Sunday

Austin joined the ranks of the High Council today. He got released from young men's last Sunday and sustained to the High Council today. He is getting set apart tonight. The funniest story of the day is that Sister McMurray (a sweet lady probably in her upper 70s) came up and said, "You have to watch out. They always call bishops from the high council. But your husband would make a great bishop, especially since he is so nice to look at."

Another funny story is that we had our Primary Presentation today. Carly's part was to say Henry B. Eyring. She has been practicing for weeks. This morning all the girls were practicing their parts and Carly said, "I am just going to say Hen." Austin said, "No you won't, you will say Henry B. Eyring." She said, "You just watch me." She did great on her part and really said Henry B. Eyring.

A Day of Surgery

Departure – 5:30 am
Surgery (Umbilical hernia repair - I hope that's not TMI)– 9:25 am

Anestheisologist – Can you see me okay, you keep furrowing your eyebrows? (of course I couldn’t see him, they don’t let you wear glasses or contacts for surgery)

First thing I hear when I am waking up from surgery: “Johnny, you have to get back in bed.  Johnny, get back in bed.  There are a lot of women here that don’t want to see you in your hospital gown. We will take you to your room in a minute.”  (Johnny, a young man in his twenties who just had surgery, too)

The nurse taking off my IV – “Who did this IV?  She really taped it on.  You look like a package.”

What Austin said to his Mom who calls that night to see how I was doing. “They are keeping her over night. I just got home from work.  I need to call and see if she is okay.  They said something about something rupturing.”  Of course she believed him.

What Austin buys when he is the one to stop at the store on the way home: chocolate milk. “It is for our celebration of surviving the first day of school.”

I do wish I knew who my unseen guardian angels were who were with me today.

I know who my visual angels are:

Marilee Cahoon, for driving me to and from the hospital, leaving very early in the morning, pushing me to the car in a wheelchair and having Michael McClean music playing for our ride home

Barb Salmon, who kept Carly for the day and even had to drive her to town for her preschool screening and is bringing us dinner tonight

Tammy Sommerfeldt, who brought us dinner last night and drove Carly to preschool today

Also, thanks to Marilou Egan for the cute jar of jam (something good to come out of the day); Dixie Bevans for the meal; Kris Olsen for the meal, and Shauna Smith for the cupcakes.  We are surrounded by great people.

I saw a little note Lucy wrote "Asx mom if she needs eneetheg"

My great husband and kids for making breakfast and lunches, etc.  and Jill for doing everyone's hair.

My experience with the Canadian Health System was very pleasant and professional. I did wait a year for this surgery, but I wasn’t on the urgent list.   And I didn’t have to pay a dime.

Having surgery on the first day of school was a little bit crazy, but we all survived.
I will be okay if I never have to be the patient in a hospital again.

Early Birthday Party for Jill

 We decided to have Jill's birthday party before school started even though it is not for a few weeks.
We are lucky enough to live in a place where we can go for a short drive to a national park for an afternoon birthday party.  So we gathered a fun group of almost 14-year-olds and went to Red Rock Canyon in Waterton National Park.

Happy early Birthday Jill!

And the Barn Came Tumbling Down

Austin decided it was time for the old barn to go. We hope Grandpa and Grandma are okay with that.  We told them, and they said, okay, just save the poles.  It was an old barn that was already here when Austin's parents moved in.  Grandpa did some patching up, but the hay was still getting wet and moldy.  We wouldn't even let the horses go in so they didn't get hurt.

So we emptied the barn, took off the pieces that were still good, and along came Mel.

From the time we saw Mel drive in until he drove away...50 minutes.

Lucy brought drinks and candy for the occasion.

Mel saving the poles

It is a good thing that Austin has some good builder friends who are going to help us build a new lean-to for the horses.

Summer Rocks!

Summer Events: 

Jill & Hanna in Cougar Basketball Camp

4th of July in Polson, Montana

We celebrated with Austin's Aunt Becky and Uncle Robert.

Puppies
Grandpa's dog, Pepper, had 6 puppies (thanks to a wandering neighbor dog)
It was Hanna's job to sell them.  She sold 5 of them and she convinced Austin to let her keep one.  They are actually so cute and have provided HOURS of summer entertainment.

Our cute friend, Dayna Sommerfeldt, came to pick out which puppy they wanted.

Waterton Horse Back Ride

We enjoyed a beautiful day going up to Rowe Lake on our horses.  There were a few parts where I didn't look down and hoped my horse didn't slip.  And we did see a bear.  But it was a fun day with fun friends!

Thanks to Dixie and Marilee for the pictures!!!

Me on my horse, Lena

Lower Rowe Lake

Marilee Cahoon, Dixie Bevans, Shauna Smith Colynda Duce
Barb Salmon, Hali Leishman, me

Moroni's Quest

Cardston West Stake
Moroni's Quest 2012
Youth Conference: 225 youth, 50 tribe leaders
Plus: young women &  young men leaders, Stake Presidency and their wives, All the Bishops and their wives, Most of the High Council, photographers, security, cooks, doctor, etc

One of the most amazing spiritual experiences of a lifetime!

Thanks to Marilee Cahoon, one of the offical photographers, for all the pictures!

On our way to the Promised Land

One of our first tribe discussions

Laman, Lemuel, Sariah, Nephi, Sam

Great and Spacious Building with the Rod of Iron and Tree of Life

Lehi with the Liahona

Crossing the great waters

King Benjamin

Abinadi

Captain Moroni

One of the Battles

Sons of Helaman - All of the boys whose Moms where there were called as the Army of Helaman and then the Moms sang them a song and sent them off to battle.  Talk about a tear jerker!!

Visit of the Savior

Savior calling his 12 Nephite Disciples

Randy and Jana Jensen - the Chairman of the HUGE event

Tribe Leaders kneeling in morning prayer

Lamanites going to battle   - The one in green was one of our tribe members, Dominique.

Austin with his blow horn getting us ready for battle

Kaylynn, the Lamanite

Moroni

Joseph Smith

Leavitt Ward

One of our last tribe discussions

Austin and Kaylynn

Jill

Jill in line to talk to the Savior

Austin contemplating the Savior

Leavitt Ward Tribe Leaders