That was fast!

I decided that I would just go ahead and use one of our family pics taken at Easter time. Not real current, but the most current one we have! lol I decided that I'd make it black and white, so the colors weren't so obviously springy. ;) So, I went to Costco's website and created our Christmas card....and it's already DONE!!! Seriously, I made the order less than 2 hours ago! So, I can pick them up later today when I don't have extra little ones with me! I put my URL for this blog at the bottom of the card and hopefully that isn't tacky....but I really don't have time to write a Christmas letter and all that entails, plus it's a way that everyone can peek in at our lives all year long instead of getting a brief synopsis once a year! Well, that's one thing down on my list. Hopefully everyone will hurry and get their addresses to me so I can get them all mailed out by Saturday!

'Twas the week before Christmas,,,,,

I can't believe that Christmas is ONE WEEK from today.....and I am so not ready! lol I've still got some shopping to do, need to get to the post office to get a couple of packages mailed off and get my house cleaned up and guest ready for my in-laws who are due to arrive on Monday! I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't even gotten Christmas cards done, let alone sent off! ACK!!! I need to get one good shot of my kids tonight, then I can just do it all on Costco online and maybe be able to get them picked up by tomorrow and maybe mailed off by Saturday. I have been very scatterbrained since Mom passed and just can't seem to get it all together into some sort of organization either mentally or physically. Now that Erik doesn't work Fridays, at least he'll be here to help me! He can go stand in line at the post office while I have extra kids here! lol I guess I should send out an email asking everyone (yet again, this year!) for their mailing addresses. We do have most of our shopping done, it's mostly little details and pretty much all of what I'm getting Erik. I need to break away here in the next few days to go shopping without little boys who don't know how to keep surprises. lol Erik took Connor to Wal-Mart the other day and Connor told him, "Daddy, we bought you a movie. But, It's NOT Batman!!!" Guess what movie we bought him? Yep, The Dark Knight....a Batman movie. lol Little twerp! It's the ONE thing I've bought him and he already knows what it is! I guess we at least got the Christmas decorations up......but I'd better get off here and start doing some stuff to actually help myself! ;)

All Aidan wants for Christmas is.........

His one front tooth.....His one front tooth!!! lol Aidan lost the first of his top front teeth this morning. In fact, the very first thing I did this morning was pull his tooth! He woke me up and told me that his tooth was "wiggling really fast now!" lol He told me he wanted to eat an apple to loosen it up more and I said, "Okay get an apple." He bit into it, "OUCH!!!!" I told him anything else he eats today would hurt it too, so it needed to come out. I grabbed a hold of it with a paper towel for some traction gave it a tug and it popped right out. He was very pleased to say the least. :) He also wanted to take it to school and pretend it came out there so that the school nurse would give him a special case for it. lol The other tooth is slightly loose too, but don't think it will be out in time for him to sing, "All I want for Christmas is my TWO front teeth." ;)

My cRaZy insane day and an amazing random act of kindness from a stranger!

kay....my day started off just bad. Kids were crazy this morning and not in a good way on a school morning. Went out to the car this morning to find the molding on my windshield that had been replaced Friday had popped off at the top of the windshield....so obviously, I wasn't going anywhere right then. Called the company to come fix it and they came fairly quickly (much more quickly than I'd anticipated) but even so my day had been thrown off kilter by the delay. Finally get to running my errands, run to the bank then to Target....which didn't have one thing I was looking for so I ran to Wal-Mart after that. As we're pulling into Wal-Mart's parking lot it had started lightly sprinkling and then started pouring suddenly making us run for the door and we still got pretty wet. I grab what I need there and then we head home, and I'm thinking that I can get Connor down for a nap still. Oh no, of course not. I walk in the door and see the light on my answering machine flashing, push play and I hear a man's voice, "Hi. I'm trying to reach Jodi Simper. My wife found your purse in the parking lot at Wal-Mart, we'd like to get it back to you if you could give us a call." Dumb me, left my purse in the cart and was completely oblivious till I got this message. I call them back and get their address, luckily, they were only a couple of miles from my house and thank Heaven honest people found it! A little while later, the boys and I leave to go meet Erik at the bus station so that we can go to Costco and order the cakes and pick up other stuff for the Church Christmas party we're in charge of on Friday. Erik missed the first bus, so we waited a bit for him there and the kids were already getting tired, hungry and cranky. So, we get to Costco (finally) and Erik runs to the restroom and I head back to the bakery to get started putting in the cake order. Aidan starts running around like a wild child and Connor starts trying to climb out of the cart to follow him. I make him get back in the cart which throws Connor into the queen mother of all melt downs. Connor didn't end up getting a nap at all today due to the other stuff. So, we get to the front to pay for our 8 20 lbs. bags of potatoes for the party (doing a baked potato bar) and for some freak reason our Amex Card is declined. Erik and I are like what the heck.....the card has a sizeable limit on it and we are not anywhere even close to being near the max on it AND we just paid a payment last week. Now, we have two other bank accounts with more than enough money in each to pay for the potatoes, but we like the convenience of not paying out of our own pockets and then waiting for the reimbursement for the Church parties/activities we do and just paying the Amex Bill right off with it. Not to mention, we wanted to know WHY the card was declined. So, Erik is on my cell phone and the kids are getting even more cranky and impatient and I'm getting frustrated and telling them just to be quiet and hold on a minute. Finally, I just thought forget it we'll pay out of one of the bank accounts and get paid back, whatever, I just wanted OUT of there! So, I get back in line and the cashier holds her hand out with a receipt and says, "Ma'am, that man walking out the door right now in the green coat just paid for your potatoes and said to tell you, "Merry Christmas." EIGHTY DOLLARS worth of potatoes. WOW!!!! These are the stories you hear about, but never have happen TO you, kwim? Erik and I stood there with our jaws on the floor going, "NO WAY!!!!" and the cashier was like, "This never happens, I've got chills!!!" This guy was out the door really before we even knew what had happened. Before we could object and tell him that we really weren't a charity case and had plenty of money to cover the potatoes, that we were just irritated with our card and being stubborn about how we wanted to pay for it. Anyway.....that's got to be one of the coolest things that have ever happened to us. We then followed it up with walking out of the store without Connor. Don't worry, he was right inside just looking a little worried. Yes, it's been a crazy day. But, I also had two really great experiences with total strangers as well.

