tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40524351781741204342024-03-06T01:59:51.952-07:00The Ellsworth FamilyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-60948093998753525842010-02-06T15:27:00.005-07:002010-02-06T16:37:24.977-07:00Family PhotosI thought I would try to post some more pictures of the family and things we have done recently. Over Thanksgiving we took pictures with our family. Brandon took them with his spiffy camera and his remote control!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaCeG4IPlkl1jZsCKI7sMhz4SStO0_P3aNXzIgFV9ZndrIMHwys0MwdFXZ7v4eZs_FQSf3vRTrYGmq7iVw6-1h_XByJNJ00uUJnDdxScsr9fpCh3GnzJ76gYVvPrmBuhx1NREkVCOJWo/s1600-h/November+09-1-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaCeG4IPlkl1jZsCKI7sMhz4SStO0_P3aNXzIgFV9ZndrIMHwys0MwdFXZ7v4eZs_FQSf3vRTrYGmq7iVw6-1h_XByJNJ00uUJnDdxScsr9fpCh3GnzJ76gYVvPrmBuhx1NREkVCOJWo/s400/November+09-1-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435270667236563346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9hDHOgx2RV54CX4v_-7ICuT1UgTTayKNuXL4HOy89g-uZekOAWYWgSulQzVCz0eDkQE_A04nLsu1O_y2-IANsrfA0Xa2bcKudIIEgH5YFYIiB-xh9mpHkIFXZ8B1NPfITO1wDo8aSRU/s1600-h/November+09-2-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9hDHOgx2RV54CX4v_-7ICuT1UgTTayKNuXL4HOy89g-uZekOAWYWgSulQzVCz0eDkQE_A04nLsu1O_y2-IANsrfA0Xa2bcKudIIEgH5YFYIiB-xh9mpHkIFXZ8B1NPfITO1wDo8aSRU/s400/November+09-2-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435270652617784738" border="0" /></a>The girls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvO-SLEgAdpdkTJapuo582_bFwqDZ3yDUR9gccSqRiwdO7VrC-NjJa0mYTOZHyT4ok1g5vzWgLhroFrb4092fdw4Ha_0HFkywLck4VFwpIjWY0-klwfRrHV9c6vUG_hqy9n19uxHHfNU/s1600-h/New+Image.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvO-SLEgAdpdkTJapuo582_bFwqDZ3yDUR9gccSqRiwdO7VrC-NjJa0mYTOZHyT4ok1g5vzWgLhroFrb4092fdw4Ha_0HFkywLck4VFwpIjWY0-klwfRrHV9c6vUG_hqy9n19uxHHfNU/s400/New+Image.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435270643240575266" border="0" /></a>The girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL4j6thRe7FGCGg9ye963oBh6czIgzxXXBHlW19FHRJyFRpNPFJOz4cT5RnQd2WyCzbKduLMw24gktMWzIWu1E_FQUoLWpXnYj1QwiiEwUeiI671KTkB5QWDF0IsK2vBHa6498L4Y0bM/s1600-h/DSC_0726.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL4j6thRe7FGCGg9ye963oBh6czIgzxXXBHlW19FHRJyFRpNPFJOz4cT5RnQd2WyCzbKduLMw24gktMWzIWu1E_FQUoLWpXnYj1QwiiEwUeiI671KTkB5QWDF0IsK2vBHa6498L4Y0bM/s400/DSC_0726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435268180769705506" border="0" /></a>Rebecca and Joe.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl4jXJ-AL94G90ZMfL5ts8rEGea4It11D2yBaa5O-o6EmUR5epFjT8ZkIjQ2NhvnnTumlNF844DZE06f1kKSF5bCp8tuZVy6-ebVkS7Q_cIxcQWR0Y59kbPN0ehfWK3m__ziuwXYAQnI/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl4jXJ-AL94G90ZMfL5ts8rEGea4It11D2yBaa5O-o6EmUR5epFjT8ZkIjQ2NhvnnTumlNF844DZE06f1kKSF5bCp8tuZVy6-ebVkS7Q_cIxcQWR0Y59kbPN0ehfWK3m__ziuwXYAQnI/s400/1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435268171434224386" border="0" /></a>Mike and Linds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVjK-viwAnjRnrt7OUGXEkpd0pz4vPElm_frvPivo6ohaHZEgltzlxiObpZygZ3BNhq8q_qv3LhuKYxHs4G6hlao-8SN8_JW-ixiWqPvy7pyPBJnUOJ-DdsYfRiBkZ1AApo0Lht0s5Qs/s1600-h/4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVjK-viwAnjRnrt7OUGXEkpd0pz4vPElm_frvPivo6ohaHZEgltzlxiObpZygZ3BNhq8q_qv3LhuKYxHs4G6hlao-8SN8_JW-ixiWqPvy7pyPBJnUOJ-DdsYfRiBkZ1AApo0Lht0s5Qs/s400/4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435267527274373714" border="0" /></a>Steph and Brandon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbKPOHxVN3rxtxcJjxNIFQC8AAGHYlJwO8RevWD8PSSxcUxBv-roPTDmMaVFqYPDQGAkkMxyqF19gul1a-q952lAElBU4vfi8twz8Z8oNomZadBGb9UFeWvx19YbWPq8ksEb432KiOsM/s1600-h/3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbKPOHxVN3rxtxcJjxNIFQC8AAGHYlJwO8RevWD8PSSxcUxBv-roPTDmMaVFqYPDQGAkkMxyqF19gul1a-q952lAElBU4vfi8twz8Z8oNomZadBGb9UFeWvx19YbWPq8ksEb432KiOsM/s400/3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435267508833816610" border="0" /></a>Brittney and Fat Cat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalDUUna8UctJCm-efDJT6FCnwf8-NF5r4RZRnmKk6NtDEKhlzCvhzhPhlyfdcWa_aIyX2-rK4yTdEMPx7R4tvawaF_IpbWPylvQqXwU117PwSVAtCXwNMaYbg3wsshwnydepL3B1xILg/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalDUUna8UctJCm-efDJT6FCnwf8-NF5r4RZRnmKk6NtDEKhlzCvhzhPhlyfdcWa_aIyX2-rK4yTdEMPx7R4tvawaF_IpbWPylvQqXwU117PwSVAtCXwNMaYbg3wsshwnydepL3B1xILg/s400/2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435267497229493154" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-91128155190725254602010-01-12T22:45:00.004-07:002010-02-02T22:19:51.808-07:00HELLO! LONG TIME NO SEE!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTakqYzl5Zk96nAwP9nNuTjN0AL_AnY6H1t5vu4SADQ9S6hAa8l4P3Yr30QgJwW6Dwt5VhrhefJkiOZ8We5eJzu6xyR27iOidlvZPmyQCjwtqeyPCR0BTTP-a98hgrK86JWefiM1HjivBK/s1600-h/CIMG0949.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433879403718751666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTakqYzl5Zk96nAwP9nNuTjN0AL_AnY6H1t5vu4SADQ9S6hAa8l4P3Yr30QgJwW6Dwt5VhrhefJkiOZ8We5eJzu6xyR27iOidlvZPmyQCjwtqeyPCR0BTTP-a98hgrK86JWefiM1HjivBK/s400/CIMG0949.JPG" border="0" /></a> THIS IS BRITT SINGING AT 'SHOWCASE AT CHATFIELD. SHE DID A GREAT JOB!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV_FeaMHqVvbloh2YUFIyCwuHcVGvyMQUrm1i-pZbTboGqv8WdEjFXr5WjB0QOfmB8e5rbzlYoPDB8dNCWKNO94rVwcpkBuAI9fEF0beSDF4xN_Uq2j7xJOIN3pLGXLdvAOj7gRE4zwTX/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433879398517162130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV_FeaMHqVvbloh2YUFIyCwuHcVGvyMQUrm1i-pZbTboGqv8WdEjFXr5WjB0QOfmB8e5rbzlYoPDB8dNCWKNO94rVwcpkBuAI9fEF0beSDF4xN_Uq2j7xJOIN3pLGXLdvAOj7gRE4zwTX/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a> milo doesn't know what to think of Christmas....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnj_F-M8qqORG1XzaSFZfmo7AW9iEOlwFTEMcybCOIuZSrk3izQpdf7vxllOk-3J894P6SQ8U46l4p484GRPRakVaXYuyGlm3XZ0gnE_shzve2CSkp1UulZoF1G-_GVgoGNcT1P4ZhMfy/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433879386478194434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnj_F-M8qqORG1XzaSFZfmo7AW9iEOlwFTEMcybCOIuZSrk3izQpdf7vxllOk-3J894P6SQ8U46l4p484GRPRakVaXYuyGlm3XZ0gnE_shzve2CSkp1UulZoF1G-_GVgoGNcT1P4ZhMfy/s400/001.JPG" border="0" /></a> We make a mess huh?<br /><br /><br /><div>I was thinking how long it's been since we posted anything on here. Things have been so busy...life! So I'll just take a few minutes to report on Christmas and such and say hello! Hope all of you out there, family and friends, had a lovely and joyful Christmas. If we saw you or heard from you, then we were blessed! If not, we can't wait until we do see you or hear from you again. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Thanksgiving was very very nice....all of us were here! I was thinking how fun it is these days when we get together, because when we are done eating, we just sit around and laugh and talk and make good fun of each other (usually directed at me, but I deserve it). Steph and Brandon came from Utah and we had a wonderful thankful time!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Christmas then came all too soon. I have to wonder what inspires me to want to work in a retail establishment at such a crazy time of year, but I somehow love it. But we managed to still have lots of fun times. Steph and Brandon were at Brandon's house in Rexburg for Christmas, so it was sad not to have them here, but we did the computer web cam thing to open each other's presents which was really cool. We always take forever to open presents because we hate to see all the fun end. Right as we were getting done with Steph and Brandon, Joe handed me this tiny little gift bag. In it were keys! Yes that's right Rebecca got a new Honda CRV....tango red! What a nice husband! Our van has loads and loads of miles on it and won't last too much longer. And somebody in our family just got her license (that would be BRITT) and she is SOOO excited to get to drive the mommy van...how cute huh? </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>So that and more made it a very fun Christmas. We have now had seven without Brian. I didn't think I could make it through one. We miss him every single day. There are many things we are grateful for though, and one is that Joe is recovering well and we know his stroke could have been something much worse. He is doing okay! Much slower recovery than any of us ever thought, but he has a good routine for building up his strength, doing good deeds, even taking care of the home front while I run off to work. Talk about role reversal! (Although he always was better at vacuuming and dishes than I was...) I'm posting a couple of pictures but I'll add more later....</div></div><br /></div>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-5343614475034262032009-08-15T16:53:00.006-06:002009-08-15T17:23:06.429-06:00Current Pix<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQm3X35FluraTPx8txvR2WaR0ofT4Z-DOETZ-Bck0GNXgnIfmGshCucVd-U9955jOKOBanUEAI7dTc62dI8cIBZDTL0fOUFQQPA7MAVDlla2NthQu-noiSkeXXGKg3WLEMiozkU_GS_7l/s1600-h/Signal+Mountain-49.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370333684626577938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQm3X35FluraTPx8txvR2WaR0ofT4Z-DOETZ-Bck0GNXgnIfmGshCucVd-U9955jOKOBanUEAI7dTc62dI8cIBZDTL0fOUFQQPA7MAVDlla2NthQu-noiSkeXXGKg3WLEMiozkU_GS_7l/s400/Signal+Mountain-49.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#009900;">SIGNAL MOUNTAIN FAMILY REUNION August 6-7, 2009</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">(NOTE, THE ABOVE IS NOT A MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY)</span> I noticed I had already posted pix from Steph's graduation and thought I oughta post something more current. Here are some pix from our family reunion at Signal Mtn. in Grand Teton National Park. We've been going there off and on for something like 35 years. These are pix Brandon our son-in-law took and they are maaaaaaavelously pretty! (Well, the first is a pic of all the Moss siblings...I wouldn't call us ALL pretty...ha)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rMyeZkegEQPaorOwY5aglUsOIf-USRWRAXYLL7EjzXBB9WvS_2soMZXSYp_VcGXp3vOYpO8qeYqZ8e8nUz_YjgrcBzuafBYudfE7EvHUyL4YWt4hRMW6o3RBn2Oc1Qf1293qrd2hBETb/s1600-h/Signal+Mountain-53.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 157px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370330695329724466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rMyeZkegEQPaorOwY5aglUsOIf-USRWRAXYLL7EjzXBB9WvS_2soMZXSYp_VcGXp3vOYpO8qeYqZ8e8nUz_YjgrcBzuafBYudfE7EvHUyL4YWt4hRMW6o3RBn2Oc1Qf1293qrd2hBETb/s400/Signal+Mountain-53.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9ZkqOPMGU4e_CpcJ2a97SiYJWeMTj7yG_R-WAYM3rLwvstF0iv0DvIuCGZBNMOiRK9H_e51fNNsNoWPfYDSSGEYZPSC5xwqtnrlRD4PeknHIGKS8i4sbZGju_9EoUI6Sh6VIX02Bu00F/s1600-h/Signal+Mountain-51.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370330687690600786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9ZkqOPMGU4e_CpcJ2a97SiYJWeMTj7yG_R-WAYM3rLwvstF0iv0DvIuCGZBNMOiRK9H_e51fNNsNoWPfYDSSGEYZPSC5xwqtnrlRD4PeknHIGKS8i4sbZGju_9EoUI6Sh6VIX02Bu00F/s400/Signal+Mountain-51.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This is the whole gang ALL TOGETHER! (Well except Brian, and he is with us always as we know).<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z3uD1fgOIue_nYneyxTq-dbSDEF9Uiz6kDoZBpp0KId5pH0U4C4cfY3bGXIuhcgVaPhGRHhI_y3rUWad-Ctd72MHP1sVkLIv9sklqKe9OVZ2FXbXn-Qg9nIM2UjDI05nr8_9w5oJh4KQ/s1600-h/Signal+Mountain-37.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370328529145895282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z3uD1fgOIue_nYneyxTq-dbSDEF9Uiz6kDoZBpp0KId5pH0U4C4cfY3bGXIuhcgVaPhGRHhI_y3rUWad-Ctd72MHP1sVkLIv9sklqKe9OVZ2FXbXn-Qg9nIM2UjDI05nr8_9w5oJh4KQ/s400/Signal+Mountain-37.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Mt. Moran and it's signature glacier. I love this mountain...happy memories under it, while it stands tall and majestic above...that glassy lake is what many of us swam across ...about a mile I think (not me..too cold and I'm a wimp). But I rowed in my little blowup raft like a real champ! (I was on lifeguard duty)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY_A9BJBtQxF2wK0OZqr9z6nB1KO5gxe0dg6PNz4cYdRYqlZeelQqAOPGW83zmHuiJKZLPEVZoZxi-09lhQtob5yMzdUbgiCQ12OzfTygWRvsd5YvDBc2dIsD6tdO-yAtQtF1ZIJ8TkL6/s1600-h/Signal+Mountain-13.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370328525766300386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY_A9BJBtQxF2wK0OZqr9z6nB1KO5gxe0dg6PNz4cYdRYqlZeelQqAOPGW83zmHuiJKZLPEVZoZxi-09lhQtob5yMzdUbgiCQ12OzfTygWRvsd5YvDBc2dIsD6tdO-yAtQtF1ZIJ8TkL6/s400/Signal+Mountain-13.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />The OTHER Tetons...that's the Grand on the left. Can you believe how beautiful it is there?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoT-p-q1Iq-AfVcNIzPRKd2w7goo9oA_zslKlneS0iBq-6iAWyH9fPT2He4YFjg04i5mRXrADws4SHFAaM1LOS611Y3odJH1RaM4CEUM7WcbCpbAdoibJ26YGerqQUQFaKjQNB7alA2Lpe/s1600-h/Signal+Mountain-01.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370328514777235186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoT-p-q1Iq-AfVcNIzPRKd2w7goo9oA_zslKlneS0iBq-6iAWyH9fPT2He4YFjg04i5mRXrADws4SHFAaM1LOS611Y3odJH1RaM4CEUM7WcbCpbAdoibJ26YGerqQUQFaKjQNB7alA2Lpe/s400/Signal+Mountain-01.