spring 2024

In April Cameron Accepted an assignment to serve as a service missionary here in Las Vegas.  We went up to Utah and the family had a little get together to celebrate his choice to serve.  We packed up his apartment and then headed to the Manti temple open house.  

This temple is beautiful.  Its an old pioneer temple.  I received my endowment here.  It is also the temple we would travel to when we were kids living in Blanding.  We would all pile in a school bus with the youth and travel to Manti to do baptisms and watch the Manti pageant.  I loved those trips.  I have many memories of rolling down this hill.

I slammed my own finger in the door and broke it.  Like I don't already have enough things to worry about.  Because it broke the skin I was at high risk for infection.  

I ended up being fine but had to get stitches and wear this beautiful finger guard. 

The girls went to the church formal.  It was kind of a bust but they had fun anyway.

I try to get some sun each day but I had to keep myself covered up.  I am still sensitive to the sun and my head is still bald. 

my finger is so crooked.

The girls spent an entire day helping Dave fix the sunroof in their car. 

Cameron and Jace and another guy Luke had their farewells on the same day.  Cameron gave a really good talk.  He is excited to start his missionary service. 

This is how Maddy Lauryn decided to spy on Clara while she was on a date.

I love them.  

Cameron got set apart as a missionary. 

He got to serve with our friend, Holden Drewes. 

Before my big surgery we decided to make one last trip to the beach and Disneyland.  It was a good choice.  

We got to the beach late at night.  I went swimming for about 2.5 seconds.  The ocean at night freaks me out.  Clara and Dave are fearless.

The girls and I got up early to make the most of our day

We had a great time.  It wasn't too crowded.  We only did Disneyland because we had one day but it was so much fun to go take a trip before I am laid up. 

Cameron is a fun person to travel with.  Even as a little guy he never complains and he loves everything.  

We took a drive to the beach before we headed home and there were dolphins breaching just off shore.  It was one of the coolest things to see. 

My big surgery took 2 surgeons 9 hours to complete.  It was intense.  I stayed in the hospital for two days.  I was supposed to stay longer but my body responded really well so they let me go home.  I was in a lot of pain and couldn't stand up by myself.  I couldn't move without a walker.  It was really hard.  I even had to have help going to the bathroom.  I couldn't go up the stairs so Dave and I slept on the recliners for two weeks.  As much as I hated this whole process I don't hate the time that Dave and I spent together.  He took really good care of me.  We had our shows we would watch until the drugs knocked me out.  

I sometimes wondered if I would ever feel normal again.  The answer is no.  I don't think I will ever feel "the same" but that is OK.  As long as I use this experience to grow and learn it will be OK.  The changes in my body are a constant reminder of how lucky I am to be alive.   

I use this blanket every time I have surgery and for every chemo treatment.  It brings me a lot of peace and comfort.  I  know it was made with love. 

after two weeks, Kristin came to help take care of me so Dave could go in to the office   we had fun with the kids but probably did too much.  I ended up getting infected and had to go back on antibiotics.  I was so sick of sitting around.  I was pretty much on bedrest for two months except when I broke the rules.  

We went to the imaginarium museum.  This place is trippy. 

We were also able to go to the temple. 

In June after I had recovered a little better I took the girls and Maddy to Sand Hollow to go cliff jumping.  They are crazy and we had a blast. 

2024 February and march

The girls performed again with Zions Youth symphony and chorus.  This group has been a huge blessing to them.  They play inspirational music that helps them feel closer to their Father in Heaven.  

We were glad Grammy and Grandad could come this year.

With their best friend, Maddy

Jacob and Ben Childs

The girls went to the beach with Maddy and Franny for Spring Break.  Danni King was nice enough to take the girls on a dream trip.

They had the best time

These girls have known each other their whole lives.  They were all born in our ward.  They will be friends for life.  what a blessing.  

The girls had a tournament in Indianapolis.  We all went out to cheer them on.  Cameron met us there.  It was so fun to have him join us. 

We stayed in a beautiful hotel. 

One day we went exploring out in Amish country

On another day we went out to Indiana University.  We love to go check out football stadiums.  

Dave. Cameron and I went to a pro basketball game.  I had never been before.  It was fun but our seats were up high and I was so sick.  This was the worst I have ever felt during chemo.  This trip was hard for me.  

This tournament was rough in a lot of ways.  I was super sick.  Probably should have stayed home but there was no way I was going to miss.  It was also rough because the girls have had a tough time with the club and their team this season.  They haven't been treated well.  There have been some really awful things said and done to them.  It has been a toxic environment and has beat them down to the point that after this tournament they decided to quit.  We never let our kids quit anything but this environment was tearing them down spiritually.  It is so sad to see but the girls are strong and they have learned so much about standing up for yourself and what kinds of situations help you feel the spirit. 

One of the blessings of club volleyball is running in to old teammates.  This is one of my high school teammates and one of my best high school friends.  Her name is Amy Boone.  We had a great time together but had lost touch.  It was so awesome to catch up with her and to see how happy and successful she is.  Her daughter plays for one of the best teams in the country.  She is really good and it was fun to watch her play. 

I finished chemo.  This was an emotional day for me.  Chemo is a grind.  I tolerated it very well but by the last 5-6 weeks I was not feeling great.  I was so sick.  It was such a relief to know I was not longer putting this crap in my body and I could start to heal.  My chemo lab doesn't do a bell ringing or anything like that.  I think its because a lot of people sleep during their treatments and they want to keep it quiet and peaceful.  Dave made me this huge medal and got me beautiful flowers.  

Titan was happy that I was done too. 

My hair

For Cameron's birthday some of his friends planned a party at topgolf.  This is with Shelby Nebeker

Brooke Adair has been Cameron's best friend his whole life. 

Time for a shower for Titan.  He actually loves it.