A place for all who adore Dixie to come and get updates and express their support and encouragement.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Puff and Fluff
Mom, you are funny. One of the funniest things you've ever done was the Puff and Stuff trick. I will retell it here to jog your memory and for the enjoyment of your friends and family:
We all went with the boys for them to try on tuxedos for Randy and Ashley's wedding. We had to drive out somewhere, I think it was San Bernandino, and we thought we'd make a fun day of it and go out to lunch.
Everyone was looking forward to going out to eat and Mason and Shawn and Randy and Pops had already talked about where they wanted to go. Seafood Buffet? Steak and ribs? Hard choices.
We were standing around together wrapping up the tuxedo details when Mom pipes in sweetly- "There's this new place around here close that I've been REALLY wanting to go to. It's called....let's see, it's something like Puff and Fluff? Fluffy Puffs? Puff and Stuff? Something like that."
The boys looked at her like she was crazy. She went on, "Its all decorated in pink and they bring you your meal in parts on little plates with doilies and they have all sorts of little pretty puffy things." She went on and on. The boys said NO WAY but she gently pressed about how much she had her hopes up that they would go to this place.
Mason and Shawn's facial expressions were priceless. Totally disgusted. Mason said, after 2 or 3 minutes, "Okay Mom, if that's where you want to go." Shawn agreed, but they looked totally depressed. It's Mom after all, and her boys would do anything for her, even eat puffy pink things instead of king crab legs.
Then mom burst out laughing. Glenna and I were busting up too because somewhere along the line she had secretly winked at us. The boys figured out that it was a big joke and Mom admitted there was no Puff and Stuff. We went to South Seas and everyone lived happily ever after.
You are crazy, Mom. I love you.
We all went with the boys for them to try on tuxedos for Randy and Ashley's wedding. We had to drive out somewhere, I think it was San Bernandino, and we thought we'd make a fun day of it and go out to lunch.
Everyone was looking forward to going out to eat and Mason and Shawn and Randy and Pops had already talked about where they wanted to go. Seafood Buffet? Steak and ribs? Hard choices.
We were standing around together wrapping up the tuxedo details when Mom pipes in sweetly- "There's this new place around here close that I've been REALLY wanting to go to. It's called....let's see, it's something like Puff and Fluff? Fluffy Puffs? Puff and Stuff? Something like that."
The boys looked at her like she was crazy. She went on, "Its all decorated in pink and they bring you your meal in parts on little plates with doilies and they have all sorts of little pretty puffy things." She went on and on. The boys said NO WAY but she gently pressed about how much she had her hopes up that they would go to this place.
Mason and Shawn's facial expressions were priceless. Totally disgusted. Mason said, after 2 or 3 minutes, "Okay Mom, if that's where you want to go." Shawn agreed, but they looked totally depressed. It's Mom after all, and her boys would do anything for her, even eat puffy pink things instead of king crab legs.
Then mom burst out laughing. Glenna and I were busting up too because somewhere along the line she had secretly winked at us. The boys figured out that it was a big joke and Mom admitted there was no Puff and Stuff. We went to South Seas and everyone lived happily ever after.
You are crazy, Mom. I love you.
I am half way as of yesterday. I had my fourth treatment. I had a very emotional few days. It didn't take much to make me cry. Yesterday morning I went out to fill a prescription and I "met" a woman with some incredible road rage. At first I was in awe that someone could behave that way and then of course the tears came. She pulled in front of me twice and stopped in the middle of the road. Drove along side me flipping me off. She Actually was flipping me off the entire time. It was amazing!
I have two great friends that went with me to chemo and another ward member was there with her husband for chemo therapy and of course there are all the great nurses and other people that you meet there that are having chemo. We work on my "cancer quilt" and talk and really have a pretty good time. Last night I went to bed at 10 and didn't wake up till 6:30 so that was wonderful. I hate when I wake up in the middle of the night and have to get up for awhile. I have lots of family in town this weekend for various things so it will be fun to see them when they are available. Thank you so much to everyone for your support because it definitely helps me get through all of this. I love you all!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Today is a beautiful day in St. George. Yesterday I finally felt good all day. We have decided that since I am feeling good we are going to have a weekend getaway to Provo and Salt Lake. I am pretty excited because we haven't been anywhere for a while. Chemo is this week and I am dreading it. Each time I feel worse longer. However there is reason to celebrate because the Chemo this week is the halfway point for me. Yeah!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Best!!!!!
