LIFE

Update on Rick: He visited with both his local doctors -medical and pyschiatrist- on Monday. Both of them said he was truly overdosed with medications. They took him off of 3 of the new 4 medications. I looked at the sheets that talk about drug side effects that Portneuf Medical Center sent home. It said: If you're taking this pill, do not take the other. Another med. sheet said the same thing. Portneuf Medical Center had Rick taking all 3 of those pills together. No wonder he was overdosed and basically "drunk". Today is the first tiime that he's fallen down since Monday morning. Yesterday is the first time that I dared leave him home alone. His folks have been "babysitting" him. His brother took him fishing today. I hope he does o.k.
His medical doctor wants him to have a Cat Scan test on Monday-checking out his brain just in case. The reason: She told him to walk one direction and he walked a different direction than she said. He's disoriented. His speech is still slurred, but not as bad. His blood pressure is slightly lower than normal. That would affect his speech and thinking ability. I'm thinking the dosage of the blood pressure medicine should be smaller. This medicine also helps with his "shaking".

Two nights ago, I looked out into our pasture. It was almost dark. I looked at our calves-making sure all 5 were there. I counted a 6th head. It wasn't a calf. At first, we couldn't tell what it was. It looked sort of like a sheep, but also a goat. It's a goat, but not the typical goat. It's a young goat. It's spotted brown and white. One of our calves is spotted brown and white. I think this goat thought our calf was it's mother. None of our neighbors have goats. We don't know where it came from. It followed Rick to the house yesterday when he fed the calves. The goat followed like a little puppy does. Since we don't have any idea where it came from, we told Rick's niece and her husband that they couold have it. They came and got it lastnight. They have other goats. They said if anyone comes looking for it, they could pick it up at their house. If no one comes looking for it, we at least know it will be taken care of.
A few years ago, someone just left their cat at our house also. We know it was a pet, because it has a collar on. None of our cats have collars, because they are too wild to catch and they live outside. I guess, because we live on an acerage, other people think it's o.k. to just drop their animals off at our place.
Mom wasn't feeling very well this week. I called on Tuesday. She said that she hadn't felt good all week. I asked if the twins had taken her to the doctor. They were taking her to the hospital in Jerome that night. They called later and said that she had an infection. The doctors sent her home with a prescription. I haven't had a chance to visit her this week. (I've been busy with Rick and subbing at the Temple.) I'm going to visit her today.
Life is busy-like always.
Love to all.
Diane

BLOG BOOK

I got my blog book about a week ago. I only printed up 2008 posts. It really wasn't worth my money-because it's a very thin book. Next time, I hope to have more entries. Besides the fact that it's a very thin book, I really think it turned out nice. (I do wish it would have printed the pictures in the same place as the names-like I had on the actual blog.) I like the cover. It's professional looking. I will use this again.

I'm going to add a few pictures.

Front Cover--------Back Cover------------Internal pages-----------------

PICTURES AND CATCHING UP..

Heather's youngest turned 7 years old in mid-February. They had a roller skating party.








Heather's kids: Tyler, "Bekha" & Jacob Price
Jacob wasn't the best skater, but he tried all of the faster contests. Tyler was extremely good. "Bekha" appeared to be better than what I used to be, but not as good as Tyler.






Cousins enjoying each other. Arianna Rodriguez (Stephanie's daughter) and Tyler Price












Stephanie's kids:
Traci Otto & "Mady" Rodriguez-----------Jacob, Kari, & "Kenna" Otto


Traci has lost some extra pounds and is
looking mighty good on the skating floor.
She is also a very good skater.








I took pictures of Heather & Chad skating. Those
pictures didn't turn out very good. That's too bad. Heather
said they don't have a picture of Chad skating at all.









This is "Mady" and Mom (Stephanie). Look at how great
Stephanie is looking. She has lost quite a lot of weight in the last 6 months. I'm darn proud of her! ! !
"Mady" has a bandage on her arm. A few weeks earlier, she accidentally burned it. She laid her arm on the flat surface of
a hair straightener. Stephanie rushed her to the emergency
room. The Dr. said it was good that she went. It was about 6 inches long and about 1-2 inches wide. Thankfully, I don't think she's going to have a very bad scar.
A little more catching up:
Stephanie's youngest has been sick for a couple of weeks. She's doing better now. Heather's youngest had bronchitus last week, but went to school today.
Heather hired Stephanie to be one of her waitresses. (Heather is the main waitress and does the hiring and firing of a small cafe.) Stephanie started today-March 9th. I asked Heather how she liked it. Heather told me to ask Stephanie. I don't know if that's good or not. I hope so.
Update on Rick:
Today seems better, not great, but better. I've made several phone calls to Dr.s. Rick is meeting with his main Dr. in the morning and also with his psychiartrist in the afternoon. His main Dr. also felt like he was overdosed with medications. So far, he's only fell down once today. He's also gone to the bathroom a few times by himself. However, he can't get our of the furniture by himself yet. He doesn't have much balance. He's a little more aware of things.

