Watching over Ma

What a whirlwind of crazy the last few weeks! On top of normal everyday (ca-razy!!) life, we have taken in my Mom for a month as she heals from major back surgery. She was pretty miserable the first two weeks, so I was up helping her roll over, take meds, and any other needs she had, every 2 hours, 24 hours a day. Yup. Just like a newborn! LOL It was exhausting and yet I have felt the Lord lifting me and enabling me more than I can truly say.

Emma has been a HUGE help! She rearranged her high school/college schedule to alternate with when I needed to be on campus and she has taken care of her Grandma while I am in class. Ma claims Em makes the best eggs and *loves* having her come home after her early morning college class and first period to make her breakfast. (I am so thankful as well so I can get out the door to class!)

Caleb has loved having his Grandma here and has spent multiple evenings sitting with her in the bedroom asking her questions about her childhood and what she likes in life. He checks in on her all the time, and loves going on walks with her (she is supposed to walk multiple times a day) where he watches carefully for cracks in the sidewalk that may trip her, or low hanging branches that may make her bend over. He is such a sweetheart!

All the kids have stepped up their game for their Momma and help me keep the household stuff flowing. Laundry has not gotten behind, nor have dishes. I am amazed and utterly grateful!

This week - week three - she is finally feeling a little less pained and a lot more mobile. She can do more for herself, and the time between meds has increased such that she is waking herself up in the night to take them.

We are so grateful not only for this chance to serve her, but also to foster relationships that we wouldn't have the chance to enjoy otherwise.

General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session

Aunt Becky & Uncle Kevin were going to come up from Arizona for Conference this year for a visit, that is until Kevin landed a job in Idaho and they are now quickly getting their home ready to sell! (EEEEEE!! We are SO excited to have them closer!)

They sent us their tickets for the session they were going to attend.

 

 

Caleb is just old enough to go, and with Cody gone to Shakespeare and Emma sick as a dog, the two younger boys got to go on a "date" with Dad and Mom.

We hopped on Front Runner and rode the trains into the city...

 

It was a fun ride! 

 

 

Because of the train schedule, we were 15 minutes late, but they still let us in!

Cameron loved "singing with the Prophet".

Caleb couldn't believe all the people that were there!

 

It was a great session!

 

When we got back to the Front Runner Station, we had a 45 minute wait for the train...

 

 

It was a lot of fun and we are so glad we could go!!

 

Next time we will not rely on the trains ---- and we want to bring everybody! Including Becky and Kevin and family! ;)

Miss you Grandma!

Last week marked the anniversary of when my Grandma Stoddard was taken home to Heavenly Father.

Her absence leaves a hole in my heart.

As I learn more about her, I realize how many of the same struggles in life we share/ed.

And how many talents as well.

This photo was taken at my Temple Sealing when Emma was a baby.

We found it in a box at Jes' Mom's house of all places! LOL

I absolutely adore it!

So sweet of Grandpa and Grandma...

and I love that it looks like she is looking right at me

 and smiling at my efforts as I raise my family!

It is hung on my fridge so I can see her everyday...

I know she is one of my guardian angels...

I have felt her often.

 

LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Release of Brother & Sister Stoddard

Daddy & Ma were released yesterday.

Dad had been serving as a counselor in the Korean Branch Presidency at the MTC

(Missionary Training Center)

 President and Sister Shin, Dad and Ma, and Brother Heiner

We were invited to attend Sacrament Meeting with them for his release. They held the meeting in 11M, The Melvin J Ballard Building.

This was 3-fold special...

One, it was where Dad served and was released .

Two, this was the first building that Dad worked in at the MTC when he started his career there over 30 years ago!
(My Dad worked at the MTC most of my life)

And three, it was the last Sunday of Sacrament Meetings to be held in this building... it is being torn down to build a new taller building.

It was a choice experience. 

The kids loved the covered walk-ways just as I did as a kid... 

The spirit you feel at the MTC is unlike anywhere else! It is so humbling!  

Our Little Family 

Papa with his grandchildren

We hope someday they stand at this very spot and have pictures taken when they themselves are called to serve...

(Missing were Brent's 4 children) 

Cam wanted his own photo to use when he has another to add to it in 10 years or so.

So then Caleb did too! :)

And Caleb HAD to wear his "Future Missionary" tag to our visit to the MTC!

The missionaries loved it! 

