Excellent Movie! Fireproof

Curtis and I went to see a show that my mom heard about, it is called Fireproof. This is a movie about a firefighter and his wife. He is a hero in the community, but not at home. The struggles they go through and how his Dad dares him to try an experiment for 40 days. He agrees. It is hard, but so worth it. He overcomes a lot, and so does his wife. All the people were couples in the theater except for one man. Good for him...he might learn something to apply in his marriage at home. We cried through it. Action packed, edge of your seat! I challenge anyone who read this blog to PLEASE take your spouse and go see this movie. It is NEW so it will be out for a few more weeks (I hope). It is worth getting a babysitter, or trade babysitting with someone so you and a friend can go. With what we have in our faith and religion, this will only enhance it! Have I said enough about how wonderful this is?!!!! Please email me once you see the movie: nielsonaz@cox.net. Here is the link to see the trailer http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/support.php

Grandma Time with Haley

This morning Haley (my very first grandchild) came to have "Grandma Time". We soaked our fingernails, buffed, painted in layers!!!! and added little stickers and sparklies to those nails. Haley has been trying NOT to eat her fingernails. She has done great...so we manicured! Then we read books while our nails dried. Grandpa loves healthy muffins...so we baked. Here is Haley holding one. They are yummy.

It is so nice to have the grandkids close by. I never dreamt that having this generation would be so special and dear to my heart! Then, when I took her home at noon, little Haven heard my voice and had to come running in and get a hug and kiss! She will be two next month. What a doll. Christian was right behind with showing me the pumpkins daddy carved. Then we had to take a tour of the girls room. Haven's bed was now moved into Haley's so they can prepare for Noelle to arrive in December! How exciting.

What better way to spend the morning!

Dinner at the Melting Pot

Curtis and I decided to take our maried kids out to dinner (the ones who live here in Arizona) last night. We all went to the Melting Pot. What a wonderful time we had. There were 8 of us. I am going to post the photos at the end of this so you can see us all. We visited and rotated seating positions all night to get a chance to try dipping in the three different pots! Was so fun.

Recent Fun

Recently Curtis had a three day trip to Las Vegas and I went with him. While he was in meetings I went to visit some of my friends: Debbie Tidwell and Gerry & Hughleen Smith. We had a great time catching up. On night we went to see Blue Man Group. Here is a photo Curtis took after the show.
We even watched the Bellagio Waters dance for a bit after going to go and visit Steven & Emily Bell. They just got a new house. Sooo cute!

Miracles Never Cease

After having a wonderful visit in Tucson with my dear friend, Beryl, and having lunch with my sister, Patti, and my friend Linda...I had to drive straight to a doctor's appointment. I had a CT scan last week of my lungs...since I don't have Asthma...to be evaluated. Well, the night before the CT scan I had a blessing to take care of the CT and my leg surgery which would have been the day after the CT. So...I saw a pulmonologist. This guy reminded me of a mad scientist! His hair was sticking out all over, he had a funny accent. I asked him where he was from. He said, California! Go figure! He was really nice and listened well. He asked me lots of questions, and read my CT stuff. There is NOTHING there. He then asked me again why I was here. I said my allergist felt you should see me. He told me I was a 53 year young person, very healthy, no problem! I then asked him, "Are you a God fearing man?" (I was being brave!) He looked at me surprised. I was thinking to myself he was going to be crude or something. He said "Yes I am." I then told him I was LDS, a mormon. I had a blessing the night before the CT scan. I said it looks like God took care of whatever the problem was. He then said to me. "I have a surgeon friend who I really admire. He told me once...God is the healer. Doctors just change the bandaid." On that note my appointment was done. I don't have to take any more asthma meds. I can take allergy stuff to help in the rough seasons...other than that I am whole! At this very moment it just dawned on me. We have been studying what it means by being healed by the Savior in Matthew and Mark of the Bible. They are made whole, cleansed. Their sins are forgiven. What a humble feeling for today.

