Finally FL winter weather!

OMG, it's been unseasonably cold for unseasonably, and unreasonably, long (though I know it's small comfort...er, cold comfort?... to you there...below 20? Yikes...). However, this week we are finally back to high 70s in the day...YAY! Our summer visit is a done deal. Stan had chatted with a few people about teaching at Dixie over the summer and then heard nothing more. Can you imagine his surprise when the national debate quarterly (I actually don't know how often it's published...monthly? I don't know, I'm just winging it, and that's not the point, really) with an advertisement for the SCFI and Stan's name is listed in the faculty? Well, happy 25th anniversary to us! Can't wait to see everyone!

Becky, I am feeling very stressed about your medical stuff! And I know I don't need to add to your stress or tell you...but DANG! It's breaking my heart! You might have to move to AZ with the grandparents if the arthritis persists (that's what Stan's sister Charlotte had to do for Mikael, her oldest daughter). Love you! Keep up the updates! Give your mom a hug for me! She sent me such a wonderful card after Xmas that made me miss her like crazy, though being the lame sister I am, I haven't returned the favor (the notion of Xmas cards in July is still alive and kicking.) Tell her I've seriously been thinking of coordinating internet cameras so Josie can start piano again.

Finally thawing in Central Florida! Love ya, Lana

Hello Lana

My life has been super crazy lately and it has been awhile since I have gotten on.  Yes I agree this should be the Becky and Lana exchange stories, etc... Blog.  Life here in Utah has been pretty dang cold as of lately.  For several days early this week it did not get above 20 degree's.  Needless to say my walk into the hospital has been super cold as we have to park out in the north 40. 

My life has been all over the map lately.  My arthritis has been super bad lately that another stress dose of prednisone was needed to allow me to bend my arm.  I started a new medication that has a list of really scary side effects but hopefully it helps.  This medication is generic so it's cheap, the next medication is $2000 a month so I am hoping we don't have to go there.  But the nausea, sores in my mouth and my hair falling out is starting to kind of freak me out.  We just doubled the medicine that I have to take to counter act the side effects, so maybe that will help, it will be another couple of weeks before we find out if things are working or not. 

I am loving my job, my boss is great, my patients and their families are great.  We just had a major change so I think everything will now fall into place.  I love the fact that the cute old people are in need of a person who cares and will listen to them.  Their stories are fascinating and wonderful.  Their courage and determination inspired me to no end.  Oh the places you will go the things you will do, the people you will meet!  Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! 

I am still in Young Women's and loving every minute of it.  The girls are wonderful and so caring.  They are full of energy and love and I love them so much.  It is so much fun to see them get older and wiser and move on to better things.  I just accepted an assignment to work in the temple on Wed mornings.  I am excited but a little nervous about things, but I am sure it will be wonderful!  I was asked to talk in Sacrament meeting in a couple of weeks, which I really don't like doing, but I must need to.  Anyone with advise on speaking on The proclamation to the World on the family, please send ideas my way.  

Travel plans so far this year are a week in northern California salmon fishing with my family, we are renting a house right by the beach and it should be a great adventure for all of us.  I then am going to spend a week driving up the Oregon coast with a friend (that is still in the planning phase so hopefully it will turn out).  I plan on spending a few days in AZ visiting my grandma and grandpa wood.  Girls camp is in August, family reunion over Labor day weekend.  I am sure a couple other fun things are to come as well. 

I really miss you all in Florida.  I occasionally have dreams that I am there to visit.  I am hoping that happens maybe next year, we will see.  Spring time sounds nice for a warm weather get away. 

How are thing with the family?  Kids still doing well?  Bethany, Jake?  I heard Megan had her baby and he is cute (according to LaNece).  Several of my friends are expecting and I am super excited for them.  I feel like I am writing a book, so I will finish and be done for another little bit. 

Keep in touch, I miss you all and love our family not matter how far away, I am sending my love and prayer and thoughts your way!  May the Lord bless and keep you safe until we meet again!

February...

Hey, only a month has gone by. How wonderful! Just wanted to post a quick note. Colleen just forwarded me the "Memory, A Spoof" and I SO loved it. It's the story of my life, especially the walking into a room and not remembering why I'm there. It puts a whole new spin on the multi-tasking illusion I often adopt in this busy life of mine. Anyway, my Utah family has been on my mind all day long and I just felt the need to check in, tell you I love you and appreciate you all. Miss you like crazy...

Lana

p.s. Oh, and it's looking very promising for a late July, early August Utah visit...yay!

We should retitle the blog...

