(Covering 30 January through 13 Feb 2010)

Good Morning my Darling Daughters,

I didn't write to you last week because I was right there with you. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to spend time with both of you and to feel of your love. But now it is time to recap so that my journal is complete.

Two weeks ago Sunday (30 Jan), we had the opportunity to see Gladys Knight and the Unified Saints singers. It was spectacular. The boys had four tickets for Sunday afternoon, but they couldn't find anyone to go with them, so we gave those to Tiffany Womble so that she could go with her boys. We had five tickets that I thought were for Sunday evening, but when I looked at them again, they were for Saturday. We decided to try going standby, and I am glad we did. (John decided to stay home and relax.) It was raining lightly during our wait, but not to annoyance. We were among the very last to enter, but we still got four seats together, and the performers walked right past us and the beginning and the end of the concert.

Gladys Knight is a wonderful sister. Her testimony was very touching. I am hoping that the missionaries receive many referrals through this event. The program was so lovely. It was wonderful. But we will have to hear her sing "A Mid-night Train to Georgia" on a different kind of occasion. One brother, maybe a member of Rancho Cucamonga's stake presidency, gave a first discussion from the pulpit. It truly was a wonderful evening.

That Monday (31 Jan) was so long ago, but I'm certain that Christine and I did school and that she volunteered at the library. Thinking back, I am pretty sure that is also the day that I went to visit Gail Purcell while Christine was at the library. It was a pleasant surprise for her. She is such a dear friend. I believe that I lifted her spirits, and I know she did mine. Then we picked up Christine and the three of us went out to lunch.

Tuesday (1 Feb) is the day that Eliza called me to let me know that she was going to have surgery on Friday. They set that up fast! She saw the primary care doctor the Friday before, the surgeon on Tuesday, and had the surgery on Friday. One week. I'm glad since she has been dealing with the annoyance of these infections for over half a year.

I really felt like I should be there for Eliza's surgery. But there were other bonuses to going to Utah during this time: Ashlynn was baptized on Saturday; Kathy is failing because of the spread of her cancer; and my mom is struggling with her health as well. Anyhow, I texted Sheila on Wednesday morning (2 Feb) to ask if we could stay at her house. She and Mark were on a cruise at the time. I let her know that Eliza was having surgery and that it wasn't common knowledge. I also let her know that we'd be going to Ashlynn's baptism, and that no one else knew that we'd be there. We wanted to surprise everyone. Sheila, of course, texted back that we could stay there. Initially, we planned to drive home on Monday morning, but it wasn't until Friday that we did.

While Christine was volunteering at the library on Wednesday, I went to the temple. Of course, I put Eliza's and Cathy's names on the prayer roll. I put others, too, but I can't remember whom currently. It was nice to have the opportunity to serve there and to hear the prayer of the prayer circle. The past few times the prayer was that those who were ill would be healed; this time the wording was if it were according to the Lord's will.

Earlier I'd told Gail that the prayer circle prayers were quite strong in saying that those who were ill would be healed. In relationship to Aunt Kathy, I said to Gail, "I don't know if that is supposed to make me feel hopeful or what." She said, "It is to let you know that she won't be taken a day before her time." I really like that. There is so much wisdom in that statement, and I believe it.

Anyhow, I am glad that I could go to the temple and have Eliza's name on the prayer roll before she had surgery. After picking Christine up at the library, we headed to the park on Greenspot Road (which would be a beautiful place to take engagement pictures), but we went there to pick oranges. We picked a whole lot this time.

Wednesday afternoon, I went to Barbara Staffo's house to teach the second discussion to her grandson Lawrence, along with the missionaries. The missionaries were supposed to come to our house to eat on Sunday, but I took the fixing for spaghetti to them to put together the dinner, since I would be gone Sunday. I also took a bag of oranges to them and to Sister Staffo.

The discussion went really well. Both Elders were brand new to this area, so they hadn't met Lawrence yet. Elder Brown was teaching him as he would any 14-year-old boy. When he realized that Lawrence had some special needs, he adjusted his teaching style appropriately and taught very well. Since Lawrence does Karate, both Elders used examples from Karate to help explain principles they were teaching. It was really good.

