John's 3 Month Vacation

Ok - so it's not really a vacation! This is how you get time off work without going on a vacation. John had surgery the end of April to remove his colon. It was a 5 1/2 hour surgery, as they did a double loop ileostomy and formed a j-pouch. After 6 days in the hospital, he was sent home to recover so they could do the takedown surgery in 6 weeks. Our time at home was spent learning how to care for his temporary ostomy, doctor appointments, a trip to the ER, an infection, and more tests. He also was told he couldn't lift anything over 5 pounds or use his ab muscles in exercise. He did manage to rest and heal during that time. After only 6 weeks of recovery he was healed enough to go in for the take down surgery and get rid of the bag! He was really glad to be getting rid of that!! So a week ago, he had a successful surgery. They told us the normal time to be in the hospital for this surgery would be 3-4 days. After 2 days, he was well enough to go home! Now he is in the process of recovering from this surgery and hopes to be back to work by the middle of July. He is doing well - but still can't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk or do strenuous exercise.

Things we have learned or are grateful for during this period of time:

1. PRIESTHOOD BLESSINGS and PRAYERS work and we are grateful for them!!! So many times we literally felt strength that wasn't our own that helped us through difficult times. WE KNOW THE LORD IS MINDFUL OF US and BLESSES US!

2. We have wonderful daughters and a son-in-law who are very supportive and gave of their time to sit with their mom while dad was in the long surgery. (Holly used vacation time to come from Arizona so she could be here for her Dad. Heather and Brian also took time off from work and school so they could support their Dad.) They also call and check on us often. WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN!

3. We have a wonderful extended family and friends who have also kept us in their prayers and supported us during this time. THANK YOU - we really love you!

4. OUR WARD FAMILY IS THE BEST!!! John's 2nd surgery was on our Ward's Temple Day of Dedication. We were so sad that we couldn't participate in it as it has been planned for quite some time and we have been preparing as a ward for this special day. Unfortunately, that is the day the surgeon could do the surgery. We know many ward members put John's name on the prayer roll and prayed for him that day. We are sure that is why John's 2nd hospital stay was so short and that he did so well! WE FEEL BLESSED TO BE A PART OF THIS WARD!

5. We learned that we need to TRUST IN THE LORD. There was a time when we were especially frustrated and felt like we had no control on what was happening. During one of our discussions about it we decided we needed to trust the Lord and the promptings he had given us earlier in choosing the doctor. We knew we needed to trust that the doctor was giving us the help we needed and that the Lord would make up any difference. Our FAITH has grown!

6. It is possible to fall even deeper in love with each other!!! OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER HAS TRULY GROWN DEEPER! After being around each other 24/7 we find we still like being around each other and depend on each other in many ways. We think that we can even survive retirement together. :)

7. It is important to BE GRATEFUL! So many do so much for us and we know we need to show more gratitude for what we have been given.

I am sure that there is more we will learn as we continue on this healing process and that as we look back on it, we will find even more ways that the Lord has blessed us. In the meantime, we will keep trusting the Lord and doing our part to help John feel better.

On a side note....

A few weeks before John's first surgery, he was released from being High Priest group leader and was called to be our ward's executive secretary in a new bishopric. The new bishopric has been really understanding about him not being able to do all his duties and supportive of his recovery. He is looking forward to getting well so he can take over all his new responsibilities and serve the Lord the best he can.

This is how John is spending his summer vacation so far .... medications at 8am, 10 am, noon, 3pm, 5pm, 8pm, and midnight. (Not to mention all the time spent in John's new reading room)

Walks and naps are also a highlight! I BET YOU ARE ALL JEALOUS :)

NEW YEAR'S IN ARIZONA

We flew out a few days after Holly left to go home from Christmas, to go see Holly in Arizona. (We were really missing her after a few days) We thought it would be great to spend her birthday with her! We flew out in a bad snowstorm and projected very low temperatures for Salt Lake and thought how fun it would be to be warm in Arizona. Guess what . . . IT WAS UNSEASONABLY COLD IN ARIZONA! They even had snow (a few flakes) and freeze warnings while we were there! We still had a lot of fun, even though it was coat weather there too. Holly took us to some of her favorite eating places and shopping centers. We saw fireworks from her living room window at midnight on New Year's Eve. (I think they were at the ASU stadium) We were able to go to church with her in her single's ward and see how she fixed up her apartment. She has really adjusted to being so far away. WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER!

John, waiting outside a yummy Italian restaurant.

Notice how cold he looks! But it was worth the

wait for him, because he claims he had the best

dessert ever here! It was a half baked peanut butter

and chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top.

Seeing the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple!

We did this on New Years Eve!

They have a missionary choir that sang every night for an hour.

They sang Christmas songs and songs about the Savior. There

were missionaries everywhere talking to the people. It was really

neat to experience this!

