The Move is On...

I want to start with thanking everyone for your love during a very tuff time in our lives. It's great to know that I have such a great support system! Don hasn't had internet out in Utah, but I have sent your words of encouragement on to him...and he will read everything once the move is slowing down!

That's right--The move is ON! I have to sound excited, but I'm not into this move at all. I have put a lot of hours into this move but not my heart (sorry Don)! Since Friday--I have packed and repacked all of our things. I have to report it is all done and none too soon! The movers will arrive tomorrow between 9-11am. There will be a great sigh of relief once they close the doors and the stuff is on the truck! I have stayed up late and packed. I have almost broken parts of my body, bled, and been majorly bruised for this move. I can't wait until Don is home because he will be unpacking MOST of the stuff (not my breakables).

The puppies are ready for a long drive. Tigger and Roo know about boxes and what it means when I pack like a mad woman they have seen it all before. They are going nuts--and driving me nuts. So Friday early evening they will be getting a bath (so no smelling dogs) for the trip! Right now they are running around barking at each other like ding-dongs.

I want you to know that this week has been hard in many ways, but I have always found uplifting things from you guys when I needed the pick-me ups! I want to thank you again for that! Have a great weekend!! It maybe a little while until we get reconnected down in Florida, but as soon as we do...I'll post again!

Time to Heal...

Yesterday--Don flew to Utah to be with his sisters and mother. He was able to see his mom and say his goodbyes. She was then taken off all machines and let to return to Heavenly Father. Last night when I talked to Don--he say "it was like she wanted". And in my heart I'm sure she did wait. I think Don is now on auto. He has already called the Funeral Home (the one he worked for in Provo) and is just matter-of-fact about things and what needs to be done. Don has already written the obituary, the plans for the memorial service are almost done, and he says he's okay. I'm glad he is there with his sisters because they need his strength to move through this.

I'm not sure if he really has taken the time to grieve or if it will hit him while he is there. But he did tell me last night that he is at peace with everything now. It has been hard for him to be so far away and dealing with his mom's sickness over the phone.

On Thursday I had to call his "new" boss (in Florida) to let her know what was going on. She was so cool about everything. She told me that even though none of them have met Don--they know that he needed to be with his family and to "take care of business" in Utah. And that to keep her informed of what was going on. I'm so glad he got a cool boss that understands!

So here is the update on our move! Don flies home Friday night (the 27th) from Utah. On Saturday the 28th (sometime--not too early) Don and I will be driving to Florida together. I know that wasn't the plan, but nothing has gone as planned with this move. My mom is helping me get a moving company to come and get our stuff and drive it to Florida this next week. So what that means is Joyce is making a mad dash to finish packaging EVERYTHING by Thursday (that's the day the movers are coming)! Friday I get to pick up my husband and we are off! I know that some of my friends are a little upset that I am leaving 2 1/2 weeks early, but I'm sure they understand why I'm leaving early.

I'm mailing out cards today to everyone with our new address and phone number. Well-I got to get busy with everything. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

My Kanga

Kanga taking control of puppy land at just weeks old...never got over wanting to rule the world!
At a few days old I feel in love with her! Isn't she dang cute?
Hours old she had those big ears!
She really just wants to be friends!
Just got to love those Ears...and what a face!
Roo doesn't like his picture taken--but Kanga is just gives "love ears"
She gives so much and asks so littleDoesn't she look pleased that I dress her up in head gear?

Sad times

Late last night Don received a call from his sister (Evie) that their mom is going to pass. So in light of all that is going on in our home--he leaves tomorrow for Utah to say goodbye to his mom, and to help Evie through this tough time. He's a little lost being on the grieving side of death. He has never been in the shoes he has to wear now--and I think it makes him a little nervous. So--he will leave tomorrow morning (early) and be there about a week.

Now I'll have to call all the companies even the apartment complex to let them know that Don won't be there for another week. But I am going to look into moving companies so that I might drive down with Don. I just feel like a fool not knowing what to say to Don and his sister. His youngest sister is just being her hateful self. She is blaming Evie, and going back to her normal actions. I feel sorry for Evie because she and Linda have been so close and now she lives out in the middle of nowhere, and now she has no one close.

I do have to say that I was lucky to have a mother-in-law like Linda. She made me feel like one of her own children. She has such a strong spirit! I am glad we have the gospel in our lives and know where she is going. And that if we strive hard that we all will be together after this time on earth. Linda's health has been her ball and chain for a while now--but she will be free of pain and her body will be in the most perfect form. She will be able to do things she hasn't be able to do in a long time--and will be able to rest. My heart is full knowing that she has touched my life and I was able to know her for a short blink of an eye. But I'll have the rest of eternity to know her better! We are a forever family!

A Dark Cloud?

The last week and a half have been really hard around here. Don's mom (Linda) was taken to the hospital. Her health since I have known her has gone down (she's only 57). She has a very strong spirit! But she was taken to hospital that wasn't equipped to deal with her problems and they had to sedate her and fly her to the university of Utah hospital. They have taken her off the medication to keep her asleep, but now she isn't waking up. Don talked to a doctor today-- and they are unsure IF she will wake up. Now he feeling lost--even with being a funeral director-- he has never been on this side of it. He feels so dang helpless--being so far from his family--but really not being able to fix the problem. I just feel like a ding-dong because I don't know what to say, but for what the church has taught us. I know that isn't helping him in his time of being lost.