WOMEN AT THE WELL RELIEF SOCIETY PRESENTATION.

Yesterday, our Relief Society had the annual Stake Meeting. They presented the program: "Women at the Well'. I've seen it before where I enjoyed it better than yesterday. However, some miracles still happened.
(1) A lady in our ward that hasn't been active in the church until recently, actually prayed for either Sister Meiers or Sister Todd to be there, so she wouldn't feel so alone. Rick's mom went with me. I asked her where she wanted to set. She said she didn't care, so I went on up to the front. As we passed this particular sister, we waved. She smiled. Then later, Rick's mom said we were setting too close for her preference. We got up and moved. We set beside this particular sister. That is when she said that before she came inside the building, she said a little prayer and specifically asked if Sister Todd could be there to help her feel more at ease. She said that when she saw us come in, her heart jumped for joy- but then was let down when we walked on past her. She thought to herself, well, I never actually prayed that they would set beside me. They did come, I should have prayed more specifically. Background on this sister: Rick & his home teaching companion went to her house about a year ago, looking for someone totally different. Apparently, the someone different used to live at this house. The new family had lived in Buhl for 2 years and this was the first contact the church had with them. She started coming back to church just before Christmas-sporadically. When I got put in the Primary Presidency, we needed some extra teachers. I said that I thought she would be good helping in the Nursery. When I mentioned her name, no one else even knew who she was. She is one of our regular Nursery teachers now and she loves it. It had to be the spirit that prompted me to set by her -as an answer to her humble prayer.
(2) The Stake Presidency representative challenged each of us to write in our journals about how we felt the spirit today. Since I didn't enjoy this presentation nearly as well as the first time that I'd seen it, I didn't think that I would actually feel the Spirit. Towards the end of the program a sister is singing a song. It was either: "Day Of Tears" or "Greater Love". She sang both songs, so I'm not sure which one it was. I do know that she was feeling with the Spirit as she sang. I could see it on her face and hear it in her voice. She was singing about if she had been there when Christ was put upon the cross, would she have taken his place? As she sang those words, I felt the Spirit thru her. I mouthed "Thank You" to her. Afterwards, I told her how much I appreciated her Spirit. She asked if I was the one that had mouthed "Thank You" to her.

Rick & I were both given blessings today. I really appreciated the gentleman giving the blessing. He actually paused and let the Spirit help him with these blessings-instead of just giving the normal words. Rick has always said something along the lines "of why does he have to go thru this depression? Whey does he have to have diabetes?" Well, the blessings today said that these trials are for our benefit-that they are Spiritual trials. That's right. I said Spiritual Trials. I've always said that it's how we handle our situations in life that determines what blessings we get. These blessings only solidifies what I already knew in my heart anyhow. Rick's blessing told him that he should have more faith, knowing and believing that people really do care for him. Mine also said that I should continue to write my testimony of these blessings in journals - so that my loved ones will someday benefit from my strong testimony.
I guess that's why my journal/blog is more spiritual related than everyday life. I want my kids and grandkids to have the same eternal blessings that we have. I want my etended families to be with each of us in the Celestial Kingdom.

Update on Rick: Yesterday, things were slightly better. Today, is more like Thursday and Friday. His mood is fine when he's awake. He's still falls asleep in mid whatever he's doing. His thinking ability is not there. He still has no balance. I had to help him get dressed this morning because he couldn't think what he was supposed to do and didn't have the balance to stand by himself.

ANOTHER UPDATE ON RICK.

Well, Rick came home on Wednesday. His mood is better.
However, now we have a different problem. He's so doped up with medications, that he's basically "drunk". He has no equilibrium or balance. He falls all of the time. He falls asleep in mid- sentence. He falls asleep with food in motion to his mouth. He's non-responsive to the phone ringing right beside him. He's non-responsive to me shaking his hand and telling him to wake up. We've called the hospital. They said he was fine when they released him. (Not true. He did not have balance then. He had to hang on to me as we walked out to the car, so he wouldn't fall down. All of the way home, he basically was a zombie. That's what he's been ever since I brought him home.) He's supposed to see a new counselor on the 16th. His psychiatrist is only available a few days a week. So, he's not much help. I wish we could find a happy meduim with Rick. It's nice not having him depressed to the point that he's "over the edge", but I would like to have a companion also.
I'm calling some doctors on Monday.

TESTIMONY OF TITHING

I just wanted to share my testimony of tithing. I know that Heavenly Father blesses us for being FAITHFUL in paying our tithing. I know that he blesses us according to our needs. We always have sufficient to get by. I know that if we didn't pay a full tithing, life would be much harder to get by financially. I also know that the test of faith in paying tithing, brings added blessings.
Let me share with you a thought that was e-mailed to me today from L.D.S. Daily Gems: "The obedient payment of tithing fortifies our faith, and that faith sustains us through the trials, tribulations, and sorrows in our life's journey."

