More From Friday at St. Joseph's Hospital

I just spent 2 hours editing a zillion pix from the past week, but I will just post these from our last visit with Grampy on Friday. Me and my Grampy (mama needs a haircut!)

Addie, Heidi and James with their great-grandpa Bill

(they snuck a little smile without their masks!)

...more...

Papa Bill holding Heidi's hand

Papa Bill bearing his testimony to James

Addie, James, and Heidi with Papa

Papa Bill holding Addie's hand

Heidi was concerned about Grampy's infected arm, but James just wanted to chat!

Papa Bill holding James Ole's hand.

Saying Good Bye to Papa Bill (Friday)

Visiting Great-Grandpa Bill on 04.09.10 from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

On Tuesday

I got my family all dressed and sunscreened and ready for a day at Reid Park and the zoo, then I went over to the hospital at 8:30am. I heard Grandpa talking to the nurse as soon as I entered the hall. He had just eaten his breakfast and had his vitals checked. I walked in and he said, "Well, Jamie Lynn! Look at you!" We sat and talked for a while --he was a little groggy from taking a pain pill--and he asked about each of my siblings. He asked about my mother three different times. He kept saying, "It's so good to see you. I'm glad you're here, but I wish you hadn't come...it' so expensive...you're so busy...How's your mother? Tell her to stay home and get well...her children need her." He asked me to rub his back, which four of us (gram, aunt marti, and cousin Joseph) did all day long. At one point, the three of us girls ended up gathered around the bed talking--Marti at his feet, me at his back, Grandma applying topical eczema cream to his arms and face--and Grandpa piped up, "Know what I'm thinking about? I'm thinking about how much the Savior must have loved and blessed those women who anointed Him." Yes, that pretty much slayed us. I was so thankful for the privilege.

Grandma Lyn is clearly being buoyed up and strengthened by the Spirit. She is being remarkably brave and organized and clear-minded about all of this. Yesterday she got all the legal and financial papers in order and Jay Busby came with a notary to get them signed. He promised Grandpa he would be sure she was well cared for, as did Joe Ballantyne (their financial guy) last night. The great thing about these men is that, not only are they excellent at their jobs as attorneys and accountants, they LOVE my grandparents with all their hearts, and what a joy and relief it is to have people you know and trust in those positions at such a time as this! Bless Grandma's brave heart! She reminded Grandpa all day long, "I am okay...I am being loved and cared for, you don't have to do this, you can go whenever you want..." It's really the most exquisitely bittersweet thing.

Being at the hospital all day was like a This Is Your Life episode. First thing in the morning, sweet Bill Doane came by--he was my Bishop in High School and saved me from a world of hurt. There are no words for how nice it was to see him, nor for the stab of pain in my heart as he took Grandpa's face in his hands, with tears running down his cheeks and said, "We love you, President. You've blessed our lives so much." He took a tissue as he left and I saw his shoulders shake as he walked away crying. What a wonderful man. Later, other friends and the current Bishop came, my sister Jill and brother Michael, my Elrey uncles and cousins Joseph, David, and Scott, and President Busby and Joe Ballantyne.I had lunch in the cafeteria with Grandma while Aunt Marti and Jill went to the Cheesecake Factory and bought cheesecake for the nurses. During lunch I talked on the phone to my sister Laura and my brother Sam. Later while Grandma was picking up Chinese food for Grandpa's dinner, my sister Lisa called--she lost her father in law last night...sad days (our prayers are with you and your family today, Chris).

I took Grandma to renew her temple recommend at the stake center, where Barney Lewis interviewed her through tears when she told him that Grandpa had signed what was certainly his last Patriarchal Blessing today. "He always said he wanted to live to be 85 and give 700 blessings," Grandma explained. "He turned 85 last Monday and today's blessing was number 701, so I guess he's done!" Amazing.