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Even in a sudden storm...wow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-76582531074099089232009-08-14T16:23:00.005-06:002009-08-14T22:40:42.088-06:00Hello again!<div><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Can you believe it? Rebecca is finally writing in the blog again! We haven't been writing for awhile...been busy yet not too much has changed with Joe's condition. But I miss it, and wanted to share some of the neat pix and such from this summer plus catch up a bit. First, Joe is continuing to progress through his "stroke journey"...it's hard to know daily if he's improved but when we think back to how he was at Christmas, even during all the winter, he has made amazing progress! He still gets VERY TIRED, easily, and his eye bothers him, yet the eye doc says to be patient, so we are trying! Meanwhile, he is home doing great "househusband" things at home, and I have to say I am enjoying it, and I feel spoiled. He has always liked to do laundry and vacuum, as all of you know, but he has also organized some things, done some yard work, kept up on some cleaning, etc. We sure appreciate everyone's kind words and encouragement and love! </span></strong></div><br /><p><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Meanwhile, here are a few pix from our doing this summer: </span></strong></p><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_D2OUpUGjwTq0odPiTdKk6Zc2nq_F-gG1198dpRp5pkNlDV9LEsqiRihIJIsqA_vu_N3p9dxgI3XiDg5a6ViqIBI01uns6_fdxhtLnauWh0dtviTejG_kNitH4-s1sOymAowDLCY56hP/s1600-h/040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369953988661477250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_D2OUpUGjwTq0odPiTdKk6Zc2nq_F-gG1198dpRp5pkNlDV9LEsqiRihIJIsqA_vu_N3p9dxgI3XiDg5a6ViqIBI01uns6_fdxhtLnauWh0dtviTejG_kNitH4-s1sOymAowDLCY56hP/s400/040.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p>Steph and I on her graduation day from BYU!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT7RB2rPEu4mwuFlGV1p_k8Rttz24C3XomYq6J9n7CIGUwZb9kdzulhsCTDBrZWtK71zUmk8AH3S7n6BRQtg2qZ5KphsmjyXOBCbgZr6g8QP4Pjx37qfx-ODc2JarlAS4N_IS2vVZpD88/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369953979176273474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT7RB2rPEu4mwuFlGV1p_k8Rttz24C3XomYq6J9n7CIGUwZb9kdzulhsCTDBrZWtK71zUmk8AH3S7n6BRQtg2qZ5KphsmjyXOBCbgZr6g8QP4Pjx37qfx-ODc2JarlAS4N_IS2vVZpD88/s400/030.JPG" border="0" /></a> All the fam is proud of Steph!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqhBifsp_eQ8QwpqyKI7cjN-gAOvxYZf6D5ZB9iozI-cBS8a6d_dWhXSWbPjQuouZjx5JxqxhU5iRPCfRwxqvSL50x9LyZB7DkikkdC8S2v5ECBu11aB_BZSEBhmDskQNoxTPh2Vusvma/s1600-h/105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369953966383495394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqhBifsp_eQ8QwpqyKI7cjN-gAOvxYZf6D5ZB9iozI-cBS8a6d_dWhXSWbPjQuouZjx5JxqxhU5iRPCfRwxqvSL50x9LyZB7DkikkdC8S2v5ECBu11aB_BZSEBhmDskQNoxTPh2Vusvma/s400/105.JPG" border="0" /></a>Lindsey, Mike and Britt after the Bolder Boulder!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV03QoXg0BFqDsp8VP0FJ685jDWCxoHt3xm3F2TbkAykvlSqD7TzjlftpSaPVb-10AAji5NqtNkh_02AsvhbeWzJSmiTL1-uvL8VBCs0q8Kt0tbRDu7HebyKEd_1F8ch23CJA9mc_wiyY/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369953936968296018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV03QoXg0BFqDsp8VP0FJ685jDWCxoHt3xm3F2TbkAykvlSqD7TzjlftpSaPVb-10AAji5NqtNkh_02AsvhbeWzJSmiTL1-uvL8VBCs0q8Kt0tbRDu7HebyKEd_1F8ch23CJA9mc_wiyY/s400/033.JPG" border="0" /></a> Back to Steph's graduation, playing at the Penny Arcade with Sis Angie and Fam in Provo!</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370045544211754498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLc3zEaFCNi6mhP-bPmsCOzfyrhz1lohjI06WeRxhcJdwgk4AR8fDdC8CjN7T1u2rkcI2jIVHydXT5QcFff5DGxjAUgJRlgk_c_pF0M_2f8l10wxrMUphC5lpyu4bDpEKyV54Ugcum7GY/s400/VEGAS+BABY!!!+033.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Girls' Trip to Vegas in June!</div><div> </div><div>That's all for now...I'll add more later! Love to all!!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><</div></div></div>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-24717837402464237822009-05-03T19:48:00.014-06:002009-05-03T21:54:48.887-06:00Joe Update and Steph's Graduation<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsWYv_jrvuTM5mf2UqLd0u9jFc8hKJ17-wjM0duf5kaKfBlIyZ2LgsfmdbwpGeQDmIk15a39NsP1tBSyzGTKjW-oWvwQa2PpKds3M-Ek4rJQ4NNa912LruFnqXj4KTufSx1JrWVNVVIQ/s1600-h/Throwing+Papers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790080597323730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsWYv_jrvuTM5mf2UqLd0u9jFc8hKJ17-wjM0duf5kaKfBlIyZ2LgsfmdbwpGeQDmIk15a39NsP1tBSyzGTKjW-oWvwQa2PpKds3M-Ek4rJQ4NNa912LruFnqXj4KTufSx1JrWVNVVIQ/s320/Throwing+Papers.jpg" border="0" /></a>STEPHANIE ELLSWORTH MARCUM GRADUATED FROM BYU APRIL 24, 2009!!!<br /></div><p><br />Well it's about time I wrote! Sorry for the delay...we've been up to our eyeballs, well at least I have! Joe is doing somewhat better, but the noticeable changes have slowed down. His eye still bothers him a lot and I don't think his peripheral vision is improving. He constantly blinks which bothers him but he can't seem to stop it. He can read or look at the computer for about an hour and then he's wiped out. He still gets very tired, and one thing we are noticing that is a big cause of concern is that he "blanks out" once in awhile...forgetting conversations or names or places that he has always known...they are just gone. Of course I have had this malady for a long time now, but I know mine is for lack of concentration not a stroke. ha. They say this is a very normal thing for stroke victims but it is still very disconcerting. He is now officially not employed by JM, but not at all ready to go back to work, so we are waiting to find out about long term disability. One very nice bright spot, though, is that he has been feeling better during the day and he is really doing some great "honey do" things....got all the weeds out of the front planters on Thursday! He can't do anything strenuous, but he sure does what he can! I like it! BUT, ON TO THE NEXT BIG NEWS: LOOK HOW HAPPY HE LOOKS WITH HIS DAUGHTER STEPH AT GRADUATION!!!!! </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331793434080080754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxobsz9rVKwxIJDCSpyXb7NRCPsS8HznPwFDTTqBAvbHcagS7yDSF_pM-KE56kdccEkaUVFT_IDh5BZH-PS-il0vdYPSzblttIWPll-uMtwk_aL5r7Q4Q8KuwQC95GPfI9_iTFnL_SrU/s320/CIMG0500.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Except there were some tired moments.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7qrcmRE3x-pszjkRDRAh7bKBua5w_I-YwepjZ2rzyPVRsr5lUfbGsZRFwvN9Jot-OxawYwSjri6br8NJbQ9CHSiUZKr8QeCDqWBUlE5lxBqRe9j16rXdlEmAhbaVVZ-x9gn0RvdlkbY/s1600-h/IMGP0325.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331798997049611346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7qrcmRE3x-pszjkRDRAh7bKBua5w_I-YwepjZ2rzyPVRsr5lUfbGsZRFwvN9Jot-OxawYwSjri6br8NJbQ9CHSiUZKr8QeCDqWBUlE5lxBqRe9j16rXdlEmAhbaVVZ-x9gn0RvdlkbY/s320/IMGP0325.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">That's her name.....!!! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331792119575383154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAKT6QzwAFTFzKP6JptSQGWUczh8yGUXa3julDVGIO0zYJ_zD1P_WE-wMTnKmp9N_36tToY8Va5gE69Fid2jzMbL0TB32CkK3M8I2d-XZpBoIaRzVZj7sLbN6CHnDGQWPP1jPMb2Zhrk/s320/CIMG7094.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788853194556818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-8QlG2GQBkp5PB7oDPbsKSEdomTm4ryXpvTI3xiAbAvMrGUBgBkFzHa0CwY1Hkt36h5ZHrYasRuIhhwqVAEw-6e1BSEtNgN-K4jpGxZOThIL-4q_FfZ94IhuEMwtOZMybnILblbPxkA/s320/2774_196775745594_704125594_6788317_5647302_n.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796411213666738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnWs_VD2mKv-RaMAVMmCguCA4uRfcU8c55cmk6LsLwoaZInzRdy8pZV1Ei-d9TTpnlz5YLFxpFhM4m6abbgFlHFTgQFrkxSZIOM_ABBjponJoj5_fzO6jjdvM_xPtN1aZthKtOUmb058/s320/DSC_0435.JPG" border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNPGvNGzwwN5na39qIlez83n9SmlVEToWEDdfdj68KL2GJ_Y4FOrwdHOt74NRR1y7y6agvRbsRvOPM4lqF48tJyXUo4TKP-wzrTQ360Bnxsv0Lq7sVXp2A_VRos8O37VGLN9cROq-hhc/s1600-h/DSC_0449.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331800700402081074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNPGvNGzwwN5na39qIlez83n9SmlVEToWEDdfdj68KL2GJ_Y4FOrwdHOt74NRR1y7y6agvRbsRvOPM4lqF48tJyXUo4TKP-wzrTQ360Bnxsv0Lq7sVXp2A_VRos8O37VGLN9cROq-hhc/s320/DSC_0449.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The proud hubby..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuicy-63uYz6ra2Xq5Aj6bU9RBvskvd3B0gIwJHZGC4lWfPEIwkOOCyXqq42dgi6WEOmItp7xOLaoWO2kRwIAYYrXyVLUF3jiXEqT9yByA2bs4JsRGuNOX01MfQfUgCKRAoMXg1UUFrg/s1600-h/DSC_0467.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331798129154337778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuicy-63uYz6ra2Xq5Aj6bU9RBvskvd3B0gIwJHZGC4lWfPEIwkOOCyXqq42dgi6WEOmItp7xOLaoWO2kRwIAYYrXyVLUF3jiXEqT9yByA2bs4JsRGuNOX01MfQfUgCKRAoMXg1UUFrg/s320/DSC_0467.JPG" border="0" /></a>Steph's buddy Morgan at the Cougar<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbAixwddqJoAlw2R9zsqPQXgfIeaH0W9xr9Qy1kPQ13wJ-O7aJv2yjZ9pyuOkwW2KaXgYMa5cXv_rMsnfUMSHa9h228xy71b4tVWWAkf_jKDLLB872GBBKJRojQXOytAV-cdqf7KN7iM/s1600-h/DSC_0463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331798124584461362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbAixwddqJoAlw2R9zsqPQXgfIeaH0W9xr9Qy1kPQ13wJ-O7aJv2yjZ9pyuOkwW2KaXgYMa5cXv_rMsnfUMSHa9h228xy71b4tVWWAkf_jKDLLB872GBBKJRojQXOytAV-cdqf7KN7iM/s320/DSC_0463.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0_jlVfo-VQMIPcbdejTlKBrRsA5TlbQjLB3yGr1sM2VahRxZDW4h7uanoi79cuZKeq8lYvBT7xpaK-JmSp0ao2v_dplAgoBjsRWqDj0w5teTNN8uRmWoCgZuINiq-8mKeT1loPTfF0o/s1600-h/DSC_0456.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331798122180324146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0_jlVfo-VQMIPcbdejTlKBrRsA5TlbQjLB3yGr1sM2VahRxZDW4h7uanoi79cuZKeq8lYvBT7xpaK-JmSp0ao2v_dplAgoBjsRWqDj0w5teTNN8uRmWoCgZuINiq-8mKeT1loPTfF0o/s320/DSC_0456.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBGrk5Xn530KCcOH6IhiPv_Min88nNfwzTtzGGhTS1_GwrcqH0ty_qfjKsGkXCF7ARW4TYkhQA9Ooj1fSQ-3A0epXjSzbxa5RItrRHeJyHpzesHvlsjT0oagBBOo7U6_-XaDuq7wkVjg/s1600-h/DSC_0451.JPG"></a>The Moss proud grandparents!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhUgb-WgKshcJcDn9Etfidym_8kEwKm2P4g2LLXDn2lYUAqjtDzco4UrVvOXx8l50DWjvfIOqsmuHM7SlQOqwfA3s9Ue5SpI9B-hHtV-lnTe0K0gVQ2HvH277nLIPOLV-uWP5hfzXpm0/s1600-h/DSC_0446.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796422610696274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhUgb-WgKshcJcDn9Etfidym_8kEwKm2P4g2LLXDn2lYUAqjtDzco4UrVvOXx8l50DWjvfIOqsmuHM7SlQOqwfA3s9Ue5SpI9B-hHtV-lnTe0K0gVQ2HvH277nLIPOLV-uWP5hfzXpm0/s320/DSC_0446.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Ellsworth proud grandparents! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331792108696878002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRrYu9pDYOXryWsk35S1n-py0zgQh_Poy_CdhyphenhyphenZUzl4eXCcnLjWy3wpakEVE6ipSXX0W10Gw0KufVSuDlnL3aW9d2YMyd7JwgllHYljAVeORfS_gfY-v9NGsPt7hjorg6qtwmnKVDpPU/s320/CIMG0479.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331792111637195490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96T55AWUGXUYyunuBntBfBtlWy_g3UJl8dHCFovl1tr3jkrwmZHcnO9eI0Lz6Jj5a4cCyDWRobGbwhEHOhs8g69t7FyYnj-qzLG4hWFtfUAoNNZzGxYuQ76vQ3VzX3gx-FpHpowomgkE/s320/CIMG0487.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">April and Sue.....BFF's...they drove all the way out from Colorado!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790756538383698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdGW0aBCQx5P7N-f4Nz2HfFTgo8qjB8-XdU2jFeS7RFq7wUZFEjt5oACWmZrCy16XRW0L4iqPaSPc98UtXEtT2Q_WnMILhzWZKi_2YM824xaLs9_IIhran1ZTM087OSnmaMeQjbwtkaE/s320/2774_196775795594_704125594_6788326_705383_n.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye5Vf4aKtkYZi5KcSXQXszSlSzO3pamcf0DzarwCCUpq4AwJjDuDEa4Xxp67rFr2ZO_1gUoKB4g7j_O5IAmQcF3inQp5zZnx9cMuGDf0Nw6qdjMySOmmcjUexPAuXt0YJCn76j1ogOzI/s1600-h/DSC_0442.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796411266813458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye5Vf4aKtkYZi5KcSXQXszSlSzO3pamcf0DzarwCCUpq4AwJjDuDEa4Xxp67rFr2ZO_1gUoKB4g7j_O5IAmQcF3inQp5zZnx9cMuGDf0Nw6qdjMySOmmcjUexPAuXt0YJCn76j1ogOzI/s320/DSC_0442.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331792115737370002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-HBzL4mS06JAjy2G_HmfZUgCotXNhrG6qfDkuNuWwpZGvGDM3y4zvyskRSFx2Fm8SKJFINbHbknAroW1vQMWEPSfrTmocVVWrxUeaZMVbthZDwh1DEZjaYOL_21vbyvO3U6R3Pj7Bu8/s320/CIMG0488.JPG" border="0" />Partying with the nieces and nephews....</p><p align="center">(They love Brandon)<br /><br /></p><p align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LphFd42pkFIiHINfCqK1As9GDWVlKJlEhTbCANx-k2nA-DQhtTyQorKo3l6QWOKZI3PBkgxblus7Pzf2aCueSHyj55HMXRs_H4Vc1yLtnaof0xU1czq7MYT3wLAOWMEu_zMw4Pa0EN8/s1600-h/CIMG7153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796401493502866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LphFd42pkFIiHINfCqK1As9GDWVlKJlEhTbCANx-k2nA-DQhtTyQorKo3l6QWOKZI3PBkgxblus7Pzf2aCueSHyj55HMXRs_H4Vc1yLtnaof0xU1czq7MYT3wLAOWMEu_zMw4Pa0EN8/s320/CIMG7153.