A Day Worth Remembering!

Happy Birthday, Linda!
Here are my memories of this special day when Linda came to join our family:
At just 30 weeks, early labor activity made it clear to us that our little baby had no intentions of waiting until September 28 to be born! We were able to hold back the actual birth date until August 14, but on that day it became very clear that she refused to wait any longer! In fact, being born at 11:31 p.m. she just barely made it in time to have her own birthday instead of sharing one with her Grandpa Davies!
One thing I vividly remember is how worried the doctor was and the unmistakable relief on his face when she was born and weighed 4 pounds 14 ounces. Because of my measurements, he was pretty sure she would be much smaller. Her color was beautiful and she was very healthy looking. The first two days of her life she lost weight steadily, a concern to the nurses who were caring for her, so the doctor ordered them to give her drops of peanut oil to add some weight. They told me I could take her home when her weight reached 4 pounds and I was very pleased that we were able to leave the hospital together after just one additional day over what was then considered normal. Her pediatrician was out of town and was very unhappy when he first saw her in his office, stating that she was sent home too soon, but I feel very differently about it. It seemed so right for her to be home with her family!
Linda is a fighter and has been very healthy through her life, seemingly little affected by her early entrance into this world, a fact for which her parents are truly grateful!
For the record: Linda was born at 11:31 p.m. in the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. She weighed 4 pounds 14 1/2 ounces and was 17 1/2" long. The doctor who delivered her was John C. Nelson. Important facts, but none of these bits of information can possibly tell just how amazing her birth was! Happy Birthday, Linda, and many more!

Easter Egg Hunt

I am planning my second annual esater egg hunt for sat the 11 at 1:00. I hope all can come!

Happy Birthday to My Favorite Brother!

Happy Birthday Robert!

Not only are you my favorite brother, you are the best brother I could ask for! I am so proud to be your sister and am very thankful that you are my brother.

I have so many great memories of growing up with you. My first memory of you was probably a painful one for you (and for Mom!) although I'm sure you don't remember it. I remember Mom crying because she accidentally poked you with a pin while changing your diaper. Luckily, you survived not only that but being a brother to three sisters!

Growing up I always felt safe with you around. I remember sleeping in your bed in Wyoming whenever I would get scared in the night. Mom and Dad didn't like this idea and told me not to do it. My compromise was sleeping in the empty space between your mattress and the wall on your bunkbed. :) I don't remember you ever complaining or telling me to stop bothering you. You were always fun to play with and never complained about being the only boy, even the day that we dressed you up as a girl (and Dad made sure that only happened once)! Of course, you also had an influence on us, remember catching horny toads?

There is a picture of you and me that I love- I wish I had it here so that I could post it. It is the picture of you and me sitting on the front porch of our West Jordan house on the first day of school one year. I was in 7th grade and had really bad hair :). I really remember that day and how I felt that you were a great friend. That is around the time I think of the discussion we had one day about how we were going to be cool from then on. I don't even remember how we determined we would become cool. :) I just remember being glad that you were not only my brother but also my friend.

As we grew older, we weren't always as close, but I have always loved you and felt that you loved me. I have always looked up to your skill at fixing things. I am so proud to share a last name with you and think it is great when you tell me you met someone that asked you if I were your sister. I know that you do a great job in your work. I think it is a big compliment when Steve (or anyone else) tells me that I have a lot in common with you.

Thanks for being such a great brother. I hope you are having a wonderful birthday! It is definitely a day to celebrate! I love you!

A Day Worth Remembering!

Happy Birthday, Robert!
This is a very special day! My memories of this day:
Since Robert's actual due date was February 8th, we were very nervous when it became clear that he was in much too big of a hurry to wait to be born! The doctor had done a test just a few days before to determine the maturity of his lungs and was very concerned that if he was born this early he would have to struggle just to survive. Many prayers were being said as we prepared for his birth in the delivery room.
I remember hearing one doctor say, "I feel a foot", then the other one say, "No, that is a hand". After a few minutes they decided that they were feeling BOTH, which isn't a good sign! I heard them say he was transverse breach and that since he was so premature it would not be safe to keep trying to turn him. A nurse was instructed to tell Mick that an emergency cesarean would need to be performed and to get him to sign release papers. Mind you, NO ONE asked me what my feelings were on the subject! Mick was already in his hospital attire waiting to come to be with me, but the doctors felt that he should not be allowed in due to the emergency nature of the birth. Things were tense in the delivery room until we heard his first cry...what a wonderful sound that was! The doctors told me that he just didn't want to come out, that he held on to my ribs and had to be pulled out in such a way that his legs were bruised up to his hips!
When Robert and I were being moved out of the delivery room, we saw Mick in the hallway for just a few minutes. He leaned over to be close to me and said, "You know what his name is, don't you?" We had talked about naming him Michael, so I was surprised when he replied "Robert Paul".
Robert had a traumatic beginning that day, to be sure! The prayers of many were answered and he was able to go home with me when he was just 7 days old.
For the record: Robert was born on Saturday, January 7 at 2:00 a.m. in the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. He weighed 5 pounds 10 1/2 ounces and was 18 1/2" long. The doctor who delivered him was Wallace Bryner. Important facts, but none of these bits of information can tell anyone just how amazing his birth was!
Happy Birthday, Robert, and many more!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Thank you for teaching me the joy's of fatherhood!

We love you!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom,
I am so grateful to call you my mother. I hope this day is a special for you as it is for me. There is so much to celebrate about your life. I appreciate your unconditional love for your family. You have taught me so much.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see you today and celebrate with you. We enjoyed singing to you.

I know I have been the cause of many gray hair and wrinkles. Hopefully outweighed by many of smiles and laughs. Thank you for your patience with me.

Thank you for including me in your new journey. I enjoy building and strengthening our relationship.

I LOVE YOU!

Feeling Thankful on Election Day

I have really been looking forward to the end of this year’s election. It seems like it has been going on forever and I have been worried that the election seems to be much more about the politician’s personalities than the serious issues at hand.

However, when I voted this morning I felt such a sense of pride in this country and honor that I have the opportunity to vote. Even in a state where I am doubtful my vote makes a difference, I wouldn’t dream of giving up my voice by not voting.

On Election Day I am always thankful for such patriotic parents who taught me that voting was a special privilege. They always made sure that we knew they were voting and that it was an important duty. I know this is why I think voting is such a neat experience and why I feel it is so important.

Yesterday I had a brief online conversation with Dad. As he was saying goodbye he reminded me to vote. Dad, I wouldn’t miss it because of the great example of my parents. This is the best reminder that you could give me.

Thank you!