I know I don't ever do this, but it's late, I can't sleep, and I'm overwhelmed with thoughts that I need to put down. This is one reason I should keep a journal, but that's just one more thing there isn't time for in the day, right?
Whenever I come up to Utah for a visit, I feel like I get a reality check. I talk with my mom every day, sometimes a lot more, but until I am here, I don't really see and understand how bad things are for my dad. When he had his first kidney transplant (courtesy of an awesome brother-in-law) I had a lot of mixed emotions. I couldn't understand why this had to happen to my "good" dad. Why the one who treated my mother like royalty had to be inflicted with this misfortune? Then he started to do well and I was grateful for the lesson that life isn't always fair, but Heavenly Father is mindful of us. I learned that He sends blessings in different ways. I was so grateful when Bill recovered from the transplant and was doing well.
Then over the past few years there have been some major setbacks. Infections, viruses, doctor oversights, you name it. A few months ago the decision was made to remove his kidney and go on dialysis. It was the last option. He spends 4-5 hours a day, 3 days a week on dialysis. The side effects of dialysis and all of the medications he's taking because of it are immense. I wouldn't even call them side-effects, a more appropriate term would be entree effects. They are not just things you deal with and get on with your day, they are things you endure just hoping to get through the day. This is a man who used to give horse back rides to my son all around the house now he can barely spend half a day at work due to exhaustion and other physical ailments. To make matters more complicated, his red blood levels have gotten so low that he has been hospitalized twice for blood transfusions. This is difficult because it makes it that much harder to find a match for his kidney. Which is what we are all praying for and which brings me to my whole point of this post. I pray for my dad often, I know a lot of people do. I know there are so many people out there that are thinking of him, praying for his recovery. He has been such an influence in so many lives and it's shown in how many kidney offers he has received. He is an incredible man and an even more incredible father. I owe so many things to him, I couldn't even begin to express. I just wanted to share a tender mercy I had tonight while I was saying my prayers. While praying, I had a very deep sense of hope for my dad. A feeling of security that he will be ok, that his life will be blessed. I had a strong feeling that he will be healthy again, that we will all be blessed with his presence for a while longer. I felt a hope that I hadn't felt since his health has started to decline and I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father for blessing me with that comfort. And I want my dad to know that while he's suffering now, that he won't always have to. That Jesus suffered for us and knows what you're going through and can comfort you when you need it, because he's been there. And I know that He is watching out for you, and for all of us. I love you, dad, and I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. Sometimes I know it looks like things can't get any worse, and then another rotten thing happens.
Just remember to hope.
There aren't many things I like better than driving up to the house and seeing beautiful grass. Taking care of the yard has just not been high on our "To Do" list these days. With dialysis and blood transfusions we have just been too preoccupied. So when Jeff and Brooke offer up their adorable boys, we are VERY grateful. Isaac and Jonah have been mowing the lawn and weeding for us. What a highlight it is for us. First of all it is fun to have them over to hang out, and second of all the yard looks great! THANKS Guys!! YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!
Happy 24th! We celebrated by going to the Bountiful Handcart Days Parade. This was a first for me. We had a great time. Liz and Josh were nice enough to save some seats for us so we had a front row view. Josh said we shouldn't judge the parade by this year. It was not the best he has seen. So we are not sure if this will become a tradition. Nevertheless it was fun to watch the boys chase candy. We took Isaac, Jonah, and Noah. After the parade we came back here for a movie/sleepover night. We watched "Looney Tunes", "Superman Returns" (Noah's choice because he was the birthday boy) and "Second Hand Lions". The boys ate two pounds of bacon and 1 1/2 batches of waffles. It was a fun time. As you can see by the pictures, Ally was really enjoying Jonah's quilt. She was snuggling up to him all night. We spent the afternoon at the pool with Kelsey and the boys. Barbeque and fireworks tonight with Liz and Josh. Hope all of you are remembering the pioneers today. Thank you John Jacob Zundel!
I want to say that Newport Beach is one of my favorite places to visit. There are even things about it that I like better than Maui. I believe it to be an almost perfect vacation spot for families. I LOVE the ocean. I really, really love it. We always manage to luck out on the weather and have quite a bit of sun. I love the little shops. I really like discovering something new each time we go that we want to do again. I even enjoy being at Disneyland, as long as there are grandchildren there. I love all of the things that we do every time, like Ruby's and Fashion Island, and the beautiful Newport Temple.