Well I just partied in St Geezy this weekend and it was a blast! It is always so special to see mom and dad, but Christine and Jenny were there too! Adrianne threw me an amazing shower! We were amazed at how awesome everything was. Things we would never even think to do. Christine even made red velvet cupcakes! Woo woo! It was amazing and awesome and I can't wait till the next party! Thanks mom for letting us always drive you nuts!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
The last couple of days have been great because Jenny, Christine and Glenna have been here. We have had lots of time to enjoy each others company and we were all at the wedding shower for Glenna. Adriann did such a perfect job. She put a lot of work into the shower and it was wonderful.
On the flip side, the last few days have been miserable too. I definitely felt worse this time after chemo. It has been a struggle. I would like to have felt better while the girls were all here. To day was not as bad so tomorrow will be better. I have wonderful children.
We are all very excited for this wedding. It's fun to watch all the preparations and feel the excitement that happens when two people are in love.
Casual Sunday
We are enjoying having Christine here for the weekend. Info and hoku are enjoying visiting with Christine.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Puke
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Well, I made it. I came home and worked on the kitchen because ward members were bringing dinner so I wanted things clean. That was probably a mistake because I didn't feel too good so I finally laid down and slept for a while. Dinner was delicious and so nice to have. The weather here was so nice yesterday so after dinner I went out on the patio and read a murder mystery. I slept until 2:30 and then I got up and made cupcakes for a Relief Society lunch today. I went back to bed about 4:30 and slept until 8:00. I'm feeling pretty good this morning so I am going to make a list and work on it. Jenny and Glenna will be here tonight so that is pretty exciting. (Sorry you won't be here here too Ioua.)
This is really the time to enjoy the weather in St. George because its in the low 70's. We are working on our yard in hopes of it looking good for Glenna and Ioua's reception on the 28th of April. So I may go out and find some weeds to pull today. I should continue to feel pretty good today and then the nest two to three days I will probably feel a little yucky. I love you all!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tomorrow is chemo #3. I've been dreading it all week. I have felt so good the last few days that I hate to go back and feel bad again. I have been preparing all day. I worked on some "Fancy Nancy"quilt tops for new grand babies. It actually was a lot of fun. I went grocery shopping. I made a list of to do's and tried to get some of them done. So tomorrow morning I will work on a few more of those.
Monday night we went out for a last fling and saw "The Dutton Family" from Branson, Missouri in concert. We really enjoyed that. The weather here has turned hot and I need a new swimming suit. Maybe I can fit that in tomorrow also. I like to swim. I love hearing from anybody and everybody. It really does lift my spirits.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
I like to go for long walks on Sunday mornings. This time of year is so beautiful, and here in St. George all the trees are in bloom and there are daffodils everywhere. This walk always gives me a lot of time to think about my life. Each time I go I shed a few tears thinking about how blessed I am. I have the most wonderful supportive husband and family. They go out of their way to take every opportunity to help me in any way they can think of. I have friends who bring food, send cards, call and pray for me. Every day someone helps me in some way. Yesterday I was visiting with a couple of friends and we were talking about how well I am doing. One mentioned the tender mercies of the Lord and I thought a tender mercy is like a miracle. My Heavenly Father has blessed me with so much strength to overcome things. He is always at my elbow helping me.
I feel him with me all day every day. I lead a blessed life and I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and he loves us. This is where my strength comes from.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Sunny!!!
I was being a brat yesterday when I got so frustrated, but I am not good at figuring things out. It got me to thinking about all the times you have helped me.
Whether it was bringing my lunch to school in St George during my chemistry class. This kid was like "aww your mommy brought you your lunch?" and I was like yeah my mom loves me ... where is your lunch? haha I didn't even know the kid because I was new and it was probably mean of me to say, but I did it any way because it was true!
You always help me with everything and I am so grateful for that!