Right, Becky? It should be "Lana and Becky swap stories every other month or so...or whenever they remember to check the blog!" I'm glad to hear the colitis treatment has been working. My sister-in-law has been fighting that for years and it can be totally miserable. Good luck, gal. Just wanted to check in since I'm a loser and, though I purchased not only Christmas cards AND Christmas stamps, I did not send out ONE card. I have this vague notion of sending nearly-Christmas cards in the summer or something...yyeeaaahhhh, rriiiiiggghhhhttt....

Things are well here (been too, too cold far too early, though). Cody, 16 now, is doing well in school...it's far too easy for him. Still has the girlfriend. Josie is going to be dual-rostered on two soccer teams, the rec one she was put on but hadn't signed up for and a comp team. (Going to have to get a Josie's soccer fee loan, I fear...not even kidding.) She's also in the running club (which her dad runs) and will be doing track later in the spring...oh, and maintaining her 4.0. She's rocking it...and so, so happy that Ally got a phone. They keep in contact all the time.

We're all doing very, very well though we miss everyone terribly! Give hugs and kisses all around, please!

Until next time....

Girlfriend?

I am freaking out after reading that Cody has a girlfriend. Is he old enough for that? Is he really 15? Deep breathing, this is normal right? That he goes from little whipper snapper to Boyfriend? He looks so cute, and the girl is cute too, I hope that Homecoming was a great experience for him!

As for my job, I am loving it, my patients are wonderful and so kind. I know this is a great place for me. I love having a manager and fellow employees that actually care about each other. Our Dr's are wonderful and so compassionate and willing to really make sure that everyone knows what is going on and way etc... It has been such a wonderful transition that I am excited to see what happens.

So I finally saw the GI specialist and had a bunch of tests and I have officially been diagnosed with Colitis. They don't think this caused the arthritis, but is possibly aggravating it, so we are treating everything right now, it seems to be helping so we will see how that pans out, I have like 4 Dr's appt's next week so I will let you know how that goes. The rheumatologist has officially diagnosed me with Inflammatory Arthritis and we are treating that too, so we will see how things go....

Over all I think things are going quite well, the family is good, Timmy is working a crazy amount of hours to get ready for and FDA inspection at his work. Mom and Dad are celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary tonight (dinner and a play). Nate and Tasha and their kids are doing good! Whitney is still playing soccer, Hunter just finished football, Taylor just finished up Flag football. Jonathan and Evets are doing good. Garrett is enjoying kindergarten, Clara is running around like a maniac, and she is quick and hard to catch sometimes. Everyone is getting bigger and bigger every time that I blink.

We are going to have family pictures in the next couple of weeks so when that happens I will post them for everyone.

I heard that Corby and his wife are expecting, congratulations! I know that Meagan is pregnant, not sure when she is due? Soon I would think????

I am so happy that things are going well, for everyone, would love to hear from everyone too! Talk to you all soon!

Miss you and love you all!

Becky

What, October already?

OMG, where on earth has the time gone?!? Must be busy with school and kids and such. Things for my reporters have been scary slow...thank goodness Jamie is pretty steady. Stan is back at Bridgewater with a ridiculously full plate: athletic director, soccer coach, mentor...*sigh. The girls just won their way into the district tournament and will play a game against the No. 2 seed this evening (cross your fingers for Josie, et al.). Bethany and Jake are loving school...it's been a great fit for Bethany, too! Cody is doing well at school...we're hoping he doesn't get too distracted with his girlfriend (of course, if he does, that puts a total crimp in his social life...mainly, he won't have one). Please find attached a couple pictures from his FIRST HOMECOMING DANCE! Her name is Elizabeth and she is darling. (Stan knows her mother who has been a substitute teacher for him.) Wish she would have been his fifth or sixth girlfriend (it's so rare a first girlfriend is the one and only...and he is only 15...for another two months anyway...). Anyway, they had a total blast and that's really what it's all about...:)

Becky, so what did the specialist say about the irritable bowel stuff? My word, girl, what a horrid thing to be going through...

Love you all! Will post again soon...which is so subjective, I know...

Quick Update!

Hello all,

I am going to make a goal of posting more often, so I hope I don't become a bore.

I started my new job at the Altaview Senior Clinic and so far I am loving it! The people I work with are a little bit different but they totally make me laugh so it's all good! The older population is wonderful to work with and they are in such great need of someone who is willing to spend the time with them that they need! It will be hard I think though, I have only been here officially at the office for a week, and one of the patients that I have seen a couple of times is going to pass away. I assume there will probably be a lot of that, but the patients and their families are so nice and caring and loving!

I am happy to finally not feel so overwhelmed, and pressured to put $ over good patient care! It is nice to be in environment that is friendly and welcoming too!

My garden is growing big again. I am sure that will mean lots of canning again. I am getting concerned that I will not be able to find pickling cucumbers to do pickles with again. (it looks like there may be a shortage or something, but no one will call me back)

Talk to you soon

Becky