It doesn't help that tomorrow--we are putting Kanga down. So, I know it can't be easy to have to deal with his mom's health, dealing with putting down the dog we breed Tigger for, and getting ready to leave (by himself) on Friday. We seem to be dealing with an uphill battle! It doesn't help that we won't know if we are pregnant for a few more weeks...and it is all piling up and I'm hoping we won't crack under the pressure.

Don and I did have a good evening tonight. We were invited over my grandparents house for dinner. We love spending time with them (not enough time though). We had good food, good company, and good time playing card games. I wish--Don and I had more time to have spent with them.

You all have a good week--and I'll update soon. I'm going to post pictures of Kanga when I can do it without tons of tears!

The Waiting Game

Today I feel that I'm no better off then before...but than again I'm no worse off either. We have been to Indy everyday this week. So-I'm glad to say we won't be going back anytime soon! Now we just wait. We are hopeful that something took, but understand that it doesn't always take on the first time. So--if it did not take--Joyce is taking a much needed break. With the move and all that is what my body is telling me to do. I had to take a afternoon nap yesterday because my body can't make these 8am appointments--3 to 4 times a week with a hour and a half drive. I have been really lucky that Don has had time to take off to go with me. So that is where we stand right now. Just waiting...the wait will about kill me but I have packing to finish so once my rest is caught up on...I'll be a packin' fool! Well I know this is short but there isn't much more to report! Have a great weekend!

Too Much to Handle

Well--I really think I have had as much stress as I can handle. Let's just say I'm glad this cycle is about over! Friday I went to see the specialist (or more his nurse)...had my blood taken...and pictures of things that should have NO pictures taken of. But that afternoon we found out my hormone levels were not high enough...so MORE shots (three more days of shots). I did that and one Monday I went BACK to Indy to see his nurse and the Lady in the Lab. Monday afternoon-one more shot and come back. So today I went back to see the Lab Lady, the nurse, and the doctor. Well they can't see all of either ovary...and he has to revert to the "old school of Medicine" with just going off the blood levels. So he told me to visit the lab on our way out and call this afternoon, but on our way out of town we had to pick up another set of drugs (that didn't come with the free stuff) so that set us back. This afternoon...Don talked to the doctor's office (I just can't stand this anymore)...and the doctor thinks we are in safe levels to take the second medicine...but wanted to see us in the morning. So Don got to give me my last shot (in the butt) and we will visit the doctor ONE more time. I'm thinking that I'm taking a LONG break if this doesn't work. My ovaries hurt from the nurse trying to see them, my belly hurts from me giving myself shots in it...and now it hurts to sit down. So I'll be happy when this is all over. I'm just hoping this all wasn't in vain and we get at least ONE baby out of this trial. So I'm not sure what this appointment will bring tomorrow, but hopefully it is PAINLESS!

On to the other stress in my life--MOVING! We are finally set with a place to call "home". We will be sending out moving cards...so be watching the mailbox. We will be living outside of St. Pete. Don leaves next Friday with a loaded car...and then I will follow him in a month. My mom has been really great with us totally making a mess out of her home. (But now she will have more room!) She volunteered to drive a moving truck with me to Florida (she should have been a truck driver). So we bought her a ticket home...so we are locked into a moving date for me. We thought we would wait until the day after Thanksgiving...but the plane tickets were WAY expensive. So we have a plan, but getting packed and ready is not going real fast with making all these trips to Indy.

But now that we have turned our lives upside down--we are trying to make sure we land on our feet and not our heads! Well--we will update as soon as we know something! I hope your week goes better than mine!

Stepping Stones

Well--this week has been a very busy one for me. I have had to learn to give myself shots (and for those who know me well--know I don't like shots/needles). I had to really think this through and decided that I wanted a baby more then anything. SO--I have been doing good at giving myself shots daily. (Not that I would want to do this forever, but if this gets us to where we want to be then I have had made steps forward.) Don and I go back to the doctor's office on Friday to know the results of these shots...SO after our VERY early morning appointment...I'll update on that.

But on the moving story--We have told those who took it hard (our friends children). Now we can talk about it in the open! It's hard to keep the boxes I keep packing a total secret. We have done TONS of paper work already for this move. Don's paperwork for his licenses are now officially in the works. He's new boss tells us that she is excited to have us move (which makes Don more excited). Tomorrow I overnight paperwork for an apartment. I have been calling places for weeks now and I think with all the advise we figured out what will be our best bet. It's a place in Largo, FL just north of St. Petersburg. I have talked to these women so much I think they know my voice now...which isn't always a good thing! But the assistant manager told me today that she is going to go ahead and place our name next to a good apartment #. I'm sure she is just wishing I'll stop asking questions. But when going to an unknown place all I have had to go on is Apartmentguide.com and the word of people I don't know. So--hopefully I didn't just promise to move to the hood. But the assistant manager tells me this apartment is a nice downstairs apartment (on the end of the building) with new carpet, tile, and stuff like that. I'll update you on that also!

We are still working out the details to who is moving when. I know that Don IS leaving October 20th. And if money doesn't workout so we both can go...I'll go the day after Thanksgiving.

Well, those are my updates for now. I'll write this weekend after the visit to the doctor! Have a great week!