HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Carly Bunny


Scary Julie and BubbyBee


Momma and her cute little Bug


Grandma caught a Bunny!


Megan has a Bunny Sister!


BumbleBubby I am your Uncle! (Bubby with his Uncle Steve)

REHAB'N IT

We just got Grandpa settled in Thatcherbrook. He has just eaten his lunch and is taking a snooze although he would deny it. It's one of those snoozes he takes while watching television where his head bobs up and down and every once in a while his eyes open and he looks around to see if you notice he's been asleep. Lol!

It's really remarkable how well he has done throughout this surgery. It's going to be tough going as he does the rehab but once he get through he should have a great deal of relief from the pain he'd been having.

Please feel free to call or write Grandpa. He loves hearing from his friends and as you know he especially likes talking on the phone! It's great therapy for him! Thanks everyone!

John Carson c/o
Thatcherbrook Rehabilitation and Care Center, Room 13
1795 S. Chelemes Way Clearfield, UT , 84015
Telephone # 801-614-5700

Thanks everyone!

ANOTHER GRANDPA UPDATE

Grandpa had two sessions with the Physical Therapist today and did really well. He continues to say he is not in pain at all--that is unless he moves his arm. Today he described the pain he has when he moves his arm. He said it feels like someone planted an hatchet in his shoulder. Hmmm. I asked if it is a better or worse pain than the pain he had before his surgery. He said it is a different pain. It does seem to me that it is less. However, that's just my initial impression. His surgeon said as soon as he stops feeling worse he will feel better. So apparently there is an expectation that the surgery will cause some pain and after that it will help him quite a bit!

I will say Grandpa really doesn't complain about pain much at all. Hardly ever. We just make sure he takes his pain meds so he doesn't get into too much pain and have to get out of it. His doctor told us to do that.

Tomorrow morning the rehab and care center will go to the hospital and pick him up and take him to their facility. Mom and I will follow him there. Someone has been staying with him at all times. Susan and her husband are with him tonight.

Overall, he is really doing great. The surgeon is really impressed with how well he has done and has asked the physical therapists to work with him not just on his shoulder but to get him more mobile overall. We really like this surgeon.

Happy Halloween everyone! More tomorrow.

STILL DOING GREAT!

Forgot to put this picture up the other day. This was Grandpa in really good spirits as he was heading into surgery. He's usually fairly nervous under such circumstances but he was fairly calm the whole week preceding the operation. We were surprised and impressed.



He was still doing well when I left the hospital today around 5:00 p.m. and I just checked in with my baby sister who is staying the night with him and she said he is now sleeping soundly. It's around midnight. The doc is keeping him on pain meds but he really hasn't had a ton of pain--nothing unbearable. Dad really feels like this surgery has gone a lot better than he expected and even better than the knee surgery which went well. I think they have both gone well.

Nothing more to tell you tonight but I will keep you posted. Take care, Nancy

GRANDPA'S ROOM NUMBER/PHONE NUMBER HAS CHANGED

Grandpa has been on the fourth floor of the hospital and they just moved him to a room on the fifth floor. NO cause for alarm. The fifth floor is actually the Orthopedic floor. They just didn't have room for him yesterday after surgery as they are doing some construction on that floor and as a result have less rooms available. So, today they are moving several of their surgery patients from yesterday to the fifth floor as rooms become available.

Dad is still doing good. He will be released from the hospital to Thatcherbrook Rehabilitation and Care Center at 11 a.m. on Sunday and they will move him to their facility.

For the moment, he is in:

St. Mark's Hospital, Room 5W26
1200 E. 3900 S.
Salt Lake City, UT 84124

His new direct to room phone # is 801-268-7526

GRANDPA IS DOING THE HOKEY POKEY :)

Grandpa had a really good night and is doing great this morning. Okay, so he's not really dancing but he's in very little pain and he just told me it has surprised EVEN HIM how well he has gotten along! WOW! That's some statement from our big ol' worrywart! Lol!

The surgeon came in to see him a couple of hours ago and was even thinking of releasing him to the rehab center today but apparently there are some rules about how long they need to keep him in the hospital. So, it's looking right now like it will be Sunday morning before he goes to the rehab center.

He's up to taking phone calls today. I would probably call the hospital phone as I think it will be easier to understand him. I just talked to him on his cell phone and it was a little hard to hear him and understand what he was say saying. I know your calls really cheer him up and make his day! Thanks everyone! We love you!