100

I've been super emotional about my Mom the last few days. I think it's because my Dad is due to arrive on Saturday and this is his first trip here without her. Not to mention, Thanksgiving is coming up..... which last year was the last time I saw her before we knew that she was sick. Everything was so wonderful and everyone had such a great time. I'm really thankful I have those memories........but how could I have known that only one year later, she would be gone and things would be so different. :cry: Yesterday was Tuesday, Cub Scout night. When I got the call from Amanda that day, I was in the car rushing home to get dinner on the stove to get out the door on time for Cub Scouts. For WEEKS after that, every Tuesday as we were getting ready for Cub Scouts, I relived that day. :( I used to count the days and the weeks since she had passed. Somehow that transitioned into months. I got thinking about that yesterday and wondering exactly when that happened. I think I stopped tracking the weeks around 10 weeks.....and was wondering how many weeks we are at now. I got the calendar down and flipped back to August and started counting. Yesterday was 14 weeks. I did the simple math that it was 98 days. Which means, tomorrow is 100 days that she's been gone. :bawl: That realization literally sucked the wind right out of me. I don't know why that hit me like a ton of bricks, but it did. It just seems so signifigant in some way. Amanda called not long after I discovered this and I broke down sobbing as I told her about it. It seemed to take her aback too.
I'm looking forward to seeing my Dad. But, I'm not looking forward to the holidays at all. So many memories tied to my Mom, that it's sure to be painful. I'd honestly rather just skip it altogether. :cry: I hope that I can fake enough cheer for my kids' sake this year and hope by next year I'll be in a better place emotionally. :pray:

Not my will, but thy will be done....

I had a really tough day emotionally at Church today. In Relief Society (women's organization/class) our lesson was on having more meaningful prayers. I think normally this subject would have been okay for me, but the Sister giving the lesson today and tying her personal experience into it was what made it so hard for me. Tomorrow is the three year anniversary of her husband's death. :cry: She started talking about their experience.....he had cancer, had surgery, been through treatments, etc and thought they had beaten it. That sounds so familiar. In his case, the cancer came back and in the end he lost the battle and we don't really know exactly why Mom died, so in that, there is a difference. But, listening to this Sister talk about things from her perspective and it was so much like the experience that the rest of us had going through this with Mom. We prayed. Prayed so hard. She received many blessings and I guess it never really occurred to any of us that Mom might not make it. It was the same for her and their family. She said in all of her prayers, not once did she pray for him and say, "Not my will, but thy will (God's will) be done." So, in the end, when things didn't turn out how they expected it made things very difficult. This is the very exact same thing I am struggling with now on a spiritual level. I know this is a trial of my own faith. I know that God has a plan for each and every one of us. But, not having the ability to see the whole picture (that God does) or know what it is ahead of time, so I can be prepared.....it is so so difficult. I'm having a hard time right now (and I know this) with putting MY will, how I saw MY life and all that aside to accept what HIS will is. What my Mom's own plan was/is. It's hard for me to accept that there is anything more important than her being here and being my (and my sister's) Mom, my Dad's wife and being Grandma to her seven grandchildren.......who all miss her terribly. I'm having a real struggle with not being selfish about that......and it bothers me. So, today having these words spoken in a lesson today felt like God talking to me personally. Telling me to trust in him and what his will is. I do........I just don't know *how* to get past this and maybe it's something that only can happen in time. As this sister talked more and more.....the tears were welling up in my eyes and I was trying so hard to contain it all. The harder I tried to contain it, it was causing me to hyperventilate and I finally had to get up and go let it all out before I passed out. Luckily, there was an outside door right there and I went out that door and walked from the outside to the door right next to the restrooms. I went in there and cried a little and got myself breathing normally again. I had to go back in though, because I took off without my purse. I walk back in and of course everyone is looking at me. The sweet ladies around me were rubbing and patting my back.....they all knew what was going on with me, of course. It wasn't easy sitting there the last few minutes and the tears had started flowing again. I couldn't get to my car fast enough after and I cried and cried..... loud ugly crying. :bawl: I haven't cried that hard in a long time. Maybe not even since right when everything happened with Mom. Maybe I just needed another emotional release. Now my face is red and puffy, my eyes are swollen and my head is throbbing. :( I just want my Mom back and I don't know how to get over that.

KARMA.....

I'm a firm believer in you reap what you sow and what goes around comes around. Found out something today that has me laughing. I let someone take advantage of me for quite some time and did things for them out of the goodness of my heart, even when it made me crazy. A lot of control and boundary issues. I was way too obliging. Situations changed and I was left feeling used and taken advantage of. This person tried to start pulling the same kind of neurotic crap with someone new and this person smacked them down and put them in their place really quickly. I think it's hilarious! It's something that I wish that I had done a long time ago and should have done for my own good and theirs. Is it wrong of me to be enjoying this little tidbit of info and getting amusement out of it? Oh well if it is, I guess. :P

ER

Don't know that I can watch this show anymore. :( Last nights episode was incredibly awful and painful for me to watch. It made me think of my Mom and everything she went through. Watching them doing chest compressions, emergency "surgery" to try and fix things, to ultimately end with no brain activity and having to make the gut wrenching decision to turn the machines off. *tears* I was sobbing uncontrollably watching it.....but still had to know how it ended. :( *rolleyes* I just don't know if I can emotionally handle watching this show right now. *sigh*

Girls Night Out....

I love a good girls night out. I basically have two groups of friends here that I do GNOs with. Friends that are LDS and friends that are not. Obviously, there is no drinking with the LDS group and it seems to be a requirement of the evening for the other group. I'm the same non drinking person in either group and I have fun with the "girls" no matter what. Unfortunately, because I will not allow alcohol in my home, I can't seem to reciprocate the hosting with the second group because they want to be drinking. *shrug* No one else is willing to host for a variety of reasons right now and I extended the invitation, with the no drinking stipulation (as well as declaring that it should be a child free evening, because there is one who wanted to bring her 5 or 6 year old dd) and now I'm feeling like a bit of a dork because pretty much no one has responded to say, "I'm in!" Like being the geek in school whose parties no one wanted to go to. lol Oh well. It says far less about me, than it does them. It's sad and quite pathetic actually for people only to be interested in bottled fun. Otherwise, the food, the conversation, whatever we do (games, chick flicks, etc) is exactly the same. Do these women really not think they will have fun and enjoy themselves and each other without it? *shrug* What do they think I do? Now, it's not like any of them are ever "drunk" because I wouldn't hang out with them at all if that was the case, but it seems to be a requirement. I wonder if they even know what it's like anymore? It is actually making me rethink my involvement with them at all. Would they honestly rather just sit home without the booze? I truly don't get it. It's no skin off my back, I have a GNO with my LDS girlfriends coming up, so they can just sit home and do nothing if they like. :)

One month.....

