Lee's Visit

Earlier in August Lee came to visit us!  We had the best weekend ever.  We went to the water park on Saturday.  Grant was a chicken about everything, but the rest of us had a blast.  I don't ever take my camera to the water park.  I think the reasons are obvious.  Sunday was a relaxing day.  We took a drive around town and showed Lee all the sights.  On Monday, Lee took Grant to the zoo.  Then out to lunch at the Olive Garden.  Grant thought he was the coolest thing on the planet!  He still talks about it. We had so much fun!  Grant cried when Lee had to leave.  He loves his Uncle so very much.  We can't wait to see Lee again soon.

On Sunday we went down by the capital building and saw "the bell."  Does anyone know why big bells are associated with freedom?  I think it is kind of odd, personally.

I love this face!  I can't remember what on earth he was doing here, but I caught it on camera!

Being silly with Uncle Lee!

We love you Lee! Thanks for spending the weekend with us.  We had so much fun! 

Still Alice

Still Alice by Lisa Genova
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 I found this book more of an educational novel than a fun novel.  I found it very interesting to be inside the head of someone who suffers from dementia.  I am glad I read this book because I think I am more sympathetic towards my patients who suffer from dementia.  I am glad I picked this novel up.
I don't know if I would have liked this book as much as I did without the knowledge base I have.  I am a SLP and so I work with adult's who have Alzheimer's Disease and dementia.  I don't think this book would be a must read for everyone.  However, if you know someone with dementia this book will be interesting for you.


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Child 44

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book!  It was such an interesting story.  I am falling in love with historical fiction.  This book had so many twists and turns!  I don't want to say too much because it is such a wonderful book.  I would highly recommend it if you enjoy historical fiction novels based on World War II.


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Fun Fun at the Nursing Home

One of my favorite years of college were when I lived with Jill and Leslie.  We had so many good times and so many laughs.  Jill's job was a frequent source of laughter and jokes.  She was a CNA at the time and was working at a nursing home and going to school.  (She is now a RN!  I would have her take care of me in a heart beat!)

The people at the nursing home were always doing funny things, especially at night when Jill worked. I can't remember any of the specific stories except a lady that thought there were germs or bugs all over the bed next to hers.  She wouldn't let anything of hers touch the bed.  Oh, I also remember a funny one about a a couple who were quadriplegic (Jill will remember, but it isn't really appropriate to share here).

I never dreamed I would work at a nursing home and like it.  I LOVE it!  I have learned so much and really enjoyed the therapy I do there.

I have shared a few funny things on facebook.  I have recently met a patient that has dementia (they all seem to have dementia).  She loves to play on the slot machines.  Obviously, her health doesn't allow her to go to the casinos and play slots.  So her family found a slot machine and put it in her room.  The woman sits at the slot machine all day long and pulls the handle.  You can hear "ching ching ching" all through the halls.  Everyone once in a while you will hear her yell, "I won! I won!"

Now that is the life!  Sit in a nursing home and use the same nickels over and over again.  She has her glass of tonic water or soda sitting next to her.  She probably plays slot machines 8-12 hours a day.  The family just brought in a second slot machine and she is in heaven.

It is really not that funny when it is all typed out, but now that I typed it I am going to post it.  Enjoy!

Albert Edward Maybury

Grandpa Al passed away this morning at about 11:30 AM.  He just turned 94 last week (I think and someone correct me if I am wrong).  He came to America from England when he was young.  Edna, his dear wife passed away about 30 years ago.  He has been lonely and talked so fondly of her.  His only son, Kyle's dad, passed away almost 3 years ago.  I remember at the funeral Al wouldn't stop crying because he was so upset that his son passed away before he did.  It was awful and broke our hearts.
Grandpa Al has had a lot of health problems in the last few years.  He has been in and out of the hospital a number of times.
We knew his time on earth was coming to an end.  It will be weird not having him around.  He came to everything, when he could, and was always up for a good joke.  I loved hearing his darling British accent.  I know he is happy.  I can't imagine how wonderful it was for Al to see his sweet Edna again.  I am also sure Al was pleased to see his son.  I know we will see Al again some day.  I thought I would post some pictures of Al to celebrate the life he lived.