Okay so now my favorite summer memory. Going to the beach with you ...
I have a few different memories that I couldn't choose from, but I love this one. I got to photograph you with baby randy in the water, walk around the shops, and jump around in the sand trying to get pictures haha. I just liked hanging out with you. Every moment I get with you is so precious ... remember how bummed I was because it was cloudy and I was gonna get a tan ... uh. hahaha Me tan? Any way, love you so much mom and I am so thankful for all of the summer adventures we have had, summer is my favorite time of year, I think because you were off work so I was able to hang out with you the most!
Love you with my whole heart!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Just Clowning
For Halloween my eighth grade year I dressed up as clown. I am not sure whose idea it was (probably Mom's). I used Mom and Dad's clown costumes (which are the real deal). I can remember pulling up to the school and not seeing a single kid dressed up for Halloween and I freaked. I thought that either my Mom had mistaken and it wasn't the right day to dress up (Brady did that the same year and came dressed as a woman) or she was playing a trick on me. After some talking and coercing mom convinced me to get out of the car and go to class. I was freaked out. Eventually I saw some other kids that were dressed up and I didn't feel so much like the village idiot. Well to make a long story short, just about everyone loved the costume and I won the school's costume contest. Thank you Mom for teaching me to have courage. I think that day helped me to be such a stellar student at the high school graduation ceremony (that embarrassed the stuff out of Dad as he gave me my diploma).
Dear Grandma,
I hope you feel better grandma, I love you. I like it that we're moving to Utah because we can play at your house a lot. /last night I went to the lights but we couldn't find them so we had a fun time watching the waves. We went went with daddy and it was late and we saw the waves on the beach at Maine. They are called Northern lights but they were too tricky because the clouds were blocking.
I'm wearing my scarf that's fancy and I like my scarf because it's so pink. Daddy painted my finger nails today, he painted them pink. I convinced him to do it because mommy was gone at Elijah's school.
You are cute, and I love you.
Lucy
I hope you feel better grandma, I love you. I like it that we're moving to Utah because we can play at your house a lot. /last night I went to the lights but we couldn't find them so we had a fun time watching the waves. We went went with daddy and it was late and we saw the waves on the beach at Maine. They are called Northern lights but they were too tricky because the clouds were blocking.
I'm wearing my scarf that's fancy and I like my scarf because it's so pink. Daddy painted my finger nails today, he painted them pink. I convinced him to do it because mommy was gone at Elijah's school.
You are cute, and I love you.
Lucy
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The last two days were a little discouraging because I felt nauseated all day. So I ate something every couple of hours and the food was all good and it helped. I am going to make sure my water intake is way up today and see if that helps because I have slacked off on that the last couple of days. I am real excited when Randy gets home from work every day. He gets to listen to my complaints. We are shown so many kindnesses each day and that also really helps the day go by. I have completed with help, five squares on my cancer quilt. I feel kind of driven on it because if I get two squares done a week then I could have all 32 done by the end of Chemo. Today I started practicing the piano. I figure if I am home I might as well choose a few simple songs and work on them until I can play them. I have a simplified hymn book and I am starting with The Spirit of God. So today I practiced the first line right hand. I did pretty well but it will be a few days practicing that before I attempt to add the left hand on the first line.
All things considered I am doing quite well and shouldn't complain but I sure hate feeling like this all the time.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sila's Baptism and Snow
Here we are the day after Sila's baptism. Sila also bore her testimony for the first time in sacrament meeting. Thank you Grandma & Grandpa for your constant love & support! We love you tons.
The bottom picture is of Mese & Sila playing in the snow-yes, it snowed here for 1 night! Fun times:)
The bottom picture is of Mese & Sila playing in the snow-yes, it snowed here for 1 night! Fun times:)
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Well mom and I are twins now. See Glenna's snapshot. I make this look good, but Dixie is a beauty.
Thus far mom has done quite well. She always has light flu-type feelings. The doctor said her blood was great. I believe it's due to her adherence to the word of wisdom all her life. She is very obedient to doctors council and has a wonderful network of friends. Thank you grandma Gardner for your care and influence and perfect example.
So much love and support has buoyed us up so well. We love you all.