Over the past 8 days, we've been hitting the one month marks. The 12th was one month from the day Mom "left" us and was brought back. The 15th was one month from the day that we let Mom go and what her death certificate reads as her date of death. Though we all truly feel that she died on the 12th. Today, is one month from the day that we laid Mom to rest. **sigh** Time is such a strange thing. It seems like just yesterday and so long ago all at once. Does that even make sense? What I do know, it that it feels like forever till I will see her again. *tears* The past month is sort of jumbled in my brain and feels like a big blur. My world shifted on August 12th and I don't know how to get it all back on track. Maybe I never will completely. I never imagined living without my Mom in my life, till I was a lot older. Even her own parents are still with us. Just not something that I ever thought would happen to me and my family. Even with Mom's diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer last December, it was just never really a thought in our minds that she would leave us. Her prognosis was so good. Everything went even better than the doctors hoped things would go. She had BEATEN the cancer. She was CANCER FREE when she died. That's what so many people are not understanding. But, she started having complications after a precautionary round of chemo was started. That took me to Utah on May 31, to be with her in the hospital. It seemed to be one thing after the other from there, but all linked together. But, we honestly have no idea *why* she died. We actually think it was a bad reaction to the pain medication they gave her in the ER that morning. Having done a little research on it, since she died, I discovered that this medication is really not recommended for people with a few certain health issues......all of which she had. It probably should have never been given to her at all. But, there's not really a way to prove that. Her death certificate reads that she died from cardiac arrest (heart stopping, not heart attack!) and subsequent lack of oxygen to her brain. The problem is that we don't know *WHY* her heart stopped. Whatever happened, Mom somehow knew she was leaving and as quick as she spoke the words to Dad, she was gone. Not knowing exactly what happened is so hard and a very difficult thing to accept. She was only 58. Dad and Mandy got her headstone ordered on Thursday and I'm so glad for that. It's bothered me a lot that she only had the ugly little temp marker provided by the mortuary. We've all been learning to live without Mom. Each in our own ways. Dad has sought grief counseling and support group, which I am so glad for, though I never thought he'd do it! He's always been one to tough things out. He just can't tough out losing Mom and I never expected him to. He leaves Monday to go on a month long hunting trip that he'd planned for the past year. That will be good for him.....though I know all of us girls are going to be worrying the whole time he's gone. Then he'll come here for Thanksgiving before heading up to see Uncle LaVell in Oregon, then onto Jenny's house for Christmas. I'm soooooooo glad he's getting out of the house for the holidays. These are going to be a tough few months, with all the holidays.
I can't believe it's been a month. *sigh*

Ward Campout!!!

We had a Ward campout last night. It was a lot of fun and I am soooooooooo tired right now. We went to a newly renovated, beautiful campsite near Jemez Springs, NM. It's so green you almost forget you're in NM! :laugh: It is soooooooo not like this where we live....yet, it's only like 30ish miles away! Basically, families came and set up their own sites and we made our own dinners. Then at night we had our Cub Scout pack meeting.....during which Erik and Alex did a silly skit that got lots of laughs. :) Afterward, there was homemade rootbeer floats and s'mores to be had. :) We then went back to our own little spot and told scary stories around the campfire and then sent the kids to bed while Erik and I cuddled up by the fire. :) We got rained on some and listened to some major coyote howling. I don't know that I've ever heard the coyotes howling before, it's very strange! This morning, the High Priest Quorum made breakfast for everyone.......pancakes, eggs, bacon, juice, etc. Afterward, we packed up and came home. So much fun, but a lot of work for one night!!! Here's some pics from last night....

eta.....remembered to tell about this when I was doing the pictures.....on the way back to our campsite from where we had the program/pack meeting....Aidan decided he was going to take a "short cut" and run through the brush and weeds. It's dark, Erik and I are yelling to him to get back on the trail so he doesn't get hurt. Then what happens? He completely biffs it, right into the cactus. :bawl: We pulled out 50 or 60 cactus needles (if not more!) from his poor little legs. That was so not fun for any of us! :(




One view from our campsite!

The other view!

Alex and our furbaby Jack!

Erik building the campfire!

Aidan by the fire.

Rare pic of Erik and I together! :)

One Happy Camper!!!

Me and Aidan

A ginormous toad some of the kids caught!

Erik and Con Con

Erik and Alex doing their skit

Alex by the campfire!

Aidan after we'd pulled 50-60 cactus needles from his poor little legs! He was much happier by this point!

Erik telling scary stories by the fire....yeah, he was really into it! lol

Aidan taking his turn....he was trying so hard to be scary that it was more hilarious than scary! lol

Things that "get" me when I least expect it.........

Have a lot of them, but here's the latest. I was watching America's Got Talent with Erik last night. Most of the time it's just really light hearted entertainment. Then Neil E. Boyd gets up and sings. I shoulda known better, because the man is in tears on stage himself every week. lol He sings this song I've never heard before called.........Mama. OMGOSH......open the flood gates. I googled it today to find out who sings it and the artists are Il Divo. I vaguely recall ever hearing of them. Just downloaded it to my ipod. It's a really beautiful song. Here's the lyrics and the youtube of last night's performance by Neil E. Boyd.

Mama

Mama, thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
For the times I forgot

Mama remember all my life
You showed me love, you sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed along the way [along the way]

And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you, yeah I miss you

Mama forgive the times you cried
Forgive me for not making right
All of the storms I may have caused
And I've been wrong, Dry your eyes [dry your eyes]

Cause I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you, I miss you

Mama I hope this makes you smile
I hope you're happy with my life
At peace with every choice I made
How I've changed along the way [along the way]

Cause I know you believed in all of my dreams
And I owe it all to you, Mama

Mom's Obituary......

ST. GEORGE— Connie Lee Maggard Tobler, 58, passed away Friday, August 15, 2008, after a valiant struggle with multiple complications stemming from pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded in love by many family members at the time of her passing.

Connie was born on February 4, 1950, in Salt Lake City to Bill and Arletta Maggard. On March 16, 1968, she married her eternal companion, Robert Grieg Tobler, in the St. George LDS Temple. They were thrilled to celebrate their 40th Anniversary just five short months ago, with many family members and friends.