I know this isn't the best or most flattering picture of me -

but it shows I was there and that they put lights up in the

palm trees.

Holly pointing out that they put lights in the orange trees!

We wanted to pick oranges off the trees, but felt it might be like stealing.

I wonder what the temple does with all the citrus fruit off the trees

on the temple grounds.

Holly and her Dad with the Mesa temple in the background.

After the temple lights, we went to eat at the Native New Yorker.

They have the best bbq wings ever! (We ate there with Steve when we

took some of Holly's stuff down the 1st time and had to return.)

They have lots of good food there! After that we went back to

Holly's apartment to play games. At midnight we watched the fireworks!

HOLLY'S BIRTHDAY!!

For Holly's birthday, we went to the Botanical Garden and spent some time walking around. It was a very large area. Then we went to eat at an Asian food place. We then went back to Holly's for her birthday cheesecake that we picked up at the Cheesecake Factory the night before.

A picture of all of us at the Botanical Garden.

We took lots of pictures here (too many to post)

and had a really good time.

A Christmas tree made out of poinsettias.

You can tell that it was unseasonably cold, because

all the poinsettias are starting to shrivel from the cold.

I am sure it was beautiful in it's prime.

These 3 trees are a glass sculpture done by the same artist that did

the sculpture for the Symphony Hall here.

Holly's Birthday Cheesecake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!

We did a lot of other things. Holly showed us the sights of the area she lives. We shopped for her birthday and enjoyed our time spent with her. As her dad always says, "SHE'S A GREAT KID!" (He says that about his other daughter also.) We are blessed with the BEST!!

CHRISTMAS

It was so fun to have my children together for Christmas this year. I have really been missing spending time with the girls. This past year was one of change for our family. Heather got married in January and Holly moved to Arizona in August. John and I have adjusted to being empty nesters, but we really like it when we can all be together. Holly flew in on the Wednesday night before Christmas. On Thursday, we went to see the Lights on Temple Square, the play SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, and then to dinner. Heather and Brian got stuck in traffic and just barely made it in time for the play. We were so HAPPY they made it in time for the play and for dinner after. We missed them while looking at the lights.

Holly and Mom

Heather and Brian stayed over for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. It was so fun all being under the same roof again. John and I truly feel blessed to have such wonderful children that we enjoy spending time with!

Heather's creative wrap job on her father's present.

(Who can guess what it was?)

Holly opening one of her gifts.

Brian with his surprise gift from Santa!

We had a GREAT Christmas this year! We are so grateful for our wonderful children and the good time that we had together.

CHRISTMAS EVE

TRADITIONS! Where would we be without them, right!! For as long as I can remember, Christmas Eve has always been as fun, and in some cases, funner than Christmas day. My mom started the tradition when we were younger for family to gather, EAT, have a special family home evening (that always included the Christmas story), and then EAT some more. I remember my grandparents coming and as the older siblings got married, they would come with their cute families. The excitement in the air of the anticipated arrival of Santa amongst the children and just spending time with the people you love most, makes for a very exciting evening. Some of my very best memories with my family comes from this tradition! My memories of Christmas's at my parent's home where the presents under the tree came clear out to the middle of the living room floor, because of the number of people celebrating Christmas there, will always be special ones. The last one that Mary Jane was with us, where her and Barry spent hours putting stickers on a doll house, with all of us laughing and joking will always be dear to me. I could go on and on - but back to the present!

I still love the tradition of gathering family for Christmas Eve. We feel fortunate that some of my siblings and their families don't mind joining our family for this special evening. The more the MERRIER!! This year we had lots of appetizers. So many, in fact, that no one was hungry for the soup I made. So it was decided we will just stick to appetizers next year and forget the soup. Of course we will always have all the yummy goodies to eat for dessert. We played the dice game for the adults and children. We read the Christmas story. (Is this sounding familiar?) Barry (our Santa look-a-like) read TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS to all the children. But mostly, we just had a lot of fun spending time together! (thanks Mom & Dad for starting such an awesome tradition) Thanks to my family who came for helping to make this Christmas Eve so enjoyable! Maybe we will have more of you next year!

The kids playing the dice game!

ABOUT TIME

I think updating blogs is a hard thing to keep on top of. I seldom remember to take pictures at events and even forgot to take my camera on our two trips to Arizona this summer. The end of July we went to Arizona twice. Once to find an apartment for Holly and a week later to move her into her new apartment in Tempe. That was hard for me to have her move so far away, but she seems to be doing really well and adjusting to the one season of Arizona. HOT! When we went to move her, we stopped in St. George and went to see TARZAN at Touahcan. It was incredible! I really enjoyed that part of the trip. We will have to go there again. Holly is working at a rehab center in Scottsdale for her clinical fellowship year. She is keeping really busy.