My Day in Tucson

This morning I drove down to Tucson REALLY early. I have been visiting my sister, Patti, and her family. I helped Nathan and Ashley with their DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) papers. They like me to help me...their papers usually win $$ when I do. Then I went to see my long dear friend, Angie Sampson. She and her husband moved back into their original home they bought when they got married 38 years ago. (They had been renting it out). We had a great visit. One thing with Angie, you do a lot of laughing! How fun that was. For two hours we had a great time. We hadn't seen each other since my 50th Murder Mystery birthday party! Once back at Patti's we had a lovely "haystack dinner". Then I helped Ashley put together a fun game for Beehives at Mutual for this Wednesday night. We put together the Sacramental Prayers into word strips so the girls can have a game to see which group can actually learn them first. So we tried it out for Family Home Evening as our game. Was totally fun...plus we learned the words! What an amazing experience it was as we disected it to understand it better.

The roads and freeways around here are totally MESSED up. ADOT is having a hayday in Arizona. Every road is ripped up! But oh how I miss this beautiful area of the state. Too bad there isn't a temple here...we could then move back.

High Anxiety at the Doctor's Office

Yesterday after teaching early morning seminary, coming home and having a quick breakfast, my mom picked me up at 8:00 a.m. to drive me to my newest doctor - a vein/vascular doctor. My appointment was at 9:00 a.m. or so I thought. The office staff was suppose to tell me that my appointment was switched to 11:00 a.m.! We had two hours to sit and wait. Fortunately while sitting there visiting, a gentleman (wainting for his wife) overheard my "missionary moment" discussion with my mom. He asked me "Which ward are you in?" I asked back, "Are you a Mormon?" He said yes. He is Bishop Moody of one of the retirement wards up in Sun City, Arizona! So for the next three hours (that's right, an hour past my appointment time) the three of us visited and shared crazy stories! He told how his ward is the opposite of our ward. Everyone there is OLD. He is dealing with one or two deaths a week, 80 widows, 32 widowers, 100 inactives, and can only visit between 9am and 4pm because people are in bed asleep after 6pm! His ward a "field trip" to the mortuary near by...so they can plan for their future. We died laughing!

About 12:15 pm out walks his wife. I see a bandaid over her inner elbow. I asked her in a panic sort of way..."Did they draw blood on you?" She answered calmly, "No, I.V. It is routine in case of an emergency." Well...if any of you know me and needles, I said "No one told me about an I.V.!" Then the nurse was sitting by my side and making sure my info was correct. I said, "Do I have to have an IV?" She said, "Yes, it is routine." I started to cry.

Well, after I was dressed in a paper gown!! for my vein closure (in my left calf) ... she stuck her head in the door and said...."I spoke with the other nurse and doctor...we decided...you don't need an IV." I thanked Heavenly Father immediately! Now...to make it through the episode!

This was crazy. I laid on a gurney like table. The doctor scrubbed my left leg. While they were holding my leg in the air, the nurse said "You have the most beautiful leg we have ever seen in this office!" Now...this doctor's office is in Sun City...average age ... 85! So you figure that one. They draped me in all kinds of surgery wrap and fortunately raised the part by my chin up in the air so I couldn't watch!

What happened was basically this...sonogram my leg until he found the vein that was not working properly (basically blood flowing wrong direction). Then take a shot needle and numb up the area with 3-5 injections of lanocaine ... it worked! Then make a small cut, insert a probe (while still using the sonogram to see where he is going with it) and travel down to the vein, puncture the vein and then insert a wire thing into the probe and radiowave (like microwave) the vein in 4 one-quarter turns every one minute. Then back it out. He was going to do my other bad vein, but it was on the outside of my calf...too many nerves...could be damaged.

Now came the clean up the leg part and put on a compression hose up to my thigh.
The entire time I was on the table I was stiff as a board. Trying not to move and Scared stiff. I was thinking...yesterday the doctor asked if I would like some Valium (sp?) so I wouldn't be nervous today. I didn't want to mess with drugs. Maybe it would have been a good thing!

Mom and I didn't get home until 4:01 pm.

I am doing great today. I just have to wear this stocking on my left leg for 4 weeks! I'll be glad to remove it...reminds me "I am injured!"