Grant with his Great Grandpa Al on Father's Day June 2010.

Grandpa Al at Dani's wedding May 2011.

Great Grandpa Al Edward, Grandpa Grant Edward, Kyle Edward, and Grant Edward

(4 generations)

This was taken when Grant was about 4 days old.

Grant's baby blessing May 2008. Grandpa Al is in a suit on the front row.

We love you Al!

Love Comes Softly

Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a pleasant surprise.  I was looking for something a little different to read and was pleased I read this one.  This is a pretty quick read.  It is a story of a widowed pregnant woman.  She gets married out of connivence and doesn't plan to stay with this new husband.  But she learns to love him and appreciate him.  I finished this book feeling inspired to be a better wife and mother.  I would recommend this book it was a fun book for any young married woman.


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Utah Trip: Part 4

The last part of our trip we spend with my side of the family.  The whole family had  big picnic in the back yard. We had a water gun fight with the kids. 

Look at how good Evy is with her aim!

The food was delicious.

The best part was seeing my new nephew PRESTON!  He was born on July 6 and weighed over 9 pounds.  He is adorable!  I crocheted this blanket for him so he wouldn't forget is Auntie.  I got a little carried away with the photos, but he was being so good!  I love him to pieces.

Utah Trip: Part 3

Kyle's birthday was the weekend before we went down to Utah.  So, we were able to celebrate his birthday with his family.  There are quite a few pictures and the pictures do a pretty good job describing the events. 

Grant and his Uncle LEE!  Grant loves his Uncle Lee.  He always enjoyed going to the Olive Garden to see Uncle Lee and eat a large amount of breadsticks.  Kyle and I rarely ordered him a meal because he rarely ate anything but bread sticks.  We decided it wasn't worth it to spend the money on a kids meal.

Grandma Irene's birthday is also in July.  She has had her eye on this jacket for a while now.  She was so excited to see it.  She couldn't believe Cindy got it for her.

This is my favorite picture.  We had gone to Ross earlier that afternoon and Irene had seen this chicken.  She was in LOVE! Cindy wanted to get it for her.  So I was in charge of keeping Irene occupied while Cindy got the chicken and stashed it in the car.  Irene had no idea how that chicken had made it home with out her knowing.  I love being in on fun surprises!

Kyle's birthday presents were all stashed in this GIANT gift sack.  Grant thought it was so cool.  He wanted to help his Dad open his presents. 

Grant thought it was so funny that things kept coming out of this giant birthday sack.

Then Grant got this crazy idea to get inside the gift sack! Silly boy!

Grant found this golf ball and wanted me to take a picture of him.  So here you go.

Utah Trip: Part 2

We spent a whole day with Kyle's side of the family.  We went out to lunch up Morgan canyon.  It is always so delicious.  We laughed until our sides split, which is always a must!  We miss everyone so much!  We are so grateful for family who are so supportive and love us so much.  It was a wonderful day!

Check out that huge goldfish in the pond!

Kiss Anyone?

Grant loves powder donuts.  I asked him for a kiss and this is what I get.  Cute!

Sunday Thought On Monday

I have loved our new ward!  I still don't know a lot of members, but it comes with time.  The point of this post is the thoughts I want to share with you from our Relief Society and Priesthood meeting!  AMAZING!

The lesson was on marriage and what we can do to make our marriage better.  The first two quotes were great.  They came from a talk by President Monson.  The line I loved said,

"we should be fiercely loyal"

I love the word fiercely isn't it great?  I think it is so important to be 100% loyal to our spouse.  Then you add the word fierce in there and WOW!  

The second quote I believe President Monson was quoting Elder Talmage, but I could be wrong.  The point is:

Choose your love,

Love your choice.

I love this.  I can't even think of the words to explain how neat this thought is.

I can tell you this.  I thought I was in love with Kyle when we decided to get married.  We have now been married for 7 1/2 years and we now love each even more.  Marriage isn't easy and it takes a lot of work.  The point is that I can focus on the bad things and let the negativity drive our marriage apart.  Instead I try to love Kyle for all the good moments and qualities.  I choose to love the man I chose to marry.  I love Kyle so much. 

I hope if you read this you will be a little inspired to try a little harder to love the choice you made!  

(I know I am.)