THE GRANDPA UPDATE

Grandpa is sawing lots of logs right now and has been for a couple of hours. Think it has something to do with pain meds. He actually isn't in a ton of pain. It is mostly coming across to him as pressure in his shoulder instead of pain but the doctor wanted him to start the pain meds so he can stay ahead of any real pain that shows up.

He was able to eat a sandwich and drink a milkshake about an hour and a half after coming out of recovery and keep them down without any problem. He just seems to be doing really well.

He will probably be more awake and able to talk tomorrow. His direct phone number to his room is: 801-268-7473.

They only plan to keep him in the hospital here for two days and then will send him on to a rehab facility for a couple of weeks. For anyone who wants to send a card, I would send it to him at the rehab facility. We think he will be transferred there this coming Saturday. The address and info is below. Thanks so much for all your prayers, love and support. My parents and their children appreciate it so much!

John Carson c/o
Thatcherbrook Rehabilitation and Care Center
1795 S. Chelemes Way Clearfield, UT , 84015

GREAT NEWS!

Grandpa is up and dribbling and dunking a basketball on a full court press! O.K., maybe not, but he is awake, wide-eyed and alert, not in a lot of pain and doing really, realy well. The doctor just came in and saw him and said he planned to keep him in the hospital a couple of days. They will start his physical therapy tomorrow in the hospital and then when he leaves the hospital they will send him to the same rehab center he went to last time. Please keep the prayers going. Love you all, Nancy

DAD'S OUT OF SURGERY!

The surgeon just came and talked to us and said everything went well. He said it took a little longer because Dad is a large guy. (Who knew?) Lol! Anyway, he told us his shoulder was pretty messed up with arthritis but they got it all replaced and once he stops hurting he will feel better. Ha! Sure hope so! Anyway, Dad will be in recovery for the next hour and a half and then will be moved to a room. When we get room info I will post it on here. More later.

TWO HOURS AND COUNTING

It's been two hours and Dad is still in surgery. They said it could be as long as three. Please keep the prayers coming. We will keep you posted. N.

SURGERY HAS BEGUN

It's 7:40 a.m. here and they just took Dad into surgery. They told us it could take anywhere from two to three hours for the operation. Dad was a little nervous but not a lot. He was in really good spirits, laughing and joking with the nursing staff. He seems really upbeat. We are hoping the day goes really well. I will update you as soon as he we hear anything. Prayers please. Thanks, Nancy

TODAY IS THE DAY

Dad has to be at the hospital for his shoulder replacement surgery this morning (Thursday) at 6:00 a.m. His surgery will begin around 7-7:30 a.m.. I will post an update on here as soon as he is out of recovery and in a room. He would sure appreciate your prayers on his behalf. We all would. Thanks so much for your love and friendship. Nancy

TWO DAYS AND COUNTING

We went to the hospital today to get Grandpa pre-registered for his surgery and to do some pre-bloodwork. Jonathon went with us and thought he should be able to run all over the place. Grandpa played block and tackle with his wheelchair. Jonathon was not so sure he liked that and tried to outsmart the wheelchair several times. He didn't win. Grandpa is Good!

Everything looks good for the surgery on Thursday. We should get a time tomorrow evening for certain but it looks like it will be early morning. I will post it on here along with the hospital info as soon as I know it. Night all.

MMMM MMMM GOOD

Grandma made the best dinner tonight. She made homemade Italian Beef and homemade potato salad. Julie made homemade buns to go with the beef and it was a yummy meal. That all tasted so good I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies to wash it all down with. Lol!

We had a nice Sunday and even managed to grab a short nap! We are counting down the days now until Dad's shoulder surgery. He seems in pretty good spirits and has been exercising to strengthen his legs so he can get around better.

No snow today except in the mountains. They are threatening that we will wake up with it in the morning. I have decided to worry about it when I see it. :)

SNOW WHAT?

It's been a rainy day here and supposedly we are going to have snow by morning. I don't know that I'm quite ready for that yet. It's been getting a little colder here day by day. It's 47 degrees right now so I guess anything could happen. I know it's the end of October but it's still just a little too early for my taste. :)

THE BABIES LOVE THEIR GRANDPA!

