TLIF

Well September 24th ended up being the big day. After a lot of time waiting Pete and I drove to Timpanogous hospital for our 6 am check in. Mom and Dad were there for support. Far as I remember everything was routine and running on schedule. A quick chat with the doctor, the anaesthesia guy and verifying my birthday a million times. (It seems there is a lot of staff there that is in to sending cards.) Well the Doc says it was successful and I am fixed! The first 10 days was HELL. I couldn't move myself to start with Pete and a nurse would move me. I regretted the surgery how was I ever going to recover from this.

After day 10 I started to feel better. By day 14 I was good, I actually spent that day in Salt Lake with Pete and James. The next day I took a walk here in down town Elmo. It was great to be out walking and not tearing up from pain.

2 pins 4 screws a synthetic disc with cage those are my new additions to this old body.

Better Every Day

10 years ago I changed the pace of life and began enjoying the full befits of motherhood. I cashed in all the morning sickness days and the nights of my belly changing shapes, the belly kisses from Pete, the heartburn and the maternity clothes.



After way too many excruciating hours Amanda joined our couple and made us a family.



Thanks to the help from Annie I came home to a clean house and food to eat for at least a week. Well that was a heck of a ride, Saturday the 18Th of September 1999, was not just another day it was the day. I woke up and had regular contractions coming, they say walking can help with labor so Annie and I walked. At that time Pete and I were living on 100 west in Elmo. Annie and I walked to the farm ( 3 miles ) the contractions were every 5 minutes and I was stopping walking to breathe through them by the time we made it back. Little Ashley went on part of the walk with us but spent most of the time with her favorite Uncle Pete and helped with year old Dusty. When we returned to Elmo I layed down ( if its not labor the contractions should let up ). That didn't last long my contractions were there and regular. We took Ashley and Dusty to my visiting teacher and headed over the mountain to Provo to my Dr and Hospital.

Of course there was road construction. I was in good hands Annie had 2 babies, we took the labor and delivery classes. Well those 2 things weren't near as important as the tootsie rolls Annie had me thinking about. Ya tootsie rolls not m&m's my favorite. Well we reached the hospital in the early evening 6-7. I was only dilated to a 1. My contractions were every 3-4 minutes but not dilated they wouldn't admit me. Living so far from the hospital my Dr did agree to pain meds and gel to help the cervix dilate. Pete and Annnie grabbed Arby's for dinner and we got a room for the night. The L&D said if I was in pain in 1-2 hours come back to be checked, Annie said I'd know if I needed to be there. The night began Pete went right to sleep. Annie timed my contractions till I told her I was ok and off to sleep she went. By midnight I had decided to spend most of my time in the bathroom to try and not wake anyone. I was crying through contractions at this point, but I didn't think it was time. When morning came I had them take me back to L&D to be checked after all that time and pain surely I was well on my way. Only a 1, how could that be. My Dr agreed to start pitocin now and break my water after church. Ok here we go.Even breaking my water didn't help the issues of dilating I stayed a 1 all day.



After lots of tears and a simple "Daddy will you" my parents were on there way to see me. They brought Brian along to see his wife it was their anniversary of getting together. I cried for my Daddy, sang I am a Child Of God and told Pete it wasn't his fault until my parents arrive.

(still a 1 ) My Dad gave me a priesthood blessing and my body relaxed, he said Amen, I puked. The nurse (Liz) came in to clean me up and checked me I was a 9! Less than 20 minutes from a 1. I have to say Delivery was the easy part. With Pete by my side,Annie behind me, Liz Counting and Dr Wolsey ready to catch I gave birth to our beautiful 6 pound 11 ounce little girl. The door didn't take long to open with my family listening to Amanda's first cries.



Pete and I couldn't believe it was real. We had our baby, only 13 months into our marriage. Our life was changing and it hasn't stopped yet. Now Amanda is 10, and the best little girl we could ask for. she is so helpful (and only beats on her brothers when she thinks they need it). We never relized that it would just keep on getting better every day.

First Day of School

Well today is the day that my kidlets have been waiting for. The first day of school. They were all up at 6 patiently waiting for me to grant them permission to take off for the bus. Well the kitten didn't like the idea of not spending the day with them so he tried to tag along. James ended up bringing him home so he went to the 2nd bus stop on his own. Me, I feel like I should take them their first day, but they all said they would take care of each other and didn't need me. I hope I can find SOMETHING to do today, all by my lonesome!

Emery Co Fair 2009

Well as soon as the Stock Show ends it is time to get ready for the county fair.
This year I encouraged all 3 kids to enter an exhibit.
They each entered 3 arts and crafts and one thing out of our garden.
They had a blast.
Only Amanda is old enough to be judged so the garden items were in Amanda's name.
Thomas and Amanda both entered some hair flower barrettes.
Amanda's were chosen to go to the State Fair. She is ecstatic.
We'll up next in our world is the starting of school.
My first year that all my kiddos will be all day:)

South Eastern Utah Junior Livestock Show

Amanda has been very busy and very responsible for the past few months. She is finally old enough to make one of Daddy's dreams come true and participate in the Stock show in Ferron. This is its 71 st year and Pete has attended since he was 1 week old.

This year Amanda's project animal was a Pig, named Bob Rudolph- named by her brothers. At the show he weighed 326 pound. She received the highest 3rd place ribbon, and had compliments from the judge on her improvements from the day before. She got $700 in the auction for him and is planning for next years project. Special Thank You to Uncle Ken who sponsored her buy purchasing her pig and to Roosevelt Theatres for purchasing the pig at the sale. Aunt Peggy spent a lot of time with her teaching her how to care for her pig. Amanda spent endless hours with the pigs and woke up early to feed them before school. We are so proud of her.

Life

Well life has been crazy here in the big city of Elmo. We have started baseball season, all three kids are playing this year. Amanda is really enjoying softball this is her first year playing, her first game will be Wednesday and I am trying to juggle the boys and their game so I can make Amanda's. We'll see how that goes.
We have also been busy at the farm. We are installing sprinklers, that is supposed to increase the amount of growth in hay. It also is supposed to help take some of the salt out of down stream water supplies. Pete was very happy to go back to work today after taking some time off. He says he needed a break from so much physical labor:)
I seem to have figured out how to keep my sugar regulated and have been feeling much better.

Well that's my update on life....

~ Dear Mr Jesus ~

http://www.alexcia.com/child.shtml
just thinking of all those that need so much

YES WE ARE STILL HERE

Contrarily to some beliefs Elmo is still on the map. We are not snowed in. We still have power and telephone service. The mail is still being delivered. I don't always answer the phone or trudge threw the skiff of snow to the post office. We are all OK.