Grandpa Great

Approximately 2 weeks ago we were all blown away by the news that Grandpa Boyd had just suffered a massive heart attack. He spent some time in the hospital and then was brought home to recover. Just a couple of days after returning home, my grandma took him to the hospital in the early morning hours because of some shortness of breath and pain he was experiencing. He was immediately life-flighted down to Ogden. The doctors said he needed to have surgery to replace one of the valves of his heart but only gave him a 25% chance of surviving; however, if they didn't do anything, he would die. The decision was made to go ahead with the surgery.

I wish everyone could have seen the intensive care unit waiting room that night. The Smart family is an incredible family. There were well over 30 people gathered at short notice, praying for grandpa and loving and supporting grandma. Grandma and grandpa are two of the most amazing people you will ever meet. Even as we sat waiting for news about grandpa, grandma came and sat by me and held my hand and with tears in her eyes said how sorry she was for me and how she can't imagine how hard it must be to go through what I am going through. I just hugged her and cried and told her it was because of people like her and family like this that we can get through the hard times.

The surgery went well and over the following days he has continued to improve. My mom sent a text two days following the surgery that read, "We just visited grandpa. He responded to voices, nodded and gave a little smile. When the nurse chased us out he didn't want Phyllis to go. So tender!"

Now, only four days post surgery, his heart is working completely on its own and he is beginning the long road to recovery. My parents and I drove down to see him this evening and took the kids along with us. My dad was in the room for a few minutes before me and must have mentioned that we had the kids with us because as soon as I entered the room and took his hand to say hello, he asked in his raspy weak voice "Ella...where's Ella?" I had left the kids in the waiting room with my mom but immediately ran out to get her. I held her hand as we walked back to his room and told her that grandpa had asked to see her, that he couldn't talk very well, but he would probably want to hold her hand.

As we entered the room Ella walked right over to the bed. Grandpa said again, "Ella" and raised his hand. Ella grabbed his hand and held it, looked him in the eyes, and gave him one of her sweet smiles. He smiled at her, squeezed her hand, and then shakily brought her hand up and kissed it. Ella giggled and we told her she could blow him a kiss, which she did. I was so touched and so proud of my little girl. She is so sweet and sensitive and I am thankful to be her mom.

I am also thankful to be the granddaughter of these two wonderful people.

Can't you just see how much they love each other.

beauties

Check out these beauties I found on my camera this morning.

I can't wait until she's a teenager. She will love these.

some faves

Wanted to share a few of the things we are really enjoying at the moment in case you want to partake.

1. Lulu and the Brontosaurus.

Silly Lulu. The kids laugh their heads off.

2. Mexican hot chocolate.

I was introduced to this a month or two ago and I've been in love ever since.

Find it at your local grocer.

3. Wrestling in the snow...or pretty much anything to do with the snow.

The kids have spent hours outside this week. That makes us all happy.

Yes, that is Logan with the pink princess boots and pink mittens. He's the third child, what can I say?

I'm back

I'm back, not only from that weird party I was at yesterday but from an awesome weekend. It all started with a quick visit from sister Michelle, who brought along a can of goodies to send with me...you know, things like Gatorade, gum, running socks, energy jelly beans, etc.

Thanks, Michelle!

It was fun getting to know these ladies better. The race was very enjoyable. I felt bad disappointing my kids when I had to let them in on the sad news that I didn't actually win the race.

And look, I even had enough energy for a cartwheel to celebrate my accomplishment.

I missed my kids like crazy. When they were returned to me Sunday evening, I opened the van door and Ella jumped into my arms, squeezed me tight around the neck, and whispered, "Will you hold me like this all night?" The boys also gave me big hugs and kisses. I then peeked in at Landon in his carseat, not knowing if he was awake, and he was staring up at me with his big blue eyes. When I smiled at him he broke into a huge grin and began shaking his head back and forth, which is what he does when he is really excited. Oh, how I missed them.

Ditto

For those of you who know my 2-year-old Logan and have heard him use this phrase on many occasions, I would like to express myself as he would:

Not Fair!

Okay, that's all. By morning I will be done with this party of pity, but for now...

Not Fair!

before I go

Oh, and before I go...

Where? you might ask...

to ST. GEORGE!!!!,

I've been meaning to do this for a while. I'm not much of a resolution person, but after thinking about it a lot, I would like to share my resolutions. Here they are:

1. Drink more water.

2. Tell my kids I love them and give them physical demonstrations of my affection every day.

That's it. Seem simple? Maybe. Now, there may or may not be some things deep in my mind that I'm not ready to share at this time, but this is my starting point. If I happen to accomplish some other super things like running a half marathon (happening this weekend), starting a preschool, being happy and content with my situation, etc., then you'll see me smiling. Okay, possibly not smiling upon completion of half marathon...but maybe. We'll see.

Ella Bella

Ella celebrates her 6th birthday this week. We started her birthday celebrations off with a friend party on Saturday. One of these things is not like the other...can you find it?

Lincoln has no qualms about being the only boy at a "sweetheart" party, really probably enjoyed it more than anyone.

We decorated heart sugar cookies.

We played "pin the nose" on the crazy heart lady I tried to draw.

y.

We also sewed a little valentine heart pillow for each girl...and boy.

The End

some pics

Love this girl!

Smile...and drool...if you are happy to be 6 months old!

My superheroes!

fhe

I got a fun idea off the television while running on the treadmill this morning. Thought I would try it out for family home evening. You start with a plastic tablecloth with plates and utensils drawn on with permanent marker.

You explain to the kids that this is it...this is what they get to use to eat their dinner. They giggle for a bit over this. Then you serve up the food and let them have it.

They thought it was pretty fun. Easy clean up too!

a date

I went on a date the other night.

There was hand holding,

door opening,

smiling,

air hockey,

ice cream cone licking,

and oh, so much love.

I think all the other girls at the fun park were a bit jealous. And who wouldn't be, when this guy was my date...

Maybe a little more explanation is needed. I insisted on holding hands, though Lincoln was eager to accommodate. Lincoln tried to open the door for me, but unfortunately the fun park door is just a bit too heavy. There was lots of smiling and lots of love, though. It ended with him exclaiming, "Our date was soooo much fun, mom, especially for me."

missing you

We are really missing these 2 lovely ladies around here. Beautiful aren't they? It's a quiet house without their little family with us.