2008- The Year in Review

Here it goes- a review of our family events of 2008. I am writing this mostly for my own benefit but anyone is welcome to read it.

January-
Right before the new year Mindy (pregnant), Garry, and Ellie sold their home in Woods Cross and moved to a lovely home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Garry had started a new job there as the general manager of Sportz Outdoors and Mindy stayed behind to finish the semester teaching and sell the home. When the house sold her and Ellie moved into Grandma Cannon's basement until they could leave.
April, Caleb, and Noni moved back to Idaho Falls from Boise. She rented a little house just 1/2 mile down the road from us right next to the Elementary School. She was able to transfer from her job at Norco corporate office to the branch here as a medical biller. Caleb loved being close enough to the school to be able to walk when he wasn't at day care. There was a court hearing for immediate custody of the kids by Tye but the judge didn't grant his request.
The day that Becca and Camille were moving back up to Rexburg for the new semester we were driving home from the store in Millie's car. She hit a patch of ice and couldn't stop or steer or anything. We rear ended a pick-up truck that was waiting to turn into Lincoln High. The car was totalled.
Camille and I took a fun weekend trip to Heber for her best friend, Shelley's farewell. Shelley had been Camille's roommate since their freshman year and she seems like another one of my girls.

February-
The month started out nicely as Dave and I were able to attend the Cultural Celebration for the Rexburg Temple and the Dedication at the Temple. We felt very blessed to be able to be in the Temple for this wonderful occasion. It was to be the weekend of our anniversary but due to the passing of President Hinckley it was delayed a week. So we just celebrated a week late.
As soon as Mindy got to Albuquerque she made an appointment with a new Dr. On her first visit there they did some blood work that showed that something may be wrong with the baby. They immediately followed up with an ultra sound and they found out they were expecting twins, but something didn't look quite right with them. After a couple of weeks of stress and tests it was decided that the boys had TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) On Valentines day the decision was made that she should go to Cincinnati to have in-uterine surgery on the twins to sever the blood vessels they shared. Within two days her and Ellie flew to Utah, we met them there to bring Ellie home with us and Garry and Mindy were off to Cincinnati. The plan was for us to take care of Ellie until the next Wednesday and then take her to some of Garry's family in Utah and Dave and I would fly out to be with her so Garry could get back to work. Life doesn't always go as planned.
As April, Becca, Millie, Ellie, and I were heading into our favorite restaurant for a fun Presidents Day lunch I got a call from my mom that dad was in the hospital. The doctors had told them he may not make it through the night and the family should come as soon as possible. Dave and I immediately started to do what needed to be done to get there, not knowing if we would be going for a funeral or a trip to Ohio or what! We went straight to the U of U hospital that night, dropping off Ellie at Debbie's and arriving close to midnight. As we were ushered into his room I was not prepared for what I saw. I think I have never seen anyone so close to death. It was a hard day!
Again, things change. Dad woke up the next morning and appeared to be on the mend. We didn't want to leave Mom alone at this time and Ruth was committed to fly back East for some auditions with Johnathan so we cancelled our plans to go to Cincinnati. Thankfully Garry was able to stay with Mindy until she was able to travel. By Friday Dad was back home and Dave had headed back to IF. What a miracle, I guess he still had some work to accomplish and we all freely told him what it was!
Mindy's surgery went well and with some hope for survival of both babies Garry and her returned to Utah, with the understanding that she was to be on strict bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy.
Sarah, Nick, and their boys also came to Utah for a visit with Grandpa, which was very important to Dan. Mindy, Ellie, and I ended up staying in a hotel for a few days so she could get some strength back and see some family. By March 1st we put Mindy and Ellie on a plane to Albuquerque and I was able to return home.
Dave bought his nice, big, white truck. Yeah, another vehicle in the family and finally a truck. We hadn't had a truck since he crashed his little red one into the side of a hill when a fox ran in front of him coming down the Ashton hill last Summer.

March-
We spent most of March getting ready for me to go to Albuquerque to help Mindy. I finished up my 2007 Ward History book, tried to get the house in order, and took care of other things that had to be done before I left.
We had the opportunity to attend a special Temple session and the re-dedication of the Idaho Falls Visitors Center, with L. Tom Perry presiding. Luckily we chose to go to an early session. As we came out there were so many people at the Temple that the Chapel was full and people were lined to the dressing rooms waiting to get into a session.
We had a fun birthday dinner for Dave and another one for April.
We had most of Becca's and Millie's roommates come for Easter dinner and a fun game of The Great Dalmuti.
The last week of the month I flew to Albuquerque, thinking I would come back in a couple of weeks, when Millie would go down after school got out for the semester.

