Great News

For those of you that have followed Cliff's progress and haven't checked Jenna and Cliff's blog we have great news. He is coming home. I don't have the exact date but I will update this once i find it out. Don't forget to still keep them in your prayers because he still has a long road of rehabilitation.

Fit to be tied

Since I had Penny my post baby body has been driving me crazy. Not only does my tummy almost make up a whole other me but it looks like I was attacked by some animal with large claws. Everyday I avoid looking into the mirror which is no way to live. You should love yourself inside and out, right? Well since I really don't love myself on the outside right now I figured that needs to change. So I am going to set some goals and start working on them today. I figured if I list my goals on the blog it would motivate me to do something more about it than I have been because people will know I am working on it and I'll feel like I need to uphold them. So here they are.

Loose 20lbs (6month goal)

drop 2 pant sizes (6month goal)

be able to run 5 miles without (3month goal)

work out for atleast 45 minutes a day everyday except for sundays

eat much much healthier

participate in atleast 3 hours of physical activity with my kids everyday

So that seems like a lot but I know I can do it if I just start and get into a routine. So here's to goals.

My Two Angels

Diane took these pictures last week when we came to visit. Tennis loves this caterpillar stuffed animal more than any other toy.

Thanks for all the Graveyard Shifts

Okay so recently I have been so tender hearted. I am not sure why. I think that it has something to do with our sweet new little person in our home. It has made me think about a lot of things. I find myself listening to the radio on the way to clean Chad's office at night and balling over some country song. Yes, I am a complete sap. Back to my whole reason for this posting. With our new little one I have found myself up at all hours of the night. She hasn't gotten onto our night is for sleeping and day is the time to be alert schedule. Last night she was alert from around 12 to 3:30. Chad had gone to bed and Tennis was out cold so it was just me and my girl up in the family room. I had one of our many Disney movies in to distract me and keep me awake. As she finally dosed off I went to lay her down in the bassinet and of course the second she left my arms she was wide awake again. So I picked her up again and we ended up dosing off together in our bed. I love having her so near and dependant but it is hard with Tennis because he has needs too. So this morning as I was preparing Tennis's breakfast and probably looking like a zombie wandering around the house my mom came to mind. Not just my mom, many others but mainly mine. I can imagine all the sleepless nights she spent up with me and all my siblings. Whether if it was from some sickness, waiting up for me some Saturday night, or just with worry I'm sure there have been countless nights. My sleepless nights have just begun but hers have been going for decades. I can't express how grateful I am for mothers that sit up with their children and instill that love and trust in them that they take with them the rest of their lives. Being a mom is a lot of work but it is a joy greater than anything imaginable. I hope and pray that I can be as good of a mother to my children and be there for them like my mom and many others have been for me. Next time you are driving home late or if you see a neighbors light on in the wee hours of the morning and know that they have little children I hope you think of your mom like I do now. Love you mom.

My Friend

I have this friend. We have known each other since high school. We were close then and even closer now. Even after I moved away for almost two whole years and came home things just picked up right where they left off no questions asked. She has always been wise beyond her years and has had a fabulous sense of humor. Plus she completely gets me which can be hard to do sometimes. We have had countless sleepovers, driven to Idaho, been to each others weddings and she still doesn't seem to be sick of me. Outside of my immediate and extended family members I don't have anyone like her in my life. All girls young and old need a friend like her in their life. Who is this friend? Her name is Jenna Holm. She is the one of the most genuine people I have ever known. So to Jenna, thank you for being my best friend through thick and thin these past years. It has meant more than you will ever know.

My One True Love

When I think back about how I knew Chad through school and we were both just acquaintances and didn't really get to know each other to well it makes me wonder how it would have been if we had known that we would end up together. Chad would have probably laughed at the thought that we would be married and have two children just 5 short years after his mission. I would have never guessed. All I can say now is that Heavenly Father's plan is a wonder. I am married to someone I have known for quite some time. We have two beautiful children and he is a wonderful father. He was the man that took me through the temple my first time, the man that shared a perfect honeymoon with me, a man that knows me better than I feel I know myself sometimes. He was my first in a lot of ways and my last in every way. I am so grateful for all that he does for me and our children. I know it isn't easy for most men to work everyday in and out and never be able to do anything different because they are supporting their children and wife. But as one that is completely dependant upon my husband I am grateful for the life that he provides for us. It is humbling to be completely dependant upon someone. We might not have all the little things that one hopes for but someday we possibly will. But for now we have our health and each other. Who really could ask for more. So for now I'll just say for the thousandth time since we have been married that I am more grateful for my husband than anything else because without him I wouldn't have my two little miracles that we call Tennis and Penny, I wouldn't have the blessing of an eternal marriage with a strong and faithful husband and I wouldn't have the knowledge and wisdom that i do today. He has made me a stronger and better person. I love him so much and hope everyone can have such luck in life and love as I have had.

I thought that I might ask what everyone is doing for father's day. If you think your spouse might read your comment then don't leave one but if not then please do. I already know what I am doing for Chad but I thought that it might be fun to hear about what everyone else is doing.

The latest news on Cliff

Cliff's surgery last Thursday went well - a portion of the ball of his right foot was removed, new grafts put on this foot, right hand, and left fingers, and it appears the grafts are taking. Cliff passed the swallow study yesterday - and he now can eat solid foods, although the feeding tube will remain for the time being. Cliff said food is very spicy, sweet, strong, and he told the nurse this morning he was a light eater! Cliff will probably be back in the rehab unit next Monday. Jenna is so grateful to all who are sending love, prayers, support their way. Keep praying for these two and those who are caring for Cliff. The stronger the wind the stronger the tree.

Penny's Announcement

Well she had her 2 week check up and she grew almost another 2 full inches and is back to birth weight. Which puts her at 50% on height and 10% for weight. Chad made this announcement to send out to family members. I love it. Jandee took the pictures and if I may say so they turned out SO cute.

Cliff"s Progress

After living from hour to hour, dawn to dusk, and day to day, Cliff andJenna now have a week's worth of goals - which is so thrilling.
Cliff is beginning to put thoughts and words together, and his body isbeginning to heal from the burns and the viral encephalitis. Thetherapists, doctors, and social workers Jenna and Cliff have been workingwith are great. They are giving these two high hopes for a full recovery -even though it may take a year or more for this to occur.
Cliff was moved from Intermediate Care to Rehab last Wednesday, May 28. Hewill be having physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy 3hours a day, working up to about 6 hours a day. The physiotrist (doctorspecializing in rehabilitation) is Dr. Speed - he is supposed to be one ofthe best in the Western US in dealing with Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Because of Cliff's injuries and illness and his need to stay focused on hismany therapies, the therapists, nurses, and Dr. Speed are continuing torecommend that there be no visitors. We're finding that after there aremultiple people in Cliff's room he gets agitated, anxious, and veryrestless. The doctor explained it to me this way - Cliff sees people,converses with them, but there is still a "skip" in making all of theconnections, and because his brain is still not healed, this skip causeshim to try and put the entire scene or conversation together correctly -but he can't, so he gets anxious, concerned, and irritated by this. Thisthen brings on restlessness - which brings on lack of sleep, which meansthe next day's therapy is difficult, etc. So the rehab center is requestinghe be kept as calm as possible so the therapists and doctors can go to workand speed up Cliff's recovery.
It will be a month on Wednesda since Cliff's accident, and although thishas been a horrible month for Cliff and Jenna, the blessings arenonetheless very apparent. Please continue to keep them in your thoughtsand prayers.
Best, Ronda