Tubeless

It's true!!
After 112 days, two stays in the hospital, one for 24 days,
another major surgery, an abscess the size of a softball,
pain, pain and more pain,
Benjamin is TUBE free.
His NJ tube
(feeding tube placed into through his nose far into his small intestine)
accidentally became dislodged one week ago today.
With some small convincing from me...
they decided to remove it instead of replacing it.
If he could maintain or gain weight it could stay out.
Yesterday he saw the GI and has gained 2 ounces
...without the tube.

Woo Hoo!!!!!
He also went back to school full time Monday. :)
He is so happy to be back in the saddle.
He is eating anything he wants, and everything he wants.
All is well. Hopefully, he is done being a sick boy.

We truly feel the Lord's blessings in our lives,
and are grateful for the power of the priesthood
and the power of prayer.

I will post a picture of the new improved, fuller faced Benjamin soon.

Seasons

Winter is fully upon us.
I for one am full of joy to finally see the snow.
We have been freezing for weeks without the benefit of the pure white stuff.

Sunday was fast Sunday.
Bailee shared her testimony.
While sharing her testimony she also shared an experience from Seminary....

Friday during Seminary her teacher showed them
slide after slide of winter scenes.
Pure white snowy scenes.
He told them a snow storm is like the atonement.
The snow is pure, white and untouched.
When it first falls or is falling it's also quiet.
You feel peace when looking at it.
The world is blanketed.
But as the days pass and people walk on it
it gets grey and dirty. Not as pure and pretty anymore.
Then it snows again....Pure white.
He then explained how this is like the atonement.
Whenever we repent or partake of the sacrament
it is like a blanket of pure white snow has just fallen.
All is perfect and calm.

She then said, "when you see the snow and feel a little frustrated
that you will have to shovel or drive in it.
Try and look at it this way.
Feel the saviors love, and peace while looking at this blanket of pure white.
And know it is like your spirit after repenting.

I for one love the white stuff.

I love the seasons we enjoy by living in this great state.

I don't love the freezing cold...

But the good with the bad right?

The "Trees"

Brooklyn performing the part of "Clara" from the "Nutcracker"

Trees, trees and more trees. Beautiful trees.

Yesterday we went to the "Festival of the Trees".
Brooklyn's dance class was performing
so we made an event out of it and took Benjamin as well.


WOW!!

I have not been since I was a Laurel.
I had always been misinformed that it was terribly expensive.
NOT TRUE!! $4.00. That's it.

Well worth the worthy cause.

Trees decorated in every imaginable theme.
Sports Teams
Princess
Winnie the Pooh
Disney
Fishing
Racing
Reading
John Deere
The Grinch
etc. etc.

Sold at huge amounts of $$!
I heard on the radio that it earns over...
One million Dollars a year for Primary Children's.

Plus add the fudge shop with many goodies besides fudge.
The gingerbread houses.
The wreaths.
All of it amazing.

You too can see this wonderful
Christmas extravaganza
until tomorrow.

I think it ends December 5th.

Load up the kids and go!

P.S. We ran into a member of Benjamin's surgical team.
She saw him first...and said she almost didn't recognize him.
She could NOT believe he was the same boy.
She hugged him and was soooo glad to see him looking so good. :)

"GLEE"

It's a craze!!

A teenage craze!!

Although I am not a teenager

I admit I have joined the throngs

and I do watch this craziness.

I have been drawn in by the teenagers,

those who live in and those who just visit my house.

It is slightly inappropriate at times...

I'm not ganna lie. :)

However, the music is awesome.

Often times they sing remakes of popular 80's songs.

I was a teen in the 80's right?

So it makes sense that these songs appeal to me.

"Can't Stop Believing" is my ring tone.

-Sigh-

The season comes to an end next week.

Probably a good thing.

We can all have a pause from this craziness.

Any of you "Glee" fans?

Any of you admit it?

Just wonderin'