April-
Things in Albuquerque were pretty routine. Mindy would go to the doctor 3 times a week for monitoring on the babies, I tried to keep her house running as smoothly as possible, and tried to keep Ellie in line. It was good that Mindy could be at home so she could sit with Ellie and read her stories or discipline her. She usually came downstairs after showering and breakfast and went back upstairs in time to read stories to Ellie at bedtime and tell her goodnight. Other than that she was grounded to the couch except to use the bathroom. It was hard for me to find my way around town at first but soon could find places that Mindy hadn't even had a chance to find. I think I actually attended her ward more than she did the whole time she was there. Millie came to visit but I decided I shouldn't go home while she was there because the babies delivery was so uncertain. Every week they said they might put her in the hospital or take the babies. Thankfully, Millie brought me some spring clothes and we had a fun day of shopping with Ellie.
We got word that Dad had taken another turn for the worse and was in the hospital again. The day after Millie flew home he passed away. I had the choice to try to hurry home to be there but we really didn't know if I could make it in time and I choose to remember him the way I saw him as I left their house for the airport in March. He had walked me to the door and said goodbye. It was a difficult time. I was grateful that Dave had been able to spend so much time with my mom at the hospital. Dave drove to Albuquerque to pick up Ellie and I to take us to Bountiful for the funeral. It was a hard time but so nice to see so many family and friends. We had the unique opportunity of having Henry B. Eyring attend and speak at the funeral. He was so kind as he greeted each of us. He knew my father well and had a difficult time expressing his feelings about him. The funeral was the day between Camille's and Becca's birthdays. Great way to spend your 21st birthday, huh? 2 days after the funeral Ellie and I were on a plane back to Albuquerque. Ellie had a breakdown in the airport right before it was time to board our plane. Let's just leave it that it was not an experience I would ever want to repeat. I think I have never been so grateful as when the plane started to move and she fell asleep.
Ellie and I had returned on Saturday and Sunday night Garry woke me up in the night to tell me Mindy's water had broke and they were going to the hospital. They were sent home after a quick check. I usually didn't go to the doctor with Mindy because it was so hard to deal with Ellie. But we thought I should go with her to her regular check up on Monday. Sure enough, they sent her straight to the hospital to stay until the babies came.
My dear sweet visiting teacher faithfully called to do her visiting teaching over the phone each month. This month when she called I broke down and she just listened to me and gave me great comfort. What a blessing Ramona Anderson has been in my life!
In the meantime Becca and Millie finished another semester at BYU-I. Millie stayed in Rexburg to take some classes Summer Semester. Becca moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to do an internship for Jackson Trading Comp. Again Dave filled in for me to help Becca move and get settled and all that goes along with that. I might insert here that it was about this time that contact was made between Becca and a missionary from her mission, Steven Seipert.

May-
May started with Mindy in the hospital, Garry trying to split his time between Ellie, Mindy, and work. And me trying to keep everything, including myself, together. Ellie and I would try to go to the hospital every day. It was a half hour drive and she often was wild or uncooperative while she was there. It was quite difficult. Dave came down again to spend a little time with me and help me out. The doctors decided to take the babies at 32 weeks, so a C-section was scheduled for May 15.
The delivery went well and Logan Dean (3 lbs. 14 oz.) and Stockton Marc (2 lbs. 4 oz.) began their mortal existence on this earth. They were amazingly healthy for their prematurity, size, and complications in the womb. An amazing sister in Mindy's ward called the night before the delivery to see what our plans were for being at the hospital. I told her I really didn't know what I was going to do- take Ellie to the hospital, take turns with Dave being there or what. She said to drop Ellie off at her house on our way to the hospital and pick her up whenever we felt we were ready. WOW! What a relief and answer to prayer that was.
Dave was able to stay long enough to see the babies and hold each one for a bit. A few days later Mindy was home after 3 weeks in the hospital. She had no time for recovery as she wanted to spend every possible minute at the hospital with the boys. She couldn't drive yet so again Ellie and I made the trek each day to the hospital and hung out in a room close to the NICU while Mindy got updates and sat with Logan and Stockton.
A few days after the babies were born Garry's boss dropped the bomb that he was selling the store and Garry would be let go. WOW!
I stayed another couple of weeks so I could help celebrate Ellie's 3rd Birthday and drive Mindy to the hospital. Garry's dad flew in on Ellie's birthday and we had a fun day at a pizza place with an arcade and yummy birthday cake and presents later at the house. I had been able to hold Logan but not Stockton. So the next day on our way to the airport Mindy and I stopped at the hospital so I could see them one last time. When we got to their spot they were gone. Panic! They had been moved to isolation. It was really upsetting but came to find out it would be ok. I was able to hold Stockton for a little bit and flew off to SLC.
Dave spent a lot of time while I was gone working on our food storage. I guess feeding one batchelor was a lot less expensive than when I am doing the shopping and cooking. I came home to a full storage room of food!