DAD :0)
Thus far mom has done quite well. She always has light flu-type feelings. The doctor said her blood was great. I believe it's due to her adherence to the word of wisdom all her life. She is very obedient to doctors council and has a wonderful network of friends. Thank you grandma Gardner for your care and influence and perfect example.
So much love and support has buoyed us up so well. We love you all.
DAD :0)
SKYPE!
Me and Ioua skyped with mom and dad and it was soooo wonderful! It is so fun to see them, and mom was looking sooo beautiful!


Mom wanted a picture of their bald heads together, so here it is!

We talked about wedding stuff and dad made faces in to the screen and thought he was the funniest thing that ever happened ... which he was haha. Love them sooo much!
I love that picture of Randy asleep with his blanket.
Mom left this morning. I know she was really excited to get home and get caught up on everything. She said she was awake at 4 am waiting for the time to go. She got on the shuttle at 7:30 am and will arrive in Draper at 12:30 where LaRae and Kurt will take her home. It was a blessing to have her here. She was constantly finding new things to clean. We spent a little time watching Downton Abbey and Wind at my Back. We even got outside and blew some leaves and pulled some weeds. She was a real trooper. There is nothing like a mom in times of need.
I had a few visitors from school yesterday and that was great. I got to catch up on what is happening there. I miss school and the kids. I feel very fortunate to have someone who took over my classroom and is doing such a great job. Thanks so much Lisa!
Being bald is pretty interesting. You can get ready really fast in the morning. I don't even have mousse or hairspray sitting on the counter anymore. I can wear a wig or a hat and if I feel like it I can wear nothing. So far I am not brave enough to wear nothing except here at home. Soon someone is going to come to my house and I will forget to put something on before I answer the door and they will get a big surprise.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sewing
It is amazing to think of all of the things that Mom has sewn for us through out the years. Just to name a few: blankets, pillow cases, prom dresses, speedos (shawn especially loved those) and the list goes on. The item of most significance for me as a child was my Ronald McDonald blanket. That was my favorite blanket and I used it every night. Eventually it became so ragged that it had to retire and I still have it stored away ( I guess that is the hoarder inside me). Mom has continued on with this tradition and makes blankets for all of the grandchildren. Randy James's blanket just happens to have the "Little Engine That Could" which was my favorite story as a kid. He absolutely loves that blanket. He asks for it at night and if he takes a nap, "I need my train blanket, letters up." Thank you Mom for all of your sewing projects and blessing that it has been and continues to be for all of us.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Dixie's head shaving
Dixie is such a trooper. She had an emotional day knowing that it was time to shave her head. But, by the time I got there she had control over her emotions, and she handled it like a real pro. We all agree she looks really good bald with her earrings and glasses! After I got done she commented it was a little bit breezy. What a strong woman! She is so positive- it amazes us!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Why Wonder Woman?
Mom, I wanted to post something today that would be cute and fun from the kids to brighten your day. Of course, Linc then woke up having an asthma attack that was pretty bad and we just got home from the doctor where they confirmed that he has pneumonia. So instead of singing you a love song he's asleep with lots of drugs. :)
But you know, my kids' asthma attacks always make me think of you and feel thankful for you. Its true. If you had a costume for the super hero role you've played for me, it would have a picture of an inhaler on the chest! So this won't be as happy or cheerful a message as I planned, but its a deeply grateful message that I want you to know. It's the real reason why I sent you those wonder woman pajamas.
You have always been wonder woman to me because you have so many talents and you can take on so much. But since I've had kids, you've been wonder woman in a new way.
1) You are the super hero that (literally) flies in to the rescue when I need help:
When I am struggling after having a baby (Well, the first time you flew in before the baby, when I was distraught with not having had the baby and was 3 weeks overdue!). Each time you've come and been more help to me than you can possibly realize. Only a supermom flies to Boston in the winter to care for cabin feverish children in a 600 sq foot apartment with no couch. :)
Another time you flew in (with barely a moment's notice to change out of your elementary school teacher disguise) when I was alone and crying over the phone for help. When the boys were sick and Lucy was in the hospital and I was sick and scared and totally overwhelmed. You came to my rescue when I felt like I was being crushed under a building, you were there as quickly as possible to lift it up so I could scramble out. That's not just a super hero analogy, that's really how I felt.