Thursday (3 Feb) Christine and I drove to Utah. Christine was coming done with a cold, plus the change in climate probably didn't help. But we had a good safe drive. We stopped in Provo to see Eliza. Alex and Eliza went to dinner with us at Panda Express, which was fitting since it was the Chinese New Year. I found out that Eliza was scheduled to be at the surgery center at 6:30 a.m. and that Alex would drive her there. I planned to be there as well. Alex and a roommate gave Eliza a blessing that night.

Christine and I got to Sheila's house pretty late. Since the vents in the basement were currently closed, and since Christine wanted to watch a movie, we both just slept upstairs in the TV room, Christine on the couch and me on the floor. I usually don't sleep well on the floor. (Not much of an exception, but I did okay.)

Friday (4 Feb), I got up early to go be with Eliza during surgery. I left Christine at Sheila's to sleep longer and to do some schoolwork when she woke up. I met Alex and Eliza at the surgery center. Once I was there, Alex left Eliza with me. I don't know if he felt awkward staying because I was there or because he didn't like the thought of Eliza in surgery. The time went by quickly, and the surgery went well. Eliza was quite sweet when she woke up. She asked the same questions a few times because she really wasn't all the way awake yet. I got to wait with her in post op while she returned to herself. They wanted to make sure that she could eat, walk, use the bathroom, and such before we left. The doctor explained a little to me what he did, but he wasn't back again to talk to Eliza when she was fully awake. So some of the questions had to wait for the Monday appointment.

After going back to Eliza's apartment to get her things and to pay rent (and for Eliza to say good-bye to Alex for a bit), we went back to Sheila's house. After we were settled in there, I left Eliza with Christine, and I went to pick up Cathy.

(Feb. 14, 2011 Happy Valentine's Day! I love you both very much.)

So that Friday night after Eliza's surgery, Eliza and I slept in the big bed downstairs, Christine slept on the couch upstairs again, and Cathy slept on top of Mark's and Sheila's bed. Eliza doesn't like to share a bed, so we changed the arrangement again the following night. But she did well for her first night after surgery.

Saturday (5 Feb) was indeed a special day. Ashlynn got baptized that day. Alex drove to Sheila's house so that he could also go with us. Alex and Eliza drove separately so that they could leave earlier from the luncheon afterwards. The surprise, shock, and happiness of my family when they saw that I was there was amazing. I really do wish that I had pictures of it all. Suzanne just had a look of confusion and question. Chris asked Suzanne why she didn't tell him I was coming. My parents were happy to see me. My sister Kathy started crying, then she told Cathy Sarah that she'd lied when she said a friend drove her there. My brother Jon asked, "What are you doing here?" Hahaha. It was so much fun. It was the best surprise. I was also glad that I hadn't told anyone in advance that Eliza had surgery because my mom had been in insta-care that Friday as well. She had a bad episode of seliac (sp.) and they needed to have her on an i.v. to rehydrate her.

Suzanne and Chris had a wonderful luncheon at their house. It was good to visit with everyone. Alex and Eliza left much earlier than we did. I was happy that Suzanne sent us home with some sandwich foods and vegetables so that I didn't have to buy dinner. When Christine, Cathy, and I left, we went by Distribution In Union Fort to get a Book of Mormon Stories book and a triple combination in large print. Also, there was a Smith's Food and Drug right there, and Bob called in a prescription for Christine. Her cold had gotten so much worse. That Z-pack really helped.

Alex and Eliza were watching a movie when we got to Sheila's. We all played Phase 10 that night. I WON! Not to rub it in or anything. Alex slept on the upstairs couch. Eliza slept in Mark's and Sheila's room. Cathy, Christine, and I slept in the downstairs bedroom. It worked.

Sunday (6 Feb) was a good day. Church started at 11 a.m. But Christine needed more sleep than that, and Eliza needed rest and didn't feel like sitting for that long. So Cathy and I went to Sacrament meeting in my parents' ward and then we went by the graves. Alex, Eliza, and Christine went to my parents house around 2 p.m. I got to sit next to Cathy and Brendan at church. He is a sweetheart. It was fun to visit with him during the meeting. When a sister was crying during her testimony, I asked, "Is she happy or sad?" He said, "Tears of joy." Then I asked, "Does your mom cry when she is happy?" He shook his head "No." Funny. We didn't stay at the graves long because it was so cold, but I am glad that we went.