It's so good to be here...I am thankful for he chance. But I want our loved ones who can't be here to know that Grandpa is mindful of you. I know he feels your prayers and knows of your love. He wants us to know that "all is well"--he said that over and over yesterday (he repeated the phrases, "all is well" and "so much love" several times yesterday, which I think says a lot about his state of mind...at peace). He wants us all to be focused on our families, to attend to "the holiness of daily living," and to continue his legacy by building eternal families of our own. Don't break the chain! ;)

I am too sick to visit him today. They gave him some immunosuppressant drugs last night and he nurse said I can't expose him to my germs. So I plan on hanging out with Kristen and Owen at her mom's for a while and doing chores/errands around Grandma's house (goal #1= fix her computer! I read her all your emails and facebook messages from my laptop yesterday and she loved it!). Laura, call the room today and see if he's well enough to talk--520-873-5108. He said he would love to talk to you yesterday, but there was never a long-enough, quiet moment. Thank you for your messages and prayers. We feel them. XO

SomeLetters

Dear Grampy,

I am writing by dim light on my tiny travel keyboard that always skips the "m's", so this may turn out goofy. I am in a hotel room, half a mile from your hospital bed, and a half mile in the other direction from your home, which is where my heart is--well, part of it, at least. I still get butterflies when I pass the yellow fire station sign and get ready to turn down the street to your house (once my house, too). I called from the road near Flagstaff to check on you today and was surprised when you answered the phone, sounding so normal. The sound of our voice nearly made me cry. It reminded me of one time when you called from Africa, and I did cry for joy at the sound of your voice because it was very much like a "voice from the dust"--you were so far away and I missed you and needed you so much then!

When I came alone to your room tonight, the lights were off and you were asleep, half sitting up with your mouth open a little. Your hair was toussled a bit, with just the silver catching light, and your face was so gaunt from that angle, I did not recognize you. Oh, no, I thought, I'm going to wake this poor little man--I'll go ask where my grandpa is. And then the nurse sent me back to room 8. I went back and looked closer, walking roun to the other side of the bed, and in that light, I saw the rest of your hair, and your soft cheeks and knew it was you. I put my hands on yours and watched you for a minute. You began to struggle to breathe and your mouth seemed dry, so I moved your chin to close your mouth a bit and tried to give you a drop of water. You didn't stir, so I kissed each cheek and told you I love you and hoped you'd make it through the night. Then I walked back out to my family, where my big, sweet husband gave me a big sweet hug that reminded me that I am going to be okay.

I hope I get to see you awake and that you recognize me. I hope you remember all the things I have said before, about how much you have meant to me, how your love gave me the self-respect to make good choices and led me to understand my Heavenly Father's love, and planted the seeds of the testimony I have today that makes me strong. Don't get me wrong--my heart is so heavy thinking of this world without you in it, without our weekly chats and special visits--but I am also excited for you to progress, to graduate from "this mortal coil" and be free from what ails you. God knows you have fought the good fight! I will continue to strive make my life a worthy memorial to you. Your love will always motivate me, no matter which side of the veil you happen to be on.

I'll see ya in the morning, lovey...Love, Jamie.

***

Dear SisterFriends and Mom Melin in Montana,

I would so love to be going through this with you by my side. I miss each of you so much and I am so touched and blessed by your thoughtful words and acts. I listened to my BYU Classic Speeches podcast today on our long drive thru AZ. The talk was from 1964 by apostle GB Hinckley and it was called "How Lucky Can You Be?" Even in this hard time, I truly feel blessed and lucky because there is so much love and so much Spirit in my life, and much of it comes from YOU. You do the errand of angels thing so well!

Love, Jamie
***

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving me a Grampy to show me Your love and The Way home. Thank you for giving me a kind and patient husband and brilliant, hilarious children to light up my days. Thank you also for giving me the experience of feeling joy in the temple on Friday, then edifying me with conference on Saturday and Sunday, so that I can face this week with grace. You are always so good to me; you always prepare a way.

Love, Jamie

I have only been facebooking this week. No time! My dear Papa Bill is on his death bed, my mom is at his heels--she is better, but not well. We got home from Utah on Wednesday afternoon, and we are turning around and heading for Tucson tomorrow. Heaven help us...