Papa stopped all the kids in a hall on our way through the buildings and had to show them his "favorite" missionary photo out of all the ones adorning the walls of the MTC. 

He loves the look on the little blond boys face in this one... it makes him chuckle whenever he sees it! LOL 

(hubba hubba)

As we passed the hall of the Presidents of the MTC, I snapped this photo...

this is how many Presidencies Dad has served with while working at the MTC.

30 years worth! 

But this one brought tears to his eyes. This is President Boone whom extended the call to serve as a part of a Branch Presidency.

He and his wife Allison really loved my dad, and you could tell by his tears that the feeling was mutual.

He served for 2 years as part of an English Branch and then 2 more year in the Korean Branch.

(And no... he didn't speak the language!) 

The Keith and Annette Stoddard Family

(missing are Brent, Nicole, Morgan, Britt, Jesselynn and Kate Jo)

Our "Good and Faithful Servants" 

Cameron wanted me to take a picture of this picture of President Monson... he adores Pres. Monson.

And he was completely delighted when I pointed out that you can see his reflection in the glass looking at his picture! :) 

Caleb with one of the displays I loved to play on as a child. 

The Book of Mormon is truly a gift from God! 

I finally got Cody to stand still so I could snap this photo of him alone.

Crazy to think it is possible that I will be taking another just like it in 6 short years!

Thank you Papa and Gramma Annie for being such fantastic examples to us all!!

We are so proud of you!

And we love you very much!!

First day back to class

Thursday Feb 9th -
Can I just say I love my mommy? She is the bestest!

I got up early so that I could try to take a shower. I was more sure footed this morning. :) Miracles!
I was able to wash my hair with one hand, and slide my arm up the shower walls to do my cleaning. ;) It was tiring, but the independence was almost like a little bit of euphoria!
I got myself ready, encouraged the kids out the door, and gathered my school stuff.
Ma got here about 9 am. We loaded me and my book bags into the car and off we went.
I was really nervous... mostly for the embarrassment of being a limping, foot dragging fool. (LOL)
She parked the car, and walked me to my classroom. We had to wait a few minutes for the last class to leave. Ma set up my computer so I could take notes with one hand, and got out my book. Then she left me there while she ran home to get her purse (she had forgotten it in her haste that morning :/) I was kind of glad... it made it so she didn't have to just sit there for an hour and 15 minutes.

My professor was SHOCKED to see me, as was my mentor! I had sent them messages about what was going on on Monday before I was discharged. My professor told the whole class "That's it! None of you get to call in sick to class if Heather can make it here after all that!" Bwahahaha! I begged him to not compare me... I was just a super stubborn soul who is afraid to get behind! LOL

Class went well for the first 40-45 minutes. But soon, listening to him talk, and the class make comments, and watch him write on the board, and try to process that, and stay upright in the desk, I started to feel myself be a little too stimulated. The last 15-20 minutes of class I had to keep closing my eyes just to keep from crying. But I was there! I took notes. I got my participation points! And it made me happy.

Ma came in just as it ended and gathered up my things. I stood up to leave and realized I had lost ALL connection with my right leg. I had to just drag it to the car. I was overstimulated and it was not workin' anymore. *pout*

We drove to Costco (and I closed my eyes and shed a couple of tears), so by the time we got there, she could push me in a wheelchair and we could grab the couple of things Jestin needed. We snagged a salad on the way home. Ma stayed and ate lunch with me, then left me to rest. I crawled into my bed and did not move for 4 hours. I woke up feeling better.

I did some math homework - and realized that my number recollections were not as bad as they seemed. It was not as easy as it had been before... but it was not as bad as it was before I regained the pathway last month. So... that's good right?

First day back to class. Not quite epic fail... but I would not really call it a success.

I limped pretty bad all evening.

This has got to hurry and get better!! UGH!

First Day Home

Tuesday Feb 7th -  I woke up the next morning, and I could put one foot in front of the other! My hand and arm did big movements! YEA!

Quickly I realized that the biggest losses still were actually my shoulder (I had nada there :(  ) and my hip (it did not want to move or support me). I worked them all all day long on and off with the therapy exercises I could remember.

Jes left for work (reluctantly), but I assured him I was exhausted and I would stay in bed. I did. Jenny had the day off, so she came down and brought me lunch.

