I'm so grateful for my Savior and his sacrifice, and my parents and my own temple marriages, which make that possible.

In Loving Memory

Phyllis ________, 55, passed away peacefully at her home in _________, Utah, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born _____________ in _________, Utah to Robert Phil and Roene __________ and was the youngest of three daughters. Phyllis was sealed for time and all eternity to her sweetheart, Kirkman __________ on February 16, 1974, in the St. George LDS Temple. They are the parents of four children and the grandparents of seven grandchildren.

Phyllis loved to provide service to others and had a deep, unwavering faith. She always served with her whole heart in the many callings she had in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed attending the Temple. She loved sewing and quilting, but most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her top priority was her family and she made her home a magical and welcoming place for all of us. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, cousin, niece, and friend to so many who loved her so much.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, Kirk; children, Mindi (Kenny) ______, Kody (Rachel) ________, Krystal _______, and MaKayle (Luke) _______; grandchildren, Kaden and Kyler _________, Kelton, Rylee, Bitner, Kinley ________ and Kaisa ________; her Mother, Roene A. _________; sisters, RoLayne (Harry J.) _______, Lynda (Paul) _________; in addition to many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by her Father, Robert Phil _________.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the __________________________, . Visitations will be held on Sunday evening, May 17, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, and on Monday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be held at the __________, Utah, Cemetery. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for all those who provided compassionate love and support to Phyllis, during her illness.

Expressions of love and sympathy may be made through donations to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 801-584-5800 or Primary Children's Medical Center, 801-662-5959 or donate online.

Late Easter

While we were in St. George for the birthday party Peanut finally got her Easter present from Grandma!

So cute! And she made it herself. Peanut LOVED all the candy inside!

And we got to play in some water which is always fun!

Peanut was a little scared of this 'sprinkler' at first and just cried but once we turned the water down and showed her how fun it was she loved it! Mason on the other hand just ran right through with no fear whatsoever!

We tried very unsuccessfully to get a pic with both kiddos looking at the camera.

So fun to play with cousin Mason! Wish they lived closer!

And of course Uncle Matt is a fav!

Happy 60th Momma Rose!

Grandma's birthday was a big one this year so we decided to all go down and join the party. We surprised her at a park where we had a delicious lunch, played on the playground, and then (because it was so windy) returned to her house to open presents and eat some yummy cake.

There was a little joke involved with all the presents this year because of a note she caught being passed in one of her classes asking if they thought Mrs. L looks like Hannah Montana. We had a good laugh at the story and then decided to throw her a Hannah Montana birthday party. I didn't get a picture of all the Hannah Montana decorations at the park but they were cute!

Grandma and her Hannah Montana Tennis Player barbie doll from Matt and Steph.

The Hannah Montana school supplies from us.

And the darling cake made and decorated by Steph with a little help from Lindsay and I.
Happy Birthday Grandma!

Life

I've come to realize (again) that you can't just "dwell" on things. It's bad for you. I've done it (and do it) lots. But I want to stop. I can't just dwell on how much my life stinks because there are so many other people that have things in their lives that are stinkier! I need to live my blog title more. And realize that no matter what, I'm going to have trials. I can't change this and I can't pick them. These are trials I chose and was willing to live with before I came to earth. God has his own plans and who am I to try and mess with them. Or who am I to whine and complain about them. I don't ever want to just give up. I want to move forward with faith and enjoy life. Because what else is there to do?

Our Little Drummer

Peanut loves to play Rock Band with us! And it's so cute to watch her really try and play. The drums are her favorite.

What Does a Ninja Turtle Say?

This is the latest 'sound' Daddy has taught Peanut...

How to Make Eating Celery Fun

We had some celery with dinner tonight. Peanut and I were messing around while eating it and this is Peanut eating hers from off the table like a dog. Probably shouldn't have taught her that one!

Peanut Update

I was going to include an update on Peanut's condition in my last post, but with my little computer 'helper' I gave up. She is, however, sleeping now so here you go (for those who care, and for my own journaling purposes)...

We had quite a busy day a couple of weeks ago (labs, doc appt, CT scan) and I've had lots of people asking for the results. I think I'll start with the bad news so we can end on a happy note! 

- Peanut's portal vein is completely clotted off. BUT she has formed collaterals so they aren't too concerned about it (I think). 

- We also thought that she still had some ascites attributing to her big belly, but that is not the case. The radiology report said (now this is coming from my memory of what the nurse read to me over the phone, which might not be totally accurate) that she had some edema in her mesentery. Also, the doctor commented on Peanut's ab muscles not being closed off and said that they're probably not all the way healed from her surgeries and/or they're just not strong enough to hold her belly in yet. 

- The scan also showed some varices but they also don't seem too bad, and again I don't think the docs are concerned. (Peanut had the same thing pre-transplant but didn't require treatment then and I'm pretty sure (I'm hoping) she wont require treatment now! :) 

- Her magnesium was low so we've added yet again, another med to her list! (We did get one taken off, the last one that has to be refrigerated, so I guess that makes up for it!)

Now for some good news!

-The doc gave clearance for Peanut to go to church! Yea! Still no nursery, so we'll have to take her to class with us, but at least we can all go every week! Luke and I are still a little weary so, besides Easter sunday, we might not start taking her until May.

-We are back down to once a month lab draws and we don't have to go see the doc for two whole months! (Unless something comes up of course) But that's progress in the right direction!

She is growing and changing so fast now-a-days. Sometimes I think back at what has happened in the past two years and am just blown away! I never could've imagined any of it and now I can't imagine life any other way! She just brings so much joy into our lives, even with her constant throw-yourself-on-the-floor tantrums and everything!

I'm a Big Kid Now

I wish the title of this post meant that Peanut is potty-trained but that's not the case :( Far from it actually. However, she did sit on her little toilet seat, without freaking out, for the first time today.

The title of the post is to tell you how much Peanut can (or in my words "has") to do on your own now-a-days. Brushing her teeth is the main one. And while it's super cute to watch her "spit" into the sink, she wants to brush her teeth ALL day, with the water running! Cause how can you brush your teeth with no water right?

The second, she likes to man the computer. See for yourself...

 jffkhcfkv jhrknvzz  

That's her saying hi to all her blogger friends.