She graduated from Dixie High School in 1968, two months after being married. Connie and Grieg lived for a time in Salt Lake City, and then a few years in Escondido, CA, before roots took them back to Washington, UT. They lived there for 24 years, before moving to St. George in 2000.

Above all, Connie cherished her role as wife, mother and grandmother. It was a six year struggle for her and Grieg to begin their family, but they were eventually blessed with three loving daughters. She took great joy in organizing and planning events that brought her family together. Connie loved traveling to places like Switzerland and Brazil, and many parts of the United States. She took joy in caring for her home and growing beautiful houseplants. Connie was a very loving and compassionate person, always caring for everyone around her.

Most recently, Connie was employed at the St. George Surgical Center. Words cannot express how grateful we have been for their generosity and graciousness during her illness.

She is survived by her husband, Grieg, of St. George, UT; Daughters and sons-in-law: Amanda and Jason Griffith, of St. George, UT; Jodi and Erik Simper, of Rio Rancho, NM; Jennifer and John Bramstedt, of Everett, WA; Seven beautiful grandchildren, who were the lights of her life: Maegan, Emily, Sarah, Alex, Aidan, Connor and Felix. She is also survived by her parents, Bill and Arletta Maggard, of St George, UT; Siblings: Steve Maggard, Stan Maggard, Marty Maggard, Kaelyn Smith, and their spouses.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, August 19, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff, St. George. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 20, at 11:00 a.m. at the Foster Hills Ward Chapel, 259 Mall Drive, St. George. Friends may visit one hour prior to funeral services at the church. Interment will take place in the Washington City Cemetery.

About Mom's passing......

I have really been trying to muster the emotional energy to blog about everything that happened since my last blog. Coincidentally, my last blog was written the day that Mom passed. I haven't been able to do it. So, for now, I will copy/paste what my sister, Amanda, blogged....because it details so well all that happened. Words can't describe the anguish I felt as I was innocently driving home from a trip to Wally World with the kids and Amanda called to tell me that Mom was unresponsive, not breathing and had no pulse that she'd been doing CPR with Dad and that the paramedics were working on her. That night and the following days were very traumatic for me and I'm still working on dealing with all my emotions......hopefully, I can get to a place where I have more strength to give my own memories and details.. Here's Amanda's blog.......


This is very emotional for me. If you are emotional too, you might want to grab a kleenex if you intend to read through this.

I only got home from the hospital at 2:30 this morning, and it is now just after 6:00 here. I'm running on very little sleep and the most stressful event of my life affecting me right now, so please bear with me.

Let me back up by giving a few details:
My oldest daughter and I saw my parents Saturday morning for about an hour. She seemed fine, nothing unusual. We had a great visit with them!!

Sunday morning, my dad called and said that mom wasn't feeling well, had a fever and way bad chills. I didn't go over that day, not wanting to disturb her rest and also wanting to avoid giving her anything, should we be unknowing carries of any viruses.

Monday, mom went to work! She's been trying to work part time the past few weeks, just four hours a day. So Monday, she did. Then came home and rested , as usual, for about an hour or two. My youngest two daughters and I were in town running errands (oldest daughter was at a friend's house), so we stopped in for a late afternoon visit. We were there probably 30 minutes. Mom was happy, talking, laughing and overall acting totally normal. She was mashing potatoes as we left. I hugged her, told her I loved her as we said goodbye that day.

Little did I know that just over 24 hours later, I'd be administering CPR to my own mother, and watching the life slip away from her.

Backing up again....

Tuesday about 10:30 am, my aunt called me. She works in the same building as my mom. My aunt said, "What's going on with your mother?" I said, "What are you talking about? Isn't she at work?" Aunt Kae said, "Oh gosh, didn't your dad tell you? Your mom was in the ER all night long. She called in to work to say she wouldn't be in today, as they just left the hospital at 6:00 am."

I told her I'd hang right up and find out what had happened. My dad said they didn't want to disturb me and bother me with those details, because the hospital tests showed nothing wrong. (I told him I was a little frustrated that I had to hear it second hand and he'd better call me from now on!)

Apparently mom had horrific pain in her abdomen that radiated up into her chest and shoulders, so that's why they went to the ER Tuesday early morning. He said they did an MRI and found nothing, so they gave her three shots of pain killers (dilaudid) in the three hours she was there, and sent her back home. Neither of my parents could figure out WHY they wouldn't keep her there for observation, under the circumstances of her recent health problems (cancer, major surgery, a blood clot, lactic acidosis, severe edema, abdomen filling with fluid, etc)

So, they went home.

I talked with dad a few times over the course of Tuesday. Every time, she was asleep, or not coherent enough to talk to me. He tried to get her up a time or two. Once out on the couch, she basically just went right back to sleep. She wanted to go back to her bed, and in the process collapsed in my dad's arms, not being strong enough to stand. At some point, she woke up and asked for a milkshake, so dad went up the street and got her one. She hadn't eaten anything since the day before. Dad fed her as much of that as she wanted. He said she acted like she really enjoyed it.

Tuesday afternoon about 2:00 pm, all my girls were over at a family friend's house. My youngest two were playing with the kids, and my oldest was asked later to stay and babysit all the kids for a while. What a huge blessing that turned out to be!! Since I had more time before the kids would be back, I finished up my shopping at Costco and was at the gas pumps when I called my dad to ask if I might stop in to check on mom. He said (happily), "Sure, come on over!" I finished gassing up, and drove the 5 minutes or less to their house.

Between my call at the gas pumps and the drive over, dad checked on mom and she came to long enough to say, "I think I'm dying." Dad tried to get her out of bed and just couldn't. She wouldn't budge. Then her breathing became labored. He realized he'd need to call 911.

I walked in with my frozen peaches and some spinach (expecting to visit a good while and didn't want the food to spoil), so I came in their back door, and set the stuff down on the kitchen counter. Dad peeked around the corner from their bedroom, and said, "an ambulance is on the way!" WHAT!?!?!? He was still on the call with 911. I flew into their room. I don't think I'll ever forget what I saw just then. My mom was literally taking her last breaths. At first, my knees just buckled and I flung myself over her on the bed. I started screaming at her, "mommy wake up, mommy wake up!" I don't think I've called her mommy for close to 30 years!!!

Her eyes were all glazed over, there was nothing there. I quickly got my wits about me and started CPR. I didn't know what else to do. There was no life in her. Dad and I took turns doing breaths, I did the chest compressions. Her jaw was clinched shut, but I saw and heard her chest rising. We only did this for 2-3 minutes before the ambulance showed up. When they took her away, she was flatlined.