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__LEnc-v3PxZdN5wRHeJ7A8nIr0m6Pe1rkLRxdAjoXXInyrdQ00BIYAx2W6zpsq2dHPy7YxdimeWZDGh6xP6lv7SwTaG8sD2z4zZ1wRpemCyaZZD3NJz4ODIM0KIWuTNykWr8y3CDNnY/s1600-h/CIMG7148.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331794347189149666" style="DISPLAY: block; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8iZvHhmZffgg-6i9DK0NZxCLHCzntS73faKAEpzcLPmj5gFtUBWTtqosypxS3QRebmxQuOarZKbRG_1QlAY_i_VoI6orvsGX13va6H3BTHk0VOWlXKEwMW7q9nFT-XS9Aqwxq-mrHKw/s320/a.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDY3Spqq3o7GBa-0R7I90FrVc3YYIXzKD3T1qjYvjMv_UFMIgrffogDn6i0Cs4ChyphenhyphenSS4fCJqpCEnir7zLpaQBRa_o2s1A83ZzP2ITJ-fPYxDZWQ8yFfMmTKI5u4TwTwCoX_nsbhKdMZw/s1600-h/CIMG7134.JPG"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790760505355298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYYBNUKHYFvTBr87umsE9EvUXrlyHvDh7KUh7YZ-HKvnupUfjxqjf2jGZITFIOPuVU4cejtatsvbQu2dX7Hz7lyunrkvYmgN6t9iSExuTA7Zx_zu12Wfla-PZQ1Azj_e6aLDzYTmaKOc/s320/2774_196775905594_704125594_6788346_3783708_n.jpg" border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dfduq9cWUcn5djSMvtx7BM0AfRJQwGqTPE9LaWWLYN8EOrKJmksUt-DPOyvTI7L8bGdNv-IR3lpvxeKH8nsS4j-7fkiUpm6dgZmC1Yp-dzHt6KtjkOvj8vvdbE2KjJPgADWaFtL0NpQ/s1600-h/CIMG7131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331793457042566786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dfduq9cWUcn5djSMvtx7BM0AfRJQwGqTPE9LaWWLYN8EOrKJmksUt-DPOyvTI7L8bGdNv-IR3lpvxeKH8nsS4j-7fkiUpm6dgZmC1Yp-dzHt6KtjkOvj8vvdbE2KjJPgADWaFtL0NpQ/s320/CIMG7131.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cinderella is an advertising major!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d9ziyoPuzaUSYJ6ikOBYMHLumBSDqT-8tUemamXt6UYioss0hRC04Uuzh_pqOfG-rbOAPJAPA0_K034E6BK1HH-grvXLaYOv9KY1jUHdQDnzABzUiri5TX3bNukA-NhxktBJLYUmvoE/s1600-h/CIMG7127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331793451106775794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d9ziyoPuzaUSYJ6ikOBYMHLumBSDqT-8tUemamXt6UYioss0hRC04Uuzh_pqOfG-rbOAPJAPA0_K034E6BK1HH-grvXLaYOv9KY1jUHdQDnzABzUiri5TX3bNukA-NhxktBJLYUmvoE/s320/CIMG7127.JPG" border="0" /></a> The night before we had Sub Zero Ice Cream...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXg808FdGU0KEHLlptnFXISoNp6XOUqtFOzzGQB2hqG6qH0JgxHcuKehDySwy2nmHN8kGrWooABkKEc38sAJgcuAONFSSM4GAvMt7PUss9lDQXvCr3BUeRVlTYNF0qzWiw1sDSBcO6bI/s1600-h/CIMG7086.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331793450616300578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXg808FdGU0KEHLlptnFXISoNp6XOUqtFOzzGQB2hqG6qH0JgxHcuKehDySwy2nmHN8kGrWooABkKEc38sAJgcuAONFSSM4GAvMt7PUss9lDQXvCr3BUeRVlTYNF0qzWiw1sDSBcO6bI/s320/CIMG7086.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvgbMqR-tddYGAt-aPYHgSRwBAwidCjs1ZNmaxft9UFtjyyHRF64HxbUXr4Bf-GhhSWN_-sTRPtUOWD68XEtzetdlgJzkP0GAq3s56zYqSwcC_JkDq4T8BR4tWewi_DdyaNx-HQmPjzk/s1600-h/CIMG7085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331793441793651858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvgbMqR-tddYGAt-aPYHgSRwBAwidCjs1ZNmaxft9UFtjyyHRF64HxbUXr4Bf-GhhSWN_-sTRPtUOWD68XEtzetdlgJzkP0GAq3s56zYqSwcC_JkDq4T8BR4tWewi_DdyaNx-HQmPjzk/s320/CIMG7085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Temple Square the Day Before...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788851577924082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tXlRlvY3QaUlUP9co4_noTGjbqJaUDPfLm0EeznZb2YP3SP7LDoMtBC9Qr3tVyX8Bc96HMCrA9W_KDPfuNXPdUDcyJlV3JzE4JrcNeBi_Ko7seEU98PtKEdatbpqwn18ljwBYA_EyPI/s320/2774_196775720594_704125594_6788312_2481573_n.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNQ_AEPhHzl7CaeCjBT3aziZwmGwWBJvjBgON2AtUa0YpXOE4c7ILZsXmgv2EJIgvEp7beAEWNkRO6fAbDzPtWcQX1dC43vFOBIVabQK2xzik2nzir2E-0fD93DnEArgP-nT4TDjxrP8/s1600-h/2774_196775730594_704125594_6788314_3198650_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790757864122482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNQ_AEPhHzl7CaeCjBT3aziZwmGwWBJvjBgON2AtUa0YpXOE4c7ILZsXmgv2EJIgvEp7beAEWNkRO6fAbDzPtWcQX1dC43vFOBIVabQK2xzik2nzir2E-0fD93DnEArgP-nT4TDjxrP8/s320/2774_196775730594_704125594_6788314_3198650_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Celebrating at Mimi's after...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69pd-hAIuAYfRskIiUmGpOSCzDIGQQPkKQMyt_YY5abL4kXVdhv1JnBlFXWru6H26wklkuJbvXFFDGyZmtjoMAjqT92dA3OzznakEK1PoR8MTbukcMJoBw3y1eGW7yCyd2e_pNww-p8w/s1600-h/2774_196775890594_704125594_6788343_2613434_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790753308762738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69pd-hAIuAYfRskIiUmGpOSCzDIGQQPkKQMyt_YY5abL4kXVdhv1JnBlFXWru6H26wklkuJbvXFFDGyZmtjoMAjqT92dA3OzznakEK1PoR8MTbukcMJoBw3y1eGW7yCyd2e_pNww-p8w/s320/2774_196775890594_704125594_6788343_2613434_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ294zR3fnW_gnfDn0mp08ahdxq0wnBvv942VECZJnJGrTbgf7rCLNVU9uqH3ludsNWK5PnR_eNp5rh0DnD0e2uCn-YG80iqugWC8SF3paaorGiGMhr185VlKBJiZhSnSZml6-lZQeuo/s1600-h/2774_196775875594_704125594_6788340_7742531_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790086128263218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ294zR3fnW_gnfDn0mp08ahdxq0wnBvv942VECZJnJGrTbgf7rCLNVU9uqH3ludsNWK5PnR_eNp5rh0DnD0e2uCn-YG80iqugWC8SF3paaorGiGMhr185VlKBJiZhSnSZml6-lZQeuo/s320/2774_196775875594_704125594_6788340_7742531_n.jpg" border="0" /></a> And of course we had to go to the Iceberg...love those shakes and fry sauce!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790758084307682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY60yJ4_CkWtTNKGYLjpry0ndzHMV_zvU_Xmm4X_espB9nYOJ5nBoLAq2-j4SqaL3blpn32ksg-O5ZK2ApIcsDwCrbhadLzpeBoVJCqfVH2V-mJwIHWkd3QjUl22K-GxbD8MpixQ_ViZs/s320/2774_196775920594_704125594_6788349_7679820_n.jpg" border="0" />And we played at the nickel arcade with Angie and Fam!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331798133616986978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQKYmgmm_FbMHSptXgukhSf1vUU5yEHgfi1pkAmGu-40Ib6ezjPcl5szYyh6FSl7RtAqloFNlSs84JaEHaQ4NrEKp2LHOwdsdiX4OP3fwTwBN8sYBX3gGgYpk6Jhly1qn_tHKWwVqMiw/s320/IMGP0318.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331799001791318786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrDSgdC-f9hUEatRCRV6Vtpkybayx6PfH9aTC0dAXNySQjPMCOI79jZy_WWaz11hsulcmK5wmjMMbK-3sXdI-zeXqg7cLC_ubhHIwRj1BXEjp4ndHfnc9aHd322kEw-yDOTRDuh-UVV8/s320/IMGP0329.JPG" border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsW-z3svsw747KGiDwXruaj-SozTsxE_tTBzvnZiIvR-KEoNYJwN7cgOcBzBQUw3-pPmmkQ0vgWOHoNQD1SkF0MVfPWrhQHpL8l-vBW16IvujuFshola9Sl2w9m7sjY90DqLNfosBhN8/s1600-h/2774_196775835594_704125594_6788333_5336435_n.jpg"></a>All in all we had a great time in Utah celebrating. We want to thank all the relatives who came for the festivities, and especially Mike and Kathy for providing the beautiful house for us to meet, and we love you one and all! We now have two college graduate daughters!!!! Happy times for the Ellsworths....a few more pix....we love pix.....!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuRwyzXwxqEXBypoExzBwy3sfT6i9Mz7BI1TUJBJ6s-_os1fsEeZNwpx9SrgC0WSCJDDxWrJ0LcALS75UJ_TMDo6JrdXsBmnL33apu6rMmF2xCs_wRGaCeyZ4Nh5NJlhuVJXj1HnxOUA/s1600-h/2774_196775815594_704125594_6788329_5105338_n.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NLqtlbphWJ3Q6pf_xBgWTrW-oS9ZSaAgFCqxTXdvsiHNxG1z7cUoBb0JbpWnTAyJCQtLgnZO9BUPiozafLTC9D9GkRmYZBvlucAACD2WoR14lg_QwhiXNAk4zuBKf4Lwt3VA6ObWXnk/s1600-h/2774_196775825594_704125594_6788331_734185_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331790076855732482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NLqtlbphWJ3Q6pf_xBgWTrW-oS9ZSaAgFCqxTXdvsiHNxG1z7cUoBb0JbpWnTAyJCQtLgnZO9BUPiozafLTC9D9GkRmYZBvlucAACD2WoR14lg_QwhiXNAk4zuBKf4Lwt3VA6ObWXnk/s320/2774_196775825594_704125594_6788331_734185_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZPiNX_8YNwmhDyh4qZkTwV5G7PavPvHzWrVYlrLP_z5BNrxkz-IZOVqqdvPPJktLNRFc993kYMXSQPr0oDu72zhRhJSL7jY_rDbFgRZrk7CfX2XHnqzAooyGz_1jMFAkGy0b_KHDN7A/s1600-h/2774_196775740594_704125594_6788316_3096655_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788862933776642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZPiNX_8YNwmhDyh4qZkTwV5G7PavPvHzWrVYlrLP_z5BNrxkz-IZOVqqdvPPJktLNRFc993kYMXSQPr0oDu72zhRhJSL7jY_rDbFgRZrk7CfX2XHnqzAooyGz_1jMFAkGy0b_KHDN7A/s320/2774_196775740594_704125594_6788316_3096655_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwooEPWV7fxHpB8fJRkVXPnDk4t_L-WizB3Qrp7TiGz1_IILt5HbpCjRojgguRB73jprtHru0Z_ctY9fC5_cNXioPtYC2JzeZpMdiF_mk2UldpglTe1lZZdIq5Z271iWdH1EgY-jHGs4/s1600-h/2774_196775735594_704125594_6788315_4496427_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788855636511250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwooEPWV7fxHpB8fJRkVXPnDk4t_L-WizB3Qrp7TiGz1_IILt5HbpCjRojgguRB73jprtHru0Z_ctY9fC5_cNXioPtYC2JzeZpMdiF_mk2UldpglTe1lZZdIq5Z271iWdH1EgY-jHGs4/s320/2774_196775735594_704125594_6788315_4496427_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXZh1uAedjVuO6ZKOnmJS_ujyvP0fFuKwCx-anbR3r6ctzTWmVO5VmjYz3E70s5ESz_MfVx0Emh17j1gBPoqZlzN3ju318WyQl3gOZ_iFS7iorv_kzqbfRYoGtAArk_hsvVRRmLzvH1Y/s1600-h/2774_196775810594_704125594_6788328_4998589_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788858745082210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXZh1uAedjVuO6ZKOnmJS_ujyvP0fFuKwCx-anbR3r6ctzTWmVO5VmjYz3E70s5ESz_MfVx0Emh17j1gBPoqZlzN3ju318WyQl3gOZ_iFS7iorv_kzqbfRYoGtAArk_hsvVRRmLzvH1Y/s320/2774_196775810594_704125594_6788328_4998589_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-23762687283771442222009-04-05T18:10:00.004-06:002009-04-06T00:42:57.402-06:00Brian's 21st Birthday<div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoRAnrUqrNIvVWU0UN7BuiF29fiovtSeIZGndyHHCZiR0SLDc-E7uRcW4MaQ6dJqBWrNb7uCOM-dZSZbpi9TuN8uDVM6EH8Kdora1funlDxURWK8MiLiak6sVmLk5NrSC7P9-BmQWicE0/s1600-h/CIMG0462.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321378306428731906" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoRAnrUqrNIvVWU0UN7BuiF29fiovtSeIZGndyHHCZiR0SLDc-E7uRcW4MaQ6dJqBWrNb7uCOM-dZSZbpi9TuN8uDVM6EH8Kdora1funlDxURWK8MiLiak6sVmLk5NrSC7P9-BmQWicE0/s320/CIMG0462.JPG" border="0" /></a> Brian's Cake...Reese's Cup Blizzard<br /><br /><br /><div>We decided to do something a little different for the milestone that was Brian's 21st birthday, last Friday, April 3. We usually invite anyone who is in town to Fazoli's (one of Brian's favorite eateries) and we have pizza and cake and set off balloons in his honor. This year, as Steph and Brandon live across the mountains in Utah, we decided to meet somewhere in the middle and spend the birthday together. Joe isn't in much shape to travel very far quite yet, but we have had a little spring fever, plus we haven't seen Steph or Brandon in so long, that we thought it was a fine idea to meet not too far away, in Glenwood Springs. It turned out to be pretty fitting because right away when we got there we drove by the baseball diamond where Brian played in a tournament with the Rattlers (or was it Yard Teal?) so it was a nice little trip down memory lane for me. In fact, our plan was to let off the 21 balloons we filled with helium at that field, but it turned out to be pretty snowy, so we let them off at the delightful Hampton Inn & Suites parking lot, after everyone recalling a happy memory of sweet Brian. </div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321378313422776818" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxl6XSfL5owrbWPr7xhXCBbyHRqBdPGBwb22oT7O6NCVjpXamirD99yuNoyWvs4SKhgyCWQEnoc-8cA-kjD-MjUbH7Mzfqa7o4_MvMGrBeclmLrtoR_myJMwL2umG_AV_tE4QDTJbNUT3/s320/CIMG0465.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div>I got to blow out the candles...<br /><br /><div>We almost thought we wouldn't be able to make it Friday because of an impending blizzard; in fact, we turned around to come home when the highway signs said that I-70 was closed past Georgetown. We came home, saw that it had opened up, and decided to go anyway, especially since Mike was driving and we trust his driving skills. What do you know, it wasn't that bad at all...just a bit snowy and slushy and low visibility through Eisenhower, Frisco, Copper, etc. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Steph and Brandon had quite a bit farther to drive, but clear roads all the way, so we met about the same time and had a super fun time going to dinner, playing games *(yahtzee is pretty fun we found out), and sitting in the warm mineral pool most all day Saturday. We watched the final four on tv, had ice cream cake, watched a little of conference on our computer, ate free breakfasts, and in general talked and laughed lots and lots. It was good to be together! Sorry to all those who usually take time out with us to go to Fazoli's....hopefully we will go back to that next year. It's hard to believe Brian would be 21. It's hard to believe he's been gone 6 years. It's hard to believe we've survived this tragedy for this long. It isn't hard to believe that we have done it because of the love we have for each other as a family, the love all our friends and family have shown to us, and because we know we will be together with him again someday. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here are some assorted pix of our weekend. Steph has more on her camera (of course) so I'll tell her to add some if she can. Thanks all who read this! Joe's progress continues to be slow but sure. I am still very worried about his eye and his vision. Also I worry that he is constantly tired, and especially tired after he tries to do very much. He has his doctor appointment this week so we'll let you know the results of his MRI and all that he says. We remind ourselves that it has only been four and a half months. But the future is so uncertain that it is hard not to worry. I guess we'll just pray....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATjvoWeV0s6rWfC4ehBweE4AyTC7d55LjwV_MMgiv1K5vXfEtUG7Srm1QkByxxfqju9ffyQYFBzxJIqaBL3kcLEL0HsA9UqVoc89DHAe7bnvUKD5_-TO7sdGphUi0_ZlIK7dEBGCwYpg/s1600-h/CIMG7056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATjvoWeV0s6rWfC4ehBweE4AyTC7d55LjwV_MMgiv1K5vXfEtUG7Srm1QkByxxfqju9ffyQYFBzxJIqaBL3kcLEL0HsA9UqVoc89DHAe7bnvUKD5_-TO7sdGphUi0_ZlIK7dEBGCwYpg/s320/CIMG7056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321462839497310322" border="0" /></a>Going in to the hot springs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxG6Lu4szHQ-KLAK_z3MD-li7CMM55EnQRX9Os3b4u-V_OYE_jqRqSbeydicGwqBRsg2d5XXkjj2cwQiTSKhyphenhyphenVXMvRIltqBxYEzM7IEQapDbKeIp5BcJk8T9V8tEUySFfZ9D45uFLQM0/s1600-h/CIMG7057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxG6Lu4szHQ-KLAK_z3MD-li7CMM55EnQRX9Os3b4u-V_OYE_jqRqSbeydicGwqBRsg2d5XXkjj2cwQiTSKhyphenhyphenVXMvRIltqBxYEzM7IEQapDbKeIp5BcJk8T9V8tEUySFfZ9D45uFLQM0/s320/CIMG7057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321463370637368658" border="0" /></a>The girls freezing with their tiny towels.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFsaR0NshhkUPZhQzNQu3WawJuP96RUrkS0k-S4PCTYrf5SVmrLrNpMbOQZ0ppubG8A5WsWibKoahqqPxbevw3jE_25XZGzZPTMewGoVoJN0mvq58Wat2do8PKmpKssBZDHgUc1apS0E/s1600-h/CIMG7058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFsaR0NshhkUPZhQzNQu3WawJuP96RUrkS0k-S4PCTYrf5SVmrLrNpMbOQZ0ppubG8A5WsWibKoahqqPxbevw3jE_25XZGzZPTMewGoVoJN0mvq58Wat2do8PKmpKssBZDHgUc1apS0E/s320/CIMG7058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321463375020455250" border="0" /></a>The "therapy" pool at a comfortable 104 degrees!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmFFkn_R0HXk7F4AV48EiU9q7va9zYTCzeeykLCEPHcm4iKmXBunv_w5OCYSxJME5HmIts4BgdlFI3CgeBuwvJ8wgHlkBk7K9oVpta11vd8ZdsNFVnnc5lQVRUGq6s_HB1aDU23tllsU/s1600-h/CIMG7061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmFFkn_R0HXk7F4AV48EiU9q7va9zYTCzeeykLCEPHcm4iKmXBunv_w5OCYSxJME5HmIts4BgdlFI3CgeBuwvJ8wgHlkBk7K9oVpta11vd8ZdsNFVnnc5lQVRUGq6s_HB1aDU23tllsU/s320/CIMG7061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321462847882589890" border="0" /></a>Hanging out at the hot springs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1V1CeNL1xrKPhsMeisD0Q9rbHGhwMbR1c2OCmVy_YVwWtfTq2aRp0a2lvBS_qe0kRZKG9dsYHjlzM53C-UlI2r78epiTWvd64OLJeV8XUIAdFLmmtZH5rM26MIJm0-Gkt4dw6DmVhBI/s1600-h/CIMG7060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1V1CeNL1xrKPhsMeisD0Q9rbHGhwMbR1c2OCmVy_YVwWtfTq2aRp0a2lvBS_qe0kRZKG9dsYHjlzM53C-UlI2r78epiTWvd64OLJeV8XUIAdFLmmtZH5rM26MIJm0-Gkt4dw6DmVhBI/s320/CIMG7060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321463375297995874" border="0" /></a>Mike and Brit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tyYZPpc6sknI-SMQgLLdfzdKN6x-qExEES70CUnuq8l8QerSK95n-B7qoXhK44Q_03U6qdiCCPrt2Wa93PrciRFoX1I72GKB6Jjm9y4JFCYihp-ufVGJB86CHw6xKgOfpEvGaEBUB2E/s1600-h/CIMG7054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tyYZPpc6sknI-SMQgLLdfzdKN6x-qExEES70CUnuq8l8QerSK95n-B7qoXhK44Q_03U6qdiCCPrt2Wa93PrciRFoX1I72GKB6Jjm9y4JFCYihp-ufVGJB86CHw6xKgOfpEvGaEBUB2E/s320/CIMG7054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321462832539893330" border="0" /></a>At dinner with the whole family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPU3KyiLw4dqvx2oqG7px_GDfTTjQDdjUehO-ZRH1fgIb-iwcV_XwtuYo3rtABfNFbKQMlwo3nEG80B2P_8mAW-_WGfNkFOJ1PTas8chG1Y6lB8w47bRGt7-C_u_RQ-fyoZ0fdn-VHU4/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPU3KyiLw4dqvx2oqG7px_GDfTTjQDdjUehO-ZRH1fgIb-iwcV_XwtuYo3rtABfNFbKQMlwo3nEG80B2P_8mAW-_WGfNkFOJ1PTas8chG1Y6lB8w47bRGt7-C_u_RQ-fyoZ0fdn-VHU4/s320/1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321462823737140354" border="0" /></a>Hanging out in the hotel hot tub!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx38z-Q6aJdtbSxhnchUn0vzVF9bTnPz5D8aQitm-MryIxTP24XbxI5CIa6TUbik6rGk18lLPezOe1ED6-8-pLB0rV5o9jV8hiR-UbeJsFJl1jgipYRnau38uML71gYt8o8ZvRpKSywAk/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx38z-Q6aJdtbSxhnchUn0vzVF9bTnPz5D8aQitm-MryIxTP24XbxI5CIa6TUbik6rGk18lLPezOe1ED6-8-pLB0rV5o9jV8hiR-UbeJsFJl1jgipYRnau38uML71gYt8o8ZvRpKSywAk/s320/2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321462826991696290" border="0" /></a>Innocent little Joe and the water!<br /></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321378312569105634" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL_gAg8z1RPtKpwWH_Q2F7wpKl6xFGiahh-vmBlO_jF9EwR6FQvSgYP_IjRP1C2uLJ59FwCZYky93hqJPhq70lmqKBtbjx62tlVC5feeDhZRnocJnJb8pZuYgT6-S09ttwiqdF30hGebi/s320/CIMG0466.JPG" border="0" /></div>Getting ready to set off the balloons<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321378317882138386" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxQ2YQd5u5llBMhNVUBg_gBQUnX1p9RPFDLGOOkBH7udrkM18x_ZWtRulaDmGvDKFDTJPxoa5DXe61dU3aR8LhtydIQtpPz2sWu3N8KrurC0xTLA966MlRD-hHNRnWptJ8nxq9n9cRkkp/s320/CIMG0470.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Happy 21st Birthday Brian...you're always in our hearts...<div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-79863912983587733682009-03-17T16:39:00.002-06:002009-03-17T18:14:53.289-06:00March Madness<span style="color:#009900;">It's St. Patrick's Day, so I'm writing in GREEN! No green beer for us though....</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">(Thanks so much to those who came and sent their sweet and kind wishes in so many thoughtful ways on Feb. 28....don't know what we would have done without all of you these six long years...and we have many more to go...) </span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I thought I ought to give an update about Joe since I didn't do that on the Feb. 28 blog entry. You could see how much better he looks though! He and his little $20 Walgreens cane just go everywhere! By the way, thanks to all who read this blog. Joe tells me that people tell him they check it often and that makes him feel great, and also I hear from many of you also, and we feel so loved!</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Here's the latest. I wish I could say it was ALL better. It seems to me that Joe is at a standstill, but maybe it's just because I see him every day. He gets around very well with his cane, but he still loses his balance and it scares me when he tries to walk around without it. His eye is what worries me the most. It is CONSTANTLY blinking, as he is unconsciously trying to focus it. It is disconcerting to watch him, but probably REALLY annoying for him! And consequently, he still cannot do much with reading or working on the computer, as straining to keep in focus causes a big headache after only about an hour. Plus, as the day goes on and he gets tired, his eye AND his body just wear out, and he still goes to bed very early. (Those that know me well know how much I like to have to leave my bedroom early every night...but I shouldn't complain :) ....)</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">If I had to put a number I'd say Joe is at about 60 to 80 percent of where he was, depending on the time of day. But now is the time he needs to find a new job, and he is still in no shape to interview, let alone chase down contacts, knock on doors, whatever. So I guess you could say we are in limbo. The doc said to give the eye six months, but I haven't seen it change at all in the last two, so it worries me. </span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">There are good things though! His blood levels have been great for the last two rounds of blood tests, so they have the coumadin (wayfarin) dosage figured out, AND he has very little headaches anymore, and nothing at all like he used to have. Just gets headaches when he does too much....hence the job problem. I have to admit I am getting worried and he is getting more worried about our financial situation, but I have to remind myself, WHO ISN'T??? There just aren't that many jobs out there! Sad times, but we are very very grateful for what we have. </span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Gotta run...Jamon's coming to say hi!!!</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Love to all!</span>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-70240097049402057962009-03-03T22:45:00.008-07:002009-03-04T00:00:13.669-07:00Six Year Anniversary<div><div><div><div><div align="center">Below are some photos of the sixth year remembrance of Brian, Michael and Caitlyn....</div><div align="center">February 28, 2009 </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXsQl2VksHAcNBv8o1R2RhEEUl5dohF7ls7PpPUY-nHgYSi40aiKUC7HzBaXOAupnO6RxstGM1YFRS1NE80eQc6aeY9IaZjIs2rjxH_WeJXOhIZ-IJUgjqDnajoTyiRbFZkcGvY4CxKqE/s1600-h/CIMG0421.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309218162235004786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXsQl2VksHAcNBv8o1R2RhEEUl5dohF7ls7PpPUY-nHgYSi40aiKUC7HzBaXOAupnO6RxstGM1YFRS1NE80eQc6aeY9IaZjIs2rjxH_WeJXOhIZ-IJUgjqDnajoTyiRbFZkcGvY4CxKqE/s400/CIMG0421.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Lindsey working on the luminary bags....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLOYLhuxcCXb6tvYxcSbOObbZ5POmRLbb42VbPSq6A7Bi3YvgAwxile777rQX_Y_GZiII3ajDACOkCHIfypdRcr6HmpK8tXCUBmH-_sS-mVIZe8BRbAdbFrfMG097spxXsohLkht3QwYH/s1600-h/starting+the+luminaries.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309223054366493010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLOYLhuxcCXb6tvYxcSbOObbZ5POmRLbb42VbPSq6A7Bi3YvgAwxile777rQX_Y_GZiII3ajDACOkCHIfypdRcr6HmpK8tXCUBmH-_sS-mVIZe8BRbAdbFrfMG097spxXsohLkht3QwYH/s400/starting+the+luminaries.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcofap1W1j9WGpdGhoNbtk3jxFtJtqOSGetJzka-FQ3mHPN2jWb_wV1ff0x_uz3joNkEqab6SiXAocp8rWLYttnipUfpJuFrZaOTuDRXGItFoPFeHnQkzlL5OqaN39TWoDD4SBqyGDGD2/s1600-h/CIMG0434.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h2PJ5yP2eM8KczPdvCZmf-Vo6TX9FgcW2VLnXAYzCiloR4yhj9YyqVgGtwcMSvt5Af_Y8vqYKMA2Yrvbwnm9R0fsF-BCNwKmEIPHzTFf0dfB4Z0S-vRsTIoZByaaYa64BMzGqhyQyGMB/s1600-h/CIMG0433.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309220345014884690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h2PJ5yP2eM8KczPdvCZmf-Vo6TX9FgcW2VLnXAYzCiloR4yhj9YyqVgGtwcMSvt5Af_Y8vqYKMA2Yrvbwnm9R0fsF-BCNwKmEIPHzTFf0dfB4Z0S-vRsTIoZByaaYa64BMzGqhyQyGMB/s400/CIMG0433.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEJMaCSzj0zOpZXw6L44PEJjyumXFTCD1V_R-JNDtFxe70o0fCS19bRPM3fLkml-kWRr6rLBsM6jr5h1_JL8j-ZRmxhBI_gebVooZ0_dvMuQsTToB3YcNiNsFHJauAiXvi9d8wcDTyfYt/s1600-h/CIMG0435.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309207855101107154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEJMaCSzj0zOpZXw6L44PEJjyumXFTCD1V_R-JNDtFxe70o0fCS19bRPM3fLkml-kWRr6rLBsM6jr5h1_JL8j-ZRmxhBI_gebVooZ0_dvMuQsTToB3YcNiNsFHJauAiXvi9d8wcDTyfYt/s400/CIMG0435.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwx8A15Rsw2m8U8NST558gLG00oPS1h6LbSxjGK87bABywBQX7YxMUJQO9n4hHKhAMgxPuUxFwhsu-nUicQsAsg5QCmi8O2dOyF3syGQ8Cj2ajC1yAd4b9G31WpbrikJZ-EWOBwSz0OD6w/s1600-h/CIMG0427.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309207851864610738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwx8A15Rsw2m8U8NST558gLG00oPS1h6LbSxjGK87bABywBQX7YxMUJQO9n4hHKhAMgxPuUxFwhsu-nUicQsAsg5QCmi8O2dOyF3syGQ8Cj2ajC1yAd4b9G31WpbrikJZ-EWOBwSz0OD6w/s400/CIMG0427.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me with some of "the boys"<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbZ5P_7UirY2FvIn-zXlDAeh26omrntxaMum5esMRDQjOxKVaeVzCKY9XWzxHB33m_ktWU-hG8ujiujYYPSc0oR5zk1SUeu7b-CRVlbCceNMo3BkBNmZbm2xDSgZkHniM1FnPVPsnMQBh/s1600-h/CIMG0431.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309207848875316642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbZ5P_7UirY2FvIn-zXlDAeh26omrntxaMum5esMRDQjOxKVaeVzCKY9XWzxHB33m_ktWU-hG8ujiujYYPSc0oR5zk1SUeu7b-CRVlbCceNMo3BkBNmZbm2xDSgZkHniM1FnPVPsnMQBh/s400/CIMG0431.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueqDOr2OXcI1aiM6v0vTazK4jZV7TbMtVHgnx3OixJhHagtOjYFLwwKrZl40m6avdGvsygoNCunzCVPS78PZFRvOKqk1PMk_M5qh-xV39g8zueB_TECt8-FMZ5UdJvPjE9eHkkNCX4Sap/s1600-h/CIMG0422.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309220340054681858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueqDOr2OXcI1aiM6v0vTazK4jZV7TbMtVHgnx3OixJhHagtOjYFLwwKrZl40m6avdGvsygoNCunzCVPS78PZFRvOKqk1PMk_M5qh-xV39g8zueB_TECt8-FMZ5UdJvPjE9eHkkNCX4Sap/s400/CIMG0422.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLdUx2JjCS3YQG6DKryeFZfDV3QznRNB7y6skd8cAQX1cyGcnQt7Ym-votgMtdK3Lthcq98vvKqnfNH1fuYpaS6Ss6Ae2PQ_ZfscGfybkX-2SinB_3qK11L7Q_13N4MLufP3OxyQuMwxk/s1600-h/CIMG0430.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309207837804275010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLdUx2JjCS3YQG6DKryeFZfDV3QznRNB7y6skd8cAQX1cyGcnQt7Ym-votgMtdK3Lthcq98vvKqnfNH1fuYpaS6Ss6Ae2PQ_ZfscGfybkX-2SinB_3qK11L7Q_13N4MLufP3OxyQuMwxk/s400/CIMG0430.