Special letter from Mrs. P

Bridger received a really special letter from Mrs. P.  She said the kindest things about Bridger. I cried while I read it. He is such a special young man! I told Bridger that I’m so lucky to be his mom! He has this inner compass that guides him. He listens to the Holy Ghost. He truly strives to be better. He made a goal to listen to the Book of Mormon by the end of last year. He met that goal. Then he decided to listen to every conference talk since he was born!! So that’s the latest spiritual goal he’s working on. I had nothing to do with it. I’ve noticed since he’s started these goals, Bridger has had this positive vibe about him. He’s had a better attitude. He’s been so much better about not teasing Tanner. It’s brought a wonderful feeling into our home. I love this amazing young man! 

Tanner’s First Basketball Season

Tanner begged if he could do basketball like his older brothers.  I signed him up with the G recreation league.  His friend L's dad was coaching and we could request their team.  Luckily it worked out. There were 6 little boys on the team.  Tanner knew all of them but one.  His little buddy Wyatt was on the team too so he was so happy about that.  There were two games a week for one month.  Tanner loved every minute of it.  His team only lost once.  They played that team for their last game and they beat them.  Tanner is very competitive.  He took it very seriously but it was so cute to watch him.  He loves sports just like his brothers.  He's a good little athlete!  Chase and Bridger made a great effort to come and watch him when they could.  It meant a lot to Tanner to have his big brothers at this games.


Grandpa and Grandma A were so sweet to come up to one of his games.  Tanner felt really special.

Dad’s Heart Valve

Dads heart valve surgery
More tender mercies were poured out upon us!  Dad's TAVR - transcatheter aortic valve replacement, went perfectly!  I came down late Wednesday night and slept over at their house.  We had to be to the hospital at 6:00AM.  Once we got checked in they told us it would probably be around 12-1:00 until Dad's turn.  But then at 9:30 they came and got Dad and said they were ahead of schedule.  Dr. W checked on Dad.  During his procedure, Mylissa and Shantelle showed up.  An hour later, they came for us and said that Dad was back!  It was incredible.  Dr. W said the valve just slipped right into place.  Dad had to lay on his back for 6 hours.  He was a champ because he did great with the bedrest.  His groin sites looked great.  There was no bleeding. During his procedure, I took Mom down to my unit.  Lynda was working so I introduced Mom to Lynda.  Later in the day, Lynda asked if she could come up and meet Dad.  When we walked into the room she said "you're exactly how I like my men..naked and in bed."  Everyone laughed.  Lynda was so kind to come up and meet Dad.  Mom and Dad LOVED Lynda (but everyone loves her).  She's so kind and personable.  It meant so much to us to have Lynda line up Dr. W and then to come and check on Dad.  She's the best!!!  Dr. J stopped by to check on Dad and was very pleased with how everything had gone.

After six hours, the nurse let Dad sit up and eat a sandwich.  Dad did so great!  He had minimal pain but didn't take any pain medication for it.  They transferred Dad to the step down unit around 6:00 because he was doing so great.  At 7:00, we left Dad and took mom to get some food.  We had a great time enjoying dinner together.  Then we went and got cheesecake to take home with us.  It was so fun to spend the day together and lean on each other for support.  Dad and Mom were really happy we were there.  The next morning, Mom and I were there by 10:00.  Dad had walked around the unit a couple of times.  He was up and ready to go home.  Dr. W stopped by and said Dad was ready to go home.  We will be forever grateful for the great care we received!  Dr. W is the best!  Dad was discharged around 11:30.  He wore his nice docker pants when he left the Hosptial.  I told him he needed something more comfortable.  As soon as he got home, he changed into his jogging suit.  We told Dad that he needed to listen to the doctor and take it easy this next week.  That's going to be the hardest part for him.  We've been so blessed.  Once again, countless tender mercies were given to us today.

Tanner likes celery!

It’s been no secret that Tanner is a picky eater. I got him to try celery and he likes it!!! He'll come
home from school and ask for celery.  He's getting a lot better with eating.  At least now he's willing to try more things.
l

Tanner’s First Piano Lesson

Tanner keeps asking when he can play the piano like his older brothers. So, I made it a goal this year to teach Tanner two lessons a month with the piano. I want to take it slow with him and keep it low pressure. I figure while we’re learning the basics, I can teach him. Hopefully it will work out. Otherwise I’ll be switching real quickly to JoLynn.  
Tanner was so excited to show his brothers his new piano skills!!