In the meantime, I'm frantic, hysterically calling Jason and Jodi. Jason came to pick me up, and drove me to the hospital. I felt so horrible calling Jodi in the state I did, as I'd just barely talked to her in between Costco and our parent's home, telling her I'd be checking on mom and would let her know how she was after I visited. Of course, Jodi goes biserck. But, she was able to call my other sister. I told them both they need to prepare to come this way, it doesn't look good.

I will try to condense the rest of the story, as its already very long and everything from the hospital on is kind of a blur. The paramedics and ER trauma team worked on her for a good half hour. They were almost ready to give up. My dad told them to keep trying. Finally, they were able to establish a pulse. But, she basically went into a coma. She's on a ventilator. All sorts of blood tests are way bad. Her blood sugar was at 11, her pH was way off, and all sorts of other awful things. Her abdomen ballooned from the time at her home, to the hospital. After quite a while in the ER, they took us up to ICU, where she had been moved. They told us we could see her in a half hour, but it took three hours, because of so many complications they didn't expect. Finally about 10:00 pm, they decided she needed to go into surgery to look at her abdomen, or she wouldn't make it through the night.

The whole group of us (my dad, aunt, uncle, cousin, another cousin and her Dh, and myself---Jason had gone to pick up the kids around 9:30, so he wasn't there)...we all got to finally see her in ICU before they took her to surgery. It was so emotional for us all. My dad and my cousin's husband gave her a Priesthood blessing (a special prayer). There hadn't been a chance earlier in the ER with all the commotion going on. My grandfather and another uncle had also been there earlier but had to get back home themselves.

During the surgery, they were looking for a "dead bowel". Thankfully, that was ruled out. They confirmed the blood clot, which is what's been causing all the fluid build up in her abdomen. They drained out 3 gallons of fluid. On a women that is literally skin and bones, that is a TON of weight. The surgeon came out and said that had they not gone in to surgery when they did, she probably wouldn't have lasted another hour. But, doing the surgery is no guarantee of a good outcome. Doing the surgery, however, and draining the fluid, greatly relieved the pressure on her chest cavity. Even on the ventilator, she's breathing easier (before it was SO labored!).

They won't know for another day or two, the extent of any brain injury from having gone so long without oxygen. We're guessing she was without heartbeat, pulse and breath for close to 45 minutes, between the time dad and I worked on her, and when the ER team got a pulse again. They are giving us grim odds.

So, we are now basically hoping for the best, but preparing ourselves for the worst. My mom is unrecognizable at the moment, and likely will be for a long time yet. The surgeon told us to expect extreme swelling, especially of her face. I've never seen so many tubes, wires and machines before. My parents, years ago, signed statements in their wills that should they ever be in a state that would render them a "vegetable", that they would wish to be taken off life support. I don't know why, but I have a feeling that is where this is headed, although I know miracles can still happen. We've told the hospital staff that they need to keep her alive long enough for my sisters to arrive and be here with her a little while. Jodi and family will be here in about 5 hours (they overnighted at a hotel in Flagstaff, AZ), and our other sister and her little family will be here sometime tomorrow. They are driving here from Seattle. I think its about 1200 miles.

That is really all to say for now. Except, I beg of you all to pray for my mom, and our entire family. We're going to need all the blessings and strength we can. Thank you so much for the prayers you've already offered.
****************************************************************
(later update)

Jodi and I are here together in the ICU waiting room. She and her family arrived just after lunchtime today. Our other sister and family are still driving, and likely won't be here until late tomorrow. Dad has his laptop here, so we've been able to log on a couple times today. We are so very touched by the overwhelming response of your love, support and prayers. Words cannot express how grateful we are to all of you.

Here's the short of it:
There is no hope. She will never recover in any way. There is too much damage done to not only her brain, but all the rest of her vital organs. She was just without oxygen for too long. Her blood sugar was 11 when they admitted her last night. They did an EEG today, to see her brain activity. It was discovered that she's having seizures. We started to see little twitches in her face today. I think they are giving her meds to help control it. She is in no pain. She has been stable

Although they have her "alive" physically, Dad and I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt, that her spirit left her body yesterday afternoon. We know that she is already in a better place, although her physical body is still here, only living through these machines. What a blessing to know that she is not suffering any longer, and has been made whole. We are grateful for the knowledge that we will see her again one day.

We are hoping to keep her hanging on, long enough for our youngest sister to get here. She will need that closure. All of us are starting to make funeral plans. Its going to be a hard few days. At this point, we think the funeral will be Tuesday. Jodi and I never thought we'd be in our 30's and burying a parent already. What an unreal feeling.
Posted by Amanda at 8/14/2008 06:53:00 AM

Happy Anniversary To Me and Erik!!!!

Eleven years ago today I married my best friend!!! :)

It is also my inlaw's 28th anniversary today! Due to the time we had available to get married with Erik's Navy schedule, we got married on his Mom and Dad's 17th anniversary. It was that or wait till the following March! ;) So we share this day with them. :)

Ever have those times??????

When you want to tell people exactly what you think and let them know in exactly what way they are being an idiot or doing things wrong? Perspective is so much clearer from the outside, I think. I guess that's why we have agency though, because we must make all choices for ourselves and can't force anyone to do things in the way we think is better. Couple of acquaintances online that I want to smack upside the head and say "DUH!!!!!!!" Not very nice of me, huh? lol They just keep doing and then complaining about the same things and never doing anything really to change what is "wrong" in their lives. I don't get it.

Eleven years ago today......

Erik and I went to the Temple together to take out our endowments. Saturday is our 11th wedding anniversary. In some ways I can't believe it's been *that* long (in denial of my age, lol!) and in other ways it seems so short a time because it feels like we've been together forever already. :) In October, we'll have known each other for 15 years....and I guess that is nearly half my life!!! Wow.....time flies!

Missionaries and neighbors........