I actually had to go grab my camera when the kidlings started crawling all over Grandpa the other night. Up and down and up and down! It was like he was the latest jungle gym. I was afraid they were going to annoy him or hurt his shoulders but he seemed to like the fact that they were fighting over who got to sit on his lap! It was pretty funny to watch.

ONE WEEK TO GO

Grandpa's surgery is a week from today. He is doing really well and we are looking forward to having him in less pain. His shoulders have caused him so much pain for so long; his left one much more than his right. Hopefully, this surgery will immediately decrease his pain and give him more movement in his left shoulder. :)

We are getting the last details together and will keep everyone posted on where he will be and what time his surgery is on the 28th. Take care. N.

MY WORN OUT BOYS

My guys were playing around and got tired out. I snapped this just as Jono was about to nod off. Pretty cute, eh?

MY FAVORITE DIVAS

This is my dear friend Taylor with my darling daughter Carly! Taylor moved away and it's been over a year since I've seen her. She got to come visit and we had a grand time! Carly loves her. They are both girly girls~Lol!

HAPPY (LATE) BIRTHDAY AUNT SALLY!

My Dad's sister Sally had a birthday this weekend. Happy, Happy Birthday Aunt Sally! We LOVE you!

The weekend got away from us! Our daughter Sara came home and brought her new boyfriend to meet us. YAY! He is a terrific guy and we had a great time with both of them. It was a lot of fun!



Dad's surgery is just a week away now! Keep him in your prayers, please. More info as we get it. We will keep you posted. N.

MISS ME?

Thought so. Just dropping by to say hi!

CARLY IN HER NEW TAYLOR JOELLE

Carly got a new skirt and headband today! They are really adorable and she was so excited to put them on and dance around in them. I bought them from Taylor Joelle. It's a great company that has adorable clothes for babies and toddlers. If you are a parent or grandparent of kids in this age range you should go look at their stuff. www.taylorjoelle.com

They have a hot buy every week that is really priced low and they don't run out like other companies do. I just love their stuff. Anyway, here is Carly modeling her new outfit!

OH, HAPPY DAY!

Today was the day Carly put two and two together and really figured out what she was supposed to do on her potty chair and she did it TWICE! I even let her wear pull-ups! She was so excited! Okay, probably not as excited as ME!

HELP, I'VE BEEN SHOT!

I took Jonathon to get his last first year shots today. Yes, I realize he's almost fourteen months old but the pediatrician's office has been out of one of the shots for awhile. They also wanted him to have a flu shot. So, finally they had the final shot and the flu shot in! Yay! Well, Jono didn't think so but he is all protected now so we are happy!

While we were there, I figured we might as well have Carly get the flu shot as well. She wasn't so sure about it. I told her she would get a band-aid. That was a pretty good sell until she actually got the shot. It happened so fast, though, she wasn't sure what hit her. Afterwards, she kept saying "Mama, she pinched me. That doctor pinched me." I said, "Yes, but now you won't get sick." At that point she agreed with me. She's such a funny little girl!

DAD'S SURGERY UPDATE

Dad's shoulder surgery is less than three weeks away now. He will have an entire shoulder replacement and will spend a couple of days in the hospital and then go to a rehabilitation center for a week or two. I will do my best to keep you posted on here about his recovery.

He has been riding an exerise bike every day now for a couple of weeks. He is trying to strengthen is polio leg before the surgery so he can get around more easily without assistance. He is up to two miles a day now. Yay!

His surgery will be on October 28th. We don't have a time yet but will let you know as soon as we get details. All prayers on his behalf are welcome! Thanks everyone.

DEATH IS NOTHING AT ALL

Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way, which you always used. Put no difference into your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, and pray for me. Let my name be forever the same as it always was, let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it always was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity.I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. ··· All is well.

--Canon Scott Holland

One of Dorothy's children read this poem at her funeral yesterday. I had never heard it before and I loved it. So amazing to think about our loved ones being so close by. Heaven is not so far away. It never has been. :)

TILL WE MEET AGAIN

I lost someone so dear to me this week. Dorothy Bramhall was a second Mom to me and she left this world really suddenly, without any notice. That has left a big hole in so many of our hearts. Thank you Dorothy--for everything. I love you. Till we meet again.

MAYBE NOT TWO GOING ON THIRTY, BUT DEFINITELY TWO GOING ON SIXTEEN . . .