Heather and Brian finished the remodel of their house and our now officially landlords. They rented out their house the 1st of November and they moved to an apartment in Provo to be closer to Heather's school and Brian's work. Their house looked incredible! They put in so much hard work. Hopefully their tenants will take good care of the place.

John and I have been getting used to being empty-nesters and enjoying our time together. We have found that we really do like being together and doing things together. We helped both girls with their moves and marvel at what fine individuals they are! We sure feel blessed to have such wonderful children (and a wonderful son-in-law too)!!

We are looking forward to the upcoming holidays. Holly will be home the weekend after Thanksgiving so we will be celebrating then and she will be home again for Christmas. I am so glad that we get to spend time with our girls during the holidays! We will soon be putting up the outside Christmas Lights and it won't be long until the inside decorations are donned. (Thanksgiving) I love the holidays and the cheery atmosphere that they bring. It has been a beautiful fall season and winter has tried to creep in - snow will soon be sticking to the ground.

Hopefully I will remember to take pictures during the holidays and will post more then. I sure love my family and extended family and hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Good reasons to visit some Historic sites

A few weeks ago, John, Holly, and I returned from a fabulous vacation to Philadelphia, PA, West Orange, NJ, and Washington, DC. WE HAD THE BEST TIME!!! Our 1st reason to go was for the wedding of our nephew, Eric Wellington to Kristy Sandello. We decided to make it a longer vacation to celebrate Holly graduating with her Master's degree. It was different not having Heather along, but I guess some things have to change as children get married. (We will have to work on a big family vacation when everyone can go.)

Our vacation started in Philadelphia, visiting National Landmarks there. We followed lots (and by lots I mean swarms) of school children around Liberty Square. We were with school children our entire trip as we visited the sites. It must have been field trip week for the schools.

INDEPENDENCE HALL

The courtyard where the Declaration of Independence was read for the 1st time.

Our tour guide was quite a character. This is the signing room and she is holding a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Nancy (and all her school buddies) by the Liberty Bell.

Holly eating a famous Philly Cheesesteak at a local restaurant that was featured on food network for their cheesesteak sandwiches.

WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY

Eric and Kristy's Wedding

The Chateau where the wedding was held.

Eric's dad, Bishop Wellington, performed the ceremony. On cue, two deer came down to the pond behind Brad (so I am told by my husband - I did not see them). It was a beautiful location and a lovely ceremony.

This is Anne and Thatcher's daughter, Makennah. She is adorable and didn't seem to mind hanging out with me on occasion. This is the first time we met her since her birth.

This is Hannah, the flower girl, dancing with the father of the bride. She stole the hearts of many on the dance floor. She danced the night away!

This is a picture to prove that John actually danced with me! I know - it was hard for me to believe that he would do it too! I think he felt peer pressure as his older brother asked his wife to dance first. That's them to the left side of us.

The happy couple!

OUR TWO DAY VISIT TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL

Holly outside the National Archive Building

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

This is us posing with the statue that was seen in the movie "Night at the Museum".

John imitating the hippo

John and Holly on the Mall with the Smithsonian in the background.

Korean War Monument

Lincoln Monument

World War II Monument

Vietnam Monument

Monument honoring nurses during war time

Holly outside the Library of Congress

Inside the lobby of the Library of Congress

Holly and John

The Capitol Building

Rubbing your feet here is supposed to bring you good luck.

A view of the dome. It was so beautiful!

Jim Matheson's intern, giving us the tour of the capitol.

Plaque honoring the passengers of the flight that went down in Pennsylvania after the passengers overtook the high jackers on 9/11. This plane was supposed to crash into the Capitol.

MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Abe Lincoln's top hat

Abe Lincoln's timepiece

Vote for John for President?

Piece of the Berlin Wall

John with our sweet ride - a Jeep Patriot.

MOUNT VERNON

The George Washington Family with part of the John Wellington Family.

Check out all the school children waiting to get inside President Washington's home. Lucky for us we were able to reserve a time by paying a couple of dollars more and we didn't need to stand in this line.

This trip was filled with many movie references from both National Treasure movies as well as Night at the Museum - a night at the Smithsonian. John is big on movie trivia and received many warnings from Holly that there needed to be ten minutes between references. We grew to appreciate our forefathers even more and feel greater pride in belonging to such a wonderful nation. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and appreciated the one on one time with Holly. It was really nice to be able to spend time with Brad and Marilyn and their family and go to Eric and Kristy's wedding. We wish we could visit them more often as we really enjoy their company. It was a difficult time for Marilyn, as her mother passed away a few days before the wedding. She was so good to feed us on Sunday after church, even though they needed to pack and be ready to leave the next day for the funeral. We so appreciate and love them!!!!

Sorry this blog is so long, but we rarely go on such big adventures and I don't often have anything exciting to blog about.