June-
After arriving in Utah I stayed a couple of days with my mom in Bountiful. This young man Steven had flown to Utah (from the bay area) to "see" Becca. They had spent most of their time in Jackson and Idaho. She brought him to Utah to fly back to California and to "meet" me. I didn't have much time to get to know him but enjoyed his company and went out for a fun dinner.
Becca and I brought my mom back up to Idaho with us for a visit. (a brave thing to do considering that I had not stepped foot in my house for almost 3 months) Another court hearing was scheduled for a couple of days after returning. Again with the judge not granting Tye's request.
Dave and I took Mom up to Island Park/ Yellowstone for a day trip. Just at the end of Island Park a blizzard hit. The road was immediately icy and we started to spin into the other lane. There were 2 oncoming semis and several cars. I closed my eyes and thought "our poor family will have to deal with 3 more deaths". I felt a bump and looked to see that we had hit the guardrail on our side of the road. There was little damage to the car and we were all fine, although a little shaken up. Mom really thought she would be joining Dad that day. I know it was the hand of the Lord that guided Dave to get control of the car. We went back to Island Park, took one little detour to Big Springs and headed back to Idaho Falls. It had snowed here too, June 6th! While Mom was with us we took her to WalMart for her first time. She had a lot of fun with that! We also celebrated my birthday at my favorite restaurant- Wingers.
Later in the month Dave and I took a drive up to Jackson to see Becca and then headed down the east way to Bountiful. It was a gorgeous drive but long! We spent a lot of time in Bountiful through the Summer and Fall helping mom go through papers and such.

July-
We had a quiet but fun 4th of July. We did our traditional bar-b-que and fireworks with just a few of us. Steven came back to spend some more time with Becca and attend a couple of important events. I was able to go to Becca & Steven's Mission President's "homecoming" with them. It was fun to meet President and Sister Francis and to meet many of the Elders and Sisters they served with. On July 18th Becca graduated from BYU-I with a Bachelors in Business with an emphasis in marketing. Camille also graduated with an Associate degree in General Ed. It was fun to have Steven here for the graduation. We all attended the graduation banquet and had a great day! The next day we took Camille and Steven to the airport. Steven flew back to California and Camille flew to Albuquerque to help Mindy.
Garry was able to get a job back in Salt Lake at Overstock.com. He moved into Grandma's basement but Mindy was stuck in Albuquerque until the boys were out of the hospital. Logan came home at 3? days, but Stockton was there for 77! Camille was able to help with Ellie and Logan so Mindy could spend as much time at the hospital with Stockton as possible.

August-
Stockton was finally able to go home, even though still on oxygen, and the move to Utah occurred. It was a whirlwind of events but it was good for them to all be together as a family.
Becca finished her internship and moved home for 2 short weeks. Dave, Becca, Millie and I loaded Becca up in our truck and our Impala to move her to California. Just a couple of days before we were to leave Becca's car started acting up. We had it checked out and Dave messed with it, but the final decision was that it was not in any condition to take to California, so we gave her our car to take. Steven did a great job of showing us San Francisco in a day. We went to Half Moon Bay (beach), we saw Lombardi Street, a cool park with botanical gardens, and the Golden Gate bridge, and a quick drive past the piers (well not to quick with traffic). We stopped at a fun place for dinner called Fenton's and we all stuffed ourselves! It was a hard thing to say goodbye to the car and Becca in Fremont/San Jose knowing that she knew nobody except this young man, Steven, and his family that she had just met. But she had a great place to live with an older LDS couple and got a great job at an accounting firm within a few days of being there.
Later in July I went to Utah again to help my mom when she had some eye surgery. This time it was so fun because Mindy and the kids were there!
On one of our trips to Utah we found it necessary to visit Dave's mom at the UofU hospital with some heart problems. It was a little difficult to walk back into the hospital and remember when we had been there last. Gratefully the doctors were able to control the problem and she was able to return home and gain her strength back.