2)You are a super hero who saves lives:
Mom, I have never really said much about it but you have saved 2 of my kids' lives. You were the one who realized Elijah was in anaphylaxis from the cantaloupe that time in your kitchen. He was in bad shape and we had no idea how dangerous the situation was. You flew into action and thanks to you and also the miracle of priesthood blessings, we were spared a tragic outcome.
You were also the one who realized how bad off Lucy was on that terrible day 2 years ago with her biggest asthma attack. If you hadn't insisted that something was really wrong, and if I had acted even 5 minutes later, we would have lost her. I can't even think about what would have happened if not for you.
These are only a couple of the examples of how you have come to the rescue for me. I know each of your kids could make a long list. Pops too, I'm sure. That's why it was so hard to hear that you were sick. It was just such a shock because you are the strong, invincible one who takes care of everyone and keeps everything together. It was the first time in my life I thought of you as vulnerable. Vulnerable is just not a word that describes my strong, capable mother! But it is what it is. I've realized over the past 2 months that a blessing to come out of all this might be the chance for all of us to trade places with you. For each of us to drive and fly "to the rescue" for you so that you'll know how much we love you. Because each time you've been there for me, I've felt how much you love me.
The only difference is, you're still the main super hero, we're the sidekicks who come in to find and destroy the kryptonite so that at the end of the show you'll be soaring across the sky again, with your cape heroically blowing in the wind! :)
But you know, my kids' asthma attacks always make me think of you and feel thankful for you. Its true. If you had a costume for the super hero role you've played for me, it would have a picture of an inhaler on the chest! So this won't be as happy or cheerful a message as I planned, but its a deeply grateful message that I want you to know. It's the real reason why I sent you those wonder woman pajamas.
You have always been wonder woman to me because you have so many talents and you can take on so much. But since I've had kids, you've been wonder woman in a new way.
1) You are the super hero that (literally) flies in to the rescue when I need help:
When I am struggling after having a baby (Well, the first time you flew in before the baby, when I was distraught with not having had the baby and was 3 weeks overdue!). Each time you've come and been more help to me than you can possibly realize. Only a supermom flies to Boston in the winter to care for cabin feverish children in a 600 sq foot apartment with no couch. :)
Another time you flew in (with barely a moment's notice to change out of your elementary school teacher disguise) when I was alone and crying over the phone for help. When the boys were sick and Lucy was in the hospital and I was sick and scared and totally overwhelmed. You came to my rescue when I felt like I was being crushed under a building, you were there as quickly as possible to lift it up so I could scramble out. That's not just a super hero analogy, that's really how I felt.
2)You are a super hero who saves lives:
Mom, I have never really said much about it but you have saved 2 of my kids' lives. You were the one who realized Elijah was in anaphylaxis from the cantaloupe that time in your kitchen. He was in bad shape and we had no idea how dangerous the situation was. You flew into action and thanks to you and also the miracle of priesthood blessings, we were spared a tragic outcome.
You were also the one who realized how bad off Lucy was on that terrible day 2 years ago with her biggest asthma attack. If you hadn't insisted that something was really wrong, and if I had acted even 5 minutes later, we would have lost her. I can't even think about what would have happened if not for you.
These are only a couple of the examples of how you have come to the rescue for me. I know each of your kids could make a long list. Pops too, I'm sure. That's why it was so hard to hear that you were sick. It was just such a shock because you are the strong, invincible one who takes care of everyone and keeps everything together. It was the first time in my life I thought of you as vulnerable. Vulnerable is just not a word that describes my strong, capable mother! But it is what it is. I've realized over the past 2 months that a blessing to come out of all this might be the chance for all of us to trade places with you. For each of us to drive and fly "to the rescue" for you so that you'll know how much we love you. Because each time you've been there for me, I've felt how much you love me.
The only difference is, you're still the main super hero, we're the sidekicks who come in to find and destroy the kryptonite so that at the end of the show you'll be soaring across the sky again, with your cape heroically blowing in the wind! :)
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