Sunday afternoon we get a knock on our front door. It's the missionaries. Erik opens the door....."Oh Brother Simper! We didn't realize this was your house!" Guess they forgot where they were at for dinner on the 12th. lol They were out tracting and happened to knock on our door to share the Gospel. ;) We thought it was pretty funny. Then late yesterday aftertoon Alex comes in and says that the Elders just came out of our next door neighbors' house. Erik went outside to say hi and found out that when they knocked on our door, they had also knocked on our neighbors' door and they are now reading the BoM and taking the discussions. I'm embarrassed to admit, I don't know them. Everyone in our neighborhood sort of keeps to themselves. They don't have small kids and are rarely outside. I've talked to him on several occasions. He is very nice. He is always worried if his Harley is too loud and if it's disturbing us. lol But, I've only ever caught glimpses of her. I know she's from Scotland, as he moved in and told us he was waiting for her to come......but she is *never* outside and I'm not the door knocking type. *blush* Anyway....I think it's cool that our neighbors are having the missionaries. But, it's also made me very aware of how little I know my neigbors, not just them and I'm a little embarrassed. But, how do you get to know people you never even see??? Christmas and taking neighbors plates of cookies is a ways off.

All registered for school......

We went to register just a bit ago. The boys get a brand new elementary school this year, Cielo Azul (translates to "Blue Sky") Elementary School. We didn't get to see a whole lot yet, as it is *still* under construction. What we saw is VERY nice though! :) Alex will start at the new school on the 18th, with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders as their "wing" at the new school is complete. Aidan will start on the 18th with the K through 2nd grades at their old school and will move over during fall break in October, when the construction is completed. Nice and confusing, huh? lol Should be interesting! This is the first time we've gotten up close to the school so I took a pic of the front! :) The boys were too excited to get inside and wouldn't hold still for the picture.

A day for me!

Well, not really the whole day, but a few hours. Going to leave the house in maybe an hour and a half or so. Going to the bank, then I'm heading to the mall. Going to get my hair cut and my eyebrows waxed. After, I'll grab something quick at the food court for lunch and then sneak it in with me to see Mamma Mia! :) I've been really good about not running around just to run around so I save on gas. But, that means I've been home A LOT and of course with lots of kids....either just mine or mine and more. I need a break and to do something nice for me and TODAY is the day! :) DH went and saw Dark Knight yesterday after work/before he came home. Thank Heaven, we purchased his ticket on Fandango the day before. He said the lines were incredible and most shows were sold out. He wouldn't have had a chance getting in for an early showing (his was the last matinee of the day) had he waited to buy the ticket when he got there. If anyone is going to see it this weekend, I'd suggest buying from Fandango! He said the movie was AWESOME, btw. Wonder if anyone is going to be sitting in Mamma Mia with me? *laugh*

My baby niece Madison Rae at 5 months.....could you just eat her up???

My sis in law, Caity, sent me this pic on my phone yesterday (hence the photo quality). Isn't she so cute and fat? I love healthy rolls on a baby! :D Maddi turned 5 months old last week and is looking more and more like her Mama. :)

Mmmmmmm..... Indian food for dinner tonight!

I'm sitting here with a MAJOR craving for Indian food. No idea where that came from, but it's BAD!!! lol Don't have all the stuff to fix things here at home and I'm the only one who really likes it in our house anyway. So, I don't want to go to the trouble of going to the store to pick up the ingredients and then making it, which is somewhat time consuming, only to have no one appreciate the deliciousness of it all but me. ;) Erik will pass by the closest Indian restaurant to us on his way home from work, so he's going to pick up the order I call in for me. I tried convincing him, without success, to eat with me so I can order one of the meals for two and have a variety of stuff. So, I guess it will be an order of chicken tikka masala, basmati rice and naan for me. mmmmmmmmm...... My mouth is watering. :) Erik is great to stop and pick it up for me after a long day, even if he wants nothing to do with it. :)

Will we or won't we?

Get paid tonight/tomorrow? It is time for Erik's first pay"check" from the new company. They sent an email earlier in the week saying that Friday (tomorrow) is their first payday. But, that we will know by today (you know, a whole day before payday) whether or not the direct deposit system is working or if they will have to issue paper checks. Um, hello? Headquarters is in CA, not here. Which means if they have to print paper checks that we have to wait for printing, and the entire mailing process from getting stuffed in envelopes to arriving in our mailbox. How long would *that* take? It's not like we will die if the check isn't direct deposited tonight or tomorrow (not sure if they deposit so pay is available on the payday or if it's deposited the night of payday) because we just received his last check from the previous company on Monday night. It's the principle, tomorrow is payday and we should have the money in our "hands." Why on earth would they wait till the day before to see whether or not it's going to work? They've had everyone's bank info for well over a month now....before they actually took over. They could've done a dry run and deposited as little as a penny in everyone's account to make sure it all worked right. You know, how paypal verifies bank accounts. Who knows, maybe they have paper checks all ready to mail, should the DD not work and it'll only be a couple of days....irritating, but better than waiting a week or so. This isn't a new company. They have contracted workers for other companies/agencies too. It's not like this is all new for them. It shouldn't be an issue at all. I'm really not digging the whole changeover and all the little mistakes here and there. Like the vision insurance having Erik's middle initial wrong and also our health insurance cards are incorrect too, because they put the wrong group/company name on the cards and sent them out....not sure if that's the fault of the new company or a screw up at Blue Cross Blue Shield. *sigh* I guess we shall see.

HOT DATE TONIGHT!!!!

Woohoooo!!!! Erik and I are going on our first real date in many months, tonight! It's not that we never go out, but usually it's a family affair. Got paid last night, so I called Erik at work and asked if he wanted to go on a date with me tonight. Well, who could refuse such an irresistable offer? ;) I called Liesel (who the boys love) and asked if she had any plans and if she was up for watching the boys tonight and she agreed. So, it's ON!!! I will meet with him in Albuquerque. His bus gets to the mall right about 5 and it makes no sense for him to drive all the way home just to get me. The round trip would take an hour and the movie we are going to starts at 7:20. We'll go somewhere right around there for dinner and then to the movie. Which will probably be Get Smart. I don't even know the last time the two of us went to the movie together....and I'm not counting taking the kids a couple of weeks ago to see Wall-E. lol I'm so excited!!! :)

If Erik were home, I'd smack him upside the head!

;) I just called him laughing because I entered myself in the radio station drawing for New Kids on the Block tickets. ::laugh:: He asks who I'll take if I win them and I said, "Oh, probably Rachael or Julie, if they were fans back in the day." :)Followed that by saying I highly doubted he'd want to go. He then says sarcastically, "Yeah, I really want to spend an evening surrounded by crazy, middle aged women screaming for NKOTB." Wo there, OUCH!!! Did he just call *ME* middle aged. *YIKES* I'm THIRTY TWO for crying out loud! I think I have a few years till I earn the title of "middle aged!" I set him straight on that thought right away. :P

Darn global warming!

