Best Laid Plans...

Last Sunday evening, after my blog was done for the week, we went up to Adrienne's for dinner with just Elise's family.  Elise made the rolls (she wanted to redeem herself because her rolls on Christmas didn't turn out.  It'd been a long time since she made them and she felt nervous and rushed).  She did great the second time around.

Elise and her homemade rolls

There were pictures in last weeks blog of the train and the grandkids watching the train, but I didn't see Cub enjoying it until Adrienne sent this picture and a couple of videos:

Our holiday festivities continued on into the new week.  The adults met for lunch on Monday.  Jieun was planning on coming, but Dan ended up taking her into the emergency room instead because of pain in her side.  He thought maybe an appendicitis.  He was wrong, but gall stones were found in her gall bladder, so they admitted her for surgery (Dan had wisely told Jieun not to eat in case surgery or some other procedure was needed).  Of course, they ended up waiting all day for the surgeon to finish with all his other patients.  We had also planned Zoo Lights for Monday night, but since Jieun was the instigator (with the membership to help with discounts); plans changed.  

We're glad to report that Jieun is recovering, although she has had some extra pain because the surgeon also took a biopsy of her liver.

Lunch at Cubby's.  Adrienne, Caitlyn, Nick, Sara, Catharine, Roy, 
Jennie and Elise

As usual, when Elise is in town, it's a party at my house every night and this year was no exception.  The good thing was that the weather was so nice the kids played outside a lot.  This was a good thing...except it meant lots of leaves dragged in and dirty feet in the house.  I learned from my mom that people are more important than a clean house or material things and, as is usually the case after a big mess, we were able to get the house spic and span (minus the toy closet) on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The kids were able to do some fireworks before Elise's kids went to bed (early) on New Year's Eve.  Sara sent me this picture of Camden and said it was the only fireeworks picture that turned out.

Elise left on New Year's Eve Day as it was the least expensive day to fly.  She was kind of waiting to see if she needed to extend her trip as Grandpa Verl was obviously so close to the end of his life.  However, we received word of his passing while Roy was driving her to the airport at 4:00 am.  She flew home, arranged for someone to watch her kids and will return on Friday for the funeral.  

Maverick made me feel great when he was so sad to leave.  He came and hugged me for a good 20 minutes while his siblings had their showers.  He said he wanted to stay, but he also wanted to go home at the same time because he missed his friends.  

Nan Theobald said that Grandpa must have waited for New Year's Eve because he wanted to go out with a bang. 

Mav loves his long hair, but when he got home he was willing to cut off "some" of it.  It looks great Mav!

Roy left for the Gorge on the first to do a few chores such as cleaning the carpets in the cabin and getting a tire from the side X side that needs fixing.  While he was gone, I had a lot of peace and quiet.  I sat in the living room for my morning scripture study and decided to do a 10 minute, guided meditation.  It about killed me to hang in there for the whole 10 minutes.  I am not used to so much stillness.  It showed me I have something to work on this coming year.  I took some time to record some goals, to remember the things I need to improve on.  

We received a Christmas letter earlier in December from a friend in the ward (Winnie Merritt) She shared this poem:

I know not by what methods rare, but this I know, God answers prayer.

I know that He has given his Word, which tells me prayer is always heard, 

And will be answered, soon or late, and so I pray and calmly wait.  
I know not if the blessing sought will come in just the way I thought;

But leave my prayers with Him alone, whose will is wiser than my own.

Assured that he will grant my quest, or send an answer far more blest."

We've all been praying for Zack today as he goes in for his first hard palate surgery tomorrow at 7:30 AM. Crista is coming down tonight to get his blood typed in case he needs blood.  We pray it won't come to that.  Zack is scheduled for a 3 night stay at Primary Children's Hospital, but Crista and Matt are hoping they can get home earlier than that.  When he had his soft palate surgery, she asked to go home early because she knew he would do better at home in his own bed, and the doctors finally concurred.  Zack's a great sport with all the tests, procedures and surgeries he has to have.

This coming year we are studying the Old Testament in our Come Follow Me.  I am looking forward to learning more as I continue teaching the Gospel Doctrine class.  Roy was released from primary last week and as of now has no other calling, so he can be my IT man in my class (a big help for me).  The lesson I taught today was fun as it was just an introduction of the Old Testament.  I'm grateful for all I learn while I prepare the lessons.

Our meetings now start at 9:00 am, so it's weird to me to be done with church, a nap, and now this blog, all before 4:00.  I think I'll enjoy the earlier time.