My mom-in-law came a few minutes after lunch, and she and Jenny went to work disinfecting the entire house! The bleached the doors, handles, deep cleaned both bathrooms plus the whole kitchen, table and chairs, remotes, Lysoled furniture etc etc etc! I tried to help wipe down some of the game controllers, but quickly fell asleep. I just could not get enough sleep!

Jenny had stripped the kids beds the night before, and re-made them with clean sheets, so MaryJo folded bedding and rotated laundry as well. The weather was beautiful, about 50 degrees, so we also opened the doors, and turned on the furnace fan to let the fresh air flow and get the germs out! My house smelled wonderfully clean and fresh!

Jenny helped me write out some bills. And she also straightened my hair. Between she and MaryJo, they accomplished what would have taken me a couple of weeks. It felt SOOO good knowing all the germs were gone! And that my house was mostly in order for me to be able to keep up on.

Friends from the ward brought us dinner. Since I had been admitted Saturday morning, every night someone has brought my little family a wonderful meal! And someone else dropped by treats, and another paper plates, cups etc and a bunch of kid-friendly-easy-to-make foods! And we could feel their prayers like balm to our souls. Our hearts are so full of gratitude and we are so humbled!! We have such amazing friends and family!! How did we get so lucky??

Most of today was spent sleeping when I could. Everyone here on the home front was completely feeling better. (HALLELUJAH!!) Jes and kids went to work and school. It was wonderful!

School. What am I going to do about school? Hmmm.... *gulp*

I scheduled my first physical therapy with Brad in the morning.

Kisses??

All my boys got "kissed" by a girl!!!!

Good thing it was their Aunt Jenny!! LOL

Trip to Roosevelt...

I'nt he so cute???

It was my cousin Nikki's baby Kayden's Blessing today!

We drove out and attended the meeting with them and had a wonderful luncheon with my family.

I can't believe how much I miss them all!

We just don't get together often enough!

Nikki made these divine homemade pizza rolls!

And this slush drink that I cannot stop craving... I drank 3 glasses of it! LOL

What a huge blessing for Jes to have a job so that we can afford to attend special events like this! I was so very happy!! :) We really have come a long way....

Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Nikki and family!!

WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Oh no... I am in trouble!

Aunt Becky just shared their family's new favorite recipe...

My little family was craving a treat, so I thought we would try it!

Oh! We are in t.r.o.u.b.l.e. now! LOL

Rice Krisie Treats for One 

Take about 1/2 T. - 2 T. butter (depending on your desire for richness/greasiness) and plop it into the bottom of your favorite cocoa mug. Add 1 Jumbo Campfire marshmallow

(those super big happy ones ;) ) 

(Through the microwave door... sorry such a funny pic!)

Cook in microwave for about 25 seconds.

It will puff up and look like it is going to pop out of the mug... it's ok!

LOL 

Immediately stir in 1/2 - 3/4 cup Rice Krispies 

Vary the amount of cereal depending on your desire for more crunch or more s'mallow 

Stir it up - it balls all together.

ENJOY!

I think we are going to need some more hot cocoa mugs!

 YUM!!

Thanks for sharing Becky!!

They are DIVINE!!

And the kids can't wait to make them for afterschool treats!

Ewell Family Easter Party 2011

It was cold and rainy outside, so the adults hid candy and eggs in the basement at Grandma's house and the kids patiently waited for the signal to begin the egg hunt!  

There were eggs everywhere! :) 

The littlest ones got a head start... but not by much 

Cam thinking about his plan of attack... 

Caleb and Embree kept on gatherin' while he thought about it 

Cody is such a good sport... he doesn't love candy... but he still hunted.

Seein' this pic reminds me that just a couple of eye blinks ago they were tiny and excited like the other little ones we watched today! It goes SO fast! 

My Cub is about as cute as they come! *grin*

 

And my Cameron is too!! 

Grandpa & Grandma are blessed with an ever larger growing posterity... LOL... it got a little traffic jammed at times in that there basement :) 

The kids sorted their candy and had their traditional candy swap...

Then we share in a meal of wonderful potluck salads (as always!) with some hamburgers and hotdogs.

We are so blessed with such great family!

We missed Jes today though! He has had heafty side jobs for almost 2 solid weeks... and we are glad for it... but wish he hadn't had to miss out!

We all had a good time!!

Thanks Grandpa Bill and Grandma Mary!!

WE LOVE YOU TO PIECES!!