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309206077271226018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX5txzlZx_VmSI-PClXEL4fpHc8lP2HdHLmCy-aSaVQRHOdij6S9hArxZU1Xnli6h1v2b5Xpe9qlbQh0qg89HYWbAzb8fkJ4pN25z1-m3RCIJm3sXWuDZpp2suSbou8MbKLJhf2JjXCHC/s400/CIMG0441.JPG" border="0" /> Joe with some of "the girls"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFuKYKOYr3q-WFJ48RRAo9-gNJAsRmLF0oCO3mSQTk2x-GSs60TTtxJooN2YcJY9egMV9vY4aWDwF7dTNyCW2Xsl-7K8N4av4Vum2E_2n8InuxfmHsInaECo8ZtNHX77QDOT7_erPH55d/s1600-h/Joe+talking+to+kids.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309218165735548722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFuKYKOYr3q-WFJ48RRAo9-gNJAsRmLF0oCO3mSQTk2x-GSs60TTtxJooN2YcJY9egMV9vY4aWDwF7dTNyCW2Xsl-7K8N4av4Vum2E_2n8InuxfmHsInaECo8ZtNHX77QDOT7_erPH55d/s400/Joe+talking+to+kids.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joe thanks everyone for coming<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROD54JDgNo4W2Axx8bEVvt850ief5LudYnhlKNodwtG0kQi3_7zlfjqIQa8-IuR2qLgtW1q1nibrM4bPJcS8Jp1M3iTcV8Wa0xBYAnnuJ7Ak1_qUNwq79IRRtCXIafouaR-RxhJ2-n4or/s1600-h/CIMG0443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309211525677427650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 422px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROD54JDgNo4W2Axx8bEVvt850ief5LudYnhlKNodwtG0kQi3_7zlfjqIQa8-IuR2qLgtW1q1nibrM4bPJcS8Jp1M3iTcV8Wa0xBYAnnuJ7Ak1_qUNwq79IRRtCXIafouaR-RxhJ2-n4or/s400/CIMG0443.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qBH_f9OwnzF0EaDeb_COc3lUO06rOiRq0IPKAIynVOvMg8KQDG5srbWdjaXYpHOsyHW8fJfUiMruYYjKkWXUs6JR6F2dvX1GQ8JWsGAxQgM95TMmH9bQm_Rljil84UIINQtrWZt3SzAp/s1600-h/Anniversary+6+year+with+Michelle+at+crash+site.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309220349738574994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qBH_f9OwnzF0EaDeb_COc3lUO06rOiRq0IPKAIynVOvMg8KQDG5srbWdjaXYpHOsyHW8fJfUiMruYYjKkWXUs6JR6F2dvX1GQ8JWsGAxQgM95TMmH9bQm_Rljil84UIINQtrWZt3SzAp/s400/Anniversary+6+year+with+Michelle+at+crash+site.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_7EaZqDZk7-ln9QJF7celaaPP-x8VguFP5HDfJGYvsSBHW7FsAbxLCeTUOGNvj_LghjkSH-NHJyQLo54uatDph0hMQyUPnd5aXMy2rNx-5AZMxvRzp7FBCuZdHCuRq7iWXTmNs4zyeAY/s1600-h/CIMG0449.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309211527116630002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_7EaZqDZk7-ln9QJF7celaaPP-x8VguFP5HDfJGYvsSBHW7FsAbxLCeTUOGNvj_LghjkSH-NHJyQLo54uatDph0hMQyUPnd5aXMy2rNx-5AZMxvRzp7FBCuZdHCuRq7iWXTmNs4zyeAY/s400/CIMG0449.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Michelle and her boyfriend and their baby "Michael"</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>CJ holding him...<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><div>It was a beautiful night, and many loved ones came to help us remember and to give and get hugs. We know many more were there with us in thought. We love you all and thank you for remembering our sweet kids....</div><br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-6171568476545242522009-02-18T19:52:00.002-07:002009-02-18T20:14:42.299-07:00FEBRUARY ..... NUFF SAID.Just a quick update on Joe and to say hello. I love that so many people still read this! It means so much and I can't tell you HOW MUCH. Couldn't even begin. <br /><br />Joe's MRI/MRA has to be redone. They didn't go down far enough to get all the cerebellum. Hm. He goes in next week again, and then we'll see if there has been any change. Joe is steadily doing better. He walks around the house ok without his cane. But he looks kinda funny, kind of like a toddler, a nice wide stance so he won't lose his balance. He had the last of his physical therapy appointments last week, and Meagan (his therapist) was so sweet and she would be proud of him to see him continuing his exercises every day. He even went to the "therapy pool" at the Ridge (thanks for the suggestion Dawn) yesterday. He did doggy paddles and "pool jogging" for 45 minutes while Britt swam laps....a daddy/daughter date! <br /><br />The 28th is here in no time. Thanks to so many for your kind words and prayers and thoughts. We can't believe it has been six years. I didn't think I would survive one. It has been easier because of your love and comfort and prayers. And because we know we will see him again. And because of His loving comfort. This is a tough life and we have seen many of our loved ones also have to deal with sadness. Wish we could take it away. We WILL be at the "crash site" with the luminaries on the night of the 28th if you would like to join us. No pressure. I'll talk to the Heykoops and McLeods, but I'm thinking around 5:00 p.m. Or just drive by and see the beautiful remembrance.Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-81472155646135260382009-02-11T22:02:00.002-07:002009-02-11T22:18:36.982-07:00AMAAAAZINGI thought I ought to update the blog and say hello. Today was Parent Teacher Conferences at Chatfield and it was great to see so many people that we love. We love the teachers, the administration, and all the friends we get to talk to while we wait in line to get our turn. Joe was excited to go with me because he loves to hear all the great comments we get about our sweet Brittney and he loves to see all the people in our neighborhood that we have come to love so much over the years. So many commented on how well he looked and how much easier he seems to be getting around with his cane. He is getting quite fast now. He still gets dizzy but he has the whole cane thing mastered I think. He has a constant "wink" it seems as he blinks so much to keep his weak eye focused. I still worry so much that his eye won't go back to normal, but the doc says to be patient. When I think of where he was just a few weeks ago, I guess I have to be very thankful about his progress. Getting back to 100% will take a long time, but at least he is making so many noticeable improvements. He goes for his MRI on Friday so we'll see how that goes...<br /><br />Meanwhile, we have been keeping pretty busy -- I have been busy at work, plus we've had a few social events to keep Joe busy. The Chatfield basketball boys came for their annual sloppy joe's last week. We just love the boys and coaches and parents. High class group of people ...they have all been so supportive to us and we can't thank them enough, ever. <br /><br />The seminary kids came for breakfast today, as the Larsens left to take Kenneth to the MTC today (we will miss you Kenneth but we know you'll be an amaaazing missionary). Joe made a zillions waffles while I cooked up four dozen scrambled eggs, and 3 pounds of bacon and sausage. I dunno how Eileen does it every week...whoosh! But I'll tell ya, it sure was a fun way to spend the 6:00 to 7:45 hours of the morning! These are great kids!<br /><br />So, that's it...it has been an amaaaaaazing journey as we watch Joe slowly but surely make improvements, as we think of all the people who have been so good to us and shown us so much love, and as we thank God that we have so much to be thankful for still. Here comes February 28 around the corner. February holds all those "last" memories and it is always difficult to get through, but we will with the help of so many. Don't forget there will be luminaries on that night...as always.....to remember our sweet loved ones. Ya'll are invited of course...six years....and they are always missed and always remembered....every single day!Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-8491040664295541872009-02-01T21:08:00.003-07:002009-02-01T22:36:12.673-07:00WAHOO!I haven't written for awhile, and thought I'd catch up. It has been quite an eventful week or so. My parents came out on Monday the 26th and we've had a whirlwind of a time. Mom and Dad wanted to go to San Diego, and as we sometimes like to meet them down there in our favorite beach city, they invited us. But Joe is in no condition for an airplane ride (much less the ride to the airport, ha) and so they decided to come here instead. True to form, my mom decided she would help out around the house and with Joe while they were here, so she immediately set out to clean our fridge, and even got dad in on it. There were bottles of stuff all over the kitchen counters, things I should have gone through a long long time ago (embarrassing to tell of my lack of throw away ability I know), but now when I open my fridge it is like a brand new attitude on life, it is so clean and shiny and lacking in moldy leftovers! We went to stay at the Embassy Suites in Englewood the first night they got here, using some of Joe's Hilton points, to give Joe something fun to do (he looooovvvves the breakfasts there), and we had a great time going out to eat, sitting in the hot tub, and watching a movie on the pay per view.<br /><br />Joe has steadily gotten faster with his cane this week, and it is very encouraging. His amitryptaline seems to be starting to work, although he still gets EXTREMELY fatigued and some headaches do crop up unexpectedly. The double vision is still a big concern as it seems to be the same as ever. He seems to be always a little bit "dizzy" but he is trying valiantly to get used to it. And his attitude has greatly improved and we are proud of him!!!Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-9271428817570971432009-01-22T22:30:00.002-07:002009-01-22T22:46:46.090-07:00CANE YOU SAY CANE?!??!!!Yes that's right...Joe is walking with a cane now! As of Monday, I got him a lovely little $20 chrome cane from Walgreens. After practicing all weekend with the physical therapist's cane, getting the turns down (that's where he gets dizzy), we even ventured to the mall on Tuesday morning and did the "before opening mall walk" as many do, old and young, walkers and strollers, lots of morning walkers. Joe walked the entire mall, first and second floors!!! He is much slower than with his walker, but he looks pretty distinguished! There was a 90 year old guy that passed him up with his walker, but Joe wasn't discouraged, no not at all! <br /><br />THEN, he even walked around Target for a little to pick out some groceries we needed...what a morning for him. He was pooped, but he felt really good about his accomplishments. <br /><br />Here's some really good news, too....since Sunday morning he hasn't had one single oxycontin! He's off of the looney stuff! I'm giving him tylenol in the morning and his amitryptiline at night, and he reported on Tuesday that his head is actually hurting less and less. This new stuff must be working just like Dr. Arroyo said...what a concept!!! I'll tell you one thing, Joe is a totally different person without the looney pill! AND, one more good thing, his blood level was perfect so we even have the coumidin dosage right now. Soooo much good to report. <br /><br />One bad thing...he's still have a terrible time with the double vision. He's tried to read and watch tv and do some emails on the computer, but it just starts his headache in a matter of minutes because he's trying to focus and just can't. It's got to be such a frustrating thing to deal with!! The opthamologist said to give it six months...and then "prisms" or even surgery. I hope he will get over this part....<br /><br />But he's doing what he can...walked around the culdesac yesterday with Lindsey and neighbors came out and said hi. THEN, today he walked all the way to his favorite hairdresser to get his haircut (by Einstein's). I said I'd love to take him but he wanted to enjoy the wonderful 70 degree sunshine. See what I mean about getting the old Joe back? OH, AND THE NEATEST THING....the vacuum turns out to be kind of like the cane, and now that he has the balancing figured out, he can vacuum all he wants! HELLO.....CARPET LINES ARE BACK AT THE ELLSWORTHS!!! YAY!Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-20706573522898201532009-01-17T23:10:00.002-07:002009-01-17T23:22:06.824-07:00Neurologist Visit Friday the 16thWell, Joe and I trooped on down to downtown Denver to see Dr. Quigley, the neurologist, at 9 a.m. yesterday. Joe got a little dizzy on the ride, but I got very happy when we could use his handicapped pass to park right in front of the building! Wow, that SO beats driving up the parking garage, taking the elevator down down, and then walking for miles to get in the building! <br /><br />Okay, for the visit. Dr. Quigley was quite fun, and teased Joe that he could start to try to do more even if it hurts. She couldn't find the cat scan on the records in Joe's file, so we told her the blog address and she looked it up there! Ha! She was impressed that I could almost spell all the meds right. She checked all the pertinent neurological functions and declared that Joe was doing pretty well, considering! First, if the dissection of the vein had been any higher, he might have died! Absolutely are we grateful that didn't happen! Then, she said if Joe compares himself to how he was on November 21, it seems like he hasn't made any progress. But if he compares how he was on November 22 at 10:30 p.m., he's made AMAZING progress. Nice optimistic way to look at things, don't you agree? We are to make an appointment for a few weeks from now for an MRI and an MRA to check on his brain and how it's healing. <br /><br />Meanwhile, she gave Joe the lecture that he needs to try to do MORE, so that he can heal faster. I liked this advice because I miss my "movie buddy" and have been begging him to try to go to a movie for weeks, to no avail. A movie might be a little much yet, but at least I can go "walk him" through the mall or something, right? His physical therapist also came on Friday, and said Joe ought to start using a cane around the house and get a feel for balancing with that, and then work into going out with it. <br /><br />ALSO, Friday Joe DID declare that his headache seemed to be a little better! Maybe this amitryptaline is doing the trick! Of course, later in the day he was in pain, and all day today, but we aren't giving up hope! <br /><br />Ok, long winded, but that's the gist of the news for today. Thanks again everyone for your help and sweet comments....can't EVEN begin to tell you what it means!