Tanner’s First Time Skiing

I wanted to start Tanner skiing last year but it never worked out.  So this year I was determined to take him.  I looked into lessons but at SB it was $150!!  That's crazy.  I tried to get him a lesson at CP but they said they were all booked.  So I sucked it up and decided to teach Tanner.  I was really worried how it would work out since sometimes we butt heads really bad.  Luckily I was pleasantly surprised! Tanner was a champ!  He caught on so quickly!  We stayed on the bunny hill for about 5 times.  They had a magic carpet for the lift which was really easy to use.  I asked Tanner if he was ready for the big lift and he said "yes!"  The lift operators were great to slow it down for him.  The first time down the big hill, I had to ski right behind him, holding him up for about half of it.  After that, he handled it on his own.  I was worried about Bridger skiing along so luckily his friend Nick was able to come with us.  They had a great day skiing together.  We met at lunch time at the van and ate our lunches.  After lunch they were really sweet to ski a couple of trails with Tanner and me.  Then they took off and met us at the end of the day.  Tanner would spot them on the ski lift and they were so good to wave to him.  By the end of the day, Tanner had heard a lot of talk about "blue" trails.  He was determined to ski a blue trail.  Sure enough, he did it twice!  He's still working on his turns but he snowplowed down the trail and only fell a couple of times.  He only had one melt down and as soon as he said "I can't do this."  He stoped and said "no stinking thinking."  I smiled and then we headed back down.  He stayed so positive!  He's a natural.  We had such a fun day.  We stayed until it was closing.  Everyone was tired but happy!

The trail in the back ground is the blue trail that Tanner went on.  He wanted to get a picture of it to show everyone.  He cracks me up!   CP was the perfect resort for us to learn on today.

Bridger and Nick are good little skiers.  Bridger talked Nick into skiing down a black for their last run.  Nick was very brave and did it!  It was fun having Nick with us.  He's a great kid!




My favorite times were on the lift with Tanner.  Tanner would snuggle up next to me and talk up a storm.  The first time he got on the big lift, after it took off he started to giggle.  He said that it tickled his tummy.

Bridger’s First Sewing Project

Bridger sewed a pillow case in his college and career awareness class.  He brought it home and I was very impressed with his sewing skills!  He was very meticulous with his sewing.  When I complimented Bridger on his skills he said that his friends teased him and called him "granny."  I think that's a compliment.  Bridger took it really well.  He was very proud of the great work that he did.  He got 3.9/4 on this assignment.  I can't wait for him to show it to mom.  Bridger gained a big appreciation for seamstresses.  