I have so many beautiful pictures, stories, and conference thoughts to share, but I will be occupied for a while. I'll get online as soon as I can. Happy Easter, dears.

Yesterday we went to the Billings Temple for the wedding of Kim Larson to Matthew Triplett. Rich took pictures and the kids played/ got babysat by Haylee Holm.

James, Addie, & Heidi at teh Billings Temple

What's up with the tilting heads?

See what I mean?

The Billings Temple

The joyfulest bride

a darling couple

(I told Kim she looked just like Elizabeth Bennet...such a great dress!)

I won't share any more pix, but there are tons of great ones.

Congrats, Tripletts!xo

Day One of Spring Break: Friday

We left our house at 8am, heading west through Bozeman, then turning south through Ennis, Henry's Lake, Island Park, Rexburg, Poky, Ogden (where there was a blizzard!), and finally Utah Valley...

The BozemanPass was lightly dusted

...not looking too spring-ish!

We drove out to Eagle Mountain first thing to see my mom. We are still recovering from the RSV/cold virus from last week, so we wore masks and sanitizer and only stayed a few minutes.

My sisters Sara, Laura, and Jill were there, so they decided to come back to the hotel with us and let 12 kids swim. I picked up dinner at Panda Express (string bean chicken anyone?) and we all ate it in the dining room of the hotel. Then Jill's girls Ally & Belle stayed over at the hotel and the others went home. All the kids colored and did puzzles for an hour or so, then we played an UNO tournament (James fell asleep) and hit the hay at 11pm. It was genuinely fun--I love having kids this age. Even last year I couldn't have done this myself!

NERD ALERT: My nephew Gabe laying on my brother Marshall while nephew Jared looks on.

Jack & Heidi=cousin pals!!!!

Belle & Abby

Ally, Heidi and Addie doing puzzles

Belle and James coloring

My Slumber Party Crew--so much fun!

***

Now we are going on a Provo Photo Safari to all my old homes, then a picnic at Bridal Veil Falls!

I'll have to get some of Laura's great pool pix tonight!

This made me laugh so hard...

...I cried.

God help Speaker Pelosi

(and all those she is "speaking for").

Today, so far: a photo essay

We finally had our first real spring snow last night, and to be honest, I am glad to see the snow. I am in the mood to be cozy just a little longer (maybe because I have some sewing and a great book to finish). I like to call this photo "Wishful Thinking." I had Rich put our adirondack chairs out this week because DST gave me some after-dinner vitamin-D time (to read and watch the sunset). This morning they are dusted with snow!
Last week I made a mental note to take down the snowman window clings and clean the windows to let the sun shine in...looks like I've got a little more time for that!
This is just a shot down the street from the driveway, looking SE. You'll notice the peaks are shrouded in clouds and fog.

From the walkway, this is what the tulips look like today.

And finally, this is our living room table, featuring our brand-new Ensign magazine, which I will be reading today instead of doing yard work! ;)

***

Our thoughts and prayers are still will Nana and Carrie today, hoping the best for both of them. Nana/ my mom's surgery went well yesterday and as of 10:15am, all is well...she just needs to SLEEP (so don't call her today). Her white cell counts were good, her red cells count dropped slightly from 32 to 25, but they are hoping that will get better as she heals (the goal is a count of 35 or higher). No updates on Carrie yet, but our whole ward family is hopin' & prayin'!

It's time for me to go do some Z-sounds with my little pre-schoolers (they are playing Seasme Street online games on pbskids-dot-org right next to me and it's so very cute!).

James and Ashley playing "Diego in the jungle" (that's a quote).

PRAY DAY

First of all, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear friend Jennifer Claar (Aunt Jenn)! Hope it's a good one, Jenn!

We've been saying more fervent prayers around here. Illness and addiction are running rampant in my family of origin, and lots of hearts are hurting. My dear cousin-like-a-brother-to-me was deployed to the middle east this week, just weeks after learning his first child is on the way next October. My Mom is having a spleenectomy at 2pm today in American Fork. She also has blood clots in her lungs, for which they installed some kind of filter yesterday. None of this is sounding very good to me, but we are praying it all goes well and everyone involved be inspired and comforted. And trying to say "Thy will be done."