<br /><br />love,<br />rebeccaRebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-51713572006656388562009-01-14T22:01:00.002-07:002009-01-14T22:20:26.619-07:00Another day in the life...Hello! I've got to say, it is so neat for me to get on here and see who has checked in or written something. It is really touching, and keeps me going. And I run into people each and every day that say they have been "checking the blog"...means a lot to both Joe and I. <br /><br />Not too much to report...Joe continues to work with the physical therapist and occupational therapist, and is trying to walk around the house a lot with his walker. I caught him trying to vacuum a couple of days ago...big no no. He just misses that vaccum! He claims it is so heavy it holds him up. I had to scold him. <br /><br />Latest: Dr. Arroyo upped his dosage of amitrypaline (NOT the right spelling but I'm too tired to get up and go look at the bottle) which he takes at night and which wipes him out. It takes about a month to kick in, I guess, and it's been about three weeks. He reduced his oxycontin (sp again?) to only the morning dose. His head still hurts, but we are hopeful that this medicine is going to do the trick. And they also continue to increase his wayfarin (blood thinner) because his levels are "dangerously low"...I really don't like it when they say that. I still worry that he doesn't want to go anywhere or do anything much, because of the constant pain. He seems to be getting a little less dizzy, and a little more of his appetite has come back. Did I ever say that he lost about 20 pounds? That's a lot for him...skinny thing he already was. I think he's gained about five back, despite my cooking, and thanks to those goodies/meals that still magically show up sometimes (thanks). He felt like eating something sweet today (I've been eating sweets for two)! He also started talking about what he's going to do in the future, something he hasn't even wanted or felt like looking into at all. <br /><br />Also, he's listening to lots of books on tape (thanks to those who lent us some...you are lifesavers) ... which is the only thing he can really do. He can't read because of the double vision which is still there, or watch tv. But he gets through about a book a day...wow. He goes to the neurologist on Friday, so I'll report what happens there....<br /><br />Meanwhile, thanks so much, again....and again....we are feeling that love and those prayers. I went with Brittney to the Chatfield/Columbine basketball game tonight...it was really great to see these guys that we have come to know and love play so well. And to see so many of our great friends that asked about him. Hopefully he can make it to one of the games soon for an hour or so at least....Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-48426377712175472212009-01-08T15:56:00.002-07:002009-01-08T16:06:10.375-07:00Update...Opthamologist VisitHello everyone! Today Joe went on his longest car ride yet up to the Lakewood Kaiser Office to see an opthamologist about his double vision. He spent a lot of time with Joe which was nice. He determined (and I will get this description wrong no doubt) that he has weak "oblique" muscles in that right eye, the side of the stroke, which is something that usually always happens. He said that it takes a long time to fully get better and gave him some tips on how to strengthen the eye. He showed me how Joe's eye actually won't go as far down, up, to the side, as his left eye, and you can even see it kind of "twitching" as it tries to go in tandem with the other eye...hence the double vision! Makes sense! (Marcie if you are reading this don't laugh too hard at my uneducated descriptions). SO, yet another thing that is going to take a long time to heal. He DOES have less, or no, double vision when he looks straight ahead, which is better than he was even a couple of weeks ago. YAY!<br /><br />I tried to figure out how to take off the Christmas template and music from this blog and add something more Januaryish, but I need Steph for that. It reminds me of my house, where Christmas is still up all around the house (ok, I did start on it, but Linds and Mike are coming on Saturday to help finish it up...another yay!) Meanwhile, Joe continues to slowly improve. I'm worried about his wayfarin levels. They have had to up the levels three weeks in a row now. That reminds me, I need to go play nurse and give him his extra dose right now!<br /><br />Love to all! Thanks for the continued thoughts, prayers, phone calls, visits!!! love it!<br />RebeccaRebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-87777693247928215232009-01-05T19:25:00.002-07:002009-01-05T19:34:27.886-07:00Hello and Happy New Year!I'm finally taking a minute to write and catch up. It seems to be just as busy after Christmas as it was before. Joe is slowly slowly doing a little better each day. The doctor said that improvement would kind of taper off and that seems to be the case. Yet when we were at church last week, I noticed how much better he was than the week before (he goes for just one hour and then goes home to rest). And the week before that he went for the first time and barely barely made it through. So it WAS uplifting to see that he actually had improved compared to the weeks before. The usual day for him is to get up and have breakfast, take a shower, rest, work with the physical therapist, rest, work with the occupational therapist, rest, have some lunch, rest, listen to a little of his books on tape (while he rests), eat dinner, rest, go to bed. He absolutely hates to ride in the car as his headaches are still pretty severe and any bump in the road is excruciating. We did make a big excursion to the DMV to get the handicap sticker, but have yet to use it (wait we did at church yesterday!!). Hopefully that will start to improve so we can get him out of the house some. He is still trying this new medicine at night, and the doc raised the dosage, but results won't be obvious for about a month he said. Patience is the key I guess.<br /><br />Another worry is that his double vision has not improved. The doc said that may not be connected to the actualy dissection of the artery and may be something else entirely associated with the stroke. That has us worried! We have an appointment with the opthamologist on Thursday....we'll see what that entails. <br /><br />Meanwhile, I wonder just how much of all this will stay with him and whether he will ever be the way he was. I shouldn't worry about that but I do. But thanks to prayers and food and love and kindness we are getting through it just fine!<br /><br />Love to you all, a million million thanks!<br />RebeccaRebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-35314653448945785002008-12-28T21:57:00.005-07:002008-12-28T22:32:57.726-07:00Hey from Rebecca!<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Just want everyone to know how much we love all of you! It was so nice to get so many wonderful plates of goodies and well wishes! Even though Christmas was a bit different this year (I really missed that help from Santa this year...oh boy!!) and it was sad to see Joe get so tired just from all the regular commotion of Christmas morning, it was still so full of joy....because of the true meaning of Christmas. I kept reminding my Primary kids (that's the children's group from 2 to 12 that I help be in charge of) that when we "give" like Jesus gave, then we find the true joy and peace and happiness that He wants us to find. Well, my girls were so tender and sweet in their gifts this year...from the heart. Steph looked and looked on the internet to buy a bottle of Brian's favorite cologne (Him from Gap that is not made any longer)...wow.....and even found an old bottle of Brandon's before which gave her the idea. Lindsey got the idea to get together all of our video tapes from all of our previous camcorders and get them put on cd's, labeled, indexed, everything. Sweet friends in the ward, the Knotts, gave them a great price for it, and so far there are about 22 copied!! Absolutely priceless!! I can't wait to watch them all! Then, Steph had Brandon use his talents in two ways. First he digitally created absolutely beautiful pictures of the temples where we were all married, complete with our names and dates. REALLY beautiful...I'll get a picture of ours on here for all to see. Then, you saw below the portraits he did of the girls...to match our one of Brian. These are priceless gifts of the heart from our girls (and their husbands) who have become the most caring souls on earth. They miss their brother, too, and know it is a hard time at Christmas, regardless of strokes....and even with presents and food and music and decorations. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTqkpN40gVk6bHsnBrhR6VH8xjZ6gGrf6e5FkMpu7DniR3s3eUY0ReaAGryPEyno7Bf1Dud451Or_T12YrACn30hDRN-N5jIFg0YFMqj1Usgy-uPP5XaeVJwwfiHqcNquYp_NjKM_y9jD/s1600-h/CIMG0324.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285079490952287330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTqkpN40gVk6bHsnBrhR6VH8xjZ6gGrf6e5FkMpu7DniR3s3eUY0ReaAGryPEyno7Bf1Dud451Or_T12YrACn30hDRN-N5jIFg0YFMqj1Usgy-uPP5XaeVJwwfiHqcNquYp_NjKM_y9jD/s400/CIMG0324.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">The ward choir came to carol to Joe last Sunday, and soooooo many sweet people we love filled our house. It made Joe so happy, and really lifted his spirits. It made us cry of course. Kenda Falkner came and sang to Joe with her beautiful voice. Luke Jones came to sing Joe his own special performance...O Holy Night and Silent Night of course. DO WE FEEL LOVED OR WHAT??? </span></div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgeikzrYiegCqrs24o4iTLe1KvAgrCiHOvKfpg9dhMO4JY57Xvpaa_cBfUV2sseZT47xZnvh39MIJEwCVQOrMndnMIYMgbvJeXp_djU1G2prsOs-J6aRyzbpIda4wUivoI-Kasnf0euYW/s1600-h/CIMG0332.JPG"></a></span><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiG61HdXiOP836IcBR-kTyqqe3Q2rGFpLiNGA5hRfHZCNAQrhW5SU40qwwaFRrV_OPyirxVaPjVWs2WRFY81gBGk0oKmwRE5PI5xhK9ezS58ZGf0XTzfkc5Pq2s7VgKOMdUjgJIPXVkNv/s1600-h/CIMG0335.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285080038479998514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiG61HdXiOP836IcBR-kTyqqe3Q2rGFpLiNGA5hRfHZCNAQrhW5SU40qwwaFRrV_OPyirxVaPjVWs2WRFY81gBGk0oKmwRE5PI5xhK9ezS58ZGf0XTzfkc5Pq2s7VgKOMdUjgJIPXVkNv/s320/CIMG0335.JPG" border="0" /></a>Steph and Brandon were here all week, and Steph was the cutest little homemaker, cooking things for her dad that she knew he liked, cleaning, vacuuming, doing dishes, laundry, everything. I didn't realize how tired and overwhelmed I was until she started doing it all (Lindsey and Britt helped MUCH of course too), and it was such a relief. Like Steph said, seems like Joe is in kind of a standstill, yet there are little improvements I guess I miss. If we could just get the pain and dizziness and weakness to get better.....</span><br /></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Okay, it is getting late and I have to go to work early, but just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful New Year, and thank you sooo much for making our Christmas special in so many ways. We are grateful ...more than these words of mine can say. </span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Much love,</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Rebecca</span> </div></div>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-60698497600128410082008-12-27T22:53:00.008-07:002008-12-27T23:35:00.843-07:00ChristmasWe are in denial that Christmas is over... so we apologize, but you might just have to deal with the Christmas background and Christmas music for a little bit longer!<br /><br />Christmas was just wonderful for us. It was our first Christmas with 2 married couples here, and we had the entire family at home! Our Christmas wish was granted when Dad came home from the rehab center, so we couldn't have asked for more! We opened presents our traditional way (one person opening one present at a time) and made record time! We finished around 1:00 pm. We were also blessed to have Mikes Mom (Lindsey's husband) in town to celebrate Christmas with us.