Dad’s Heart Catheterization

In December, Dad had his annual physical with his doctor.  He said his murmur sounded different and ordered a heart ultrasound.  When Dad told me about this, I listened to his heart and I could definitely hear a loud murmur that didn't sound right.  After Christmas he got his ultrasound done. He was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis.  I asked Lynda at work which cardiologist she would recommend.  She said they are all good but her favorite is Dr. B W.  Mom tried to make an appointment with him and the clinic told me that the review board will look over Dad's case and let men them who will be taking him on.  Mom told me this on Monday.  On Tuesday, I worked and Lynda was also working.  She asked about Dad and I told her what happened when he tried to make an appointment.  She got upset and said "that's hogwash!"  She called the cardiologist department and asked for Dr. W.'s phone number.  They gave it to her.  She called him expecting to leave a message.  He happened to answer his phone.  Lynda told him the situation and he said that he would be right up to talk with him.  (Before I left for work that morning, I felt prompted to bring Dad's copy of his ultrasound.). Dr. W came up about 2 minutes later.  He came up to me and said "I'm Brian."  Right off the bat, I was so impressed!  He asked some more questions about Dad.  He looked over Dad's echo report.  He said that he would be happy to treat Dad.  He told me to call my parents and tell them to answer their phones.  He would have someone call from his office to set up a heart catheterization meeting to get things started.  (Before they can treat the heart, they have to evaluate this coronary arteries).  I called mom right away and told her of the tender mercies that had happened.  She started to cry on the phone.  Within a couple of hours, Dr. W's office had called and set up an appointment for the following week.  The following Wednesday, I met Mom and Dad at the hospital.  Dad had a CT scan first to evaluate the anatomy of his heart.  Then Dr. W. had his assistant met us and escort us over to the Cath lab pre-op area.  Dr. W came and met Mom and Dad for the first time.  He was wonderful with Dad!!  He's so personable!  They took Dad to the Cath lab.  When they came to pick Dad up, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a nurse that I knew.  I had been praying that some of my friends would be able to help us today.  (I only know 5 nurses in that area).  When they brought Dad back 45 minutes later, Leslie came back with him.  I was so thrilled to see her!  Dr. W came into the room and said that Dad's coronary arteries were only mildly blocked and didn't need any intervention.  But his aortic valve definitely needed to be replaced.  It was very sick!  He consulted with Dr. J who I work with.  Dr. J came in a couple of hours later and said that he would be the back up if surgery was needed.  Dr. J was so sweet with Dad.  I love all of the surgeons that I work with but he's the one that I would have picked.  They said that Dad was a great candidate for the TAVR.  They agreed to do the TAVR next Thursday!!  Around 3:00, the nurses changed shifts and Lynette that I used to work with took over for the other nurse.  She came in and visited with us.  She was amazing!!!  Today we were showered with tender mercies!!!  My silly prayer asking Heavenly Father to have my friends take care of Dad was answered.  It showed me that the Lord was listening to my prayers.
 

The C’s Newest Member

The C’s newest member.....I went down to Provo with Matt for a UANA conference.  While he was at the conference, I slept in and then met up with the C's.  They've decided to get a puppy!!!  A friend of Robby's at the bank has pure bread white and yellow labradors for sale.  They're six weeks old.  Shantelle let me come with them while they picked out their new puppy.  There were 12 puppies!  It was puppy heaven.  They were so cute.  It took every ounce of control not to get one too.  After much contemplation, the C's ended up going with the "pink" collar.  She's adorable!  They named her Ivy.

It was very special being with the C's as they picked out their puppy and brought her home.  Tanner slept over at their house on Friday so he was with us too.  He was a little overwhelmed by all of the puppies but he still loved it.  Their new little puppy is so sweet!  She's going to be a handful but I'm sure she'll bring lots of love into their home.

Tanner’s Favorite Bear

Tanner made this bear with Grandma R at Build A Bear. If you push one of his hands, it has a recording from Grandma. Tanner loves this bear! He named it Teddy. He sleeps with this bear every night. I love how he snuggles with his bear. I sent mom these pictures so she could see how much Tanner loves the bear they made together. 

Bridger’s Teacher Ordination

Right before Marilyn left, she gave us two books on Moab.  Tanner devoured them.  He sat down on the couch and pointed out all of the places that we had seen while we were in Moab.  It was so sweet of Marilyn to give us these books so we can always remember our trip.

In Island Park, we took a silly picture of the kids and Bridger just turned his back on the group.  So now we always joke about that.  That's what Shantelle is doing in this picture.  Ha, ha!

Matt and I totally spaced it but Bishop Summers called Matt and asked when we wanted to do Bridger's Teacher Ordination.  I totally spaced this! I'm still used to the old ways.  So we called our families and told them we were doing Bridger's ordination the next day.  We threw together a fabulous party for Bridger.  We invited the W's but they couldn't make it.  The C's originally said they couldn't come but then she texted me that morning and said they were coming!!! But they had some delays and were 10 minutes too late and missed the ordination.  But it was so sweet of them to drive all the way up here to support Bridger.  Mike and Amy came too.  Our parents and Marilyn are always so sweet to support us.


We're so grateful for everyone's support.  We're so proud of Bridger and the choices he's making to advance in the priesthood.  Matt have Bridger a beautiful blessing.  He talked about how special it will be to help prepare the sacrament and to remember the sacred ordinance.  The priesthood brings so many wonderful blessings into our lives.