Jon had bought two pizzas for lunch and Mom ordered two more. It was fun to have everyone there to visit. (Sue's and Jon's families.) Jon and Vanessa plan to get married in

April.; They would like to be sealed to each other. I am so happy for Jon.

Everyone was excited for the Super Bowl. I don't usually watch, and I really didn't this Sunday either, but it was fun to be with everyone. During half-time we headed back to Sheila's. I needed to drop Cathy off at her apartment as well, so she could go to work in the morning. Alex headed back to Provo after the game as well.

Sheila and Mark arrived home late on Sunday evening. We were already all fast asleep: Eliza in the bed of the downstairs bedroom and Christine on the floor; I slept on the couch downstairs. Monday was Sheila's birthday!

Eliza was planning on going to school after her check up with the doctor on Monday(7 Feb). But she felt a little headachy and then she threw up. The student doctor or nurse practitioner told her that it was a reaction to the pain medicine and that she could start taking Ibuprofen, too. But she did take one more day off to just rest.

When we got back to Sheila's, Jake and Adalynn were there. She really is a darling baby. Jake had watched Sheila's windows for her. (Just in time for the next snowstorm.) Kathy had gone with Mom (Grandma) to the mortuary that morning as well to pick out a casket and a funeral/burial plan. Then she called me about meeting for lunch. Jake wanted to take his mom to lunch as well.

Eliza stayed home, but Christine and I went to lunch at Chuckarama with Sheila, Jake, Adalynn, Grandpa, Grandma, Kathy, Suzanne, Crysta, Jake, and Hailey. It was fun to have another chance to visit with family during the busy week, and we had the workers there sing "Happy Birthday" to Sheila. It was fun. I took two pieces of baked chicken--one for Cathy's dinner and one for Eliza's (even though there were signs out that said this was theft. Then I felt guilty. I need to learn to be more honest. I could have bought a plate to go. I think they enjoyed them anyhow. ;-))

After lunch, Suzanne drove Kathy back to her place and Christine and I followed. We visited there for awhile. Kathy shared her testimony and a lovely song from a CD that her daughter-in-law had given her.She is really a wonderful example to all of us. I'm glad that the Spirit has helped her through this so greatly.

Christine and I then went to visit Cathy and helped her sort some things. I mopped her floors and got rid of unnecessary boxes in her closet. (The latter I may have done Monday. ?) We had fun being with her and visiting. Then Eliza asked when we were coming back. She had had a good nap and woke up hungry. So we went home with her chicken and a potato to bake.

Tuesday (8 Feb), Eliza had an appointment with the nurse and then went to classes. While she was in class, Christine and I drove towards Utah Lake because the scenery to the west looked so beautiful. But I couldn't find a road that actually went through. So much building since I lived there. But we found a new tract of housing with big, beautiful houses, and across the street was a field full of horses. We got out to look at the and take pictures. Pretty soon a few bold horses came over to say hello and then others followed. It was so much fun. It made the day for Christine.

We bought a curtain rod at Wal-Mart to use as a rod in Cathy's closet. We also bought three balloons for Robby's birthday. They didn't have any good shelves there for her closet though, only plastic drawers. So we found some good shelves at Lowe's. I purchased three of them in off white. Then we walked around the pet store until it was time to pick up Eliza.

After that we went to visit Cathy. Eliza wanted to go as well. She rested mainly while we were there. Christine put together the three beige shelves. Eliza and I helped a little. I got Cathy's closet sorted: the rod hung and two shelves inside. One shelf we put near the entrance to her apartment for her to put her shoes and bags on. After getting those things in order, we all had dinner at Wendy's. It was good to be together. When we got back to Cathy's apartment, we let one of the balloons go and sang "Robby's Lullaby."

Eliza's one wound started bleeding a little on Tuesday which worried us both. But the nurse said that it was normal on Wednesday and that everything still looked good. Still I didn't want Eliza to overdo.

Wednesday morning (9 Feb), Eliza packed everything up as though she were going to stay in Provo that night. I was going to meet my sisters to spend the afternoon and evening. But I really didn't want Eliza staying in her apartment yet. I thought she'd get better care and more rest at Sheila's house. So after I dropped her off at her class, I headed back to Lehi. Christine was doing a little better, too, so we had a chance to get caught up a little bit on her school. Also, Kathy went to the temple with a friend in the morning to do a few Initiatories. She really needed the afternoon to rest. Sheila had a meeting that was supposed to run from 1 until 3, but it got started way late. So things work out all right.