So today Carly, at two and and a half tried to push me out of the driver's seat insisting, "No, I drive Mama." She almost managed to even steal the keys from me. I don't know what I'll do when I"m not tall enough to hold them over her head anymore...

JUST A COUPLE THINGS

So after three days with red, swollen, itchy, goupy eyes I am in full surrender to the dreaded Pink Eye! Please, Oh Please, OH PLEASE go away! I really had no idea how nasty this pink eye crud was.

Luckily we had so many people who already had it in the house we had the medication for it. We did pick up some other over the counter helps but I searched online and found that one of the things that helped the most was to lay down and keep your eyes covered with a warm wash rag as much as possible. I think that has helped a lot. This afternoon my eyes started to clear up some and the goupiness went away. They are still somewhat itchy and red but I'm hoping by morning to be able to consider putting my contacts back in and actually eyeing my makeup bag! That thought makes me almost gleeful!

Jonathon has become really mouthy. When he is unhappy he lets you know it. He is so funny. He just turns up the volume and lets you have it. And Carly can't get away with anything anymore. She used to push him around a little or punch on him here or there. We had to watch her closely to keep her from doing that. Not anymore. He just gives it right back to her now. Tit for tat. That little boy is not so little anymore!

Grandma and Grandpa are doing fine. Grandma leg has been bothering her so she is going to a chiropractor for a bit. So far I think he's only managed to move the pain around. But at least it doesn't hurt in the same spot anymore. Lol!

GAH! NOW I HAVE IT!

I thought I was doing so well at keeping my hands clean and staying away from the pink monster but tonight I realized I had it. I'm so frustrated! This is the first time I've ever had Pink Eye but I've been around lots of people with it and it looks like the most miserable thing! Aaaarrrrggghhh!

Well, I'd write more but I can't see through all the goup in my eye. I know . . . GROSS!

DON'T THINK . . . DO!

I learned tonight that a very dear friend of mine passed away last night. Even though she was being treated for an illness, she was not expected to pass away. It was very sudden and I'm in shock. Her husband, children and grandchildren are as well. I don't think you are ever prepared to lose someone no matter the circumstance. Wow, just such a shock. And would you know, I had her on my mind all last week and meant to give her a call. You have to listen to the still small voice inside you or you will have regrets. Don't think--DO! Gah!

We are infested with pink eye at our house. So far it has just gotten the kids. We are crossing our fingers and washing our hands a lot! Julie has it the worst right now. In fact, I have to keep her home from school tomorrow. Her eyes are so red and swollen and I'm sure she is super contagious!

Jonathon was downstairs with Rob and Steve tonight and the girls and I were upstairs. All of the sudden we heard him and Megan looked over at the stairs and saw him almost at the top of the stairs. He had climbed up to the second from the top stair all by himself. He is getting really brave. That frightens me!

CONFERENCE WEEKEND

It is General Conference Weekend here. That is when our church leadership speaks to all of the church members world wide from Salt Lake City. It happens twice a year. Once in April and again in October. We watch it on from home on TV but some members in different states and countries have to go to their church buildings to watch it via satellite. We learned today that there is going to be an LDS temple built in Indianapolis, IN. We are so excited!

It's been a really nice day here. Still very, very warm. Our leaves haven't started to turn yet. Things are happening late here.

We have three people in the house with pink eye now. Julie, Carly and Jonathon. The rest of us are washing our hands non-stop and keeping them away from our faces. Hopefully, that will help!

Grandpa is still on track for surgery. We are getting ourselves psyched up for that. Nothing else is new here and that's probably a good thing! :)

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

Grandma and Grandpa pretty much hung around the house today. I forgot to mention that yesterday they did a bunch of gardening. Well, Grandma gardens and Grandpa is the artistic director. He has the eye for what he wants done. They put in a gorgeous flower garden this year. I don't think I ever did post a picture of it. I need to go take one while there are still a few plants blooming. We had all the garden spots laid out but just hadn't had the energy or time to do anything with them. Then Grandpa and Grandma showed up and they made things happen. So pretty!

We went all different directions this evening. Julie went to a football game. Rob and I went to a mission reunion in Salt Lake. Grandma and Grandpa were going to babysit for us but big Sis, Megan, ended up staying and watching the babies so the Grandparents could keep doing their thing. The kids were in bed when we got home.
It was a pretty nice evening.

One day down and twenty-seven to go until Grandpa's surgery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Have a great Saturday!