Corban

On December 9th of 2023 I got to go to Denver to watch Ashley's kiddos while they went to Vegas to go to Carrie Underwood concert. They needed the break by themselves. We had a lot of fun but I am definitely the Grandma and they know it! It was snowy some days and we managed to get through the whole thing but we so excited when mom and dad were back. 

After Christmas the family had their share of getting sick but for some reason Corban wasn't keeping anything down so Ashley took him into the urgent care. They found a lump in his stomach and sent him to the children's hospital in Denver, Ashley's worst fear was confirmed: Corban had cancer. Burkitt's Lymphoma, a blood cancer, and it was progressing fast. They left him in the hospital so he could start chemo as soon as possible to dissolve the tumor that had formed in his stomach. My heart broke because I couldn't be there to help. I had just returned a month ago and I couldn't take any more time off at that moment. Travis, though, was actually scheduled to go over for a weekend but that was moved to 10 days. 

Corban spent three weeks in the hospital as they watched the tumor disappear and the doctor's make a plan for him. Ashley and Joseph took turns at the hospital and Travis, Scott and Julie all went up to help. I wanted to go so badly. There is so much more to the story but it is Ashley's to tell. I will mention a tender mercy, though. Ashley was pregnant with #4, her last, and when Corban got cancer she had just started her 2nd trimester. This allowed her to go with him to the hospital. If it had been in her 1st trimester, she couldn't have been allowed to be with him. 

They were moving to Ft Worth in February. I was so grateful that they were going there because David and his family are there and I knew Ashley wouldn't be alone. I can't tell you how much peace that brought me. Another tender mercy.

I was scheduled to go in February the same week they moved in and help however I could. Ashley and Joseph decided that she and Corban would fly into Ft Worth because of his treatment plan. He was scheduled to get out of the hospital after Joseph and the kiddos left Denver. They had a lot of fun staying at the Ronald McDonald house and being treated very well. That is what they do and I am so grateful for that! They make the kids feel so special as they go through their treatments.

Caroline picked me up at the airport but as I put my phone out of airplane mode, Cortney sent me a text saying she had CoVid and I needed to check. I cried all the way to the CVS because I so wanted to see my little family. It's funny how cancer affects so many people and I just love that little guy so much! 

I had CoVid. I was scheduling a plane trip home when I asked David and Caroline if I could stay in their extra room for 5 days, the period until it is not contagious anymore. They both agreed! I love them so much and am so grateful they allowed me to stay! Saturday David took me shopping with him and his granddaughter Sofia. It was so nice to spend time with him and that sweet girl! He didn't care if I was contagious or not. That's David for you!  He also let me borrow his truck and I got to go sit outside the glass door and see my sweet littles! A tender mercy.

The day came and they let me come over! I tested negative and I had to wear a mask but what a relief it was to finally be there and see those wonderful children! I was only able to stay a few days but that is okay! 

He is in remission and doing very well. His hair grew back darker and curly. Ashley says it is cancer hair and it will most likely go away eventually. But it is so soft. He made it! 

But I got to tell you another amazing thing that happened. Ashley and Joseph were being pulled in so many different directions. She had this idea of getting a nanny who could come in for a few months and stay with Olivia and Tucker while Ashley was at the hospital and Joseph was working. She called and asked if I had any ideas. Mackenzie was in the middle of her first year of college and I knew she couldn't do it . I prayed for ideas of who could help. And a face came to mind,. It was Chyrisse's second daughter, Rachel. I knew she had graduated from high school and I wasn't sure what she was up to. I felt inspired to call Chyrisse and ask. She wasn't doing anything. I cried when I heard and asked if maybe she would be interested in doing the job. Chyrisse said she would get back to me. And Rachel said she would! I called Ashley and they set everything up! It was wonderful! I am so grateful it worked out! Another tender mercy. 

I learned through this experience that God does not change the trial but He definitely places things in the path that make it bearable. He is aware of our needs and His light will find a way to shine.  I felt his tender mercies all throughout these dark months. And my love for that little tyke is so great and I hope he continues to stay healthy.

 I am going to school. Crazy, I know! I am doing Pathway worldwide and I am taking a family history class. One of the assignments is to keep a journal and I think I am going to pick this up again after 11 years! Crazy, huh? Here it goes!

I am going to do a recap of last year. I think it is probably a good idea considering it was one of the worst years of my life. I went with my sisters to see my dad who was not doing well in November . They didn't wxpect him to come out of it. We decided to put him on comfort care, where they take the meds away except for those that bring comfort. He agreed. He has wanted to be with my mom for so long. He missed her so much. I was lucky enough to spend the night with him just to make sure he was ok. I don't know why, maybe t was my training or I wanted to be of some help. He didn't want much help from me so it was my last chance to do something. It was nice but I didn't get a lot of sleep.