Or is that "global climate change?" This weather is so strange. Our normal weather this time of year is mid to upper 90s. Current temp is 72 degrees. The highest I saw today was 75, but the temp is dropping as a storm is approaching. Don't get me wrong, the temp is actually pretty close to perfect. But, it's just strangely cooler than normal. Wonder what good ole Al Gore would say about this? ;) Maybe this could be seen as "concerning" since it's untypical....but heck the lower temps and the rain we are getting can only be seen as good in my book for the dry drought conditions we've been having.....lessens the risk of fire danger. So, whatever it is....I'm not complaining! :)

Kids are clueless....

Just had to tell about something that my oldest just did. The sister of the Mom of the kids I watch (following me? lol) moved to town at the end of May. Alex became fast friends with her boys ages 9 and 11. They have spent the last month with their Dad in KS and all the boys have been counting the days till they could play together again. Very sweet. :) So, they got back to town on Saturday evening and were all ready to play together first thing this morning. They live in our neighborhood a couple of streets over. Kate(the Mom) invited Alex to come into town with them, go to some stores, get lunch etc. and I let him go. A little bit ago, Alex calls me on Kate's cell phone and asks me for the directions to El Pinto, a restaurant in Albuquerque. I ask him why and he says, "Well some of us want burgers and the rest want Mexican and El Pinto has both!" so I say, "So, you suggested El Pinto to Kate? "Yep." "Alex, put Kate on the phone." I then explain to Kate that while yes, El Pinto does have both Mexican (mainly) and burgers (kids menu) that El Pinto is actually a quite pricey restaurant. Alex probably doesn't realize this because of course it is not him paying the bill! lol El Pinto is a very nice Mexican restaurant, that has played "host" to the President on several occasions while he's been in the city. :D I'm so glad they called, I think I would have died had Kate gotten there and then realized this. I then directed her to a fast food chain that does both Mexican and burgers and she thanked me. ;)

The high and mighty....

Okay....this is just a little vent. It can apply in "real" life but this is really about a recent event on an online bb I visit. I am not the most spiritual person on the planet. I have many faults and am not perfect, but I try. One thing I *cannot* stand is people who act so high and mighty, like they are so wise and are as close to perfection as it gets on earth. I have to really try hard not to point out the error of this belief and bring them down a notch. Who knows, maybe this is a flaw of mine. Now, I have ZERO problem with people who are actual spiritual giants. There is a woman I revere as such. She was in my old ward in WA. Sister Gilchrist. She is amazing and you truly see the light of Christ in her eyes. She has such deep insight and can express her beliefs in a loving manner and teach without condescension and a conceited pride, that is so evident in others. Others, who think they are like this and are not. But, don't tell them that.....they'd never believe you anyway. Now, I will give them, that they try really hard. But, trying doesn't equate actual achievement. This sort of achievement that they will never have until they truly humble themselves. You cannot fake true humility. When a spiritual person is truly humble, you know they have reached that place. It's not something I can describe, but can only point to the Prophet and general authorities as an example. Those who can teach and even scold....while still resonating love and withholding judgement. They would never walk off in a huff from a situation (even a cyber situation) and pat themselves on the back for how good they are and stop just short of outright saying others are "bad" and they are better than them. The actual words may have not been said, but the implication was absolutely there. Attitudes like this are "dangerous." These are the attitudes that will drive people who are struggling spiritually off from the Church. I have seen it. Also, how can one expect to be able to bring those who are different than we are into the Church if you cannot accept differences in people with a Christlike love and charity?
Getting off my soapbox now. Had to get it off my chest. Better to vent here than go off on someone there! *sigh*

Mommy where do babies come from?

Is the question my sweet 3 year old asked me on the way home from Costco yesterday. *GASP* I said, laughing and in shock, "Connor, you are too young to be asking me questions like that!" lol I then proceeded to turn the question back on him, thinking that would be the safest answering option. ;) So, I asked, "Well, where do *you* think babies come from?" "Bellies!" He answered. I then asked him how he thought they got there and he says as he's pointing in demonstration on his own body, "Well, first you swallow it and then it goes down to your belly!" :D All I said was "OH!" I figured it's safe to leave him believing that for a few more years. ;) Heaven, help me! lol

Aidan serenading Isabel...

We just had the missionaries over for dinner. Aidan started talking to them about Isabel and made Alex spontaneously burst into tears. :( We all miss her so much. Well, Aidan thought it was funny the reaction he got out of his brother and after the Elders left, he kept talking about her trying to get him to cry again. The little turkey. ;) Well, I guess he got to feeling a little sentimental as well and started singing about Isabel. He was being quite dramatic about it and Erik told me to grab the camera and I did. Pardon the shaking, I was laughing so hard, I had tears rolling down my cheeks and cut the video off when I could no longer contain myself! He is just way too funny! :)

Pics from the 4th.....

So easy to please! Cheap and easy entertainment for Aidan!

With all the shifting around of kids' rooms this weekend, nothing really changed for Aidan. I promised him that we would make him a tent/clubhouse out of the bunkbeds that are all his now. We just pulled an old couple pairs of denim tab top curtains (we no longer have use for) from the linen closet and VOILA!! Instant club house. He is very pleased, to say the least! lol Oh and in case you ever want to visit this magnificent club house ;), the password is "cheese please!" lol *shrug*

Redecorating Pics!

We started this project at the end of May when we painted the bathroom. Ended up going to UT for a couple of weeks to be with Mom and things got delayed. Well, we went full force this weekend and painted Alex's bedroom....which of course included emptying the entire thing out first! Painted, rearranged furniture and put Connor into the 4th bedroom....which was Isabel's room when she was with us. Now he and Aidan can't blame the other for their own room being a mess! lol Also included in the pictures is the beautiful piano that we just inherited from Erik's Grandma who passed away nearly two years ago. It is beautiful and we are so excited to have it in our house. Erik has started teaching Alex and Aidan some beginning piano lessons and we hope to find a piano teacher in the area to start taking lessons. :o) Needless to say, we are completely pooped after this weekend! lol Just wanted to share the changes!


Bathroom










Alex's Room






Connor's Room







Piano

Holy wind, Batman!!!

