A Quick, but much Needed Trip!

At the end of April and the beginning part of May I was able to take a short, but much needed trip back to Idaho. It was for a quick five day stay but it was the first time I have gone anywhere without my boys with me, especially an overnight stay anywhere. Going through an airport without any kids was such a breeze. I almost didn't know what to do with myself! I kept feeling like I needed to get some fruit snacks out or something and my hands seemed really restless. I had a trusty Kindle with me and by the time I reached Idaho for my travel day, I had finished a 400+ page novel!! WOW!! Only having to worry about just me, made red flag kid scenarios like: drinks with no lids, confined areas, breakable objects, head counts, and potty breaks such a breeze!! Who would have thought!! :) My boys were well taken care of though by my wonderful Mother-in-law or Mom #2 and they where indeed showered with love, treats and favorite eat out places. Thank you again Diana for you love and support, the boys loved your visit!! Top reason why for this quick no kid trip? These gals right here, especially the one in the middle.

My Sister's Jessa, Emily, and Sophie.

My Sister Emily was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had a bump on the top of her head that over three or so years slowly grew and became tender. During those years she had spoken her concern about the bump to various doctors and was given different "It's no big deal" conversations. It wasn't until she was seeing her daughter Quincy's doctor (who was helping with Quincy's cleft lip and palette) was she recommended to receive the needed MRI scans to get a her diagnosis. The waiting game of more doctor's appointments, tests, and results was unnerving for everyone in the family. I know without a doubt Emily's positive attitude and will power to get what needed to be done, well done; strengthened others around her and helped put life into perspective. While my family had gathered to together to give her a special priesthood blessing on a Sunday afternoon sometime before her surgery in Idaho, I was in Chicago giving a lesson to my Young Women about the blessings of the priesthood. Such a blessing that each one of my siblings (that is married) has a worthy priesthood holder within their home. And for Sophie who isn't in the married life yet, she has our Dad to go to at any time for that same blessing.

Emily had her surgery April 12, 2011. It went as well as anyone could have expected. There were alot of unanswered questions going in on the surgery which made things tense, but everything came back positive. The tumor was benign!! Yea!! Also the tumor was sitting on top of a main vein on Emily's brain and they couldn't tell exactly how fused it was to the tumor or if at all before the surgery. The main vein had actually rerouted itself and the surgeons were able to seal it off successfully and remove the tumor.

This is my very funny and always entertaining Brother-in-law Joe, Emily's Husband. He was so great and strong for her, although as you can see in this photo was in much need of a nap! Such a trooper. He kept family and friends updated through facebook. Here are some of his posts:

APRIL 9th ... An update on Emily. She has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She will be admitted to the hospital in Salt Lake on Monday and the actual removal of the tumor will be on Tuesday. At this point we really don't know much. I will update her status regularly over the next week or so. -Joe

APRIL 12th ... Emily is out of surgery! Doing well. Tumor is benign. Skull has been reconstructed. She may need radiation, as a precaution. She lost 4 pints of blood. That's half of total blood in her body. Thank you for your prayers and faith! -Joe

APRIL 13th ... Update on Emily. She is still in the ICU. She remains very positive, very funny and extremely grateful. Due to the swelling of her brain she has lost the ability to move her right leg below her knee. Of all teh possible side effects, that is one that we can live with. I cannot accurately express my gratitude to each one of you, for your concern and prayers. Thank you-Joe

APRIL 16th...Update on Emily. She is home from the hospital!! Still no movement in her right leg. She is very optimistic and counting her blessings. Good news is she can't kick me for awhile.-Joe

Emily is a strong willed person always making others around her happy. She is a great mother to her five children and a great sister to me and others in our family. We are so happy how things are progressing with her and it seems like now we are having to nag her a bit about taking it easy and not to over do it. But again she is a capable strong willed person with a great work ethic, something we can thank our parents for, a attentive mother and teacher.

I really liked Emma Jean's (a nickname I believe I gave her) short hair cut. She cut it a couple of weeks before her surgery with the attitude, "Might as well have some fun with it" comment. I think she resembles an classic Aubrey Hepburn!! She rocks it! Emily continues to do well. She has more doctors visit to do down the road and possible radiation treatments. She is gaining more and more movement to her right leg and was given shock therapy to trigger signals back to her brain like "Hello, someone just shocked our foot!" seemed crazy to me but it is helping her. I know our Heavenly Father has truly watched over her and blessed her and her family for their faithfulness to turn to Him and become strengthened.

Also while I was back home, I was really flexible being without kids. I visited each of my siblings houses and spent time with them all which was very nice. My dad needed to move cattle while I was there. Riding horses is such a thrill each time I do it, but I always liked working with the horses in directing cattle about and getting a job done. Had a nice ride along side my Dad taking the horses across the river and enjoying the scenery.

I found a great after Easter sale on some filled eggs and was able to put on a post Easter Hunt with all the kids. I think I even succeeded in a great hunt for my dad too! He was chasing the kids around making it fun for everyone. Love that guy!

My funny Mr. Calvin-ator!!! Such a great kid. Loved it when I would ask him if he wanted something he would reply in a too cute voice "Yes, I do". I caught myself coping him at different times during the visit "Do you want to play cards Fay?" "Yes, I do!"

My spent my first night in Idaho at Jessa and Trent's house after a great family dinner with everyone in Idaho Falls. Jessa is currently going to school for interior design and is able to give her designs to a business man who brings her sketches to life. This is a picture of a game table she designed and the kitchen she is over and giving her pick of the granite top she wants placed on it. These items are being built in a new showroom that she is involved with. Fun things are happening there! I would totally buy her stuff!

Had so much fun with my nephew Ryder. I made sure we went to Artic Circle to get some fry sauce yummmmmmy and shakes. Ryder was hilarious when we let him watch himself eat ice cream on Jessa's iPhone!! He became mesmerized with it!

Max and Lacie's little boy Boston is just a cute big smiley boy!!! His giggles were cracking us all up! I was able to have a late night movie showing at Max and Lacie's house one night. We watched the latest Harry Potter film and I got some extra play time with miss Bailey!

I needed this trip. I needed time spent with the family. I was really glad I had the chance to spend time with my mom as well. She can always make any gathering a special one just by the effort she puts into them. It was funny to make Sophie laugh really hard and joke around with her. My dad even participated with his own little jokes at times. Genuine good stuff right there. My mom also drove me back to the airport in Salt Lake and we had a bit of time to browse a HUGE home decoration store together. Now all that needs to be down is to plan the next trip!! Thank you all for such a great time!