In the morning the sisters came. A bedbath was scheduled and I wanted to help so I stayed when the girls left. He was in a lot of pain and I knew the end was near so I cancelled it and let him rest.   A little after that I got a call from Travis. He was histarically crying, telling me he was sorry. He was sorry. My heart dropped into my stomach and I told him to calm down,expecting the worst. He told me the house was on fire. I asked about the littles. They had all gotten out and were safe. I could hear fire trucks in the background. I told him to go and I would call him back. Then I called Ashley and asked if she could make sure he was okay. And there I was,by myself wih my dad, going in shock. I couldn't say anything to him because I figured he would hear and I didn't want him to stick around for me. I wanted him to go Home to mom. I sent an SOS out to my family and the girls came. Tami scheduled two plane tickets home for me and her. I felt so bad that she wouldn't be with dad when he passed but I did need help getting home, I can see that now. I missed my mom's passing and I really wanted to be there for his. I have yest to be in the room when someone goes Home and I really want to see what that is like. But home I went, not sure what to expect. Britt called me and I wept when I heard the littles. They were ok! Such a blessing! 

We got to Phoenix, I don't remember much about it. I do remember Jim picked us up and took us straight to my house. Everthing looked normal excdept for the garage door was cut up. Trav was at the Myer's house who have been so wonderful through this whole thing. The fire started in the garage bedroom we adapted for Cortney. Everything in her room was gone, the laundry room looked so bad, the ceilings were all pulled down and the fired spread into the rafters and it was so bad. The smoke and water had done it's damage. The house was a total loss, but the sad part is we could see things. It smelled terribly. I didn't know what do to now. We got a hotel in Phoenix, the kind you can rent by the hour, and we all went there that night. Ashley flew in to be with us. We had the whole family there and all I could think about was how wonderful it was that we were ALL there and I thanked my Heavenly Father that it wasn't worse than it was. 

I got the text at 5 am the next morning that my dad had passed away. I wasn't there. I should have been I know I wa where I was supposed to be but I wish I could hv been there too. I wish I could have flet when he joined my mom. 

We went back to the house because we were going to spend the day drying out pictures so we cud scan them. I remember doing this for Sis Robie when her house burned down. When we got there, our wards had heart attacked our yard leaving messages of love and support. My favorite one was this too shall pass. And, fast-forwarding to now, it has passed for the most part and my heart is still tender to everything that happened. And those sweet messages were so appreciated and loved!

We had a sweet couple from our ward to let us stay in their air-BNBs for ten days while we dealt with the funeral up in Salt Lake. Kris Taylor came and brought presents for the littles. Ashley came too. She didn't spend much time with us but it was so good to see her and her family. 

We found a house on Ivyglen to stay in while the fixed my house. It is 4200 SQ feet with a playroom that had a tube slide that looked like an elephant. The littles loved it! We all had wonderful memories of our crazy time in the elephant house. 

Where did the time go?

 It is 2023. I have been terrible at this but I am finding I need a place to share my thoughts. Social media is a pain so here I am.

Mackenzie graduated this past week. Where did the time go? She is sticking around and going to MCC. At first inward dad she wasn’t accepted to BYU, but now I am grateful because I get a little more time. Joey’s service mission has about 5 months left and then he gets to figure out what he wants to do. Joseph says he will help get him the job after he gets his certifications but he has to prove himself. And seeing how Joseph is in Denver this is a good thing! 

Britt and the kids are doing well with us I think. I had to be hard to come home but I think she is doing ok. I love having the littles around. They really do keep me young. And I love it when Natalie wakes up early to cuddle with me. It makes me miss those sweet days when mine were little too.

Ashley was here this past week to celebrate a Mackenzie’s graduation. I miss her and her family! It wasn’t long enough! We are headed up in July to spend a few days with everyone!!! It will be a lot of fun but I think I will Need a vacation from it! We are headed to see my dad in Utah afterwards. 

I miss my dad. I miss who my dad was with my mom. Part of him is with her. I wish I knew how to communicate better with him. I guess I should write. My BFF once told me I was good with words. Maybe I should do better at writing him so I can share with him what is in my heart since I can’t seem to get it out through words. 

Distraction is going to cost me!