Also today in Tampa our friend/piano teacher/neighbor/ former VT, Carrie Kling is beginning treatments to relieve debilitating back pain. She and her husband have scrimped and saved to make this trip, so we pray the doctors will be inspired to know what to do for her and she won't have to do many more big trips. For those of you who know Carrie and want to keep up with what is happening, you can click here (you'll need to register and then type in her name under "find friends") to go to her care page which Aaron (Carrie's husband, our home teacher) is keeping updated. I really enjoyed his last update, and hope he won't mind if I share his testimony here:

"I have had questions about my faith and if it is strong enough and a very good friend talked to me about faith. I know that it will be through the healing powers of Jesus Christ that this will work. But, just so we can be obedient and prove our faith and trust in Christ and Heavenly Father, we will be fasting Tuesday night through Wednesday evening and then giving Carrie a blessing. The Priesthood has been restored to this Earth and is real. It is the power of Christ to act in His name according to His will and Spirit. The Priesthood's purpose is to serve others through our humbleness and obedience to God's will. I pray that our faith will be sufficient and that healing is in God's plan for Carrie. May God's will be done. Thanks again everyone!"

I am trying to have the faith that Aaron has today. I do know with all my heart that Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to learn and grow. I know that families can be together forever and that "happiness is the object and design of our existence and will the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it" (J. Smith Jr.) and "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

So Behind

I am losing my motivation to blog since (a) James has been sick so we haven't had any fun and (b) my Grandpa and Grandma don't have a working computer right now. But here are some fotos from last weekend anyway (from before James got sick with RSV/brochiolitis and an ear infection). My mama is in the hospital AGAIN with hemolytic anemia...pobrecita. She's supposed to have a spleenectomy tomorrow.

Saturday began with a Primary activity (breakfast and games in their pajamas), then Heidi had a bowling birthday party for her friend Gabe.

Heidi and Gabe at the bowling alley arcade.

***

Later that night we--Addie and I-- took Aunt Jenn out for a birthday dinner then to Kim Larson's bridal shower in Clyde Park.

There were lots of 10-13 year-old girls there, so when they played the "make a TP wedding dress game," guess who the mannequins were? Addie is modeling her TP dress, second from left.

The winner was Marissa on the right. I am sad I didn't take more pictures, especially with the bride in them, but here's a cute one...

YAY! Congratulations, Matthew & Kim!

***

Now, I am off to try, once again, to get some rest. I don't sleep well when James is coughing/has labored breathing, but he doesn't nap well when he has albuterol treatments, so we are caught in a cycle of poor immunity due to lack of sleep, and I can feel my hormones just going CRAZY. Mama needs to sleep, y'all!

Birthdays

I have missed a bunch of birthdays the past couple of weeks, so I wanted to catch up NOW because these birthday people are way too adorable to skip...

TODAY, March 10th, my nephew Jared Lehman turns nine!

Happy THIRD Birthday to my cute li'l Peeps (Penelope Mayberry, daughter of Cousin Dave)...her bday was March 7th

...and so was my sisterfriend, Melissa's--and I MISSED IT! :(
"Spencer Down Under"
On March 2nd, my nephew Spencer turned six!
Here is Spencer last Fathers' Day with his Dad (my bro Willy) and family.

On March 1st, my nephew Jake Post turned six! He is 6 weeks older than my Heidi and they are crazy cousin pals! (click to enlarge picture)
My niece Kennady turned six on February 25th (she lives in Utah with my sister, Erin)

And last, but not least, my nephew Owen Layton had his first birthday on February 23rd. He lives all the way down in Sierra Vista, AZ so we don't get to visit as often as we'd like, but his daddy skypes with us so we can watch Owen grow (James is a HUGE Owen fan...he always says, "I'll be Owen, you be Kristen"). Click to enlarge this series of pictures from the webcam.

Happy Belated Birthday, Cuties!