September-
Stockton and Logan were finally blessed the first week in September. It was a great day with lots of family and friend support for these two special babies! Camille started back at BYU-I after her 7 week break and things started to settle down at the Griffiths house.
The last week of September I had the great opportunity (feel the sarcasm) to serve on a jury. It was an interesting case but I was so glad it wasn't a long, drawn out affair. Maybe I am free of jury duty for a few years now. I get an "invite" almost every year!

October-
I spent most of October just trying to catch up from such a crazy year! I spent a fun night and day with Millie for Mother's Weekend at BYU-I. I spent the night and went to her classes, participated in a service project, and went to the planetarium. It was a lot of fun!
Mindy and the kids came for a week. What a party! We had Noni over a couple of days and did some fun things. The highlight was a trip to the Pumpkin Patch to pick out pumpkins. The kids all had a lot of fun. Back at home they wore their Halloween costumes and we had activities and treats. It just may become a tradition! Millie, April, Caleb, Noni and I had a fun Saturday carving pumpkins. It was amazing how well the kids did!

November-
Can you see a pattern of things slowing down? Thankfully the slow down continued although there were still several trips to Utah to help Mom. Dave sold his truck and we bought a little Nissan Sentra. Becca and Steven came for Thanksgiving. While here Steven talked to Dave about wanting to marry Rebecca. Dave was pleased with the way he approached it all and gave him his blessing. Mindy and Garry and the kids also came. It was a fun time with everyone here except Caleb and Noni. It is nice to have a full house once in a while.
Everyone pitched in to help put up Christmas lights outside. That is one of Dave's dreaded jobs and it probably wouldn't have happened if they weren't here to help. It was especially nice to have some guys around to help. I had to talk in Sacrament meeting that Sunday. In a way it was nice to have the family there to hear me speak, that doesn't happen often. Shortly after Mindy and Garry had left with Becca and Steven we were running the last of the batches of dishes when the dishwasher sprung a leak. Yep, the dishwasher was done! How nice of it to wait until the piles of holiday/company dishes were done.

December-
It was a typical December for us. Dave played Santa for the Griffiths' family party. He did a great job! My neighbor Janeal and I had another successful Christmas Open House. We went to the Ward Party, a cookie exchange, and a tour of an amazing home with over 50 Christmas trees. There were just enough fun things to keep the Christmas spirit strong.
April and the kids moved back in with us just the week before Christmas.
Steven popped the question just a couple of days before Becca flew home for Christmas. He invested a great deal of thought and planning into making it a special day for them (well, mostly her)! She has written her story on her blog and wedding website so I will spare the details here.
We just had adults for Christmas, Dave, me, April, Becca, and Camille, so we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner Christmas Eve and slept in Christmas morning. It was a great holiday season! We spent Becca's last day here doing some "wedding stuff". April got Caleb and Noni back in time to come to Bountiful for a fun get together with the Cannon's before having to take Becca to the airport to fly back to California and the guy she is in love with. New Year's Eve was a fun ending to a hectic year! Millie, Caleb, Noni, April, Will, Dave and I just played games and did puzzles and made lots of noise at midnight!

All in all I have felt so blessed to have loving friends and family through this year. It is one I don't want to repeat. Nor do I want to repeat many of the events, although some were fun, many were difficult and sad. Mostly I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has helped me time and again to get through the difficult times. Also, for my loving husband who has been by my side through it all, with total support for me and my side of the family.

During the year 2008 our immediate family had 3 court dates (if you count my jury duty), 2 car accidents, 1 death, 2 births, 2 graduations, at least 7 moves (although Mindy and Garry's first was actually in 2007 by a couple of days), 2 cars bite the dust, 1 engagement (almost 2), at least 25 airplane rides, and thousands of tears and laughs. Just for the record I, alone, spent at least 114 nights away from my house, that is almost 1/3 of the year.

Now on to 2009- hope it is a good one!