Joey is a mystery more often than not. Okay, not really. He is actually very predictable. For instance, in the mornings he thinks he needs to be on the computer. And usually it involves games of some sort, lately watching a youTube video of one or another. The rule is he needs to wait until Mackenzie is off to school and his teeth are brushed (his teeth have never been cleaner!) And he has swallowed his pill as opposed to hiding it somewhere he thinks mom will not find!!!
Thursday morning my parents and I planned a visit to the temple and we left a little before he had to leave for the bus stop. I came back from my parents just to tell him to make sure he locked the door. It does not include gaming at all so you can see how that would go unnoticed, right?
Well, after the session my mom wanted to go get lunch but I had this feeling I needed to check at the house, only because one time Joey was so distracted that he missed the bus and ended up walking to school and missed two periods (and never told me!) and I needed to make sure he was gone. Well, I got to the house and the door was locked! I was pretty impressed that my little man remembered but then as I unlocked the screen door I realized the front door was wide open! And it was hot!
Yep, my little man had left the door open when he left for school! FOR THREE HOURS!!!
I was spending good money cooling off the front porch!!! I was going to ring his little neck!!! All I can say is it is a good thing school had a few more hours to go because I was going to throttle the kid. (I didn't, by the way! I had calmed down and it has become a good story. I am sure when I get the electric bill, it will be a whole different story!)

Joeys coming Home!

After three weeks of blissful quiet, we headed up to Flagstaff to bring home my little man. Even Mackenzie missed him! And he looked so happy to see us! I think this the longest he has been away from home! But what a mess he was! His ankles were almost brown from caked on dirt, his face had not been washed in days. And if the lake had been close enough, I think I would have thrown him in! He insisted that he did a lot of laundry, you know, cuz last time I made a big deal about it. When I asked him how many times he showered, he admitted he only showered twice.

IN THREE WEEKS!!!

Apparently getting his swimming merit badge counted. (four times in the water) Thank goodness chlorine has its own cleaning agents! Needless to say when we got home that boy and I had a date with destiny!! We cleaned his face with facial cleanser for the first time ever. After the experience he promised me he would shower every other day. Why don't I think of these things before he goes to camp?

HIs phone came back unharmed from camp. I was somewhat surprised. And the 300 minutes, 300 messages died as we pulled into camp to pick him up. I was impressed! I thought he would use up those minutes long before he finished his job.

 

All fun aside, I love my kid! I really did miss him and I hear he wants to do it all again next year! I am proud that he wanted to give up so much time to volunteer and that his heart is growing fond of service. He is growing up to be someone I am proud of. 

 

Speaking of growing, please keep him in your prayers,  We are hoping and praying every day that he gets taller and every little bit helps :)

 

 

 

We dropped Joey off at camp and then I headed up 10 days later to make sure he was okay. Travis could not get off so Tami and Jim were going to come with us. Tami totally forgot she had a presidency meeting. You see, she was just called to be the first counselor in the Relief Society in her ward. So I went up with Jim, Zach, and Josh. Mackenzie stayed with Emily. Yeah, she has had enough of Camp Raymond, lol!

 

Joey's job was the quartermaster, or he was in charge of the equipment shed. He loved it and he was good at it! He checked stuff in and out every day. He was so proud of his shed!!!

 

I  must admit I didn't miss him as much as I thought I would. Actually it is probably because he did call me. In fact, he called me at least 4 times a day! -And the reason I came up in the middle of his session is because I got a call from him a few days before that was unbelievable.

It was 5 in the morning and the call came in and he was crying and screaming that I needed to come and get him. It was raining so hard and the wind was blowing the tent in all directions. He cried and cried and wanted to come home. No matter what I said, he could not calm down. He even put the phone down and was hysterical for a bit until he realized I was still on the line. I told him to go to the mess hall and wait the storm out. He would feel better. He finally said he would. I called him back about three hours later to see how he was doing. He said he was fine and in regards to the conversation we had earlier, I should forget about it. He didn't want to come home after all. That must have been one storm!!!

Meanwhile, when I got there his tent was a mess! And I made him clean it up. Jim just laughed and Joey decided I didn't need to visit him anymore but I threatened him that I would be there every day unless kept his laundry up. Jim kept laughing. (Joey did find three shirts that he insisted were left at home.) Zach smiled and thanked his lucky stars that it want him! Hah! Wait till we get home, buster!!!

 

Meanwhile, Mackenzie got new glasses. Aren't they cute?

The Fourth

We kind of spent his and hers fourth of July this year. Britt wanted to go to Benson to celebrate their traditions. My favorite was the parade. I took Loren, Britt, and Mackenzie with me and we left Sunday night. The next morning was the parade. Mackenzie was in it. The rest of us watched from the sidelines. It was pretty good for a small town. Tons of tractors, even Ronald McDonald showed up on a tractor. There was a band but they performed on the back of a flatbed truck. I was not impressed.

But I was impressed with the Barney Auto Sales entry. They had a bunch of trucks on top of a trailer with kids riding on the vehicles and walking next to them. Dakota, Cheyenne, and their families were there and even Mackenzie got to ride up on the white truck. But best of all was this girl!!!

 

She is the reason I come here and I love her to death. This trip was a bit hard and this girl made sure I was taken care of. She gave me her time even though so many of the Barneys were there and I will love her forever for it!!!

We stayed for fireworks and then headed home.