<br /><br />Dad is in that "stand still" stage where he isn't getting any worse but he isn't really getting any better. He had 3 visits this past week from his physical therapist that just completely wiped him out each day. But he is trying to move around to keep everything flowing through his body and to keep his muscles loose. He tends to feel stiff from lying in bed all day. He watched a movie with us last night and he watched the whole thing. He kept closing one eye, switching off, so he could focus on the screen.. and it worked. :)<br /><br />Now for some pictures!<br />.....<br />Our gifts are overflowing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oipoZFAiUkW6xNSS80_5uD-se2p3Z5zneUev4lxWEiy2pFrszZ6YvkSdNC7R2Wjb6BletLOa8acWSC50PFWju87-5vBK85NpeoapD9-Cw3NjSr5lF3eqFbiO07HtOw5Gb2rYYPxAUtg/s1600-h/Christmas+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oipoZFAiUkW6xNSS80_5uD-se2p3Z5zneUev4lxWEiy2pFrszZ6YvkSdNC7R2Wjb6BletLOa8acWSC50PFWju87-5vBK85NpeoapD9-Cw3NjSr5lF3eqFbiO07HtOw5Gb2rYYPxAUtg/s320/Christmas+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284722593823688626" border="0" /></a><br />We are all in our PJ's that we opened on Christmas Eve!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8gBYDxw1gHbYsuGUBDzei1b94gME-fJR90I0PWI2HhG6M-gA1Po67wP0xcI4qBbb4j5kNgmalvl5Ks0N-lbvWb5mliw1XxtniIC75FfO3oNbEgKaMJXB_OMU3FpGbCtnQDtB9fnO7gg/s1600-h/Christmas+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8gBYDxw1gHbYsuGUBDzei1b94gME-fJR90I0PWI2HhG6M-gA1Po67wP0xcI4qBbb4j5kNgmalvl5Ks0N-lbvWb5mliw1XxtniIC75FfO3oNbEgKaMJXB_OMU3FpGbCtnQDtB9fnO7gg/s320/Christmas+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284722602714856194" border="0" /></a>This was a gift from my Mom and Brandon to my Dad. A picture of all 3 of the girls to go along with the one he drew of Brian! (It is the drawing just to the right of this one ). -----><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchy23M0zXNZXBTfbjsbaxw3ZzACKJ6rev4G93wf8c0F8uqrObSkKdZ4D14bV9OGvMH8Arr99GEQguz8ANqQhT0ZAPwfy-y5IfhZIwPG4gutd6zTBPxkQAO7FS6z_WDsqS_wGPHxlrMxg/s1600-h/Christmas+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchy23M0zXNZXBTfbjsbaxw3ZzACKJ6rev4G93wf8c0F8uqrObSkKdZ4D14bV9OGvMH8Arr99GEQguz8ANqQhT0ZAPwfy-y5IfhZIwPG4gutd6zTBPxkQAO7FS6z_WDsqS_wGPHxlrMxg/s320/Christmas+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284723382131187154" border="0" /></a>Brandon and I completely covered by our presents!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YpkklcN-casj0Q9T7r8GgmVAB0r1Ni6d3b2bKPL5Zb5eoFpz6rVDhqSHPOvt0kHx9uiy6XYlUTXGx91_bWaylNulpiMj4fYezTUijPwaZbpvJmSQM_7FbC8qZtxYGbLcm1PsOOSQy5M/s1600-h/Christmas+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YpkklcN-casj0Q9T7r8GgmVAB0r1Ni6d3b2bKPL5Zb5eoFpz6rVDhqSHPOvt0kHx9uiy6XYlUTXGx91_bWaylNulpiMj4fYezTUijPwaZbpvJmSQM_7FbC8qZtxYGbLcm1PsOOSQy5M/s320/Christmas+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284723378304711682" border="0" /></a>Dad and Brit in their spots on the couch!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV_b8M6SPofMatBmzycN4ejh1yWM8bBWgQdUJdDzy9WYYiLlWynxjpucTCVnTHveWKRXlMJU1OcRXH89dfsXDBD7pcJEUuUcXL2ayHsE_d2SUwj-QsOtOfcPRkEpadqdo5_q0aqEDEgU/s1600-h/Christmas+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV_b8M6SPofMatBmzycN4ejh1yWM8bBWgQdUJdDzy9WYYiLlWynxjpucTCVnTHveWKRXlMJU1OcRXH89dfsXDBD7pcJEUuUcXL2ayHsE_d2SUwj-QsOtOfcPRkEpadqdo5_q0aqEDEgU/s320/Christmas+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284723369949703826" border="0" /></a><br />So Brandon and I are driving back to Utah tomorrow to get back to work, but I wanted to say thank you for all of those that brought the amazing treats, goodies, gifts, and food for us. It was so nice to be taken care of and so nice to know so many care.<br /><br />With Love,<br />StephUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-12513528234738117292008-12-21T19:54:00.007-07:002008-12-21T21:06:12.966-07:00Weekend with the Family!Hello everyone.. it is Steph here. I am back in town! We finished up our last finals Friday morning and drove straight over arriving around 8 pm. Therefore, I was asked to update the blog for this weekend to let everyone know how my Dad is doing. We were assigned to many chores and errands around the house and around the town. We are trying to take over for my Mom. Between her work, primary obligations, cleaning the house, taking care of my Dad, and Christmas shopping.. she has kind of lost track! So Brandon, Linds and I are at her rescue!<br /><br />Dad has set himself some goals and has been doing a great job achieving them. He has also had some cravings lately. He usually isn't hungry or feeling well enough to eat, so whenever he says he wants something, we jump on it! Yesterday he had a meatball sub from Subway for lunch, and Little Caesar's Pizza and crazybread for dinner!<br /><div> </div><br /><div>So Saturday night was the 4 week mark. My Dad went into the hospital 4 weeks ago last night. We are very blessed to think of how much progress he has made in such a short time frame. He is still in tons of pain but we know <span style="font-size:130%;">the prayers are working</span>. So thank you. </div><div> </div><br /><div>Dad is still taking TONS of medication. He has to take about 8 pills 3 times a day! He went to his regular doctor on Saturday and was given a new medicine to add to the list. It is supposed to help with his pain as well as help him sleep. He finally slept Saturday for the majority of the night. This is the first time! The medicine makes him really "loopy" as he describes it, but we have high hopes for it.</div><div> </div><br /><div>I took my Dad to the bank on Saturday and it really wiped him out! He has also been really helpful with cleaning the house and has even vacuumed and cleaned the carpet. He can't live without those perfect lines! This morning Dad accomplished a goal. He went to Sacrament meeting! He had a hard time looking up at the podium and standing up, but he really wanted to see the Christmas program. </div><div> </div><br /><div>The church choir went caroling tonight and decided to make our home their first visit. My Dad was so excited about this! We made hot chocolate and cookies for everyone (sorry if it was too hot!) and enjoyed their beautiful singing. They sang "I'll Be Home For Christmas," specially for Dad. And of course it brought tears to his eyes. This was one of his biggest goals to be home for Christmas. And he is so happy to be home. </div><div> </div><br /><div>I believe he was so sad and down while he was in the nursing home... and I can already see a huge difference in his spirit. Since I was not here the past 2 weeks, I have only been able to talk to him on the phone. And he has sounded so sad. But I can actually see a light in his eyes now! </div><div> </div><br /><div>We are really busy trying to get together our Christmas cards but it is taking us a little while! So just know they are coming :) </div><br />Here is Dad getting into the car to come home!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjNsur1JOvpm655cmeBnkBVOtVdrfnDW6o4RUxkwqxBSn762wUG4t4U8vdkLE-3-5Kg15hCk-XdDlsqxWZwK2sfg7Jo3FmX-9FUc2bjM2gOwcNklL1_8zXkw5lAtk4Z94WoH-FXG3d6E/s1600-h/Dad+044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjNsur1JOvpm655cmeBnkBVOtVdrfnDW6o4RUxkwqxBSn762wUG4t4U8vdkLE-3-5Kg15hCk-XdDlsqxWZwK2sfg7Jo3FmX-9FUc2bjM2gOwcNklL1_8zXkw5lAtk4Z94WoH-FXG3d6E/s320/Dad+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282450326473328530" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Dad walking in to the house with the therapist.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIREwfKov7IQtHc-od9dmDbOC03yZoLCF1U0nCWIjT8tAcuQ4qK8MOXPTzdwybM2xFQl72AjukW7wmY0Fs3NcFG4FiQvIlDlpn3XFgs6CH7dDraCLabZfo4qzmdryVcNyMtRkD7WEWJoY/s1600-h/Dad+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIREwfKov7IQtHc-od9dmDbOC03yZoLCF1U0nCWIjT8tAcuQ4qK8MOXPTzdwybM2xFQl72AjukW7wmY0Fs3NcFG4FiQvIlDlpn3XFgs6CH7dDraCLabZfo4qzmdryVcNyMtRkD7WEWJoY/s320/Dad+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282450330605030722" border="0" /></a><br />Dad sitting on his bed. This is his regular spot during the day. And he is sporting his Chatfield shirt!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr72Y9D5LCVXNIoyq640bcDfVAfeyIEf6cvG6q-l_h3oasio6vd0HPplqeiu_85UPMvp4quYMumGQ5QqiRO_ubTWxnrtdJkob9zFCETmMY2Fg5R3hsQxpUyT7vbSgI7BVyX4p2dFOjwgY/s1600-h/Dad+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr72Y9D5LCVXNIoyq640bcDfVAfeyIEf6cvG6q-l_h3oasio6vd0HPplqeiu_85UPMvp4quYMumGQ5QqiRO_ubTWxnrtdJkob9zFCETmMY2Fg5R3hsQxpUyT7vbSgI7BVyX4p2dFOjwgY/s320/Dad+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282450339884311218" border="0" /></a>Everyone at Sunday lunch. Some of the Persson's got to join us!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjhYO-8OecMIEWVmEs8KMv6khw8leypZD5giI1UFDQqm2rAUaWUZKSKE6O0aFT_dmo0B4jLAKH7K6ly0pn5Iia_RL2-T-OjXljkODpWmHmGn_PM8pEJrRRA4irPRz5ZFRuHtiC3SkokE/s1600-h/Dad+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjhYO-8OecMIEWVmEs8KMv6khw8leypZD5giI1UFDQqm2rAUaWUZKSKE6O0aFT_dmo0B4jLAKH7K6ly0pn5Iia_RL2-T-OjXljkODpWmHmGn_PM8pEJrRRA4irPRz5ZFRuHtiC3SkokE/s320/Dad+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282450347361238370" border="0" /></a><br />The church choir singing to Dad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-vRM4WLkaUxaN94HlOoK6-c2xFgwfl1eVI4QQnWesD9gGRbZRfkOTAstdlHYm-vu8AqF4sbGktoHhGhjvUSL0upjjY82pp0593BZo8nmFA0tMoVftZqQH6KrYbwDAznjNRjX1l3C12s/s1600-h/Dad+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-vRM4WLkaUxaN94HlOoK6-c2xFgwfl1eVI4QQnWesD9gGRbZRfkOTAstdlHYm-vu8AqF4sbGktoHhGhjvUSL0upjjY82pp0593BZo8nmFA0tMoVftZqQH6KrYbwDAznjNRjX1l3C12s/s320/Dad+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282450358698222770" border="0" /></a><br />He was so happy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6mlo2ug1quFlpe4Ln_IHzX9YBvQrMXusc1MO4TizBaGIThlGPb8BkNWJCuF_57Cd7px9qljHSCjOiXLAxLzTkjSPWVO83nbcX9S2YC4vrvqn9zNFICdXX8hyphenhyphenSq0y4Z9qiueyDe9fiwo/s1600-h/Dad+055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6mlo2ug1quFlpe4Ln_IHzX9YBvQrMXusc1MO4TizBaGIThlGPb8BkNWJCuF_57Cd7px9qljHSCjOiXLAxLzTkjSPWVO83nbcX9S2YC4vrvqn9zNFICdXX8hyphenhyphenSq0y4Z9qiueyDe9fiwo/s320/Dad+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282450702140182674" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-77726509984304639502008-12-16T22:17:00.002-07:002008-12-16T22:32:25.878-07:00JOE IS HOME!!!!!What a monumental day! I got to Cherrelyn about 1:00 p.m., the appointed time, but Joe had been packed and ready to go since about 7:00 a.m. I don't know how he did it. I think he had the nurses wrapped around his little finger getting all his clothes and personal items put into bags. When I walked in they were sitting on the chair and he was ready to go!!! The nurse gave me a quick rundown of the meds and I got instructions about home health care, and after about two loads to the car, we were ready to go! Joe was walking plenty fast with his walker...faster than I'd ever seen or expected to see...in a hurry to get home! We got all situated in the car and we just had to sit there in a moment of silence to celebrate. <br /><br />The ride home made him nice and sick, of course. He sat on the couch with his eyes closed trying to stop "swimming" but that was okay because I had to get all the stuff from the car. Then the phone started ringing. First, it was Kaiser's "anti-coag" unit giving me a full rundown of the wayfarin, blood thinner. Then, Kaiser's regular pharmacy took up another hour or two, going down the looooong list of other meds, having to call me back because things weren't quite clear, etc. I had to write it all down twice just to get it straight...I think I'll have to have Lindsey make me a chart! I am going to have to be a good nurse, I can see. I had to sign my life away to get the oxycondin at the pharmacy. Good thing I won't be out pedaling it on the streets.....<br /><br />It IS daunting to think of all these things he has to take and do to get better. A lab tech comes to the house each day to test his blood, and then they call me before his evening dose to tell me if I need to change the blood thinner or not. Whew. The home health care is going to come to the house because of the car-dizziness-nausea problem, so I have to set that up. Also, lots of doctor appointments. I asked the Kaiser pharmacy rep, just in passing, if there would ever be a time when Joe could go back to taking regular old ibuprofin for his headache, and I got a 20 minute lecture about the dangers of that! Ok...got it!<br /><br />Well, I am pooped. Speaking of poop, we're doing better on that too. We will keep a careful watch over that situation for sure. <br /><br />love to you all...thanks one and all for taking such good care of us. Thanks for reading this. We are so touched that so many are taking time out of their busy day to check on us. <br /><br />love,<br />rebecca<br />p.s. picture of joe tomorrow coming into the house! picture of joe tomorrow sitting on his own bed!Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-26406623259027023532008-12-14T17:17:00.009-07:002008-12-14T17:58:52.820-07:00KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >My mom asked ME to post the blog for today so I apologize now if my grammar isn't perfect. WOW-- it has been a HARD couple of days. We felt like we were making so much progress and that the pain was finally under our control.... we should have known. Now he's having a lot of pain in his stomach, and Dad says it is an 8 out of 10 on the pain scale!!!! That's 3 points more than the headache was ever rated!! How devastating for my dad and for us. It was so hard watching him come home in so much pain. I am not sure if he was able to even see how beautiful we tried to make the house for his "home visit". Unfortunately it has been another "bump" in our road to recovery but as we all know we n</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >eed to still keep fighting and have faith that this will get better.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >However, from another perspective, things are starting to look better. My dad's headache is a little better today than it has been for the last two days. He wants to come home so badly and I am positive we can treat this pain at home. So, tomorrow we will start planning for his discharge! Hopefully this process will be short and painless, and he can be comfortable at home to continue his recovery. We are praying that he will be able to come home on Monday or Tuesday. A lot of details still need to be worked out but at least we are in the process.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Today my dad had the Larson Family visit!!! They are such sweet and kind people and wonderful friends to each and every member of our family.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD7zU9hTte_UXLoyCb8DS9PoT7VLQRh7mXZk7ykh0lxpWEM2Ehwhk7L69fD11QroL0Ner5KVfW7VuVul0cdusabMBxg5i7AAX4pClfTBpyuPTqfx32tPZ0QOAL89B0n6vFZbYPBPUDnBD/s1600-h/dadandlarsons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD7zU9hTte_UXLoyCb8DS9PoT7VLQRh7mXZk7ykh0lxpWEM2Ehwhk7L69fD11QroL0Ner5KVfW7VuVul0cdusabMBxg5i7AAX4pClfTBpyuPTqfx32tPZ0QOAL89B0n6vFZbYPBPUDnBD/s320/dadandlarsons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279809191539855506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >My mom took this picture with her phone so it's a little blurry!!! Again, we can not begin to thank everyone for the prayers, thoughts, cards and visits. My dad's counters are filled with cute cards and well wishes, so thank you, thank you, thank you.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Dad put his pirate patch back on today to help his right eye focus a little better. Here is another picture:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj1i5yDMQEhQ09VnnQGMsK9kTiRRHqlChD3tVbg-UkehxFLDS40wANsp37ymMjb9QfKhOiTunONiKJqsRvYNuKiCzFyxqfxoHxN-BfV5mbOF4sSSPfbWICmMJQAvTU0GrF1rcVA4H2lzl/s1600-h/dadandbritt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj1i5yDMQEhQ09VnnQGMsK9kTiRRHqlChD3tVbg-UkehxFLDS40wANsp37ymMjb9QfKhOiTunONiKJqsRvYNuKiCzFyxqfxoHxN-BfV5mbOF4sSSPfbWICmMJQAvTU0GrF1rcVA4H2lzl/s400/dadandbritt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279814617967910386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >That's really all for today, but hopefull</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >y he'll be home soon, and we might even be able to write a little note from him once he gets settled in. Thank you again for everything. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >-Linds</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-58624571874650343332008-12-14T00:44:00.002-07:002008-12-14T00:55:57.903-07:00Well so much for that...Just a quick entry tonight because it's so late! I didn't want to write anything in here yesterday because it was all so discouraging. Joe was so excited for the "home visit" but when I got there to get him he had a horrible stomach ache. He didn't want to put it off because that meant also putting off the day he could come home, but by the time we arrived home with the therapist, Joe wasn't just nauseated from the ride but also writhing in pain in his stomach. They had given him different medicine dosage; his roommate had gotten sick and he wondered if he was getting it; he wondered if he'd eaten something that made him sick...all sorts of things were in question. He was so miserable he couldn't even look around the house and see all the Christmas decorations his kids had so lovingly put up and the signs saying "welcome home dad" and "you can do it" that Lindsey had made. Then, when we got back to Cherrelyn, it was worse than ever. He could only moan in pain. They ordered an x-ray of his stomach, which took four hours for them to do because the technicians have to be brought in. Then the results took another four hours. At 10:30 p.m. we learned it was a simple but horrible case of constipation brought on by that dang percocet again (he'll shoot me when he sees I put this in here, but we ALL have dealt with it at one time or another haven't we?). They had given him all sorts of things to help with it, but it had only served to make him "writhe" in pain. It made us all so sad and worried. <br /><br />Today isn't much better...he's still in MUCH pain. He hasn't eaten a thing since Friday morning (and he's already lost so very much weight); can't hardly move at all. They say he should feel better by tomorrow and we can only hope and pray they are right. There is no going home tomorrow though. Hopefully Monday; Tuesday at the latest. He wants to be home sooooooooo much. We want him to come home soooooooo much. I have a picture to post of him walking into the house with his walker, but I'll save it for later when we are in a less discouraged state. <br /><br />Meanwhile, though, the bright spot is how many continue to call and send cards and write on here and go visit him, and bring us meals and so many many things to show love. We don't deserve it but we sure do love it. We love all of you who read this .... thank you from the bottom of our hearts.Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-36806105015009764732008-12-10T23:45:00.002-07:002008-12-11T00:06:14.081-07:00Ooops.Here I thought I was ALL THAT paying all the bills so smoothly, quickly, and well. Today my gap credit card declined. No! Not at my own store! Oh the embarrassment; oh the shame! I wondered what this was all about but, no biggy, I just called them once I got home. After a series of "push no. 1 for this and no. 2 for that," and getting disconnected twice, I found out it was declined because someone did not pay the bill! That would be me! The buck stops here! I so carefully paid each and every bill in my possession! Oh wait, I never did see the gap one, and I'd even asked Joe about it and he thought he'd already paid it. NOT SO. After a big long search through Joe's closet I found the bill tucked into a corner of his shelf, completely out of sight. Joe swears he did not put it there. I swear I didn't either. Whatever happened, now it's taken care of and I have learned that I am NOT "all that"! <br /><br />Now for Joe. He is definitely doing better. Still tired and headachy, but I think they are controling it a bit better without the percocet. He really wants to come home and I hope he can soon! He'll still have lots and lots of therapy to do but we will be able to do that here I believe. We'll know after the home visit on Friday. I have been absolutely amazed as I watch Joe have to "tell" his brain to do things, and then wait for it to respond. It is a crazy process. I feel like I'm taking Stroke 101. I know Joe is taking the crash course. <br /><br />Love to you all! Britt and I have a highlight to our day. Angels that drop off most delicious food! Thanks so much! And thanks for the prayers!Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-70668143723827849782008-12-09T23:14:00.003-07:002008-12-09T23:24:41.631-07:00Some good news!It's late and I should be in bed, but I just have to report some good happenings going on at Cherrelyn Healthcare Center! Joe's doctor, Dr. Wright, called today and has adjusted his medicine to NOT include percocet but more of oxycodon and something else (I forget) in the meantime if he needs it. The percocet was just making him drowsy and doing nothing for his headache. We will see how that goes in the next few days. He has been working as hard as he can on the therapy because he wants to get outa' there! The physical therapist called me today and scheduled a little field trip for Joe in which he gets to come with her to our house and do a "home check" to determine the things he needs to prepare for, and what we need to prepare for, so he can come HOME! YES! I think sometime next week! YAY!!! And Joe must be feeling like his old self because he called me shortly after to make sure I had the house all clean and vacuumed! That's my Joe! We've still got a loooooooonnnnnnnggggggg way to go but I have a feeling his progress will shape up better once he gets home. Maybe he'll get a full night's sleep! <br /><br />Meanwhile, Brittney and I have had the best food and goodies that we've ever eaten in our whole life! Thank you friends and family! And for the cards and goodies and books on tape and calls and....prayers!!!Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052435178174120434.post-80173296492338692562008-12-07T21:26:00.006-07:002008-12-07T22:23:50.830-07:00A Better Brighter Day<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8SXhsHPflhS3Cgt_hq9yE0__UyW-shAwyu61u1TLy_KvP1aWrHtq4mznByy8gH95-L5IBlm52tcGF_6pz9cnlOJRfWht2mYuSFv5wpJP00Qe_1WBD20C_6xaZfwgf3gOrYoSlh2fPjY2/s1600-h/087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277281729560369842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8SXhsHPflhS3Cgt_hq9yE0__UyW-shAwyu61u1TLy_KvP1aWrHtq4mznByy8gH95-L5IBlm52tcGF_6pz9cnlOJRfWht2mYuSFv5wpJP00Qe_1WBD20C_6xaZfwgf3gOrYoSlh2fPjY2/s320/087.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVlD0lV_IMSOq0UD0xCKivmqEB4jJ4ScyuXgi8Au26tDERLKNFlb8AF_JlveZhxYnClcxi6-JHtbrGzFnJEb3bDsg_0wm1OceiklR-AYPIQsItiOysnbvMGWPqqHV1BkEtzKiFCNs12SC/s1600-h/088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277273182596951842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVlD0lV_IMSOq0UD0xCKivmqEB4jJ4ScyuXgi8Au26tDERLKNFlb8AF_JlveZhxYnClcxi6-JHtbrGzFnJEb3bDsg_0wm1OceiklR-AYPIQsItiOysnbvMGWPqqHV1BkEtzKiFCNs12SC/s320/088.JPG" border="0" /></a> Okay, I'm nuts to post a picture of the both of us looking so old, but I wanted you to see us with smiles on our faces....yes smiles!!</div><div> </div><div>Well, there's still a blinding headache; there's still tiredness and weakness, but what has changed today is that we have renewed hope and courage, much due to the many prayers and other powerful gifts that have been offered on Joe's behalf. Today Britt and I got to Cherrelyn after we changed from church, but we were beaten there by Doug Hulme and Bob Gilligan. Then the Wilcox's and Jensens were there with the sacrament (Aaron's very first time to bless it and how honored are we that it was for Joe!!) and also Reed and Chris gave a special priesthood blessing to Joe, and then even Britt and I. We ALL needed that powerful boost, and I just cried as I realized that I CAN get strength to be a support to Joe like I should be, and I CAN have the faith that he will get better, and I CAN feel that love from my Heavenly Father that I know is there and never ever leaves. The Antonio's, Laura and Brooke, arrived just in time with Christmas sugar cookies, and it was almost a celebration. Lindsey got there just after they left, and she and I had a chat with the nurse to try to understand what it is about his medicine that is not doing the trick. We have a call in to the doctor, and we ARE getting this figured out!!! Or Else! Joe's brother-in-law Duane has had years of experience with headaches due to the anti-rejection drugs he is required to take after his heart transplant. He and his wife Christina called and I was finally able to connect with them tonight and they gave me great insight. Also Joe's brother Richard had a great comment on here. It's amazing what my cry for help has done!</div><div></div><br /><div>Lindsey got her dad to wheel himself to dinner, and stayed with him for quite awhile before she had to go to her night shift at the hospital. She is such a caring, loving support...no wonder she is such a great nurse. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflhyphenhyphenrQaQcyhMGx_hQ5ItPOv4Ua0tfKBF03CfnhosaQCf5Viy7h_LG9SJlEFMclTTAx5zEDqo39QNgZHyLWttaJa1U2lnbbPioruvRScPokj-YWkjxNvBDvBSjvJ1xJNFdskLFE0OMq3hM/s1600-h/085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277283497138581394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflhyphenhyphenrQaQcyhMGx_hQ5ItPOv4Ua0tfKBF03CfnhosaQCf5Viy7h_LG9SJlEFMclTTAx5zEDqo39QNgZHyLWttaJa1U2lnbbPioruvRScPokj-YWkjxNvBDvBSjvJ1xJNFdskLFE0OMq3hM/s400/085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So, how do you like that scruffy face? Joe actually called this morning and said, "Bring my razor!" This is a good sign! </div><div> </div><div>Thanks again for all your prayers, your friendship, your goodness!!! SOOOOOOOSOSOSOSOSO many people are loving us...how can we be discouraged with that, huh!!!???</div><div> </div><div>love, Rebecca<br /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVL1COdYXFD4diDzP14EVE1cN-VfQRIwIE6Kpk7G_F_BJ__WTDDmaAODcOK1uOx5hKpBFxoC4mxy1FcM8JRlGT2wRZW8zcBmTJ5w2__ao0z0Og9C0ChCPCR7h4mBmS8VYGljdPc3ZXkov/s1600-h/085.JPG"></a><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Rebecca aka brian's momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01619896948131704656noreply@blogger.com7