I picked Eliza back up from school and we rented a movie that she had to watch from Blockbuster in Orem. After getting Eliza back to Sheila's, I left her and Christine to go spend the evening with my sisters.

Suzanne and Sheila reached Kathy's place before me, but I wasn't too far behind. We sat and visited for quite a while, reminiscing and talking about gospel things and silly things--just being sisters. Then we went out to eat at Applebee's. (It's funny, Suzanne called me from Kathy's before Sheila or I had arrived and asked if we'd eaten yet. I said, no, and that I was starving. She asked what I wanted to do, and I said that I wanted us all to go out to eat and for Sheila to pay for it.) Sheila did pay for dinner. I knew she would.

After a fun visit at Abblebee's, we again visited at Kathy's. It was the most pleasant evening. It did not feel sad. In fact, it was full of bright hope and testimony. Even though I am sad and teary whenever I think of Kathy leaving this life. It was late when we all returned to our homes.

Thursday morning (10 Feb), I was feeling worried that I really hadn't visited my parents much. I felt sad about that, but I was still thinking that I'd wait for Eliza to be through with class and take her back to Sheila's again. I was thinking that I might need to stay until Saturday or Sunday. But Eliza was up and showered when I first saw her on Thursday. And she was packing to return to her apartment.

I felt peaceful about taking her back and that everything would be okay. I was still hoping that Alex would drop her off at school and pick her up as much as possible. (Usually they walk together.) But I felt my concern lifted to a large degree. Kathy even phoned to see if I could visit her and my mom. And because Eliza was ready to move on, it was possible. (She probably was the whole time; I just wasn't ready to let her go.)

So after Eliza's appointment with the nurse, we went by her apartment and got her things back upstairs. She got some lunch and then I dropped her off for class about an hour early. After that, I picked up Christine and we picked up Kathy, and then we went up to my parents. We got to see Jon and Grandpa and Jonah as well. But Grandpa left for the temple at his usual time. We dropped Grandma off at 4 p.m. So we only had a short time to visit together, but the main thing was just being together.

It is amazing how fast this week is flying, and I might get my letter/journal caught up by the end of it.

After dropping Grandma off at the temple, we picked up Cathy from her apartment. We went to the downtown Lowe's to get three chrome shelves for the kitchen, but they don't carry that size anymore. The store in Murray does. So we drove to Murray so that Cathy could buy those three, too. My sister Kathy was tired out by that time, so we dropped her off at home. Like I said earlier, not a lot of time to visit, but just fun being together. (I hope that wasn't our last meeting in this life. But, by the same token, I hope that she does not have to suffer long. I still keep praying that she will be cured if it's God's will.)

Then we went back to Cathy's apartment to get those shelves set up. Christine put the shelves together and I help Cathy stock them. Her apartment is so much more doable now that she has places to put her things. It really was looking good and it was fun to be able to help her this week. After we finished up, Cathy took Christine and me to dinner (at an Abblebee's again). We ordered two dinners (along with the appetizer) and shared. Still there was quite a bit leftover for Cathy to take home. It was now time to say good-bye to Cathy. I know that we'll be back there in April, but the good-byes are still tender.

Friday (11 Feb) we got an early start, and Christine and I drove home. Not much to say about that, except that it was a beautiful day and we zipped. It was good to be home. Christine and I beat the others home, so we had a chance to unwind. Dad was at work and the boys were at Disneyland. Dad and I went out to eat Friday evening. We checked out a shopping area in Fontana and ended up eating at Panera Bread. We both got a good salad.

Saturday (12 Feb) is a blur. I think that Christine did some school, since she missed doing so much while we were gone. Dad had a training meeting at the stake center; John had class; Tom had a job interview and Cold Stone, then he came home and watched the car and mowed the back lawn. He'd done the front while we were in Utah.

Sun (13 Feb) was so long ago. But it was good to be back to our ward. I really enjoy teaching Gospel Principles. I meant to have this letter caught up much more and be done with the next two weeks as well.

I hope that I can recall those days. I may just have to write a summery of feelings. I love you both. Have a wonderful new week.

Love,

Mom