We've had a big windstorm blow through the area late this afternoon/early evening. Haven't watched the news to see how many mph or anything....but it's the worst I've seen in quite a while. After a day of painting, I was neglectful of even thinking of what to make for dinner, so I had to run out to grab something (ended up being Arby's) and visibility was pretty bad in some places. Got home to see that our neighbors three houses down had their tree taken out by the wind. Being in a new neighborhood, none of the trees are "mature" but she actually had the biggest, fullest, best looking tree on our street.....well, not so anymore. They (homeowners assoc. who are in charge of our front yard maintenace) will have to dig it out and replace it, I'm sure.
Painting is done and it looks awesome!!! When we get all the furniture and everything put back, I'll have to post pics to show it off. :o) We are pooped (especially Erik, who did the bulk of the work) but, I have to leave in an hour to go watch Aubrey and Sam at their house so Dan & Rachael can go on a date. I'm hoping Erik and I can have the favor returned this week and go on a date ourselves (something we haven't done in a looooooooooong time!) but that will all depend on our schedule. With Friday being the 4th and us being in charge of the Ward BBQ, that day is out. So, I guess we'll see what we can work out between our schedule and theirs. I just hope I can stay awake tonight!!! I could totally see myself dosing on the couch, I'm so tired! It probably wouldn't be a big deal to them either....since the kids will be in bed and it's more or less just the importance of having an adult in the house. But, I'd feel guilty sleeping on the job! lol Well, I'd better go put some stuff away before I have to go!

Busy day ahead.....

So much has happened in the past month and I'll have to find time to come back and blog it all. It's been an absolutely crazy month and I hope with June coming to an end that July will bring good things....above all, healing and better health for my Mom.
Got a busy day planned. Erik just left to go play "extreme" frisbee (whatever the heck that is! lol) with guys from our Ward at the park by our house. Saying a prayer that he doesn't do something to injure his bum ankle he hasn't fully recovered from spraining well over a year ago. After he gets back, we will start painting Alex's bedroom. We cleared everything out of his room and did all the prep work, including removing all the lightswitch/electrical socket plates, the curtain hardware...taping, etc. yesterday. Got a funny story to go with that quick.....Erik was standing on the step stool with his battery operated screwdriver removing the curtain rod and the brackets that hold it and I was standing beside him to take all the pieces from him. Connor walks in the room and says in a concerned voice, "Mom. Did Dad screw you?" I immediately start cracking up and Erik says, "That's a personal question Connor!" Of course, at three years old, he has no idea why what he said was so funny. I left the room to call and tell my Mom to give her a good laugh and apparently the conversation continued. Erik had gotten off the step stool and sat down and was doing something with the screwdriver and it was facing out. Right then, Alex decides to shut his bedroom door and Connor starts screaming, "I don't wanna be screwed!!!" he then runs out to the backyard (and I really hope our neighbors didn't hear this, lol!) and he starts yelling, "Dad, I'm not coming in the house to get screwed!" By this time, we are all rolling and tears are streaming down my cheeks. I have no idea why the fear of being "screwed" but oh man, he gave us a good laugh.
So, back to the plans.....I'm really excited to be painting Alex's room, FINALLY! His walls are still the "egg shell" colored builder's paint that they have been since they were painted originally with the house being built. We've lived here for a little over two years now and I'm glad that by the end of the day it'll have our own personal touch on it. The color we are painting his walls is called "Sweet Georgia Brown." His bedding is in teal, aqua, lime and brown. It's going to look great! Then all we'll have left to paint in this house is the great room which includes the kitchen and our family room where the computer and piano are. Cannot make up my mind what color I want for that...and the master bedroom & bathroom, which will probably be some brown shade as well.
Guess I'd better get off the puter, change the laundry loads and get the day moving!

Erik's Dad is in the ICU

Woke up this morning to Erik calling and asking if I'd heard his cell phone ring last night. Um...no, if I heard it I'd have answered it and been freaking out because it was so late. Apparently the VA hospital in SLC called after midnight to tell us his Dad is in the ICU. His Dad is not married and Erik is his only child. I have no idea why they called the cell phone instead of the house phone, but we didn't hear it, so we didn't get this news till this morning. Things were chaotic in the ICU when Erik called....the guy next to Roger was crashing and someone else was doing really badly so they told Erik that his Dad was stable and to please call back a little later so they could talk when things were less crazy as everyone was needed right then for patients. All we know right now is that he is being treated for pneumonia. No other particulars. We also have no idea why he's at the VA....if he was already there for stuff (there all the time) and this happened....or if he was sent there by the hospital in Cedar City by ambulance or life flight. He has A LOT of health problems. He just turned 60 in March and looks about 80. He has had so many things happening lately.....a couple of falls (like really old people do) that have resulted in broken bones and massive bruises and now this. I wonder if there is more going on with him than he is letting us know about. As sad as it is to say, it wouldn't surprise me. He didn't think he'd live to be this old or ever see grandchildren....that's how bad his health is. I hope he's going to be okay. If things are really bad, we may have to figure out a way to get up there this weekend. *sigh*

Facebook!

I started making a Facebook profile a loooooooong time ago and never finished it. Just never got into it the way I have Myspace. Still think Myspace is better, overall. lol Yesterday, I was talking to Mandy and she asked if I was on Facebook, because she sent me a friend request. I decided to see if I could remember my login/password and to check it all out again. I got on and finished up my profile, added pictures, etc. and started looking for people. I started putting in names of people I've been trying to locate for years and was so excited when I looked up "Katarzyna Kotula" and found someone with that name. "Kate" was an exchange student from Poland at PVHS and actually stayed for two school years. We became good friends and she was also friends with Marilia....our exchange student from Brazil. Sadly, the last I saw her was 13 years ago.....before the age of the internet....and we lost contact. I have been googling her for years with no success. So, I find this person with the same name on Facebook....only it says she lives in the Czech Republic. I decide what the heck and sent a message asking if it's her. I woke up this morning with a message saying that yes, it is her! But, that's it. lol I sent a message back letting her know how excited I was to find her and that I'd love to hear about all the happenings in her life. I hope I hear back from her. There are others I'd like to find too.....Andrea, Verena, Micki, Meike....but no luck yet! The internet makes the world so small. I love it! :o)

Family pics! Melissa look here!

I'm posting some family pictures we had taken over Easter weekend with my side of the family so you can see what everyone looks like now....and because I'm a bad blogger and haven't already put them here. :o) I actually started putting the pictures on here in the opposite way I wanted them to be, but I'm too lazy to go back and change it. lol So, we start with all the grandkids, then Jenny & family, my family, Mandy & family, our "original" Tobler family, my parents and the whole crew together. Enjoy!