Look What We Found in the Bushes!

David, Toby and I were taking a walk when we heard something in the bushes. When we looked in the bushes we saw these 3 little kittens (the mother ran off when we looked in the bushes). I love how they are hugging! They are probably a day or two old.

My Little Stud Muffin!

This is how Spike conquers the treadmill! Little Perv!

Spike has no shame when it comes to wanting a belly rub!

Happy Memorial Day!

When it Rains it Pours!

With my mom still recovering from her stroke, my twin sister Angel has had to deal with a lot of the responsibilities dealing with my mom. She is the only responsible sibling living in Atlanta which makes things a little stressful for her.

Monday night I received a call from my sister's husband Tom telling me that my sister was in the hospital! What the Frik! She went there with double vision, bad balance and slurred speech. We thought she was having a stroke too! Turns out it was not a stroke, but they are testing her for MS.

She came home yesterday but she feels they released her to early. There has been no diagnosis yet on her condition. She still has double vision, bad balance and now her head hurts too. My poor twin!

Please pray for her too!

Santa Rocks!

Gallivan Plaza here in downtown SLC is really nice in the summer. They have live bands in the afternoon. I work right across the street so I go there, grab a bench and listen to the music while I eat my lunch.

"Santa" was out there today air guitaring up a storm! He was way cool! Watching him made me miss New York a little!

The Flowers Are In Full Bloom At Temple Square!

With all the beautiful weather we have been having here, I took a walk down to Temple Square during my lunch break. I was amazed at how beautiful the temple grounds were! Tulips of all different colors were everywhere. I took this photo with my phone (it's not very good), but I will go back this week and take some better photos to share.

How Can We Have A Family Blog Without Toby!

This is our cute Yorkie, Toby. He is super cute and I hope one day Miss Lillie and Jay will relinquish custody of my beloved Spike back to me so Toby can have a playmate!

Miss Lillie Goes to Rehab!

My mom went to rehab yesterday and started her first full day of rehab today (not the Amy Winehouse kind of rehab)!

Thanks everyone for all your kind thoughts and prayers! Keep praying, Miss Lillie is determined to come to Salt Lake and keep her July 25th endowment appointment at the temple! If she is able to come, it will be a glorious day!

I Got Promoted!

I started full time yesterday at Energy Strategies! I have been working part time there as a receptionist, but last week was promoted to Executive Assistant to all 4 Partners.

Energy Strategies is a consulting firm helping companies find better, greener ways of using energy. I love it here!

When Miss Lillie Comes Back, She Comes Back!

It has been 8 days since my mom suffered her stroke and developed pneumonia. We have cried and prayed so much over her that our tear ducts have run dry and or knees are sore! It seems that Heavenly Father has answered our prayers. Mom is progressing each day and my sister just called to tell me that she opened her eyes! This is what we have been waiting for!

My mom has always had a good sense of humor, but today when she opened her eyes, her husband said "look at those pretty eyes". To that mom responded, " Oh, you silver tongued devil". She is a hoot! I love her so much!

What a Pistol!

While this experience with my mom has been nothing short of hell, she continues to progress and surprise us. She definitely has not lost her sense of humor through all this. A few times a day we ask her general questions (what's your name, etc.). She answers every question we ask except when I asked her her age. I said "How old are you?" and there was silence. I asked her again (joking with her that she had to tell the truth). "How old are you?" To that she answered "Too old!"

She has now started asking for Diet Coke. She told me to go to the refrigerator and get her one. When I told her we did not have any up in the room, she promptly told me to "go to the machine". She asked me if her husband would bring her one as well. When I told her he wasn't (because she can't have any), she told me that if he didn't bring her one, he would be fired!

Her sense of humor and strength is really a comfort to us.

Miss Lillie Speaks!

Today has been a miracle! About 8:00 AM my mom began to utter words! Her first words were "Please, cold drink". Since she can't swallow yet we couldn't give her anything and that was torture for us. We were told we could run a wet swab in her mouth so we did and she loved that.

Throughout the day we asked her questions such as "what's your name?", "what year is it?" "where are you?", etc. She answered all of the questions and more! What a blessing!

She still can't open her eyes, but I feel awed by her courage (even though when I told her she was brave, she said the she was a crybaby). Go Miss Lillie!

David Graduated!

David graduated yesterday wit a Bachelors Degree from the University of Phenoix! Yeah!

Miss Lillie is a Fighter!

I have never experienced anything so emotionally draining as waiting and watching for signs that my mother will open her eyes and speak to me. I am very close to my mother and have always had the utmost love and respect for her, but I have never felt so proud of her as I watch her literally fight for life. Her strength to pull through this is inspirational.



Today she had been responsive and can move both legs and her right arm (her left arm has been affected as she can't really move it). When asked to hold up two fingers, she does it. She can hear us when we speak to her. My brother Steve was sitting across the room and he started telling her that she was doing well, that's when mom flashed a "thumbs up" and the "OK" sign! We all just lost it at that point. Here she is unable to open her eyes or speak, but she still tries to offer comfort and encouragement to her heartbroken family. That's my Miss Lillie for you, she's a fighter.

Please Pray for Miss Lillie

We have had some bad news hit our family. My mother Lillie suffered a massive stroke yesterday. I am currently in Atlana at her bedside. Please pray for her. She is a wonderful and generous lady who is needed in this world.

I am having ups and downs. My mom is responding to commands and can hear us but it is still like she is in a coma. She can't open her eyes or talk and that is making me crazy! I want her well NOW! Unrealistic, yes, but that's how I feel. I love her so much and I want her to be OK.