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

I'm sure most of you read the book by Gordon B. Hinckley: Stand A Little Taller. I really liked yesterdays advice. I want to share that with you-just as a refresher.
2 Nephi 2:25 Men are, that they might have joy.
I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we "accentuate the positive." I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasms, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.
Now, back to my thinking: I believe that it's the "perspective" of life that matters. We can dwell on our misfortunes and be miserable. The other option, we can be grateful that we have the blessings that Heavenly Fathers continually pours out on us. Which choice are you going to take? Well, enough of that. I just wanted to share that thought-because it's good advice.

Update on Rick:
He is in the Portneuf Medical Center-Behavioral Center. He's taking one day at a time. This morning, he seemed better than yesterday when I talked to him. However, he seemed worse yesterday than on Saturday when his folks and I visited with him. The Dr.s are changing meds. They are sort of working. One medication has almost completely stopped his hands from shaking, and takes the edge off of the mental situation, but it only works for awhile. They are going to give him more per day to see if it will stay in his system longer. He's been taken off of one of the meds. that he was on. Another med. has been adjusted- amount wise. He is trying to get better. He's trying to participate in the group therapy-classes that are basically required. This situation with Rick is not new. It's been a part of our life the whole time we've been married. It's just happening more often the last few years with more intensity.
Just this morning, a friend called to ask how Rick is. During the conversation, she shared with me some bad news of friends to both of us. Everyone has their own trials in life. That's what I said earlier. It's how we handle those situations in life that matters.
Have a great day everyone.

RELIEF SOCIETY BLOG SITE FOR RECIPES.

Some of the ladies in our Relief Society have formed a "recipe exchange" group. I haven't attended the meetings yet. I did submit one of my recipes. Then, I checked out the blog site that was created for this. It looks like it might be fun for other people. Thought you might want the site address: http://tastesfromhome.blogspot.com/
Diane

SORRY FOR COMPLAINING

Hey family (and friends),
Sorry for complaining about life last week. (I again accientally deleted that post.) I know that everyone has their own problems. I just had to release. When I see other peoples problems, I'm often thankful for my own problems. I am aware of your trials. I just don't know how to address them for your benefit. You are in my prayers.
Update on Rick's depression: It's funny how advice given from me never seems to be as good as if it's given from Mommy, daughters, or the doctors. I've been telling Rick forever that he needs to get out of the house to no avail. However, he went to the Dr. yesterday. Dr. Albright prescribed that Rick exercise for at least 1/2 hour 3 times a week. Rick came home yesterday and actually got on our walker-exerciser. He walked for 1/2 hour.
Last week, our ward was assigned to do Sealings on Friday. The time was 3:30. Rick's depression was really bad on Friday. He almost talked himself out of not going. (He often does that.) However, this particular day, Rick made the choice to fight the depression and get out of the house. He got ready very early and was at the Temple, dressed in his white clothing at 2:30-just waiting for the other people to come. He figured that way, Satan couldn't win this particular fight. Rick felt good as soon as he got to the Temple and drank in the Spirit.

THE MOVING OF STEPHANIE BACK TO TWIN FALLS.

I mentioned earlier that we moved Stephanie and family back to Twin falls. Here's the story of that-basically.
Just before Christmas, Mike broke his leg again. I'm not sure of the situations, but his job came to an end. (They had just moved into another apartment before Thanksgiving.) When this happened, Mike decided that it was time to come back home. He was here for a few weeks looking for a job while Stephanie and the girls stayed in Boise. That wasn't working out for them. Stephanie was needing to be with family and felt all alone there. She had the car and Mike was walking back and forth to his temporary job in Twin.
Rick's parents offered to loan the money to Stephanie and Mike to help them get into their own place. I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO THEM FOR MAKING THIS OFFERING.
A few days before they were supposed to move, Stephanie was praying for help to move. Who knocks on her door? The representatives from their Elders Quorum from their first ward in Boise. They hadn't heard from them since the quit going to church sometime back. They asked if there was anything they could do for her. OF COURSE, THIS WAS AN ANSWER TO HER PRAYERS AND MINEalso. HEAVENLY FATHER SENT THEM TO HER HOUSE TO HELP. They made arrangements to have several guys there on moving day. (There were 4 or 5 guys that showed up.) Rick & I went up and also helped. However, the Elders did the most help. Rick drove the moving van home. Stephanie drove her car home. I drove our car home. The Elders from Twin also helped them unload their moving van in Twin. There were only 2 that helped, but they were great help! They were a little late. We had already started with some of the boxes and bags when they got there. They were only there for 1/2 hour and all of the furniture was out of the truck. Mike & Stephanie's new landlord just happened to be there at this time-part of it- and he also helped. It was basically the elders that did the most help.
THANKS! HEAVENLY FATHER FOR ALWAYS LISTENING TO OUR PRAYERS AND HELPING!