The Delayed Update!

Hi Everyone!!! Sorry I have been so slow on updating my blog. I guess I've just been so busy with stuff my blog sort of got neglected, however I didn't realize how neglected until I finally showed my face at church today after 3 weeks and was told numerous times that I needed to update my blog :) Thank you all who inspired me to update! First of all, I'm sure what you all want to know is that my dad is doing very well. He ended up having quintuple bypass (that's 5 bypasses). He is home and getting better every day. He spent about 5 days in ICU which was a bit longer than we anticipated but after moving to a different floor he really started recovering quickly. It has definitely taken a toll on him and on all of us but each day gets a little better. The first few nights he was home I was staying the night with them to help out. He still is having trouble sleeping but from what we hear that is to be expected for a while. He is on a tremendous amount of medications for various things and that is quite the job keeping all of that straight. He takes his medications about 7 times a day and so I was able to type up a sheet for my mom that lists each medication and when to take it so that has helped tremendously. There has been a lot to try to keep up with and to learn throughout this situation but we have felt very blessed.

While I would never want to go through this experience again, I am thankful for the opportunity to grow spiritually. It has amazed me how much I have felt the spirit in my life and I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of me and my family. First of all, I was in awe at the outpouring of love shown to me personally and to my family. Several people who don't even know my dad expressed so many kind words and prayers in his behalf and offered so much of themselves to help. When we found out that my dad was going to need a blood transfusion we spread the word asking for those who were willing to donate in his name. We have heard from several people in different states who donated blood in his name! What a blessing for the blood banks! And that was all before the surgery even took place. As we approached the morning of the surgery I was a nervous wreck. I had prayed as much as I could and there were so many of you also praying but I still had such an uneasy feeling. I just did not have peace. The morning of the surgery just before they took him, my sister and I met my mom and dad in his room. It was just the 4 of us and we were able to have a family prayer together. My dad said it and during that prayer I felt the most wonderful peace come over me and I knew that it was going to be okay. The surgery was 9 hours long and I dreaded it. However I quickly discovered that while I thought about my dad my mind was not consumed with him and there was no longer the dread. It was so amazing to feel the peace and comfort from my Heavenly Father at that time. Since that time it has been a true testimony builder for me to be able to feel my Heavenly Father's love for me. My mom stayed with me the entire time my dad was in ICU and we were able to find so many small blessings through everything. For instance, if you live anywhere near here you know what a challenge parking can be at the hospital. Yet, the entire time my dad was in ICU we went down about every 2 hours to see him. We could only stay just a few minutes and then we had to leave so we made many trips to the hospital every day. Every time we pulled into the main parking lot we would find a spot empty waiting for us without even having to search. Mind you this was multiple times a day. The day he got moved out of ICU was the first time in about 5 days I had to look for a parking spot. What a simple thing that made such a huge impact on our stressed out minds. It was like that with everything. So many little things that made such a huge difference. Even the fact that a few years ago my dad encouraged me to take my Drywall Contractor's State Boards (which I passed) and I am so much more capable to help with my dad's business as he recuperates. What a blessing that I have the knowledge to be able to do that.

Each year as Thanksgiving approaches I find myself thinking of my blessings and I have always known that I was blessed in so many ways, but this year was so different. I found myself being so thankful for just the basic things that really matter. My dad's surgery has really helped me to put things into perspective and to be more appreciative. I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves me. I am thankful for a husband who supports me and who so willingly offers his shoulder for me to cry on. I am thankful for my children who step up and help out and are so patient with me as I try to be so many things at once. I am thankful for my mom and dad, they have taught me so much. I am thankful for my sister and the relationship we have. And then, all of our extended family and friends. It has been amazing to feel of your love for our family during this time. My dad and I have had the opportunity to talk a little bit since his surgery and we have been amazed with the number of people that have reached out to us. We never knew how many friends we have.

So, even though life is crazy right now we know we have been blessed. We are holding life together at the seams and so far the thread is holding. Tyler has missed a few preschool days but he doesn't seem overly upset by it. He was able to make it to church today and to the nursery so he seems happy enough. Ashlie is getting ready for her Christmas Dance Recital and I just had her parent teacher conference where she received very good grades. Her and Sari are also getting ready for their Christmas Piano Recital and have both been practicing very hard. Sari has a Pyramid project due this week which will take some work this week but she can do it. She also received very good grades during her conference. Craig has been working and trying to help out around the house since I've been slacking so much. He has become the main house cleaner, laundry doer, and dish washer. As for me, I'm still in school myself. Only two more weeks before finals. I am still handling the bookstore taking over my mom's portion so she can be home with my dad. I also took over a large portion of the drywall so that my dad can recuperate. I skipped out on my primary chorister the past two weeks but finally made it back today which felt so good. As you can see we are having no problem staying busy. This week is also the Christmas Parade which we are looking forward too. In years past we have always had several friends and family with us. Sometimes there are around 30 of us all at the parade together, this year will be a little different without my mom and dad and my sister's family (they are sick). Sometime in the near future I will have to find some time to get my Christmas shopping started and if we are lucky we'll get a tree up :) Life is crazy as ever but I have felt so blessed with this time to put things back into perspective. What a wonderful season!!! I will try to be a little better at blogging, hopefully I can keep up on things a little better now. Thank you all for your concern.